Even as there is a growing recognition for the need for representation, there are still many cases where folks will find themselves as the only person in a room representing their particular demographic – and often there is pressure to perform in such contexts to prove competence not just for yourself but for everyone who is like you. The burden and the stress of being the “representer” is real, and so we wanted to create a space where folks can discuss who they go about ensuring they are effective and successful even in contexts where no one else on the team or in the room is like them.
Vega Montañez
Constant communication to remind everyone that we are all people is essential. I’m a strong advocate for creating more spaces and opportunities for people who look like me. However, when I’m the only one, my goal is to make it unnoticeable. It’s not that I want to go unnoticed, but rather that I want to be so exceptional that even the most prejudiced person in the room forgets that I’m different. As someone who has never been afraid to speak up, it might be a little easier for me than for most. I wish I could provide concrete advice on how to make your presence felt, but it varies case by case and room by room. The most significant encouragement I can offer is to always be proud of who you are. Sometimes, just the radiant positive energy flowing from your excitement about being in the room is enough. Read more>>
Dr. Rupa Wong
I am a second generation Indian-American woman, raised in the South. As such, there have been many times where I was the only one who looked like me in the room. When I was young, this used to make me question whether or not I deserved to be there, insecure about the value and worth I brought into the room. I always deferred to the majority -shy and quiet, knowing that others underestimated me and all I had accomplished to be in the room with them. When I started my medical practice 16 years ago with my husband, I first noticed this. The attorneys handling our purchase agreement, the accountant performing the valuation and even some of my colleagues, would all defer to my husband in discussing business matters. They didn’t know that my forte was the business and financial side of the practice, not my husband’s. And, that’s when I realized, there is power in being underestimated. I used to hate it. But, I now realize that being underestimated indicates a lack of imagination by others, not a deficit in my own abilities. There is power in being written off. Sure, it still rankles me when people automatically turn to my husband, assuming he is the one in charge of our business. Read more>>
Iza Montalvo
Being the only one who looks like me in the room used to be intimidating. Now it’s my edge. I speak up, share my unique experiences, and bring fresh perspectives to the table. It’s not always easy, but it’s powerful. My different background often leads to insights others miss. By being genuine and confident, I’ve turned what some might see as a challenge into a strength. It’s simple: I show up as myself, add value, and prove that diversity in the room leads to better decisions. That’s how I’ve learned to be effective and successful. Read more>>
Edd Eats
Being the only one in the room, wouldn’t be a first and won’t be the last. It had its pros and cons, let’s start with the bad. It’s intimidating, how do you know how to do something that’s never been done before? How do you move in a room that’s filled with ones who may look at you as an outsider? Automatically assume you may not be qualified because you’re not their kind. Well, here’s the good. You show them. That’s your motivation. Be the outsider, embrace it. Make your mark, make them think twice. Being the only one in the room that looks like me makes me realize I only got one shot to leave my presence and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Read more>>
Gunel Krishnan
As an immigrant I am very familiar with the feeling of being the only one in the room that is different, not known or recognized. That feeling guided me through the learning experience of introducing myself in a way that will turn everybody’s attention to my story. I learned to push away self doubt and hesitation to stand for my values and self worth. Read more>>
Theresa Contreras
The first part is believing in yourself and what you’re doing. If you don’t believe in it, no one else will. Thats probably the hardest for all of us, because we want to fall victim to doubting ourselves because not everyone understands what we’re doing and why. You have to trust YOU. Stay true to yourself and why you’re even on this journey. Because it’s in your heart. Sometimes we don’t understand why we are programmed the way we are, but the more you embrace it, the more others will too. Next is having the courage to stand out, because it can be a benefit that you’re not like everyone else. If we look at things in a negative way, then we’ll always see negative results. When you change your perspective and starting looking at how these are all positives, you’ll start to see positive ways that a situation can help you instead of hurt you. It really is all perspective and mindset. Become unstoppable. Show people who you are, because they’ve been waiting for YOU to inspire them! Read more>>
Ishjon Hawkins
