ABOUT US
ABOUT US
Brain Cultured empowers women to navigate career transitions and embrace global opportunities. We offer personalized coaching for women seeking career breaks, volunteering abroad, or career changes. Our expert guidance helps you define your goals, develop a strategic plan, and overcome challenges.
Additionally, we provide engaging workshops on cross-cultural dynamics to equip companies with the skills to foster inclusive and globally-minded workforces.
Workshops are offered in: English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
OUR MISSION
Brain Cultured empowers individuals and organizations to succeed globally through personalized coaching, cultural training, and career guidance.
Individual Coaching:
- Tailored Guidance: Offers one-on-one coaching sessions designed to meet the specific needs and goals of each client.
Workshops:
- Cross-Cultural Dynamics: Offers workshops on cultural awareness, effective communication, and conflict resolution in diverse environments.
- Global Etiquette and Protocol: Provides training on navigating cultural nuances in professional settings.
Global Opportunities:
- Research and Selection: Assists clients in researching and selecting suitable destinations for career breaks or volunteering.
- Visa and Work Permit Guidance: Provides information and support for obtaining necessary documentation.
OUR TEAM
WEYU HODGE
International Advisor, Consultant
Currently Based in: New York, NY
Languages: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, and Garifuna
Places around the world where she has lived, worked, or has expertise: Belize, Brazil, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Honduras, and India.
After a successful career in DEIAB, Weyu Hodge took a career sabbatical that ignited a passion for helping other women navigate career transitions and explore global opportunities. Inspired by her lifelong love of travel and her own experiences living and working abroad, Weyu wanted to provide personalized coaching and support for women seeking career breaks and cultural immersion.
A cultural language activist with a deep connection to her Garifuna (Afro-Central American) heritage, Weyu has spent time working with Afro-Bolivian communities and assisting with revival efforts for Garifuna populations in Belize and Guatemala. Her experience living and working in diverse cultures has equipped her with a unique perspective and a commitment to fostering cultural understanding and inclusivity.
With over a decade of experience in Learning & Development and DEIAB and a passion for empowering women, Weyu is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
As a Colombian mother who has lived in Belgium and other parts of the world, Catalina brings a unique perspective to her work as a cultural strategist. Her personal experience of relocating to a new culture and navigating the challenges that come with it allows her to empathize with individuals and families undergoing similar transitions.
Catalina’s firsthand understanding of the hurdles faced by those seeking to integrate into foreign cultures informs her approach to training and coaching. She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations develop the skills and knowledge necessary for successful cross-cultural interactions.
With over a decade of experience in strategy and program management, Catalina has a proven track record of leading successful cross-cultural projects. Her expertise in bridging cultural divides and fostering seamless collaboration makes her a valuable asset to organizations seeking to thrive in a globalized world.
LAURA CATALINA PEÑA
International Advisor, Consultant
Currently Based in: Ghent, Belguim
Languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, English, and Dutch
Place around the world where she has lived, worked, or has expertise: Colombia, Italy, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile and Belgium
KYRA BROWN
International Advisor, Consultant
Currently Based in: Baltimore, MD
Languages: English and French
Places around the world where she has lived, worked, or has expertise: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Dominican Republic, China, Guinea, Ghana (Peace Corps), and Mauritania
Kyra’s journey as a cultural bridge builder began with a transformative experience in the Peace Corps of northern Ghana. Witnessing firsthand the complexities of cultural dynamics ignited a passion for creating positive change on a deeper level.
For nearly a decade, Kyra has dedicated her career to international non-profit program management, focusing on democracy, governance, public health, and conflict resolution in the Sahel region of Africa. As the Sahel Program Manager, she has worked across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and neighboring Littoral States.
Kyra’s work centers on building strong, sustainable democracies, equipping communities with conflict resolution skills, and fostering resilience against violent extremism. She is a strong advocate for deconstructing white saviorism in international aid and promoting inclusive, locally-driven solutions that empower communities.
Kyra brings her extensive experience, cultural sensitivity, and unwavering dedication to Brain Cultured. Together, we can bridge the gap between cultures, empower communities, and build a more equitable world.
