Posts Tagged ‘empowerment’

The Warp and Weft of our Connected Lives

November 10th, 2017 by Bita Milanian - Leave a Comment

On October 30th, the company I have contributed to for several years (GENBAND) merged with another company (Sonus), to form a combined global communications brand we named Ribbon Communications.  And this week, I was proud to represent the newly combined companies on a panel regarding the importance of diversity in the workplace, and the opportunity for […]

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  As a citizen of the world, I consider many countries my home! As a naturalized American citizen, forced to flee Iran as a young girl, and a grateful refugee who found support in Germany, then the U.S.; I am also often in Canada, where beloved members of my family live. While I am deeply […]

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When Kids Tutor Together They Lift Learning Up

December 27th, 2016 by Bita Milanian - 1 Comment

In a high school near Princeton, New Jersey, home of the highest ranked university in the world producing some of the greatest minds, innovations and companies in history, and famous for Albert Einstein, students lead by an inspiring educator have built an online tutoring platform where young people around the world can help each other […]

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Fine Artist Zaria Forman’s Quiet & Powerful Activism  Zaria Forman‘s pastel drawings transcend photorealism, bringing the eye and heart into a mystery so strong the mind begins to work differently. Inspired by her mother, Rena Bass Forman, who planned an expedition to Greenland but never made it when she succumbed to brain cancer, Zaria honored […]

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A New Light Shines in Nepal

August 10th, 2016 by Bita Milanian - Leave a Comment

We never know where innovation will rise, and for what meaningful purposes. This week, I learned about a project being led by a young 22-year old engineer name Madindra Aryal in Katmandu, Nepal who witnessed the devastating earthquake there and was inspired to invent a solar-powered panel able to light streets, homes and charge mobile […]

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Kindness, Compassion & Rock & Roll

July 29th, 2016 by Bita Milanian - 1 Comment

Let’s Give Girls in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Other Countries Guitars That Can Inspire Kids Everywhere What started out for the renowned rock guitarist Lanny Cordola as a single trip to Kabul, Afghanistan, to meet and comfort a family that lost two young daughters in a tragic suicide bombing, has turned into a mission to teach girls […]

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After emerging as a movement in the last decade, Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programs are starting to graduate children who have evolved into impressive young adults – and our future will be in their very capable hands and hearts.Photo: WindwardSchool.org On Friday, the Windward School’s Class of 2016 graduated, moving forward as responsible, well informed and inspired […]

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It’s Personal: Brandy’s Story

February 5th, 2016 by Bita Milanian - 3 Comments

Sometimes life throws challenges at us we simply cannot understand. Then a light comes on and a single individual recognizes the gift that adversity delivers, and has a crystal clear sense of their purpose.  Such is the case with a woman I admire so deeply. Her story is personal, and so is mine. Brandy McFadden […]

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It’s a good, busy day today, reflecting on and sharing my thoughts and love with so many amazing social entrepreneurs who are benefiting from the great work the team at Giving Tuesday has been doing over the last few years to bring awareness to the joy that comes from giving. I’ve never been a fan […]

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Octaves of Consciousness

November 16th, 2015 by Bita Milanian - 1 Comment

It is no secret that I am keenly interested in innovation across a variety of fields. Innovation is the result of passion, determination, and a great deal of hard work. At its best, innovation – whether in the field of technology, economics, or social justice – leads to the betterment of lives. When I think […]

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A love letter to America

November 1st, 2015 by Bita Milanian - Leave a Comment

Pari Forood is the first generation Iranian-American author of the true-life novel, The Gates of Light, published in May 2015. After graduating from Vassar College, she was the Press Secretary to Congressman Hamilton Fish, Jr. in Washington, D.C. where she was inspired to write her book about the issue of immigration, both as a policy […]

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For my friends Sultan and Kate Meghji, 2015 has been year of joy, achievement and sudden loss. Even as they were preparing to introduce their family foundation, inspired by decades of service by earlier generations in India, Africa, and North America – they got the news that their father, genetics pioneer Dr. Moez Meghji, passed away […]

