The Thrive Careers Podcast

How to Build Confidence, Lead with Authenticity & Thrive as a Woman of Color in the Workplace

• Olajumoke Fatoki • Season 1 • Episode 17

Share episode

What if embracing your fear is the key to unlocking your voice and your career potential?

Navigating identity, career growth, and visibility as a woman of color isn’t just about building a résumé—it’s about owning your story. In this empowering episode, Urmi Hozain shares how she went from feeling out of place between cultures to confidently leading in the finance industry, coaching women, and speaking on international panels.

Whether you're balancing a 9-to-5 and your passion projects, struggling to find your voice, or unsure how to build your personal brand, this conversation is your permission to take up space and lead with authenticity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • 🎤 The surprising power of public speaking in transforming confidence—and how to start small without feeling overwhelmed
  • 🔍 Why finding your identity is the foundation of a fulfilling career and the game-changing role of cultural self-acceptance
  • 🌱 How to build a personal brand that speaks for you—even when you're not in the room

🎧 Ready to finally show up as your whole self at work? Hit play to discover how authenticity fuels leadership, courage, and career clarity.

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:


Let’s keep thriving together!


Olajumoke: Before we dive in, could you briefly introduce yourself so our audience can get to know you?

Urmi: Absolutely! My name is Urmi. I'm a corporate professional by day, working full-time in the finance industry, and a creative soul by night. I'm a blogger, YouTuber, podcaster, and a strong advocate for women's empowerment. I co-chair the Montreal chapter of Women in Leadership and mentor with Dress for Success. I also enjoy reading thrillers, boxing, and personal development. I'm a member of Toastmasters, where I practice public speaking.

Olajumoke: What an amazing profile. It's incredible how many hats women wear these days—and wear them so well. Thank you for joining us on the Thrive Careers Podcast. I'm really excited about our conversation. You mentioned your 9-to-5 and all your other commitments—how do you manage everything?

Urmi: I'm very passionate about everything I do, and that passion drives me. I’m naturally motivated, but I stay organized with tools like Google Calendar. I plan my entire week so I know what I’m doing each day. I set boundaries—I have my 9-to-5, but I also honor my 5-to-9, where I nurture my soul. I focus on doing one thing a day rather than overwhelming myself.

Olajumoke: That’s brilliant—organizational skills and time management clearly shine through. And Google Calendar is such an underrated tool. So, let’s go back to the beginning—what moment in your life really shaped you into who you are today?

Urmi: It wasn't one moment but rather a series of events. Professionally, I always knew I wanted to work in finance, so I pursued that path, including further studies. But personally, I grew the most. I allowed myself to follow my curiosity and even my fears. I tried new things, experimented, failed, and learned. That trial-and-error process helped me find what truly resonates with me. Everything I do now came from that exploration.

Olajumoke: Amazing. Was there a pivotal moment where you just knew, "This is it"?

Urmi: About five or six years ago, after watching lots of TED Talks and drawing inspiration from other women, I decided to jump into new opportunities. That’s when everything started changing for me. It was a buildup, not a single moment.

Olajumoke: I get it. Now, speaking of the many hats you wear—finance professional, speaker, author, mentor—how do you find the courage to show up fully in all of these spaces?

Urmi: I focus on consistency and authenticity. No matter the role, I always show up as Urmi. It's important that my personal brand reflects who I truly am, whether I’m mentoring, working, or creating content. That alignment is key for me.

Olajumoke: That’s such a powerful reminder. Authenticity really resonates today. Speaking of showing up, let's talk about public speaking. Many people struggle with it. What role has it played in your journey?

Urmi: Public speaking has been a huge part of both my personal and professional growth. Joining Toastmasters was scary at first, but I pushed through the nerves. It improved my communication skills and gave me confidence. Since then, opportunities have come—podcasts, webinars, panels, including one for the CFA conference. I used to be reserved, but now I feel empowered to use my voice.

Olajumoke: I love that. What advice would you give someone who's nervous about public speaking?

Urmi: Start small. Raise your hand in a meeting. Take baby steps. And seriously, go to Toastmasters. You’ll get feedback from supportive strangers, and that environment helps build your confidence quickly.

Olajumoke: I’ve heard great things about Toastmasters. Let’s talk about leadership. You co-chair Women in Leadership Montreal. What does leadership mean to you?

Urmi: Leadership is about empowering others, celebrating people as a group, and not taking credit alone. It’s not the same as management. True leadership is leading by example. I joined Women in Leadership to represent underrepresented women, especially women of color. We provide tools, mentorship, and events to help them grow and feel seen.

Olajumoke: That’s beautiful. And now, let’s talk about personal branding. What does it mean to you?

Urmi: Personal branding is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s the values, talents, and image you project. For example, if your friends are at an event on women's leadership and think, “I wish Urmi was here,” that’s personal branding. It’s not about selling a product—it’s about who you are.

Olajumoke: I love that. You’ve also talked about your identity as Italian Bengali. How has that shaped you?

Urmi: I struggled for a long time with cultural identity. I felt torn—Italians said I was Bengali, and Bengalis said I was Italian. I didn’t feel like I fully belonged anywhere. But after moving to Canada and doing some deep self-work, I embraced being both. Claiming that dual identity gave me confidence and helped me show up fully in all areas of my life.

Olajumoke: Many immigrants face that struggle. What advice would you give to someone navigating identity while trying to build a career in Canada?

Urmi: First, find a community of people like you. It makes a huge difference. Second, find a mentor who understands your experience—someone of color, from your industry or background. And don’t hesitate to reach out to people you admire for a coffee chat. It could open doors and give you tailored advice.

Olajumoke: So true. Coffee chats have been game-changers for me too. You do so much—what keeps you grounded?

Urmi: Honestly, the joy of doing things. I love seeing the impact I make. Helping and inspiring others fuels me. It feels fulfilling.

Olajumoke: That sounds like true fulfillment. If you could go back and speak to a younger version of yourself, what would you say about growth, courage, and finding your voice?

Urmi: I’d say growth is a journey, not a destination. For courage, treat fear as a step toward bravery—make it your friend. And finding your voice takes time. I wish I had spoken up more as a child. It starts with small steps.

Olajumoke: That’s so profound. Final question: What does a thriving career mean to you?

Urmi: A thriving career is one where you grow personally, feel happy, and can be your true self. We spend so much time at work—it should bring you joy. You should be able to ask for projects or training that excite you. That fulfillment transfers to personal growth too.

Olajumoke: So well said. Finally, how can listeners connect with you and support your work?

Urmi: You can find me on LinkedIn and YouTube under Urmi Hozain. My podcast and Instagram are called Stories Beyond Borders Podcast. My book, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Intercultural Struggle, is available on Amazon.

Olajumoke: Thank you so much for joining us, Urmi. You’ve shared so passionately and offered so much insight. Any last words?

Urmi: Don’t let anyone define your success. Define it for yourself—in life and at work.

Olajumoke: Powerful. Thank you again! That wraps up this episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast. See you next time!