Whether you’re a new immigrant seeking guidance, a fellow professional looking for motivation, or simply someone curious about the remarkable journeys of individuals in pursuit of their dreams, this podcast offers valuable insights and empowering narratives.
Tune in and be inspired by stories of resilience, success, and professional growth.
Podcast Episodes
Episode 1: Mehnaz Tabassum
Mehnaz Tabassum is a certified Project Manager, career coach, digital content creator, philanthropist and the co-founder and Director of a non-profit organization, NL Eats, focused on breaking barriers to food insecurity. Mehnaz moved from Dhaka, Bangladesh to Canada when she was 17 years old.
Episode 2: Dr. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi
Dr. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi is an accomplished scientist with a rich 16-year history of conducting research, teaching, and contributing across four continents. Currently a faculty member at Ambrose University in Calgary, his academic journey has resulted in securing over $1 million in funding for his scholarly pursuits, primarily through self-sourced scholarships and awards. In late 2020, Dr. Igbalajobi founded Scholarships Cafe, a platform that currently boasts over 1 million users from over 200 countries. Listen to him as he talks about this platform that connects thousands of deserving candidates to opportunities in academia and aids institutions in attracting, recruiting, and retaining the brightest talents. To date, it has supported over 200,000 deserving applicants, resulting in more than 40,000 successful applications valued at over $500 million. Beyond his professional pursuits, he dedicates time to his role as a YouTuber and as a moderator of the widely-followed “Global Opportunities in Academia” space on Twitter.
Please check out his LinkedIn profile for more information about his career.
Episode 3: Dr.Vidhi Thakkar
Dr.Vidhi Thakkar is a CIHR Health Systems Impact Post-Doctorate fellow, and she works with the Institute of Health Systems Sustainability and Transformation and the University of Victoria. She has worked with the BC Ministry of Health and Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care as a Senior Analyst. She is a Sessional Lecturer and Instructor at McMaster University and teaches courses in Data analytics, Statistics, and Communicating with Healthcare data. She recently won the Innovator in Education Award at McMaster University and the McMaster Alumni Arch Award for having a positive impact through her teaching and research. Listen to her as she talks about Health Informatics as a career choice.
Please check out her LinkedIn profile for more information about her career.
Episode 4: Li Fang
Li Fang moved to Canada from Wuhan, China, as a seasoned data-driven product manager with an impressive 20-year track record spanning data analytics, product management, digital analytics, experimentation, customer journey analysis, and digital marketing. Yet to achieve her career goals she needed to upgrade professionally with a Master’s degree in Business Analytics and several certifications like Scrum Product Owner and a Scaled Agile Practitioner, showcasing her proficiency in agile methodologies and a wide array of digital marketing tools. Since her move to Canada, she has worked with diverse industries, including food & beverage, retail, digital media, tourism, and IT manufacturing. Beyond her professional achievements, Li cherishes her life with her loving family of four.
Please check out her LinkedIn profile for more information about her career.
Episode 5: Dr. Candy Ho
Dr. Candy Ho moved to Canada from Hong Kong when she was 10 years old. She faced bullying in the school as she could not communicate in English. Listen to her as she describes her journey of transformation in becoming an international award-winning career development educator and scholar whose expertise is recognized globally through keynotes, consulting, and other engagements. Her insights have been featured in prestigious media outlets including BNN Bloomberg, The Globe and Mail, Financial Post, Canadian Business, National Post, and CTV News. Originally from Hong Kong, she currently serves as Chancellor’s Research Chair at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), while also teaching in KPU’s Educational Studies department and in Douglas College’s Career Development Practitioner Program. She currently serves as Chair of CERIC, a Canadian charitable organization that advances education and research in career counselling and career development, in order to increase the economic and social well-being of Canadians.
Please check out her LinkedIn profile for more information about her career.
