Beyond Borders

Sacha Ledan and Solenn Thircuir
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Real Stories. Bold Moves. The Modern Immigrant Experience in the U.S. Every immigrant journey is different—but all begin with a decision: to leave the familiar behind and start again. Beyond Borders is a podcast that shines a light on those who’ve done just that. Hosted by Dr. Solenn Thircuir and Sacha Ledan, two global citizens who’ve navigated their own paths across continents, Beyond Borders explores the personal stories behind the global narrative. We speak with founders, artists, scientists, and changemakers who’ve crossed cultures and borders to build a life—and a legacy—in the United States.

Episodes

  1. Impact Investing, Global Careers & Founder Support — With Sophie Durey

    12/18/2025

    Impact Investing, Global Careers & Founder Support — With Sophie Durey

    “I never imagined my path would take me from humanitarian work in Paris to investing in Silicon Valley.” That’s the unexpected journey of Sophie Durey—a global impact leader, investor, and entrepreneur whose career has spanned France, Switzerland, China, Mexico, and now the heart of Silicon Valley. In this episode of Beyond Borders: American Dreams, Real Stories, Sophie opens up about her international career, her transition from the nonprofit sector into impact investing, the challenges and opportunities of building a purpose-driven life in the U.S., and what she’s learned from supporting founders across the world. Sophie began her career in Paris after earning her Master’s from Sciences Po, then moved to Geneva to join Quadia, where she rose from investment analyst to Head of Impact Evaluation. In 2017, she landed in Silicon Valley, where she founded The Impact Evaluation Factory, co-built a multi-family office for self-made entrepreneurs, and today serves as Partner at Tamar Ventures and Venture Director at Tamar Capital, backing early-stage startups and designing programs to develop better founders. Her story is a masterclass in reinvention, global grit, and forging a mission-driven career across borders. 🚀 KEY TOPICS COVERED: ✓ Building a global impact career across Europe and the U.S. ✓ Transitioning from nonprofit work to impact investing ✓ How impact evaluation actually works for startups & VC funds ✓ Investing in early-stage founders with purpose-driven models ✓ What it takes to build a career in Silicon Valley as a European immigrant ✓ Starting a consulting firm in the U.S. ✓ Lessons from supporting founders through Tamar Ventures & Tamar Capital ✓ Navigating identity, purpose, and belonging across multiple countries ✓ The realities of being a multi-continent operator and investor 💼 WHO IS THIS FOR? → Immigrants building careers in impact, VC, or entrepreneurship → International professionals trying to break into Silicon Valley → Founders interested in impact measurement or purpose-driven business models → Students exploring careers in social impact or venture capital → Anyone seeking honest stories about reinvention across borders → Listeners who want a nuanced look at global careers and immigrant journeys

    40 min
  2. Nothing Was Given to Her. She Still Made it to Stanford - Julieta Gabiola

    11/21/2025

    Nothing Was Given to Her. She Still Made it to Stanford - Julieta Gabiola

    Pr. Julieta Gabiola grew up in a poor rural village in the Philippines, with no financial security, no network, and almost no pathways toward higher education. Today, she’s a professor at Stanford. The distance between these two worlds is filled with turning points she rarely shares — moments of doubt, courage, discrimination, reinvention, and a quiet, relentless determination that changed everything. In this episode, Julieta opens up about: • the unexpected event that first pushed her into nursing • what made her start over again — this time in medicine • the structural barriers she faced as a first-generation student and immigrant • the discrimination she encountered in academia, and how she chose to respond • the mindset that sustained her through years of uncertainty • why globalizing education is her life’s work *• the deeper meaning of resilience when starting with nothing This is not just an inspiring journey. It is a blueprint for purpose, courage, and long-term leadership. Explore Julieta Gabiola’s work ABC’s for Global Health (website): https://abcsforglobalhealth.org/

    52 min
  3. From Driving for Uber With an Expiring Visa to Raising Millions for his Startup - Florent Breton

    11/06/2025

    From Driving for Uber With an Expiring Visa to Raising Millions for his Startup - Florent Breton

    "I wondered if I'd made a huge mistake." That's what Florent Breton thought while driving for Uber in San Francisco, watching his student visa expire, and getting rejected by companies who wouldn't hire immigrants on temporary visas. Ten years later, Florent has led teams at Tesla, launched two venture-backed startups, raised millions, and became a US citizen. This is his real story — the visa struggles, the National Interest Waiver green card process, building a family in America, and what it actually takes to succeed as an immigrant entrepreneur. KEY TOPICS COVERED: ✓ Student visa to green card pathway ✓ National Interest Waiver (EB-2 NIW) process ✓ Job searching on temporary visas ✓ O-1 visa vs NIW green card ✓ Immigrant founder visa strategies ✓ Fundraising in Silicon Valley as an international founder ✓ Tesla career experience ✓ Venture-backed startup journey ✓ US citizenship process for entrepreneurs ✓ Immigration policy and reform

    36 min
  4. Leading with the Why: Orestis Trasanidis on Europe, Silicon Valley, and the Mindset of Innovation

    10/21/2025

    Leading with the Why: Orestis Trasanidis on Europe, Silicon Valley, and the Mindset of Innovation

    In this episode, Orestis Trasanidis shares his journey from Greece to Silicon Valley, exploring how purpose and cultural understanding drive innovation across continents. Drawing from his experience leading the EIT Hub in the U.S., he reflects on the contrasts between European and American startup mindsets—and how collaboration bridges those worlds. Together, we unpack what it truly means to “lead with the why” in a global innovation ecosystem shaped by communication, adaptability, and shared vision.

