Jasiel didn’t always know he would find himself in the startup world, but after an early career on Wall Street, he realized the need to rethink how we support and invest in Africa’s most exciting entrepreneurs.  Hailing from Ghana, Jasiel is the Africa Investment Officer at Accion Venture Lab where he leads the growth of a dynamic portfolio of finance technology startups. In this episode, we uncover Jasiel’s unconventional journey into the venture capital industry, and his fascinating insights as to why more investors need to focus on women-led startups in particular. With a deep belief in the transformational power of entrepreneurship in Africa, Jasiel brings a refreshing and reflective perspective on how we should go about building and investing in companies that have world-changing potential!  Join us for yet another exciting episode in The Boardroom this week! If you are interested in learning more about Jasiel and the amazing work he does, follow the link here to his Twitter/ X page. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by pledging your support through our Substack Channel: https://boardroombanterpodcast.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=2myauy

In this week’s episode, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Nicole Glaros, a seasoned entrepreneur and dedicated business mentor.  Nicole's unique perspective is profoundly shaped by her early childhood experiences, which instilled in her strong beliefs about independence, wealth creation, and the essence of entrepreneurship. Her remarkable journey began in college when she founded her first company. Despite her lack of a traditional business background, she achieved resounding success with her initial venture but also encountered failures in subsequent endeavors, which she recounts in our conversation. Nicole’s background in sports psychology instilled in her a profound understanding of the parallels between athletes and entrepreneurs. Drawing on these parallels, she highlights the similarities and distinctions between entrepreneurship and athletics- underscoring the vital role of mental performance in both athletics and entrepreneurship in providing a competitive edge. Nicole rounds off her insights by emphasizing the fundamental role of storytelling in human nature. She encourages entrepreneurs to craft a compelling narrative about their brand and to concentrate on offering genuine value to the people they serve. Hop into this episode with yet another industry expert with a treasure trove of wisdom and perspective on achieving success through authenticity and a mental capacity for winning. If you are interested in learning more about Nicole and the amazing work she does, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by pledging your support through our Substack Channel: https://boardroombanterpodcast.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=2myauy

Armed with a heart for learning and development and an entrepreneurial spirit, Allie Danziger has been shaping the school-to-work transition for thousands of graduates across the USA.  In this episode, we unpack how her unique upbringing and early work experience opened her eyes up to the challenges and opportunities facing young professionals globally and the incredible solutions that she birthed as a result. From scaling her skills training startup and getting acquired by the nation’s leading student loans and training provider, we explore Allie’s inspiring journey to date while unpacking key lessons learned along the way.  Join us in the Boardroom to explore the skills, exposure, and experiences that could shape you into a successful early professional and entrepreneur, no matter your interests and aspirations! If you are interested in learning more about Allie and the amazing work she does, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by pledging your support through our Substack Channel: https://boardroombanterpodcast.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=2myauy

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Wendy Mubaiwa moved to the UK in her teens.  After her studies, she embarked on an unconventional career path that eventually led to an exciting journey in the startup world. With entrepreneurial parents as role models, she was drawn into the world of entrepreneurship from a young age. Today, Wendy’s passion and expertise shine as she serves as a Venture Partner at esya, a venture studio and venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs to create, invest, launch, and scale ventures of the future. Outside of esya, Wendy helps solo founders and co-founding teams to bring their business ideas to life. In this episode, we will dive deep into the essential steps for students and professionals looking to kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys, starting from a simple side hustle and scaling it to new heights.  Join us as we uncover the incredible insights Wendy has gained as an entrepreneur and advocate for founders. She firmly believes that with the right support systems, anyone who has the passion and drive can become a thriving entrepreneur! If you are interested in learning more about Wendy and her amazing work, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

In this captivating episode, Nanjero takes us on a journey through his career at the crossroads of sports, entertainment, and technology. As a passionate enabler and General Manager at Sol Generation, he shares his mission of nurturing talent within these dynamic industries. Drawing from his diverse educational experiences across different countries and his exposure to varied cultures, Nanjero discusses the pivotal role that travel and mentorship have played in shaping his journey. He further sheds light on the people who have played an instrumental role in his journey and the skills he has acquired along the way that have propelled his success today. With an insider's perspective on the sports landscape in Kenya, he underscores the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure and ecosystems to foster grassroots growth in this sector. Additionally, he highlights critical issues plaguing the entertainment industry, such as the lack of professionalism amongst stakeholders and knowledge gaps, which leave artists vulnerable in the absence of robust government policies and regulatory structures. Nanjero passionately advocates for a global mindset that prioritizes the cultivation of value-driven societies, harnessing the transformative potential of the creative industry to forge lasting impact. Join us for this enlightening discussion at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and technology- guided by an industry trailblazer with a vision for positive change. If you are interested in learning more about Nanjero and his amazing work, check out this article here. To learn more about Sol Generation, check out their webiste here. Opportunities mentioned by Nanjero in the episode: House of Heroes: https://www.houseofheroes.world Super Njero Comic: https://instagram.com/supernjero?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

With a fundamental belief in people and their ability to do good, Isaac Kwaku takes us on a fascinating journey through his life’s mission to create a prosperous Africa built by us, for us.  At the cutting edge of research, economic development and investment advisory at Botho Emerging Markets Group and Amahoro Coalition, this week's guest shares a remarkable new model to approach how we as Africans see ourselves and the problems around us: Afro-Optimism.  In this episode, we take a walk through Isaac’s impressive career and life’s work through a refreshing and unique lens. We talked about how a solution-oriented mindset and a deep love for our African heritage is the foundation for building a continent that is not only progressive but one that is shaped by us once and for all.  Join us in the Boardroom to learn about the geopolitical and cultural trends shaping our collective future, and how we can all play our part! If you are interested in learning more about Isaac and his amazing work, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Is it possible to do well while doing good in Africa?  This week in the Boardroom, we spoke to Ebenezer Asante, the Senior Vice President for Markets at MTN Group, whose leadership and business philosophy left us speechless. Hailing from Ghana and with a footprint of impact and success across the continent, Ebenezer firmly believes that it is possible to prioritize ethics and integrity while simultaneously delivering stellar profits and business growth!  In this episode, we unpack the stories, strategies and ideas that have shaped Ebenezer into a global executive whose track record is as clean as it is impressive. As we dig into the psychology of the African consumer, we also explored the tactics and mindset needed in order to build products and businesses that will stand the test of time.  Join us for yet another fascinating conversation with a doer and thinker like no other! If you are interested in learning more about Ebenezer and her amazing work, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

From growing up in rural Kenya to standing at the forefront of building and using cutting-edge technologies over the past 20 years- Joseph Makokha joins us in the Boardroom this week to unpack a life and career unlike no other. Joseph currently holds a Ph.D. and Master's degree from Stanford University and practices research and engineering at the intersection of people and technology.  In research, he studies the role of Artificial intelligence (AI) in creative, high-performing teams. As an engineer, he designs and implements Deep Learning and AI models and takes leading-edge technologies from concepts to real products and services. In this episode, Joseph explores the role that leading universities like Stanford have had in shaping the future of global technology trends, and how their counterparts in the global south can create a similar impact.  Joseph takes us down his incredible journey of building successful startups and the lessons he has learned about life, business, and technology.  Join us in the Boardroom for another guest episode taking a deep dive into the life of a true visionary!! If you are interested in learning more about Joseph and his amazing work, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

