PEOPLE: John Monash Scholar – Cassandra Joore-Short

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Cassandra Joore-Short? 

As an arts writer, my days are spent thinking about women’s artmaking and how I can best capture their stories for the public. Writing is key to this. I think a lot about the writing process for scholars. My normal day begins with reviewing writing from the previous day and giving myself an honest appraisal. The poet Allen Ginsberg has a phrase, ‘first thought, best thought’ and I try to read with fresh eyes each day. As someone who spends a lot of time looking at the visual arts, I keep a connection to visual media through making collage and story-books and I always look forward to this as a way to think about art from the perspective of someone who enjoys making it.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

Part of being a feminist art historian is grappling with ideas of identity, representation and empowerment. One of the issues I keep coming back to is how to diversify what we see in museum collections so that we break down that sense of museum as being about the legacy of ‘the powerful’. I think of inclusion as making visible something that was always there. Women artists have always been part of the story of art, as the subject of painting or sculpture or as an artist’s muse, but their contribution to the art-making process has not always been recognised.  One reason why it’s important to keep working on the many different histories of women in art is to allow women artists to feel that they are part of the diverse traditions of art making, in all its many forms.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

The challenges I’ve experienced in my personal journey haven’t come from others, but from a sense of overcoming the very human feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt. Part of being a writer often means working alone without a guide. For me, I’ve learnt that it’s important to put doubt aside and trust that with time and care (as well as allowing myself to fail) that I will eventually write the paper, or finish the project.  I also feel that it’s important to sometimes put work aside if it’s not working and then return to it.  It’s amazing how much easier it is to find a solution when you return to a project with fresh eyes.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

One of the perks of being a historian is that you spend a lot of time looking back, learning about the small, lesser known stories of people who overcame huge obstacles to achieve their goals and ambitions. All of us, in some way, benefit from the work that others have done in the past. Something that always picks me up is getting a sense of solidarity from linking my work to the work of others – even if they lived a hundred years ago, I feel that I’m carrying on a legacy that is more important than anything that can be measured in terms of personal achievement alone. 

Want to follow and support ?

https://www.johnmonash.com/contact/find-a-scholar?profile=2822

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PEOPLE: John Monash Scholar – Dr. Laura Dryburgh

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Dr Laura Dryburgh? 

I’m currently working as a medical registrar in the regional town of Armidale on the Tablelands of Northern NSW. A medical registrar is the backbone of the hospital and we cover anything from calls from the Emergency Department to see a patient with an acute medical issue, such as a stroke or heart attack, to attending resuscitation situations to seeing patient in the outpatient clinic to teaching medical students. It’s a busy job but one of its joys is the diversity of individuals we interact with on a daily basis. 

Outside of work I like to squeeze some exercise into my day – usually a run, swim or a hit of tennis. Working and living in a country town you end up being close with your colleagues and so we try and catch up once a week for trivia or a meal.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

As a medical doctor I interact with individuals from every walk of life every day. It is one of the joys of medical life. This has taught me so much about treating every individual equally but also understanding their unique set of circumstances that make them who they are. I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time with a wide array of communities (such as remote First Nations communities, outback communities and refugee communities) while working as a doctor delivering medical care. Outside of clinical work I have enjoyed teaching and mentoring Indigenous medical students through the University of Newcastle Wollutuka Institute.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

Working as a young female doctor I am challenged everyday both by patients as well as the inherited male orientated hierarchical structure of the medical system. This really affected me in my earlier clinical years, and I know that women in medicine often really struggle with the social norms around doctor gender typing. I have found owning my role the most effective way to challenge these stereotypes and overcome my own imposter syndrome fears. On a day-to-day basis that involves me introducing myself as a doctor and redirecting individuals when they answer my clinical questions to male medical students standing in the room. I’ve also worked really hard to become the best clinician and communicator I can be such that my patients are assured of mine, and therefore other female doctors, ability to care for them well. I seek out leadership and service positions within the health network I work for to promote diversity amongst clinical leaders.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Find mentors who value you for your individuality and what you specifically can bring to that table. Stay enthusiastic about what you are striving for – enthusiasm allows you to connect with people in ways you never imagined.

PEOPLE: John Monash Scholar – Milan Gandhi

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Milan Gandhi? 

I am one part policy analyst and adviser working in multidisciplinary teams with leading Australian scientists, public servants and military personnel, one part innovation manager assisting to drive digital transformation for our business and our stakeholders, and one part in-house legal adviser.   The thing I love most about my work at DMTC (other than the people) is the diversity of challenges I get to work on and their public importance. Right from the beginning of my career (initially as a lawyer in private practice), I was keen to ‘break the mould’ and I have benefited from career mentors, firstly at McCullough Robertson and now at DMTC Ltd, who nourished that instinct even if it did not align with traditional examples of what someone ‘should’ do with a law degree. I am eternally grateful to those people.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is a huge part of what I do at DMTC.  That is partly because I am on DMTC’s diversity and inclusion committee, led adeptly by my colleague Anthea Silom, and partly because I benefit from our genuinely inclusive workplace. Importantly, we recognise that there is room for improvement. Notwithstanding that we are a small organisation, we have been on a transformative journey over the last 18 months to improve D&I within DMTC and to influence similar outcomes across the broader defence innovation ecosystem. 

Our work has been underpinned by expert advice from Diversity Partners, one of Australia’s leading consulting firms guiding organisations to achieve more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Some of the highlights include that we received approval from Reconciliation Australia to publicly release our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan in March 2021, made meaningful updates to organisational policies relating to leave and diversity and inclusion, conducted a survey to better understand the diversity of our organisation, and established a clear diversity and inclusion strategy with associated objectives, actions, metrics, and strong governance. Our goal throughout the process has been to prioritise meaningful change over lip service. 

DMTC embraces the notion of diversity of thought – it is evident in the focus on collaboration with the defence sector but also in the cross-functional teams that drive the day-to-day business.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

I know that my parents and their generation of East African South Asians in the United Kingdom suffered fairly direct and disturbing instances of racism (compounded by sexism in my Mum’s case), but my experiences as an early career professional in Australia have (luckily) been much more positive. I suspect that is for a number of reasons including the changes in attitudes that my parents’ generation were instrumental in bringing about and because, as someone who grew up in Australia, I have a distinctly Australian accent. It is, of course, unfortunate that this latter factor would play a role (but I suspect it does).  

