Career Cheat Code

We trace Antonio Aponte's path from Broadway actor to creative educator—and how finding the right match can mean more than chasing a big name when guiding first-gen families toward college and career success. This episode dives deep into what real opportunity looks like, from choosing the right school to unlocking financial aid, internships, and alternative career paths.

In this episode, we cover:
• Aligning students with ...

Tracy Colunga shares her remarkable journey from city government to founding her consulting firm Colunga and Associates LLC, highlighting how intuition guided her career transitions and how she narrowly avoided mass layoffs by trusting her gut.

• Founding Colunga and Associates LLC as a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, innovation, user-centered design, and grants management
• Transitioning from Johns...

Erika Williams, Managing Partner of The Alberio Group, shares her non-linear career journey from temp worker to philanthropy executive to social impact consultant, revealing how embracing flexibility and recognizing "divine order" creates fulfilling opportunities.

• Started career through a temp agency that placed her at Morgan Stanley's investment banking division
• Strategically navigated from admin ro...

Hernán Carvente Martinez shares his extraordinary journey from juvenile incarceration to becoming Executive Director of Alianza for Opportunity, a national nonprofit dedicated to building thriving communities for Latino, Afro-Latino, and Indigenous groups. His powerful story reveals how one mentor's belief transformed his life trajectory and instilled in him the courage to never give up despite overwhelming challenges.

Gregg Bishop's journey from tech dropout to Executive Director of the Social Justice Fund showcases how non-linear career paths can lead to meaningful impact work through resilience, relationship-building, and recognizing opportunity.

• Working with Clara Wu Tsai to invest $50 million in Brooklyn focusing on economic mobility, racial justice, and the arts
• Providing capital access to businesses in underserved com...

Entrepreneurship becomes truly fulfilling when it transforms lives and creates opportunities for underserved communities around the world. Liderman Duin, the founder of Toucan Talent shares his journey of building a global tech academy that identifies talented individuals and equips them with skills for successful careers in technology.

• Building a mission-driven business that spans 11 countries and helps underserved comm...

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Amilcar Guzman shares his powerful journey as a first-generation Dominican-American who broke traditional career expectations to build a life rooted in purpose, financial stability, and impact. From turning down Ivy League schools for better value to juggling full-time work and a PhD, Dr. Guzman walks us through how he designed a career across philanthropy, academia, and consulting—all while staying t...

Yanira Amadeo, Executive Director of Development at the University of Connecticut Foundation, shares her journey from administrative assistant to philanthropic leader raising millions for student opportunities and university initiatives.

• Transitioned from psychology and social work to higher education development after realizing her passion for fundraising
• Leveraged her position at Columbia University to earn a non...

Roland Kennedy Jr. and Fauzi Talabi candidly share their non-traditional paths into philanthropy, revealing insider perspectives on grants management, program development, and creating impact from both large and small foundations. They discuss how their backgrounds in government and direct service work provided valuable skills while exploring the unique challenges and rewards of moving philanthropic capital as Black men in a histor...

In this episode, Jeffrey Martinez, head of branch banking at PNC Bank, shares his remarkable journey from a bank teller to an executive leader within one of America's largest retail banks. Jeff highlights the vital role his immigrant upbringing and family values have played in shaping his aspirations and decisions throughout his career. He candidly discusses the challenges he faced in making the leap from JPMorgan Chase to PNC...

Imagine creating a career that not only fulfills you but also makes a significant impact on the world. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of mindset with Stephen Minix, the Senior Director of Community at UpMetrics, who champions the cause of connecting foundations, impact investors, and nonprofits through innovative data analytics. Discover how UpMetrics' software revolutionizes data collection and reporting, enab...

This episode uncovers the unexpected journey of Bea De La Torre, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Trinity Church NYC, who shares her experience in philanthropy and the importance of taking risks in one’s career. Listeners gain insights on the power of relationships, the complexities of social issues, and the joy found in helping others through meaningful work. 

We follow the adventurous path of a proud Boricua who navigated her way fro...

The episode explores the significant role of impact consultants in driving social change within corporations, sharing inspiring stories and insights from a successful entrepreneur in the field. It highlights impactful projects, mentorship, and the importance of collaboration across sectors to create equitable outcomes while emphasizing that profit and purpose can coexist. 

Unlock the keys to driving systemic change with insights fro...

We're Back! 

Christian McKenzie shares her experiences and insights from the venture capital world, explaining the risks and rewards of investing in startups. The episode highlights her journey from the fashion industry to venture capital, the importance of networking, and how supporting entrepreneurs goes beyond just funding. 

• Exploring the nature of venture capital and its high-risk, high-reward dynamics 
• Dis...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Francisco Bencosme, a senior advisor at USAID, as he provides a rare glimpse into the mechanisms of international development and policy leadership. Ever wondered about the intricacies of China's Belt and Road Initiative? Francisco breaks it down, sharing his day-to-day responsibilities and the pivotal role he plays in advising senior leaders on these global initiatives. Learn how ...

Discover the power of theater to transform communities with our special guest, Mino Lora, the Executive Artistic Director of the People's Theater Project (PTP). Listen in as Mino shares the riveting story of how PTP was born from a master's thesis in peace studies and conflict transformation into a beacon of artistic expression for New York City's immigrant community. Learn about the diverse initiatives that PTP spea...

Ever wondered how public health experts manage crises from behind the scenes? Join us as we sit down with Maleeka Jamil Glover, an esteemed epidemiologist and executive director of WCAPS, who shares her incredible journey from the CDC trenches to leading a nonprofit that empowers women of color. With over two decades of experience navigating public health emergencies like Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19, Maleeka offers a rare glimps...

What if your journey from an immigrant struggling with English to a top state official could empower countless others? Meet Zoila, the Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Opportunity under Governor Hochul, who shares her extraordinary story and invaluable insights on how to create economic and social opportunities for all New Yorkers. From combating financial crimes at the Attorney General's office to overseeing critical di...

What does it take to navigate the complex world of international agricultural trade? Join us as we explore the fascinating career of Olutayo Akingbe, a dedicated Foreign Service Officer with the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service. Discover how Olutayo’s role as the eyes and ears of the USDA at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo involves promoting U.S. agricultural exports, conducting market intelligence, and overcoming intricate regulatory ...