While at the helm of a fast-growing and thriving pan-African healthcare company, failure was a far-fetched concept to Steven Adjei. Until it wasn’t.  After scaling into unknown territories and encountering multiple crippling setbacks, years of work and hard-earned capital went down the drain. In this episode, we sat down with Steven to unpack the realities of scaling profitable businesses in Africa, his renewed relationship with failure and the incredible multi-million-dollar comeback he was able to pull off.  Steven is also the best-selling author of “Pay the Price”, an award-winning book that outlines the tools entrepreneurs need to adopt to deal with the gravity of their dreams and the realities of tragic setbacks in our journeys.  Join us in the boardroom to learn how to leverage failure and pain in order to build resilience and an unshakable vision for your future! If you are interested in learning more about Steven and the amazing work he does, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Hailing from the gold coast, and currently breaking barriers in Britain, this week's guest, Akosua Bame, is an accomplished management consultant with a very specific skillset: Reviving dying corporations through mindset transformation.  After 20 years of success in her craft, Akosua has pioneered a unique and trademarked approach to catalyzing change that starts with the mind of an individual. In our conversation, we use her Mindset Revolution™  Concept and HEARD ™ approach to unpack the fundamental psychology of why people, families, organizations, and nations at large, either succeed or fail. We embark on a reflective journey of why we act the way we do, and how nations like Rwanda have used the power of collective behavioral change to initiate and sustain long-term growth.  At the end of the day, Akosua argues, it is not our hopes and aspirations that will make our lives and communities successful, but an intentionally crafted system of psychological and cultural incentives and activities!  In this fascinating episode, we are challenged to see the bigger picture, by first looking within.  Join us for another incredible deep dive into the life journey and craft of an industry leader unlike any other. If you are interested in learning more about Akosua and her amazing work, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

In this episode of Founders Friday- Yuri, Sean and Boniface are back in the Boardroom like they never left! With a heated battle between Twitter and the new kid on the block; Threads, the trio discusses the facts, figures and factors behind the latest social media spectacle. We also dig into the underlying trends surrounding big tech and the race to capture as much data as possible. Should we be weary of platforms like Worldcoin, Meta and Twitter (now called X)? Join the founders for a deep dive into a very plausible dystopian future that we should probably start preparing for!

This week in the Boardroom, we had a fascinating conversation with Ilya Strebulaev, the Unicorn Whisperer. Over his 20-year career at the center of Silicon Valley’s startup gold rush, he has turned the art of investing in startups through Venture Capital and Private Equity, into a science.  He is a tenured Professor of Finance and Private Equity at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a leading authority on venture capital, innovation, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, we dug deep into his insights on how the VC industry has evolved over time, what challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs and investors face in the current market, what makes Silicon Valley’s ecosystem unique and what lessons can be learned by other regions. Professor Ilya also describes some of the common mistakes and best practices investors make when valuing, selecting, and scaling companies.  Listen in for an eye-opening glimpse into the future of VC and the new wave of groundbreaking innovations across the world.  Whether you are an aspiring or seasoned entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about the world of tech startups and innovation, you don’t want to miss this episode! If you are interested in learning more about Prof. Ilya and his amazing work, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

In this week's episode, we dive into a conversation on the extraordinary life and work of Ahva Sadeghi, a changemaker leading the evolution of digital talent pipelines as a social entrepreneur, economist and C.E.O of Symba.  Through deep reflections on culture and identity, Ahva shares childhood experiences, pivotal moments in her early career, and the fascinating evolution of her identity through the lens of her life’s work. We discover the inspiring journey that led Ahva to co-found an award-winning tech startup dedicated to democratizing workplace access through internships and apprenticeships in the USA, with global ambitions underway.  Ahva also discusses the nuance behind how she built Symba, intentionally optimizing their solution to be attractive to investors as well as the final users. We also discuss the power of co-founder relationships and her approach to dealing with uncertainty.  Brace yourselves for eye-opening insights into the future of early talent development in both the developing and developed world, alongside Ahva revealing Symba's impressive global growth aspirations!  If you are interested in learning more about Ahva and the amazing work she does, follow the link here. Find out more about Symba here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Forever on the move, forever setting trends, forever doing that which they say cannot be done, G-Money is a man that lives up to his motto.  As a UK-born, Jamaican-rooted and Kenyan-bred international DJ, radio host and events extraordinaire, Gmoney has a lifetime of experience building communities around the prevailing sounds of a generation.  In this episode, we explore how a multicultural upbringing and a life of travel have shaped and birthed the media personality we know today as well as the never heard before experiences and life stories that made him who he is today. In this profound and fascinating conversation, G Money opens up like never before, threading a hilarious, colorful, and rich story of his never-ending journey in pursuit of craft excellence.  Some know him as a radio personality, others know him for bringing in some of the world's biggest acts to perform in Kenya, and others know him as a friend or colleague. Join us in the Boardroom to deconstruct the man behind the legend. If you are interested in learning more about G-money and the amazing work he does, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

In the increasingly globalized world that we live in, it’s important for us to learn how to be keepers of our values as Africans as we live and work in different multicultural environments. In today’s episode, we welcome Wadzanayi Mutema (Wadzy) to the Boardroom to unpack what it truly means to be culture custodians and global citizens. Wadzy is from Zimbabwe and has expansive experience working in various African countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Uganda, Namibia as well as in Europe.  She breaks down how living and working in multicultural environments has nurtured her ability to assimilate and adapt- and how she has translated such skills in identifying gaps in the workplace and designing solutions.Wadzy draws some comparisons between work culture in Africa and in Finland where she currently works and emphasizes how important it is to learn from the West but also be keepers of our own values as Africans when working in these different parts of the world. If you are interested in learning more about Wadzy and the amazing work he does, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

With the advent of digital payments and similar finance innovations across Africa, important questions surface about the future of money, it’s role in our society and the tools that will eventually stand the test of time.  To answer these questions we spoke to Tauriq Keraan, a digital payments veteran, former C.E.O of South Africa’s first digital bank known as Tyme Bank and the current Group Executive of Growth Projects at Tyme Group. In this conversation, we unpack the role that fintech and financial services have played in alleviating poverty, unlocking opportunities and disrupting traditional finance models across the global south.  We also explore how Tauriq’s personal journey to pursue financial freedom early in his life, instilled a passion for equipping others who come from humble beginnings with wealth-building tools.   Join us for another insightful guest episode discussion in the boardroom about the future of money, crafting a high-impact career and cryptocurrency in Africa. NEWS: Tyme Bank raises $77.8 million in a pre-Series C round of funding: read here If you are interested in learning more about Tauriq and the amazing work he does, follow the link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

From the peak of a stellar, accomplished and global career as a Fortune 500 executive, this week's guest reflects on the composition of what success means to us as Africans. After spending 30 years building global brands, championing development and mobilizing cutting-edge ideas, Yaw Nsarkoh sits down with us to unpack the composition of the modern-day Pan-African. In this episode, we take a walk down history lane, understanding Africa's complex struggle to decolonize and find her identity and the movements and icons that shaped our present. Yaw unpacks and investigates deep revelations about Africa's social, political and economic situation, unlike anyone we have ever spoken to before on the podcast. Armed with a realistic view of our strengths as a people and his brilliant visibility as the former Executive Vice President of Global Markets at Unilever, Yaw hands us a blueprint for Africa's 21st Century rebirth into a potential global superpower. Join us in the Boardroom for yet another inspiring, insightful and provocative learning experience with a real African Giant. If you are interested in learning more about Yaw and the amazing work he does, follow this link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Can you recall the most memorable workplace you've ever been a part of? What made it stand out? Was it the leadership, your colleagues, the work atmosphere, the compensation, or a combination of factors? In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Gary Cookson in the Boardroom. Gary is not only a father of four and a dedicated husband, but he also runs a successful business called EPIC in his spare time, assisting clients in enhancing workplace performance. Drawing from his extensive 25 years of experience in Human Resources and Hybrid Working, Gary emphasizes the significance of fostering meaningful relationships in the workplace, encouraging employees to bring their authentic selves to work, and highlighting the crucial role that human connection plays in fostering employee happiness. In the current era dominated by hybrid work, Gary shares his insights on how organizations can create work environments that unlock the full potential of their employees and cultivate a work culture rooted in values and purpose. Tune in for another masterclass on the future of work and learn how you can prepare yourself to thrive! If you are interested in learning more about Gary and the amazing work he does, search 'Gary Cookson' on LinkedIn. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

