Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: You're listening to Faces of Atlantic, a series hosted by Terianne Richards that gets real with the leaders, change makers and everyday doers shaping Atlantic Canada. Each conversation dives beyond titles to uncover the grit, growth and human stories behind the work.
[00:00:24] Speaker B: This is Faces of Atlantic, where we go beyond titles and talk about the real human side of leadership. I'm Terianne Richards, your host, and today I am sitting down with Carla and we're going to uncover the story behind Carla the student, Carla the leader, and everything else that she's going to bring to the table today. Hey, Carla.
[00:00:46] Speaker C: Hi, Terry.
[00:00:47] Speaker B: Hey.
All right, so first question, because I'm sure people are going to be curious when you think about who you are as a person. I know right now you're a student, but if you sort of take that part away because we're going to talk about that and all the things that you've been up to, who are you? How would you describe yourself to the world?
[00:01:09] Speaker C: Okay, well, that's a good question.
I think part of who I am has to do a lot with me being the mannequin. Like, that's a really like great part of my identity. If I had to describe myself to someone who does, like, knows me, I don't think I will never like put the worst student. I think I'll be more like a, I'll say leader. I'll be more like a. I always like to like bring people and like bring people upwards. Like in everything that I do, I like to do a lot of like things. So that's like where tattoo came from and like all the like leadership positions that I had when I came here. But also back home I like to bring my culture, my family and obviously God and everything that I do. So if I have to talk about myself, I'll be like, I'm just a 20 year old girl, Dominican girl who wants to do a lot of amazing things. And I try like drive that desire, drive every like aspect of my life.
[00:01:59] Speaker B: That's awesome. So reason I know Carla, FYI, everybody is. Carla was one of the organizer for TEDx Fredericton und Fredericton in January that I had the privilege to be invited to speak at. She impressed me, right? When you think of this age, right? And I think back and I was doing some pretty cool things at that age too. But you know, I have a 20 year old son and I couldn't imagine him pulling off what you did.
And so I guess the question I have for you is what encouraged you? What inspired you to be like, you know, what we should host a TEDx at UNB Fredericton. Like, what was the inspiration behind that?
[00:02:42] Speaker C: Well, everything sparked from a friend. Like. Well, I think everything came along a long, long time ago. I had a teacher in high school. His name is Merchant Maldonado. And he used to give me social sciences. And I remember he did play this TED Talk from Terry, Tim Burn, Tim Urban, I think.
[00:03:01] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:03:02] Speaker C: When I was in 11th grade. And I remember that TED Talk, like from. Literally from like, I still remember everything about procrastination.
And I was like sitting next to my friend Mia.
[00:03:13] Speaker B: That's the one with the procrastination monkey.
[00:03:15] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:03:15] Speaker B: That is my favorite one of all time.
[00:03:18] Speaker C: Favorite one? Yes, that's. That's the one. And I. Which like, well, since then I like watch a lot of TED talks. And I think that was like, I always wanted to like either do a TED Talk or bring TedX. Like do like an organized. Anything that had to do with ted. And I was like working at the student union in May 2025, and my friend Francisco told me, like, oh, Kyle, I had this project about bringing TEDxMV, but I had a lot of things, a lot of things. I couldn't do it. Why do you think? And I was like, why not?
So I applied to ted, they granted me the license, and from there on we just started working to bring TEDxGMB to Fredericton.
[00:03:54] Speaker B: That's amazing. And then I've been seeing some videos of you online. Cause you're working on some other project. I'm noticing them on different social media platforms. Do you want to talk a little bit about what that is? And again, inspiration. Right. I look at this and I think there's a lot of cool things that happen in Atlantic Canada. And there's all sorts of really cool people of all ages, of all genders, of all cultures who are doing really cool things. And I think it's important for us to shine a light on that because I think folks like yourself have the ability to inspire all of us to be like, hey, you can do this and this and hey, let me try this and. And kind of that. Falling into, you know, different seasons and different situations and just allowing yourself to try new things, I think is super, super cool. So. Yes. So share with our audience what. What it is you've been up to since I last saw you at TEDx.
[00:04:45] Speaker C: Well, I've been working on. So right now I'm in part of a program called the Cambridge Pro, Cambridge Scholars. So they're based in San Francisco, California. And they basically reached out to me reached when I was like, doing TEDx GMB, they saw my LinkedIn, they were like, you should apply to be a Cambridge Scholar. And I was like, why not? And I applied. So now I'm part of, like, a cohort and which basically we do. We have eight weeks to, like, create a project and we have to, like, a pitch about, like, the project. Everybody has to like, either like a business idea or anything that you're passionate about. I'm really. I have two coaches, which I'm really grateful there.
