EPISODE · Apr 15, 2026 · 20 MIN
Building the Next Generation of Innovators Through Tech, Gaming, and Purpose
from Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres · host Adam Torres
In this episode, Adam Torres interviews Shirin Laor-Raz Salemnia, Founder & CEO at PlayWerks and WhizGirls Academy. Shirin shares her journey from gaming enthusiast to STEM education pioneer, discussing how she empowers youth through coding, storytelling, and holistic learning experiences that combine tech with wellness and creativity. About Shirin Laor-Raz Salemnia She is a very passionate old school Gamer, Entrepreneur, and STEM Advocate! “She was inspired by Tom Hanks and the movie BIG to create a dream job for myself (as a toy tester). Losing the passion and having an existential crisis, following the yellow brick road with signs and messages for my mission on this planet, and going back to my gaming roots led her to give back and make a difference by being a tech entrepreneur. She was led to create a business from scratch with technology, gaming, and STEM.” In fact, she has two tech startups now. She is the first female in my family to start my own business, the first woman to start a tech/gaming startup to make a difference for future generations to come. She is actually writing a book about her story, which starts with having a dream job, finding your purpose and mission and giving back. My story is very similar to Eat, Pray, Love, except she did not go to Bali or Italy, nothing super fancy. But it did start with Deepak Chopra telling me to give back and she has been following the “tech” yellow brick road ever since. Watch Full Episode on YouTube. --- Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What this episode covers
In this episode, Adam Torres interviews Shirin Laor-Raz Salemnia, Founder & CEO at PlayWerks and WhizGirls Academy. Shirin shares her journey from gaming enthusiast to STEM education pioneer, discussing how she empowers youth through coding, storytelling, and holistic learning experiences that combine tech with wellness and creativity. About Shirin Laor-Raz Salemnia She is a very passionate old school Gamer, Entrepreneur, and STEM Advocate! “She was inspired by Tom Hanks and the movie BIG to create a dream job for myself (as a toy tester). Losing the passion and having an existential crisis, following the yellow brick road with signs and messages for my mission on this planet, and going back to my gaming roots led her to give back and make a difference by being a tech entrepreneur. She was led to create a business from scratch with technology, gaming, and STEM.” In fact, she has two tech startups now. She is the first female in my family to start my own business, the first woman to start a tech/gaming startup to make a difference for future generations to come. She is actually writing a book about her story, which starts with having a dream job, finding your purpose and mission and giving back. My story is very similar to Eat, Pray, Love, except she did not go to Bali or Italy, nothing super fancy. But it did start with Deepak Chopra telling me to give back and she has been following the “tech” yellow brick road ever since. Watch Full Episode on YouTube. --- Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NOW PLAYING
Building the Next Generation of Innovators Through Tech, Gaming, and Purpose
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Jan 2, 2026 ·47m
Dec 21, 2025 ·46m