Meet Menka Soni

We were lucky to catch up with Menka Soni recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Menka, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from my roots. Growing up in a small town in India, in a somewhat conservative family, and being born as the fifth girl in a family waiting for a boy, I learned resilience from the very beginning. From childhood, I faced biases—some conscious, others unconscious—simply because I was a girl. Yet, each challenge only strengthened my resolve.

In those days, the common mindset was that girls should receive basic education and then get married to run their husband’s household. But I dreamed of more. I wanted higher education and the independence that comes with it. Convincing my father to let me pursue an MBA was one of my first big battles. It wasn’t easy, not because he didn’t care, but because he was conditioned by the norms of his time and lacked an understanding of how education could shape a career. Eventually, he agreed, and later took great pride in my achievements.

By pursuing my dreams, I didn’t just open doors for myself; I paved the way for many girls in my family to follow their passions and build their own careers. It brings me immense joy to see them succeed, knowing that my journey inspired theirs.

I believe my resilience was born within me, inherited from my mother—a woman of extraordinary strength. As a mother of six, she balanced countless responsibilities with unwavering courage. When my father refused to let me continue my education in English medium after the 10th grade, it was my mother who stood by me. She even paid for my MBA from her own savings, believing in my dreams when no one else did.

I am who I am today because of the challenges I faced and the strength I inherited. My journey taught me not just to endure but to rise above and create pathways for others. That’s the true essence of resilience.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Title: Menka Soni: The SuperWonderWoman Embracing Multiple Hats and Empowering Communities
Introduction:
In a world where juggling multiple roles can be a challenge, there are exceptional individuals who rise above the rest, effortlessly donning various hats while making a significant impact in their communities. Menka Soni, a prominent community leader, has become synonymous with the term “SuperWonderWoman.” With a diverse range of responsibilities spanning City & County government, non-profit leadership, fashion, and an illustrious corporate career, real estate professional & owner of several businesses, Menka Soni has cemented herself as a force to be reckoned with. This article dives into the remarkable journey of Menka Soni, a true inspiration, a role model and her unwavering commitment to making a difference and helping those who need the most – all that with her big smile always.
A Beacon of Leadership:
Menka Soni’s leadership acumen is truly awe-inspiring. In her role within City & County government, as City of Redmond Arts Commissioner, Executive board member with One Redmond Foundation (Chamber of Commerce & Community Support), City of Renton Mayor appointed Inclusion Task Force Member, City of Renton Lodging & Tourism board members, South King County Advisory board member for homelessness & housing partner to name a few, she has worked tirelessly to advocate for the needs of the community, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for all. Her ability to navigate complex systems, engage stakeholders, and drive meaningful change has garnered the respect and admiration of mayors, senators, and even the President, to be awarded Gold level President Volunteer Service award, Diversity & Inclusion ambassador award, most admired global Indian, World Peace ambassador and lot more.
The Power of Philanthropy:
Beyond her governmental involvement, Menka Soni has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to philanthropy. As the founder and president of a notable non-profit organization AmPowering (www.ampowering.org), she has spearheaded initiatives aimed at empowering underprivileged communities and transforming lives. Her tireless efforts in addressing social issues, such as feeding the need, providing shelter to homeless, mental health, youth, community & senior engagement and well being, promotion of arts & culture with her mega cultural productions attended by thousands of people while benefitting the charitable cause, women empowerment, supporting domestic violence survivors, poverty alleviation, have positively impacted countless lives. Her efforts are well recognized at various levels and has been awarded as Best Non Profit several times.
Fashioning a Brighter Future:
Menka Soni’s passion for the fashion industry is evident in her role as the CEO of North America Fashion Week. Through this platform, she has nurtured emerging talent, promoted cultural diversity, and propelled the industry forward. Her visionary approach and dedication have transformed North America Fashion Week into a prominent showcase of creativity, innovation, and inclusivity and was claimed as best equity fashion in the world. Renowned designers like Neeta Lulla, Rohit Verma etc. has showcased at North America Fashion Week. Not only fashion week, but she is also renowned and awarded international pageant director of both Indian and international level pageants, including Miss teen / Mrs. / Miss India Canada / India Worldwide, Mr./ Ms. Global Asia, Miss Teen / Miss / Mrs. India Washington / Oregon, Mr. / Miss Empowering World pageants to name a few. She was awarded Best Production, Best Non-Profit, Best Entrepreneurs at the Oscars of the pageant known as The Global Beauty Award, along with awards given to CEO & President of Miss Universe. Menka’s commitment to promoting emerging talent and fostering inclusivity has earned her accolades and further elevated her status as an influential figure in the fashion & pageant world.
Balancing Corporate Excellence:
While wearing many hats, Menka Soni has not forgotten her roots in the corporate world. With a successful career in IT, she has broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings. Her expertise and strategic mindset have propelled her to make a great career with multinational corporations, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Menka Soni’s ability to balance her corporate responsibilities with her numerous other endeavors is a testament to her exceptional organizational skills and drive for success.
Real Estate Expertise and Consultation:
In addition to her community leadership roles, Menka Soni is also an accomplished real estate broker and consultant. With her extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, she has become a trusted advisor, assisting clients in making informed decisions and navigating the complexities of the real estate market. Her passion for empowering individuals extends beyond community work, allowing her to positively impact lives through one of the most significant aspects of people’s journeys — their homes and investments.
Inspiring Transformation Through Motivational Speaking and Coaching:
Menka Soni’s transformational impact extends beyond her community involvement and real estate endeavors. As a motivational speaker and coach, she ignites the flame of inspiration in individuals, helping them unlock their true potential. Through her powerful words and compassionate guidance, Menka empowers others to overcome challenges, embrace personal growth, and achieve success in all areas of life. Positive thinking is a powerful tool, and Menka Soni is a firm believer in its transformative effects. As a motivational speaker and coach, she encourages individuals to cultivate a positive mindset and embrace optimism in the face of challenges. Highly spiritual at her heart & soul Menka emphasizes the importance of self-care, mindset cultivation, and continuous learning as essential components of personal growth and success.
Setting World Records:
Menka Soni’s indomitable spirit has also led her to set world records, further solidifying her status as a SuperWonderWoman. Her extraordinary achievements and determination have pushed the boundaries of what is possible, inspiring others to embrace their own potential and strive for greatness. Menka Soni’s world records serve as a testament to her unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining limits.
Accolades and Recognition:
Menka Soni’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Her exceptional work and remarkable achievements have earned her numerous awards and accolades, solidifying her reputation as a respected and influential figure. From industry-specific recognitions to commendations from high-ranking officials, her accolades reflect the immense impact she has made in various spheres of influence. She is recognized and well respected as a great community leader and a role model.
Conclusion:
Menka Soni is undoubtedly not only a superwoman but a wonder woman in every sense of the word and definitely deserved to be called superwonderwoman. Her remarkable ability to excel across diverse sectors, coupled with her unwavering commitment to community empowerment, has left an indelible impact on the lives she touches. Whether as a community leader, non-profit founder, fashion industry influencer, or corporate executive, Menka Soni serves as an inspiration to all, demonstrating the power of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. Her legacy will continue to shape and uplift communities for generations to come.
Websites
www.northamericafashionweek.com
www.ampowering.org
www.northamericafashionweek.com
www.mrsindiacanada.com
www.nwindiausapageant.com
www.frenchcreekmanor.com
Education:
Certified Investment Banking
MBA in Finance & Marketing
Bachelors in Science
PMP Certified
Six Sigma Green Belt
Diversity Inclusion & Equity Champion
My Challenges
Self-Made woman, as I have faced various setbacks, failures and fallen to ground zero several times, but never give up as HOPE & DREAM is deeply rooted in me. Born as the 5th daughter to a middle-class family from Lucknow, where education was just to complete schooling & education, but was never career oriented. I had to fight against old beliefs and take a leap of faith to step outside and open doors of education with career development goals for the rest of the girls and women in the entire family as well as in all relatives. When I decided to work for my soul with my non profit, it was difficult to sustain myself financially, leaving a highly paid job and focusing selflessly against all odds. Despite the hard days when me and my husband had no source of income after his layoff as part of Microsoft cost-cutting initiatives, I did not give up as I believed in my soul work.
On the business front, my other designer clothing boutique and Indian community center, Pranaam-running businesses, ended abruptly when the city demolished the brick & mortar space where businesses were established. At the same time, I met with an accident and fractured my foot and life seemed to be very difficult. But never give up, I stood firm and just watched the building being demolished in front of my eyes where all my businesses ran successfully and now were on ground zero. I looked at that place and told in my mind that soon this place will have growth with a big apartment complex. I am a tree myself and even though the storm has broken all branches and leaves, my roots as my determination are still there and I will soon grow again. I really worked hard while keeping my attitude positive and strongly believed in my right intentions to make it happen. That’s exactly when North America Fashion Week was born. When no real estate agent could help me get me space with my limited funding and no bank willing to give me a loan, that’s when I started my courses and studied to pursue my real estate career and joined the real estate industry. Right after joining, I was able to bring an event center back and it’s called French Creek Manor.
How my non profit was born?
I have always had a desire to work for a charitable cause since my childhood. My mom was rather scared of me as she never left me home alone, fearing that I would donate everything inside my home. In 2009, due to my visa issue in USA I had to leave my job and sit at home on a dependent visa. That’s exactly the time when I realized that there are so many talented women who are wasting their talent & skills and feeling disappointed and frustrated. That’s exactly when my non profit was born for women empowerment. During COVID I realized that it’s not just women, but many other disadvantaged people in our communities that needs help and extended our mission to empowering communities. Today we feed 2500 homeless people every week in India and USA, provide interim shelter and all other required support to people in need.
My family
My husband, Ashish Soni has supported me and we have done all things together. When husband and wife work together as partners, then they can make things happen. I have two loving daughters and one fluffy dog. My daughter launched AmPowering youth board that empowers all youth today.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First skill – Leran to listen to your inner voice as that always guide you to do what is right. Looking back on my journey, three qualities have been most impactful: resilience, listening to my inner voice, and adaptability.

