I decided to work in a restaurant just to earn some pocket money while I attended more classes, but soon fell in love with hospitality and decided to focus on that work full-time.

I happened to meet Aldo Sohm at 3-Michelin starred Le Bernardin, one of the world’s best sommelier (he literally won that title in competition) at one of the world’s best restaurants. He offered to blind-taste me on wines to accompany my meal. At the end of the tasting menu, he asked me what I planned to do with my career, and whether I’d consider moving to New York if he offered me a job. I thought he was joking. He was not. I moved to New York and worked as a sommelier at Le Bernardin for about 6 years. During that time, I also co-founded my company, Kalamata’s Kitchen. Looking for a way to tie together my love of hospitality with my background in literature and my love of working with kids.

Sarah Thomas Children’s media and Hospitality.

The inspiration behind my story lies in my transition from a luxurious lifestyle as a fashion model and designer in NYC to pursuing my lifelong dream of embarking on a spiritual journey, ultimately leading me to become an ordained Buddhist nun and living in a Monastery.

This unexpected journey from the superficial allure of the runway to the profound wisdom of Buddhist teachings reshaped my entire outlook. It was a transformation from the glittering but empty mirage of the fashion world to the enduring beauty found within—a narrative that transcends the superficial and embraces the profound.

Lama Aria Drolma, Spiritual Wellness

I’ve really rejected pre-defined narratives and binary choices my whole life, though I only realized it in just the past couple of years.

I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for over 30 years, and it wasn’t until recently that I was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and on a much better medication and therapy regimen to support me.

Hitha Palepu, Multi-hyphenate

In my youth, I vehemently despised my Indian identity.

As South Asian women, our choices, ideas, and opinions matter – from dinner-table conversations and the most intimate walls of our homes to boardrooms – all the way to the ballot box. I will always work to ensure our voices are heard.

I became President of the Harvard Women’s Law Association (WLA) and the South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA). I believed it was important I spend my time in these two spaces because, for the first time, both these identities felt like the fabric of who I am and how I show up as a lawyer, an advocate, and a person.

Our home was always filled with love but patriarchy was pervasive in our household. I was disgusted by the differences in respect and expectations that I both witnessed and experienced.

Aanchal Chugh, Political Lawyer

I’m not sure when or how it happened, but somehow I learned to balance who I was while being proud of my faith and cultural identity.

It drove me to be a part of representing others like me in media and what drove me to become first Muslim and Bangladeshi woman to anchor in the number one news market in country. My journey was complex and came with numerous challenges, but I allowed every door shut in my face empower me instead making me quit.

Narmeen Choudhury, Journalist

As a minority woman of color, I’ve had to get used to being “the only” in decision making forums.

I was born in India and grew up in several countries across the Middle East. Began my journey in the US as an international.student at Mount Holyoke College where I studied Math and Economics. Nearly 25 years ago, I began my Wall Street career in investment banking before embarking on a private equity investing path.

Farah Khan, Private Equity Investing

One day, I bought myself a DJ mixer and went up to my building’s rooftop to jam. A few folks overheard me playing, vibed to it, and invited me to play at their party the next day.

I have been fortunate to have had amazing opportunities, such as DJing with Jay Sean, for Movie Premiere Events (Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Love Again Premiere Party), political events (US Congress rally events and a party for NY Governor Kathy Hochul’s election win), the runway at South Asian New York Fashion Week, TaoGroup (Marquee, Tao, Highlight Room) and Somewhere Nowhere clubs, corporate events with Harvard Club, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue, as well as one of the largest Bollywood New Years Eve event in the West Coast.

DJ SZNaina

I spent my youth as an undocumented immigrant, an 1980’s version of a “Dreamer”.

Today, I am a Knight in the National Order of Merit presented by French President Macron and hold leadership roles in international affairs, government and philanthropy. I am a life-long advocate of women’s rights, and a vocal champion for sustainability and social justice. My contributions have been recognized and celebrated by the United Nations, the World Economic Forum and the French American Foundation,

Penny Abeywardena, International Affiars

In 2020, in the midst of societal discussions around Black Lives Matter, I conscientiously looked for books by authors of color.

While interacting with platforms that provided recommendations, my friend, Srisruthi Ramesh, and I discovered a void—there was no major platform dedicated to our South Asian identity. In response, we founded Brown Girl Bookshelf (BGB).

Over three impactful years, BGB has cultivated a global community of nearly 30,000 individuals. We’ve shared the brilliance of over 300 books, published 180+ reviews, curated a database of 150+ articles, and orchestrated a volunteer reviewer program with nearly 100 participants.

Mishika Narula, South Asian Author Curation

I am of Pakistani and Indian decent, was born in Africa, a Canadian citizen, and immigrated to the States 20 years ago. I grew up in a dominantly Caucasian city where I was bullied on a daily basis for having different ethnic features and brown skin, I felt very alone and I didn’t speak up for myself growing up – this has definitely shaped who I am and why I want to help others amplify their voices.

Fast-forward to 2014 I listened to the Serial podcast and was shocked and horrified by how Adnan Syed was treated and wrongfully put in prison. While it seemed the world was entertained by the podcast, there was an innocent man who had been sitting in prison since he was 17 years old – I couldn’t shake that thought from my mind.

When I decided to go into filmmaking, I knew I wanted to focus on true crime films about wrongful convictions, and Jeff was the first person I approached since I knew him personally. And at that time, he was the only person I knew who had been wrongfully convicted. Today, I know so many people who have been unjustly imprisoned – it happens far more than we know.

Jia Rizvi, Film & Television

I’m often told I don’t resemble or act like your average surgeon or plastic surgeon. I take pride in my job and trained in a field where only 14% of us are female. Fortunately this is changing, but even fewer of us are South Asian.

My parents taught us the importance of education and family which I believe are innate beliefs of our culture. You could say I followed in their footsteps, first as a doctor, and then opening my own practice.

Smita Rao Ramanadham, Plastic Surgeon

My story is Dharma, Dignity and Dreams. I live by these words. Live in my dharma, and encourage others to find theirs. Cultivate dignity for myself and others. And Dream Beyond my world, my knowledge, my circumstances – and help others live theirs. skin, I felt very alone and I didn’t speak up for myself growing up – this has definitely shaped who I am and why I want to help others amplify their voices.

Like many of my generation, I code-switched through most of my childhood – I was ‘white’ during the school week, and ‘brown’ on the weekends. It wasn’t till my mid twenties that I felt comfortable wearing my Indian-ness on my sleeve. And I am so glad I did, because it unlocked a new world to me. It lead me to my work – which turned out to be my life passion, it lead me to my to some of the best and enriching friendships I could have hoped for.

Being multi-cultural is such a gift. It allows us to see the world in a richer and broader way. I am so grateful to be all of them!

Megha S Desai, Social Impact, Desai Foundation

Besides many tactical challenges that come with owning a business, let alone a frozen food business, most of the challenges that I have had to overcome have to do with myself rather than the industry. It’s so easy to compare myself with others and how far they’ve come. However, lately I have realized that I am running my own race and I only have myself and my goals to worry about – I’m keeping focus on the track that’s in front of me

My culture is the cornerstone of who I am. As an Indian American, a woman, a dessert enthusiast, an advocate for social change, a New Yorker, and someone with roots in North Carolina – every nuance of my cultural background has played a pivotal role in shaping my identity and has made Malai what it is today. It’s not just about heritage; it’s about how I navigate the world, present myself to others, and embrace the uniqueness of my identity. It’s allowed me to unapologetically create Malai, which is an exact representation of what makes me me.

Pooja Bavishi, Founder of Malai Ice cream