Martine is an elevation strategist who provides individuals and organizations with techniques to harness their greatest potential. She builds bridges between those who have the resources to invest in human capital and those who benefit from mentorship and sponsorship. Martine’s experience of being a former undocumented immigrant and a survivor of statelessness established her business savvy and rapport with individuals of all backgrounds. Martine possesses 10+ years of professional experience providing Learning & Development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work to Fortune 500 global companies in tech, commercial real estate, private aviation, retail and more. Martine helps companies engineer policies and practices to establish Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). She has spoken and led discussions on the topic of DEI and leadership at companies such as LinkedIn, Bank of America, Hogan Lovells USA, Howard Hughes Corporation and Cornell University. Martine was a featured speaker on immigration reform at various forums and rallies, such as the late Senator John McCain’s Town Hall Rally on Immigration in New York City. She is a published author, Huffington Post blogger, Tedx speaker, and runs Martine Kalaw Enterprises, which offers Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Management Development consulting and training. Her novel, Illegal Among Us: A Stateless Woman’s Quest for Citizenship, recounts her journey of going from a seven-year battle in deportation proceedings without a family or a country to a US citizen. Martine is a graduate of Hamilton College and Syracuse University's Maxwell School with a Masters in Public Administration and a focus on Immigration Law.

Sheyda Do’a is a vocalist, pianist and mathematician. She draws on her multi-cultural heritage and her upbringing in Albania to blend traditions and sounds from across the globe into “melodies for the soul”. Sheyda began playing and singing early on under the guidance of her mother, a Berlin-conservatory pianist. She later taught herself the guitar. She has been a guest singer with Latin Grammy award- winning guitarist and producer Javier Limon. Sheyda writes and performs music to convey that our common humanity transcends all differences. She demonstrates comfort across a range of genres, from Albanian folk tunes to classical and bossa nova. Sheyda is currently a doctoral student in mathematics at the University of Maryland, which she refers to as her “side-gig”. She spent a gap year on scholarship at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and speaks 6 languages fluently. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheyda_doa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheydadoa Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkjr8BIB3whwVe04-HocCjQ Upcoming Strathmore concerts: https://www.strathmore.org/what-s-on/summer-2021/air-sheyda-do-a/

Award-winning artist Alarke, also known as Mary Alouette, is an award-winning Los Angeles-based electronic pop singer, songwriter, music producer, artist coach and entrepreneur with a career spanning over two decades. From singing opera in castles in Italy, to performing Gypsy jazz with Romani musicians in France, to creating a solo artist retreat and recording a Cuban jazz album in Havana, Cuba, to volunteering as a music director at a refugee camp in Greece, to headlining shows at New York City's iconic Rainbow Room and the world-renowned Kennedy Center, Alarke has covered various genres throughout Italy, Austria, France, Canada, Cuba, Greece, and England. Other notable performances include: Carnegie Hall, Strathmore, Blues Alley, Fábrica De Arte in Cuba, the Apollo Theater’s National Tour, the Baltimore Orioles, the Washington Nationals and EA Games’ Boogie Superstar. For More Information: ALARKE https://www.alarke.com https://www.instagram.com/alarke_ https://www.facebook.com/alarkemusic https://www.youtube.com/user/lookalarke https://www.soundcloud.com/alarke https://alarke.bandcamp.com SET YOUR LIFE TO MUSIC https://www.setyourlifetomusic.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/setyourlifetomusic https://www.instagram.com/setyourlifetomusic https://www.facebook.com/setyourlifetomusic

Soy Carla Santos, chilanga de corazón y bióloga desde nacimiento, siempre que puedo intento participar en voluntariados, como por ejemplo en el zoológico de los Coyotes, con los chinamperos en Xochimilco para la conservación del ajolote. Posterior a eso mi segundo amor, es hacia mi país, hacia nuestras costumbres y tradiciones, amor por fomentar lo hecho a mano y en México! Todo comienza desde que soy niña, mi papa me transmitió ese amor por todo lo que contamos o tenemos en nuestro país, tanto naturaleza, artesanías, estados, comida, nuestra gente! En lo personal amo mi país y me encanta la idea de poder poner un poquito de mí para dar a conocer sobre nuestra cultura. Este proyecto de “Artesanías Meji” surge por la inquietud de lo ya mencionado anteriormente, por transmitir este amor y lo más importante armar equipo con personas que compartimos este mismo sentimiento. Todos los productos se elaboran con hilo de algodón y se sigue conservando la tradición de teñir de forma natural. Con este telar se pueden hacer diversos diseños y productos, dependiendo el producto es el tiempo en horas o días que se tardan en hacerlos. Todo esto es un trabajo de mucho esfuerzo y dedicación, un trabajo que vale la pena de apreciar y exhibir. https://instagram.com/artesanias_meji?igshid=quyyegcya78z

