Jayzen Patria

Let the holidays begin! ❄️ 🍸 ⛄️

“Where focus goes, energy flows,” shares Chef James Tahhan on the podcast 🎧 LISTEN NOW AT LeadWithYourBrand.com/podcast ☝🏽LINK IN BIO.

Building on his philosophy that food can change the world, James Tahhan, better known as , has become one of the most influential Hispanic chefs in America. Born in Venezuela to Syrian parents, he moved to the United States at the age of 13. He is known for being the chef and co-host of Telemundo's morning show Un Nuevo Día for over ten years, as well as a judge for some of the biggest cooking competition shows. In addition to his work in the media, Chef James is a successful entrepreneur and CEO, running restaurants, a popular e-commerce site for all things cooking and a cooking school for home chefs.

Chef James is also the author of the 39-week best-selling book “Cocina en Casa con Chef James.” He has won three day time National Emmy Awards and hosts the "Ponle Huevos" podcast.

Would you join me in giving someone a home? This , I’m raising money for the ‘s Housing Assistance Fund. Any gift you give will truly make a difference in someone’s life. And best of all, your contribution will be matched by ! DONATE NOW 👉🏽 https://lalgbtcenter.info/GT23Patria ☝🏽Link in Bio

As you may know, I’ve been honored to serve on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles LGBT Center for over a decade. The is a proud leader in the fight to end homelessness—especially among LGBTQ+ people, who make up a disproportionate percentage of the unhoused population. Ever since founding our first homeless shelter in 1971, the Center has understood that ending homelessness means more than offering a place to stay. That’s why we pioneered a holistic model of care to offer people experiencing homelessness the services they need to lead a fulfilled life, including: job navigation, mental health and health care, legal advocacy, food and nutrition, and more.

The Center proudly owns and operates multiple facilities for LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness, including the nation’s first affordable housing complex for LGBTQ+ seniors; an emergency shelter for LGBTQ+ youth; a two-to-three year transitional living program for youth; and permanent supportive housing for high-acuity youth. Each of these options is wrapped by the Center’s model of care to ensure that their clients receive affirming, LGBTQ-competent services they need by providers they can trust.

There’s no gift like a home. Thank you so much for your support!

Ready for take off - See you soon Washington DC!

Go BIRDS 🦅 Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! If part of your weekend is all about 🏈 catch this week’s fan favorite podcast episode featuring Jen Kavanagh, the SVP of Marketing & Media for the Philadelphia Eagles! LISTEN NOW 🎧 www.leadwithyourbrand.com/podcast ☝🏽link in bio

Mahalo 🌺

Sunrise, Sunset! The amazing thing about global leadership programs is that you have learners from around the globe and you can teach from anywhere.

It was my honor to return to Bank of America’s Next Level Leadership Program to send congrats to the 2023 cohort and share a bit of year-end career advice all as the sun was just peaking over the top of Haleakala in Maui, Hawaii.

Thank you DeAndrea Evans-Springer & Kiera Fuell for the partnership & opportunity! Looking forward to the 2024 cohort!

INCLUSION IS A RIOT! Amazing time talking Influence & Delegation - our 4th lab in the Riot Inclusion Group (RIG) Leadership L.A.B. Helping employee resource group leaders influence up & across the gaming industry and empowering & inspiring members through effective delegation that matches skills & passions with the important work of the groups! Next, month we talk Inspiring through Effective Feedback & Coaching!

Awesome time talking Guest Service at the 🌊

A little does of : “Set your intentions rather than goals,” shares Traci Saulsberry on the podcast. “Intentions are stronger, more active and alive.” Catch our full conversation 🎧 LeadWithYourBrand.com ☝🏽LINK IN BIO

Traci is a master at setting intentions and making them happen in her career. Being hyper-focused on what she wanted to achieve, she set the intention of working at NBCUniversal while she was still in college. 

