Episoder
-
Hey everyone, Monisha here, your host on Newcomers to Trailblazers! Buckle up, because we've got another power-packed episode for you today.Before we dive in, a quick reminder! We release new episodes every other week, and you won't want to miss them. So do us a favor and hit that subscribe button on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon music – whichever gets your podcast groove on!Matilda Williams-Obiajunwa is the founder of Sisters In Canada Wellness Society, an organization dedicated to empowering newcomer immigrant women to thrive in Canada through interactive sessions, mentorship and support to rebuild their self-esteem, eliminate societal isolation and foster community collaboration. With a degree in Creative Arts and a postgraduate diploma in Educational Administration from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, Matilda has extensive experience in advocacy, event planning, and stakeholder engagement. She previously served as the Communications Lead for the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run For The Cure, Surrey Committee for four years; she is also a director on the UNITI Board, contributing her expertise in fundraising and diversity initiatives. She was recently selected as a member of the IRCC Inaugural Newcomers Council, where she and other Council members will advise the Deputy Minister of Immigration, on ideas and policies that will support newcomers in Canada.Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matilda-williams-obiajunwa-340877251/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newcomerstotrailblazers?igsh=cjZsd3Q3bDltYmh1&utm_source=qr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newcomers-to-trailblazers-podcast/Subscribe to us onApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/newcomers-to-trailblazers/id1721265004Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wM4SjlSSgryndrEZI01A6?si=1737299708864dedAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/fabf789a-eef2-45c8-961e-1b61a3362788/newcomers-to-trailblazers
-
In the previous episode, we featured the remarkable power couple Vishad Deeplaul and Irshad Abdullah. Now, Vishad is back for round two, and we're going to delve deeper into his incredible achievements.
In our last episode, we discussed their inspiring journey as a couple, from their South African roots to making an impact in Canada. However, Vishad is a powerhouse in his own right, and there's just too much to cover in one episode.
So, get ready to be amazed! We're bringing back Vishad Deeplaul – a super achiever extraordinaire! We'll be uncovering even more of his awe-inspiring accomplishments.
We'll be discussing his values on volunteering, community building, his British Columbia Medal of Citizenship Award, and his work with the City of Burnaby as the Senior Manager for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion with the Burnaby Promise. We'll also explore his work with City Leadership, CHRO - Anita Bhandari, and CAO- Leon Gous.
If you're interested in learning about how a city strategically creates spaces for its community members, this episode is a must-listen. Vishad's work with the City of Burnaby has been incredible in a short span of time, and he continues to excel in bringing new initiatives, inclusion, and a sense of belonging among its residents.
Vishad Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishad-deeplaul-m-g-c-56403513a
Anita Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-bhandari-cphr/
Monisha Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/
YT Podcasts: https://tr.ee/CAV0GySHKE
Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/EC1LUVjDeY
Spotify: https://tr.ee/nGJZf8tge4
LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/AWK0oo7osX
Insta: https://tr.ee/Lzf3JoaVWw
Tiktok: https://tr.ee/jqldPKmg_h
Subscribe to our podcast and follow us on socials.
Feel free to leave a comment if you have a question for us.
Thanks! -
Mangler du episoder?
-
Welcome back, podcast fam! Remember that amazing couple we featured, Vishad Deeplaul and Irshad Abdullah? We today have Irshad back for round two!
This time, we're diving deep into Irshad's incredible story. We'll explore his achievements, the challenges he faced as an immigrant (even with a killer education!), and how he's now giving back to help others.
In our last episode, we followed their inspiring journey as a couple, from their South African roots to conquering Canada. Now, we're getting personal with Irshad's education. We'll hear about the hurdles he faced as a newcomer, despite his impressive academic background and experience. You won't believe how much he's grown and how his perspective has transformed over the years.
So, buckle up and get ready to be amazed by the one and only, Irshad Abdullah – the super achiever himself! We're about to uncover even more of his awe-inspiring accomplishments. Let's get down to business!
Host Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/
Guest Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irshad-abdulla-phd-vancouver
Follow us here
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/newcomerstotrailblazers/
Li: https://www.linkedin.com/company/97468529/admin/dashboard/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newcomerstotrailblazers?_t=8kyvM8dLTmf&_r=1
Subscribe here
YT: https://youtube.com/@newcomerstotrailblazers?feature=shared
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/newcomers-to-trailblazers/id1721265004
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wM4SjlSSgryndrEZI01A6?si=DKWvReR8RT2JXDHa1WDaVQ -
Get ready for a double dose of amazing! Today, we're welcoming a power couple who are basically superheroes with hearts of gold – Vishad Deeplaul and Irshad Abdullah!