We've all dreamt about it: getting into Stanford, Harvard, Oxford, you name it! But oftentimes we stop in our tracks and give in to our doubts... am I talented enough? Are my grades good enough? Do they even know the obscure local schools I went to? Do they really consider people like me? In this episode, we spoke to Breauna Marie Spencer- the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Computer Science department at Stanford University. Her renowned research and advocacy work is dedicated to increasing the number of women and students of color enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate and graduate degree programs. We discussed the historical myths, lived realities and barriers often set up to hinder minority groups from accessing elite universities and how her life's work has cumulated in breaking barriers and creating easier access for minorities to achieve their dreams at Stanford and beyond. Join us as we unpack the life and work of one of the most dedicated, fun and accomplished diversity and inclusion experts in the game. Who knows, she might have just given us the blueprint for our next higher education adventure at a world-renowned university. If you are interested in learning more about Breauna and the amazing work she does at Stanford, check out her profile here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

How are you? Like really, how are you feeling? This week's Founder-in-Studio collaboration brings into focus a topic loved and appreciated in the Boardroom: Wellness. As high-energy, ambitious entrepreneurs, young professionals and go-getters- we sometimes need to sit down with ourselves and those around us for a quick P.E.N check. Khushbu Kotak, a mental health advocate and the C.E.O. of Salama Minds joins us in the Boardroom as we investigate the cultural similarities and nuances in African and Asian communities surrounding our attitudes on mental health and wellness. Join us as we explore how historical events, the weather and our varied upbringings dictate our relationship with our minds as we get older. To find out more about Khushbu and the amazing work that she does check out this link: https://linktr.ee/Salama_Minds?lt_utm_source=lt_share_link#243442550

Welcome to our 100th episode! With reflection and gratitude being guiding values in the Boardroom, we decided to bring back one of our first and most impactful guests, Dr. Mzamo Masito, the Chief Marketing Officer for Google Africa. In this special episode, we explore the unique power of our minds and our ability to turn our situations, no matter how complex and varied, into success. Dr. Mzamo guides us along on his personal journey of transcending the limiting beliefs he had about wealth, time, freedom and accomplishment. We also deconstruct the opportunities presently available to African youth and our role in designing a future we can be proud of. We could not imagine a better way to cross into our 100th episode milestone. Join us in the Boardroom to unpack the mindset, beliefs and stories behind one of our continent's most revered and accomplished thinkers. If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Mzamo and the amazing work he does at Google Africa, check out his LinkedIn here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

The rise of the gig economy in Africa has opened up new doors for millions of young, ambitious workers like ourselves looking for flexible employment opportunities and great pay. However, as the use of algorithms for managing and evaluating gig workers and competition from Artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, we must also consider the human cost of this shift. From the lack of human interaction and support to concerns around mental health, motivation, and power imbalances- we dig into the far-reaching impact of the remote work revolution! We explore real-world examples from our experiences and observations in Africa and beyond, and discuss what this means for our generation!  Hop into the conversation to learn more about how technology is changing the face of work in Africa, and what this means for the future of the continent's economy.

As changemakers in the making or in practice, a dilemma often faced is the disconnect between our everyday lives and those of the people we want to help or empower. This week’s founder-in-studio, Ziyaan Virji, born and raised in Tanzania, tells us the fascinating story behind “For the Menstruator"- an international social impact enterprise tackling period poverty. As someone who is definitely not a menstruator, Ziyaan breaks down the process and psychology that went into him launching and scaling his non-profit as well as the insane challenges along the way.  From hilarious encounters to lessons on building successful social enterprises- we all take account of our collective journeys as founders and what our purpose is on a larger scale as humans with a calling to help our fellow man.  Join us in the Boardroom for another insightful and laid-back conversation. To learn more about Ziyaan and the amazing work he does, check out his profile here and his podcast, Leaders Of Today Podcast, through this link here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Have you ever found yourself knee-deep in a way of living or thinking that you can’t help but wonder, whose idea was this? Today's episode takes a deep dive into the concept of "Sacred Cows", as introduced in Episode #59 with Steve Boehlke. These are sensitive topics, beliefs or traditions that teams, families, corporations and societies at large practice that can often be hard to question… and in some cases even justify! Join us in the Boardroom as we unpack the "Sacred Cows" in our living and work spaces and how we go about challenging the status quo!

Discover the secrets to unlocking your leadership potential with Steve Boehlke, a global consulting expert and master facilitator of leadership. In this episode, we delve deep into the importance of authenticity and personal identity in leadership and explore strategies for identifying and addressing the blind spots that may be holding one back from unleashing their leadership potential. By distilling 30 years of experience working with leading multinational corporations and social entrepreneurs- Steve shares valuable insights on how to strike a balance between productivity and reflection, delegating effectively, and promoting innovation within organizations. He also challenges leaders ón how they ‘break the rules with integrity’- navigating innovation and change through the Politics of Creativity. Join us in the Boardroom as we learn how to lead ourselves and others with purpose, joy and impact. If you are interested in learning more about Steve and his work, check out his LinkedIn here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Founders Friday brings with it all the highs, lows, laughs and banter of the week. Today's episode welcomes one of our peers to join us in studio: an entrepreneur in the fashion space. Lynnet Muritu joins us from New York where she runs her luxury fashion brand, Mimi Pambo- exporting accessories and other products from Kenya to the rest of the world. We catch up with her on how the business is doing and some of their recent highlights such as hiring a new intern into her team and the latest shipments she received of their leather collection. She shares her experiences running an international business, the importance of adapting one’s brand to a global market and some healthy habits founders should adopt to lead a team. We draw parallels between the fashion, events and podcasting industries, with Lynnet giving incredible advice on the value of ‘testing before you buy’- whether it’s in launching a business or hiring new people to the team. Hop in for another light-hearted, lively and insightful conversation straight from the Boardroom. Follow this link here to learn more about Lynnet and the incredible work she does at Mimi Pambo --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

What has been the most profound learning experience you have gone through in life? Today in the Boardroom we hang out with Gabi Immelman as we reflect on this question and the power of such experiences in shaping who we are today and the work that we do. Gabi is the Co-founder & C.E.O of Mindjoy, an Artificial Intelligence enabled platform that gives educators A.I superpowers to transform lessons into tech projects that kids love. She believes that our education, both formal and informal, shapes how we construct our stories of ourselves. We begin Gabi's story with her upbringing in a household in South Africa surrounded by incredible female role models in her mother and aunties and the competitive advantage they gave her by exposing her to the world of entrepreneurship and technology at an early age right at home. She walks us through her experience navigating the school system as a neurodivergent student, how she embraced her curiosity and sense of initiative to double down on her strengths and discover her passion in drama and theatre. Gabi also narrates her early career life and work as a teaching artist in Silicon Valley's oldest children’s theatre, and how a classroom encounter with one of her students completely changed how she viewed the power of technology in shaping how we learn. If you are interested in engaging more with Gabi and her work, reach out to us or to her directly through her LinkedIn here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Is the grass greener on the other side, or perhaps just the side you choose to water? On this Founders Friday episode we spiced things up by introducing a new segment; peer-to-peer conversations with a 'Founder-In-Studio'. To kick us off, we invited our good friend Jefferson Kangacha to join us in the boardroom from his lovely home in Ithaca, New York. We discussed the concept of “brain drain”- where young talented Africans leave the continent for work or studies and decide to relocate permanently.  As a current student at Cornell University and accomplished social impact researcher, Jeff unpacks his experience of weighing his post-graduate options, and the psychology behind our youth leaving for good. As a common thread, we all explored how changing work dynamics, increased global exposure and social pressure have influenced our desires to stay in or leave Africa to pursue greener pastures. 

