Meet Miriam Gennari

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Miriam Gennari a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Miriam , so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
It is hard to pinpoint the exact source of my optimism in my younger years. Leaving home at fifteen and becoming a single mother of two by twenty-five meant I was always in survival mode; my optimism was driven by sheer determination not to fail my daughter’s. Overcoming challenges and holding onto big dreams helped shape my outlook on life.

Now, the obstacles I face extend beyond my personal life to broader, community-focused goals. That’s why I choose to spend my time with young people. They remind me of the invincible spirit I once had and reinforce the idea that the biggest challenges take the longest to overcome. Without the next generation working alongside me, I might have succumbed to despair.

Today, organizations like We Are Artistic and event like the one coming up April 26, 2025 at the Pentagon City Mall in Arlington Virginia keep my optimism alive. They show me that change is possible. With our support from motivated mentors, they will be ready to take on the challenges ahead.

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?
Throughout my career, I have often faced limitations imposed by other people who tried to define my place and measure my potential based on their perceptions of intellect. Admittedly, I didn’t always make things easy for myself, especially by having my daughter’s so young and marrying so early. But becoming a mother changed everything. My daughters gave me a sense of purpose beyond what others thought of me, and I knew I had a responsibility to provide for them.

Professionally, I’ve always been drawn to work that aligns with my values. Whether in senior housing, small business, or sustainability, I’ve only thrived when I believed deeply in the cause or product. I have a strong ability to navigate the real estate market for clients, but maintaining integrity in a highly competitive industry has often been challenging. That is why I am especially excited about my current work with CampusSurvivalKits.com Supplying Success Program, I am excited to be part of a team raising funds for school supplies for Title I students in Fairfax, VA.

For me, the most powerful form of impact comes not from campaigns, marches, or attention-grabbing awareness efforts, but from inspiring and equipping young people to lead. One supported and empowered student can create a ripple effect far greater than any single event I am involved in.

Today my focus is on building partnerships between organizations with shared goals. Financial success is important but being able to earn a living while mentoring and supporting the next generation of leaders is the real dream. I’m actively seeking collaboration with organizations and industry leaders who want to make short and long-term tangible impacts in their communities.

Currently, I’m planning screenings of The R Word film in support of We Are Artistic’s campaign to end the use of the term. I am also donating my documentary StyrofoamMom for Earth Week fundraisers and awareness events, and I’ll be emceeing the talent show at the Month of the 2025 Military Child Expo at Pentagon City Mall on April 26. These projects reflect where I am in my career using my voice, my skills, and my connections to drive meaningful change.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful on my journey: resilience, curiosity, and the ability to communicate effectively.

In many circles, I am known as StyrofoamMom a name originally given to me as a joke because of my relentless advocacy against single-use expanded polystyrene. I used to go about town in a bag filled with foam. I began to embraced the name because, in many ways, I am like the stuffing that fill your holiday boxed. To me, these materials represents the need for persistence and care. Advocacy work can be discouraging, especially when tackling issues that seem like lost causes (EPS roughly 95% air.) But resilience means pushing forward even when progress is slow, knowing that lasting change requires unwavering commitment.
Narrative and documentary films opened my eyes to both the potential for spreading hope and the need for urgent action. My advice to anyone at the beginning of a cause or initiative is to do your homework. Interview experts, immerse yourself in the topic, and approach issues with an open mind. Sustainability, for example, is not black and white it’s a complex intersection of economics, social impact, and governance. There will always be differing opinions, but real change begins when you explore the topic through your lens of your informed own eyes.
At some point, you must determine where the true point of friction is in an issue, “the rub ,” then shine a light on that spot using whatever platform you see fit, for me it was film. Try to focus on the simplest of solutions, like the phrase I coined: “Hold the Foam.” Do you get it? Hold the foam! A strong message can be delivered with clarity and conviction attracting all sides to the drawing board.

Finally, don’t take yourself too seriously. Passion is important, but a sense of humor can make even the toughest battles a little easier. If you can laugh while you fight for change, you will inspire others to join you. Young people want to have fun and feel welcomed especially when working on a cause.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful lesson my parents taught me was to value people over possessions. They also instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility for others. They weren’t perfect, nor am, I understand how difficult it is to always set the right example. Too often, we expect more from our children than we demand of ourselves.

For many young people, guidance may not come from a parent but from a teacher, mentor, or even a first boss. That’s why mentorship is so important. I hope that some Bold Journey’s readers will consider taking on a mentee. There were times in my life when my parents were the last people, I wanted to take advice from, and in those moments, the guidance of a mentor was invaluable. Having someone to listen, support, and challenge you can make all the difference in a young person’s life.

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