I learned to let the work speak for itself. Being here in Utah 9 times out of 10. I’m the only person who looks like me. When I’m in certain rooms. Networking with open minded people has been the key to my success. Always listen to what people have to say whether it’s negative or bad. Stay consistent! Read more>>
Sidney Brown
When in those situations, I think that I think differently than most. I believe that if God put me in that room, then that means that I was meant to be there in that moment and time. I credit Him for all the successes and for giving me the strength to dominate in those spaces since I was in high school. In order to be successful in these situations of being the only African-American in the room, I learned to embrace it and use it as motivation to help others who look like me who are in similar environments. It isn’t easy, because there is a lot of covert/behind the scenes racism that goes on against us constantly. A lot of times, we are misunderstood and our words can be misconstrued. Because of this, I have made sure to make my presence felt, whether verbally or nonverbally. A big part of success is knowing how to be confident, humble, and observant all at the same time. Read more>>
Katryna-Florence Marcogliese
Before I moved to LA, I had never really felt like the odd one out in professional settings. Maybe it was because I mostly worked with people who knew me well and what I could do. But when I got to Los Angeles, I felt like I had to prove myself even more as a female producer. It can be frustrating when the artists you work with automatically assume you’re the songwriter and that the guy in the room is the producer, all based on gender. It’s unfortunate, but the reality that there are still fewer women in production and audio compared to men. However, it’s encouraging to see it slowly change and seeing women finally get more opportunities and recognition. As an artist myself, when I collaborate with other producers, I make sure my voice and opinions are clear. If something could be better, I say it. I’ve learned that to earn respect in a room where you’re in the minority, you can’t let people walk over you, and that’s why I’m always very honest and straightforward. Surround yourself with people who recognize your talent and let you contribute fully. If someone doesn’t value you, it’s best not to collaborate with them. And the most important thing I’ve learned is to know your worth and what you bring to the table. Read more>>
Margaux de Penfentenyo
Why does solitude scare us so much? At its core, it’s the fear of being forgotten, of seeming nonexistent. It’s a matter of survival, rooted in our DNA, in our primal instincts. Because we need each other to survive. But when we learn to step back from this instinctive fear, momentary solitude is wonderful. Solitude is the perfect ground for creation. Solitude is peace. It’s calm, it’s gentle, it’s soothing. Solitude is freedom, an essential ingredient for creation. I live my days alone, in my studio. Solitude allows me to stay centered on myself, aligned with my ideas and thoughts. No external influences are invited. I draw my ideas from within and no one else. It’s a way to preserve my authenticity and originality. It is crucial during the gestation of a project. A nascent idea is fragile, like a young sprout, and needs to be developed before being shared. Solitude also allows me to stay outside of time. I don’t look at the clock, and no one interrupts me. An interruption at the wrong moment can abruptly extinguish an idea. The difficulty is that no one is waiting for me. I am solely responsible for igniting my inner engine to go in the direction I choose. It requires a deep desire. It doesn’t come from the outside; it comes from within me. Read more>>
Lia Marques
That question is even more poignant once one works with animals. I am literally the only one that looks like me in a room full of dogs, since I mostly work alone. No metaphor there. To answer the question a different way; how have I learned to be relevant when working with dogs, private clients and eventually prisoners? I think comes down to the same thing: showing up and being present. Slowing down essentially. When one works with dogs, one learns to be present. That’s how they live. And it’s a pretty great way to live. Once you achieve that with the dogs (being effective/successful) it is just a matter of transferring it to the owners (the humans in the relationship). Clients want to be victorious in achieving mile stones with their dogs, they just don’t know how to get there. My job is to show them the way. I have navigated these waters before and I simply have to show both dog and human that I am worthy of following. To do that I make sure I slow everything way down, so we can all be present and get to know each other as energy. Read more>>
Soon Tani Beccaria Mochizuki
Being an Asian American having grown up in Hawai’i, I was never in a position that I was a minority until I had moved to San Francisco. I think I’ve always had confidence when speaking up for myself, but learning how to maintain confidence, especially in a white male dominated career, has been somewhat of an uphill battle. But there was a statistic that I kept in the back of my head that kept me going. I don’t know what the exact statistic is, but it was something along the lines of “A woman sees a list of job qualifications and sees that she doesn’t meet a couple of them so she doesn’t apply. That same job can be viewed by a man, with much lower qualifications, yet he will apply.” This mentality has kept me going, and I remember that if a much less qualified man can have that level of blind confidence, then I can too. Read more>>
