Curiosity with Kristen

77. Parul Saini, former CIO of Uber & Founder of AI Ally Works

Parul Saini, a technology executive, entrepreneur, and founder of AI Ally Works, joins Curiosity with Kristen. Parul's journey began in India, where her curiosity about life and purpose eventually led her into the world of technology. Along the way, she navigated gender bias, built a successful career at companies including Adobe, Splunk, and Uber, and ultimately rose to become Uber's CIO. But Parul's story is about much more than career success. In 2023, she faced one of the greatest challenges of her life that forced her to rethink priorities, resilience, and what success truly means. Today, she's helping business leaders understand and embrace AI while building a community focused on education, innovation, and empowerment. Join us as we discuss courage, leadership, health, reinvention, and the power of staying curious through life's biggest challenges. www.linkedin.com/in/parul-saini-it-management-leadership/ www.aiallyworks.com Find me on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/in/krev/ www.therevellgroup.com

76. Guisselle Nunez, Sr Associate VP, University Marketing Communications at SJSU

Guisselle Nunez, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at San Jose State University, helps organizations and individuals communicate their value and achieve success through enduring marketing and personal branding strategies. Guisselle has led multi-million dollar branding and enrollment campaigns and brings a powerful perspective across marketing, communications, and public affairs. She’s a speaker, coach, and author on personal branding and political leadership and has written 2 books: Take Charge of Your Brand and co-authored another one called Life in the Fishbowl. But what makes this conversation so compelling is her personal journey - navigating life in the public eye, reinventing herself after a major life transition, and helping others find the confidence to step into their own voice. In today’s conversation, we go beyond the surface of personal branding. We talk about how to build a brand rooted in authenticity, how to clearly communicate your value beyond your title, and the mindset shifts that help you grow through change. I know you're going to love it!! I sure did! :-)   www.linkedin.com/in/guissellenunez/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/guissellenunez/] (LinkedIn profile) www.guissellenunez.com [http://www.guissellenunez.com] (Guisselle's website) www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07GVPWSN4 [http://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07GVPWSN4] (Her 2 books: Take Charge of your Brand & Life in the Fishbowl book) Find me on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/in/krev/ www.therevellgroup.com

75. Lori Adams-Brown, Director of Global Talent Development

Today on Curiosity with Kristen, we’re diving into the world of global leadership, cultural intelligence, and the future of talent with someone who has lived it at every level with Lori Adams‑Brown. Lori’s story spans continents and crises. She grew up in Costa Rica and Venezuela, later serving in Indonesia during the 2004 tsunami, where she became a bridge between international NGOs and local communities. Those experiences shaped her signature leadership philosophy: listen first, understand deeply, and never assume your way is the right way. Now based in Silicon Valley, Lori brings that same cross‑cultural fluency into global business, DEI strategy, and talent development across APAC, Europe, the Middle East, and LATAM. She’s a champion for culturally intelligent leadership — the kind that avoids missteps, builds trust, and creates real inclusion. And she’s also on the front edge of AI in talent. Lori has evaluated AI tools for ethical recruiting, built her own AI agents, and designed leadership programs that blend human-centered development with AI-enabled personalization. From trauma‑informed leadership to simulation‑based manager training to her personal board of directors, Lori models what learning agility looks like in the era of AI. If you care about global leadership, ethical AI, or building cultures where people can truly grow, you’re going to love this conversation. Let’s get curious with Lori Adams‑Brown. Find me on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/in/krev/ www.therevellgroup.com

74. Nader Yassa, CEO of Life Style Plan and Complete Financial Wellness

What if everything you thought you knew about building wealth was actually costing you — without you even realizing it? Today's guest is Nader Yassa — financial educator, wealth strategist, and someone who has spent years cutting through the noise to teach people a simpler, smarter path to financial freedom. In this episode, Nader breaks down why the system most of us are operating in is quietly working against us - from credit cards to consumer debt - and what it actually looks like to build real, lasting wealth through assets that produce income and appreciate over time. We're talking cash flow, credit scores, real estate, and the one mindset shift that Nader says can change your financial life — at any age. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right but still not getting ahead, this episode is for you. Let's get curious with my friend of over 25 years, Nader Yassa!   www.linkedin.com/in/naderyassa/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/naderyassa/] www.lifestyleplan.com/team_member/nader-yassa/ [http://www.lifestyleplan.com/team_member/nader-yassa/] www.completefinancialwellness.com [http://www.completefinancialwellness.com] www.maven.com/completefinancialwellness/oneotwothreefour [http://www.maven.com/completefinancialwellness/oneotwothreefour] Find me on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/in/krev/ www.therevellgroup.com

73. Shirley Gee - Founder of Angel Plus LLC and CEO of Regional Resource Center (Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay)

What does it mean to belong… to leave a legacy… and to keep hope alive when the world feels uncertain? In episode 73, I’m joined by Shirley Gee [https://www.linkedin.com/in/krev/overlay/create-post/#], founder and Managing Partner of Angel Plus LLC, which performs diligence for latter stage start-ups in preparation for capitalization, and CEO of the Regional Resource Center, (Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay) a non-profit helping seniors, refugees and immigrants in several counties in the Bay Area.  Shirley leads with an enormously compassionate heart! In this episode, we talk about legacy, regret, faith, fear, and hope, plus what it means to live with empathy without losing yourself.  www.linkedin.com/in/shirleygee/ (Shirley Gee's LinkedIn profile) www.angelplusllc.com (Learn more about Angel Plus LLC) www.vacceb.org (Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay) Find me on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/in/krev/ www.therevellgroup.com