Abigail de Casanova is a hairstylist and make-up artist based in Washington, DC focused on celebrity, commercial, print, film and bridal work. Abigail’s clients include 20th Century Fox Television, Sony, Disney Channel, National Geographic, Exclusive Artists Management, Vanity Fair, Tiger Woods Foundation, Absolut Vodka, Univision, Wounded Warrior Project, Procter & Gamble, LatinaStyle Magazine and Destination DC among others. She has also been a contributor to various beauty articles, print publications and is a member of IATSE 798, the International Alliance of Theatrical Employees for film & television. Abigail’s work has been seen on CNN US, CNN International, ABC, ESPN, FOX, NBC, CBS, TLC, HLN, Bloomberg, The White House, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, NY Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, Project Runway and on Billboards in New York’s Times Square. She is currently working on a national production, Heydays Vintage TV, as the Head makeup artist. She has also excelled internationally and her work has been featured in magazines in Latin America, UK, India, Iceland and Dubai. Her bridal work has been published in The Washington Post, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, DC Modern Luxury, The Knot, and has been named a Top Bridal vendor by Washingtonian Weddings (formerly known as Washingtonian Bride & Groom Magazine) for six years running. In her continued commitment to education and development she is a mentor of Latinas Leading Tomorrow, a non-profit for the development of young latinas. She is also a volunteer of the American Cancer Society "Look Good, Feel Better Program". For further inquiries into booking or charity work please email: decasanovabeauty@gmail.com

New York designer Raul Penaranda has been making his dream a reality designing luxury women's wear with an aesthetic that stands apart with a mix of seductive and sophistication. His collections celebrate the intrinsic beauty of the human spirit with his one of a kind expert craftsmanship and beautiful use of luxurious fabrics to create a uniquely avant-garde yet wearable collection. Through this uncompromising style, Raul has dared to be himself and only two years after debuting at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week was declared by FORBES magazine as one of the fastest growing fashion entrepreneurs to come out of the small business industry with his 100% USA manufactured ready to wear fashion line for women and Vogue Mexico named Raul “The New King of New York Fashion Week” for his extraordinary craftsmanship, attention to detail and exquisite style. Raul was born in Cali, Colombia. He grew up in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to Miami, Florida with his family as a young adult. In 2000, Raul relocated to New York City where he was offered a freelance design position at Liz Claiborne, while enrolled at F.I.T and Parson's. Over the next ten years, some of the industry's most established fashion houses felt his creative impact such as Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Zac Posen and Tommy Hilfiger. He has held key positions as Creative Director of Merchandise and Trend Services, Head Designer and Textile/CAD Designer. His work and story has been featured in major media outlets such as NBC-Universal, Forbes, Fox, CNN, Telemundo, Univision, Vogue-mex, Baccarat Hotel, People magazine, El Tiempo, Hola-US, Hola-Colombia, Hola- Venezuela, News1, NY Post, Marie Claire, Lucky Magazine, Daily News, Entertainment Weekly, Us Weekly, Vanidades, Cosmopolitan, ESPN, Al Rojo Vivo, The Cut, The New Yorker, Bravo, Richard Magazine, Cromos, Fashion Mingle, RCN, Blue Radio, W Radio, El Elenco, EFE News, Caracol Television, NTN24, Kenton, Fox Business Live, Fox Latino, Latina Magazine, Ocean Drive, E Entertainment, Fashion news Live, Morgan Stanley, NY Magazine, Latin Grammy’s, Emmy’s, Harper Bazar, Fashion Trendsetter, El Carabobeno, Haute Living, Fashion Indie, My Life Style Magazine, VH1/Divas Daytime, Un Nuevo Dia, Despierta America, Acceso Total, Teen Vogue, Society of Illustrators, The Fashion List, True Fashionista, Top Model Latina, Todo en Domingo and vainstyle Magazine. Recently during New York Fashion Week, Raul's burgeoning style culminated in a tremendous showcasing of ready-to-wear designs entitled “Shine” for Fall 2020. Presenting to his largest audience to date, Raul did not disappoint as his models walked the runway in handmade fashions indicative of his daring yet romantic style that has gained him recognition from American and Latin media. Still, Raul is only getting started and with ten seasons of inspiring collections there is only one demand from the designer ‘SHOW THE WORLD WHO YOU ARE. www.raulpenaranda.com

