What happens when stellar client experiences meet heart-centered coaching? You get powerful insights from our final guest of this podcast, Žana Devine.

About the Guest:
Born in Berlin, Germany, Žana was immersed in hospitality from day one. With a father who was an acclaimed chef and a mother leading a hotel housekeeping department, her passion for the industry was built into her DNA. That early exposure inspired her to earn a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and a master’s in Hotel Management, setting the stage for a global career.

With three decades of experience working with world-renowned brands like Hilton, Intercontinental, Four Seasons, Fig & Olive, and Café L'Europe, Žana brings a wealth of expertise in elevating guest experiences and operational excellence. Fluent in four languages, she’s proud to offer services in both German and English, helping hospitality businesses worldwide reach new heights.

Website: https://www.zanadevinehospitality.com

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

Meet Jennifer Espinosa-Goswami, who stops by to share her expertise as a speaking coach to help our collective leverage speaking as a massive client attraction tool.

About the Guest:

Jenn Espinosa-Goswami, ACC, MAL is an ICF-certified public speaking coach and Founder of Weightless LLC. A former Toastmasters International officer and graduate of the Masters of Leadership program at Augsburg University, Jenn helps coaches speak more clearly, consistently and confidently on stage or camera and get paid for their expertise. Over the past 10 years, Jenn has presented to thousands of leaders internationally, and was recognized by Influence Digest as top 15 coaches in Minneapolis. Prior to starting her company, Jenn served as a certified fraud examiner for 16 years within Fortune 500 financial companies.

Check out my YouTube channel for featured appearances https://www.youtube.com/c/JenniferEspinosaGoswami or listen on Spotify: https://tr.ee/nzCMea27p_
Visit my website at www.weightlesschronicles.com

✅ Inquire about bringing me on as a guest speaker via email jegoswam@bweightless.com

Ways to work with me:
🎤 Start your Signature Speech using this (free) template https://bit.Ly/signaturespeak

📞 Schedule a free mini-coaching session to claim your expert speaker bio www.Calendly.com/jennchat

🤝 Work 1:1 with me to practice your presentation skills, book speaking engagements, become a highly visible expert speaker, and grow your business behind the microphone

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

This month, we sit down with Thabo Makgato, a visionary marketer, entrepreneur, and changemaker, to discuss curiosity, creativity, and the power of storytelling. From building affordable, modern housing in Africa to celebrating local athletes through NFT trading cards, Thabo shares insights on dreaming big, breaking barriers, and making an impact globally.

Discover how imagination, collaboration, and story can transform communities and create opportunities.

About the Guest:

A marketer by profession, an artist by birth, an event manager in practice, and an entrepreneur at heart. Born and bred in the "Jewel of Africa" Botswana, Thabo started his career doing volunteer work with NGOs such as the Botswana Society for the Arts, Ycare, and Salvation Army Psychosocial Initiative following his undergrad in Biology and environmental science at the University of Botswana. He has since worked with hundreds of Orphans and Vulnerable children, informed policy & strategy on funding the arts at a national level, organised events of up to 13,000 people & been charged with marketing and advertising some of the most recognisable brands in the country. Thabo's next chapter is currently unfolding to combine his passion for creativity, his love for community, and his skills in business development to build an affordable housing start-up. One that is built on combining dignity, comfort, safety, and style.

Website + Social Media links:

https://www.facebook.com/thabo.m.makgato https://www.linkedin.com/in/thabo-makgato-90aa25337/ https://www.instagram.com/tswanathabo/
https://x.com/whichThabo

Timestamps:

0:00 – Show Intro

0:33 – Meet Your Host

1:32 – Introducing Thabo Makgato

2:53 – Connection through Community

3:22 – Who is Thabo?

5:12 – From NGOs to Entrepreneurship

6:03 – Building Pop Culture Marketing

7:01 – Falling into Entrepreneurship

8:33 – Lessons from a Failed Campaign

10:09 – The Power of Analytics

16:00 – Pop Culture Meets Marketing

19:09 – Go Where the Money Is

22:28 – Africa’s Call to Creators

25:58 – Bridging Continents and Creativity

27:08 – Meeting Rap and Cross-Cultural Exchange

28:02 – Unlocking Opportunities in Africa

28:49 – The Importance of Curiosity and Dreaming Big

30:36 – Thinking Beyond the Impossible

32:31 – Passion for Creativity and Affordable Housing

33:18 – Affordable Housing Project Details

35:32 – Modular and Prefab Housing Solutions

37:03 – Collaboration and Client Partnership

37:22 – Looking Beyond Borders in 2026

38:30 – Trading Cards Initiative in Motorsports

41:00 – Success Story: Sponsorship for a Local Racer

44:10 – The Power of Storytelling

45:03 – Influential Mentorship: Lindeloo Alexander

46:59 – Staying Visible and Amplifying Your Story

47:25 – How to Connect with Thabo

48:50 – Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

50:17 – Final Takeaways & Sign-Off

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching

What happens when living behind a mask becomes too heavy to bear? In this episode of Elevate and Celebrate by the BIPOC Coach Collective, Deanna Jones shares her powerful journey of transformation from corporate executive to authentic changemaker.

Through courage, loss, and rebirth, she opens up about embracing her truth as a transgender woman and using her voice to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her story is a reminder that liberation begins when we choose authenticity over fear.

About the Guest:

Deanna Jones brings over 35 years of experience in the technology sector, specializing in sales, operations, and project management. During her 25 years at a Fortune 100 technology company, she led initiatives, built partnerships, drove innovation, and supported growth. As President of the Harmony LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, Deanna advocates for inclusion and belonging. She also serves on the DEI Committee for Meeting Professionals International.

Deanna helps organizations reimagine how they recruit, retain, and elevate talent, particularly those often overlooked. Her work fosters cultures where individuals bring their authentic selves to work, unlocking their full potential. When people are aligned with work that excites them, it elevates the entire organization. Drawing from her leadership experience and personal journey, Deanna uses storytelling to guide others through change and inspire lasting impact.

She holds an MBA from Elon University and a Master’s in Instructional Technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus. In her spare time, Deanna speaks at The Monti in Durham and coaches T-Ball.

Website + Social Media links:

www.deannajones.com

www.linkedin.com/in/deannamjones

https://www.facebook.com/deanna.jones.493159

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Elevate and Celebrate

02:15 – Meet Deanna Jones

04:20 – Realizing Something Was Different

08:10 – Living in the Wrong Box

13:30 – Crawling Out of the Darkness

18:05 – A New Beginning and True Love

21:50 – Leaving Corporate America Behind

25:45 – Discovering Purpose Through Authenticity.

30:30 – Breaking the Silence on DEI

37:10 – The Power of Allies

41:00 – Finding Passion and Purpose

47:20 – Speaking, Creativity, and Connection

52:45 – Lessons from the Journey

55:10 – Looking Ahead

58:00 – Closing Reflections

Learn more about the BIPOC Coach Collective at bipoccc.org.

#bipoc
#coaching
#thoughtleadership
#globalcommunity
#professionaldevelopment
#businesscoaching
#executive coaching
#leadershipcoaching
#professionalcoaching