Growing up in Brisbane, I suffered from a level of insecurity and even shame regarding my ‘differences’ (race and cultural differences being two factors) – I now deeply regret that as it pushed me away from learning my mother tongue, Gujarati, and later led to me feeling ‘left out’ when I started to realise the extraordinary value of my rich cultural heritage. I now admire my childhood friends who leaned into the many opportunities our parents and the Gujarati Association of Queensland provided for us to engage with our culture. As I got a bit older, I also felt genuinely confused about my identity – Australians assumed I was not truly Australian because of my appearance, and, during my trips to India (including most recently on a study tour in 2017), Indians assumed I was not truly Indian because of my accent. Strangely enough, I spoke to an Indian cricketing legend (my Dad’s hero in fact) about this issue when I met him in person as part of a short-term exchange to OP Jindal University in India. With a twinkle in his eye, he suggested I should embrace the fact that I am ‘obviously’ an Australian. He was wrong – I am Australian and Indian and (a tiny bit) British and occupy a unique and distinct cultural identity as a result. I am not just one thing or the other and I am more ‘me’ and the culmination of my experiences and choices than I am anything else (Indian, Australian, British, or otherwise). I now embrace that and consider it an advantage!

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Your diverse background is only one part of who you are and it is an asset – learn that sooner in life than I did and embrace it, but don’t let it define you either. 

Want to follow and support ?

DMTC Ltd

You can learn more about DMTC and our work in defence, national security, and related sectors at https://www.linkedin.com/company/dmtc-ltd. 

The Legal Forecast 

If you are interested in doing law differently, and innovation in the legal sector, please check out https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-legal-forecast (where I am a director). 

If you are interested in TLF Creative, an inclusive and creative space for legal professionals, please check out www.thelegalforecast.com/tlf-creative. 

Australasian Cyber Law Institute 

If you are interested in technology policy and regulation, please check out the Australasian Cyber Law Institute (where I chair the subcommittee on ‘Democracy and Public Knowledge’): https://www.acli.org.au/. 

Reach out to me If you would like to chat, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn via https://www.linkedin.com/in/gandhimilan/.  Mention when you connect that you read this article so I know to accept your request. 

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About the diversity champion:

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PEOPLE: John Monash Scholar – Rebecca Keeley

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Rebecca Keeley? 

Every day working in rural healthcare is new and exciting, so I can’t remember the last time I considered something a ‘normal’ day. In my current role as a senior project officer for NSW Health, I coordinate a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and staff to try and reduce geriatric hospital readmissions for patients who present to the emergency department more than ten times in a year.  

On any given day I might be in Lake Cargelligo, a First Nations Community in the far west of NSW, up in the mountains in Tumbarumba, or in the cherry fields of Young. I am so grateful to be able to meet with a vast range of consumers and stakeholders across the district, and to see so much of the lands on which I work. 

I guess the normality I try and have is at the end of the day. Depending if I’m on the road or not, most evenings you would find my fiancé and I walking our beloved golden retriever Rover in the national parklands behind our home in Griffith. I love to cook and I use it to try and switch off my brain after a big work day. And something I’ve made the conscious effort to do over the past few years make sure I read every day. There is so much to be learnt in the literary world and I really relish a good book. 

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

Healthcare in rural and remote parts of Australia truly encapsulates the diversity of this great country that we live in. I’ve had the pleasure of working as a speech pathologist in some of the most remote indigenous communities in Australia, but have also seen the other side of the remoteness of farming communities in far western NSW. This vast geographical expanse and the diversity of those who call it home has always been something that has inspired me to continue to drive change and innervation in the way we deliver allied health services in these areas. 

Whilst diversity can be demonstrated through personal identification, diversity of thought and background professionally is also something that is growing in healthcare in Australia. The traditional doctor & nurse model of care provision is moving to involve those from other backgrounds, including, but not limited to, allied health voices. Having a diverse range of opinions on care provision for a patient can lead to more holistic care across the lifespan, and allied health professionals are becoming more consistently represented in this model of care throughout Australia. This move is more difficult in rural and remote areas due to the limited resource options but it’s a movement I am proud to be a part of to improve the care provided for patients in these areas.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

I have been incredibly lucky throughout my life to have not faced any significantly adverse challenges based on the way I identify. However I am sure all women have at least one example of how gender has affected a workplace situation, especially as you climb the professional ladder. Moving my career towards the business world has clearly shown me the lack of female leadership in top management teams in Australia, but furthermore so, the significant lack of allied health leadership across Australia, particularly in rural areas. 

Another unique challenge that I have continued to experience in my professional practice is difficulties instigating change management while being younger than other stakeholders in the room. Ageism is something I have experienced on both ends of the spectrum, both professionally with ageism in the aged care space of healthcare, but also the ageism I find myself on the receiving end of when addressing a room of corporate executives who may doubt my experience in a certain field. Whilst this is challenging, I relish in the opportunity to prove my worth. And sometimes I think as a diverse nation if we can continue to identify the individual worth of others from a range of backgrounds, and be willing to listen, we could make significant advances in a multitude of areas. 

I also however reflect that whilst these personal challenges exist, they vastly fall outside of the hardships I have witnessed firsthand faced by our First Nations Australians and those in remote areas trying to access equitable healthcare. In these situations, advocacy for those who have limited capacity to do so themselves is a way I believe I can try and improve these challenges we continue to face.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Chasing your dreams and goals will always be harder if you are not surrounded by others who can dream your dreams. There have been several moments in my career thus far where I felt as though maybe I didn’t belong in a particular role or network due to the perceived stereotype associated, but if you begin to believe that yourself, you will always be on the back foot. Surround yourself with strong networks who believe in your capabilities, who frequently remind you and are encouraging of your worth, and as a result the feeling of imposter syndrome is lessened. This was put into practice for me during the General Sir John Monash Scholarship application process where none of the previous scholars had come from an allied health background. Seeing such a diverse group of incredible Australians being supported to chase their postgraduate dreams, but not being able to relate professionally to any previous scholar, made me question if I was the right fit for the organisation. However those around me both personally and professionally supported my application and goals, and with their support I was successful in being the first allied health professional supported by the Sir John Monash Foundation, a network where I hope to see many allied health professionals in the future. It is also so important and take the time to stop and listen. The best piece of advice I have ever received was that silence is okay, and the ability to actively listen and stop is so important to change. While your opinions and ideas are important, you will always be respected if you can step back and take the time to listen to those around you, regardless of their background. Those who celebrate the diversity of others by listening, learning and accepting growth are the people who will make active change in their industries and communities alike. 