Here in the Boardroom, we are insanely curious about the psychology and process of building truly amazing products /services. So this week our search for incredible builders finds us taking a unique masterclass as we speak to Narek Verdian. Narek is a global tech executive with over 20 years of experience recruiting and managing international tech teams that use disruptive technologies to drive product growth and exceptional customer experiences! Most notable is his present role as the Chief Technology Officer (C.T.O.) at Glovo, arguably the coolest delivery app on your phone right now. Narek speaks about his Armenian heritage and takes us down a fascinating journey of his tech-swathed upbringing that launched him into the world of tech. He shares lessons that range from creating culture champions within organizations, to adapting to change processes and the value of simplicity in innovation. Narek gives us his blueprint for building disruptive and “sticky” tech platforms featuring best practices on team building, problem-solving, dealing with competition and how to make yourself irreplaceable. If you are interested in learning more about Narek and the work he does with Glovo reach out to us or to him directly through his LinkedIn here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Top athletes, musicians, entrepreneurs, scientists and any other craft you can imagine, all experience something incredible: The Flow State.  Characterized by the ability to perform at the highest level for extended periods of time with a trance-like obsession, the flow state is key to high performance! In this episode, inspired by a conversation in one of our favorite shows, “The Shop” by UNINTERRUPTED, we unpack what it means to cultivate a culture of winning, and how we have used that to develop formidable skills, accomplishments and more! From mastering our craft, to developing entire nations, join the Founders as they unpack exciting case studies on how to unlock the flow state in our individual lives and create a contagious culture of excellence in our societies. Find the episode of "The Shop" that we speak about here: https://youtu.be/WjT-c6BOswY Note: This is not a paid partnership

How can we tap into our ability to create and add value to our life and everyone around us? Today in the boardroom, we are joined by Arman Amin, the C.E.O and productmancer at Send More Brains Inc- an international creative design studio based in Toronto, Canada. Arman was born in Canada to two immigrant parents from Iran and grew up in both countries early on. His work today sheds light on the above question of our human ability to create. He empowers visionary teams, startups, and companies to create paradigm-shifting products and services. This has given him an incredible perspective on how remote and multicultural teams navigate innovating around niche opportunities in different geographical regions worldwide. In this episode, we unpack Arman’s cultural background and how his upbringing influenced his worldview. We touch on how he has always sought inspiration from informal moments that do not feel like work. We enjoyed this conversation because it was so multi-faceted- covering topics from navigating change during the pandemic, the value of meditation & deep thought, how he became a vegetarian because of the relationship he built with his pet gerbil (which is native to Mongolia) and even his passionate love for the Star Wars franchise. Arman challenges entrepreneurs and everyone, in general, to continuously ask themselves the question ‘WHY’ when developing ideas and embracing our most unique human ability to CREATE. If you are interested in engaging more with Arman and his work reach out to us or to him directly through his LinkedIn here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

It’s Friday! That means the founders are back in the studio, unpacking a week full of lessons and life hacks. In this episode, we explore the world of mentorship through our experiences in high school, college and post-college. We deconstruct how we go about identifying people we would like to have as mentors as well as how we apply the same in our peer relationships. From living with our mentors, to working with them, to navigating conflict when we don't see eye to eye- come learn the ropes with the founders.

Investing in startups is a multi-billion-dollar industry globally, but few know the processes and people behind the scenes. In today’s episode, we speak with Mark Kleyner- the co-founder & program director at DreamVC. Their mission is to equip the next generation of African startup investors, more formally known as Venture Capitalists, with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive. We discuss how Mark’s background as a Russian/Ukrainian immigrant and first-generation entrepreneur set him up to succeed in the corporate and startup worlds and his radical decision to focus on building in Africa. Join us as we explore the psychology and skills involved in picking great companies from the crowd and how Mark's work at DreamVC is setting the stage for young African professionals- like ourselves- to break into the VC world as investors and operators. If you are interested in engaging more with Mark and his work with Dream VC, reach out to us or visit their website here: http://www.dream-vc.com/ --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

They say tough times don’t last, but tough people do- so in today's episode, we unpacked why doing hard things is often… HARD. But most importantly, we talk about the tools and tricks we have used in our various experiences to navigate and mitigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and life.From building robust support systems to our attitude towards failure- the Founders offload a host of mechanisms that are sure to get you through tough times.  Click 'PLAY' to enjoy our latest Founders Friday episode on your favorite podcast platform today!

In a rapidly modernized world, the pressure on educators to keep up with workforce demands and the increasingly liberal access to learning materials grows daily. In this episode, we sit down with Professor Tawana Kupe, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, to discuss how a blended approach to education can bridge the digital divide and better prepare students for the 21st-century workforce. Professor Kupe unpacks the history of how digitalization and internet connections have revolutionized education in Africa and emphasizes the need for universities to update their curriculum continuously to keep up with emerging trends in technology such as Artificial Intelligence and free open-source courses. He also highlights steps he has pioneered to enable closer collaboration between the University of Pretoria and employers, and how they are ultimately preparing students for a future that is increasingly digital and collaborative. To learn more about Prof. Tawana and the work that he does with the Univeristy of Pretoria, check out his LinkedIn profile here. Follow the link to tune into yet another masterclass in the boardroom! --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

As witnesses to the rapid pace of development and change in the 21st century, we often feel the pressure to be innovators. What does that even mean? In this episode, we unpack the lessons we have learned from our recent guests and their journeys as innovators and inventors- and understand what it truly means to bring forth new products and solutions and have them succeed in this day and age. We also challenge the notion that to be successful, you must be some sort of disruptor, when in fact some of the greatest opportunities lie in positioning ourselves in spaces where other pioneers have laid a foundation. Join in for another wholesome, reflective and humorous conversation with the Founders in the Boardroom.

Over the past 20 years, Robb McDaniels has built his career and reputation as one of the most influential voices in the international music industry. From spending his early twenties experiencing the dance culture and community in New York and London, to discovering and building his passion for music technology- Robb has developed an intimate relationship with his work both in front of audiences and in the executive boardrooms behind the scenes. Today, he sits at the helm of one of the world’s leading music companies known as Beatport- providing the global DJ community with a vast catalog of high-quality digital music. In today’s episode, he steps into our boardroom and speaks to us about his early career life, the trends in music and technology that paved the way for him and his philosophy of leveraging innovation to build products that appeal to various customer cohorts in an ever-changing industry. Tune in for yet another masterclass from an industry expert with years of experience and wisdom to share. To learn more about Rob and the work that he does, check out his LinkedIn here and the Beatport website at www.beatport.com --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Africa’s race to build the next wave of billion-dollar companies has seen incredible minds like Sam Gichuru’s at the forefront of putting our tech scene on the global map. In this episode we speak to Sam to unpack his journey as the CEO of Kidato, a Y-Combinator incubated EdTech startup and Africa’s first fully online school. Armed with a “less is more” attitude, a humbling start and a passion for tech-enabled solutions, Sam breaks down his life and business philosophy like never before! We spoke about the importance of saving yourself before you save the world and how to ease our anxiety about tomorrow by creating our future today. Sam also breaks down how to be more grounded in the face of success and failure by understanding that our journey is the real gift, not the treasures we often pursue. Hop into another well-rounded guest episode full of priceless life and business lessons from Sam Gichuru; a dreamer, a founder, a father and a friend. To learn more about Sam & the work he does, check out his LinkedIn profile here. Book Recommendation The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Seasons come and go, and as we get older and wiser, our ability to adapt gets better... Hopefully! In today’s episode, we dig into the ways that we can best set ourselves up strategically for long-term success by making the most of our transitions between key life stages. As young professionals, we identified ways to build stronger foundations for the coming decades while reflecting on the difficulties of making various decisions in our professional and personal lives. Join us for another insightful and uplifting Founders Friday to kick off your weekend! 

