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In this inspiring episode of Gale Force Wins, we sit down with Aisha Umar, the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador. Originally from Nigeria, Aisha shares her remarkable journey through Kentucky to St. John’s, where she found both a community and a calling. We explore her academic background, love for social enterprise, and deep commitment to community-driven work. Aisha opens up about overcoming cultural challenges, building a life in Newfoundland, and stepping into leadership with purpose and passion. This is a story of bold moves, big impact, and the power of belonging.

Timestamps – Aisha Umar | Hospitality NL

00:00 – Welcome to Gale Force Wins Season 5
00:50 – Meet Aisha Umar, COO of Hospitality NL
01:17 – From Nigeria to Kentucky to Newfoundland
02:35 – First impressions & surviving Snowmageddon
04:08 – Growing up in Nigeria: family, values, and early life
06:00 – Business lessons from mom & dad
08:51 – Academic journey: degrees in accounting & finance
12:00 – Culture shock & adapting to Kentucky
14:39 – Discovering Memorial University’s MBA in Social Enterprise
20:00 – Moving to Newfoundland for education and staying for community
24:25 – Snowmageddon: the turning point
26:00 – Small cohort, big support at MUN
28:30 – Career path: nonprofit work & government roles
30:30 – The value of mentorship
33:10 – Embracing Newfoundland’s hospitality & giving back
34:50 – New role as COO of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
36:04 – Representation, responsibility, and love for tourism
39:04 – Vision for supporting the province’s tourism industry
42:01 – A rising tide: collaboration and optimism
44:00 – What excites her most about the road ahead
46:05 – Final advice: “Do it even if you are afraid. Enjoy the ride.”

Gale Force Wins started out simply as an inspirational podcast releasing episodes wherever you get your podcasts every Tuesday evening. We continue to do that every Tuesday but have expanded into custom content for clients. We also have perfected a conference and trade show offering where you can receive over 20 videos edited and posted to social media at the same time the event is unfolding.

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