Want to follow and support Rebecca ?

Instagram: @outbackallies
A support and mentoring network for early career allied health professionals working in rural and remote areas. 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-keeley-b14272101General Sir John Monash Foundation: https://www.johnmonash.com/

PEOPLE: JOHN MONASH SCHOLAR – Hannah Gandy

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Hannah Gandy? 

Each day for me is unique. I usually complete anything I need to do for the day first, whether it’s work, study, something for my community, or general life admin. I’m about to start a new job as a Senior Liaison Officer at the Centre for Multicultural Youth, so that might change my routine a bit. Most of the time when I finish what I need to do for the day, I skate with friends, teach a skate class, or train by myself.  

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

I have always taken on roles that work towards reducing disadvantage faced by young persons, and that support those who face exclusionary barriers. I work for Banyule Youth Services as a youth worker, and also worked for the School Partnerships Program at La Trobe University, introducing young persons from disadvantaged backgrounds to further education. I have also volunteered tutoring and mentoring young persons with complex needs, and volunteered for Legal Action for Afghanistan. 

This year I completed a Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Arts majoring in Politics at La Trobe University alongside a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. I am now awaiting admission as a lawyer. I chose these fields because I am passionate about the relationship between law and youth, and how law impacts youth in areas like education, employment, health, and through family and criminal law. I was recently selected as the 2022 Victorian Government John Monash Scholar to study a Master of Laws specialising in Law and Social Justice at University College London. I hope to have a further impact in the future so that young persons of all backgrounds have positive role models, opportunities, and are treated fairly by the law. I believe this is important for diversity and inclusion.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

Young persons from diverse backgrounds face challenges in all areas of life, and professional life is no exception. Coming from a difficult childhood of homelessness, violence, and dysfunction, I became disengaged in education and missed most of years 7-10 of high school. The mainstream education system further disadvantaged me, as it focused on academic performance rather than prioritising overall wellbeing. I overcame this with the help of teachers at the Pavilion School, who provided me the correct supports to believe in myself and helped me become the first student to ever graduate and receive an ATAR from the school. I have been extremely privileged to access tertiary education and professional opportunities unlike so many of my peers, and my lived experience with young persons from diverse backgrounds continues to push me to be a positive leader and voice for others. 

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Listen to people that believe you can do anything, because they are right. A high school teacher said to me “you are going to be a lawyer one day” when that seemed impossible. It’s also important to reflect on your own impact at every level and understand the influence that you have on others, especially as someone from a minority background. Whilst I have worked with countless young people over the years, everyday interactions that helped me notice my own impact remain some of the most meaningful – such as when a young person said “I could be anything, I could even be a lawyer” on the bus to me one random day 5 years ago. 

Want to follow and support Hnnah ?

The best place to connect with me is LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-gandy-2b5a11214 . If you are interested in inline skating, my Instagram is @_hannah_skate .

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PEOPLE: John Monash Scholar – Xin Zhang

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Xin Zhang? 

A normal weekday starts with seeing patients in the clinic in the morning. As a Neurology doctor, I care for people who are being investigated or treated for dementia or epilepsy. It is always a privilege to be able to hear the personal stories of patients and to look for opportunities to provide individualized, holistic healthcare. I am constantly blown away by the uniqueness of each patient, and the insights they have to share. So seeing patients is an enjoyable and enlightening process for me. 

I regularly meet colleagues from a variety of disciplines, to troubleshoot clinical problems and improve patient care. We inspire and motivate each other. During the coronavirus pandemic, our team meetings have helped us adapt to the changing hospital environment and community-wide restrictions, so that we can continue to support our patients. The rest of the afternoon quickly fills up with teaching medical students, attending and presenting at educational meetings.

In the evening, I work on research projects. Sometimes I have to be “on-call”, which means that I would go back into hospital if a patient arrives at the Emergency Department with a possible stroke. Although my days are busy, I can safely say that they are never dull!  

I try to end each day with a relaxing activity, such as catching up with family and friends, going for a walk, painting, or reading. 

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

Diversity and inclusion are key to my work. Firstly, my patients come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds; from urban centres to rural communities; from people who do not speak English at all to University academics. Secondly, my colleagues come from a range of professions, levels of experience, and social backgrounds. I think it is important for workplace diversity to reflect the people we serve. I have found that a personal experience of being different can enrich empathy when interacting with patients. I am proud that my workplace recognises the value of diversity and actively seeks to help people reach their potential, regardless of their background. Many of my colleagues are clinician-researchers in disorders that affect the brain. Such a complex and evolving field will always benefit from the free flow of ideas and healthy debate, which is not inhibited by rank or bias. 

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

I do face challenges because of my background as an Australian-Chinese woman. When I first immigrated to Australia with my parents at 8 years old, I experienced overt racism at school. My situation has improved a lot since. However, this early experience of racism had a lasting impact in generating self-doubt. I have to consciously overcome self-doubt on a daily basis, especially in the professional setting. With the support of people around me, I have taken a proactive approach and embraced my background. That is why I hold on to my Chinese first name, even though it is difficult for some people to pronounce. I have pursued visible roles: I taught astronomy to the general public at Sydney Observatory regularly for ten years, I campaigned for climate action when I was a medical student, and as a doctor, I work with patients from all walks of life. I am buoyed by the idea that my effort not only helps me, but will make things better for the next “Xin” who comes along.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

It is normal to feel afraid. However, never let fear take charge and never succumb to the fear of being different. See if you can turn your uniqueness into strength. We can be surprisingly resourceful and resilient when motivated by our goals, but more so when we strive for something greater than ourselves. Create that opportunity for yourself and create it for others.

Want to follow and support ?

I am on Linkedin at http://www.linkedin.com/in/xin-zhang-58b4981aa/

PEOPLE: John Monash Scholar – Emma Garlett

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Emma Garlett? 

