Join host Vy Le in an engaging and insightful conversation with Dr Cie Armstead, founder of Owlservations LLC and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Administrative Director at the American College of Surgeons. Cie shares her journey, the transformative power of practicing gratitude, the story behind her affinity for owls, and how she incorporates movement into her daily routine. Discover how gratitude has been a constant in her life, inspiring her to navigate through challenges and maintain a hope...
Jul 14, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Join Vy Le on this episode of 'Humans of Authenticity' as she interviews Ben Yzaguirre, the Vice President of Education and Conferences at the School Nutrition Association. Ben shares his experiences in the education sector, his journey from teaching to professional development in the association world, and his new role encompassing the logistics of meetings and conferences. Learn how he balances his professional life with his passions, delves into history and context to better understand his wo...
Jul 07, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode of Humans of Authenticity, I sit down with Mariama Boney, President and CEO of Achieve More LLC, to discuss her approach to change leadership, resilience, and impactful change. Mariama shares inspiring stories from her career in nonprofit, social work, and consulting, highlighting the importance of focusing on human dynamics and organizational development. She delves into her personal journey of resilience through various life challenges and emphasizes the significance of setting...
Jun 30, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this episode of Humans of Authenticity, I invite Justin Reyes, Manager of Member Engagement and Events at the Latino Corporate Directors Association, to share his adventures with us. Justin is also recognized as an Association Forum's 40 Under 40 honoree and a DELP scholar. He shares his journey from his roots in South Texas to his present life in Charlotte, North Carolina, revealing his dedication to community engagement and professional growth. Justin discusses his role in various nonprofit...
Jun 23, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode of 'Humans of Authenticity,' I interview Lana Boone, my yoga teacher and the Founder and CEO of Curly Clips, the first company specializing in clip-in extensions for curly and afro-textured hair. We explore Lana's journey in entrepreneurship, her spirituality, and her approach to self-validation and living truthfully. Lana's insights on the importance of integrity are not just theoretical and abstract but are vividly illustrated through her personal experiences. She recounts inst...
Jun 16, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In this episode of Humans of Authenticity, I sit down with Ericka Ochoa, the Manager of Educational and Career Development Programs at the American Association of Immunologists and DELP Scholar from the class of 2007-8. Ericka shares her remarkable journey from Honduras to becoming a key member of the nonprofit sector. She opens up about her relentless pursuit of purpose, the importance of positivity, and how she overcame personal and professional challenges. Ericka discusses her involvement wit...
Jun 09, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode of 'Humans of Authenticity,' I am thrilled to bring you an interview with Fawn Germer , a four-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and a best-selling author of nine books, including an Oprah book. She is one of three women speakers in the top 15 keynote speakers on the prestigious Global Guru list. Her journey is a source of inspiration, and I am privileged to introduce her to you this week. Fawn's journey is a tapestry of life lessons woven from her many ups and downs. She shares insigh...
Jun 02, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 69
In this episode of Humans of Authenticity on the last Sunday of May, we continue our AANHPI Heritage Month celebration by engaging in an insightful conversation with Deanna Singh, a prominent figure in the DEI community and Chief Change Agent at Flying Elephants. We delve into Deanna's journey of understanding and utilizing power to support marginalized communities through her various enterprises. The discussion covers Deanna's experiences growing up as a Black and Asian Indian woman, her evolut...
May 26, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode of Humans of Authenticity, we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with Liz Jayankura-Jones, the Chief Revenue Officer and COO at the Online Lenders Alliance. I appreciate how Liz is open to moving between her career and her personal life, discussing the challenges of balancing work and family during COVID-19, the importance of self-awareness, and setting an example for her children. She also talks about the significance of loyalty and her year of saying 'yes' to new opportunities. Li...
May 19, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Delve into a conversation with Diana Lee Tucker, COO at the Design-Build Institute of America, as she shares insights on her cultural heritage, journey in the association and the significance of adaptability in personal and career growth. Reflecting on her identity as a first-generation Chinese American, Diana discusses the importance of being aware of ourselves as we assimilate into the environment and how to stand out. Personally, we debunk myths and share our perceptions about Asians in a pro...
