Stories From the Field

Show Summary Change is often treated as a process to manage, but what happens when we center the human experience instead? In this episode, Oana Amaria sits down with organizational development practitioners Jacqueline Rosenberg and Zhanel Ahearne to explore what it really means to navigate change inside organizations. Together, they unpack the difference between change and transition, reframing c...

Show Summary  In a fast-moving world, it’s easy for leaders to lose touch, with themselves and with the people around them. In this episode, Oana Amaria sits down with Nnaceesay Mercier and Tsheli Lujabe to explore the Gestalt concept of contact and what it really means to connect with authenticity in leadership and everyday life. Making contact goes beyond communication. It’s about presence, curi...

Show Summary  In this special episode of Stories From the Field , Robert Patteri , Partner/Head of Human Capital from Connex Partners, hosted a fireside chat featuring two members of Firefly’s leadership team ( Oana Amaria and Jason Rebello ). This session will reframe diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), moving beyond the acronym’s expectations and platitudes to overcome politicized narratives,...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories From the Field , Firefly’s leadership team ( Oana Amaria , Jason Rebello , and Felicia Scott ) come together to process the many turbulent changes, consequences, and future impact from the current administration in 2025. They share their personal insights on topics ranging from companies abandoning their DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives, th...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories From the Field , we sit down with Bernard Coleman to explore the vital roles individuals and organizations play in today's polarized world. We delve into the responsibilities of each individual during election cycles, emphasizing the importance of advocacy. Bernard shares insights on cultivating a creative imagination to envision peace, especially now du...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories From the Field , hosts Oana and Jason sit down with Adam Locklin, founder of Sustainable Business Solutions (SBS). Throughout the episode they discuss Locklin’s personal journey starting as a US marine and how he chose the path of entrepreneurship. They also dive into the topics under Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), the different terms and commo...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories From the Field , we sit down with Tafarii and Erica to unravel the intricacies of the equity in design process. Throughout the episode we get to explore topics, diving into the differences of terms like inclusive, accessible, and universal design. We also discuss equity and how it's portrayed as not just a specific need but an overarching requirement for...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories From the Field , we dive deep into the realm of Artificial Intelligence, exploring perspectives not often discussed by the media. Our guest, Diya Wynn a Senior Practice Manager in Responsible AI, sheds light on the lesser-discussed aspects of AI's impact on our world. From uncovering hidden challenges in designing and using AI responsibly to examining it...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories from the Field, we sit down with business executive, author, and seasoned advisor Sola Osinoiki. Oana and Jason embrace the conversation, diving into topics around data and how we can utilize this to drive meaningful changes in the workplace, what having a seat at the table looks like, and how we as professionals can navigate the evolving landscape of busine...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories from the Field , dive into Jewish identity with Rabbi Rose and Joshuan Newman. Together they share their thoughts, debunk myths and give advice to the future generations on making an impact. We learn about what it means to be a true ally in times of uncertainty and what companies can do to foster a more inclusive work environment. Finally, they share their p...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories from the Field , we welcome Manjuri Sinha, the current Global Director of Talent Acquisition for OLX. Throughout the episode, Manjuri shares her insights on the key predictions for talent strategies in 2023, drawing from her own experience and published reports. We also explore the common misconceptions in tech hiring and debunk myths surrounding tech hiring...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories From the Field , we welcome Beth Wiesendanger who shares her unique perspective as a first-generation individual growing up with the ADA laws in the 90s. She discussed the misconceptions around what disability looks like and how it's important to advocate for the disabled community. She also speaks on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and h...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories from the Field , we sit down with Isaiah Deporto-Plick, a seasoned angel investor and entrepreneur who shares his insights on investment capital, funding for underrepresented groups in tech, and his experience as a co-founder for Fuerza Ventures. We also hear his breakdown of the recent SVB failure and the implications it has for the startup ecosystem. Throu...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories From the Field , Oana Amaria and Jason Rebello sit down with Coach Gessie Thompson, a Nutritionist who founded her own wellness company called The Detox Now. Throughout the episode they discuss self-care, the trauma of racism, and ways to heal and loving yourself. Thompson shares her story about her own 15-year journey with fibroids and struggles with infert...

