Zaka Presents: My Journey Paul Herman

Yasir Kurt, a first-gen Turkish-American who turned the seeds of grit and resilience into a flourishing career in counseling and education. Yasir's story begins in a household where education beyond middle school was a distant dream, yet the drive to achieve more was deeply instilled by his visionary parents a tailor and a farmer.Today, Yasir serves as the Director of Life Design Graduate Programming at The Johns Hopkins University . Armed with a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, hi...

We explore the remarkable journey of Srijita Ghosh, a distinguished venture advisor based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. From her early days overcoming personal challenges with anxiety to becoming a driving force for entrepreneurship in the Midwest, Srijita's story is a compelling testament to resilience and visionary leadership.Discover how Srijita's early experiences in India, influenced by her mother's bold decision to defy traditional gender roles by introducing her to tennis, shaped h...

Devika Brij, Founder of Brij the Gap Consulting, shares her inspiring career journey in tech, including her impactful roles at Google and LinkedIn, and how these experiences led her to launch her own firm. Brij the Gap Consulting specializes in empowering underrepresented employees and their leaders through career advancement strategies, self-advocacy, and personalized coaching. Devika's expertise has made a significant difference for key clients like Visa, Nike, NerdWallet, Great Place to Wo...

As the Head of Engineering at a leading tech company in Silicon Valley, Bala Arjunan Muthiah shares his remarkable journey from leaving India 15 years ago to becoming a prominent leader in the tech ecosystem. His story is one of resilience, navigating the challenges of adapting to a new culture, and turning those experiences into valuable lessons in real leadership. Bala's unwavering commitment to leadership, people development, and entrepreneurship propels him forward. Through active involve...

Taonaya Fleury Ghazarian's story is one of resilience and determination. She shares how her diverse career path, from real estate to being a flight attendant, has given her a unique cultural perspective and prepared her for the tech industry's challenges. Her groundbreaking mental health tech company, PhrenTech, leverages cutting-edge virtual reality technology, making high-quality therapy accessible and engaging for everyone. Our conversation with the PhrenTech CEO covers it all: mental heal...

We bring you the story of Castelline Tilus, a Haitian American visionary who exemplifies the potential of immigrant professionals. Castelline's journey, from her arrival in the United States at age 6 to becoming a leader in sustainable development, serves as an inspiration for anyone striving to make an impact.As the Founder of Akademi and Co-Founder of Ayiti Analytics, Castelline has played a pivotal role in advancing Haiti's tech industry. Her leadership at Ayiti Analytics led to the creati...