Fast forward and she went on to be one of the youngest Black executives at the company leading a team responsible for campaigns for some of the biggest shows on television, at the age of twenty-seven. 

It’s year-end review time! Tune in to hear my top tips on how to maximize the impact of your year end review with the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Results).  This is the perfect time to sell yourself and set the stage for your next career breakthrough in 2024.

“Always assume positive intent,” shares “OJ” Odessa Jenkins, CEO of Bonfire. “When you assume positive intent, you're ready for anything.” Catch our full conversation on the podcast 🎧 https://www.leadwithyourbrand.com/podcast

 OJ is a force of nature who has made it her life’s work to build equity for women and girls. She is laser-focused through her work as CEO of Bonfire Women and as the founder of the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC). She is also noted as the winningest Head Coach in women’s tackle football history. Featured on Fox, Sports Illustrated, CBS, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, NFL Network, The Undefeated, and more, Jenkins was recognized as one of the most influential and powerful women in sports by Sports Illustrated. 

Plus, this week I reflect on attending the amazing premier of the new show on . I’m reminded of the power of a fully-branded experience. Tune in to hear my best advice on how to create fully-branded experiences in your career as you work towards your next career breakthrough.

I had an amazing time talking INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP with people leaders at Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region!

Regional Senior Vice President Chris Smith championed the sessions as a key part of driving a culture of connection, community and engagement kicking off each workshop and meeting with his team members. Over 2 days and 5 sessions, over 300 supervisors & above came together to build action plans and practice skills to better know, connect, coach, empower & appreciate their team members - all by seeing them as unique individuals.

Thank you Julie Maleski, Erika Morales, and the entire HR team for the partnership and opportunity!

“If I am the smartest person in the room, I have not done my job,” shares Malaina Matheus, President of Hudson Valley Lighting Group. “Knowing your limitations is actually the power of leadership.” Catch our full conversation of the podcast 🎧 LeadWithYourBrand.com/podcast

Malaina started her tenure at Hudson Valley Lighting Group as a coordinator and has continued to grow her career to her current role as company president overseeing the four brands that make up Hudson Valley Lighting Group. She credits her “do the hard work and get things done” attitude as a driver in her career. It’s about seeing what needs to be done, and doing it, as well as knowing your value and the value you bring to the company that allows you to expand your responsibilities and your drive career forward.

Awesome time talking ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER with the Finance team at Global! The session was a sister workshop to one we delivered earlier this fall to Finance managers participating in the Navigator Program design to enhance their leadership and inclusion skills.

So there you are struggling to figure out how to invest in your diverse employees and help them grow their careers. This week, we wrapped up the JPMorgan Chase & Co. CAREER BREAKTHROUGH SERIES presented by their Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs.

JPMorgan Chase has long been a supporter of equality in all forms, including for the LGBTQ+ community. They recently strengthened their commitment by creating the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and a full-time, dedicated team to deliver on their global LGBTQ+ agenda.

Here are a couple of best practices they are living to take development to the next level:

INTENTIONALLY CREATE A FORUM & PROCESS FOR RELATIONSHIP BUILDING & CONNECTING - JP Morgan Chase is a major sponsor of the Out & Equal Workplace Summit. In bringing a huge contingent of employees to the recent summit, we helped set them up for success by hosting a virtual NETWORKING FOR IMPACT session where the cohort met other firm colleagues and joined executive led Navigator Circles ahead of hitting the ground in-person and empowered them with practical tools to build relationships with each other, clients and customers at the event. It was awesome to see their employees jumping in at the conference to connect!

PROVIDE THE MINDSET & TOOLS FOR EMPLOYEES TO OWN THEIR CAREER - the JPMC team launched our CAREER BREAKTHROUGH SERIES - open to all of their employees - immediately following the conference in order to leverage their attendees as ambassadors of learning across the organization. They set up the schedule so our sessions on OWN YOUR CAREER, and BUILD YOUR NETWORK dovetail into the firms annual performance & talent management cycle as their employees begin working on their self-evaluations and preparing for end of year conversations with their managers.

