Reviewing the Narratives of Identity & Nurturing Belonging | 007

Co-creating inclusive Communities through Stories, Startups, and "Social Capital"

 

Today I welcome Sen Zahn, Co-Director of SINGA Germany, who shares about the transformative power of changing narratives about identity and belonging. We reflect on our shared roots in social innovation and how our paths, like satellites, keep intersecting.

 

Sen’s leadership deeply moved me at a recent SINGA event, where her intentional design, presence and authenticity left a lasting impression.

Together, we discuss how migration is often framed through the lens of deficiency - and how SINGA seeks to shift that towards one of exchange, agency, and mutual contribution.

Sen introduces key SINGA programs such as the Berlin and Rheinpreneur Newcomer Startup Awards and a new series of community events on Belonging - and shares some behind the scenes principles that the team follows.

 

We unpack the social constructs that shape perception and explore how to create spaces where everyone’s potential is recognized. You’ll hear why entrepreneurship can be a vehicle for transformation when it’s rooted in purpose.

 

This conversation is for anyone curious about inclusive innovation, social justice, and collaborative systems change. Tune in to hear how we can collectively review stories, starting with your own. And with that change systems that are not nurturing belonging, inclusivity and diversity.

 

💡 HIGHLIGHTS of this Episode

✨ Why Belonging and mutual Recognition are foundational for inclusive societies

✨ How collaboration across sectors and narratives can fuel social transformation

✨ How SINGA Berlin is reframing migration from a one-way support model to a dynamic exchange

✨ The role of community-based awards like the Newcomer Startup Award in empowering entrepreneurs with lived experiences in different places

✨ Real-life challenges and creative tensions of using entrepreneurial tools for systemic change

 

 

👋 ABOUT Sen Zhan

Sen is a lifelong cultural chameleon, navigating the spaces between diverse worlds with over 30 years of experience living in China, Canada, and Germany. She explores the complexities of intercultural identity - how global citizens build a sense of self, balance cultural contradictions, and cope with challenges like linguistic identity, multigenerational family dynamics, and intergenerational trauma.

Passionate about fostering understanding and championing wholeness, Sen connects with others to explore what it means to belong across cultures.

Currently she is Co-Director of SINGA Germany.

 

 

🔗 CONNECT & follow Sen's work

👉 SINGA Germany

👉 LinkedIn

👉 Podcast "Beyond Asian"

 

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💌 CONNECT & engage with Pia

All information about the 1:1 Mentoring Program for #impactpreneurs that I mentioned in this Episode can be found here.

→ Let's schedule a quick Exploration Call to talk about your idea and get you ready for the Newcomer Award 😉

 

If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator. 🤓⚖

 

For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account. 🧐💓

 

🔔 Other Opportunity to get to know me and my work: OPEN WORKSHOP for #impactpreneurs

Very excited for this collaboration with the ASEYA community.

📌 How to Bring Your Impact Idea to Life: Creative & Courageous Action Planning for Changemakers

📅 April 28 - 4:30 PM CET

👉 All Registration infos at ASEYA

 

Take care of yourself and others!

Pia 🤍

 

P.S. You can also watch this Episode on our YouTube Channel to see our faces 👋 🙂

 

#SocialInnovation #InclusiveEntrepreneurship #MigrationMatters #Belonging #ImpactStartups #NarrativeShift #RegenerativeChange #PurposeDriven #Empowerment #SocialJusticeNow