Intentifiers

Finding Myself

Bhavana is the lead designer and CEO of BHAV, a Chicago based women's wear clothing line. A pharmacist by profession (and still currently practicing) she decided to pursue her dream of fashion design. She launched her debut line three years ago and has not looked back since. Bhavana is inspired with her own Indian cultural identity and seeks to empower women to find unique ways to embrace their cultural heritage. Bhavana’s Story of Intent is about how she found herself in the journey of entrepreneurship and how her past experiences in life brought her to create BHAV. She shares how she sees heritage as a piece of us - not the sole thing that defines us - and how she is inspired by women who have authentically incorporated their multicultural identity into their lives, whether it's related to career, motherhood or otherwise. This is Bhavana and her Story of Intent.

A Compassionate World Through Creative Design

Sangeetha Kowsik was born in Fremont, CA, a Parsons School of Design grad, is an NYC-based designer, interfaith chaplain, educator, and established gallery artist. The only person in the world doing this: A Hindu, Indian American woman who's an Islamic/Arabic calligrapher. Sangeetha is the Hindu Chaplain/Spiritual Advisor of NYU/Columbia Universities, founder of NYU Hindu Center, founding member of NAHCA (North American Hindu Chaplain Association), and awarded “Chaplain of the Year” for her interfaith initiatives by Chelsea Clinton.Horrified by the animosity/negative perceptions as seen on media and that plague South Asian Hindu and Muslim communities, IhsanIshan was initially launched to celebrate both faiths, its shared traditions, educate to remind the world that India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and parts of Iran were all one landmass before colonization/partition. Sangeetha's Story of Intent one where she shares her belief that through intentional art and design diverse communities can be brought together - it is a way to heal past traumas, phobias, and fight stereotypes. Her mission is to engage all people interested in knowing about the diversity of this world with intentionally crafted products meant to convey meaningful messages and provoke powerful conversations. This is Sangeetha and her Story of Intent.

Intentional Travel & Our Ecosystem

JoAnna Haugen is a writer, speaker, and solutions advocate who has worked in the travel and tourism industry for nearly 15 years. She is also the founder of Rooted, a solutions platform at the intersection of sustainable tourism, social impact, and storytelling. Her mission through Rooted is to responsibly document, support, celebrate, and share sustainable travel-related initiatives that prioritize local communities and the planet – and to help others do the same. A returned U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, long-term expat, international election observer, and intrepid traveler, JoAnna currently lives in Carthage, Tunisia.JoAnna's Story of Intent focusses on the intentionality she believes is required to create the conditions for a safer, more sustainable, more equitable future in relation to when we travel - that is we need to be intentional when leaving our homes and visiting someone else's. This is JoAnna and her Story of Intent.

Your Three Uniques Driving Purpose

Brenda Rigney coaches business leaders and start-up entrepreneurs up to something BIG in their life. She hosts a weekly podcast called #3UNIQUES to learn what makes people unique. Brenda has spent 25+ years consulting with CEO's, entrepreneurs and family-businesses on scaling business solutions, or steps in as a fractional executive team member to support strategic planning, organizational design and executive and leadership development.Brenda's Story of Intent focusses around what makes people unique and how through being intentional about our unique we can drive our life purpose. This is Brenda and her Story of Intent.

Intentional Living Through the Power of Yoga & Meditation

Farah Nazarali, she has been teaching and studying yoga and mindfulness for 15 years. She brings a wealth of practical experience in teaching, breathing, wellness, conflict resolution, and non-violent communication in a variety of settings. As well, Farah is the founder of Drishti Point, a yoga podcast that has recorded hundreds of podcasts with fascinating individuals in the yoga and meditation space. Farah’s Story of Intent is connected to the power of yoga and meditation and how it can enable us in living an intentional life. This is Farah and her Story of Intent.

Outcome-based Change Management

Natasha is an experienced change practitioner and project professional with a proven track record in systems implementations, organizational change initiatives, and large scale transformation. She also uses her change super powers as an advocate for asylum seekers and refugees. Natasha’s Story of Intent centers around her lived experiences with change and looking to provide support to organizations so that they can thrive. This is Natasha and her Story of Intent.

Embodying & Radiating Change

Jill Valentine's Story of Intent is about the power of travel and volunteering abroad can become tools to really help people gain clarity, confidence a sense of community. She shares how by integrating travel, being of service to others with her coaching practice she believes in fellow humans living happy and fulfilling lives while becoming lifelong change makers.This is Jill and her Story of Intent.

Living Inside Out with Mental Health

Neha Mohan's Story of Intent is a precious one detailing how her mental health declined after the end of her marriage. She shares her lived experience of South Asian stereotypes and misunderstandings of mental health and what she is doing to combat them. Neha's Story of Intent is one that exemplifies self-compassion, strength, and empathy for others.

Leadership & Values Empowerment

Brett Elmgren’s Story of Intent comes from a place of real authenticity. Brett describes why and how he fell in love with the idea of values being core drivers for how humans and organizations treat each other. Brett elaborates on his work experience and leap of faith in venturing out on his own to continue supporting leaders while enhancing his own growth and development.

Yoga as a Way of Being

Veronica Vukusic's Story of Intent is about living and breathing every step in life with intention. Veronica describes how through yogic practice and scriptures she tries to live her live with intention while teaching this way of being in her yoga classes. Her embodiment of intentional living is inspirational as she helps others in viewing yoga as a means to be intentional.