“Remove the mask as quickly as possible and just be you,” shares Nick Bond, CXO & Founding Partner at Apex Scoring System. “You will forge better relationships quicker.” Catch our full conversation on the podcast 🎧 leadwithyourbrand.com/podcast.

I amexcited to welcome Nick Bond to the show. As a marketer and CX expert, Nick has an amazing knack for understanding true customer needs, that is the people represented by the data, and using it to create winning strategies for the brands that works with. He and his colleagues at Apex Scoring System have developed an AI-powered solution that uncovers and quantifies customer desires that drive brand growth.

Happy 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ I have been proud to be out since I was in High School and in every workplace I’ve ever been. That said, coming out is a process and we are always coming out or inviting others in when we share ourselves. I also find myself needing to come out as an ally for other members of our community. Learn more about National Coming Out Day at https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/national-coming-out-day

I snapped this pic recently at the Broad Museum’s ART IS FOR EVRYONE exhibition of Keith Haring’s work, the artist behind the iconic coming out logo created in 1988.

From the HRC site:
“Coming Out” has been the common term for someone who acknowledges being LGBTQ+ and it is used throughout our resources. However, it is important to note that this language centers the persons we are coming out to rather than us. It gives the impression that people who don’t identify as cisgender or heterosexual are hiding something from society, rather than acknowledging how homophobia and transphobia create an unwelcoming environment. When publicly identifying as LGBTQ+, you are inviting people into a part of your life that should be protected and celebrated. You are not asking for permission to be you. You control the narrative, as well as who and what you allow into your life.

Remember, you are not alone. No matter where you are in your journey, we wish you a full, rich, authentic life — a life free from bias, discrimination and hate — and we are working hard every single day to make sure that is a reality for you and for everyone. We are gonna build a world where every LGBTQ+ person can be healthy, safe, liberated, celebrated and joyful in every area of our lives - without exception. Let’s do it together.

“Evolve,” shares Lucy Bustamante, anchor & journalist at NBC10 Philadelphia & Wwsi - Telemundo 62. “Your career will never be what you started with and you can't stay in a state of nostalgia.” Catch our full conversation on the podcast 🎧 https://www.leadwithyourbrand.com/podcast

Lucy is a 4x Emmy award winner and is passionate about serving the Hispanic/Latinx community and military families. She is the former and founding President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and has been involved with the Naval Officers Spouses Association as well as the NBC Universal Veterans network. 

This week, I talk about one of my favorite brands, Apple. Having clarity about your brand and who you serve will have people waiting in line to get you on their team in the same way people wait in line for the latest iPhone.

Welcome to the final week of ! It’s been incredible!! Be sure to check out all of the amazing career stories and breakthrough moments from Latinx leaders in our collection at LeadWithYourBrand.com/latinx.

So there you are on work travel and wondering what to do in your down time…Like everything, if you don’t feed your network, it dies!

Last week, I was in Philadelphia to speak at Comcast’s Military Development symposium and caught up with so many great friends and connections! While I get tired and sometimes just want to stream movies in my hotel room, I always make it a point to get out and see the city and break bread with great people! Here are some tips to maximize nurturing relationships while on business travel:

REACH OUT TO CONNECTIONS - A couple of week’s before you travel, reach out to your connections to let them know you will be in town and provide some times you might be free for a quick meet-up. While everyone may not be available, this is an organic way to reconnect with purpose and you can always book a virtual meet-up for after your travel for those you miss in-person.

SHARE YOUR TRAVEL PLANS ON LINKEDIN - Consider posting that your “bags are packed” or that you’re “on the road” to a city. This allows connections to reach out to you! I’ve met up with many folks who were also visiting a city that I was in that I would have never known to reach out to.