Let's unpack this incredible duo. Vishad and Irshad are both husbands, dads, and come from a super supportive family back in South Africa . Together, they launched a legal battle that shook the entire South African constitution – talk about power couples!
Host Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/
Vishad Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishad-deeplaul-m-g-c-56403513a/
Irshad Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irshad-abdulla-phd-vancouver/
Listen/ Watch here-
Youtube: / @newcomerstotrailblazers
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/newcomers-to-trailblazers/id1721265004
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0wM4SjlSSgryndrEZI01A6?si=dddc
Socials-
Insta: / newcomerstotrailblazers
Li: / newcomers-to-trailblazers-podcast
TikTok: / newcomerstotrailblazers -
We have the amazing Shobna Jaya Madhavan with us today. Shobna calls herself an "unapologetic optimist" who believes in the strength of humanity. She's a first-generation immigrant who came to Canada in 1995, and for almost 20 years she's been leading teams and connecting with people across different organizations.
This powerhouse of a woman has been nominated for the BC Medal of Good Citizenship Award, and her work spans community engagement, public relations, child welfare, government relations, and more! She's passionate about collaboration and making a positive impact, and that's exactly what she's been doing – from 2017 to 2024, she was the AVP of External Relations at Simon Fraser University, and now she's the Chief Impact Officer at MSM Unify.
Host LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/
Guest LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sobhana-jaya-madhavan-0b826a6
Watch here-
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCKKJvc6y_39MDWx39uhD6og -
Hey everyone, Monisha here, your host on Newcomers to Trailblazers! Buckle up, because we've got another power-packed episode for you today.
Alright, let's get this party started! Today, I'm thrilled to have Hannah Flostrand joining us.
Hannah hails from Montreal and has a thing for standing out from the crowd.
She spent most of her younger years in Quebec, where she juggled 4 languages – English, French, Tagalog& Spanish
She's a current career educator navigating a career shift – a wife, a mom, and now she's transitioning into a whole new career as an immigration consultant. But one thing remains constant: Hannah loves connecting with people.
Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/
Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahflostrand/
Listen/ Watch here-
Youtube: https://tr.ee/CAV0GySHKE
Apple: https://tr.ee/EC1LUVjDeY
Spotify: https://tr.ee/nGJZf8tge4
Socials-
Insta: https://tr.ee/Lzf3JoaVWw
Li: https://tr.ee/AWK0oo7osX
TikTok: https://tr.ee/jqldPKmg_h -
Anita is the first woman of colour to lead the City of Burnaby's People and Culture/HR Department, making her the city's CHRO.
In this second part, she will discuss her role as CHRO of the City of Burnaby and the city's new initiatives and developments for its people. We will also explore how they are increasing inclusiveness in their day-to-day lives. So, get ready to dive into the City of Burnaby's journey through Anita's eyes and learn how she's making a difference in the world through her leadership, embracing her unique self one powerful step at a time.
Monisha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/
Anita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-bhandari-cphr/
Vishad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishad-deeplaul-m-g-c-56403513a/
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/BYuW7X7Cu-o
Youtube: https://tr.ee/CAV0GySHKE
Apple: https://tr.ee/EC1LUVjDeY
Spotify: https://tr.ee/nGJZf8tge4
Insta: https://tr.ee/Lzf3JoaVWw
Li: https://tr.ee/AWK0oo7osX
TikTok: https://tr.ee/jqldPKmg_h -
Anita is the first woman of colour to lead the City of Burnaby's People and Culture/HR Department, making her the city's CHRO.
Before you picture Anita as some sunshine-fleeing, stereotype-conforming robot, let me assure you that she's embraced her authentic self and encourages everyone to do the same. She's overcome challenges, including a difficult year in 2021, and emerged stronger than ever.
So, get ready to dive into Anita's incredible journey and learn how she's making a difference in the world through her leadership and embracing her unique self, one powerful step at a time.
