In this episode of Becoming SoulyYou, we sit down with Yai Vargas, widely known as "The LinkedIn Ninja" and a leading voice in the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). As the VP of Strategic Engagements at the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) and founder of The Latinista, Yai brings over 15 years of experience helping organizations recruit and source diverse talent, ensuring inclusive hiring processes, and driving business results through Employee Resource Group (ERG) programs. With a natural gift for community building, she shares insights into creating impactful DE&I programs and professional branding strategies, especially through LinkedIn. Tune in as Yai discusses her personal journey into leadership, the importance of bridging companies with diverse and technical talent, and how she founded The Latinista, a national network for Latinas and women of color focused on career development and mobility. Whether you're looking to enhance your professional brand or embrace authenticity in the workplace, Yai’s story will inspire you to take action.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Yai Vargas is the VP of Strategic Engagements at HACR – She leads the strategy development and execution of custom diversity, equity, and inclusion training programs focused on career advancement. Yai joins HACR with over 15 years of professional experience in multicultural marketing, diversity and inclusion strategy, and community engagement. Prior to joining HACR, Yai ran a successful DE&I consulting business designing inclusive programs for increased productivity, employee engagement, and culture change. Her expertise focused on organizational assessments, strategic planning and training, and development. Yai also spent nine years in corporate financial services developing diverse marketing initiatives for sales and recruiting. Yai sits on the benefit board for The Latino Commission on AIDS and is founder of The Latinista, a national organization for Latinas and women of color invested in career and leadership development.

CONNECT WITH YAI:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaivargas/

www.yaivargas.com

LEARN ABOUT THE LATINISTA

https://www.thelatinista.com/

LEARN MORE ABOUT LATINA EQUAL PAY DAY

https://justice4women.org/latina-equal-pay

In this episode, we sit down with Linda Gonzalez to discuss her transformative journey from demotion to becoming a solo-preneur. Linda dives into the importance of trusting leadership to create spaces where everyone can show up as their true selves and talks about the challenge of conforming to societal expectations while speaking the truth, or as she calls it, "good trouble." She defines what it means to be a solo-preneur, reflecting on the personal responsibility and weight of the work she holds. As an author, Linda opens up about the vulnerable themes of family secrets, relationships, and the inspiration behind her writing. She shares the deeply emotional process of writing her father's story, which spanned over 13 years, and the catharsis she found in documenting the universal experiences of betrayal, redemption, and healing.

Writing, for Linda, is about reclaiming her voice and embracing the healing process, which she defines as integrating scars into one’s identity. She candidly explores the biases in the publishing industry that often affect BIPOC authors and writers, urging them to believe in the value of their stories and reject any sense of smallness. Linda also emphasizes the importance of seeking out role models, women of color authors, and the right tools to claim their creative space.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Linda González’s passion is to inspire people on a creative journey of love and healing for this and future generations. She integrates heart/body practices into her work, understanding that healing the human spirit is essential to our well-being and liberation. Linda’s book Breaking Through Your Own Glass Ceiling is based on her 20-year coaching practice with a focus on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), women, and other under-resourced, resilient communities. Her first book is a memoir called The Cost of our Lives, which explores familia, betrayal, and redemption. She facilitates a BIPOC sanctuary writing program that includes coaching, writing sessions, developmental editing, and craft workshops. Linda received a MSW from the University of Southern California. She also has a MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. She received a BA from Stanford University. Born and raised in Los Angeles by parents from México and Colombia, she has called the Bay Area home for many years and is still raising and being raised by her millennial twins.

CONNECT WITH LINDA

IG: @masdelinda

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lindagonzález/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LindaGonzalezCoachBusinessStrategistAuthor/

Book a complimentary 20 minute coaching session: https://calendly.com/linda-coach-consultant-author

Learn more about her BIPOC Sanctuary: https://lindagonzalez.net/bipocwriting/

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Purchase Linda’s Memoir, The Cost of Our Lives: https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Our-Lives-Linda-Gonzalez/dp/1937178978

COACHING with ME: Work with me 1:1 | Book a call: https://calendly.com/soulyher ______________

🎙️ YOUTUBE Version:

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SAY HELLO 👋🏼 Connect with me on social!

https://www.instagram.com/soulyher/

https://www.instagram.com/becomingsoulyyoupodcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@becomingsoulyyoupodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@chelseadejesus_

I turn 32 today! I wanted to share a few reflections that I have had over this last year. I thought by 32, I would have everything figured out...haha well that was not the case but along the way, I have learned some valuable lessons. In this episode, I will share with you all the things that I am currently transforming through. Thank you for the birthday wishes ahead of time :)

As mentioned please feel free to gift me a coffee or adult cocktail!

WISH ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

VENMO: Che1c or https://venmo.com/u/che1c

CASHAPP: $che1c https://cash.app/$che1c

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COACHING with ME: I help women with self-discipline & confidence to achieve their goals 📈and become their most authentic selves Work with me 1:1 |

Book a call: https://calendly.com/soulyher

🎙️ WATCH ON YOUTUBE

https://youtu.be/fY0xF5PWhXA?si=SwIbJcm3wWVGy0eL

SAY HELLO 👋🏼 Connect with me on social!

https://www.instagram.com/soulyher/

https://www.instagram.com/becomingsoulyyoupodcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@becomingsoulyyoupodcast