May 12, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Happy Asian American Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI) Heritage Month. In my attempt to platform all the amazing AANHPI leaders and friends around me, I'm dedicating the coming Sundays to introducing a few special guests. This episode of Humans of Authenticity features Rita Chen Fujisawa, MBA, CAE , the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the California Association of Health Facilities . Rita shares her story of being a second-generation Chinese American, an...
May 05, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This episode features the insights and stories of Jeff De Cagna AIMP FRSA FASAE of Foresight First LLC. Jeff's comments on the future of associations amidst rapid societal and technological changes are not to be missed. He coined the term 'duty of foresight' and has been championing the challenge of changing orthodox beliefs to foster adaptability and growth in boardrooms. Defining moments is a recurring topic on this channel, and this time is no different. Though this time, it's something I'm f...
Apr 28, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Welcome to the new subscribers this week. Thank you so much for joining me and my guests on this podcast channel. This new episode of 'Humans of Authenticity' with Clayonia Colbert-Dorsey, ASAE DELP Scholar Alumni from World Eye Cancer Hope is gift-wrapped with much love and hope. We discussed themes of hope, authenticity, leadership, and resilience. Clayonia, a leader, volunteer, and cancer survivor, shares her journey from academia to association management. She also delves into personal exper...
Apr 21, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode of Humans of Authenticity, I have a great chat with Tim Hopkins from McKinley Advisors about 'Expectation.' Tim shares his journey and insights on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), technological innovation, and setting expectations. Join me and follow Tim's career trajectory, beginning with his role at the American Association for Home Care and moving through significant positions that shaped his expertise in DEI and technology within the association industry. He delves int...
Apr 14, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this episode of Humans of Authenticity, we're joined by Zachary Gray from the American Evaluation Association and Smith Bucklin, and a scholar of the DELP class 2023-25. Zachary shares insights into his journey of showing up as himself unapologetically, the importance of community, and the nuances of generational differences. He discusses the impact of mentorship and diverse perspectives in professional settings. The conversation also delves into one of his successful initiatives that aims to...
Apr 07, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 21
Welcome to another insightful episode of Humans of Authenticity! Join our host, Vy Le, as she delves into a captivating conversation with Justin Ponder, a distinguished professor and DEI consultant from Uplifting Impact. In this thought-provoking episode, Justin shares his profound insights on the essence of empathy, drawing from his extensive expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion. With a background in Ethnic Studies and African American Studies, Justin explores the transformative power ...
Mar 31, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Embark on a riveting journey with Diana Dabdub, CAE (she, her, ella) , Director of Admissions and Recruitment Affairs at the American Association of Veterinary Medical College, in this compelling episode of Humans of Authenticity. We delve deep into Diana's remarkable narrative, offering insights into perseverance, mentorship, and community engagement. Gain actionable strategies for achieving work-life balance and discover the transformative power of resilience. Join us for an intimate explorati...
Mar 24, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this engaging episode of Humans of Authenticity, I sit down with Ally Brown, Vice President of Learning at the Society for Imaging Informatics and Medicine, and a recognized DELP Scholar and Association Forum's Forty Under 40 honoree. Ally shares her journey into association management, highlighting her passion for behind-the-scenes work in medical education and professional development. Through personal stories, we explore the themes of identity, boundary-setting, the value of comfort, and t...
Mar 17, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Join us for a captivating journey into the heart in this must-watch episode of 'Humans of Authenticity'! In this open conversation, I sit down with Rodneikka Scott to explore the profound themes of trust, self-confidence, and the quest for authenticity. 🚀 Rodneikka's Story: From Military Upbringing to Inspiring Leadership 🚀 Discover the inspiring life journey of Rodneikka Scott, from her upbringing in a military family to her resilience in overcoming a rare heart condition in Washington, D.C. ...
Mar 10, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Celia Chomón Zamora, Ph.D., CAE is a DELP Scholar class of 2022-24, a 2023 Forty Under 40 Recipient and currently the Director of Professional Learning and Certification at ACTFL. Celia's inspiring story of overcoming stereotypes and embracing her identity as a first-generation immigrant is a must-listen. In this episode, she talks about her professional journey, the challenges she faced, and her leadership style rooted in empathy and authenticity. The keyword 'Vulnerability' takes center stage ...
