Unspeakable Leadership

What happens when you realize the space you worked so hard to enter was never built to see your worth? In this episode, Rohene Bouajram sits down with Arcadia Gijah Brown, an Independent Financial Planner, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate, to explore what it means to walk away from environments that diminish you and step boldly toward spaces that celebrate who you truly are.Together, they dive into the reality many immigrant women, Black women, and women of colour face in workplaces where their value is overlooked, their potential underestimated, and their leadership minimized. Gijah shares the powerful story of redefining her own worth, resigning from a role that caged her, and discovering what existed on the other side of fear, doubt, and scarcity.We cover:• The moment Gijah realized her “stepping stone” had become a cage• How immigrant women navigate proving their worth in systems not designed for them• The cost of staying where you are tolerated instead of celebrated• What walking in faith looks like when nothing feels certain• Rewriting your threshold for success• Choosing rooms that honour your value• Reclaiming power, identity, and self-worthThis conversation is bold, honest, emotional, and full of truth for anyone ready to step out of the limitations placed on them and into the arena they are meant to lead.Connect with Arcadia Gijah Brown:Website: https://jacobwarrenfinancial.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacyfinancialjwfConnect with Rohene:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohenebouajram/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspeakableleadership/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rohenebouajramWebsite: https://www.rohenebouajram.comWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DSosVorrMFEResources mentioned in this episode:Book with Rohene to Speak: https://www.rohenebouajram.com

What if the leap is not the part you are afraid of?Join us for a powerful and intimate conversation with a guest appearance from Irene Nviri, certified life coach, speaker, community advocate and founder of Emerge and Soar Consultancy Inc. Irene shares her definition of her next act and reflects on her own experience of transformation as well as how she coaches immigrant women to grow with clarity and purpose.Blending personal storytelling, poetic reflection, and tangible wisdom, Rohene offers a soul-nourishing blueprint for navigating the sacred in-between—the space between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.Together, we explore:✨ Why the leap isn’t the scary part—trusting you’ll be caught is✨ The danger of comparison, and why your leadership blueprint must be rooted in your values✨ A powerful tree metaphor to help you define success on your own terms✨ What half marathon training taught Rohene about scaling sustainably—and the importance of rest✨ How to grieve the past versions of yourself to make space for your next act✨ Why your leap is not reckless—it’s righteousThis episode is both a grounding compass and an open invitation to choose alignment over achievement, grace over hustle, and purpose over pressure.If you're standing at the edge of your own next act—wondering if the free-fall is worth it—this one’s for you.To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

What if the leap you’re afraid to take is the very one that’s calling your name?In this thought leadership episode, host Rohene Bouajram shares the why behind Her Next Act—the theme for Season 3—through a raw, intimate solo reflection. No guests. No interviews. Just truth.In a world that praises titles, applause, and performance, this episode dares to explore the spaces in between: the silent, tender, often unrecognizable moments where women of colour leaders begin to choose themselves. With vulnerability and clarity, Rohene shares what inspired this season’s theme, the therapy moment that forever changed her, and a metaphor about tacos (yes, tacos) that will stay with you long after the episode ends.This is more than a conversation about leadership transitions—this is the start of a love letter to the woman who is no longer okay with half-versions of herself.Discover how to:✨ Identify and release outdated contracts that no longer serve you✨ Reclaim your voice from silence, shame, and survival✨ Prepare for your next act with 5 steps that ground you in courage, clarity, and communityYour next act doesn’t need permission or an audience. You just need to claim ‘yes’.To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

How can closed doors become a catalyst for redirection?Join us in this powerful conversation with Kahsennehawe Sky-Deer, Former Grand Chief of Kahnawà:ke, CEO and President at Sky-Deer Consulting and Vice President at Dable Consulting and Advisory Services.Together, we explore:✨ The challenges of breaking barriers in politics as one of the first Indigenous woman and 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders✨ The public scrutiny, systemic resistance, and personal attacks Indigenous and women of colour leaders can face—and how to rise above them✨ How to meaningfully engage in reconciliation with Indigenous communities✨ The role of sovereignty, ancestral wisdom, and cultural grounding in leadership✨ How embracing change and uncertainty can open new doors for impact and transformationKahsennehawe shares her trailblazing leadership journey, from making history in politics to embracing her next act in community impact and bridge-building beyond government roles. She invites us to reflect: What does it mean to lead on your own terms, with courage and authenticity?Step into the next act of your leadership journey with sovereignty, spirituality, and purpose.To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

In the premiere of season three of Unspeakable Leadership, host Rohene Bouajram delves into the importance of growth as women of colour leaders.As an immigrant and uninvited guest, she reflects on her childhood memory of having silkworms and witnessing their transformation into butterflies. This season focuses on the theme, "Her Next Act," as both a call to action and a journey to move towards dreams that are quietly growing in the hearts and minds. Join Rohene as she engages in inspiring conversations with women of colour, exploring leadership, change, and transformation.You can learn more about Rohene on her website.

How can women of colour break out of their comfort zones, embrace entrepreneurial journeys, and redefine success on their terms?Join us for this inspiring episode with Neha Kirpalani, an entrepreneur, marketing strategist, Harvard Business Review writer, author, and DEI champion.Neha shares her leadership journey, from investment banking to founding her marketing agency, driven by curiosity, passion, and the Japanese concept of Ikigai. She reflects on how aligning her work with joy and fulfillment helped her transition from a stable corporate career to entrepreneurship.Neha emphasizes the importance of breaking out of comfort zones, embracing risk, and following one’s dreams despite fear and uncertainty. Drawing inspiration from Gully Boy and Shirley Chisholm’s iconic quote, "If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair," Neha discusses how self-trust, resilience and continuous learning have fueled her growth.Together, we reflect on how critical it is to create your own space, advocate for yourself, negotiate pay and opportunities, and avoid self-rejection. Neha’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of breaking generational cycles, healing ancestral wounds, and redefining personal and professional success.Embrace growth in your leadership journey by stepping into your power, trusting your instincts, and creating space for bold opportunities.To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.

How can women of colour break the cycle of burnout and realign their work with their life’s purpose while embracing authentic leadership?Join us in this insightful conversation with Winnie Keji, leadership and management consultant.Winnie shares her leadership journey, beginning as the eldest sibling and evolving through various stages of life. From her early roles as a class prefect and Sunday school leader to mentoring immigrant women and teenage girls, Winnie reflects on how leadership naturally chose her despite initial resistance. She emphasizes the crucial role of mentorship, self-discovery, and authenticity in her path.Winnie opens up about her experience with burnout, describing how it manifested in phases, including chronic fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and behavioural changes. She highlights the unique challenges faced by racialized women, such as systemic pressures, racism, sexism, and cultural expectations. Key contributors to burnout, like overcompensation, code-switching, caregiving responsibilities, and financial burdens, are addressed, especially for women supporting extended families.Together, we reflect on how breaking the burnout cycle requires a powerful act of self-love to rediscover joy and fulfillment, a journey that will look different for every woman of colour.Prioritize yourself in your leadership journey with inspired action and gentle reminders of your worth and humanity.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in the episode, check out the show notes here.