From Refugees to Runways: Leadership, Human Dignity & the Story Behind Fabric | Maya Persaud & Sanam Hasan

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Maya Persaud, founder of Espero Atelier in Paris, and Sanam Hasan, documentary filmmaker and Sr. PR Manager at BFI Festivals, for a conversation about leadership, human dignity, confidence, trust, and the power of meaningful work. Maya shares how Espero evolved from its origins during the refugee crisis into a social enterprise connecting refugee artisans with luxury fashion, while helping people develop skills, rebuild confidence, and create a sense of belonging. Sanam shares what compelled her to tell this story through her documentary Fabric, and the leadership lessons she learned while earning the trust of the artisans and bringing their stories to the screen. Fabric is the winner of the Social Impact Award at the LA Shorts International Film Festival. Together, we explore leading across cultures and differences, creating environments where people can thrive, the responsibility of telling someone else's story with care, and the power of challenging narratives about refugees, migration, identity, and belonging. We also look ahead to what's next for Espero, Fabric, and the legacy they hope to create. Learn more about Espero Atelier at esperofrance.org and follow them on Instagram @esperoatelier. Learn more about Tiny Circus Productions at https://tinycircusproductions.com/ and follow them on Instagram @tinycircusproductions. Follow the documentary Fabric on Instagram @fabric_shortdoc Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project's expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. Chapters 00:00:15 Opening the Conversation 00:03:53 Hope Through Craft 00:08:11 Storytelling as Purpose00:16:40 Balancing Impact and Excellence00:23:17 Confidence Rebuilt00:25:26 Making Fabric Work 00:32:43 Building Trust on Set 00:35:32 Hope Resonates 00:38:32 Challenging Refugee Narratives 00:42:00 Futures in Motion 00:45:27 Shared Human Connection 00:47:32 Legacy of Dignity 00:50:15 Advice and Whimsy