MAKE IT EASY & CONVENIENT - Identify a chunk of time and a great location that you can “home base” in like a coffee shop or hotel lobby bar that is close to where people work. This “office hours” format makes drop ins easy and helps you avoid wasting time running all over the city so you can spend your time in conversation. And hey, it’s ok if your contacts cross over and get to meet one another too! It’s all about helping others connect to like minded people!

“Welcome everybody at the table,” shares Mirian Arias from the Harlem Globetrotters. “You never know where a good idea or headline will come from.” Catch our full conversation on the podcast 🎧 LeadWithYourBrand.com

As a child, Mirian was always vocal about wanting to work in the entertainment industry, and has built an incredible career doing just that. Currently, she leads communications for the iconic . Throughout her career, she has been able to develop a powerful network of mentors and sponsors that have helped continually breakthrough to the next level.

It’s been an amazing ! Be sure to check out all of the amazing career stories and breakthrough moments from leaders in our collection at LeadWithYoutBrand.com/latinx

Is your network to in**ed? Do you have a great circle that is actually an echo chamber? Today, we wrapped up our 3-part CAREER BREAKTHROUGH SERIES at Bank of America’s Next Level Leaders Program (NLLP) by talking BUILD YOUR NETWORK: CONNECT FOR SUCCESS!

When looking to grow your network with diverse people, mindsets and skill sets, watch out for:

SELF-SIMILARITY - We naturally gravitate toward people who look like us, think like us, and act like us. When at a conference or networking event, resist the urge to hang out and sit by others just like you. Even at a work function, do you go and sit with all the people that do what you do?

PROXIMITY PRINCIPLE - We are biased toward people that are in the closest physical or digital proximity to us. The challenge at work is that we sit next to and spend most of the time with people that do the same function. Be intentional about who you grab coffee and lunch with. If you don’t make a plan, you’ll just lean over your cube and ask the person next to you who does the same job as you!

Bank of America is investing in their talent with targeted development programs. NLLP is a highly-selective global development program designed to develop, advance and retain ~800 high potential leaders. The program has exclusive learning opportunities led by industry experts, useful tools & resources for career growth, and exposure to senior leaders across the globe. Programming focuses on navigating your career, critical skill-building for success in today's workforce and networking for success.

Our CAREER BREAKTHROUGH SERIES guided the cohort through the PIE Model - Performance, Image & Exposure - with 3 interactive skill-building sessions: OWN YOUR CAREER, LEAD WITH YOUR BRAND & BUILD YOUR NETWORK.

Thank you DeAndrea Evans-Springer and Kiera Fuell for the opportunity to return to NLLP and for the amazing partnership!

Last week I had thevpleaee of talking Leadibg Change with the Paramount Global Controllership leadership team!

“What is your hallway brand? When people see you, what do they say about you,” asks Delia Garced on this week’s podcast. “We all have positive things, but are there things that are impacting our brand that we don't know about? That's why I ask the question.” LISTEN to our full converstion 🎧 LeadWithYourBrand.com/podcast

Delia Garced is the SVP Marketing Health & Wellness at Synchrony. She has created an incredible career for herself rising through the ranks at GE and several other companies.  She shares her personal experience of participating in employee resource groups and leveraging them to build her personal network, leading to mentors and sponsors who helped pave the way. Now as a senior leader, she is helping others do the same through the Latinx Executive Alliance.

Happy ! Each week we are amplifying the voices of Hispanic professionals with amazing career stories and breakthrough moments that we all can learn from. In addition to our weekly guests, be sure to check out the special Latinx Voices collection at LeadWithYourBrand.com/latinx

I just love a reunion! I had such a blast reuniting with fellow NBCUTalent Lab alum Christopher Koch to talk & learning.

As the Global Head of Talent & Talent Development for Sony Interactive Entertainment, Chris and his “TED” team are creating playful experiences and high-impact tools for the ultimate players - the talent behind Sony PlayStation and its iconic games!