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In my continued series on individuals who inspire me and are giving back to the community, I would like to feature author, social media genius, NPR Producer, mother of four and 2014 Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient; someone I also get to call my friend, Iran Davar Ardalan. This extraordinary woman has grown-up with […]

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Dr. Cori Lathan is one of the most interesting women scientists and entrepreneurs I’ve come across, and it is an honor to share her story as part of my ongoing series of profiles of inspiring people making a big difference. I was introduced to Dr. Lathan through a colleague at my company (GENBAND), when one […]

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This picture above says it all about Willy Oppenheim, who co-founded Omprakash while he was in college, after volunteering at a hospice center in northern India. I am honored to feature him in my ongoing series on inspiring people and the movements they ignite! In 2004, Willy met an elderly man suffering from paralysis. “The […]

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Luce & Love

March 4th, 2015 by Bita Milanian - 1 Comment

I’m in Barcelona today, and was unable to attend The J. Luce Foundation’s annual gratitude event that was held last Thursday, February 26th.  I was recently introduced to Jim Luce, founder of the Foundation, last fall by a mutual friend, and spent time with him where he is based in New York City. Jim came […]

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Reflecting Back, Looking Forward

December 31st, 2014 by Bita Milanian - Leave a Comment

2014 has been a year of tremendous change, challenge and collective progress across many dimensions in my life, and today I am especially full of gratitude for a growing circle of friends and colleagues. As part of my professional journey and choice to re-enter the “corporate” world and as part of my life’s plan to […]

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Today I am happy and honored to share a story about two women who reached across continents and two very different worlds to bring one vision to light. Kwamboka Okari shelters, feeds, clothes, educates, and advocates for 230 orphans in Kisii, Kenya. Peg Campbell heads up the U.S. team on the Board of Directors for […]

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Bita Daryabari is a woman I have admired for many years, both in my vocation (in the communications industry), as well as avocation (in supporting the advancement of Persian arts and culture). Her work speaks louder than her words, though she is a woman of letters, and in 2008 created the Bita Daryabari Endowment in […]

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This week I am posting from Istanbul, as part of a business trip to the UK and Europe, and am thrilled to introduce you to one of our “Summer of Service 2014” interns, Begum Kuralkan. This is the second year of Begum’s internship, having spent a good part of last summer in New York meeting […]

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Earlier this month, on a business trip to NYC, I met Camelia Entekhabi-Fard for the first time, or so I thought. We had been introduced by a mutual friend, who met Camelia in Kabul, Afghanistan years ago, and stayed connected on Facebook, following each other’s unusual lives quietly without ever having met personally. Or so […]

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Last week in New York, I had the great pleasure to meet Judy Shapiro, otherwise known as “Judy Consumer,” and currently founder and CEO of engageSimply. Within minutes, I felt her great energy, and found myself fascinated with her vision for “Engagement Networks” which she is building many of on – or should I say […]

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We Are Family

June 18th, 2014 by Bita Milanian - 1 Comment

Sometimes the most inspiring people in the world are sitting right in front of you – and part of your closest family. In this post, continuing this series on inspiring people blessing the planet, I am honored to profile Neda Moeini, co-founder & past president of Group of Gold Line, who helped build the business with […]

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Last Friday, I was honored to take part in one of hundreds of volunteer events that occurred around the world as part of my company’s annual “Global Day of Service.” Thousands of employees worked full “eight hour days” and more, helping organizations and people in their local communities. While the GENBAND team volunteers year round, […]

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Leave Your Mark

May 28th, 2014 by Bita Milanian - 7 Comments

I am full of gratitude today because I have had the honor to transition recently from one dream job to another. For those of you who know me for years, or for my entire life, you know how much leaving the communications industry to help build Farhang Foundation meant to me, personally, professionally and spiritually. […]

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Made with Love

May 20th, 2014 by Bita Milanian - 2 Comments

As our series profiling visionary leaders who are mashing up business and giving around the world continues, I am honored to feature Chid Liberty, and his Liberty & Justice sustainable .com / .org model. In his twenties, Chid, who is now 34, returned to his home country of Liberia in 2009 to cofound the country’s […]

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