The Minority Leaders with Algene Sajery

The Minority Leaders Podcast is a women of color leadership initiative sponsored by Catalyst Global Strategies, LLC, a public affairs firm in Washington, D.C.   As #Catalysts4Good we have partnered with the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia  (DMV) chapters of The Links, Incorporated to bring you a special episode of the Minority Leaders in support of  the 16th Annual DMV Links Red Dress Weekend!

In this episode, I am joined by...

Dear Minority Leaders,

Its been a few weeks, but we are back in full force! 

In this episode  I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Yleem D.S. Poblete, former  Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Trump Administration and Co-Founder of Poblete Analysis Group, LLC.

I first met Yleem when she was Republican Staff Director of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and have watched her career flouri...

Happy New Year, Minority Leaders!

In this first episode of 2024, we are joined by Larisa Hovannisian,  Founder  and CEO of  Teach For Armenia. I love this conversation because it is deep, inspirational, and highlights the power of diasporans to impact the communities where they or parents once fled.

I am proud to say that is our first international episode because Larisa speaks with us from Armenia. She moved ba...

Happy Holidays, Minority Leaders!

This time of the year many of us are taking stock of all the blessings in our lives. One thing I am blessed with is a village of smart, supportive, and inspiring women leaders. Today I am excited to speak with one of my closest friends,  Crystal Lander, Chief Strategic Engagement Officer at Pathfinder International. 

Crystal  is a high profile and internationally recognized senio...

Dear Minority Leaders,

Today I'm joined by Bassima Alghussein, Executive Director of Middle East Policy Council. Bassima is a proud Palestinian American woman whose background spans the legislative and executive branches of government, prominent global think tanks, the media and consulting. She has served on Capitol Hill; as a White House appointed advisor in the Obama Administration; and led Congressional Affairs for...

Dear Minority Leaders,

Today I am excited and honored to speak with my good friend Hope E. Goins, Minority Staff Director of the House  Committee on Homeland Security and bestselling children’s author.

Hope is the top advisor to Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson on all matters related to the oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and national security related matters throughout the...

Dear Minority Leaders,Today my guest is Ramona Oliver, senior director of the National Education Association’s Center for Communications. Prior to her senior director position, Oliver worked for Emily’s List, the Democratic Governors Association, the Service Employees International Union, MoveOn.org, and numerous political campaigns.Oliver’s career came to focus on communication and education after working with Governor Ed Rendell ...

Dear Minority Leaders,Today I’m joined by my Delta Sigma Theta soror and former Capitol Hill colleague, Dr. Kwamme Anderson. Kwamme and I both worked for our soror Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), albeit at different times. She has worked as a congressional staffer to Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), all powerful black women policymakers. Kwamme also counts the...

Dear Minority Leaders,

Today we are continuing our expansion of discussion topics and welcoming my new friend, and Delta Sigma Theta sorority sister, Rachel Lauren. Our conversation today focuses on Rachel’s work at the intersection of racial equity, criminal justice reform, climate advocacy, and most especially foster care and adoption. By profession Rachel is the Chief People Officer at Dream.Org and also a founding part...

Dear Minority Leaders,

Before we jump into this episode, let me thank you all for your positive feedback on the reboot of this podcast. I appreciate all your kind words of encouragement. Please take a few seconds to show your support for this incredible platform by giving us a 5 star rating, subscribing,writing a quick review, and by sharing this podcast with the future minority leaders in your life. I want to keep bringin...

Dear Minority Leaders,

Today we wrap our three part series on diversity in the U.S. Department of State and diplomacy with the preeminent expert on the topic: Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, State’s first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Amb. Abercrombie-Winstanley became the first woman to head a diplomatic mission to Saudi Arabia in 2002 and was the longest serving Ambassador to Malta. She speaks Arabic, He...

Asha Castleberry-Hernandez is a distinguished national security/foreign policy expert. She is a Biden-Harris Political Appointee, and served as a Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, member of the Senior Executive Service at the Department of State. She is a former adjunct faculty professor at Fordham University, where she has taught U.S. Foreign Policy and U.N. Peacekeeping Operations. She is also a U.S. Army veteran, and si...

Akunna Cook is an accomplished diplomat, strategist, visionary creator and executive producer. In 2022, Akunna founded Next Narrative Africa, a multi-media entertainment production company telling African Stories for global impact. She is also the founder and principal consultant at Drake Road Strategies and served in the Biden-Harris Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.Akunna joins us today to...

Christina Hale is a successful author, former state legislator as well as the first Latina to run for statewide office in Indiana. She was appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration to head communications for the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and is a strong advocate for youth, democracy & equality.Christina joins us today to speak about using your traumas to inform where you’re going, practicing mindfuln...

Happy Women's History Month, listeners!  March is also my birthday month and this episode was definitely the perfect  gift. I’m joined by my girl Erika West, principal at The Raben Group. Erika and I have  been friends since our days at Howard University. Ya'll already know the Real HU produces #BlackExcellence, and Erika is a shining example of that. A wise and humble social impact strategist, Erika drops serious knowled...