In this episode of our podcast, we explore the topic of leadership. We begin by defining what leadership is and discuss the various styles of leadership that exist. We delve into the characteristics of a good leader and the traits that are commonly found in successful leaders. We also touch on the importance of effective communication and decision making in leadership. Additionally, we explore the role of a leader in creating a positive and productive work culture. Whether you're an aspiring leader or an experienced one, this episode will provide valuable insights into the nature of leadership and how it can be used to drive success in organizations and teams.

Alex Zastoupil gives us an inside look on his life and his journey so far.   When Alex was young he used to think of the biggest dreams but quickly was pulled down into the average way of thinking. He got swept into alcohol and drugs even having some life threatening events. However, Alex thankfully came across Grant Cardone and read his book. This changed Alex's life forever. Now Zastoupil has his mission of helping billions of people and delivering education to children all around the world. He is truly an amazing man and has a bright and enormous future ahead.

Tatiana Scantlebury (she/her) is a native New Yorker of Barbadian descent. She is passionate about international criminal and human rights law. Tatiana is a dedicated member of her community and is committed to justice work in the domestic and international arena. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from an HBCU, Delaware State University in Criminal Justice, and a Master’s Degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Human Rights. Throughout her academic matriculation, Tatiana has participated in the Historically Black College/University Foreign Policy Conference in Washington D.C. with the U.S. Department of State and participated with Delaware Lawmakers within their Criminal Justice Reform Reentry Simulation Training program. Tatiana has had the opportunity to study abroad in London, UK, where she studied comparative criminal justice. While pursuing her Master’s Degree, she simultaneously served as an AmeriCorps member and Legal Hand Volunteer. Tatiana currently serves as the President of the UNA-USA Bronx Chapter and has participated as a youth delegate to the Friendship Ambassadors and the ECOSOC HLPF Youth Forum. She has worked within the non-governmental and non-profit sectors, exploring international women’s rights and ending hunger domestically and internationally. In this role, she hopes to create sustainable and inclusive spaces for marginalized and intersectional communities while shifting narratives within the global justice arena.

Alesia serves as the Advocacy Chair of the UNA Greater Detroit Chapter. She has served in that position since 2018. Before becoming affiliated with UNA-USA, Ms. Morris worked in Washington D.C. for former U.S. Senator Robert Kerry of Nebraska. She holds a Masters in International Business from the University of Texas – Dallas and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska – Omaha. Alesia has long been engaged with the not-for-profit community. In addition to UNA-USA, she has served on the Board of OWIT- Organization of Women in International Trade (Dallas-Fort Worth) and with Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, where she mentored young African-American women in what it takes to be successful in school, in business, and in life. In 2018, Alesia participated with UNA USA Greater Detroit chapter in the Universal Periodic Review Consultation on water rights in partnership with Ohio State University.  They gathered information and recommendations to be included in the UNA USA Shadow report in preparation for the US to appear before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. In 2019, the chapter honored Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician that exposed the water crisis. UN Day 2020, UNA USA Greater Detroit acknowledged Doing Watershed Coalition for their work regarding the water crisis. In the midst of the pandemic, Ms. Morris was able to bring together organizations and individuals that represent all seventeen Sustainable Development Goals throughout the state of Michigan for United Nations Day 2020 (UNA USA Greater Detroit and UNA USA Greater Lansing chapter) an event that featured former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young.

Sofia Rinvil’s commitment to justice and human rights was inspired by her experiences growing up, which sparked a passion for business, law, and policy. Sofia is a natural problem solver. She wants to spend her career helping those in need to formulate a broad strategy to protect legal rights or bring about social change. Her current interests lie in the particular practice experience needed to navigate the evolving fields of entrepreneurship and community development. Sofia has held various Board positions and volunteer leadership positions with several organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American Constitution Society, and Columbia University. Sofia also volunteers her time to young scholars as a Mentor to college and graduate students. She has used her legal education to volunteer as a Court Appointed Advocate to help foster children in the court system. She holds degrees in Political Science, Global Affairs and Human Security, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, and Law from separate top-tier programs. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, binge-watching shows, and boxing.

