We sit down with Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernández, a visionary leader in higher education and the President of Urban College of Boston. She shares her extraordinary journey from immigrating to the United States from Haiti at the age of 12 to breaking barriers in academia as a first-generation college graduate and leader. With degrees from the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics, and Boston College, Dr. Salomon-Fernández has built a career dedicated to expanding access and creating opportunities for underrepresented students. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, offering invaluable insights for anyone navigating challenges as an immigrant or aspiring leader.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Salomon-Fernández discusses her leadership philosophy, the importance of creating inclusive spaces, and the pivotal role community colleges play in empowering diverse communities. She also opens up about the systemic barriers she faced as a woman of color in higher education and how she worked to break them while uplifting others.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Nancy Douyon, a well accomplished immigrant professional who has redefined success at the intersection of technology, ethics, and inclusion. From her journey as an immigrant breaking barriers in Silicon Valley to leading groundbreaking initiatives at Google, Facebook, and Uber, Nancy’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and impact. As the founder of Incluversal, she’s harnessing the power of AI and inclusive design to accelerate career growth and create opportunities for underrepresented professionals. Her insights will inspire anyone striving to carve their own path in a competitive world.

Nancy opens up about how her immigrant background shaped her drive to succeed, her work advising the Obama administration on universal design, and the challenges of integrating ethical principles into cutting-edge tech projects. Whether you're looking to rise in your career, navigate a new culture, or lead with purpose, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable strategies to help you turn obstacles into stepping stones toward your dreams.

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Author and occupational therapist Samarra St. Hilaire shares her journey of growing up Haitian-American in Brooklyn, self-publishing her debut YA novel Brushed Between Cultures, and balancing cultural expectations with personal dreams. Discover how her 22 years as a therapist shaped her storytelling and the powerful themes of resilience, identity, and friendship in her work. Perfect for anyone navigating tradition and independence.