The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of Jamaican Expatriate Female C-suite executives in the diaspora of working in Multi-national Companies (MNCs). A further question to be answered was the meaning they derived from their experiences. With little research emerging from the Caribbean about this elite class of professionals, the research intended to expose the challenges faced as an outsider in unfamiliar spaces. Research on other groups have exposed limiting factors to women’s progress in MNCs. Critical Race Theory with a brief mention of Critical Human Geography and Intersectionality are lens applied to critique the experiences of the eight participants. This research mined the extant literature that looked at navigating barriers, disrupting stereotypes and gender diversity in international careers. The method of inquiry applied to this research was existential phenomenology and its utility in getting to the essence of the women’s lived experiences highlighted the glass-border phenomenon. In reflecting on the outcome, this research opens the door for scholars and practitioners alike, to critically assess the expatriate literature and to probe further the complex relationship between international business, the movement of black talent across geographic and culturally diverse boundaries and the challenges encountered. The results of this study illuminated several themes from the participants textural descriptions: (1) Moving from Invisible to Visible – Disrupting Bias; (2) Who am I? – Identity, Gender and Heritage; (3) Renegotiating the Rules of Engagement paired with Re-branding the Role and Authority of Women in Business; (4) Male Sponsorship Leads to Acceptance; (5) Improving Skill and Competency Capital for New Roles; (6) Building and Maintaining Bridges – Network Management.

Dans le cadre du jumelage d’une famille d’accueil Banque mixte et d’un enfant en situation de compromission, cette famille peut exprimer certaines restrictions, notamment quant aux facteurs ayant une incidence sur l’intensité de la prise en charge (déficiences physiques, mentales, troubles graves du comportement, etc.). Cependant, elle peut aussi émettre une réserve sur la « race » ou couleur de l’enfant, caractéristique sans implication fonctionnelle. Les enfants de couleur sont de ce fait considérés « plus difficiles à placer ». Mon mémoire questionne cette pratique où l’État – en avalisant les restrictions de « race » ou couleur posées par les familles d’accueil Banque mixte qu’il rémunère – crée, dans l’allocation des ressources de santé et de services sociaux, une disparité préjudiciable aux enfants racisés, et ce, sur la base, précisément, de leur « race » ou couleur. / As part of the current pairing process for a foster (potentially adoptive) family and a vulnerable child from the “Banque mixte”, whose security and development are on the line – this foster family may set certain restrictions, notably in relation to factors influencing the intensity of care (physical or mental limitations, behavioural disorders, etc.). However, the adoptive parent(s) can also restrict the offering of their service to « Whites only », limiting their potential care to children who fit their racial requirements, a criterion without any functional impact. Children of colour are therefore considered « more difficult to place ». Our master thesis questions this practice in which the State – by endorsing the racial restrictions issued by the Banque mixte foster family through placement and remuneration – creates in the resource allocation of health and social services a detrimental disparity on the mere basis of “race”.

The majority of the Lao American population arrived in the United States after the end of the “American War in Southeast Asia” in 1975 as political refugees. Nevertheless, as Asian Americans, Lao Americans are also stereotyped to be the “model minority” and therefore do not face the same educational and socioeconomical challenges like other communities of color. However, Lao Americans are not the model minority and face numerous obstacles as the community is overlooked and history is forgotten by mainstream America. The lack of scholarly literature on Lao Americans highlights not only the general misunderstanding of the community, but also the community’s struggles in social upward mobility in addition to low higher educational attainment levels. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to learn from the experiences of Lao American college graduates in order to support younger Lao Americans pursue their higher educational goals. This basic qualitative study provided participants the opportunity to interpret their experiences as Lao American college graduates and make sense out of their lives. Through one-on-one semi-structured interviews, participants reflected upon their educational journeys as Lao American students. Based upon the data analysis of the interview notes and transcripts, five major themes were identified. The first two themes highlight the Lao American students’ stories in K-12 and higher education respectively. Lao American Counternarratives provides an alternate understanding of the Asian and Lao American experience. Lao American Pathways to Degree Completion details the roadmap utilized by participants to complete their degrees. Finally, in Words of Wisdom, participants offer guidance to younger Lao Americans interested in pursuing higher education. Stemming from the findings and literature, there are four implications for action. First, Lao American Awareness, to differentiate between the experiences of Asian and Lao Americans. Secondly, the proliferation of Lao American Support Networks, to Lao American support students and family successfully pursue higher education. Thirdly, Economic Development, to provide Lao American students more equitable educational opportunities. Finally, Beyond the Model Minority Myth, to uplift all marginalized minority communities while highlighting the need to disaggregate data. By focusing on Lao Americans who have been able to successfully earn higher educational degrees, the researcher learned from their experiences to better support future Lao Americans pursue their academic and educational goals to uplift the entire Lao American community.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.