Monisha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/
Anita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-bhandari-cphr/
Listen/ Watch here-
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/BYuW7X7Cu-o
Youtube: https://tr.ee/CAV0GySHKE
Apple: https://tr.ee/EC1LUVjDeY
Spotify: https://tr.ee/nGJZf8tge4
Socials-
Insta: https://tr.ee/Lzf3JoaVWw
Li: https://tr.ee/AWK0oo7osX
TikTok: https://tr.ee/jqldPKmg_h -
Please put your hands together for Harjeet!
Growing up in a small town with hard-working parents, Harjeet is now a proud dad himself, raising a third-generation trailblazer with roots in Punjab.
Harjeet shared intimate details about his childhood in the then-small town of Kelowna, BC, and what it meant to be part of an immigrant family. He didn't shy away from discussing the racism he encountered in the 80s and also opened up about how he's raising his kids to honor their Punjabi heritage and Canadian upbringing. Plus, he offered some valuable advice for new immigrants arriving in Canada every day.
Guest - Harjeet Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harjeet-sangha/
Host - Monisha Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/
Subscribe to our Podcasts Here
Apple Podcast Link: https://tr.ee/EC1LUVjDeY
Spotify Link: https://tr.ee/nGJZf8tge4
Follow us on Socials here:
LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/AWK0oo7osX
Instagram: https://tr.ee/Lzf3JoaVWw
TikTok: https://tr.ee/jqldPKmg_h -
Buckle up, trailblazers, because today's guest is a legal eagle with an HR superpower! Welcome back to Newcomers to Trailblazers, your one-stop shop for immigrant success stories in Canada.
Joining us is Adeleke Adesuyi, a man who's seen it all in the workplace jungle – from navigating company cultures to building rockstar teams! He's even faced discrimination firsthand, but guess what? Leke's not letting that stop him from making workplaces more equitable for everyone.
Not only is he an employer relations guru, but this multifaceted maestro also teaches at KPU!
Guest - Leke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adesuyiadelekellbgphrchrp/
Host - Monisha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal/
Subscribe Here:
Spotify: https://tr.ee/nGJZf8tge4
Apple: https://tr.ee/EC1LUVjDeY
Youtube: UCKKJvc6y_39MDWx39uhD6og
Follow Here:
Insta: https://tr.ee/Lzf3JoaVWw
LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/AWK0oo7osX -
Vaishali is not just a bookworm. She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and faced the challenge of getting her qualifications recognized in Canada. It was no easy task, but she proved that she could conquer circuits and new cities by moving from Edmonton to Vancouver.
As a woman of color (POC, WOC) in STEM in Canada, she has shared her experience of facing underestimation, requiring extra efforts due to her gender and ethnicity. To learn how she tackled everything, you can listen to the episode.
Our Guest, Vaishali Rampurkar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vrampurkar
The Host, Monisha Mothilal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monishamothilal
Follow us on-
Insta: https://tr.ee/Lzf3JoaVWw
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newcomerstotrailblazers
LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/AWK0oo7osX
Subscribe to us on:
Apple: https://tr.ee/EC1LUVjDeY
Google: https://tr.ee/2VAjl1Wka8
Spotify: https://tr.ee/nGJZf8tge4 -
Today, joining me on this first-class flight to immigrant success is someone who matches my energy – a rare find, let me tell you. He's basically a human emoji that came to life, and trust me, that's a good thing!
Give it up for Femi, the Information Security Consultant whose tech skills would put James Bond to shame! This guy's resume is longer than the queue on Canada Day.
Femi's led the charge in security for public, private, and non-profit sec
Femi Ogunji - https://www.linkedin.com/in/femiogunji
Femi's Podcast - TheCyberSecMigrant
Find Femi's Podcast on Spotify - https://spotify.link/0pE6qEl5QIb
Find Femi's Podcast on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@TheCyberSecMigrant
Find us on Insta - https://www.instagram.com/newcomerstotrailblazers/
Find us on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@newcomerstotrailblazers?_t=8kyvM8dLTmf&_r=1
Find us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/newcomers-to-trailblazers-podcast/
For Video, Subscribe to us on YouTube - @NewcomerstoTrailblazers -
Farid, a Dentist by Profession but a social worker by passion, has devoted his life to educating and empowering the youth and women of Afghanistan. In the face of constant challenges and skepticism, he fearlessly championed the causes of politics, social activism, Human rights, and democracy in Kabul and beyond.
