In this insightful solo episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, host Lola Adeyemo challenges the traditional one-to-one mentorship model and introduces a powerful alternative: creating your personal board of directors. Drawing from her experience serving on multiple nonprofit boards and navigating her own career as an immigrant woman of color in STEM, Lola shares a strategic approach to assembling mentors who can address different aspects of your professional development and intersectional identity.

• Why traditional mentorship models often set both mentors and mentees up for disappointment
• How to identify gaps in your current mentorship circle
• Strategies for assembling your personal board of directors across various industries and hierarchy levels
• Practical approaches to maintaining meaningful relationships with multiple mentors
• Setting appropriate boundaries and knowing when to evolve or end mentoring relationships
• Ways to create mutual value in mentoring relationships

Lola explains how the conventional one-to-one mentorship model places unrealistic expectations on individual mentors, especially those from underrepresented groups who already face significant pressure in leadership positions. For professionals with multiple intersectional identities, finding a single mentor who understands all aspects of their experience is nearly impossible. This creates a gap between expectations and reality that can leave both parties frustrated.

Drawing from her experience serving on nonprofit boards, Lola introduces a more effective alternative: creating a personal board of directors. This approach distributes the mentorship responsibility across several individuals with complementary skills, experiences, and perspectives. Just as organizations intentionally select board members to fill specific needs, professionals should strategically identify mentors who can address different aspects of their development.

• Take inventory of your identity and career aspirations (e.g., woman in STEM, parent, aspiring leader)
• Identify gaps in your current support network
• Look for mentors across different experience levels, not just executives
• Be specific about what you need from each potential board member

• Create value for your board members (mentorship should be mutually beneficial)
• Structure different formats for interactions (15-minute check-ins, co-attending events)
• Establish clear boundaries for each relationship
• Regularly assess if the relationship is still providing value for both parties
• Document feedback and keep doors open for future reconnection

Lola emphasizes that distributing mentorship across a "board" of individuals allows professionals to receive more targeted guidance while respecting everyone's time and expertise. This approach recognizes that no single person can fulfill all mentorship needs, especially for those with multiple intersectional identities navigating complex professional environments.

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In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, host Lola Adeyemo welcomes Loc Nguyen, whose remarkable journey spans multiple intersecting identities and career transitions. From arriving in the United States as a Vietnamese refugee to serving in the Air Force, experiencing corporate America, and now building a nonprofit while pursuing his doctoral studies, Loc's story exemplifies the power of embracing all aspects of one's identity.

• How embracing multiple intersectional identities can become a strength in your professional journey
• Navigating successful career transitions across teaching, military service, and corporate America
• The challenges and joys of parenting a child with Down syndrome
• Creating pathways for higher education for students with unique intellectual abilities
• Finding purpose by addressing gaps in society rather than just identifying problems

Loc shares his experience navigating professional spaces while holding multiple intersectional identities: a war refugee from Vietnam, an Asian American male, a veteran of the Air Force, a father of a child with special needs, a doctoral candidate, and an assistant professor. Throughout the conversation, he discusses how these different aspects of his identity have shaped his professional journey, presenting both unique challenges and distinctive advantages.

Loc's career path has been far from linear. Beginning with family expectations to become a doctor, he pivoted to teaching sixth grade after realizing medical school wasn't his calling. Following the events of 9/11, he felt compelled to join the Air Force, serving for eight and a half years as an officer—a way to repay the country that had given him refuge. After military service, he spent 12 years in the corporate world, primarily working with software startups in customer relations. Now, as a doctoral candidate at USC and an assistant professor at Cañada Community College, he's evolving his leadership skills to drive practical change.

During his time in the Air Force, Loc became a father to a daughter with Down syndrome, an experience that has profoundly shaped his perspective and his current work. Recognizing the limited educational pathways available for students with intellectual disabilities after K-12, he founded the Better Tomorrow Center for Advancement. This nonprofit organization aims to create college opportunities for students with special needs, including physical fitness training as part of a holistic approach to education.

Loc emphasizes several important approaches for professionals navigating multiple intersectional identities:

1. Embrace who you are - Value all aspects of your identity rather than trying to fit into one specific mold
2. See your diverse background as an advantage - Multiple intersections can be a gift that allows you to contribute uniquely
3. Be open to evolution - Career paths don't have to be linear; each transition builds upon previous experiences
4. Address gaps with solutions - Instead of just identifying problems, work to build solutions that don't yet exist
5. Remember the human element - Even in an AI-driven world, human connection and support remain essential

Loc Nguyen on Linkedin

Founder of Better Tomorrow Center for Advancement Website: btr-tmrw.com

Chat with Host Lola Adeyemo: LinkedIn

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In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, host Lola Adeyemo welcomes Maryam Habashi, a transformational business development coach with nearly three decades of professional experiences across corporate America, sales leadershiphip roles and entrepreneurship. As the founder of INFUSE system, Maryam specializes in implementing systems that drive measurable growth for top producers, team leaders, and executives across the U.S. and Canada.

• How diversity creates competitive advantages in business
• Strategies for career advancement in male-dominated industries
• The truth about corporate careers versus entrepreneurship
• Using behavioral profiling to improve professional relationships
• The four freedoms that define true success

Born in Tehran, Iran, Maryam brings a unique perspective as a Middle Eastern woman who speaks Farsi and Spanish. She explains how diverse teams reach broader markets and solve problems more effectively. While advocating for inclusive recruiting, she emphasizes the importance of hiring qualified candidates rather than filling quotas.

In the male-dominated insurance and investment industry, Maryam made history in her company by age 37 and earned her first million by 42. When facing gender-based obstacles, she focused on measurable performance, letting results speak for themselves. Her philosophy: "I accepted that I might need to work harder... and I deserve it."

As a certified DISC assessment coach, Maryam helps professionals understand their natural tendencies and communication styles. She challenges the golden rule, suggesting instead: "Treat people the way they want to be treated, lead people the way they want to be led." This requires self-awareness and adaptability.

Maryam counters the myth that entrepreneurship is superior to corporate employment. "I'm tired of hearing that the corporate world is bad," she states. Drawing from experience in both worlds, she emphasizes finding the environment where you'll personally thrive long-term, whether that's corporate stability or entrepreneurial freedom.

Maryam shares the definition of success through four essential freedom lens:

1. Freedom of Time - Managing your schedule while prioritizing health and relationships
2. Freedom of Money - Financial flexibility with uncapped earning potential
3. Freedom of Mission - Pursuing your purpose and utilizing your unique gifts
4. Freedom of Relationship - Working with people you want to serve

She emphasizes that these freedoms remain inaccessible to those trapped in a victim mentality or self-doubt. "We're in a country where you could be whatever you are and be amazing at it."

Maryam offers several resources for listeners:

• Quarterly Virtual Educational Sessions on sales, leadership, and mindset
• Free Initial Business Strategy Session to discuss your goals and challenges
• INFUSE System Coaching Programs with access to a private membership site featuring customized materials and weekly live calls
• Wheel of Life Worksheet for those scheduling an initial session, helping you identify areas you're thriving in, struggling with, and opportunities for growth

Connect with Maryam Habashi on Linkedin or visit www.infusesystem.com

Connect with Host Lola Adeyemo: LinkedIn Profile

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