Join us Season 2, Episode 20 with our dear friend, Zanele Mutepfa-Rhone, as she shares her incredible story of resilience and strength. Growing up in Zimbabwe, Zanele learned the importance of community from her mother, whose teachings left a lasting impact on her faith. Despite the heart-wrenching loss of her mother at a young age, Zanele's journey is a testament to the power of faith, relationships, and perseverance. Zanele also opens up about her experiences growing up in an adoptive home, where she faced unique challenges and found unexpected blessings. Through these experiences, she learned profound lessons about resilience and belonging, discovering that family is not just defined by blood but by love and support. Zanele proudly embraces her heritage and roots, creating spaces of belonging through her focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Tune in as we explore her life journey of spiritual growth, the transformative influence of her mother's wisdom, and the life-changing lessons learned along the way!

Key Takeaways:

* Zanele's early upbringing in Zimbabwe instilled in her a deep appreciation for the power of community and strong relationships.

* The loss of her mother at a young age profoundly influenced Zanele's faith journey, leading her to embrace resilience and the unwavering belief in God's provision.

* The Book of Job played a pivotal role in Zanele's spiritual foundation, reflecting on themes of loss, replenishment, and unwavering faith.

* Zanele's story is a testament to the enduring power of faith, resilience, and the profound impact of strong familial bonds.

Zanele is married to the love of her life, Drae and currently lives in Portland, OR. Her career spans roles at Sesame Street, CNN, and a leadership position at Adidas, where she championed diversity and inclusion. Zanele spends her time developing innovative concepts for her consulting projects, traveling the world to learn about new cultures, providing opportunities for underrepresented talent, and building community. She is the founder of “Here To Stay” - a women’s speaker series celebrating the stories of change-making women in the world. Here To Stay is committed to championing women that are not only thought leaders in their fields of profession, but local pioneers with global impact. to empower women of color in driven by her commitment to DEI work and the enduring lessons from her mother.

To connect with Zanele and find out more about her incredible work, go to: https://www.brandzanele.com

Follow her on Instagram: @itszanele

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