1. Resilience: Life will always throw challenges your way, but resilience helps you rise above them. For me, resilience was born out of necessity. From navigating societal biases to pursuing higher education against the norm, I had to stand firm and keep pushing forward. My advice to those starting out is to embrace failures as learning opportunities. Every setback teaches you something valuable. The key is to get back up, stronger and wiser each time.

2. Listening to Your Inner Voice: There’s a voice within all of us—a gut feeling, an intuition—that guides us toward our true path. Many times, I was told to follow a conventional route, but my inner voice told me to dream bigger. It pushed me to pursue education, to be independent, and to make an impact. Trusting that voice, even when it felt risky, made all the difference. My advice is to spend time in self-reflection. Whether through meditation, journaling, or quiet moments, learn to hear and trust your intuition. It’s your most honest guide.

3. Adaptability: Life is constantly changing, and being adaptable is crucial to navigating those changes. From moving to a new country to shifting career paths and even managing cultural transitions, adaptability has helped me thrive. I learned to be open-minded, to learn from every experience, and to evolve continuously. For those starting out, my advice is to embrace change rather than resist it. The world is dynamic, and the more flexible you are, the better you’ll be at seizing new opportunities.

If you develop resilience, learn to trust your inner voice, and remain adaptable, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate any challenge and create your own unique path to success.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The number one challenge I currently face is navigating the criticism and suspicion that come with being the custodian of charity funds. When I chose to leave my high-paying IT job to work selflessly for a nonprofit, I knew it wouldn’t be an easy path. I accepted the financial adjustments needed to maintain my personal life and family responsibilities. However, I was unprepared for the constant scrutiny and doubt simply because I manage charitable donations. While I understand that people have the right to question, maintaining my sanity, motivation, and purity of heart amidst this noise was my greatest challenge.

To overcome this, I rely heavily on my spiritual practices, maintaining a disciplined routine of prayers and meditation. This keeps my mind grounded and my heart focused on my purpose. Surrounding myself with a positive team, no matter how small, has been crucial in staying motivated and resilient. I remind myself that as long as my intentions are pure and my actions are righteous, the universe will support me.

I’ve learned that obstacles come as lessons. Accepting them and evolving with wisdom is the way forward. I consciously chose to focus on my projects rather than wasting time on clarifications or justifying myself against false accusations. I embraced constructive criticism, as it helped me grow, but I blocked out the noise of negativity. By doing so, I ended up taking on more impactful projects, channeling my energy into meaningful work, and letting my actions speak for themselves.

Most importantly, I’ve realized that staying true to myself and maintaining integrity is my greatest strength. I don’t need external validation, as long as I can look at myself in the mirror each day with a clear conscience. By focusing on positive people and purposeful work, I’ve turned challenges into opportunities for growth and impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ampowering.org
• Other: Websites
  www.ampowering.org
  www.northamericafashionweek.com
  www.mrsindiacanada.com
  www.nwindiausapageant.com
  www.frenchcreekmanor.comEducation: Certified Investment Banking MBA in Finance & Marketing Bachelors in Science PMP Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Diversity Inclusion & Equity Champion

  Accolades and Recognition: Menka Soni’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Her exceptional work and remarkable achievements have earned her numerous awards and accolades, solidifying her reputation as a respected and influential figure. From industry-specific recognitions to commendations from high-ranking officials, her accolades reflect the immense impact she has made in various spheres of influence. She is recognized and well respected as a great community leader and a role model.
  • President Service Gold Award received from White House
  • Diversity Inclusion & Equity Champion given by President of T-Mobile and only award given across all employees from 40 countries
  • Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador award by Mayor of Renton
  • Covid Hero Award by Bellevue City Council Member
  • Covid Hero Award by City of Redmond Mayor
  • Best in non profit by The Global Beauty Award
  • Best in production by The Global Beauty Award
  • Best Entrepreneur by The Global Beauty Award
  • Global Peace Award by World Peace & diplomacy organization
  • Most admired global Indian by Passion Vista
  • World record setter
  • Many more

Image Credits

Kiran Photography
Ashish Keshwani Photography