Tanya Lopez is an Experience Designer and Inner Temple Guide. As an experience designer, Tanya weaves magic, connection and beauty into the way we gather to honor and celebrate our lives. She consults heart-centered, impact-driven entrepreneurs and coaches to create transformational experiences with lasting impact. From high-end masterminds and themed dinner parties in castles to spiritual adventure retreats and sacred rite of passage rituals and ceremonies, she creates what many call "the best experience of my life." As an Inner Temple guide and coach, she works with entrepreneurs to reconnect to their true and sacred self, lead with heart and intentionally design their life and business as sacred. Website: tanyalopez.com

About Sheila Barabad I’m a visual storyteller living and working in Harlem, New York, highlighting the experiences, beauty, and perspectives of people, places, and things. Through photo and video, my mission is to capture the essence of my subjects to tell their unique story to the world. And, I’d like to help tell yours. A brief history Born in the Aloha state, I once called Stuttgart, Germany home for part of my childhood, living on an Army base with my family before spending more of my formative years in the suburbs of Chicago. As a photo graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), I started my professional career behind the lens in Chicago, testing my mettle as a photo assistant and navigating my way through the world of photography. Like all good stories, some twists and turns led me on a journey in the education sector where I received my masters in elementary education. Making a difference in the lives of young children was certainly a noble pursuit, but my passion for visual storytelling was one I could not ignore and a dream I needed to realize. I made the transition from the classroom back to the world of photography, honing my skills as a photo editor, researcher, and photographer for various professional publications across industries in Chicago. In late 2016, I made the leap and moved to New York City with my husband to more fully realize my dream as a visual storyteller with camera in hand.

Sonia De Los Santos was born with a smile on her face (that's what her mom says) in Monterrey, Mexico, and in 2007 started touring the world, singing in English and Spanish, playing guitar and jarana and lighting up the stage with Grammy Award winning group Dan Zanes And Friends. In 2015 she released her first solo family music album titled Mi Viaje: De Nuevo León to the New York Island (Parents' Choice Foundation Gold Award Winner) a collection of songs that reflect her experiences growing up in Mexico, moving to another country, learning about other cultures, and in the process, feeling closer to her own heritage. Sonia was nominated in 2019 for a Latin Grammy® with her second family music album titled ¡Alegría! and has been hailed by Billboard as “one of the Latin Children’s music artists you should know” and "Best Latin Children's Music". She has been featured on NBC’s Visiones, Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live and WXPN’s Kids Corner among others. She has also made numerous appearances as a singer and guitarist on TV shows like ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS’s The Early Show, and Sprout’s The Sunny Side up Show and has performed with her band in renowned venues and festivals such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, The Getty Museum, Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and many more. Sonia De Los Santos (she/her/ella) soniadelossantosmusic.com facebook • instagram • youtube • spotify • twitter New Series: “En Casa con Sonia” Latin Grammy Nominee

