The Intersection presented by Intersectional Group

Rose Kaz is a serial entrepreneur who's committed to building equity in tech, demystifying tech, sharing resources, and building communities. In this episode, Rose discusses with Zhou about using technology as a tool, the gate-keeping of recourses (and how to change that!), building communities, and leadership. Connect and work with Rose: https://business4good.co/ word@rosekaz.com (email) BOOST ca...

Mac Prichard is the founder and CEO of Mac's List, a well established regional job posting and HR advisory organization in Oregon and Washington. In this episode, Mac discusses with Zhou about good practices and advice for job seekers, hiring managers and employers, mentors and mentees. "Be Clear." is the loud and clear message from Mac to everyone who's job seeking and hiring. Connect with, learn...

Happy New Year! In this special episode recorded on December 31, 2024, Astrid Kurniawan, a Portland professional who won her gender pay gap battle with a former employer, shares her full story and learning with us. "This type of stuff (gender pay gap) is so systemic...   it is on purpose that we can only fight one person at a time." - Astrid Kurniawan " This experience has transformed me and galva...

Rihana Mungin and Zhou Fang have been friends for years and they both learned how important intentional joy and living a life are in hard ways. In this end-of-year special episode, Rihana and Zhou talk about how practicing intentional joy and taking living seriously make their lives better. And how they support and love each other with the power of joy and enjoyment. We believe that we can find ho...

Nick Mendez is a human-centric  photographer and videographer in Portland, Oregon. Nick also exercises journalistic values in their creative work. In this episode, Zhou learns how joy, pleasure, and being present can do wonders to one's business. Follow and work with Nick: https://www.nickmendez.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nickmendez.photography/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmendezphotograph...

Mujidat Saaka is our first returning guest. She is a sophisticated Data Analyst and Entrepreneur. Mujidat returns to The Intersection to continue our conversation on community building, abundance, family, and "being home". In this episode, Mujidat shares her learning and growth in 2024, including buying a home in the Portland metro, building a community of abundance, and creating her home in the P...

Paul Brown is a senior leader in people and culture with an extensive background in tech. As a white, male presenting person, Paul spent years learning about the myth of meritocracy, white supremacy, capitalism, racism and other systemic oppressions. In this episode, Paul shares with Zhou about his journey of learning and unlearning, showing up as a real ally and coconspirator, and making real cul...

Tâm Hixson is a successful realtor helping 1st time homebuyers find their homes in Portland, Oregon. She's also an Operations Manager at Habitat for Humanity of Oregon. In this thoughtful, intimate conversation, Zhou learns about Tâm's journey from higher education to real estate, helping 1st time homebuyers start accumulating generational wealth, practicing the abundance mindset and meaningful ex...

Chone Poe is a serial entrepreneur from Myanmar, now pursuing her MBA at Portland State University. In this episode, Zhou learns about Chone's journey from Myanmar to Portland, being a fashion entrepreneur who wants to create a brand that's sustainable and inclusive, pursuing an MBA at PSU, and adjusting to a culture that's different from home. Follow and connect with Chone: https://www.linkedin.c...

Jeff Lynott is the District Manager supporting the Foster Area Businesses in Portland, Oregon. He's been involved in the neighborhood businesses for 15+ years, with the last 6+ years working full-time helping local businesses thrive. In this episode, Zhou learns from Jeff about Hyper-locality and what it means for neighborhood businesses, building lasting relationships, and collaborations. Follow...

Professor Joanna Deshay is an educator at Arizona State University, the Executive Director at Diversity Leadership Alliance (Arizona), and the owner and designer at Black Russian Label. In this energizing, thoughtful, and fun conversation, Zhou learns from Joanna about the vital importance of Intentionality and Time Management when one has 3 jobs and is a parent, the meaning of DEI in fashion, and...

Lana Zumbrunn is a series entrepreneur and software developer. She's an expert and advocate for "a new way of working" and "bringing more women and girls into tech". She is passionate and deeply involved in the AI industry. In this episode, Zhou learns about Lana's approach to working remotely, her taking a deep dive in AI: understand it, get involved in the industry, and make it better. This conv...

