Juanita Bocanegra: From Migrant Worker to District Judge

Growing up the only child of migrant working parents, Juanita Bocanegra never dreamed of the opportunities that she could have in the USA. Graduating from law school, she worked her way up in the prosecutor’s office, and is now running for 58th District Judge in West Michigan. Juanita joins us to share her incredible story. [November update: Juanita won her election and will be seated Jan. 1, 2021 as Ottawa County's first Hispanic judge.]

Maddalena Pistillo: Authentically Made in Italy

Authentically born and raised in Italy, entrepreneur Maddalena Pistillo joins us in the studio to talk about the importance of global travel, trans-Atlantic business, and the thrill of finding your place in a new culture.

Lucia Rios & Stacey Trowbridge: Disability, Community, and Inclusion

Lucia Rios was born with spina bifida but also with a family who urged her to try to do anything she wanted to. That included trying roller-skating on crutches and attending university in an era when the U.S. was still working to become handicap-accessible. She joins colleague Stacey Trowbridge to talk about stigmas, accommodation, and common-sense tips around disability.

Andre Pillow and Jorge Garcia: Mentorship Through Golf

How do we change the notion that certain sports are just for white athletes or male participants? By mentoring females and youth of color in those sports. PGA professional Andre Pillow talks about his work with The First Tee of West Michigan and creating access to golf for all young people. 

Huynh Tran: Receiving and Giving Back

It was not an easy decision for Huynh Tran to put down his architect's dream in order to remold himself as a healer. The young Vietnamese refugee worked long hours to put himself, first, through architecture training, then, through medical training. Committed to giving back to the community that embraced him, Dr. Tran formed a medical philanthropy that ministers to underserved community and trains overseas physicians to improve their caregiving skills.

Ana Ramirez-Saenz: Diversity Diva

An immigrant child, Ana Ramirez-Saenz was raised in West Michigan by a single mom who worked long hours in a pickle factory. During her days at MBA school and at work in the banking industry, she saw first hand the lack of diversity in leadership and its cost on morale and the bottom line. Today, as President of La Fuente Consulting, she guides companies towards more inclusive practices and more powerful decision making. An exclusive chat with an insightful leader.