Meet Gunel Krishnan

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gunel Krishnan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Gunel, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Finding my purpose was a journey that took 16 years. Back in Azerbaijan, I was a TV host, a role that allowed me to connect with people, share stories, and be a voice in my community. When I moved to the United States, I faced the challenge of redefining my path in a new country. It wasn’t an easy transition, but over time, I realized that my purpose had always been the same—to connect with people, help them, and use my strengths, experience, and skills to bring communities together.

Through storytelling—both sharing my own and listening to others—I discovered the power of communication in bridging gaps, fostering understanding, and finding solutions. My journey has reinforced that my true calling is to create meaningful connections, amplify voices, and contribute to positive change.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I love to share my personal story of immigration. I do public and keynote speaking, as well as social media management. I specialize in helping organizations and companies that work with immigrants or those who are expanding their candidate pools in a tough hiring environment. By sharing my story, I raise awareness and motivate others to take action. I believe my work leads to stronger and more diverse workforces.

In 2018, I founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to representing and supporting the Azerbaijani community in Minnesota. Since then, I have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about our culture, history, and contributions as Azerbaijani immigrant. I have built strong connections with city officials, the mayors of Minneapolis, Burnsville, Lakeville and other neighboring cities as well as the governor Tim Waltz office, advocating for our community and ensuring our voices are heard. Through my efforts, I have organized multiple international festivals and galleries, creating opportunities to showcase our rich heritage and foster cross-cultural understanding.

Currently, I serve as a social media and outreach specialist with “Together Living in Peace” a nonprofit organization founded by Moroccan immigrant Khalid Elabdi, Minnesota residents Tess Kruser and Jennifer Thayer. In 2023 I became involved through my leadership with the Azerbaijani Association of Minnesota and my consulting company, “Gleam BIG” Consulting Company, where I focus on public and keynote speaking.

I am deeply passionate about community engagement, diversity, and inclusion. Whether I’m sharing immigrant stories, amplifying the work of local organizations, or fostering unity through cultural events, I find great fulfillment in bringing people together and celebrating the power of storytelling, connection, and peace.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, three key qualities and skills that have been most impactful are community outreach, public speaking, and event planning/organization.
1. Public Speaking & Communication – The power of storytelling and clear communication has been essential in amplifying voices, raising awareness, and inspiring action. Whether I’m addressing an audience, speaking with officials, or engaging on social media, effective communication has helped me create impact.
2. Community Outreach & Building Connections – The ability to connect with people, understand their needs, and create meaningful relationships has been at the heart of my work. Whether it’s advocating for the Azerbaijani community or fostering cross-cultural dialogue, outreach has allowed me to build bridges and bring diverse communities together.
3. Event Planning & Organization – Bringing people together through well-organized, creative events has been a powerful tool in building community. From international festivals to cultural exhibitions, strong event management skills have allowed me to create spaces where people can connect, celebrate diversity, and engage in meaningful conversations.

Advice for Those Early in Their Journey:
• Build Authentic Connections – Invest time in networking, not just professionally but also personally. Be genuinely interested in people’s stories, and find ways to support and collaborate with them.
• Practice & Embrace Public Speaking – Confidence in speaking comes with time and experience. Start small—join community meetings, volunteer to speak at events, or create content online to develop your voice.
• Hone Your Organizational Skills – Event planning and project management require strong coordination, creativity, and adaptability. Get involved in planning local events, volunteer for leadership roles, and always be open to learning new tools and strategies.

Most importantly, stay passionate and persistent. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and with dedication, you can make a meaningful impact in your community.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I am absolutely looking to collaborate with the corporations or organizations that are committed to expanding their candidacy pool by fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. I want to partner with organizations that understand the value of uplifting immigrant voices and sharing powerful stories of resilience, perseverance, and success.

I am particularly interested in working with media platforms, corporate teams, and organizations that are looking to tell the stories of immigrants—stories like mine, which highlight the strength of belief, trust in one’s path, and overcoming obstacles to achieve one’s passion and purpose. Through storytelling, public speaking, and community engagement, I aim to inspire and create opportunities for deeper cross-cultural understanding.

If you are an organization that values inclusivity, representation, and the power of storytelling, I would love to collaborate. You can connect with me via gunel@gleambig.com email or LinkedIn Gunel Krishnan . Let’s work together to amplify diverse voices and create meaningful impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gleambig.com
• Linkedin: gunel krishnan