Advertise on podcast: Coming To America

In Episode 35 of Coming to America, I sit down with Tom Sollitt, a South Korean international adoptee who was adopted at 18 months old and raised in Oregon. Tom's immigrant story is very different from most we've featured. He didn't choose to come to America, doesn't have traceable records of his biological parents, and grew up separated from the language and culture of the country where he was born. We talk about the complicated history of international adoption from South Korea, Tom's involvement with adoptee activism, and the ethical concerns he and other adoptees have raised about the international adoption system and access to their own records. Tom also shares what happened when he returned to South Korea as an adult and lived there from 2009 to 2016 — teaching English, experiencing Korean culture firsthand, and discovering what it felt like to blend into a society where nobody automatically saw him as different. Today, Tom is a brand strategist, community events producer, and candidate for Portland City Council District 3. We discuss his approach to local politics, listening to community voices, and even the debate over 39th Avenue vs. Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

Wilson Kubwayo is the founder of wksocial, a thriving social media marketing agency that is revolutionizing the way businesses engage and attract their target audience. With years of experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and an MBA in Marketing and Business Innovation, Wilson has developed a deep understanding of digital strategy and community engagement, making him the go-to expert for businesses looking to build a strong offline and online presence. At WKSocial, Wilson leads a team of digital marketing experts and web developers who create customized experiences that drive growth, engagement, and revenue. Their proven techniques have helped countless businesses and organizations increase their online presence, improve their overall engagement, and drive more sales. Wilson's passion for business innovation and implementing effective marketing strategies has established wksocial as a trusted partner for businesses and organizations looking to succeed in the digital age. With his unwavering commitment to delivering results, Wilson and his team at wksocial are dedicated to helping businesses attract and connect with their target audience.   https://wk.social/

In this episode of Coming to America, the host talks with Grace Moen, an Oslo-born freelance journalist and event producer who moved to Portland with her parents in 1991. They discuss Norway’s geography and economic model (fjords, hydropower, oil policy, and the sovereign wealth fund), social trust, and the country’s push for electric vehicles. Grace shares how her American mother and Norwegian father built a Norwegian-speaking home in Oregon, spent summers in Norway, and navigated the “in-between” identity of immigrants. She reflects on living in San Francisco during the tech boom, returning to Portland for community and arts, and how Oslo invested in transit and public waterfronts. Grace also describes earning an online Harvard journalism master’s during the pandemic, focusing on prison healthcare, and contrasts U.S. punishment-driven incarceration with Norway’s rehabilitation-centered prison design. The episode closes with ways to connect through Grieg Lodge, scholarships, and Portland’s May 17th Constitution Day celebration.   https://www.grieglodge.org/ https://www.gracemoen.com

In this episode of Coming to America, the host speaks with Meike Bradley, an immigrant from Hamburg, Germany, who first arrived in Portland in 2005 as an au pair on a J-1 visa. Meike shares what it was like growing up in Hamburg—independence, public transit, and a strong cultural scene—then explains how a failed visa extension sent her back to Germany before she found a way to return and planned to study at PSU. She ultimately studied international business management in Breda, Netherlands, while returning to Portland each summer after meeting her future husband through her host family. Now a mom of three girls (including twins), she discusses language at home, travel back to Europe, differences between Germany and the U.S. around structure, hierarchy, and family support, and her upcoming jewelry brand -https://www.baubledots.com/

In this episode of Coming to America, the host talks with Esraa Alkhateeb, an immigrant from Amman, Jordan, who moved to the U.S. three years ago and studies biochemistry and molecular biology at Lewis & Clark College. Esraa shares what it was like growing up in Jordan, a safe country amid regional conflict, and how financial constraints led her to seek scholarships. At 16, she left home to attend a United World Colleges campus in Mostar, Bosnia, completing the IB program and gaining an international community and a new learning style beyond memorization. She then came to the U.S. on the Shelby Davis Scholarship, choosing Lewis & Clark for its small size and access to research. Esraa reflects on cultural differences in relationships, loneliness abroad, and what she loves about Portland—nature, diversity, and great food—then encourages young people to pursue opportunities and ignore “you can’t” answers.

