My _____ Story
A DEI Podcast

My____Story is a podcast that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). It serves as a key pillar of the NIQ Me & You Series: a DEI learning series that aims to provide associates with a safe space to tell their stories & better understand the experiences of their colleagues. By sharing these stories with you, we can create a culture where open dialogue is encouraged, and associates are empowered to discuss important topics in a transparent, courageous manner.

Apple | Spotify | Google

Latest Episode
Latest Episode

Listen now​

Join hosts Elana Powell and James Anderson as they sit down with guests Sasha Druzhinin, Maddie Peacock, and Cheryl Rosenthal-Warlow to discuss their experiences as women in the field of technology.

DEI Podcast
DEI Podcast

A safe place to be​

When we share our stories, we’re sharing more than our experiences – we’re sharing the events that shaped us, that challenged us, that gave us room to grow. We open doors for others to connect with us and see themselves in our similarities. What separates us is also what can bring us together. ​

Our Hosts
Our Hosts

Funda Kalemci

Funda is the Global Leader in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Well-being, and Corporate Citizenship. Funda is responsible for managing NielsenIQ’s global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), as well as our well-being strategy and NIQ’s corporate social responsibility programs. Funda has a thirteen-year tenure with NIQ working in a variety of roles. Funda also serves as an Advisory Board Member in the African Diversity and Inclusion Center and is NIQ’s partner ambassador of LEAD Network. Funda holds a professional certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages. She is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. Funda is married with two sons.

James Anderson​

After a decade as an actor-about-town and another decade spent working as a civil servant, James returned to school and restarted his adult life as a marketing intern. Since minting his business credentials, he has worked in sales for property management and digital marketing in the travel industry. He is thrilled to have finally found a professional home at NielsenIQ as a CPG Senior Analyst, and to have joined the “pod people” on the My _____ Story podcast. In his spare time, he can be heard belting out show tunes and/or hunkering down with Julia Child and braising his way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking. ​

Episodes
Episodes
Meet the team
Meet the team

Passion

Passion drives us to reach for something bigger than ourselves and passion is the spark that started this podcast. My _____ Story is important and personal to each and every one of us and is an outlet for us to demonstrate our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NielsenIQ.​

Catherine Gray

Editor

​Love listening to the podcast, and working with the incredible team is such a pleasure. The candid and raw stories people share are a testament to their bravery. I am proud to be part of the journey to sharing them.

Funda Kalemci

DE&I Sponsor

Host

​These are our stories, stories of passion, accomplishments, failures, love, resilience, joy… Stories as diverse as we are.​

Allie Smith

Producer

​I love how open, authentic and inspiring the stories are – it feels great to be a part of a team that created a platform for them to shine. ​

Jessica Arledge

Podcast Lead

I love the podcast because of the wonderful people that share the passion for diversity & inclusion.​

Elana Powell

Elana Powell

Host
Senior Manager DE&I

​The podcast is an incredible opportunity for us to connect with our NIQ team members around the world by hearing unique, vulnerable experiences & stories that we can all relate to and learn from. I am honored to be a part of the team that is able to create an inviting space & platform that brings our team together & reminds us that we are not alone on our journey!

James Anderson

Host

Editor

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s meant a lot to me to be able to work openly (and safely!) with an international team of dedicated professionals who all share a passion to celebrate and encourage the diversity of our NielsenIQ family.​

Angie Arnold – Ott

Editor

Marketing Associate

​The bravery and vulnerability in every guest’s story shine a light that connects and supports us all. Being part of this incredible podcast team who is so committed to bringing these stories to life is a joy.​

Jake Conlin

Voice over

Sound Engineer

In addition to loving our podcast team, I love using my audio production background to help share these incredible stories that empower and uplift!​

Dominique Brown

DE&I Program Manager

​The podcast is an opportunity to hear the authentic stories of colleagues from across the company. I’m grateful to be a part of a group that gets to help in sharing these stories.

Lisa Afundu

Lisa Afundu

Producer

Editor

​I love working with such a passionate and collaborative team to help bring people’s authentic stories to life.

Alexandra Hugeanu

Producer

Being part of the Pod Squad is like stepping into a new world where creativity meets the need to discuss current and hot topics. It’s the thrill of weaving narratives, sharing diverse perspectives, and transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary stories, all while building lasting connections with a team that turns passion into captivating podcasts.​

Sandhya Nair

Marketing Associate

Producer

Different people, different culture, different stories and an energy packed team – that’s podcast and I love to be a part of this energy.

Nisha Pandey

Marketing Associate

Producer

I adore podcasts because they enable me to connect with individuals from all corners of the globe. Through them, people share their incredible experiences with the audience, which I believe would be immensely beneficial for all of us.

Michelle Castillo

Michelle Castillo

​I joined the team because I love to learn and hear people’s stories and point of views.

Let us know what you think​

Have questions, comments or feedback? We want to hear it!​