Although Monisha Mothilal has yet to complete her third year in Canada, she has already made a significant impact. As the host of the podcast Newcomers to Trailblazers, she shares the experiences of immigrants navigating life in Canada. She is a sought-after public speaker, serves as Vice President of Tech2Step—a nonprofit dedicated to providing networking and learning opportunities for women—and works as a Senior Talent Development Specialist.
We spoke with Monisha about succession planning, talent development, and personal branding.
Newcomers to Trailblazers Podcast: Bridging the Gap
When Monisha arrived in Canada, she was eager to learn from the experiences of fellow immigrants—to gain their wisdom and avoid their mistakes. However, the content she found on platforms like TikTok and Instagram left her wanting more.
“What are we even learning here?” she wondered. “I was looking for a platform that shared the raw emotions and real-life experiences of immigrants, but I couldn’t find one. Then it hit me—why wait for someone else to create it? I should do it myself.”1
The result was Newcomers to Trailblazers, a podcast designed to help immigrants “learn from the experiences of those who have walked the path before you.”
“The podcast covers topics such as culture, immigration, empowerment, and integration,” Monisha explains.
Learning Canadian Work Culture Through Nonprofit Involvement
Monisha believes that Tech2Step provides an excellent platform for empowering immigrants.
“We actively encourage newcomers to Canada to volunteer,” she says. “It’s an invaluable opportunity to understand how Canadian work culture differs from that of their home country.”
As Vice President, she takes her role seriously and finds fulfillment in building community and fostering meaningful relationships.
“I strive to create a psychologically safe space for our volunteers,” she shares.
The Power of Networking: Public Speaking & Personal Branding
Networking has played a pivotal role in Monisha’s success. A public speaking engagement led to an invitation to join a panel, which then opened doors for moderating opportunities. While she has benefited from strong connections, she credits perseverance—not luck.
“People often tell me I was in the right place at the right time,” she says. “I tell them I wasn’t lucky—I went to 100 places. One of those places happened to be the right one, and one of those times was the right time.”
When it comes to personal branding, Monisha emphasizes the importance of consistency across platforms.
“Many people focus on how they present themselves online,” she notes. “But personal branding isn’t just about your digital presence—it’s about how you show up in person, too.”
She believes that online and offline identities must align.
“There has to be synergy,” she explains. “I’m passionate about sharing immigrant experiences. If my online content reflects that, it helps people connect with me authentically.”
A Common Succession Planning Mistake
In her role as a Senior Talent Development Specialist for a mid-sized organization, Monisha is responsible for developing succession planning strategies and leadership development programs.
Her key advice for companies looking to strengthen succession planning? Focus on positions, not people.
A structured approach should include:
- Identifying roles critical to the organization.
- Assessing current employees in those positions.
- Analyzing the pipeline of potential successors.
“Many organizations focus on developing critical people,” she says. “They should focus on the role itself—not just the individual currently filling it.”
The Importance of Setting Specific Goals
On April 5, Monisha will conduct a workshop on developing potential successors for nonprofit boards as part of the Inspired City Summit in Kelowna. She believes many talented individuals struggle with goal-setting.
“They may have a vision board and a strategy, but they fail to break them down into smaller, actionable goals,” she explains. “For a leader to be effective, they must understand how to set clear goals and delegate tasks accordingly. Performance management teaches you that.”
Finding Confidence in Articulation
Through her podcast, nonprofit work, and workshops, Monisha seeks to inspire others to empower themselves and pursue success.
As for her own inspiration? She recalls a defining moment from her career in India.
“My boss once told me to be humble about my achievements,” she recalls. “I believe that if you accomplish something, you should be able to talk about it—but it’s just as important to articulate it well.”
She notes that many immigrants are fluent in conversational English but struggle with professional articulation.
“That realization fueled my passion for public speaking,” she says.
Final Thoughts
Monisha’s journey exemplifies resilience, strategic networking, and the power of self-advocacy. Whether through her podcast, nonprofit leadership, or talent development expertise, she continues to pave the way for others—one conversation at a time.
