I had a dream to create a place of healing for a marginalized and vulnerable population of children who are often invisible to society. This dream became a reality after a 15-year journey, arduous seed planting, and multiple obstacles. Fifteen years ago, my world was

I was diagnosed with a serious autoimmune disease. They said I may end up in a wheelchair and advised me not to have another child. After a long and somber conversation with the doctor, I was handed a bottle of pills and a pamphlet. Before

Over the course of my life, I have had to demonstrate resilience a lot. The time that comes to mind first was when I got the phone call that my mother had died after undergoing elective surgery in Victoria, Brazil. It’s 2005. I’m 21 years

At 28, my father’s unexpected passing became the pivotal moment that propelled me into being the resilient woman I am today. My head rested on my dad’s chest as he drew his final breath. He passed away surrounded by family, except for his mother, who

After graduate school, I moved to China and wanted to do a good job in my work in a new city, a new country, another culture, and a new language. I became completely overwhelmed with doubt while planning my first bilingual fundraising event that was

I suffered a deep depression after my relationship ended, and my name was being exploited in my very successful business. I grew up with a heart that believed in the inherent goodness of people. I was often too trusting and too kind for my own

Alcohol and drug addiction had taken over my life. I could not go a day without drinking a bottle of wine or six cans of beer. I had been trying to stop for five years but failed every time and was in a very bad

Resilience reared its head for me when I had to resign from a job I had known and loved all my life because the organization’s failure victimized me. I had felt my life had come to an end, with hopelessness, devastation, feelings of guilt, and

Born of poverty, homelessness, & multiple failures in academia, I still achieved my dream, my MBA. Navigating the journey to achieve my MBA was as if the odds were stacked against me. You see, I wasn’t an academic and came from humble beginnings. Coming from

I never saw it coming … As I sit here reflecting, wondering about all the times in my life when I had to lean into my inner core and hold on for dear life (what some people call resistance), it makes me feel two things.