The nature of work and current industry trends are evolving at a fast rate. At the helm of these changes are emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and tools that channel this kind of tech into various use cases in our day-to-day lives. From our classrooms and art exhibits to our resumes and essay questions- no one can ignore the potential that these A.I tools have to enhance our workflow, save us time and increase our productivity. Question is, how can you best position yourself to leverage these tools? Which ones are we currently equipping ourselves with and WHY? Hop into today’s episode to listen to our take on these A.I tools and how they are empowering us! -- Referenced Links: AI Today Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6DSde5SYyQxWh2fig9GcbW?si=d9nv6nSjSOymdix7Pl9ZIA

Impact can often seem like a pursuit better left out of the conversation when we talk about business. But our guest this week, Nishchal Banskota, leads us down his journey of building a robust and socially impactful business community in his homeland of Nepal. Nish is the founder of the Nepal Tea Collective where he combines age-old traditional tea farming, with modern branding and distribution to sell organic high-quality tea on an international scale!  His thesis of nurturing local talent and resources to attract global attention and income has changed the lives of his community forever. We dig into the business strategy and set up behind his company as well as the time he invests in meeting the needs of the communities he works closely with. Join us and hear the story of a kid in rural Nepal, whose dream to study abroad turned into a reality and now has the opportunity to help others do the same. Find out more about the amazing work that Nish and Nepal Tea Collective are doing by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com --- Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

In the midst of a “Me vs You” world, the team stumbles across an incredible Kevin Hart interview on the Jay Shetty Podcast that blew their minds. In this episode, we unpack the reason why Kevin Hart, one of the greatest media and entertainment moguls, attributes his success to the art of collaboration. We then unpack our own professional and personal experiences working alongside our competitors and co-workers and the lessons we are learning as we build our lives and businesses with other people. Tune in for another thought-provoking, insightful and entertaining episode fresh out of the Boardroom. You can visit the Jay Shetty Podcast to listen to his full conversation with Kevin Hart.

The year has just kicked off and the W’s and L's ("Wins & Losses") have started flowing in for the Founders on the podcast. The balance of which can often seem precarious! In today's episode, the Founders speak about the unexpected outcomes of some of their January goals and how they are actively failing forward and pivoting this early into the year. They unpack their perspectives on approaching goals, focusing on low-hanging fruits to build momentum towards larger tasks and the value of cultivating a healthy relationship with our goals. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation full of openness, plot twists, vulnerability and an authentic take on the human side of goal setting.

Ever wondered what goes on in the minds of creators of some of the world’s most advanced pieces of technology? In this week's episode, we sit down with Dr. Lorraine Bassett- the Industry Segment Leader of the Partner Solutions Factory at Amazon Web Services (AWS). With more than 40 years of experience in Information Technology, Dr. Lorraine has built and optimized some of the largest data centers in the world. Back in 2018, she closed AWS’ largest partner deal in history-  leveraging her intimate understanding of customer needs, her unique approach to navigating relationships within the workspace and her ability to recognize trends in emerging technologies. We take a look at her key career decisions in her 20s, her struggle to find her identity in the workplace and the importance of striking a balance between "smart spaces" and tech-free spaces as we look to build a more connected world through the Internet Of Things. Tune in to yet another masterclass right here in the Boardroom. To learn more Dr. Lorraine and the amazing work that she is involved in, visit her LinkedIn profile here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

We’re kicking off the new year with a bang! The Founders are back in the boardroom this 2023, recapping the past year and setting a precedent for the directions their compass is pointing this new year. In today's episode, we talk about the lessons we are carrying forward into the new year, our different styles of goal setting and vision boarding as well as some of the things we are letting go of as we step into the new year. As always, we wrap up with a fun and nail-biting quick-fire question round that tests our wits and gives us something to laugh about as we step into the weekend. If you are curious about doing a similar reflection of your year and plan ahead, check out this cool recourse that we made use of: https://yearcompass.com/ Tune in and start your year with us on a high note! 

In a world where the tech we build looks more and more like us, our biases and flaws as humans are often subtly amplified within the platforms we build. Timnit Gebru joins us in the boardroom from the forefront of the fight against technology bias as the founder and executive director of the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (DAIR). Timnit unpacks her fascinating journey as a migrant from Eritrea in her early days, to becoming a renowned Ph.D. holder from Stanford University. In this episode, we speak about the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence, her active role in A.I. research and development, and her fight for equity and accountability in the industry. Join us as we unpack dilemmas such as the unlikely but hilarious memes of sentient AI chatbots, tech monopolies, and the possibility of various emerging technologies aiding in immigration, financial inclusion and more. We’re kicking off the new year in style, hop into the Boardroom and start your year on a high note with us. To learn more about DAIR and their work, visit their website here: www.dair-institute.org --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Africa’s narrative has been historically viewed from various unfavorable lenses, informed by stereotypical views and opinions across the continent. In today’s episode, we are joined by Moky Makura, the Executive Director of Africa No Filter- an organization whose mission is to connect and build the field of narrative change-makers on the continent. Moky believes that the only way to change people’s perceptions is through storytelling. She speaks about her early exposure to different cultures and the understanding this gave her of her identity as a pan-African and global citizen- and emphasizes the need for cultivating ecosystems that support young creatives in driving positive narratives about our African continent. For more information on how you can be a part of their work, visit their website at www.africanofilter.org. To learn more about Moky and her incredible story, check out her LinkedIn here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

In a world where prominent, happy and successful men are taking their lives every other week, families and onlookers often say they didn’t see the signs. It was as if the man they knew was living behind a mask the whole time. In today's episode, the Founders sit and peel back the different masks men wear in the workspace, with family and most shockingly among their closest friends. They break down their personal experiences dealing with societal pressure and depression- and how they are learning and unlearning how to deal with it. The conversation today touches on ways in which men can intentionally create safe spaces for each other and change the narrative around vulnerability in the workspace,  among colleagues, friends and family. Join in for another relevant, insightful and impactful conversation in the Boardroom! TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains references to suicidal thoughts and actions experienced by the Founders and other members in society. Listener discretion is advised.

Before Jackie Bernhelm was the director of Area 120, Google’s internal ideas incubator, she spent her early career years working across Silicon Valley- creating value in multiple industries and spaces in search of her purpose and footing in the world. From product management to venture capital, to founding her own startup- Jackie has learned immensely and shares her approaches to establishing a successful career early. Further in the episode, we explore the importance of being an innovator in your space of work and how leading companies like Google are creating programs to support and deploy in-house ideas to the world led by employees who are business-minded disruptors. As the world changes and adapts to a new way of work, Jackie gives us frameworks to be successful in working and leading in diverse teams as well as building companies that stand the test of time. Tune in for another amazing session straight out of Silicon Valley via the Boardroom. Find out more about Jackie’s work through her LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-bernhelm/ --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

As we kick off the month of December, not all the Founders have had a great first week. Amidst academic deadlines, tight work commitments and the occasional sleepless nights chasing the proverbial word count- Omina and Yuri recount their stockpiled week and their expectations for the upcoming Christmas break.  Sean gives us a run-through of some of the lessons he's learned this week on the topic of competition, drawn from Peter Thiel's book- Zero To One.  He invites his fellow co-hosts to relate their experiences handling themselves and managing success in highly competitive environments of life, school and the workplace. Join in the conversation by sharing with your experiences with us via direct message and feature your responses on the next episode.