Show Summary In this episode of Stories from the Field , Felicia Scott and Oana Amaria chat with Elizabeth (Lisa) Liang, an actor, writer, storyteller, and global citizen of Chinese-Spanish-Irish-French-German-English descent. As a budding actor in Hollywood, she noticed stories like hers weren’t being told on stage or in film. In this episode we chat about what it’s like to help immigrants, multi...

Show Summary Reflecting upon his multifaceted career journey from the IL Governor’s Office to the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (LGBTCC) where he currently serves as director, Jerome’ Holston has significant experience engaging and elevating LGBTQIA communities. In this wide-ranging conversation covering the Pandemic to “The Great Resignation”, we discuss how leaders can elevate and create...

Show Summary What is code-switching, and what are its pros and cons? On this episode of Stories from the Field , author, podcaster, facilitator, polymath, and third culture kid Tayo Rockson shares how code-switching showed up in his own life as the son of a diplomat, and how he learned to achieve a balance between acclimation and authenticity. We also discuss how leaders can help those outside the...

Show Summary In this episode, Jason Rebello and guest host Felicia Scott talk to documentary filmmaker, writer, educator, and community organizer Jeanette Lam of Youth FX. Jeanette shares how she found her voice in film as an Asian American queer woman, and how she’s helping others do the same through her work with BIPOC filmmakers and her riveting work in the documentary short, A Flower in a Dark...

Show Summary As a young college student, Dr. Marketus Presswood’s first trip to China proved to be more than just another study abroad experience. It was the beginning of a life-long journey through Afro-Asian history, with a little entrepreneurship and self-discovery along the way. In this episode of Stories from the Field , hear how Dr. Presswood’s experience as a Black man in China has impacted...

Show Summary Somewhere between becoming a mil spouse and an unpleasant conflict in a Lowe’s parking lot,  Katy Doggett began to avoid sharing her experience as an Air Force Veteran - thanks to the doubters and push-back she often received. But since sharing her story with LadyVet she’s now the one pushing back - so that other female veterans don’t face the same biases and misconceptions. In this e...

Show Summary Inclusive marketing champion and Adweek Executive Mentee Argelia Martinez joins us to dig deep into some of the statistics, challenges, and opportunities for emerging BIPOC leaders. Argelia shares her own stories as a Latina leader and advice for other emerging leaders, their organizations, and DEI champions who truly want to engage this critical talent pool on their own terms. Learni...

Since the onset of the pandemic, the interest in mental health and self-care have both increased exponentially. Along with this, a gradual shift toward applying a more intersectional lens to these practices has emerged, especially after the concerns of BIPOC have long been left out of these spaces. That’s why we’re thrilled to sit down with licensed psychologist Dr. Han Ren – one of the field’s le...

Colorism tends to be a loaded topic - poorly understood and not always well-received in communities of color and beyond. So how can we as DEI practitioners and champions give it the attention it needs and deserves? Dr. Sarah Webb, founder of Colorism Healing , joins us to answer this question and explain how colorism impacts cultures across the globe and what we can do to break the cycle. Tune in...

How does a sports broadcaster turned award-winning filmmaker become the go-to DEI leader for emerging tech companies? The Inclusion Company co-founder Busi Sizani joins us from Amsterdam to share how her journey from post-Apartheid South Africa to award-winning filmmaker shaped her unique path into DEI.  Always the storyteller and visionary, Busi shares what the next generation of DEI leadership n...

We keep using this word “transformation” and you’re probably wondering, what does that really mean in the context of anti-racism and DEI? Well, we’re incredibly fortunate to have Firefly collaborator Dr. Nandi Shareef on the show to break it down for us. In this episode, Nandi sheds light on the transformation process she helps leaders navigate through at organizations that have made the commitmen...