Nandini Sankara
Throughout my career, navigating male-dominated industries has required a strategic approach grounded in confidence, embracing my unique perspective, and cultivating resilience. Joining Suburban Propane, an esteemed company with nearly a century of history, as a brand leader presented a significant opportunity to reimagine and revitalize our brand while honoring its legacy. This journey demanded not only innovation in marketing strategies but also the ability to gain acceptance and support from stakeholders across various levels of the organization. Cultivating confidence has been key to my success. Believing in my abilities and the value I bring allowed me to assert my ideas and garner buy-in from key stakeholders, despite the challenges in shifting established perceptions and practices. For instance, at Suburban Propane, I led initiatives that elevated our brand beyond traditional associations, such as demonstrating the versatility of propane as a clean energy source and integrating philanthropy into our business practices through our SuburbanCares platform. Embracing my difference as a woman in executive leadership has been crucial. I take pride in being the first female person of color appointed to the executive officer ranks at Suburban Propane. I’m also passionate about advocating for diversity and inclusion within the broader energy industry through my involvement with industry groups like the World LPG Association (WLPGA) where I champion initiatives like WINLPG (Women in LPG Leadership). By promoting diverse perspectives and identities, I strive to foster a more inclusive industry culture that values innovation and creativity. Read more>>
Annie Korzen
At 85, I am often the oldest person in the room – but that does not prevent me from sharing my thoughts. My advanced age has given me life experience and wisdom that I feel confident will inspire others. Read more>>
Brandie Herrell
I’ve learned to be effective and successful in rooms where no one looks like me through hard work and resilience. You look at me and say, you’re a privileged, white woman. What do you mean by being in a room where no one looks like you? First of all, looks are deceiving. I lived a wild and rocky road to come from the impoverished back roads of Kentucky to one of the most notable faces in book printing today. Not only do I come from lack of means, but I am a recovering addict with over a decade of sobriety. Walking into the world of high-end book printing was intimidating. All around you are people more affluent and well-educated. Also, most of the rooms in printing are filled with men. As I said, it is the resilience and hard work that has made me successful. When all the odds have been stacked against me, when no one believed in me, I stayed the course and believed in myself. I have built my book of business from the ground up (multiple times) on persistence, honesty and transparency. That is where the hard work comes in. Saying that hard work pays off is not a cliché. I have a firm belief that I share with my children often: When I walk into a room, I will never be the richest, or most beautiful, or most intelligent person in that room, but I will always be the hardest working. See? That’s where you can never beat me! I can’t control those other factors, but I can control my work ethic! I will always outwork my counterparts or go the extra mile for my clients and family. In the end, it’ll make you win every time! Read more>>
Chelsea Mead
From an early age I always felt like I was different than others and never felt like I “fit in” with the norm ways of doing things. I’ve also always been creative in various forms and loved artistic creativity from the get go. When I started my custom jewelry business, from growing up in the industry in a family owned jewelry store, I was aware that the engagement side was not catered to the way it should be from the relational perspective and unfortunately seemed very transactional for most jewelry businesses. In the beginning of my business I started assisting with the proposal design and planning for my clients and truly focusing on the engagement ring customization and as a business acted more from a service industry heart vs jewelry/retail industry mindset. I just continually focused on having the best customer service possible for my clients, which differentiated my business from others and no one else touched the proposal planning side of the experience or seemed to desire that, which has made my business different for so long now. This process has taught me to simply just stick with what you know is different about your business and keep going, even if you evolve with what that looks like years later. In my eighth year of business I found that clients were wanting to have a little more control with their proposals, yet still not as confident in the process, so I developed a great digital guide that all of my clients receive so they can be empowered to carry it out themselves if desired, and then I have optional services for from semi to full service proposal planning with me and my team. Read more>>
Maria Morla
Being the only one in the room I have learned to be effective by just saying focus on the task at hand. The end goal is what makes me successful. Read more>>
