Zaka Presents: My Journey

Linda Kugblenu is an award-winning Vice President at JPMorganChase and a leader in finance and payments innovation. As an immigrant leader, Linda is committed to expanding access to capital for social and economic impact, leading groundbreaking initiatives in cross-border payment strategies. In this episode, Linda shares her journey from empowering small businesses in Uganda to becoming a thought...

We sit down with Johanne Joseph, the powerhouse behind J’Organic Solutions (J.O.S). Born in Haiti and faced with the challenge of an autoimmune disease that led to hair thinning, Johanne transformed her personal struggle into a thriving beauty brand. Immigrating to the U.S. at just 14, she defied the odds to become a master hairstylist and entrepreneur. Drawing from her family’s tradition of using...

In this motivating episode, we sit down with Marc-Edwin Rigaud, a talented Software Developer at Ally Financial. From his miraculous birth with his twin brother Carl to overcoming numerous challenges, Marc-Edwin's journey is guided by his life creed, "Kaizen," meaning continuous improvement. Marc-Edwin shares inspiring childhood memories from Haiti, the obstacles he faced, and how h...

"Model What You Want to Attract" is the motto that Ajayi lives by. He is a remarkable first-generation immigrant from St. Thomas who has made significant strides in both public health and authorship. Ajayi's journey is a testament to resilience and dedication, having witnessed firsthand the disparities in youth and family outcomes in his hometown. This experience fueled his passion...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Carl Rigaud, a Senior Analyst at Ally Financial. Born prematurely alongside his twin brother, Carl’s early life defied the odds, earning them the nickname “miracle babies.” Carl’s journey takes us from the vibrant streets of Haiti to overcoming the challenges of a massive earthquake and personal adversity. Despite these obstacles, Carl has built a remark...

Michelle Manglal-lan is  the Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Samsung Electronics .  With over 20 years of experience across multiple industries, Michelle is a powerhouse in Talent Management & Development, DEI, Engagement, Employer Branding, and Employee Mobility. Michelle’s journey is deeply inspired by her parents, who emigrated from the Philippines. Their resilience an...

Yasir Kurt, a first-gen Turkish-American who turned the seeds of grit and resilience into a flourishing career in counseling and education. Yasir's story begins in a household where education beyond middle school was a distant dream, yet the drive to achieve more was deeply instilled by his visionary parents a tailor and a farmer. Today, Yasir serves as the Director of Life Design Graduate Pr...

 We explore the remarkable journey of Srijita Ghosh, a distinguished venture advisor based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. From her early days overcoming personal challenges with anxiety to becoming a driving force for entrepreneurship in the Midwest, Srijita's story is a compelling testament to resilience and visionary leadership. Discover how Srijita's early experiences in India, influence...

Devika Brij, Founder of Brij the Gap Consulting, shares her inspiring career journey in tech, including her impactful roles at Google and LinkedIn, and how these experiences led her to launch her own firm. Brij the Gap Consulting specializes in empowering underrepresented employees and their leaders through career advancement strategies, self-advocacy, and personalized coaching. Devika's expe...

As the Head of Engineering at a leading tech company in Silicon Valley, Bala Arjunan Muthiah shares his remarkable journey from leaving India 15 years ago to becoming a prominent leader in the tech ecosystem. His story is one of resilience, navigating the challenges of adapting to a new culture, and turning those experiences into valuable lessons in real leadership. Bala's unwavering commitme...

Taonaya Fleury Ghazarian's story is one of resilience and determination. She shares how her diverse career path, from real estate to being a flight attendant, has given her a unique cultural perspective and prepared her for the tech industry's challenges. Her groundbreaking mental health tech company, PhrenTech, leverages cutting-edge virtual reality technology, making high-quality thera...

We bring you the story of Castelline Tilus, a Haitian American visionary who exemplifies the potential of immigrant professionals. Castelline's journey, from her arrival in the United States at age 6 to becoming a leader in sustainable development, serves as an inspiration for anyone striving to make an impact. As the Founder of Akademi and Co-Founder of Ayiti Analytics, Castelline has played...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mischka Crichton, CEO of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, as she shares her journey from Deloitte to leading North America's largest attended event. Discover how her cultural heritage and lessons from her immigrant family inspired her to defy conventional career paths and embrace a life of passion and cultural celebration. Tune in to learn about the C...

