Leading as the CEO Girls Inc. of San Diego County, transforming a hobby into an opportunity to capture Africa through photography and creating space for kids to claim their identity with Sandra Ainslie

In this episode, Lola speaks with Sandra Ainslie, the CEO of Girls Inc. of San Diego County. Sandra brings over 20 years of experience building and leading innovative youth organizations and programs in San Diego. She is an advocate for youth and is committed to ensuring equity for young people in San Diego. In addition to her non-profit work, she has done fieldwork with youth in Africa, Central America, and Asia. Sandra’s guiding values include: Collaborative leadership; creativity and flexibility; transparency and trust and disruptive and divergent approaches. In 2008 Sandra was awarded the Coming Taller Presidential Award for excellence in youth programming. Sandra was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States when she was eight years old. In this episode, we discuss: Sandra’s story of discovering her identity through growing up in Mexico and the United States and how it impacted the person she is today Turning a photography hobby into a new job - which lead to fieldwork in Africa, Central America, and Asia. Advice for professionals looking for a change while still working in Corporate America Leading as the CEO of Girls Inc. of San Diego County and the mission Sandra instills in their programs Reflecting on how elements of her background prepared her for her current role as a CEO Connect with Sandra: Website: www.girlsincsd.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandraainslie/ Connect with Lola: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/428192995622965 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolaaadeyemopm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immigrantsincorporate/ Apply to be on the podcast: shorturl.at/dnyEO More about Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast: Welcome to the “Thriving in Intersectionality” podcast. A podcast created to help you learn from professionals in the workplace who have multiple intersectional identities; from ethnic minorities, veterans transitioning into the workforce, individuals with disabilities, parents, and so many more. Hosted by Lola Adeyemo, who is the CEO of EQI Mindset and the founder of the nonprofit Immigrants in Corporate Inc, her mission is to work with organizations to build more inclusive workplaces. This podcast was built to amplify the voices of leaders and immigrants in the corporate workplace and to give insights and guidance so people can move past their “barriers” and advance in their professional careers. Through interviews and solo episodes, Lola will examine this global world of work. We hope that you can learn a thing or two from our guests, who have a range of experiences and stories to share. Join Lola as we meet new people who are successfully navigating the corporate space. For more information and additional resources, please visit www.immigrantsincorporate.org and www.eqimindset.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thank you for listening to Thriving in Intersectionality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo. This podcast explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, we uncover stories and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives. 💬 Have a thought about this episode? Send a Fan Mail message directly through Buzzsprout. I'd love to hear what resonated with you. ❤️ If you find value in these conversations, consider becoming a supporter of the show. Your support helps us continue amplifying diverse voices, meaningful stories, and leadership insights from across industries and experiences. ⭐ Follow, share, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these conversations. 📬 Continue the conversation - read the companion reflections on Substack 🌍 Immigrants and first-generation professionals can join our free community at: www.immigrantsincorporate.org Connect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn. Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.