Kareem Gongora is a communications professional who has devoted his career to serving others. Kareem has worked within hard-to-reach communities coordinating after-school programs for at-risk youth, developing asset-building programs and tax credit awareness campaigns, as well as overseeing self-sufficiency grants and contracts to support families. In 2014, Kareem was honored as “Young Leader of the Year” by the Inland Empire Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and recognized as a “30 under 30” in 2017 by Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes. In 2018, he was appointed by the Speaker of the California Assembly to the California State Bar Committee of Bar Examiners, overseeing the bar exam, first-year law exam, as well as the state’s accredited, registered, and unaccredited law schools. Kareem holds a BA in English from UC Riverside, MA in Management from the University of Redlands, and is currently attending California Baptist University to earn his Doctorate in Public Administration. He works for the County of Riverside as a public information officer, and also serves as a member of the County of San Bernardino Planning Commission as well as South Coast Air Quality Management District Environmental Justice Advisory Group.

Cynthia is an honors student studying International Affairs at the George Washington University. As a first-generation American raised in the Southeastern United States, Cynthia grew up witnessing inequality throughout her community and abroad, which led her to develop a commitment to global citizenship, human rights, and youth empowerment at an early age—a commitment that motivated her to serve as a lifelong advocate for the UN and its vital work. Cynthia brings nearly seven years of experience as a leader at UNICEF USA and previously served on their National Council. She has interned in the U.S. Senate, U.S. Department of Transportation, and U.S. Small Business Administration. Previously, Cynthia served as a Fellow at the Embassy of France in the United States and the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia. This year, Cynthia hopes to continue bridging the gap between youth and the UN by elevating young people’s voices, building community within the UNA-USA youth and student network, and supporting youth leaders across the United States.

Corey A. Jackson, MSW, is a local nonprofit leader and civil rights leader specializing in youth development, culturally responsive interventions and social justice issues. He currently serves as the founder and Chairman/CEO of the SBX Youth and Family Services whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty and violence through mentoring education, and community organizing. Corey is also the Founder of the Center Against Racism and Trauma which envisions the culture and systems of the Inland Empire that are free of racism and racially determined inequity, with communities capable of healing those suffering from the personal and historical trauma racism has caused. Being appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as a student board member to the California State University Board of Trustees, Corey represented over 400,000 students in the largest and most respected public higher education system in the nation from 2004-2006. Jackson is a graduate of CSU San Bernardino where he received his degree in political science and served as Chair of the Santo Manuel Student Union Board of Directors. He is also a graduate of California Baptist University where he received his Master of Social Work degree.

Financial Educator and International Best Selling Author Rory K. Dougla with over 20 years experience in the financial industry, Rory Douglas has worked with some of the top names out there like Tony Robbins, Kevin Harrington from ABC Networks Shark Tank, and Jim Britt. He has not only educated countless amounts of families across the U.S and Canada but has also recently taken social media by storm. Rory has also been voted Top 100 Global Leaders in Finance 2020-21 by GCIF.

Sabrina Ram is the president of Blu Lotus, which provides strategic communications consulting, and the senior director of external relations for Walden University, a higher education leader in online learning. With more than 15 years of public relations and marketing experience, Ram is passionate about helping organizations make an impact by telling their unique story to a variety of audiences. Working in Philadelphia, New York City and D.C. has given her the opportunity to cultivate great relationships with digital influencers and national and local media, allowing Ram to be an expert brand advocate for her clients. Throughout her career, she has managed public relations and marketing efforts for major organizations such as AT&T, Drexel University Online and 2U. Ram has a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications and Public Relations from Drexel University and a master’s degree in Public Relations & Corporate Communications from Georgetown University. Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter, @SabrinaRam_.