I love a good coffee, and I grab one every morning. Each day is different. What stays constant is the theme – which includes spending time with people discussing business, culture, and strategy. 

Working from home provides a productive environment when I need to limit distractions and focus on writing. Working from home is an interesting concept, where I find value in having a dual method of working which includes both office time and home time at a 60/40 ratio.

Most of my day is spend on people and relationships, lots of discussions, perspectives, and reassessing then addressing priorities. I find that face-to-face interactions are the best way to connect with people, inspire a shared vision, understand the situation, and to form an action plan. I am not afraid to challenge the narrative. As real leadership comes from when you innovate, think differently, and have the courage to speak up. 

It is important to create a culture that is productive and enjoyable. Each day brings a new opportunity for action, as well as a chance to think deeply and reflect.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

Diversity and inclusion in integral to the research I am conducting at Curtin Law School as we need an interdisciplinary approach to solve the world’s complex problems. We will not solve issues with only law reform, we need new technology, co-design of strategy, community participation in implementation, and most importantly, we need our people to feel a part of something, to feel a sense of belonging. 

Diversity of thought brings different perspectives, values and morals which allows critical thinking, innovation, and participation to allow for effective decisions to the benefit all stakeholders. It is not always about the policies you have or laws you follow, it is about the culture and the attitude of the people. The wrong attitude is a huge barrier, while an inclusive attitude fosters a shared vision.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

I am a First Nations women who is not afraid to use the power of words to effect change. I am also in my mid-twenties. I am often the youngest person in the room. 

I have experienced many challenges. Racism is real. Sexism is real. Ageism is real. It is important to continue your journey despite prejudice or misogyny. It is near impossible to change the mind of a developed adult who has established a mindset which is racist or sexist. It is not worth your energy to try to change someone. 

It is more important to educate our children to value diversity and celebrate their differences. We must encourage one another to share stories as we are all human and we have a desire to belong and connect to others, stories are relatable and foster a sense of community and vulnerability, which is important in developing relationships. 

We are at a turning point; many people are speaking up about their experiences and as a result, change is starting to happen. These days there are many people who champion inclusivity and diversity as a full-time position; this shows that the future of work is pivoting away from the age-old gentlemen clubs and private networking circles. 

I believe we will start to see more First Nations people in leadership roles, pathways created for neurodiverse people in employment, more opportunities for people with disabilities, and a surge in women in positions of power in the coming future. It is important that workplaces reflect society and the community in which we operate. 

I believe that we all face challenges no matter what our identity is, however, how you overcome the challenge is more important. There is strength in diversity, cultural differences, and life experience. It should be seen as an asset. 

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Do not let the opinion of anyone stop you. Always believe in yourself. Take risks. 

Change is disruptive and change will always happen. When people must stop doing what they have always done, there are challenges involved. 

The more resilient you can become is an asset. You need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Want to follow and support ?

Add me on LinkedIn and follow my journey!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmagarlett/

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PEOPLE: JOHN MONASH SCHOLAR – DR. ISABEL HANSON

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Dr Isabel Hanson? 

Every day is different! On Monday and Tuesdays, I work as a General Practitioner at Gandangara Health Services. I see 2-4 patients an hour and support them with everything from diabetes, pregnancy, cancer, contraception, mental health and more. Anyone with any health problem can walk through the door, and that makes the job exciting and challenging. Wednesdays and Thursdays I work at the University of Sydney teaching medical students and doing research into “social prescribing” (which is when a healthcare professional provides a referral to community activities that could improve their patient’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing). On Fridays I work as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Centre for Policy Development consulting on health policy in early childhood development. And in my spare time I work on projects to improve GP and junior doctor wellbeing, and I teach yoga and mindfulness skills for healthcare workers.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

As a GP in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health I work every day to make a culturally safe and trauma informed healthcare space for our clients. As an academic I always want our students to understand the social determinates of health, and to see that everybody belongs in medicine. We need doctors from every cultural and religious background, every gender identity and sexual orientation, and those who have lived experience of disability, mental health, and chronic disease if we are going to deliver healthcare that is inclusive and empowering to our community.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

I have benefitted from white middle class privilege and so my path through medicine has been much easier than for many of my colleagues. I see one of my roles as a GP is to take that privilege and pass it back to my patients by advocating for them and empowering them to feel in control of their healthcare journey. 

The culture in medicine is rapidly evolving for the better, but I have experienced sexual harassment as a woman in medicine. I deal with it in two ways. Firstly, I have a strong support base of female doctor friends and colleagues, and we debrief together regularly about culture change in medicine. Secondly, if someone says something unacceptable as a comment or ‘joke’, I politely and loudly ask them to explain what they meant. Nothing flushes out bigotry and sexism faster than someone having to explain what they meant in front of other people.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Find a great mentor. We all need someone to believe in us and having a mentor who is further down the path from you saying “yes, you can do that” gives you courage and support. Ask people about their work and how they got there. Reach out to people who inspire you and invite them for a brief coffee. Some people will say no, but many will say yes, and you will get to learn from them about what your next steps might be. A great mentor relationship is two-way, and you can be a great mentee by being grateful, respectful, and turning their support into positive action.

Want to follow and support ?

You can find me on Twitter @isabeljhanson and Instagram @dr_isabelhanson.

PEOPLE: Elevating Youth Mental Health with ‘OurHerd’

Michelle Duong is the Growth Marketing Manager for OurHerd, a storytelling app for young people, powered batyr, a for-purpose preventative mental health organisation. With the exponential rise in mental health illnesses due to the pandemic, this is a project that is needed for young people, more than ever. Here’s the story!

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Michelle Duong?

The day starts early for me, regardless of what day of the week it is or what I may have on. First is some kind of physical exercise; a walk, yoga or a class at the gym. I find that by setting the intention, showing up and doing it sets me up for the rest of the day. I don’t find the motivation everyday, but I notice the benefits most when I show up on the days I least want to.