One of them was part of the YC Combinator badge. He also, like, did like a. Like a startup, like a big company. They work, like in San Francisco. So they're like amazing people who did, like, amazing things. And they're coaching us to obviously do amazing things, whatever. Like, we are every space here in Canada, but I'm the only one from the Atlantic, which is another great achievement. And when people ask me, like, where are you from? Like, where are you based? I'm like, oh, I'm in product. And people are like, where? And so I'm really, really, really happy that I'm able to be part of that. So I'm working on that. I'm working on developing Spotlight, which is basically a community, but we're also working on a platform for students. Right now we have a team of four people and we'll be doing, if you see ted spotlight in LinkedIn and Instagram, it's about trying to build momentum. And we haven't, like, talked a lot about what actually is, because we want to do a mini, like, demo launch with people here, see the feedback from students before doing like, the official launch of what Spotlight is. But it's like, basically for students. And I want people to be very attentive because obviously when we do the final launch, I think it's something very exciting, something a lot of people and students want from Fredericton. We're trying to be meaningful connections, but we're also trying to like, show people that here in Frankton you can do amazing things. So, yeah, that's the main purpose.
[00:06:39] Speaker B: So, yeah, that is amazing. Okay, so you're from Dominican, you come up here, you're going to school, and you're doing all this additional cool stuff in addition to, you know, the learning and all of the weight of just all of that on your shoulders.
Tell me, at your age, with carrying all of those duties that you have right now, how are you doing it in a way that's sustainable, that you're able to kind of keep that pep in Your step, like, what are you doing to be able to maintain your inner peace while holding all these balls in the air?
[00:07:15] Speaker C: That's a good question, Terry. I mean, I don't think every day, like, it's like perfect. Like I've been able, like, obviously TEDxMI was a lot of pressure. I was like, a lot of like, I think I look, I like, I tried like in that pressure burning, like in the end, it's obviously, you want everything to be great, you want to be everything to do, be amazing. And you're working a lot to do those things. I think the best way I hold, like, sometimes I feel like the clock is running out of time. So I think that is like, what inspires me to do a lot of things. It's just, I just think that if I'm not doing anything, like, life will pass in front of my eyes. So that's why I'm like always involved and always doing projects. And I was like, this is. But I also, like, like that also obviously reflects that I'm always.
So I have to sometimes like, slow down.
So I think the best way I keep myself like around the or in peace is like, I try to like, think that I'm just like, like an eldest daughter. Like I have my family, like, I'm going to go back home and like be with my grandma. Like, it's, it's literally this thing like no matter how many things I do, like, I'm still the Carla from the Dominican Republic. And I try to keep myself pretty humble. Like, I feel like there's will always be people doing better and amazing, more amazing, more things I try, like, get inspiration from that, but always being grateful that everything that I have, even, it's like part of my work and me, part of my energy doing, I feel like also has to do with God and I think he opens the door and the opportunities for me to do that. It's not only my work. So I think that's the one of the things that keeps me peace. I think everything you do here will one day pass. Some people will remember what you do, some people you don't. But I think in the end it's like how you feel about all the things that you do. So I think that's, that's the thing.
[00:08:52] Speaker B: A wise woman at your age. And I love that you said humble. I don't know if you can see that it's backwards on my. Behind me, but it's the hustle, hustle, the humble hustle. Because I'm a big believer in the Same thing, I think, you know, when you're an ambitious human, you go after all the cool things, which I've been doing for most of my life, but you're not really doing it, you know, to prove anything to the rest of the world. It's more like it's just kind of something that's innate. It's. It's kind of in you. But at the end of the day, no matter what you do, you always just still feel like you. Like, I still feel like the girl from the Old Black River Road, which, you know, is out in the country here in Saint John, New Brunswick. And, you know, I used to listen to Tupac and Easy e and. And Dr. Dre back in the day, and that. That was. Those were my jams. And I still feel like that girl today, even doing some of the cool things I'm up to. So I love that at your age, you get that. That what you do doesn't define your inner self, your soul, the who you are, your character, your qualities, all of that.
Now, when you think about some of those cool qualities that you have, because you do get some cool qualities, do you think that you get them from somebody in your family? Like, is there somebody you can look to and be like, yeah, I probably got some of that from them.
