Chaimie Pewitt has lived a very non-linear life. Through the ups and downs, she has learned one very important thing: It's not about knowing the answer, it's about knowing how to find the answer. Chaimie grew up in an unstable environment, bouncing around foster homes. Getting her GED at 16, she then went to college and embarked on a 10-year journey of figuring out what she wanted to do before graduation. Chaimie is a strong advocate in neurodiversity, innovation, humanities, and tech. She learned at the age of 25 that she had ADHD and later on learned she has dyslexia. Instead of looking at these as disabilities, she looked at the environment around her, to figure out how our current workplaces can empower us instead of inhibiting us. Chaimie shares some great background as to how she got to where she is, how she helped foster two innovation economies, and more. Check out the interview to hear her story!
Life's Not Linear with Saj Thachenkary
Saj Thachenkary shares his vibrant and passionate personality with us today as we talk about his journey from being born in India, moving to Chicago at the age of 3, and now is the Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Saj studied marketing in school and through his experiences learned the importance of storytelling. He loves working with students, having hallway chats, and better understanding his community so he can help share the stories that are untold.
Life's Not Linear with Nahom Fissaha
Nahom Fissaha shares with us his experience and transition into America. Moving from Ethiopia at a young age, Nahom went to a very diverse middle school and high school. He was able to experience many different cultures through the friends he made and experiencing their home life and food! This quickly shifted as Nahom went to college and attended a primarily white university. Nahom struggled with identity and was able to use this opportunity to see another side of America and reflect on himself. He made the most of his university experience and then pretty recently transitioned into the professional world, where he worked remotely (even before COVID-19) and took this opportunity to explore and live a nomadic lifestyle. His pro tip: Make your university account password a positive affirmation! Check out the full interview to learn about Nahom's experiences growing up, at university, and exploring the states while working a full-time job.
Life's Not Linear with Andrea Weaver
Andrea Weaver is a resilient and brilliant human. In Part 1 of her interview, she shares with us the many adversities she has faced from her mother being diagnosed with cancer, a few months later her brother being diagnosed with cancer, and then Andrea herself finding out she is pregnant while in an abusive relationship. She shares with us the steps she took to acknowledge these heartwrenching situations and how she has learned from them and is on a path of healing (shout out therapy). Andrea also shares with us how she has advocated for herself and her worth throughout different points in her career path. Check out the full interview to get a quick intro to Andrea's life, and stay tuned for the next interview!
Life's Not Linear with Ivan Rahman
Ivan Rahman has lived a life full of change, transitions, and always finding a community wherever he goes. He has experienced the east coast, the west coast, and has now landed in the midwest. As a child of immigrants, a mother from Guatemala, and a father from Bangladesh, Ivan developed a strong work ethic from a young age. From growing up in New York to moving to Southern California and starting school there, to couch hopping, and finally, to packing what fit into his car and moving to the midwest, Ivan jumped into the nonprofit space and found a community in Milwaukee. Ivan shares his experiences of resilience, change, education, and much more. Check out the full interview to hear Ivan's epic journey.
Life's Not Linear with Ambrose WB
Ambrose WB has constantly utilized reflection to learn and grow. Coach Ambrose focuses on mental performance coaching and is a director at SKY Schools where they focus on helping people manage their stress and emotions using breathwork and meditation. Ambrose works with children, their parents, and educators in after school programs. His path to here was not linear at all. From getting injured, no longer being able to play football, being a Black man at a primarily white institution, experiencing 9/11 through the lens of his Middle Eastern roommate while in school, graduating without a job lined up, going back to working at the shoe store, and hosting parties at his place to make money, Ambrose knew he wanted to do more and help others. The first time Ambrose thought out about meditation was as a young kid watching kung fu movies. Now, today, it's his career and life passion. Check out the full interview to hear about his journey and the incredible impact he's making today.
Life's Not Linear with Shaun Wanzo
Shaun Wanzo shares with us his journey of adversity, incarceration, and recalibration. Jumping into college was tough, at the time he wasn't ready and didn't know what path he wanted to take. After about a semester and a half, Shaun left school for a bit. He states that he was getting in trouble, even from a young age when one day he left school as a kindergartner because he wasn't up for it that day. Shaun spent some time in street affiliations, and not having a great environment or surrounding, and eventually ended up being incarcerated. During this time, Shaun spent a lot of time reflecting and reading. He read every book he could get his hands on from nonfiction to philosophy to public reform to social justice - he continuously learned and reflected on how he ended up where he was. He read so much, that he ended up writing many pieces himself and even published some pieces. After getting out, Shaun jumped into the social justice and criminal reform space. He became heavily involved with the Milwaukee community and what other organizations were doing in this space. Shaun is a prime example of coming back and making an impact. From a young age, he's had to fend for himself. Through the adversity, the incarceration, and many other hardships, he has been resilient and showed us the power in recalibration. In unlearning and relearning, and why self-education is so important. Check out the full interview to hear more of Shaun's journey, his constant recalibrations, and his many lessons to share.
Life's Not Linear with Maggie Dauss
Maggie Dauss shows us why leaning in and saying yes is so fruitful. Unfortunately, Maggie graduated in a recession, so job prospects were far and few. She had always had a passion for service and joined Americorps for a few years. After a few moves and few years of service, from Pennsylvania to Cedarburg to Chicago and to Duluth, she made it back to Wisconsin and settled in Milwaukee. Reluctant to stay, Maggie leaned in anyway. Her acts of service continued as she applied for a position at the Greater Milwaukee Committee for their then-new innovation program. After a little discomfort and transition, Maggie said YES to Milwaukee and to the Greater Milwaukee Committee. She is a co-founder of The Commons and is continuously serving students and others in the community every day. Maggie took a lot of leaps, took some risks, and said yes to get to where she is today. Check out the full interview for more Maggie wisdom.
Life's Not Linear with Laura Schmidt
Laura Schmidt has gained so much through the different leaps she has made in her career. Starting out at a corporate company, Laura was able to work on a lot of personal professional development. After some great years at Northwestern Mutual, Laura took some time off to tend to her family, with the intention of coming back and jumping back in. What Laura didn't know is that she'd be jumping into the K-12 space. Through her work in the community, Laura ended up at MSOE and is now an integral part of the Milwaukee Tech Hub. This just scratches the surface of where Laura has been and what she has learned. Her biggest takeaway: know your worth, know your strengths, and learn from others.
Life's Not Linear with Sue Marinello
Susan (Sue) Marinello has led a life full of taking risks and going against the grain. She started photography at the age of 14 and derived a lot of love and value from it. She continued her photography into her collegiate career through attending live concerts and shooting for magazines. Fast forward, Sue took her photography skills on the road. With 2 young kids and recently after a divorce, Susan home-schooled her kids and took them with her on a three-month road trip to film the stories of others across the country with the goal of filming a documentary. This was also a journey of healing and perspective for her. She was able to see the world through the lens of her kids. Sue has used her art, in many forms and mediums, for healing and therapeutic purposes. She did a self-portrait gallery, loves taking portraits of others, and now loves to doodle to express what's weighing on her. Sue is a rockstar. She wears many hats, including photographer, producer, artist, creator, crisis hotline volunteer, mother, partner, and more. Check out the full interview for Sue’s journey and amazing life lessons.