THANK YOU 2022! HELLO 2023

Every year for the last few years, I do a recap and reflection post on the last day of the year. I like to go back and review what I wrote a year ago and compare that to how the year actually went. I ended my post last year with the following:

"If I could add hashtags to 2022 in advance, I would say #BOLDNEWGROUND #SelfCare #ERG #Opportunities".

• Non-Profit Centering Immigrant Inclusion Launched: Immigrants in Corporate (IIC)

PUBLISHED BOOK. PODCAST. TED TALK.

The self-care aspect was a bit challenging this year, but I will definitely say BOLD NEW GROUNDs did happen. In January, I was busy writing my book manuscript, and I did not think the manuscript would ever get finished. I am grateful for the support from the Manuscripts Press Modern Author Accelerator powered by Manuscripts community for the support from editors to designers with all the steps to get to being a published author. "Thriving in Intersectionality" is now available on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and hardcopy.

In addition, the next step of the book happened! In June 2022, I officially registered my new non-profit, Immigrants in Corporate (IIC) , and launched the #podcast in August to keep the interviews, stories, and insights going. The book was just a foundation; the work to build an inclusive workplace for #immigrants continues. I am grateful for all the new connections I have made on this front, from book interviews to investors and program collaborators.

The Immigrants in Corporate Podcast is #rebranding to the "Thriving In Intersectionality Podcast" and "Slack Community" in January of 2023 to support more #immigrants #ERGs #corporations and corporate employees. Stay Tuned!

In January, I also googled "How to get on a TED talk" for the first time. While researching for my book, I knew a story and an idea had emerged. "Belonging is not about Fitting In." I felt the TED stage was potentially appropriate for this and set a long-term goal. That long-term goal is now History because I got to deliver my TEDxTalk before a live audience on the TEDxTemecula stage on September 24, 2022. I am grateful for the community I had to pull this together and the team that worked to support me!

• EQImindset LLC . ERG LifeCycle Support #EmployeeResourceGroups

As an #ERG speaker, #Workshop Facilitator, and #Community builder, the learnings and connections accelerated on the Employee Resource Group front in 2022. The #linkedinGroup https://www.dhirubhai.net/groups/13692106/ "Community of Global Employee Resource Groups(ERG)"grew from 200+ Members to almost 700 Members! We also launched the #linkedinLive #ERGResource Series in August of 2022. Thank you to all the #Founders and #DEI leaders that have joined me for a conversation about their journey and the platforms they have built that can support corporate DEI and ERG efforts to accelerate inclusion at work: Verbate Chezie Learning Snippets Girls Inc. of San Diego County Disability Content Consulting Johanna Walker The Care Gap The Inheritance Project Mentor Spaces Fathering Together MindStand (Techstars ‘21) . Our conversation episodes are available for replay on youtube here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGtiuIqSM8yeNJwxu-aYfNw

From speaking at in-person and virtual conferences and events to #ERG fireside chats, internal DEI events, and leading my signature #ERGOptimization workshops globally for global ERG leaders! The power of a well-planned and facilitated virtual space can be impactful.

2022 is also the year I joined the JonesIncGlobal team as an ERG expert. I have already been privileged to connect with some amazing people in supporting their work with global corporations and in an effort to continue to accelerate #inclusiveLeadership and #DEI strategies!

• Personal Development

Through it all, I am grateful that I took a break from my #doctorate program when I needed to prioritize my book and jumped right back in to start work on my dissertation. I am also grateful for personal development opportunities like the 3 days JONES School of Inclusive Leadership retreat I attended in march and extensive business /entrepreneur /speaking coaching by some amazing people like Cat Orsini Johanna Walker uday gupta Sarah Chapman Bacerra Carrie M. Sawyer (she, her) and many more. For programs and events I got to attend and learn from and will continue to do so.

• Personal and Family

On the personal and family front, this was the year I jumped back on my favorite BIG Stage - in with the worship team and on a new level with my home church! I am also so grateful for my family time in 2023 on a couples trip and a get-together with the extended family after COVID distance. We celebrated 9th, 6th, and 2nd Birthdays in our home! More lunchtime duty juggled with kids scheduling and more in-car meetings are always fun - the mobile hotspot and virtual background privilege of a #WorkingMom :). It was an interesting year medically and developmentally for my 2-year-old, but through it all, I am grateful for medical resources, friend and family support, and a new journey as we step into year 3 in 2023.....

• In Conclusion

The year 2022 was NOT without negatives. From clients lost to deals underpaid to bad investments. None of it was wasted; I found the learning and moved forward. 2022 was also definitely a year of heavy financial "investments" in tools and getting part-time and full-time help with my businesses. Although #bootstrapping elevated and the returns might not be immediate, I am grateful for the team expansion for Sapient Logic LLC EQImindset LLC and Immigrants in Corporate (IIC) . Self Care for me, suffered in the form of less sleep. As a night owl myself, the nights get late when the days get busy. This is where I will say that although not what I desired or even recommend, I am grateful for health and youth to survive on less than 4 hours of sleep on some days and still show up because I have to!

I look forward to #BusinessAcceleration #Doctorate #MoreFamilyTime #BetterSelfCare, continuing to serve on the Girls Inc. of San Diego County board, and stepping into new leadership roles with the local and global networks of Athena STEM Women and International Association of Women in 2023!

My 2023 Words #Collaboration #Expansion #Delegation #SelfCare #Gratitude Always!

Happy New Year #LinkedIn Network.

Personal Website: www.lolaspeaker.com