Jean D. Pierre, the Executive Vice President and Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Community Health of South Florida Inc., educates us on the diverse career paths within social work and the strategic advantages of social work certification. Jean emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the Licensing for Social Worker test incorporates DEI principles to foster culturally competent care. Starting...

Liberian-American Sandie Bonwinkor's story embodies resilience and adaptability. Raised by a single mother in the US, Sandie learned the value of hard work and perseverance early on, driving her to achieve success. Her profound understanding of Gen Z dynamics, coupled with her corporate experiences, now fuels her mission to craft compelling brand narratives. This positions her clients as indu...

Christian McKenzie shares her inspiring journey from navigating the challenges of growing up in an immigrant household to carving a path in the world of venture capital. Starting as a retail buyer for Macy's, Christian's passion for supporting founders propelled her into venture capital, driven by a strong work ethic instilled by her immigrant background. Faced with obstacles, she showca...

On Air Personality, Jaylah Sandoval, followed her passion to work in a field that she loves and can still be able to inspire and motivate others. As a Costa Rican and Salvadorian, she speaks about being a Latina  in her industry and the challenges and perseverance it took  to break into the entertainment industry.  Her experience includes working with MTV and Billboard and Univision She offers ins...

Born in India and raised in the US, Neelu Kaur  shares her immigrant story. She moved with her parents at a young age with only $75. As an Executive Leader Coach, Speaker, and Author, she grew up in a traditional Indian culture that valued the collective "we" over the individualistic "I". Advocating for herself and acknowledging her own accomplishments was incredibly uncomforta...

Meet Lester Moses, a Senior Customer Solutions Manager (CSM) supporting the Salesforce.com account at AWS. In his current role, he is responsible for building trust and serving as a key advisor for Salesforce. Leveraging his expertise in program management, technical skills, organizational acumen, and transformational leadership, Lester translates Salesforce's business and strategic goals int...

Danica S. Nelson, an award-winning marketer with over 10 years of experience, transitioned from her roles at TELUS and Shopify to become a successful content creator, teaching people how to make and manage money. Born to Jamaican parents, Danica shares insights into her journey—from corporate professional to entrepreneur and how she successfully worked remotely in over 10 countries. As a content c...

Award-Winning  Design Director and former Head of Art and Design at J. Walter Thompson Worldwide, Aaron Padin unveils the untold stories behind his iconic projects, revealing how his unique cultural journey influenced his approach to design and branding. From the pulsating energy of NYC streets  to leading global competitions in China, Aaron's narrative is a mesmerizing blend of heritage, inn...

Bryan Wooden shares his extraordinary life story on the latest episode. From growing up in a Bahamian and Dominican household to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Bryan's cultural background has been a driving force in his life. Learn about the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to DEI leadership and entrepreneurship, and how he overcame challenges in the early stages of his career. D...

Adriene Bueno is a trailblazing Latina excelling in the sports industry. With over a decade of experience, Adriene has left an indelible mark on major brands like the NBA, Adidas, LA Clippers, Electronic Arts. On top of that she is also the Founder of Baller Careers, guiding business professionals in landing sports jobs in a competitive market. In this episode, Adriene highlights her cultural back...

What does a Lawpreneur look like? Join us as we sit down with the phenomenal Shermin Lakha, Esq., Founder, and Managing Attorney of LVLUP Legal! In this engaging conversation, Shermin shares her incredible journey, unveiling the story of how she embarked on the path to starting her own law firm at a remarkably young age. Driven by the immigrant narrative of her parents, we uncover the layers of Sh...

Seneca Williams, LMHC, a resilient soul who transformed job loss into a thriving career. From paralegal to Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Seneca's journey is one of triumph. She dives in her immigrant experience, cultural insights, and pivotal career moments. Learn how she tackles high-functioning anxiety, coaches entrepreneurs, and imparts wisdom through mental health training. Seneca pre...