Thank you Chris for the chance to hang with your keel team and special shout out to Astha Saboo for all your support!

I haven’t laughed this much in a long time! Awesome sitting down with actor, writer & producer to talk comedy, career and being out in Hollywood at + 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

I’m packing bags for Philly this week to head to the MilDev Symposium - the annual event that provides leadership development and networking opportunities for members of the community and their supporters.

I was honored to host a virtual kick-off session to talk NETWORKING FOR IMPACT to help the cohort jumpstart their relationship building and create a plan to maximize their exposure with Comcast leaders and executives at the event!

Thank you for your service and I’ll see you in Philly! 🇺🇸

It’s mic check 🎤 time for + 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ excited to talk tonight & interview tomorrow!

An amazing time hanging with talking Communicating With Clarity at ’s The Manager’s Playbook.

A part of NickUniversity’s Studio Learning & Engagement, we explored flexing our communication style, practiced facilitating engaging conversations using listening & inquiry, and used strategy tools to craft messages to our teams.

Thank you Amy Wu for the opportunity and great partnership! Plus, the behind-the-scenes tour was amazing!

“Leadership is not about what you say, it's about what you do,” shares Joelle Martinez, the President & CEO of the Latino Leadership Institute. “And those actions have an implication and ripple effect on others, so you have to take it seriously.” Catch our full conversation on the podcast 🎧

Happy ! Each week we will be amplifying the voices of Hispanic professionals with amazing career stories and breakthrough moments that we all can learn from. In addition to our weekly guests, be sure to check out the special Hispanic Voices collection in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at LeadWithYourBrand.com/latinx

This week, I welcome Joelle Martinez to the show. After a successful career as a political consultant for New Mexico Governor and diplomat, Bill Richardson, among others, Joelle turned her focus to help develop the next generation of Latino leaders with the launch of the Latino Leadership Institute. The LLI is an influential leadership community connecting Latino professionals, entrepreneurs, and partners across generations and geography. Together, they are advancing across industry sectors and building a strong and vibrant U.S. economy and future.

Tune in to hear me break down one of the most common barriers people face when working on their brand to advance their career… YOU! We all are raised with certain survival skills, which as an adult can become self limiting beliefs. When left unchecked, these are the beliefs and behaviors that get in our way of meeting our potential. Hear my tips and tricks to bust through them and help get you to the next level.

My looks!

An amazing time talking the Career Breakthrough LAB for Diverse Leaders at the Out & Equal ! Powered by Bank of America, the lab welcomed the Workplace Advocates’ Diverse Leaders Fellowship and other Summit attendees to take time out to plan their own next career breakthroughs by exploring the intersection of their talents, passions and the needs of their companies and industries.

Thank you to Erin Uritus, Isabel Porras & Gin Nugent for the opportunity and the amazing partnership!

the owners of our career destinies!

We’re celebrating the Out & Equal Workplace Summit and the kick-off of with this intersectional new episode! “Network,
network, network,” shares Noticias Telemundo Texas News Anchor & Reporter Carlos Zapata. “Connect with the people you admire and don’t give up!” Catch our full conversation on the podcast 🎧 www.LeadWithYourBrand.com/podcast

Carlos has had an incredible career as a reporter and anchor for several television stations. Starting at a small newspaper in Ecuador while still in college, rising to one of the top hispanic language stations in the country. Early in his career, he focused his efforts on meeting the super connectors in his industry and building key relationships, ultimately leading to opportunity.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Each week we will be amplifying the voices of Hispanic professionals with amazing career stories and breakthrough moments that we all can learn from. In addition to our weekly guests, be sure to check out the special Latinx Voices collection in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at LeadWithYourBrand.com/latinx

The Workplace Summit is here! There is no better way to kick off the than running into old friends and teaching sessions at the PreCon day! I had an amazing time with the ERG Reboot cohort talking to build compelling ERG brands and working with the DEI Practioner cohort to help them coach their ERG leader to and drive business results!

