20: How to find confidence in being your authentic self. Interview with Andrea Horton-Meriçli
What does it mean to grow up in different cultural settings?
How do you find your own voice and find the confidence to be yourself?
In this episode, Chris interviews Andrea Horton-Meriçli, Founder of Diversifuse DEI Consulting Services, about her experiences growing up mixed-race in Texas and how, as a first-generation college student, she found confidence in her history and talents to succeed in college and professionally.
Andrea also shares about her journey to overcoming imposter syndrome.
Learn more about Andrea here:
My journey is deeply rooted in my intersectionality as a mixed-race Latina, the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, a military brat, an individual from a low-income background, and the partner of an immigrant. With a career spanning over two decades in the nonprofit sector, I amassed a wealth of experience and expertise in various domains, including K-12 education, adult education, the medical field, career services, workforce development, project management, working with immigrants and refugees, and diversity initiatives. My journey was shaped by the challenges of growing up in a low-income, bi-racial household while navigating the complexities of being a military brat, moving frequently, and adapting to new environments. Growing up, I was passionate about technology and innovation, so I started university by majoring in electrical engineering. As a minority woman in a male-dominated industry, I often felt like I didn't belong. As a first-generation working college student, I didn’t know where to go for help and support. Despite my talents and ambitions, self-doubt crept in, holding me back from fully embracing my potential...and I ended up changing universities and majors. However, deep down, I knew there was more to my story than fear and insecurity. Despite facing systemic barriers and stereotypes, my resilience, determination, and unwavering passion for having my voice and others like mine be heard, propelled me forward. Driven by my lived experiences and a desire to create positive change, I founded Diversifuse, a platform dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion with a niche for advocating for immigrants and language learners in organizations. Through Diversifuse, I am on a mission to dismantle systemic inequalities, empower underrepresented individuals, and cultivate a culture of belonging and equity in the community at large. My intersectional identity and unique perspective serve as a driving force for change, inspiring others to embrace their own stories, challenge societal norms, and create a more equitable and inclusive world.
Connect with Andrea here:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://diversifuse.com/
LinkedIn Personal Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreahortonmericli/
LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/diversifuse/
Facebook (Diversifuse): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551500632190
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diversifuse/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3JWfkOJ2OwudZsQ8iSyc5A Get Diversifused Podcast on ouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Diversifuse/podcasts Get Diversifused Podcast on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andrea79366
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Questions? Comments? What did we do well? Where should we get better? Suggestions for our next roleplays?
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Connect with us here:
Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc
Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova
