Srajan Bhagat is a Senior Customer Success Manager at InfluxData. Srajan and Aniket discuss nontraditional experiences with school, how his interests in sustainability, policy, classical music, and yoga have uniquely aligned, and his passion for customer success.

SLĀ Foundation Presents The Power of Storytelling with Shane Adams

Srajan Bhagat

McKenzie is a senior analyst at Goldman Sachs. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a BBA in Finance and Accounting. McKenzie and Kat talk about her occupational journey and how a move at a young age shaped her.

McKenzie Divel

Jacqueline Gibson is a Software Engineer at Microsoft. She is an alumna from the University of Texas at Austin where she majored in African and African Diaspora Studies, Computer Science, and minored in Human Computer Interaction. Jacqueline shares with Melissa how she first discovered her love for computer science, her aspirations of using technology to create a positive impact, her experiences as a Black woman in STEM, and the importance of finding a supporting and uplifting community. Jacqueline lives in Seattle and works at Microsoft full-time. 

Jacqueline Gibson

Jason Petlueng is the Director of Marketing at Evolve MMA, the #1 mixed martial arts gym in Asia. Jason and Aniket discuss the importance of exposure to diverse perspectives, taking leaps of faith to follow our passions, and the value of persistence in going after something you love. 

Jason Petlueng

Barbara Kufiadan is a 2nd year graduate student at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Barbara and Aniket discuss her Ghanaian-American upbringing, her experience growing up as a black woman in a predominantly white state, and her passion for shaping public policy to be more diverse, inclusive, and equitable for everyone. You can reach out to Barbara through her LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @barbkufiadan

Barbara Kufiadan

Christian (they/them) graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in PR, minor in Black Studies, and concentration in Business Foundations. Christian spoke about their career as an Account Coordinator at M Booth. Christian expanded on their experience as a black transgender person in a corporate setting and detailed some ways the workplace can be more inclusive. Christian also discussed the importance of prioritizing mental health, and how they take care of their needs.According to payscale.com, an account coordinator can earn an average annual salary of $40,535.You can reach out to Christian through their LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @unholykenoly

Christian Kenoly

Vyasar Ganesan, a recent participant in the Netflix docuseries "Indian Matchmaking", is a writer and teacher at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin, Texas. Vyasar and Aniket discuss finding joy amidst a difficult upbringing, bridging the gap between the humanities and the sciences, and deriving purpose through life's experiences.

Vyasar Ganesan

Patrick Lyons is a Mechanical Sourcing Engineer at Microsoft. He is an alum from the University of Texas at Austin where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. Patrick shares with Melissa his journey with fitness, how he founded his own personal training program, Lyon Shred Coaching, and his experiences training for American Ninja Warrior. Patrick lives in Seattle and works at Microsoft while continuing to expand his fitness programs.According to payscale.com, a mechanical engineer earns an average annual salary of $70,846.You can reach out to Patrick through his LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @patricklyonsYouTube - Patrick Lyons

Patrick Lyons

Garrett Mireles graduated from UT Austin with a B.S. in Advertising with a concentration in copy-writing in the Creative Advertising Program. In this interview, he shares with Kat his experiences transitioning into UT and learning what was truly important to him. He also discusses what it is like to be a copywriter for Thimble, a tech startup, working towards his goals, and what he is finding joy in today.According to payscale.com, a copywriter earns an average annual salary of $51,549.You can reach out to Garrett through his LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @garrettmireles

Garrett Mireles

Cheyenne Gordon works as a music therapist at Hospice of Lubbock, where she works along other medical professionals to provide end-of-life care to patients. In this interview, Cheyenne tells Kat about how she decided to pursue a career in music therapy, how music can help the healing process, and how she copes with such an emotional occupation. Cheyenne explains how life can be beautiful in all its stages and how she finds peace and comfort in helping others.According to payscale.com, a music therapist can earn an average annual salary of $41,456.You can reach out to Cheyenne through her LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @cheyenne.gordonJULY 22, 2020  

Cheyenne Gordon

Jonathan Wong is a rising senior at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Business Honors, Management Information Systems, and Biology. Jonathan shares with Melissa his experiences with computer science and software engineering, his love for entrepreneurship, and his journey in combining technology, business, and healthcare to make the world a better place. Jonathan lives in Austin and works as a Product Management Intern for Roblox.According to payscale.com, Product Managers in the software industry can earn an average annual salary of $96,064.You can reach out to Jonathan through his LinkedIn profile and learn more about him through his personal website.Instagram - @2wongsmakearightTwitter - @wonathanjong

Jonathan Wong

Maia Paterno is a TV News Assistant at Creative Artists Agency, one of the most influential talent and sports agency businesses in the world. In this interview, Maia discusses her time at the University of Texas as a Sports Management major and her experience interning at CAA. She also talks to Katherine about how COVID-19 has impacted her first year living in NYC, navigating her work environment in the midst of a pandemic, and the advice she has for anyone interested in working in the entertainment industry.According to Glassdoor, a News Assistant earns an average annual salary of $42,282. This number, however, can vary greatly depending on the organization.You can reach out to Maia through her LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @maiapaterno

Maia Paterno

Giancarlo Bernini is a magician with his own show, Magic of Giancarlo Bernini. He is an alum from the University of Texas at Austin where he majored in Religious Studies and took additional coursework in psychology and business. Giancarlo shares with Melissa his experiences growing up in a small town, discovering his love for magic at a young age, the road to becoming a full-time performer, and starring in the magic competition television program, Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Giancarlo lives in Dallas and works as a magician full-time.According to Glassdoor, magicians can earn anywhere from $30,000 to upwards of $100,000 annually.You can reach out to Giancarlo through his LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @berninimagic

Giancarlo Bernini

From the small town of Aurangabad, India to the bright lights of New York City, Anish found mainstream success in corporate America. However, looking for something more, he embarked on a journey to make a difference in the social impact space and find fulfillment by following his passion. Currently, Anish is working to incubate his own social enterprise focused on multidimensional poverty, starting first with waste-pickers in India, with the goal of spending the rest of his life fighting poverty through economic empowerment.You can reach out to Anish through his LinkedIn profile, and learn more about him on his personal website.Twitter - @anishmalpaniInstagram - @anishmalpani

Anish Malpani

Trang Truong is a recent graduate of UC Irvine with a degree in Psychological Sciences. Trang and Aniket discuss her experiences growing up with both of her parents battling cancer, dealing with a stutter, and how she learned to deal with adversity by setting on a mission to help others. Trang's story is one of empowerment and strength. Now as a graduate, Trang hopes to educate others on the importance of fitness and be an advocate for health and wellness.You can reach out to Trang through her LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @traytay

Trang Truong

It's hard to dream big when you don't know what's out there. That's why we bring young professionals from a broad range of fields to inspire high-school students through the power of storytelling. This is your chance to learn what all those people in the downtown office buildings actually do, how they got there and what it's like to be one of them.

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SLĀ Foundation Presents The Power of Storytelling with Shane...

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