I’m excited to be presenting the Career Breakthrough LAB this Thursday! Check the Summit App for details!

a community!

I’m ready to kick-off the 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ at ❤️💜💙💚🧡

I’m excited for the upcoming Workplace Summit 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ “We need everybody's unique gifts right now, shares CEO Erin Uritus in this fan-favorite episode. “None of us wins if each of us doesn't
see our unique value. Catch our full converstion on the podcast 🎧 www.LeadWithYourBrand.com

After an incredible career in corporate consulting, working both domestically and internationally, Erin is the CEO of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, the leading organization focused on LGBTQ equality in the workplace globally. Erin brings a wealth of experience and incredible perspective on being authentic in your career.

One of the key elements of the Lead With Your Brand system is digging to understand your tailwinds and your headwinds - those things that help propel your forward and those that pull you back, creating drag on your brand. Diverse leaders are often faced with additional headwinds that stem from societal bias. We find the tension in balancing authenticity with social constructs in our careers. Both the challenge and opportunity is to take those headwinds and turn them into tailwinds to make your brand uniquely you.

Some folks seem to be the ones who are always trying to do what hasn’t been done before. “Lean into what is working and learn how to roll with the punches,” shares Founder Wesley Smoot. “There's going to be plenty of them!” Catch our full conversation on the podcast 🎧 https://www.leadwithyourbrand.com/podcast

Trying to push the envelope, make it more interesting, and create a new experience… is what Wesley Smoot is all about! However, Wesley’s success isn’t just in being a visionary, it is rooted in his core beliefs of doing the work, getting things done and finishing what you start. Growing up in rural Texas, he learned first hand the power of hard work and the relationships that can be formed through it. Wesley is the founder of , described as “a SXSW-inspired, technology-infused, entertainment-festival-meets-business-conference and brand-activation space to connect, educate, entertain, and inspire + and allied professionals and businesses nationwide.” Learn more at about Unleashed LGBTQ at www.unleashedLGBTQ.com 🏳️‍🌈

Plus, after an incredible week of meeting people at the Internetional Business & Leadership Conference, I dive into the critical skill of amplifying your brand by networking with impact. For many of us, the world of business mixers, conferences and in-person events is back in full swing.  However, our ability to maximize those opportunities may be a little rusty. Tune in this week for some amazing tips on how to build your exposure and make sure that your superfans are there to promote you.

Awesome time talking Career Conversations with executives from Paramount Global’s Finance Team! The workshop is part of Paramount’s PROPEL Learning suite of Lightening Leadership classes!

So there you are sending your employees to a conference and wondering the best way to maximize the impact. That is exactly what the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Office of LGBT+ Affairs is focusing on as they prepare to send ~150 of their best and brightest global team memebers to the Out & Equal Workplace Summit in September. Their solution - create a meannigful cohort and provide an intentional learning journey with pre, during and post conference connections designed to enhance skill development, accelerate relationship building and provide exposure to executive role models.

It was my honor to kick-off the cohort talking NETWORKING FOR IMAPCT. We practiced leveraging LinkedIn to connect with each other and conference attendees, built an action plan around busting through silos to make meaningful connections via engaging conversations with people in person, and launched the first of several Navigator Circles for development. Navigator Cirlces are JPMC’s unique coaching circle model pairing senior executives with growing leaders to enhance learning, networking and sponsorship.

Next up, the cohort will work with Out and Equal Workplace Advocates’ head of learning Isabel Porras to explore their LGBTQ origin stories, meet in person at the Summit, debrief their experience while ideating ways that their company can best serve the LGBTQ+ community and consumers, and will follow-up virtually in their Navigator Cirlces!

Thank you Brad Baumoel, Violeta Dudova & Patrice Miller for the partnership and the opportunity to work with your amazing leaders! See you in person at the in just a few weeks!