MALIKA HODGE
International Advisor, Consultant
Currently Based in: New York, NY
Languages: English and Spanish
Places around the world where she has lived, worked, or has expertise: Haiti, Dominican Republic (Peace Corps), and Guatemala
Malika is a passionate advocate for creating safe, trusting, and motivating work environments for all. As a humanization strategist, philosopher, and DEIA thought leader, she empowers organizations to dismantle systemic inequities and foster a more just and equitable future.
With a Master’s in Public Health and a background in organizational development, coaching, and facilitation, Malika brings a unique perspective to her work. Driven by a desire to address the multi-generational impact of toxic work cultures, she champions human-centered approaches in the workplace and advocates for the well-being of BIPOC communities.
Malika’s expertise lies in bridging the gap between cross-cultural initiatives, learning and development, and organizational development. She helps organizations translate team principles into actionable strategies for virtual and hybrid teams, creating inclusive and equitable work environments for all.
Karina Eileraas Karakus is a professor and published author with over a decade of experience in academia including UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley, and Pomona College. Her teaching, research, and writing address sexual and gender-based violence, transnational trauma, global reproductive health and politics, diaspora, sexuality, nationalism, revolution, film, fashion, visual culture, music and performance studies, social media, digital citizenship, and bodily protest, centering especially on the Middle East & North Africa.
Eileraas Karakus is the author of Between Image and identity: Transnational Fantasy, Symbolic Violence, and Feminist Misrecognition. She has also published and presented research on Turkish modest fashion influencers, nude protest and digital citizenship in the MENA region, gendered Islamophobia, 1990s girl bands, Marilyn Monroe and celebrity culture.
Beyond academia, Karina consults on global gender equity and social inclusion, global organizational development strategy, ESG, social impact and community engagement, sexual and gender-based violence, mental health, gender and cultural inclusivity, free speech and inclusive content curation on digital media platforms. She has also worked as a global consultant with Ernst & Young, Accenture, and Sidley & Austin.
KARINA EILERAAS KARAKUS
International Advisor, Consultant
Currently Based in: Istanbul, Turkey
Languages: English and French
Place around the world where she has lived, worked, or areas of expertise: Algeria, France, Norway, Turkey, and Iran
MARIA MERCÊDES
International Advisor, Consultant
Currently Based in: São Paulo (SP), Brazil
Languages: English and Brazilian Portuguese
Places around the world where she has lived, worked, or has expertise: Brazil, Chile, and Japan
Maria Mercêdes, a renowned Economics scholar by day and a creative powerhouse by night, is a multifaceted individual with a passion for empowering others. As a singer, writer, artistic manager, and professional life coach, she inspires individuals to embrace their authentic selves and build fulfilling lives.
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mercêdes has had a rich and varied career. From acting to working at Brazil’s largest bank, her diverse experiences have fueled her dedication to helping others achieve their goals.
Bridging the Gap Between You and Your Dreams
As a life coach, Mercêdes specializes in bridging the gap between personal and professional aspirations. Drawing on her extensive experience working with people from all walks of life, she crafts tailored strategies for success, fostering a supportive and empowering environment for both individuals and organizations.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Mercêdes is a dedicated athlete and lifelong learner. She stays active with boxing, pilates, bodybuilding, and even hip hop! Her love of adventure and her ability to embrace new cultures are reflected in her enthusiastic approach to coaching.
With over 11 years of experience in hospitality, Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge in customer service, team management, and program development to Brain Cultured. Her strong work ethic, cultural sensitivity, and ability to build rapport allow her to thrive in diverse environments and foster positive interactions within our team.
Andrea’s commitment to global collaboration extends beyond hospitality. Her experience leading medical programs in Honduras saw her successfully recruit volunteers, source medical supplies, and manage logistics for international medical teams. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, she fostered a sense of community among volunteers, ensuring a positive and impactful experience for all.
Andrea’s ability to manage diverse teams and deliver impactful results makes her a valuable asset to Brain Cultured. She excels in challenging situations and is passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for our team.
Andrea Montenegro
International Advisor, Consultant
Currently Based in: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Languages: Spanish and English
Place around the world where she has lived, worked, or areas of expertise: Germany, Bolivia, Honduras.