Mar 03, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In this episode of Humans of Authenticity, host Vy Le invites guest Camille Sanders, Senior Director of Career and Workforce Solutions at ASAE, for a conversation on the balance between self-care and altruism and the fight against imposter syndrome. Cam also shares her personal experiences of daring to embrace change in her career. They delve into the importance of finding inner peace and maintaining a personal pace and how personal values align with social expectations and external pressures.
Feb 25, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Welcome back to the latest episode of Humans of Authenticity with the first Australian guest on this channel. Andrew Gosbell is the Chair of Each, a for-purpose organization delivering health and support services that improve lives and strengthen communities, and an Advisor at the Associations Forum (Australia). He shares his journey from working in the association sector to consulting and delves deep into understanding the keyword 'acceptance' and categorizing it into accepting self, others, an...
Feb 20, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 14
'Compassion' is a big word, so rather than defining what it means, Annie Storey shared with me what 'compassion' looks like in her path in this episode of Humans of Authenticity. 00:00 Welcome 00:56 Annie Storey and how we navigate change 06:56 Membership communication case study 12:32 Compassion and how we show up with compassion 16:30 Understanding 19:33 How to build compassion into workplace culture 19:33 How to cultivate a sense of autonomy 31:00 Compassionate for each other 34:00 What's nex...
Jan 28, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1
This is a fun episode that contains two 'firsts' for me. Yingxi (Cimo) Chen is the first scientist on my channel. She is a cancer researcher and health equity advocate. She serves as a commissioner at the Montgomery County Commission on Health, working with underserved communities facing health vulnerabilities. She is a good friend, and I love our chit-chat every time, so I decided to invite her to this channel. This is also the first time I have delved deeper into the realm of DEI (diversity, e...
Jan 21, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 12
As the first episode this year, I'm sharing a new perspective I would love to hear more often - whimsy. In this episode, I speak with psychologist and speaker Nabil El-Ghoroury on his whimsical approach to life and work. The conversation also reflects on the power of courage and a robust support network. Beyond personal narratives, Nabil shares valuable insights on the positive effects of being whimsical in a professional workspace. 00:00 Welcome 00:50 Nabil El-Ghoroury 02:23 Living with courage...
Jan 14, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 11
As we approach the end of 2023, I am thrilled to share with you the 10th episode of Humans of Authenticity, featuring Maunda Land, MBA, CMP, CAE , as we explore the topic of 'Happiness'. Maunda Land is a well-known figure in our community, originally from Michigan, who is passionate about empowering people from underrepresented communities to achieve their goals. In this episode, we delve into Maunda's life journey, career, values, and her insights on happiness. We also got a sneak peek of her d...
Dec 24, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 10
A first on Humans of Authenticity, I'm so honored to have a United States Marine Corps veteran Carlos Cardenas, CAE sharing his story with me on this episode. Born and raised in Chicago's Little Village, Carlos takes us through his cultural roots, sharing the impact of his upbringing in a vibrant immigrant community. From there, we delve into his transformative experience as a United States Marine during 9/11, exploring the discipline, challenges, and personal growth that shaped him....
Dec 17, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this episode of the Humans of Authenticity, I invited Janice Haskins, PhD, a DELP friend, to share her journey towards embracing her identity at different professional and personal points. From self-discovery to leadership experiences, Janice talks about her family's role in her walk toward becoming a more confident and genuine person, significantly inspired by her daughter. This podcast episode delves into meaningful conversations around building trust, setting personal and professional goal...
Dec 10, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In the 7th episode with my DELP friend, April Tone, we discussed how we approach failure and success to broaden our perspectives and prepare for what's ahead. Three things stood out to me in this episode, but I'll admit that I'm biased since I was a part of it. Firstly, I had never before had such an enjoyable conversation about the topic of failure. We spoke about how it can act as a catalyst for growth and how we can prepare ourselves for it, or whether it's even possible. Secondly, while I ha...
Dec 03, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 7
The 6th episode of Humans of Authenticity is here. I can't believe I'm halfway through the first season of this production. Thank you so much for your support, subscription to this newsletter, and tuning into my channel. Which platform are you listening to this episode on today? Let me know in the comments. Joining us today is Shan Haugabrook, one of the DELP Scholars in my class this year. This is one of those short and sweet episodes that just hit the right spot for me. We looked at another la...
Nov 19, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 6