Kjell van Zoen, use they/he pronouns, from the Netherlands and England, came here in 2004. For money, Kjell work as an organizational development and change management coach, and has passion for making and playing music.

GEOFF CRAIGHEAD is, in every sense, a global citizen. Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, he studied at the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University, while also playing Australian rules football with the South Melbourne Football Club. His early career carried him to North Australia, where he worked among indigenous communities, and later to Hong Kong, where he lived alongside former triad members and recovering heroin addicts, while serving in the Hong Kong & Kowloon Wharf Police.  Geoff eventually settled in the United States with his wife, Sarah, and went on to build a distinguished professional career. He directed field training for Allied Universal, North America’s largest security contractor; served as president of ASIS International, the world’s foremost organization for security management professionals; authored authoritative reference works on skyscraper security and the 19th-century gold rush; and addressed audiences worldwide as a professional speaker.   https://www.geoffcraighead.com/

Atousa Gorg, P.E. (she/her) is a Resident Engineer for consultant projects in ODOT - Oregon Department of Transportation. In her time at ODOT, Gorg's project management portfolio includes the Engineering Delivery of Interstate Bridge Replacement, I-5 Rose Quarter,  I-205 Toll Project and Regional Mobility Pricing Project. Gorg has a Master's of Civil and Environmental Engineering from Portland State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Oregon. She is a multilingual Civil Engineer who immigrated to the US from the Middle East to practice her core values of freedom and equity. She serves as a board member, volunteer, and/or ambassador with several international and local nonprofit organizations, including WTS Portland which focuses on promoting the advancement of women in the transportation industry. In 2024, Gorg received the WTS Portland Member of Year Award and was a past recipient of the International Leadership Award for leading the Community Action Project.

David Hurtado was born and raised in Bogota, growing up during turbulent times in Colombian history. He moved to the US in 2008 for graduate studies in public health at Harvard University.He lived in the Boston, MA area until 2015, when he then moved to Portland, where he works as an associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University, researching occupational stress and workplace health and safety.He is married to a Colombian educator, and they have two kids born in Portland in 2018 and 2022.His immigrant story involves science, academia, and rock music.

Eleazar Ruiz is a Dominican-born, award-winning brand strategist, creative director, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience across in-house design teams, agencies, and innovative startups. His expertise bridges brand strategy, branding, user experience design and social impact, culminating in the successful launch of brands that tell powerful, culturally relevant stories. Ruiz is the founder of Odd Notion, a studio focused on meaningful, purpose-driven brand development. His approach centers on strategic clarity and visual storytelling, guiding organizations from concept formation to confident, distinguished brand identities. Under his leadership, Odd Notion has grown into a creative hub known for its empathetic and principled design ethos, serving start-ups, established companies, and nonprofits alike. Throughout his career, Eleazar has collaborated with major global clients—including Nike, The Oregonian, Lyft, Microsoft, and Xbox—as well as dozens of emerging ventures, applying both creative intuition and business acumen. In addition to leading creative projects, Ruiz is active in promoting community-driven design and championing the role of design equity in brand building. His work regularly explores themes of identity, culture, and positive social impact, reflecting his belief that design is a transformative force for good. Ruiz has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including Webby Awards, Anthem Awards, and recognition from Indie Agency for his outstanding contributions to the design field. His thoughtful, innovative approach has been celebrated in leading creative publications and recognized for elevating brand experiences with both artistic distinction and strategic vision. He continues to be sought after as a thought leader for his principled methodology and commitment to advancing design that matters. Whether launching new ventures or guiding established brands, Eleazar Ruiz brings clarity, empathy, and outstanding craftsmanship to every brand journey—making him a valued partner for any organization seeking to stand out and connect meaningfully with its audience. OddNotion.com