Since the shift towards working from home, I’ve been consciously – with the guidance of my psychologist – looking at each day as if it was a sandwich, building it with certain ‘ingredients’ that mark the morning, noon and evening. Without the need to rush into the office, I enjoy the first couple hours in the day for myself; a coffee on the balcony, a walk with the dog, a podcast, a tidy around the apartment or sometimes just sitting and taking a moment to be with my thoughts. These seemingly unremarkable activities form the first part of my “day sandwich” and are arguably my most important and energising. In addition to building a strong morning foundation, I try to take a physical and mental break at lunch by moving away from my workspace and signify the end of work by closing out the sandwich with another walk. I credit these small rituals for helping me to adjust to the challenges of going into lockdown, but even as restrictions begin to lift, I strongly see the value in holding onto them and the mental clarity they bring.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

I recently joined an extraordinary for-purpose mental health organisation called batyr, which aims to smash the stigma surrounding mental health by promoting positive conversations and sharing lived experience stories. As an organisation created by young people for young people, we ensure that the youth voice is represented at all levels of decision-making, including establishing a National Youth Advisory group, which is made of young people who reflect diverse communities and help guide our strategic direction, and appointing 21-year old Bella Cini as a Board Director, creating a powerful channel between batyr’s board and the collective voices of young people in our community. 

As part of batyr’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, we design tailored workshops for communities including LGBTQIA+, Regional, International Students, NEET and Males and are proud to collaborate on projects like the Orygen University Mental Health Framework, International Student Welfare Program, MYAN (Mental Health and Multicultural Young People) Sector Forum and National Headspace evaluation. ​​

In my role, I’m responsible for the growth and marketing of our new digital storytelling app called OurHerd. The purpose of the platform is to support young people to create change by sharing stories. It’s a safe space, designed to support young people in finding their voices, whilst being a positive environment where people with different views, cultures, experiences and beliefs can feel welcomed, heard and valued. Excitingly, OurHerd is uniquely positioned to leverage digital technology to give young people the opportunity for their voices to be heard, be deeply understood and to inform the decisions that affect them by capturing valuable lived experience insights. The platform uses the power of digital to further bridge the gap between geography, culture and gender. The nature of this work can be challenging but it’s incredibly rewarding. Every single story shared gives you something to admire, learn from and reflect on.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

I count myself lucky to have worked for some great organisations who have generally aligned with my personal values and respected my multicultural identity. Whilst I haven’t been the victim of discrimination directly, I’m acutely aware of differing experiences amongst my peers. As a second generation Australian or “ABC” (Australian-born Chinese), the majority of my childhood and adolescent years were spent trying to navigate the intersection of two worlds; the expectation to embrace and celebrate my parents’ traditional Chinese culture at home, whilst fighting to find my place in mainstream Australian culture at school. There was always a noticeable disconnect in the treatment of the ABCs like me, who spoke English without an accent, dressed like the ‘white’ kids and whose lunch bag occasionally included an unfamiliar snack but, generally nothing enough to cause harm. I seemed to be able to just fly under the radar, whilst my newly-arrived Asian migrant friends weren’t afforded the same luxury. I wasn’t treated differently or badly per se… I just felt a bit invisible and to be honest, I was okay with that at the time. 

Whilst many of those moments took place well before I joined the workforce, the sense of uncertainty and discomfort permeates stubbornly through to this day. Although I don’t let them define my interactions, I can’t quite shake them off either. It’s something I’m still working on for myself and my confidence.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Lean on the people you know, and don’t underestimate the power of your relationships. It can feel overwhelming and scary to consider yourself the odd one out amongst so many others who seemingly have the benefit of the majority. It’s a lot easier to focus on the collective negatives; sometimes it can completely consume your thoughts and make you feel paralysed. In these moments, I would encourage you to sit down and simply make a list of all the people you’ve come across in your life – friends, relatives, neighbours, teachers, support workers, bosses or colleagues – the chances are you’ll realise that despite feeling alone in your challenge, you actually have a network of people you can tap into. 

They may not be the obvious person you think of to help you achieve your ambitions, but by asking for 10min of their time to share your goals with them, it gives you the opportunity to vocalise and own your intentions and who knows, they may even know someone who can support you in the next step forward or hear of an opportunity you wouldn’t have otherwise known about. Generally speaking, people get a kick out of helping others – even if it’s just giving someone their ear – I think there’s something called the ‘helper’s high’. Most people want to feel like their lives mean something and that they’re making a positive difference in the world, so whilst it might feel like too much to ask someone for their time, know that the other person will likely get something out of it too; good karma at the very least! And what’s the worst that could happen? They say “No, sorry I’m too busy right now”. No harm done. The benefits outweigh the downsides by a mile. So go on then, reconnect with your people. In fact, feel free to reach out to me. I’ve always got 10min to share. 

I have to say a little thank you to Maria Chilcott, whose daughter I used to babysit, who was on my ‘list of people’ and who was kind enough to give me 10 minutes (plus more) of her time to share this incredibly valuable piece of advice that’s now with you.

Want to follow and support MICHELLE?

Learn more about the amazing work that batyr does here and check out the OurHerd app – and my story on it – here. I’m always happy to connect with like-minded people – you can find me on LinkedIn here.

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About the diversity champion:

Michelle Duong is the Growth Marketing Manager for OurHerd, a storytelling app for young people, powered batyr, a for-purpose preventative mental health organisation. Michelle has experience across a range of industries but is most passionate about using her expertise to rally for the causes she believes in. When she’s not developing strategies to grow the OurHerd community, she’s hanging out with her 40kg foster-fail-dog, Sprocket, looking for ways to live more sustainably – most notably caring for her worm farm and Googling ‘how to DIY (insert everything)’ – and cooking up a storm to share a good meal with her friends and family.

Image description: Michelle is looking at the camera in front of a field wearing a black shirt with zebra prints

PEOPLE: The increasing need for cald psychologists in the modern day

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Daniel Angus? 

I don’t think I have a ‘normal’ day. 

Vulnerable but exceptional members of our community invite me into their lives during my psychology consultations. Some days I am with clients as they visit some of their most difficult days… on others I might be sharing in the experiences of living in far-flung countries from around the world, or of exploring the challenges of substance use or the highs and lows of parenthood… no session is the same!  

On other days I am privileged to support, mentor and train early career psychologists as they embark on their adventures in the mental health sector assisting those in need of help. 