Through his unwavering determination and numerous projects, Farid earned the trust and respect of the youth, proving that change is possible even in the most adverse circumstances. However, the path he chose was not without its sacrifices. He faced multiple death threats and tragically lost a friend to one such threat, prompting him to make the difficult decision to move to Canada in 2020 amidst the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic. -
From being a diligent daughter, sister, and student, she ventured into the world of chemical engineering in India and then took a bold leap to pursue her masters in the USA in her early 20s. Since then, her primary identity has been that of an immigrant, and her journey has been extraordinary.
Rasika's move to North America wasn't a walk in the park. With student loans looming over her head, she had to conjure up unique strategies to navigate the challenges of the early 2000s. Her job-hunting experience in the US was a rollercoaster ride, but she persevered and gained invaluable insights along the way. After nearly 5 years of working in the US, she boldly decided to relocate to Canada, adding another chapter to her immigrant story. -
Hey Trailblazers! Ready for another dose of inspiration? Today, we're meeting someone who literally changed my life in Canada.
Okay, maybe she has not literally changed it, but her impact has been monumental.
Khristine arrived in Canada in 2005 as a postdoctoral fellow at the prestigious University of British Columbia. But life, as it does, threw some curveballs, and her career took a fascinating turn into the world of non-profit development.
Now, Khristine's journey wasn't always smooth sailing. As a woman of colour in North America, she faced her share of racism, discrimination, and underestimation of her skills. But Khristine is anything but ordinary.
Instead of letting these challenges hold her back, she built something incredible: inclusive spaces for people of colour and leaders, fostering communities that celebrate belonging every day. -
Rasie is a leadership coach, book coach, speaker, and author of Amazon Bestsellers “Lead In Your Truth” & “Heal On Your Terms.” She helps corporate leaders lead their teams more effectively through self-leadership and supports authors' book construction process from idea to publishing. She is giving back to our world through her Youth Mentorship Program, empowering and helping our youth take control of their lives by providing mentorship resources and access to reliable mentors. Closing the opportunity gap in leadership is at the core of Rasie's work. She does this through her successful coaching programs and youth mentorship programs.
-
In today's episode, we have a very special guest - Austin.
Austin's story is nothing short of inspiring. Imagine leaving behind everything you know and love and moving to a foreign country with your spouse and four children, all in search of a better life. That's exactly what Austin did when he and his family relocated from Nigeria to Canada.
As an English major and transportation professional, Austin had to navigate a completely unfamiliar world - from the culture and behaviour to the housing market and education system. But instead of allowing these obstacles to hinder him, he rose above them and became a pillar of support for his community, serving as the public relations officer.
Austin's family had a cancer support non-profit in Nigeria, providing moral, financial, and any other support possible to those in need. Today, his incredible wife is associated with the non-profit supporting immigrant women continuing their mission of making a difference in the lives of others. -
I'm thrilled to have a special guest with us today who's nothing short of a force of nature.
Today, we have the incredible Ingrid, a cool, hardworking, and kind-hearted entrepreneur who's on a mission to help both kids and adults find their voice and confidence through the magical world of improv. 🎭
Ingrid's journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring. She's fearlessly transitioned between careers, relocated countries not once, but twice, and courageously hit the reset button on her life – all with unwavering determination. Today, she proudly calls Vancouver home, a testament to her resilience and adaptability. -
Today, we have an extraordinary guest joining us, someone who truly embodies the concept of a global citizen.
Imagine growing up in Manitoba, Canada, surrounded by a tapestry of indigenous cultures.
Our guest, a fourth culture kid, has South Asian and Chinese ancestry, and this unique blend of influences has shaped her perspective in remarkable ways.
Her journey has been one of constant discovery, fostering a deep appreciation for cultural diversity.
Now, our guest has taken her experiences and expertise to new heights.
She is a trusted consultant and coach in the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity space, helping organizations navigate the complexities of these important subjects.
So, prepare to be inspired and enlightened as we delve deep into the world of inclusion, diversity, and equity with our incredible guest - Tanya Ponnan. -
Get ready for a wild ride on "Newcomers to Trailblazers"! Our guest, the unstoppable Karan Johar, is about to blow your socks off. Hailing from the exotic lands of Jammu and Kashmir, and with a childhood spent navigating the twists and turns of North India, Karan knows a thing or two about adventure.
She channeled her inner superhero and started a non-profit organization to save the day. Now she's here to spill the beans on her mind-blowing transformation and culture shock.
Get ready to laugh your socks off with this one-of-a-kind guest! - Se mer
