Where you grew up and your background can often have surprising effects on our lives and careers. We’ve asked folks from the community to tell us about how their background has affected them.

Zaure Vuk | Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula and Montessori Parenting Educator

Originally I am from Central Asia, country called Kazakhstan. I grew up there and moved to the States in 2007. I grew up in a community-based culture where you live in an apartment building and the neighbors are considered to be your extended family! Read more>>

Daniel Schrock | Photographer & Wellness Business Owner

Originally I am from the suburbs of Chicago. When I was almost 18 I moved to the city to be free of the suburbs and closer to what I was looking for in life. I always had a draw to be near activity and art and Chicago was always calling me. Upon moving there I worked and saved up to attend college. After a couple years I was able to get into school and start that journey. Read more>>

Aloria Weaver | Artist & International Arts Educator

I’m originally from Buffalo, NY (although I haven’t lived there in over twenty years now). When I was a young artist in the early 1990’s, I became an apprentice at the Buffalo Arts Studios of Western New York. The Director, an incredible woman named Joanna Angie, mentored me for nearly a decade. Read more>>

Jesse Wilson | Communication Specialist and Storytelling Strategist

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, I pretty much struggled in every area of my life except for the arts. Theater was the only real thing that made sense to me. After being accepted into the Juilliard School for theater, it seemed clear to me that I was meant to be an actor in this life. But that was not my path. Read more>>

Rosalie Rodriguez | Artist. Activist. Educator.

I grew up in Buffalo, New York during the 80’s and 90’s in a mixed race family of first generation immigrants from Puerto Rico and Italy. I always say I am a proud product of a public school art education. My family was very poor and could never have afforded for me to take art lessons or have much in the way of art supplies at home. Read more>>

Krista Rogers | Corps Professional

I grew up in Maine, the daughter of a State Park manager. My sisters and I grew up on public lands, interacting with hikers, boaters, and campers from all over throughout our childhoods. This unique upbringing fundamentally affected who I am as a person and as a professional today. Read more>>

Laura Bruns | Craft Beer Educator

I grew up in the midwest in a family that held tight to our German heritage, including the normalization of serving beer with meals and demystifying it for curious young minds. In a similar realm I am employing a lot of those philosophies today through craft beer education Read more>>