In this episode, Shannon Fernando, Founder and CEO of Alabaster International, shares her journey of creating a nonprofit focused on empowering Indigenous women and families in Africa and South Asia. She discusses the importance of resilience, personal values, and the challenges of fundraising. Shannon emphasizes the significance of community partnership, trust, and the evolving definition of service. She reflects on her personal growth, the impact of her experiences, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. The conversation concludes with an invitation for listeners to pursue their unique calling and purpose in life.
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Connect with Tom LeNoble on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomlenoble/
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/opening-pathways/id1814079495
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Opening Pathways with Tom LeNoble is a podcast for founders, managers, and forward-thinking business leaders who want real insights into leadership, growth, and navigating today’s evolving workplace. Each episode features candid conversations with innovators and executives across industries—sharing lessons on team management, strategy, resilience, and scaling businesses with purpose. Whether you're building a startup, leading a mission-driven organization, or stepping into leadership for the first time, this show helps you stay grounded and inspired. Based in San Francisco, this series highlights voices from the Bay Area and beyond, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to lead effectively in today’s business landscape.
What is Opening Pathways?
Tom LeNoble is a confidential advisor to founders, executives, nonprofit leaders, business owners, and professionals navigating meaningful leadership moments. He is an international speaker, coach, and philanthropist. His career spans Fortune 500 giants including MCI (VZ), Walmart.com (WMT), Palm (HP), and Facebook (META), as well as multiple high-growth startups. As CEO of the Academy for Coaching Excellence and a Leadership Coach with the Miller Center at Santa Clara University, he mentors leaders and entrepreneurs worldwide.
He is the bestselling author of the award-winning memoir My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels. He is also the creator and host of the Opening Pathways podcast, where he shares stories and insights on leadership, resilience, and reinvention. Having survived multiple life-threatening diagnoses, he lives by his conviction: “I’m Still Here!”