    30 min
  5. The Lawyer Behind the Founders: Daniel Zimmermann’s Silicon Valley Story

    10/10/2025

    The Lawyer Behind the Founders: Daniel Zimmermann’s Silicon Valley Story

    Daniel Zimmermann is an accomplished lawyer with extensive experience in complex corporate transactions and venture technology issues. For more than 20 years, he has advised entrepreneurs, emerging companies and technology startups, and draws on his global experiences counseling companies in the United States and Europe. His technology clients span the industry, including telecom, infrastructure, digital media, software, energy, clean tech, ecommerce, FinTech, edtech, digital health and healthcare IT, robotics and big data. Daniel is originally from Germany and has been in the US for over two decades. He has been consistently recognized by Super Lawyers and Chambers USA as one of the top venture capital and corporate lawyers in California.

    50 min
  6. From Bridgerton to the Grammys: Nathalie Bonin’s Musical Journey

    09/24/2025

    From Bridgerton to the Grammys: Nathalie Bonin’s Musical Journey

    Nathalie Bonin is an internationally acclaimed violinist, Grammy-winning composer, and inspirational speaker who blends the power of live music and storytelling to ignite transformation. Her career spans performances on the largest stages to Netflix, Bridgerton, and collaborations with Stevie Wonder. Known for her soul-stirring performances and emotional storytelling, Nathalie empowers audiences to reconnect with their authentic selves, embrace resilience, and unlock their creative wings.

    47 min
  7. Inside the World’s Headlines: Anjan Sundaram on Journalism and Courage

    09/10/2025

    Inside the World’s Headlines: Anjan Sundaram on Journalism and Courage

    Anjan Sundaram is an Indian author, journalist, academic, and television presenter. He is the author of three memoirs of journalism, Stringer, Bad News and Breakup, and has been called "one of the great reporters of our age" by the BBC special correspondent Fergal Keane.

    40 min
  8. Teaching Innovation, Building Startups: George’s Playbook for Entrepreneurs

    08/28/2025

    Teaching Innovation, Building Startups: George’s Playbook for Entrepreneurs

    George has a diverse professional background that includes entrepreneurship, venture capital, business innovation, and digital transformation. Prior to attending graduate school, he worked with several startups and co-founded his own data mining software for economic forecasting. While attending UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, he was the co-president of the Berkeley Entrepreneurs Association where he hosted pitch competitions, mentored startups, and connected entrepreneurs with venture capital firms. He lectured at the Haas School of Business on entrepreneurship, digital transformation, AI, IoT, and Business Strategy. He is also currently co-authoring a book on New Business Strategy & Innovative Design. George holds an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from London South Bank University. Prior to joining SkyDeck, George worked with Anheuser-Busch InBev and consulted on innovation and business strategy.

    45 min
  9. Researcher, Founder, Investor: Omri’s Path from Israel to Silicon Valley

    08/25/2025

    Researcher, Founder, Investor: Omri’s Path from Israel to Silicon Valley

    Join us to hear Omri's story from scientist/researcher, to startup founder, to investing as a venture capitalist, all the while relocating his family from Israel to the USA. Now General Partner at NFX, Omri previously did his PhD at Stanford University and founded a biotech startup acquired by Twist Biosciences.

    46 min
  10. Redefining Women’s Health: Ikram on Leading the FemTech Revolution

    08/25/2025

    Redefining Women’s Health: Ikram on Leading the FemTech Revolution

    Ikram is at the forefront of the FemTech revolution. As CMO and U.S. GM at Aspivix, she is leading the charge to modernize gynecological care through safer, pain-free medical devices. With over two decades of global leadership in healthcare—across Europe, the U.S., and Asia—Ikram has launched and scaled life-changing technologies. Named one of the Top 100 Women to Know in America, she shares her journey of breaking barriers and advocating for women’s dignity in medicine.

    25 min
  11. War, Entrepreneurship, and 1.5 Million Gamers: Dana Sydorenko’s Story

    08/25/2025

    War, Entrepreneurship, and 1.5 Million Gamers: Dana Sydorenko’s Story

    Dana Sydorenko is a Ukrainian founder, investors, and veteran. Dana been in the US for 3 years. She is a serial entrepreneur, an LP at Flyer One Ventures, a Forbes 30 under 30 alumni, and a veteran of the Ukrainian military where she served as a paramedic. She founded and was CEO of Nika-Text Plus, one of the largest suppliers of the Ukrainian army, specializing in producing special equipment and uniforms, and was awarded the "Best in Public Procurement" Award 3 times. Dana is currently Founder & CEO of GameTree, a social network for gamers with over 1.5 million users.

    26 min
  12. Beyond Borders Trailer

    07/07/2025

    Beyond Borders Trailer

    A quick overview of the Beyond Borders podcast by your co-hosts Dr. Solenn Thircuir & Sacha Ledan

    1 min

Trailer

About

Real Stories. Bold Moves. The Modern Immigrant Experience in the U.S. Every immigrant journey is different—but all begin with a decision: to leave the familiar behind and start again. Beyond Borders is a podcast that shines a light on those who’ve done just that. Hosted by Dr. Solenn Thircuir and Sacha Ledan, two global citizens who’ve navigated their own paths across continents, Beyond Borders explores the personal stories behind the global narrative. We speak with founders, artists, scientists, and changemakers who’ve crossed cultures and borders to build a life—and a legacy—in the United States.

Information

  • Creator
    Sacha Ledan and Solenn Thircuir
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sacha Ledan and Solenn Thircuir, 2025
  • Show Website
    Beyond Borders