Sometimes I am consulting with organisations, providing advice on topics, helping set up mental health services or visiting declared mental health facilities.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

Almost 30% of our state were born in non-English speaking countries (almost 40% in Western Sydney where I live and work!). Many of these people have come to Australia seeking a better life, new opportunities or escaping horrible circumstances…mental illness does not discriminate, and often sustained adversities can contribute significantly to the quality of life and wellbeing of people – living and working in this region offers me the opportunity to connect with people who have come from all around the world and who have made their home in Australia. Sometimes culture, stigma or perceptions of authority or health services can create barriers to accessing good and timely support – it is critical that we assertively engage, learn from and invite cultural diversity and inclusiveness into our helping professions to better engage and meet the needs of these communities.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

Growing up biracial meant that it had always been difficult for me to find my place in the world. Whilst I embraced the gift of being connected with multiple cultures, I didn’t always meet the ‘membership requirements’ to take part fully – perhaps one of the reasons my parents elected to gift me with an anglicized name. Perceptions based on my appearance or where I live or was educated whilst rarely overt always played a role – sometimes perhaps only in my own head but there nonetheless… Over time though I have learnt to lean into my ‘insider knowledges’. I am a kinder and more reassuring friend to myself. I put my hand up for roles that I may have otherwise assumed were only open to candidates with particular ‘membership’ – acknowledging that I have perspectives, experiences and knowledges often not represented – and to my delight organisations are gradually shifting to a more inclusive and interested space that values representative contributions from our community.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

You have stories, experiences, perspectives, ideas and knowledges to contribute. Greater representation and contributions from diverse communities means better outcomes for these communities. Be kind to yourself, seek out allies and mentors and keep pushing forward…

Want to follow and support DANIEL ANGUS?

https://www.danielangus.com.au/

https://www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au/staff-profile/daniel-angus

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About the diversity champion:

Prior to Canteen, Daniel worked in the community sector as manager of Headspace Services in Mt Druitt where he oversaw the Headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program and the Primary Care programs. Whilst working here, Daniel also managed the operations of Headspace Penrith and the adult LikeMind centres. He is passionate about creative recovery, focused and collaborative approaches in the mental health sector, an example of which has been the PetSpace program run in Western Sydney that teaches young people with mental health problems how to support animals. Daniel has worked with people of all ages in a variety of community, inpatient, custodial and employment settings and has a keen interest in early intervention and adolescent mental health. Daniel is proud of his Vietnamese-Australian heritage and is also interested in the plight of refugees and asylum seekers living in New South Wales.

Image description: Daniel is giving a speech whilst wearing a black blazer and orange shirt

PEOPLE: Balancing a full-time job and leading the Story Symphony

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Adrian Yeung? 

The Story Symphony is yet another passion project of mine, on top of other creative pursuits (not to mention working full-time and trying to have a social life too). But fortunately it’s a tonne of fun, which makes it absolutely not a chore even if I’m working on it until all hours of the night!

As an independent producer, I essentially wear all the hats: script writing and editing, audio recording and production, marketing and promotion, and of course all of the admin. The tasks that this involves are endless, and each one different to the last – reading over the writer’s scripts, scheduling time to record with actors, sourcing sound effects, graphic design work, promoting The Story Symphony… the list goes on and on!

As has been the case for pretty much everyone around the world, the pandemic has added an extremely difficult layer of complexity to getting stuff done. With Melbourne being in and out of lockdown for the past two years, it’s been a challenge trying to produce a collaborative fiction podcast entirely remotely. But with passion, patience and a multitude of Zoom calls, nothing is impossible.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

While diversity and inclusion aren’t explicitly themes of The Story Symphony, the nature of having a story that’s created by multiple people makes it an inherent part of The Story Symphony’s DNA. The writers that came together to create the story are incredibly talented people that I’ve connected with across my professional, academic and social lives. They all have very different writing styles, which is made very obvious with all of the unpredictable twists and turns throughout the story.

While diversity and inclusion in terms of who’s creating art still has a long way to go in Australia, I think it’s really important to recognise how far we’ve come. There are now noticeably more writers, actors, celebrities and public figures in Australia from culturally diverse backgrounds than in the past, who are helping to shine a light on issues that may otherwise go unnoticed by the mainstream – such as the lack of diversity in the media.

I fully identify as an Asian Australian writer, yet there is little about The Story Symphony to suggest that it’s an Asian Australian production – it’s just something that happens to be produced by an Asian Australian. I think having more representation in Australian media will ultimately normalise the idea of anybody being able to create art that is popular and universally embraced, no matter what their heritage may be. 

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

I’ve always tried my best not to let my cultural heritage dictate my approach to creativity, or wanting to achieve the things that I want to achieve. Having said that, there’s no escaping the fact that it is a fundamental part of who I am, and growing up Asian in Australia certainly presents a unique set of circumstances to when it comes to forging a presence in the creative scene.

When it comes to those from diverse cultural backgrounds trying to break into the creative arts, I think one of the greatest challenges is having few role models to compare to. But with enough courage, that also just presents more opportunities to break through barriers and do something truly unique – and to show others in the community that if you can do it, anyone can.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Building your networks is the most important factor of success. Whether you’re talking to someone doing something similar to you or in a completely different field, you never know what you might learn from hearing about their experiences and how they overcame challenges in their lives to get to where they are now.

Want to follow and support ADRIAN ?

Website: https://thestorysymphony.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storysymphony/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestorysymphony/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StorySymphonyTo connect with me personally, you can find me on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theadrianyeung/

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About the diversity champion:

Meet Adrian, producer of The Story Symphony – the fiction podcast with each chapter written by an entirely different author. The listeners don’t have any idea what to expect – and neither do the writers!

Eight writers and six actors worked tirelessly to create season one, which launched on May 2020 and has since attracted over 24,000 listens. And season two is just around the corner…

Image description: Adrian is smiling at the camera wearing a suit

PEOPLE: The charity on a mission to raise literacy rates

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Dr. Alfred Chidembo? 

My day starts with me preparing for work and dropping the kids off at school. I get into the office around 9am and knock off at 5pm. If there is no swimming practice for the kids, after dinner I play soccer and come back home around 8.30 pm. After the kids have gone off to bed, I relax with my wife for an hour or two before I start working on Aussie Books for Zim till 1 am or 2am.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

It is an integral part of my day job where I work with several people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.  Because I work in an environment that encourages teamwork, it is crucial to ensure that everyone feels valued and equally supported as part of the team. The same applies in the charity space. For example, in setting up our board, we have had to create a board matrix that ensures we have a diverse group of board members enabling us to tap into their different skills and experience.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

I have experienced challenges in almost every role I have undertaken and that has caused a lot of angst over the years. For example, I would contribute to a discussion in a meeting and everyone would brush off my ideas as if I hadn’t spoken. A few minutes later, someone else would simply reword the idea and get credit for it. I strongly believe that this is linked to my identity.