What does building a life we can be proud of mean to you? We sat down in the boardroom with Kabir Bavikatte, a leadership and organizational coach, to unpack how our concept of fulfillment in life and work has shifted in recent years.  Kabir thoughtfully leads us through the tools young people and professionals all over the world have today to help us find deeper meaning in our work and be truly happy!  In an age of remote work and increasing social pressure to be successful, we unpack whether the possibility of work-life balance is a myth and how we can build healthy expectations of ourselves and the world.  Join us in the Boardroom for a reflective, eye-opening conversation that is bound to leave you speechless!  Find out more about Kabir’s work through his LinkedIn here. Article Referenced: Spotify Wellness Week: link Portugal Bans Managers From Contacting Employees Outside Working Hours: link  ---  Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com  Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

It’s that time of year when you pause every other app on your phone and head over to Spotify to check out the crazy but surprisingly accurate statistics that describe you and your audio consumption.  Don’t worry, we’re surprised just as much as you guys are. Today the Founders gather in the boardroom to unwrap the incredible gifts that are our listeners and dive into some of the standout news, designs and features surrounding this year’s Spotify Wrapped marketing campaign. They also touch on how people can create and brand their impact as intrapreneurs in companies and visualize their value for themselves. Hop in!

What do you get when you intersect music and technology? You get a revolution of culture, and the ability to connect and develop communities beyond borders! Today’s guest has over 15 years of experience cultivating ecosystems in each of these two industries- working at the intersection of culture and innovation. Jessica Colaço is a bass guitarist and tech entrepreneur. She co-founded iHub Kenya in 2010, an innovation and tech hub with the goal of nurturing an ecosystem for Nairobi’s underserved tech and entrepreneurial community.  After an illustrious career life as a Director in iHub, startup advisor and playing in a couple of rock bands around the world, she decided to work on her own Extended Playlist, enlisting a host of amazing musicians and singers to help her put it together. She is currently the first female in tech and music to release a single (Momentum) on NFT in Kenya. In this episode, we talk about her early career life in Nairobi, the challenges she experienced stepping into the job market in a country with little tech penetration and unpack the hurdles of cultivating spaces that facilitate exponential growth for gifted individuals. Jessica also gives us her take on the current state of the music industry in Kenya, what making music means to her and how to excel as a jack of all trades. Find out more about her work and music through her website: www.itsmejessicacolaco.com --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

The last few bits of the year can be chaotic as we seek to wrap up work, school and so many of our goals for the year!  As such the need to cultivate the skill of finding calm in the midst of storms is needed more than ever.  On this Founders Friday conversation, Yuri, Sean and Boniface sit down to discuss Anti-fragility; a concept where strength and progress are created as a result of chaos and difficulty. So tune in to yet another insightful and unscripted conversation fresh out of the Boardroom to catch up on some laughs and lessons. -- Articles: The Rise Of The Antifragile: https://thequintessentialmind.com/antifragile/ How To Be Antifragile: https://betterhumans.pub/live-like-a-hydra-c02337782a89

As the world swarms to invest in the wave of innovations and entrepreneurs rising out of Africa, few have the insights, processes and success that Marsha Wulff has accumulated over time. Marsha has spent a large part of her career life scaling an investor ecosystem for Africa's tech startups through LoftyIn Capital Management. With her “founder first” attitude and appreciation for the nuance that lies across the continent, she has built one of Africa's most successful VC firms- funding and supporting successful companies like Flutterwave and many more. In this episode, we discuss her extensive career over the decades in private equity, venture capital and development finance with a focus on demystifying these crucial industries. We also dig into the lessons she’s learned about building exceptional businesses, the psychology of investing in Africa, and the fascinating relationship between entrepreneurs and funding stakeholders. Marsha explains how we can create better ecosystems to support our growing startups, and our collective responsibility to believe in, and support African businesses as a whole! For more information on LoftyInc, check out their website here: https://loftyinccapital.vc/ --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

One of the most important questions we seek to answer in our lives are those tied to our identity. In today’s episode, the Founders take a trip to the past to connect some of the dots that have informed the people they are today. They zoom in on Yuri’s personal story balancing his Dutch and Nubian descent, the challenges he and his community have faced over generations and the significant role that courage has played in his ability to overcome them. One of most fascinating takeaways from this conversation is an understanding of how positive outcomes can be socially engineered to counter economic & educational inequalities facing marginalized communities in Africa. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

A story can only travel as far as it is told. Without people to share them, an audience to hear, and a platform to deliver, stories about who we are and where we come from can get lost forever. Jocelyne Muhutu- Remy joins us in the boardroom as Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, leading the enablement of stories from podcasters and musicians that are shared and experienced across the continent. In today’s conversation, we dig deep into the link between our heritage and the narratives we tell and are told about Africa, as well as the emerging technologies at the helm of our tech-savvy culture. Jocelyne brings her 20+ years of experience in media distribution and extensive immersion across Africa to highlight where we came from and where we are going as a land of stories, and how to tell each of ours unapologetically. Find out more about her work through her LinkedIn profile here. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Do you believe that moving from your home country to another one guarantees you more opportunities? We explore this question and more as we look at our home country Kenya as a land of opportunities and the wealth of exposure that has built this mindset within us. This episode also introduces an amazing new segment that features a question from one of our fans accompanied by an answer from one of the former guests that we had on the podcast. We wrap up the show by looking at what Yuri and Omina’s best friendship will look like after college and what gets Sean really angry.

Our core views and beliefs about what a purpose-filled life looks like, have been greatly challenged over the past couple of years. One of the most important conversations we grapple with as young learners and leaders has been the future of work and what role we’re playing in redefining workspace culture. In today’s episode, we sought to get answers, so we spoke to an expert; Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn’s first Chief HR Officer and talent advisor to companies such as Google, Manchester United, the BBC, Twitter and Deloitte just to name a few. Join us as we unpack the future of work and the talent strategies the world's top companies are using in response to the changing world we are observing. Steve is world-renowned for his intimate understanding of talent strategies and lays out an intricate game plan that you and I can adopt today to survive and thrive in the world of work. He paints a fascinating picture of the current hiring trends in top companies worldwide, shares his views on cultivating effective people ecosystems that allow employees to build trust, and why it is important to view careers as a laboratory of experiments.  To find out more about Steve's work and his latest book 'Workquake' check out his website here: www.stevecadigan.com --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

When you look at the world around us today- from our commutes to work or school, to insIde our classrooms and living rooms- technology is running almost all aspects of our lives. In today’s episode, we are joined by Rupa Chaturvedi to unpack our rapidly evolving relationship with tech as a solution to our most pressing problems as human beings. Rupa is a User Experience (UX) Design Manager at Google currently involved in the YouTube department, with an impressive career leading the intersection of user-centered design and emerging technology such as Conversational AI, Augmented Reality, Machine Learning and Computer Vision. This episode highlights the lengths to which we use technology daily, use cases in various industries and the extent to which it is changing our behavior and psychology as human beings. If you are a student in the emerging tech space, a designer building tech-based products or a researcher looking for insights from an industry expert at the heart of the world’s revolutionary advancements- this is the episode you have been waiting for. Find out more about her work through her LinkedIn profile here or her website: www.ruparc.com --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Do you believe that following your passion in life will ultimately lead you to wealth and career success? If so, how does one discover this passion? How does one cultivate & nurture it?  In today's episode, we challenge these notions about passion and acclaimed sayings such as 'Ready, Fire Aim'. We draw examples from how we launched our podcast 11 months ago, our individual learning curves in our current passionate endeavors, and a look at what it truly takes to cultivate strong skills and move towards making them profitable. We draw reference from this article on 'The Danger Of The Passion Hypothesis' and look at just how vital career capital is in guiding one to valuable opportunities in the workspace. --- Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