Irma’s Purpose Born in Mexico City, Irma Chavez first came to D.C. at age twenty-one to work as a babysitter. Overworked and underpaid for almost a year, she quit. Before, in Mexico, she had started as a secretary with aims to move into administration. But in the United States, because of her immigrant status, it was difficult for her to be formally hired. Instead, she found work in one of the few places available to undocumented immigrants: a restaurant kitchen. Away from home, and disappointed by the Mexican food available in the United States, Irma longed for the food of her mother and grandmother, and of mercados and taquerías. She dedicated herself to learning the recipes of her homeland. “I didn’t know how to cook,” she says. “I’d spent $500 on phone bills, calling my mother to be told how to cook this, how to cook that. And I had her on the phone and told her, ‘It doesn’t taste the same!’ So she would tell me what I’d missed.” In 1992, she remembers, the Mexican population in the D.C. area was sparse. Mexican products were hard to find even in Latin American grocery stores, something she’s happy has changed over the years. Irma gained resident status when she married a U.S. citizen. In 2000, she was employed as a meeting planner, returning to the administrative field. But by that time, she had fallen in love with cooking. Irma Chavez Cooking is a game of chemistry, where love and commitment are essential ingredients. With this in mind, Irma began cooking and bringing beef tongue and fried tacos to her office for special occasions as a gesture of empathy and gratitude. Her co-workers, fascinated by the flavor of true Mexican cuisine and how it differed from the popular Tex-Mex, began to ask her for cooking classes and hired her to cater important events. Inspired by the support of her community, she won the MGM City Recipe Showdown contest at National Harbor and went to compete in the Final Recipe Showdown in Las Vegas in 2018. She now runs a catering business. Irma draws her inspiration from people like activist Cristina Martínez, a Mexican immigrant based in Philadelphia. Cristina’s barbacoa restaurant caught the media’s eye, after she appeared in several episodes of Netflix food shows like Chef’s Table and Ugly Delicious. Irma also learned from the example of Pati Jinich, a Mexican chef who teaches traditional cuisine on her own PBS show. Now, Irma, herself a role model within the D.C. Mexican community, represents hundreds of women whose migration stories have a close relationship with the kitchen. She feels free to tell her story, having gained legal residency, but understands that unlike her, many women are silenced. Her purpose, besides Text from article “The Social Power of the Taco” by Díana Gabriela Pérez Valle

Dr. Mrim Boutla is a neuroplasticity PhD turned career coach. At Brown University and at the Kelley School of Business (Indiana University), Mrim successfully coached hundreds of liberal arts graduates, MPAs, MBAs, and PhDs secure jobs that maximize impact and income. As a social entrepreneur, Mrim received the 2013 AshokaU/Cordes Prize for launching More Than Money Careers (MTMCareers) in partnership with Dr. Mark Albion (Faculty Founder of Net Impact). The MTMCareers software helped over 5,000 graduates get clear, get connected, and get hired for internships and jobs that blend financial rewards and social impact and environmental stewardship. Mrim serves as a startup mentor through I-Corps, HeraHub, NETVA, and AccelerateDC. Half-Swiss and half-Moroccan, Mrim was the first in her family to go to school beyond 9th grade. She started her journey in the US as an F-1 student and became an American citizen in 2015. Mrim earned BSc/MA in Psychology from UCLouvain (Belgium), her MA and PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences from the University of Rochester, and completed her neuroplasticity postdoctoral fellowship at Brown University. Beyond work, Mrim enjoys international travel and watching NBA games with her daughter.

Meet Doctor Michelle Chin who besides her amazing background and professional credentials shares with us stories about life and this Unicorn who travels around DC! More about Michelle Chin: Michelle L. Chin is academic director for the Archer Center. She also teaches the undergraduate policymaking class for the Archer Center, a class she has taught since fall 2014. Previously, she was senior researcher and policy analyst at the Learning Policy Institute. She is a former congressional staffer, working for more than eight years as an education policy advisor for U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas, and for four years as a policy advisor for U.S. Representative Joe Barton of Texas. She was assistant professor of Political Science at Arizona State University and served as program director of the Arizona State University Capitol Scholars Program. ​Dr. Chin earned a Ph.D. and an M.A. in political science from Texas A&M University. She has a B.S. in political economy from Andrews University. Instagram account: a_unicorn_in_dc

First guest: Neelam Tewar is a strategy, visibility and optimization consultant to corporations and impact-focused entrepreneurs, creatives and HNWIs around the world. She's a two times TEDx speaker and works on youth empowerment, skill development initiatives with government, policy makers and educational institutions by way of her organization, YouthMojo. And she hosts Words & Voices Podcast where she real talks with amazing humans from around the world. Links: www.neelamtewar.com www.linkedin.com/in/neelamtewar insta: neelamtewar fb: www.neelamtewar.com/neelamtewar podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/words-voices-podcast/id1530684460