Most times I would talk to my African friends and family about it because they can relate. In most cases, almost all of them would have had a similar experience, so sometimes we end laughing about such things. Other times, I dig deep for strength by simply looking back at my journey, reminding myself of all the obstacles I have managed to overcome for me to be here.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Remember that you being here is not by accident. You are here because you chose to leave home, family and friends behind. That alone shows that you have a certain level of resilience within you that most people do not possess. The challenges you face can only strengthen you, so embrace them and use them as stepping stones to reach your goals. As you work towards your goals, give your all, immerse yourself in the journey and give it a good go and have fun.

Want to follow and support Dr. Alfred Chidembo?  ?

Current campaign:

 20for20.raisely.com 

www.aussiebooks4zim.org 

Social media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aussiebooksforzim 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aussie-books-for-zim/?viewAsMember=true 

Instagram: @aussiebooksforzim   

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About the diversity champion:

The youngest of seven children, Alfred was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and grew up in the remote rural village of Mudzi. At the age of six he started school, happily walking the 5 km barefoot with his brothers. Alfred was desperate to learn about the world, but his school had no books to read or write in, so Alfred learnt to write in the sand. When Alfred finally achieved his dream of obtaining a PhD (he is a sought-after specialist in electrochemistry and energy storage), he paused to contemplate on his journey from his village in Zimbabwe to the beautiful coastal city of Wollongong, and asked himself, “How can I give back to my community?” Within a few months, Alfred had set up Aussie Books for Zim, a charity on a mission to improve the education and prospects of children in Zimbabwe by raising literacy rates. Alfred and his team have now sent more than 100,000 books to Zimbabwe, set up nine libraries, and have plans to expand their program across Africa to reach many more children.

Image description: Alfred is wearing a dark navy suit and looking at the camera with a white shirt underneath

PEOPLE: Propelling South-East flavours and cooking into MasterChef

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Depinder Chhibber? 

A normal day for me would start off with a cup of Chai and catching up on what is going on around me. I love to cook so I try to have a combined breakfast with lunch or brunch which would typically be smashed avocado toast with eggs.

I spend a lot of my day reading, researching and experimenting with recipes or ideas which have been floating in my mind. My afternoon is generally catching up on emails, chores, and sometimes a sneaky baking session.
Evenings are reserved for family be it a cup of chai with everyone or cooking dinner for them.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

Being a pharmacist I have always preached for diversity and inclusion. It is something which always come naturally to me, which I am grateful for.
I belong to a heritage where inclusion through food is something we learn at a very young age.

Food for me is an expression of love and care, something we find common in all cultures and backgrounds. For me cooking the food I love to eat is my way of inviting people into my culture and my home.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

Moving to another country comes with its own challenges. We had no family in Australia and culturally it was so different to India so there was a lack of sense of belonging. I started working at a very young age and there were times where I had to prove myself more so than usual however, I have been quite blessed in terms of my work colleagues and employers who always accepted me for who I am.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

The youth today is far more daring than I was growing up in Australia, so my message to them would be that following your dreams and passions has nothing to do with your background or coming from a minority so please follow your dreams. There will always be someone who might not accept you for who you are but there will be plenty of others who will love you for being yourself so focus on the positives. We only have one chance to live this life right so why not start now?

Want to follow and support Depinder Chhibber?

You can follow me on social media, @depinder_ (Instagram); Depinder Chhibber Masterchef Australia (Facebook).

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About the diversity champion:

Born in New Delhi, Depinder Chhibber moved to Newcastle at the age of 11. Now based in Sydney, she still considers herself a Novocastrian, but her heart and soul remains in India. Highly influenced by the women in her family, Depinder grew up watching her grandmother, mum and aunties cook, fascinating and inspiring her to cook from a very young age. This involvement has nurtured her style of cooking, learning many traditional recipes from her mother and her passion to cook from her father. Having followed in her father’s footsteps to become a pharmacist and currently studying for her Masters, Depinder enjoys her career. However, cooking is a passion that she can’t ignore, with much of her free time spent reading recipes and daydreaming about cooking experiments. Depinder is inspired by Indian and South East Asian flavours. As a self-taught baker, she adores cooking pastry and desserts.

Image description: Depinder is wearing a MasterChef Australia apron whilst wearing a brown top

PEOPLE: The community lawyer championing diversity from the front

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Tu Le? 

I have ‘Me Time’ scheduled in my calendar every morning. My mornings include meditation, stretching, giving my dog Cleo lots of cuddles, reading, walking Cleo, and having a cup of coffee with my partner while we read from ‘The Daily Stoic’ – not always in the same order. Having a consistent routine, particularly in the morning, is important to me and helps me stay energised throughout the day. I try to work between 9-5 as much as possible, as I usually have after-hour meetings and events on during the week. With the easing of restrictions, I’m back to team sports, social gatherings, and face-to-face meetings. Wednesday and Sunday evenings are my basketball game nights. I have weekly scheduled meetings for a few of the organisations and projects I am currently working on. My Sunday mornings are dedicated to the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association where I teach dharma classes to young Buddhists. I catch up with my family and friends around these commitments.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

I work in the community legal sector assisting people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities who are disadvantaged by our legal system, so diversity and inclusion is critical to the work that I do. I am constantly striving to break down the barriers that make it difficult for people to access legal help. This means ensuring our services are targeted, culturally-appropriate and being approachable as well as accessible. A lot of people, particularly newly arrived migrants or refugees don’t even know community legal centres exist. Some people don’t seek help from a lawyer as they think it is too expensive, or they think they don’t need legal advice for their matter, but it’s important that people understand their rights and legal options. No one should be disadvantaged because they can’t afford a lawyer, don’t speak English or aren’t aware of their rights.