[00:10:00] Speaker C: From my mom. I love. Yeah. You know, my mom. It's the definition of being, like, having perseverance in your life and doing amazing things. Like, my mom has gotten so far in her professional career and we're like three kids, and she has always shown me how to be resilient, like, how to. She's very ambitious. Like, I think that's something that I learned from her. But also she's, like, very humble. I don't think my mom really thinks that while you do this and define you, like, me being, like, I don't know, like, doing great things and amazing people and all their people who are, like, just working. Like, it's the same in the kitchen or doing something like that. It's like the same. That doesn't define you. So, like, having, like, that sacrifice. But I also feel like one thing that I have, it's like being very, like, I'm very family oriented, very driven, and all those things I get from my mom. She's amazing. Like, she supports me in everything. Like, with this project that I'm working on. She, like, sent me some microphones and some, like, recording for content creation. Like, she's always supporting me with TEDx. Like, we went back to Dominican, got some things from there. Like, she's like my main, my, my number one supporter and like, she's like the person I look up the most and who I want to be and like, obviously give her everything I want. Like my mom is everything for me.
[00:11:08] Speaker B: What's mom's name?
[00:11:10] Speaker C: Oneida.
Yeah.
[00:11:12] Speaker B: Okay, so high five to Oneida, which is AKA Carla's mom.
[00:11:16] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:11:17] Speaker B: She watches later. She's like, she talks about me.
[00:11:19] Speaker C: They will watch you later to be like, wow.
[00:11:22] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, right on. Okay, cool. So when you look towards your future, right, like when you start painting a picture over the next five to ten years where you hit it, what do you want to do with yourself?
What are you doing in this big, blue, beautiful world?
[00:11:35] Speaker C: Yeah. Good. They asked me that question when I was interviewing Nicole for TEDxCMB and she made me that question and that question, like, made me think a lot about what do I want to do in my life. But I definitely see myself maybe in 10 years being back home and bringing everything that I learned from here back to my people. I love my country with all my life. We were in the World Baseball Classic and we lost yesterday. And I felt like I was there.
Like, I, I was there. You took my, like, it was like, basically I'm like very, very like my dad was there in Miami too, watching the baseball games. That's like very part of who we are. Dominicans. And so I definitely want to go back to my country and like, there's like specific aspects like healthcare that I want to help with. But here in five years, I see myself doing something like business. Like, I'm very, I love connecting with people, maybe having my own business, definitely working in like industry when everything has to like early career, anything that has to do with talk, people bringing people, like doing events, Like, I just love that. Like really, really like fast paced life. And also, like, I just love that. And I think I really do really well in that. I think I was able to show that with TEDxMB and now I'm very like, I like to do things by myself and like, take they like things on my own hands. So definitely I see myself doing something like that.
[00:12:54] Speaker B: Yeah, well, you know what, I can envision that for you. I think you've got a ton of good energy and you're not afraid to do things that are different and completely outside of the norm. Right. Which I think, you know, without talking about my talk too much because I know in the future it'll come out. But that's what I talk about is like doing things that you, you've Never done, but just believing that it's possible. Right? And I think that for you, you have this belief in yourself that has been instilled in you. I think it's a part of your faith, but I think because of that, you try things that are just kind of outside of the norm, and you're like, I don't know how to do it, but I will figure this out and I will make it happen. And you ask the right questions and. And, you know, I think if anything, the folks who are around you will. You know, that kind of energy is contagious. Right. And you start to create that butterfly effect around you, you know, in terms of your people back home, your family, the students you're around. I bet you even your teachers and professors are like, I want some of that good juju over there. Right? Like, let me take some of that. Because that's the stuff that allows people to reach their potential. So I get. I get excited when I see young people doing cool stuff because I not like, man, if you could do that at your age, imagine what you're going to do when you're my age, like, the world is your oyster. Right?
[00:14:06] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:14:06] Speaker B: I just love that.
[00:14:07] Speaker C: I love that you mentioned that about, like, being contagious, because I was, like, talking to a lot, like, just talking about the project that we're working on, Spotlight, and talking to some students, and one of the things that I said, it's like they said, it's like when they see me, like, I'm here in Pregn base and I do these things, they want to do it too. And I think that's one of the things that I aim to do also with Spotlight. And that's the things that. When I was doing BP Policy and Relations at the UMB Student Union and TEDxME, I want to show people that here in Frankton we can do amazing things. So that's definitely one of the things that we're aiming for, Spotlight. So stay tuned because we're really close to, like, that.
[00:14:39] Speaker B: Are you really close to launching it?
[00:14:41] Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:14:41] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:14:42] Speaker C: Well, we did like a. We did like, a launch about, like, oh, the. What the project is about, but not the platform. So. Yeah.
[00:14:48] Speaker B: Okay, cool. Now, do you listen to podcasts? Are you a reader? Is there anything like that? Yeah. Now, like, what's your vibe these days? What have you been listening to or reading?
[00:14:56] Speaker C: Well, I'm currently reading. I know this is a very, like, famous book. Mark Manson book, How to Not. Yeah.
[00:15:02] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:15:02] Speaker C: You already know the book. Okay, maybe I'm not Gonna say.
[00:15:05] Speaker B: You can say it. As long as your mom doesn't get mad, you can say it.