When we think of impacting change in a society, we often think of world-altering events like fights for independence or the invention of computers. In today's episode, our guest Michael Radke brings social change down to eye level where we discuss how you and I can lead lives that catalyze development and impact for those around us. Michael is the Executive Director of The Ubuntu Lab- a collective a global collective of educators, social scientists, designers, and technologists on a mission to help people understand people through dynamic experiences. In this episode, we unpack his global exposure to the people and places at the center of building a brave new world and the lessons he has learned about what it takes for us to be changemakers. Find out more about his work through his LinkedIn profile here as well as by visiting www.theubuntulab.org --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

The role of social innovation in driving growth has never been more evident than in the African century that we are in today. In today’s episode, we have a chat with Egyptian-born entrepreneur and investor, Dina Sherif about the evolution of Africa as a growth market, the venture capital landscape on the continent and her experience building sustainable, inclusive, and diverse societies. Nearly a decade ago, she believed that the private sector had the potential to play a bigger role in leveraging sustainable business models to create an impact beyond the usual works of philanthropy. She co-founded a company known as Ahead Of The Curve to help them do exactly that. She joins us today from Massachusetts, USA where she leads MIT’s Legatum Center for Development & Entrepreneurship as its Executive Director and has some wise words to share with the entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, regulators and other curious minds listening to this podcast. Find out more about her work through her LinkedIn profile , the Ahead Of The Curve website and her work at the Legatum Center. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

The founders stepped into the boardroom this week and opened up about their experiences like never before. They reflect on Steve Bartlett's latest episode on his podcast (The Diary Of A C.E.O) where he featured grammy-award-winning South African DJ, Black Coffee. The founders unpack his successful journey and juxtapose his struggles with some of theirs- highlighting how uncomfortable it can be to be patient with oneself, extend grace and allow oneself to go through life's process of becoming who you are meant to be. Listen to Steve's podcast interview with Black Coffee here: YouTube Link Spotify Global Trends Report (Gen Z Creator Edition): Link Here

Workplace culture is changing more rapidly than ever before. In this episode, we invited Julie Winkle Giulioni, an expert on human capital development and workplace culture, to walk us through her toolkit on thriving in today's job market.  As an accomplished author of two international bestselling titles; "Promotions Are SO Yesterday" and "Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go", Julie lends us her insights on how to create and select work environments that bring out the best in ourselves and others. We discuss key drivers of today's shifting workplace trends and the strategies we can employ to navigate them successfully.  Hop in and listen to another insightful conversation fresh out of the Boardroom! To find out more about Julie and her incredible work, visit her website here: https://www.juliewinklegiulioni.com/ __ Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com  Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

With the rate of inflation increasing globally and an uncertain economic climate for both large & small companies, we look at how this affects our day-to-day lives as college students and how it affected soldiers in ancient Rome. The founders also share their thoughts on recreational activities such as shooting ranges, break down the fall of some of Kenya's fast-growing startups such as Kune Food and what founders should get right before taking on large sums of investment for their startups. Join us in the boardroom as we catch up on this week's topics. __ References: What is inflation (McKinsey): link here Multilateralism relationships in Africa: link here Fall of Kune Food (Kenyan startup): link here Sky Garden closing in Kenya: link here Sendy hit by funding drought: link here

How similar is the product (music) that a musician creates to the product/ service that an entrepreneur sells? We explore this question with the help of innovation coach, Tristan Kromer, and relate it to a larger theme of building successful business models. Tristan’s work involves transforming the way companies innovate and coaching startups and intrapreneurs on adopting startup principles into practice through his company, Kromatic. However, he didn’t begin his career in this industry. He spent 10 years in his early career life doing some fantastic work in the entertainment industry. In this episode- we explore the similar themes found in a musician’s and entrepreneur’s process of building a product, explore Tristan’s experiences building startup ecosystems around the world and take a look at how we was able to leverage transferable skills to accelerate his impact across different industries. --- Join us in creating social impact through a cup of tea by visiting www.nepalteacollective.com Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

After an eventful summer spent traveling and working in different parts of the world, the Founders are back in the boardroom and still reeling from the incredible impact the year had on their lives. In this episode, they recount the unique networks they made, spaces they stepped into and challenges they met and overcame (or didn't). Sean speaks about his work in consulting, leading a training program in South Africa and sharing the same roof as grammy-award-winning DJ, Black Coffee at one of the clubs. Yuri speaks of his time DJeeing at venues in Nairobi and Oakland, California while at his internship in Silicon Valley and explains the reason behind his re-brand as an artist. Omina shares insights from his time learning from the rich creative community in Nairobi, working with brands such as Radio 254 and Sol Generation- as well as inspirations from a month spent at Stanford University. They also give a little tease of what to expect from the podcast as we approach our one-year anniversary in two months' time. Tune in!

Accessibility is one of the greatest challenges facing the healthcare industry in Africa, whether in preventive care, curative care or innovative medicines- but is also its greatest opportunity. Over the past three years, Walter Mibei has been at the forefront of leading efforts in the COVID-19 and Ebola Virus pandemic response in sub-Saharan Africa. He has 12 years of experience since qualifying as a doctor, working with companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Novo Nordisk. He is currently taking a mid-career break which he is spending as a Sloan Fellow at The Stanford Graduate School of Business. In this episode, we look at his transitions over the course of his career and break down the opportunities available for actionable solutions in accessible healthcare to better prepare Africa for the next pandemic. Find out more about Walter through his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-mibei/ Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Today’s guest is all too familiar with the struggle of trying to fit in and learning how to embrace one’s identity. Sharon Gai was born in China but moved to Vancouver, Canada at a young age where she did not speak the local language. The bilingual and bicultural aspects of her identity largely contributed to her successful career in the e-commerce industry across both western and eastern markets. She opens up about her struggles with her Chinese background at a young age, her transition into the vast world of e-commerce and her role as a bridge between two worlds clouded by an invisible wall- helping Western companies discover China and in the same breath, bringing Chinese brands to the rest of the world. Feel free to connect with Sharon through her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaisharon/ Check out her book, ‘Ecommerce Reimagined: Retail and Ecommerce in China’ here: https://www.amazon.com/Ecommerce-Reimagined-Retail-China/dp/9811900027 To learn more about Pattern and the amazing work that they do, find more information here: https://pattern.com/ Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Leading yourself and others can be tricky to say the least, even more so in a world that this week's guest describes aptly as being “VUCA”: Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. Dr. Vimal Shah, a manufacturing mogul in Kenya and the continent as a whole, shares with us his ultimate business and life playbook that he has adopted over the years to lead his company BIDCO Africa into the upper echelon of commercial success. From a guided view into framing our goals and purpose, building effective teams and solving global challenges for the consumer- this episode dives into the mind and life of arguably one of Kenya’s most successful entrepreneurs. As an avid learner and accomplished doer, Vimal sets the bar high while laying out the blueprint for you to aim and achieve even higher while staying M.A.D (Making A Difference). Book Recommendation: The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman Support our podcast further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Over the past couple of years, we have been privileged to live and study with individuals from all across the African continent and different parts of the world. In this episode, we look at the value that we have gained from these multi-cultural experiences, compare a variety of beliefs and biases that we have come across in our interactions and the significance of opening ourselves up to learning from the communities around us. 

