Show notes
Most people think professionalism is about fitting in, but what if it’s actually the reason we feel disconnected from ourselves? This podcast explores the tension between who we are and who we feel pressured to be at work, in relationships, and in everyday life.
Through candid conversations, we unpack how different environments shape our behavior, how limiting beliefs form, and what it looks like to actually understand yourself beyond the roles you play.
Tools like Plurawl can help you break down your thoughts and understand what’s driving them → https://plurawl.com/
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Illianna Acosta is no stranger to community-building and her leadership with ERG’s, with a focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, goes hand in hand to help people and organizations amplify their connection to community, leadership and belonging. With an infectious positive perspective, confidence, compassion and layered high energy, Illianna draws inspiration from humble beginnings that taught her a great deal about choosing a future outside of what she saw in front of her.
With 20 years of experience in AdTech, partnerships, and sales, Illianna is a Senior Manager at LinkedIn, managing Global AdTech Partnerships. Her work focuses on accelerating innovation, revenue, and customer growth.
As a speaker and subject matter expert in the art of showing up, she not only knows how to connect with a crowd, but she also elevates them to visualize their potential. With crowd pleasing topics such as “No longer a seat warmer” and “You’re an ERG Leader, Now What?”, she captivates audiences and takes them on a journey to owning their voice, embracing their superpower, and building a positive, inclusive motivated ERG team.
“I engage willingly in the work that it takes to create long term, sustainable change so that future generations of Latinos never have to feel or go through the same things I experienced in life and in my career. “
Though grateful to have the opportunity to work in corporate America, she faced challenges and at times felt alienated, tokenized, or excluded. It was imperative to find her way, voice, and the support that would lead her to feel empowered enough to show up as herself. Joining LinkedIn was the first corporate experience where Illianna saw others that looked like her and spoke her language. A master in the art of making something out of nothing, she saw opportunities to make a difference. “I saw that I could help create safe spaces - places where people felt a sense of community and belonging, and where someone could feel empowered to do good work and be a part of something bigger than we could imagine.”
Today, she is the Global Co-Chair of LinkedIn’s Hispanic ERG. Illianna is on the National Board of the 100 Hispanic Women Organization, the Co-President of the Cornell Johnson School NY Alumni Organization and author of Lost In Translation, a newsletter focused on highlighting challenges and limitations for historically excluded groups, with experiences that have shaped who they are on how they show up in their personal and professional lives. She’s also joined the Chief network, where is continuing to invest in her own development and working with fellow women executives who are paving the way for more diversity in leadership.
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