Olena Hart is an immigrant from Ukraine and is a professional writer. In this episode, Zhou learns about Olena's experience living in the U.S. as a Ukrainian, her efforts as a multicultural communicator, and how she takes care of herself and family knowing the war in Ukraine may not end soon. Follow and connect with Olena: https://ukrainianinphilly.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/olenahart/ Book...

Cait Donovan is a renowned burnout expert, keynote speaker, and Chinese medicine practitioner. In this real, fun, moving, and profound conversation, Zhou learns from Cait about Burnout, resentment and boundary, getting help and support, behavioral change, Chinese medicine, and looking at someone's life holistically. Follow and work with Cait: https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/ https://www.cai...

Dr. Joel Pérez is an Executive and Leadership Coach. He is the author of Dear White Leader, a book that helps leaders who identify as white learn and practice cultural humility. In this episode, Zhou learns from Dr. Pérez about Cultural Humility, Growth Mindset, Deep Curiosity, and How to Apologize properly. Follow and work with Dr. Joel Pérez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelperezphd/ https://apo...

Young Seo is a Senior DevOps Engineer by trade. She is an experienced and active rock climber with over 14 years of experience "chasing rocks". In this episode, Zhou learns from Young about her journey as a sophisticated rock climber, her recent incident (a bad fall) and recovery, luck, and gratitude. Contact Young about her athletic life and experience: https://www.linkedin.com/in/young-seo/ Find...

Vivian Acquah is a Certified Diversity Executive, prolific public speaker, and Virtual Reality Trainer on DEI based in the Netherlands. In this episode, Zhou learns what is "replenishing phase", using Virtual Reality in DEI work, using cooking and recipe as teaching tools, and cultural appreciation. Article Using VR To Unlock Empathy: https://amplifydei.com/using-vr-to-unlock-empathy/ Follow and w...

Priscilla María Gutiérrez is a certified trauma recovery coach. She helps people break toxic cycles and get on healing journeys. In this episode, Zhou learns from Priscilla about becoming a trauma recovery coach, figuring out a career that has no playbook, helping people heal, and keeping your hands open. Connect with Priscilla: https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakercoach/ https://www.linkedin.com...

Suhasini Gavarshetty is a global citizen who's lived in India, Singapore, Dubai, New York City, and now in Portland. In this episode, Zhou learns about what it means to be a global citizen, a climate activist, and someone who's interested in policy making in order to make our future better. Follow and get in touch with Suhasini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suhasini-gavarshetty/ suhasini.cg@gmail.c...

Mandy King is the owner and chef of Money Bowl, an establishment in Portland, Oregon, selling innovative/reengineered traditional food from Guilin, China, where both Mandy and Zhou are from. In this episode, Zhou learns about localizing and recreating traditional recipes for a local market; seasonality (eat what's in season); soup as medicine; and love for food. Follow and find Mandy in Portla...

Claire Parsons is an employment law, and litigation attorney in Ohio. She is also a seasoned meditation practitioner and teacher to lawyers. Claire has published 2 books and is working on her 3rd book. In this episode, Zhou learns about the impact of meditation on lawyers, how teaching and writing have enriched Claire's life and brought her joy, as well as the importance of collaboration and c...

Audrey Alverson is an expert in communications. In this episode, Zhou learns about using communications for equity and justice, owning our identities with pride, choosing to be childless (an identity Zhou and Audrey share), and making an impact through small actions. Connect with Audrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-alverson/ https://boldworkcollaborative.com/

Isabel Benatar is a certified Chronic Pain Recovery Practitioner. In this educational and thought-provoking conversation, Zhou learns about TMS - tension myositis syndrome, the stages of pain management, the connections between fear and pain, as well as our own journeys toward liberation. Follow Isabel's work: https://www.isabelbenatar.com/ https://www.instagram.com/chronicpainrecovery/ Books...

Tenny Pandika Gillis is a senior leader in marketing and communications. In this gem-packed conversation, Zhou learns about the interconnections between parenting and leadership, her long journey to self acceptance and compassion, the spiritual law of giving, risk taking, validating others, and showing up for ourselves. Follow Tenny on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tennygillis/

Nancy Chapin is the first official hire of Portland Business Districts (1991). At the age of 85, she still works in Portland's business districts full time. In this episode, Nancy graced The Intersection with stories from her decades' long career in nonprofit and community building, her love for Portland, and her life-time commitment to learning and growing. Nancy was featured by Portland...