Today's guest was born and raised in Kenya to Dutch parents and has spent the past decade entertaining audiences worldwide through his music. DJ Kace, also known as The African Mzungu, has carved a niche for himself in the Kenyan entertainment industry and is famous for his urban music flow that has captured the hearts of Kenya's event and club-goers. In this episode, we explore Kace's early days in the Kenyan entertainment scene, the hurdles of securing and performing at gigs, working with promoters and his experience opening shows for Kenya's finest music artists back in 2010. DJ Kace is passionate about local music and fashion brands in the country. With his experience designing and running fusion events- he explains the strategies he utilized to create value for entertainers and guests at his events and emphasizes just how important word-of-mouth is when building a loyal fanbase around one's work. Find DJ Kace's music here: https://www.mixcloud.com/deejaykace/ Support us further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

If you have ever traveled to a new country, moved into a new neighborhood, started that new internship or even kicked life off in a new school- you have likely experienced a period of cultural adjustment in response to such shifts. Today in the boardroom, we speak on our experience flying back home to Kenya for summer break and exciting observations we've made in our social circles, the country's leadership approach to COVID regulations, how the political space is shaping up this election year in the country and just how important it is to build context around such cultural shifts in order to survive and thrive in 'new' environments. Support us further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

The race to win the African finance technology (Fintech) race is a fierce one, and today's guest Obadeyi is at the forefront. As the current Group Fintech Manager at Equity Bank, and having previously worked at Glovo and Cellulant, Obadeyi Oluseye sheds light on how he went from a fresh univeristy graduate to a high-level professional, strategist and thought-leader within the industry in a few short years. We talk about his relocation to Kenya from Nigeria, the realities of the battle between crypto vs traditional banking, designing Fintech solutions that scale and the regulatory minefield that is our continent as a whole. Take a deep dive with us as we pick Obadeyi’s brain and learn from him in this insightful conversation filled with many a plot twist!  Support us further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

When in the public eye, you are subject to public opinion. One of the greatest struggles in our generation is making tough decisions for the sake of growth and letting go of the cheers and pats on the back that sometimes come with staying in the comfort zone. We have each faced this dilemma in our own lives, at times rising up from it and in other instances falling victim to the complacency. In this episode, we highlight experiences that have shaped our decision-making processes, the people in our lives who we mistakenly sought validation from and how we ground ourselves as young leaders on our own beliefs and opinions about ourselves.

In her early life as a professional, Mimi became increasingly aware of the power that the media had to shape people's lives and narratives. She has spent her years building a career around her unique perspective on how the power of storytelling can be harnessed to share impactful messages. After realizing there was a blanket approach being taken to communicating in Africa, Mimi launched ACG to provide companies and governments with the tools to tell better stories for better outcomes. She reflects on the tough but worthwhile decisions she had to make in order to align her passion and her work- and challenges us on our held belief of the true meaning of being authentic. Mimi's Recommended TED Talk: The Importance Of Being Inauthentic: Mark Bowden at TEDxToronto- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zpf8H_Dd40 Enjoy!

Today's Founders Friday episode takes a little twist as we look forward to our summer travel plans around the world. We challenge ourselves on how deeply can we connect with our roots back home in Kenya and a wider view of Africa, but with a little twist: backpacking! Literally packing up basic essentials in one bag and setting off on an adventure. Which countries are a must-visit? What would it take? Who would we need to involve? Can we pull it off? How crazy an experience would it be? Listen in to just how wild our summer this year might turn out to be!

For many young professionals, either stepping into the career space fresh out of college or deciding whether to leave that entry-level job they've been in for two years, life sometimes appears to hand you grapes expecting you to make lemonade. Without any leverage as a young upstart in the job market, it can seem like the entire world is looking to you to figure everything out without lending a helping hand. In this episode, Lara walks us through how she has explored her interests over the years and pivoted careers whenever she's felt drawn to add value to young people. Having also worked as the Chief Financial and Operating Officer at the African Leadership Academy, she looks back at the global network she has amassed over the years and credits her career progression and impact to open-mindedness and the ability to double down on her strengths while surrounding herself with intelligent team members. Listen to how she moves from making good choices to better, and better ones to the best. Support and engage with us further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

Drawn from the impactful lyrics of American rapper Big Sean’s 2015 song One Man Can Change The World, we discuss what it really means to influence society and create change. We speak about which companies we would buy if given a chance and analyze our own experiences creating value and impact through our own startups, both successful and failed ones. At times there is a lot of pressure to be 'that' leader that triggers a revolution, but what if you just want to take a back seat? Listen in to the thoughts we shared on this. Support us further by subscribing to our Patreon Page here: https://www.patreon.com/boardroombanter?fan_landing=true

From a very young age, Carrie Rich wanted to learn about the business of helping people. Sometimes, no matter how big a vision you have to do good in the world, people may not see the value in investing in it until you prove that it works. In today's episode, Carrie Rich recounts her 10-year journey scaling the Global Good Fund and the community that has grown around this mission to create a new generation of transformational change agents. Our conversation features various themes around the value of mentorship, building meaningful relationships in life and creating personal alignment within ourselves. She encourages young leaders to believe that the little steps we take to make the world better for ourselves and others will have a long-term impact on millions of people. Find out more about the amazing work that Carrie and her team are doing at www.globalgoodfund.org

There is a fundamental disconnect between colleges/ universities and employers in the real world. Academic institutions were never intended to build people with professional skills but were primarily centers of learning & knowledge acquisition. Our guest today, Roshan Paul, noticed this gap in meaningful transitions into the workspace and in response, chose to forego a career in the lucrative corporate world and set his life's mission on changing this narrative. As co-founder of Amani Institute and strategic advisor to nonprofits and other impact-driven organizations in the United States, Roshan breaks down social impact and what it truly takes to change the world. His new book and #1 Amazon bestseller -The New Reason To Work- recounts the lessons he has learned working with changemakers from all around the world. References: Roshan's 2015 TED Talk titled 'How Do You Learn How to Change the World?':  https://youtu.be/JRxeJkExTwE #1 Amazon bestseller 'The New Reason To Work': https://lnkd.in/gtVNmqYN

From small scale businessman in Nigeria to a global consultant, and early stage investor, Edison Gbenga walks us through his journey of living out his wildest dreams. When an avid problem solver like himself found failure after failure in his career and startup life, he had to rethink his philosophy and mindset completely. In this episode, we learn more about the mind blowing dynamics of the booming startup scene in Africa and what it really takes for founders to raise billions, create impact at scale, and stay true to the people they serve.

One of the most important 21st Century skills shaping the future of work is Emotional Intelligence. Workspace interactions have evolved over the past two years and according to Genos Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach Derek Bbanga, leading with E.I is instrumental in fostering psychological safety when building strong and committed teams. This awareness of others is just as important as that of self and how we perceive the changes around us. Derek reflects on how his progressive worldview has been shaped through his work life over this period, anchoring his message on the ease of adaptability witnessed in one of the world's most unique creatures, the zebra.

Packing his bags and moving from a successful career in Guinea to new and unchartered grounds in Kenya, Amadou is no stranger to risk-taking and has built his reputation as one of Africa's most daring innovators. In this episode, he walks us through his experience enduring his first year in a foreign country- backed only by his sheer will, crazy go-big-or-go-home attitude, and vision to leave a footprint in the lives of fellow high achievers on the continent. This conversation challenged us to rethink how we approach failure, reflect on our upbringing, and how we translate our cultural dynamics into our personal and professional lives. Amadou is a father, husband, friend, and mentor to many- with a tremendous passion to empower and inspire bold action within his family and the community around him. Take a look at some of his amazing work: Masomo Box(e-learning solution for schools in Kenya)- https://youtu.be/npsTmA7mAiA TED Talk feature- https://youtu.be/EYqwIYVBmrI