[00:15:09] Speaker C: No, she won't get mad. She won't.
[00:15:10] Speaker B: What is it? Is it had a on?
No. Let's look. We're looking it up.
[00:15:15] Speaker C: The art of Sub.
[00:15:18] Speaker B: Like a subtle Mark Manson books. Okay, I'm looking it up. This is what we do live. The subtle art of not giving an F. Exactly.
[00:15:27] Speaker C: So I'm reading that book. I love it. It's a good book. Such a good book. And I love listening to podcasts. Currently I'm listening in Spanish. It's a bi podcast. So very. Yeah, like, I'm very into more into like, faith talks by that we're as. I'm trying to, like, get into more like Christian podcaster, but I obviously like to listen to, like, the main, like, information about what's happening. Gaspardi on friend 100.
[00:15:53] Speaker B: How many languages can you speak?
[00:15:55] Speaker C: Three, but I'm trying to learn. Yeah, three. I wish I could.
[00:15:59] Speaker B: I. I get so jealous. I don't understand. It's like my brain. Like, I got a pretty smart brain, right?
[00:16:05] Speaker C: Yeah, you do.
[00:16:05] Speaker B: But I can't. Like, it won't go in here. Like, I grew up learning French supposedly my entire life. Like, they make you do it from grade one to grade 12 here. I can't say anything. Like, I can say Jim Appell, Terry, and. And I can ask for Esca Japur, Bois de l', Oui Oui, and Esca Japeux. I don't know. I think something about using the washroom, though. That's about all I got. Both my kids went to the only French school here, like in Saint John, New Brunswick.
They're bilingual. But I can't do it. And it's like, when I hear it, my brain, like, freezes or something. So I'm always so impressed when somebody can speak. Like, not just two, but three. So what are your three languages?
[00:16:49] Speaker C: Spanish, English and French. Yeah.
[00:16:51] Speaker B: Guess what? I just booked a trip to Spain.
[00:16:54] Speaker C: Oh, I have. Oh, where are you going, Terry?
[00:16:57] Speaker B: Flying into Barcelona. That's as far as I've gotten so far. I only booked my flights. I haven't booked anything else.
[00:17:02] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:17:03] Speaker B: But that's exciting because I've never been to Spain, so my hubby and I are going. We're going the end of June. It's going to be great.
[00:17:09] Speaker C: Great weather, great people, great food. You're gonna love it. You're gonna love.
[00:17:13] Speaker B: Maybe I'll learn Spanish. Exactly. By then,
[00:17:17] Speaker C: hopefully. Yes. Believe that. Yes.
[00:17:19] Speaker B: Yeah, we'll believe it and put the goals in before we close off is like, if you were to kind of be able. And I guess we'll kind of use this platform for that. If there was somebody right now that was wanting to try something that does feel slightly outside the box, slightly outside of their skill, maybe their norm, and they're sitting there going, like, should I. What if I fail?
What if, what if it doesn't work out?
What if, what if, what if? What would be your piece of advice to them?
[00:17:50] Speaker C: Do it. Just do it. Like Nike. Just do it. I mentioned this on the closure of TEDxMB. What Michael told me, people who take risk are the people who change the world. And I definitely believe that a hundred percent it is better at doing it, failing. And like, how many times I have failed in my. And I'm 20 have failed. I have learned a lot. I have done a lot of mistakes. But I think I was at a point where Michael sat next to me and he told me, do you want to do TEDxMI? I was, yes. Are you scared? I am. But do you take the risk? I will. And look how it, like, it happened. So after that, I'm like, with Spotlight, we're like, doing taking the risk. See how people respond if it happens, if it's good. No, we do it again. Like, take the risk. Because the people who actually take the risk are the people who change the world. And if you have that mindset that you're going to change the world, you will do it. Because I believe I'm going to change my Dominican Republic and change my surroundings. And I have done it. And I think there's a lot of, like, things waiting for me, a lot of opportunities that are going to come, and I'm just going to keep taking the risk. So, yeah, do it.
[00:18:51] Speaker B: You just gave me the goosies. I got the goosies on my arm, y'. All. Carla, I am uber impressed by you. You are forever, you know, in my heart. And I am so excited to have met you and to get to know you even that much deeper. And thank you so much for being on here today. And I hope you have an amazing year because this is a good year. This is starting off very good.
[00:19:12] Speaker C: Amen. Yes.
[00:19:13] Speaker B: Amen.
[00:19:13] Speaker C: All right, thank you so much.
Bye. Bye.
[00:19:17] Speaker B: Bye.
[00:19:18] Speaker A: This has been Faces of Atlantic with host Terianne Richards. Real conversations with the people shaping Atlantic Canada.
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