Episode 6: Prachi Jatania
Prachi Jatania is an award-winning multimedia journalist from India having covered breaking news and major current affairs headlines at CNN News18 & other news houses for a decade before moving to Canada in 2021. With 15 years of experience in crafting compelling narratives in the public & private sectors, Prachi Jatania leads diverse teams to activate content delivery, strategic communications and issues management. She has worked as a communication consultant for Bloomberg Philanthropies (Asia/New York) & India Health Fund. She served as the Director of Public Affairs for British Deputy High Commission for brand growth and trade investment across technology, healthcare, and social impact sectors. She is currently leading Communications at Simon Fraser University for the Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) – a national organization that develops scientific advances in technologies, interventions and supports for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Prachi believes she is a multipotentialite. As a working mom and spouse to a Navy officer, she is persistent and passionate about community building. In 2023, she co-founded Immigrant Women Initiative (IWI), a community created by women, for women, dedicated to providing an inclusive, collaborative environment that empowers and supports self-identifying, racialized women in their career aspirations and professional journeys. Find us at www.weareiwi.ca
Please check out her LinkedIn profile for more information about her career.
Episode 7: Dr. Mahmoud Gad
Dr. Mahmoud Gad is a Senior Cybersecurity Strategist with the Canadian Federal Government. He originally hails from Egypt and immigrated to Canada in 2008. He has 20 years of experience in cybersecurity and computer networking across the public sector, startups, consulting, and academia. His expertise spans both leadership and technical domains, focusing on IT security strategy, incident response, and cyber risk management. He is also a member of the Cyberlucent advisory board. Dr. Gad holds an M.Sc. from The University of Maryland, College Park, USA, and a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa. Additionally, he is a Certified Chief Information Security Officer and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
Please check out his LinkedIn profile for more information about his career.
Episode 8: Mariat Jibril
Mariat Jibril is a dynamic leader who originally hails from Nigeria and moved to Canada in 2014 after living in London for 23 years. Mariat has over 20 years of banking experience, holding various management roles in retail, business, and private banking across three countries. She currently serves as Regional Manager at one of Canada’s Top 5 Banks and is the Founder and Chief Happy Officer of MIJ Consulting, dedicated to global speaking engagements, consultancy based on lived experiences, mentorship, and pioneering DEIB strategies. A certified Life Coach and Professional Member of the Canadian Psychotherapy Association, Mariat is a passionate advocate for inclusion, equity, and mental health awareness. Her personal triumphs over cancer and her dedication to raising a neurodivergent child underscore her resilience and commitment. Recognized as a two-time finalist for the CGLCC Business Advocate Award and a 2024 nominee for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards, Mariat’s book, “IMADE: Whispers of Hope,” has garnered acclaim for its inspirational insights. A sought-after speaker, Mariat has captivated audiences at prestigious events, including the Forbes Global Alliance Summit 2023. She actively contributes to nonprofit organizations, mentors future leaders, and promotes DEIB initiatives as a Forbes BLK Canada Moderator.
Please check out her LinkedIn profile for more information about her career.
Project Leads
Dr. Parul Kulshreshtha, International Student Advisor (scholarship programs)
Dr. Parul Kulshreshtha is an International Student Advisor for scholarship programs at the International student Initiatives office at UBC, she leads the implementation of the programming for the International Scholars Program and the International Major Entrance Scholarship for Karen McKellin International Leader of tomorrow award(KMILOT), the International Impact Award(IIA), the Donald Wehrung International Student Award (DWISA) and the Vantage One Excellence Award for International undergraduate students. She joined UBC in November 2021 as an Academic and Career Advisor in the Academic and Career Development Office on the Okanagan campus. In addition to course advising, Dr. Parul worked with various campus partners including the Disability Resource Centre, Admissions, the Learning Hub, Co-op, GEO, the Ombuds office and Health & Wellness to support student retention and success. Parul supported students in crisis making appropriate referrals, evaluating requests for academic concessions and consulting with Associate Deans, faculty and staff on student case files. Dr.Parul also created asynchronous Career Advising Training Tools, advised students on work integrated learning opportunities as well as skill building to enhance career readiness. Prior to joining UBC, Parul was an Assistant Professor at the University of Delhi in India. In this role, Dr.Parul organized and executed student orientation and outreach programs, workshops and webinars for the Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India and the Prime Minister’s Office in India.
Laura Brass, PhD Candidate
Laura Brass holds an MEd in Teaching English as a Second Language in Local and Global Contexts from the University of Calgary, Alberta. She has taught ESL, EAP, and LINC in Toronto and Vancouver and she has worked with CBC Radio Canada, Langara College, and Vancouver Community College. While conducting research as part of her Master’s degree, she became cognizant of the struggles and successes of female immigrant teachers in Canada- an aspect that she intends to further study at the doctoral level.
