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Fireside Chat with Zeenat Khoja, and Meredith Keenan
- Sep 27, 2021
- 2 min read
On September 23rd, 2021, an intimate group of students from Mainstream Bursary program was joined by Zeenat Khoja - Sales Director. Senior Leadership, Customer Engagement Innovation, Business Transformation, High Performance Culture at Eli Lilly and Meredith Keenan - Vice President, Human Resources at General Electric Canada for our monthly Fireside Chats. The theme for this Fireside Chat was Curiosity.
These meetings provide an exclusive opportunity for youth to meet a wide variety of industry leaders, hear about their life and career experiences, and ask them ANYTHING, all in a small group setting.
Students ask incredible questions like:
Biggest misconceptions?
Eli Lilly- Never went to business school or did an MBA and didn’t do a sales role before t. Sales person is “icky” and I was scared of it. I’ve learned sales can be helpful and purposeful and satisfying and doesn’t have to have the used car salesman vibes.
What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself?
Be curious and don’t be afraid. Immerse yourself in different things and learn as much as you can. Focusing on the fear can make you miss things that you may love
Is there specific things you like to do when you are meeting new people?
Do some online research- so may available resources these days with social media and LinkedIn.
What moment in your career affirmed you had followed the right path?
Follow the things that fire you up, that you love and enjoy. (Connecting with people and helping them achieve their goals)
Tough set of union negotiations very complex and at 3am I knew I was in the right place to serve and do the right thing for the client- avoiding a strike. Relationships and trust is KEY
What makes an applicant stand out to you?
What has that person done in their previous life experience (both work and extra curricular/volunteer). Can they speak to their initiative and their collaboration? Are they excited about the prospect of this job?
Biggest career obstacle and how you overcame?
When change comes, am I taking care of myself and reflecting on how I can overcome. Every time I've faced massive challenges in the work place I’ve come out on the other side better than before. Empathy in times of challenge is so important and keeps giving beyond your interaction.
How can diverse youth today overcome barriers in the work place?
Get involved and connected as you see opportunities. Take full advantage of EVERY opportunity. Entry level is a great place to start climbing the ladder. Partner with people in the organization- search out good mentors.
Don’t be afraid to be the voice to educate how things can be more inclusive.
Zeenat and Meredith both provided incredible advice to the students and future leaders about curiosity and overcoming barriers. The sharing of their personal experiences provided context and motivation for the students in attendance as well as the opportunity to connect with industry leaders they normally wouldn't have direct access to. The panelists were blown away with the level of tenacity and grit demonstrated by the Mainstream Bursary youth and can't wait to see the trajectory of these young professionals.
To learn more about the youth we support, please explore the link below.
"This was such an insightful discussion—thank you, Zeenat and Meredith! Your perspectives on global mobility and residency planning are invaluable. It’s especially timely to consider how programs like the Greece Golden Visa continue to evolve as a strategic pathway for investors seeking both European access and lifestyle benefits. Looking forward to more conversations like this!"
Zeenat Khoja and Meredith Keenan are both such insightful voices—I can only imagine the depth of conversation around leadership, innovation, and meaningful change. There's something special about intimate conversations like these that cut through the noise and get to the heart of what really matters. It actually reminds me of how the simplest things often hold the most value—like white rock salt. Such a humble, everyday element, yet it has so many uses: purifying, preserving, grounding. A good fireside chat feels the same way—simple in format, but deeply enriching. Looking forward to catching the recording if one is available!
Speaking of exploring new places and connections, I was recently thinking about how vibrant local businesses can be. For instance, if you are ever looking for a unique Jazmin store in USA, you might come across some fantastic hidden gems, from Latin American delis in New York to flower shops in California. It is a great reminder to stay curious and support local entrepreneurs in our own communities . Thank you both for sharing your wisdom with the next generation of leaders
It was such a pleasure watching this insightful Fireside Chat with Zeenat Khoja and Meredith Keenan. The conversation was incredibly inspiring, especially the way it highlighted the intersection of cultural heritage and modern entrepreneurship. It’s fascinating to see how traditional elements, like the intricate craftsmanship found in Pakistani Dresses, can serve as a powerful influence for contemporary design and business innovation. Their discussion on preserving authenticity while adapting to global markets really resonated with me. Thank you both for sharing your valuable perspectives
Fireside Chat with Zeenat Khoja and Meredith Keenan offered insightful perspectives on leadership, innovation, and industry trends. Similarly, a Hosiery exporter Pakistan demonstrates excellence in delivering high-quality hosiery products globally, combining skilled craftsmanship with reliable production to meet international standards.