102. Strength in Blindness and Faith with Alia Abbas, Chief of Staff, New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
Release Date: 05/22/2025
122. Build a "Tribe" Culture with Celeste Thompson, Founder of Tribe Consulting
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121. Master Timing in Leadership with Christina Selby, VP of Production and Touring at Nederlander Producing Company of America
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How can you find your spotlight in a competitive industry? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Christina Selby—Vice President of Production and Touring at Nederlander Producing Company of America, Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, and a leading voice on the Broadway League’s Executive Committee. A first-generation Honduran-Haitian American and lifelong New Yorker, Christina’s path wasn’t scripted from the start. She spent years planning to be a pediatrician until a "hard look" in college led her to choose joy over expectations. From her first week...
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120. Choose Joy and Purpose with Patrice Tanaka, Founder of Joyful Planet Foundation
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119. Stop Bullying at School and in the Workplace with Dali Rivera, Founder of the Diversity and Anti-Bullying Academy (DABA)
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Facing a bully at work? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dali Rivera—parenting coach, U.S. Army veteran, author, and founder of the Diversity and Anti-Bullying Academy (DABA). Dali transformed her pain over both her and her daughter’s bullying into a powerful purpose, creating tools for confident advocacy in schools and in the workplace. Dali shares advice for leaders to confidently address a workplace bully or a hostile situation: Stop Blaming Yourself: Immediately shift your mindset from shame or guilt to self-advocacy. Know you deserve respect. ...
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118. Neurodiversity is a Strength with Nella Garcia Urban, CEO of DSST Public Schools
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How can neurodiversity become a leadership strength? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Nella Garcia Urban, CEO of DSST Public Schools. Nella came from YES Prep Public Schools, Houston, where she spent over 20 years in various roles leading and operating charter schools. Nella is also the Board Chair of LEAL, Latino Educators Advancing Leadership. As a proud Latina and neurodiverse leader, Nella shares how embracing her identity—and being open about her needs—has made her a stronger and more authentic leader. What once felt like a challenge became her...
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117. Move, Think, Rest to Promote Creativity with Natalie Nixon, CEO of Figure 8 Thinking
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How can you unlock creativity to thrive in leadership and life? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Dr. Natalie Nixon—creativity strategist, author of The Creativity Leap and Move, Think, Rest, and CEO of Figure 8 Thinking. Recognized on the Thinkers50 Radar and named one of the Top 50 keynote speakers by Real Leaders, Natalie helps executives and organizations harness creativity as a strategic advantage. A proud African American woman and Gen Xer, Natalie grew up on the East Coast in a family that modeled discipline, faith, imagination, and rest. From her...
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116. Accelerate Your Path to CEO with Dr. Rahesha Amon, CEO of City Teaching Alliance
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115. Play the Game to Change the Game with Erica Mosca, Nevada State Assemblymember and Founder/Executive Director of Leaders in Training
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What does it mean to play the game to change the game? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Erica Mosca—Nevada State Assemblymember and Founder/Executive Director of Leaders in Training. Her nonprofit now empowers over 200 students annually with a 100% college acceptance rate and 81% postsecondary persistence. Erica is also the first Filipina elected to the Nevada State Legislature and is running for her third term. Growing up, Erica didn’t see herself represented in classrooms, on television, or in politics. When she learned that only 1% of elected officials...
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114. Embrace Feminine Energy in Leadership and Parenting with Shavon Terrell-Camper, Realignment Coach and Former Therapist
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What does it mean to bring feminine energy into leadership and parenting? In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Shavon Terrell-Camper, a Realignment Coach and former therapist with over 3,000 hours of coaching experience helping individuals build self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership. Shavon shares how to shift from default masculine approaches—power, control, being right—into a more expansive definition of leadership and parenting grounded in feminine energy. Go beyond default definitions: Strong leadership doesn’t have to mean...
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113. Take a Yearlong Sabbatical with an Around the World Family Trip with Gloria Lee, Social Entrepreneur and Lecturer at UC Berkeley and Stanford
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In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Gloria Lee—Social Entrepreneur, Lecturer at UC Berkeley and Stanford, and visionary behind a new venture focused on helping elders thrive while aging in place. A seasoned educator and nonprofit leader, Gloria’s career includes Founder, CEO of Educate78, President and COO of New Schools Venture Fund, and Area Superintendent and COO of Aspire Public Schools. Gloria didn’t just dream about traveling the world with her husband and two sons—she made it happen. In our conversation, she shares how she turned this bold vision into...
info_outlineHow can leaders turn perceived limitations into strengths?
On Women of Color Rise, I speak with Alia Abbas, Chief of Staff at New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. With a career spanning Estee Lauder, Warner Bros. Discovery, Prudential, and Citi, Alia has led in strategy, operations, and innovation—proving that disability and faith are not barriers but strengths.
Alia didn’t realize she was blind until she was diagnosed in college, thanks to parents who instilled confidence and adaptability. She also made a pivotal choice in her career—to wear a hijab, deepening her connection to her Muslim faith. Though both blindness and belief come with stereotypes, Alia sees them as value-adds in leadership and teams.
Her insights:
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We are capable – People with disabilities develop adaptability, resilience, and unique problem-solving skills.
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Diversity strengthens teams – Multi-generational, multi-background, and multi-ability teams drive stronger ideas and outcomes.
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No ceilings on possibility – Instead of limiting others, empower them to pursue their goals.
Alia’s journey is a powerful reminder: Own your identity, use your voice, and lead with confidence.
Thank you, Alia, for sharing your inspiring stories!
Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/episode-102-strength-in-blindness-and-faith-with-alia-abbas