The journey to Co-Founding Inspirame, leaning into your uniqueness, and seizing every opportunity that comes your way with Maria Alejandrina Medrano

In this episode, Lola speaks with Maria Alejandrina Medrano, a trailblazing Latina jefa, who leads as Co-Founder and CEO of Inspirame, a SaaS startup championing education to break generational poverty. Simultaneously, she serves as VP, Global Head of Community, Diversity, and Inclusion at Equinix, driving impactful change. Her unique blend of business acumen and advocacy leaves an indelible mark at the intersection of technology and equitable outcomes.    In this episode, we discuss: Leaning into your uniqueness regardless of the room you are in Marias' career journey and how the role of “caretaker” carried through as a core value in all her positions Seizing the opportunity and saying yes to what comes your way  The importance of working on yourself every day so you can jump at the next opportunity when it presents itself How to not get stuck in what you study in college and instead position yourself on the goal you want to reach Founding Inspirame and leading their mission of bridging the gap between students, schools, and the workforce The importance of creating a more equitable world and what you can do to help Deciding what you want to be known for and where you want to use your time as core pillars in your life   Connect with Maria:    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamedrano/    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 MailSupport the showThank 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.orgConnect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn.Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.