Leda Garside is a bilingual/bicultural Latina professional with 42 years working experience. Her career interests center around nursing education, research, health policy, cultural competencies, health promotion, early interventions, best practices in language interpretation services, community health workers initiatives, and health careers mentoring. Being an active member in professional organizations, coalitions and boards are ways to give back to the community and provide a voice on how to work towards eliminating disparities, how services are delivered, assuring best services experienced to the patient. After 10 years of bedside nursing in neurology and cardiology, her nursing career led her to occupational health, outpatient care, and management. Her lived experiences as a clinician have centered in minority health, focusing working with the Latino/a/x and Mesoamerican indigenous communities and other BIPOC population during the last 32 year, this  have provided her with a solid foundation for understanding and connecting to the various communities that make up Oregon. Leda is an excellent resource to ensure that -- no matter the project – the work will be grounded in diversity, equity and inclusion. Leda has recently retired from direct patient care but continues her work as an advocate and nurse consultant.

Zhou Fang (she/tā/她) Intersectional Group, LLC (COBID certified) Intersectionality Practitioner, Leadership Consultant, Intersectional Living Coach Zhou Fang is the founder and principal consultant of Intersectional Group LLC, a leadership, people and culture practice with a focus on intersectionality, empathy, compassion, intentionality, as well as curiosity.  Zhou is also an Intersectionality Practitioner (IG: @intersectionalliving). She works with folks who are willing, excited, and ready, to learn about and practice intersectionality, intentionality, restoration, and healing.  Zhou is a passionate advocate for pay transparency and equity, mental wellbeing, immigration reform, and climate justice, as well as a committed ally for the LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities. Currently, Zhou serves on the board of Portland HR Management Association, as well as a thoughtleader for the Policy Committee at Women’s Foundation of Oregon. She is also the producer and host of The Intersection, a podcast program about intersectionality, identity, leadership, and personal journey. Outside of work, Zhou is a proud dog and plant parent and a comedy and horror movie enthusiast. She appreciates good food and loves to travel.  Zhou can be reached at [email protected]. You can connect with her on LinkedIn as well.  Intersectional Group is a leadership practice that uses the framework of intersectionality, as well as the help of technology, empathy, compassion, and curiosity. It emphasizes on the importance of making EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) part of a company's business and strategic planning, instead of an add-on or stand-alone function. Intersectional Group builds relations and works with clients based on their needs. Intersectional Group is a COBID Certified Business in Oregon. Audio and video work (non inclusive): 1. The Intersection podcast  2. Profiles in Leadership ft. Zhou Fang 3. Exploring Intersectionality with Zhou Fang 4. Transforming Workplace Mental Health 5. Pioneering the Future of Inclusion 6. Spirituality, Intersectionality, and Doing Good with Zhou Fang 7. Bridging Cultures with Zhou Fang 8. Pay Transparency & The Gender Pay Gap with Zhou Fang

Jack Phan came to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1978 and has built a career as a serial entrepreneur, startup mentor, investor, and entrepreneur-in-residence in the Portland metro area. He’s the former CEO of an AI SaaS company and is currently building EvolveIQ, a platform designed to help early-stage founders launch and grow their startups. Jack lives in Vancouver, WA with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, playing music, and building his digital AI twin.

Lou Radha.  Grew up in congo from age 2 to 17. Born In Boston, MA on June 30th (Congo 🇨🇩independence day😊) 1976 while Congolese parents were going to school. He is a consultant, inspirational speaker. Co founded a school in the congo 🇨🇩 serving underprivileged children…24 years strong 💪🏿 Came back to US in 1993 to Ashland OR Married  for 18 years Two boys 17 and 11 Traveling, learning anything and eating good food and mangoes 🥭

Simon was born in Staffordshire, in the English Midlands and grew up in Germany and SE England. He attended university in Wales, Edinburgh, Durham and later Chicago. Simon was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. In 1995 he got the opportunity to serve an Episcopal Church in Troy, NY. Since then he has served congregations in Tigard, Corvallis and Salem, Oregon. Simon is currently a chaplain and community partnership advocate for Church @ the Park, a religious non-for-profit based in Salem that provides resources, shelter and community for people experiencing homelessness and those on the margins.  Simon is divorced with three grown up children. He proudly became a naturalized US citizen in 2011