Welcome to Season Two of Behind the Biography! This season, we plan on continuing to learn more about the speakers who share their stories with our students each summer, but we will also introduce our listeners to the movers and shakers that make our programs worthwhile. Stay tuned to learn from key career decisions, what drives success, and what the future might hold. Follow on your favorite podcast apps.

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Season Two:

Meet the Program Delivery Team with Matt Pollard

Todays episode will be another installment of the "Meet the Team" series, where we introduce you to the influencers within Envision and the greater WorldStrides organization. For this episode we are joined by Matt Pollard. Matt is one of the newest member of the Product Delivery team after moving over from our sales and delivery team in the fall of 2021. Matt is serving in the role of Program Manager of our National Security, Intensive Law & Trial and the Global Young Leaders Conference. Matt changed roles after this episode was recorded.

Giving Back Through Social Entrepreneurship with Khalique Rogers  

This week we are joined by Khalique Rogers. Khalique is the founder of Good Riddance Consulting, where he works on social impact initiatives in the Minnesota area. As a social entrepreneur, Khalique finds success in amplifying the voices of his community through facilitation and storytelling. He specializes in life skill development for students of all ages by focusing on goal setting, self-accountability, and positive health and wellness.

The Power in Seizing Opportunity with Marion Gomez

Join this fun installment of our “Meet the Team” series, where we have the pleasure of being joined by Marion Gomez. Marion joined WorldStrides in 2008 and is currently Head of Performing and Business Transformation. Since she joined Marion has been transcending her role and as a resource to and for her colleagues. Since the inception of our Employee Resource groups, she has been a positive presence and serves as a Co-Chair for the Fempowerment ERG.

Being a Part of Something Larger Than Yourself with Ashley Turnbull

Ashley Turnbull is a computer scientist for the FBI Cyber Division, where she began her government service in 2019. Prior to joining the FBI, she worked as a data analyst in the private sector for 5 years. She received a Bachelor's degree in computer science from Saint Francis University, with minors in mathematics, information systems management, and servant leadership. She then received a Master's degree in information management and data analytics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Ashley takes pride in using her knowledge and skills to work for the FBI mission, which is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. Ashley is a frequent panelist at National Youth Leadership Forum: National Security–Diplomacy, Intelligence & Defense program.

Bridging the STEM Talent Gap with Dr Subrinia Oliver

This week we are joined by Dr. Subrina Oliver. Dr. Oliver holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of O-High Technologies, LLC where she also Founded the O-High Foundation. Both roles allow her to pursue the mission of improving the talent pool of STEM professionals here in the U.S. Dr. Oliver’s efforts to highlight the lack of diversity and inclusivity in the STEM field truly makes her a pioneer. On this episode she shares with us the many ways she has embodied being a STEMinist and how she’ll continue to be a leader in the fight for those underrepresented in the STEM field. Dr. Oliver is a Career Panelist at our some of our National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore STEM programs.

Moving Us Closer to Sustainability with Molly Laycob

As part of our “Meet the Team” series, we chat with Molly Laycob. Molly is the second member of our Corporate Social Responsibility Team, where she is the head of Sustainability. She has spent the last year improving WorldStrides' efforts to go green in our office and program cultures. Most notably, Molly has been able to turn her passion for international education and environmental studies into a career opportunity.

Using Adversity to Drive you Forward with Brian Freitag

This week we are joined by Brian Freitag. Brian is a Physical Scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also know as NASA. In his role, Brian has a birds eye view of earth from what feels like light years away. Today we are going to talk about what it takes to live out every little kid’s dream, to work for NASA and some of the memorable experiences he’s had along the way.

Learning About Yourself Through Travel with Dr. Grace Mukupa

This week we are joined by Dr. Grace Mukupa. Dr. Mukupa holds a PhD in International Development, and is a recognized expert in agriculture, gender, community development and of course international development. She has worked with many organizations such as the United Nations, European Union abroad, and the U.S. Federal and state governments. You can hear Dr. Mukupa as a keynote speaker at our Global Young Leaders Conference, and as a Diplomacy Panelist at our Careers in National Security Conference.

Leadership Through Service with Amanda Whitener

This episode we will continue our “Meet the Team” series where we introduce our listeners to the Envisionaries that make our programs possible. Today we are joined by Amanda Whitener, the new Vice President of Education Experience. She has spent the last few years at Envision, operating as the head of our HS Stem Suite of programs. She has been one of the driving forces in Envisions student centric program improvements during her tenure.

From the Jr National Young Leaders Conference to the White House - Brandon Greene

This week we are joined by Brandon Greene. Brandon has been a part of the Envision Community since he first attended our Jr National Young Leaders Conference back in 2009. Since that summer, he has been celebrated for his community involvement, been a leader in the charge against bullying, and has given back to the Envision students that intend on following in his footsteps. His work on Anti-Bullying has even led him all the way to The White House for recognition for President and First Lady Obama. Scholars can hear Brandon as a keynote speaker at our Junior National Young Leaders Alumni Conference in Boston, MA.

The Power in Learning to Love Yourself - Savannah Peterson

Our favorite Chief Unicorn Officer, Savannah Peterson, returns for Season 2. Savannah talks candidly about her struggles during the pandemic, learning to love herself and her path of self discovery that started this summer with her return to travel. There is a lot going on in this episode so maybe listen to it twice!

The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Corporate Space - Yolanda Golden

This episode we will kick off our “Meet the Team” series where we introduce our listeners to the team members that work tirelessly to create memorable experiences for our customers. Today I am joined by Yolanda Golden, the new head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at WorldStrides. She has spent The last few years at Envision, operating as one of the Vice Presidents of Education Experience before moving into her new role.

Eradicating the Gender Wage Gap, One Bean at a Time - Abhinav Khanal 

Join us for as we dig deep in our Season Two kickoff with Abhinav Khanal, Co-Founder & Executive Director at Bean Voyage, a non-profit social enterprise that provides training and market access to smallholder women coffee producers in Costa Rica.

You can still catch Season One here!  

Editor's note: Season Two of Behind the Biography dropped October 27, 2021 and this post is updated regularly as Season Two of Behind the Biography episodes are released.