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

I have faced my share of challenges in my professional career as a young woman of colour. Unfortunately, it is not an uncommon experience to be confronted by prejudice and discrimination, often because of people’s biases or assumptions about you because of who you are or where you live. I have always been opened to learning and making mistakes. You should never be afraid to ask for help – I asked a lot of questions when I first started my career, and still do! Over the years, I also gained the confidence to challenge the status quo. Just because things have always been done a certain way, doesn’t mean that should continue. People with different lived experiences contribute unique perspectives and ideas. It can be refreshing and spark the type of out-of-the-box thinking needed for creativity and innovation across any industry. I feel fortunate that throughout my career, I have been able to demonstrate my competence and capabilities with outcomes. Actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap and not everyone is afforded the opportunity to be heard. It’s important to show your worth, and in my personal experience, sometimes this means working twice as hard just to be seen. Also, I only recently embraced my identity as a Vietnamese-Australian woman as an advantage rather than an impediment that stops me from smashing the proverbial ceilings foisted on me.

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

Don’t be afraid to embrace your identity as a hyphenated Australia. Australia is becoming an increasingly diverse society and what it means to be Australian is ever-evolving. Your cultural heritage is an asset to this country. In 2021 and beyond, we should be moving from mere tolerance to cultivating our cultural diversity as central to our national identity. Young people are pivotal to that shift.

Want to follow and support TU LE?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyentule/
Instagram: @therealtule
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TuLe_2166
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TuLe2166/

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About the diversity champion:

Tu is a lawyer, community worker, advocate, and organiser who grew up in South-West Sydney. She works in the community legal sector as a community development manager and solicitor assisting CALD communities, particularly male perpetrators and victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. She is also the co-founder of YCollab and a Youth Leader at the Vietnamese Buddhist Youth Association. Tu is a second-generation Australian-born woman with Vietnamese heritage, with her family coming to Australia as refugees after the Vietnam war. She lives to serve her local community and improve the lives of others; to make our society fairer and more equitable, especially for the most vulnerable members in her community. As a beneficiary of the public education system, Tu understands the life-changing significance of a good education and decent employment opportunities can have on individuals and their families.

Image description: Tu Le is looking at the camera while sitting on a bench, wearing a red jumper

PEOPLE: Artistic Engineer sharing the art of Storytelling, Public Speaking and Social skills

Arman Chowdhury is an artistic engineer storytelling his experiences with public speaking, social skills, EQ, creativity & level up mentality. Armani Chowdhury is a Twitter legend, sharing regular lessons and wisdom on leveling up and creating a firm lifestyle. Here is the story!

Can you tell our readers what a normal day looks like for Arman Chowdhury?

A normal day for me is broken down into a 4-step framework. The framework is: Consume, create, market, meditate. Let me share what each of these 4 means.

• Consume is inputting information. This is when I spend time learning. I may read a book, consume some of my old content to see how I can improve, or watch a documentary.
• Creating is when I output information. Since the ArmaniTalks company focuses on creating short stories, I aim to spend each day creating something. It can be a blog, tweet, YouTube video etc.
• Marketing is when I put my content out in the public domain. Content is not beneficial if it is not published. So, I follow a strict publishing schedule on all my media channels.
• Meditating is when I turn of all technology & stimulants to center my mind on a particular target. This allows me to stay sharp, focused, and creative without feeling overwhelmed.

These 4 are my daily tasks.

How important is diversity to you and in the work that you do?

Diversity & inclusion play a large role in the work that I do. Most of my readers & viewers are from around the world. This allows me to interact & engage with different members who are looking to improve their soft skills. 

Also, I often work with freelancers from over the world on tasks like graphic design, audio cleanup, and web development services. The talent of these services come from Morocco, Russia, India and other countries.

I believe diversity plays a big role in running a sustainable business. This also requires adaptive communication skills. The ability to talk to different groups of people is a skill & is important to learn because cultures communicate in different ways. 

Have you ever faced challenges in your professional career from others because of your identity and if so, how were you able to overcome that?

Great question. Yes, I have faced challenges because of my identity. In the ArmaniTalks business, I often public speak for events. It used to be difficult to speak at events because I was viewed to be too young by the other speakers. The public speaking field is a knowledge-based field. 

Therefore, someone who is older is given more priority to take the stage over a young person. Young adults can often face ageism depending on the industry they operate in. 

The way that I overcame this was by emceeing events instead. The emcee is the person who introduces the speakers, entertains the audience & keeps the event flowing at a gentle pace. 

Where the speakers give an in-depth talk, the emcee serves as the glue guy.

As I built more emceeing experience, I made connections with other speakers and event planners. These connections allowed me to host events myself & speak more often on stage. 

ADVICE FOR THE YOUTH

My advice for young people who are aiming to achieve their goals but feel afraid because they are a minority is to focus on what is within your grasp. When others see you progressing, it will be difficult to ignore you. 

Whatever that skillset may be: 

Speaking, coding, writing skills etc. 

By focusing on your craft & aiming to get better every day, you create a body of work. Having a portfolio allows you to have leverage no matter which field you are in. 

Also, showing that you can overcome challenges despite being a minority does wonders for your confidence! It instills a victor mindset and allows you to thrive under pressure.

Once you see the results for yourself, that’s when you’ll want to keep moving towards your goals. Good people try to improve 10% at a time, great people try to improve 1% at a time. The small 1% changes add up, build consistency & will create momentum for you in no time.

Want to follow and support ?

Great interview! To stay updated with my work, be sure to check out armanitalks.com. Within this website, you’ll see a collection of my books, blogs, podcasts, YouTube videos, social media, and much more! I routinely discuss topics on public speaking, storytelling, emotional resilience, creativity, social skills & mindset. You will learn how to articulate your ideas with clarity & confidence. Thank you very much!

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About the diversity champion:

(he/him) My name is Arman Chowdhury, the founder of ArmaniTalks. I am a Toastmaster, Engineer & Storyteller. The purpose of this company is to help shy entrepreneurs & professionals build confidence thru communication skills. This brand provides short stories to help you become more articulate in expressing your ideas. During my journey, I have served as the External Vice President of Toastmasters, Communications Chair in BNI & became the Author of the Level Up Mentality. June 2018, ArmaniTalks Media was born. Since then, the brand has helped millions of people around the world level up their mindset & communication skills.

Image description: Arman is speaking at an event with a microphone whilst wearing a black suit