Interview with Urmi Hossain

Interview with Urmi Hossain: Understanding Her Work with Finance, Identity, Culture, and Women’s Empowerment

I interviewed Urmi Hossain, a corporate finance professional by day and a creative storyteller by night. She is a self-published author, speaker, mentor, and Co-Chair of Women in Leadership (Montreal Chapter). She creates content centered on identity, career growth, and women’s empowerment, and she also hosts a podcast called Stories Beyond Borders, which focuses on immigration stories. Please see more of her work here.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Urmi Hossain - Italian by birth, Bengali by blood, and currently living in Canada.

I am a finance professional, self-published author, speaker, female mentor, podcaster, and Co-Chair of Women in Leadership Montreal.

Beyond these titles, I am a big dreamer who believes in living life boldly and ambitiously. I am someone who embraces risks, takes chances, and believes that growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones.

I am also a strong believer in the power of intention and hard work. I believe that when you truly believe in your vision and put in the effort to make it happen, incredible things are possible.

That mindset has helped me turn my dreams into reality — from landing my dream job, to stepping onto stages as a speaker, to launching my own podcast. My journey is a reminder that we are capable of creating the life we imagine when we dare to pursue it.

Can you please discuss your work as Co-Chair of Women in Leadership (Montreal Chapter)?

My work with Women in Leadership started in 2023 when I first learned about the organization and its mission. I was initially part of the Victoria Chapter virtually before later transitioning to the Montreal Chapter, where I now serve as Co-Chair.

Our work is very much centered around the theme of leadership and developing the skills needed to grow as a professional leader.

We provide mentorship programs, leadership development programs, and webinars around several themes such as communication, public speaking, personal branding, and wellness. We also offer in-person networking events with specialized coaches.

The intent is to create communities where women in each chapter feel supported, valued, and seen.

One of the biggest advantages of Women in Leadership is that many of our online workshops are offered free of charge to anyone around the world or at a very reasonable cost. The goal is to make leadership development and learning opportunities accessible, no matter where you are.

Why is women's empowerment important to you?

When I hear the words “women’s empowerment,” I think of three things: education, opportunities, and equality.

This subject is very important to me because growing up in a South Asian household, I learned from a young age what it meant to navigate the expectations placed on women. In many cultures, women can face disparities and gender biases simply because they are women. 

Traditional expectations often position men as the breadwinners, while women are expected to take on different roles and responsibilities.

For me, women’s empowerment means creating a world where women have the freedom to make choices, pursue their ambitions, and have access to the same opportunities as everyone else. It is about giving women the tools, confidence, and support they need to define success on their own terms.

This is why initiatives focused on mentorship, leadership, and community are so meaningful to me, because when women are empowered, they do not just transform their own lives; they also create opportunities for others.

How does your multi-cultural (Italian and Bengali) background influence your values and work?

My Italian and Bengali sides show up in my life through my commitment to staying true to who I am and embracing my authentic self.

Over the years, I have learned to never give up my cultural identity or shrink myself when I feel like I am a minority in the room. Instead, I have learned to embrace my differences and allow myself to be seen and heard through my presence and my voice.

I make sure that both sides of my heritage are reflected in the way I dress, the jewelry I wear, the languages I speak, and the stories I share with others. Through these small but meaningful expressions, I continue to celebrate my identity while educating those around me about the richness of my cultures.

What are your favorite parts about hosting your podcast Stories Beyond Borders?

I love the creative and entrepreneurial aspect of having my own podcast. I have full ownership and control over the content, conversations, and direction of the platform. There is a sense of ownership and authority that not many people can say they have.

Having a podcast also requires an entrepreneurial mindset — being willing to invest your time, energy, and effort into building something from the ground up and seeing the results of your work.

My podcast is centered around immigration, a topic that is very close to my heart. Through my conversations, I explore questions such as: Why do people move? What does home mean? What are they leaving behind?

Every story is unique and highlights themes of courage, resilience, and starting over. Through my guests’ experiences, I have learned that there is so much to be grateful for and so much wisdom to gain from the journeys of others.

Can you discuss your work in finance? How is it interconnected with your other activism work?

My work in finance is my day-to-day career. It is what I do by day before I switch my hat and become a superhero through my mentoring and leadership work.

The two worlds are not connected in a traditional sense, but they are both two of my biggest passions.

I often find myself between two completely different worlds, much like my two cultural identities. I grew up navigating two cultures, and today I find myself navigating two different spheres: finance and activism.

The skills I have developed in finance, such as time management, organization, and discipline, allow me to bring structure and consistency to my community work, which is often more of a DIY journey. At the same time, my activism work has taught me valuable lessons that I bring back into my professional life, such as the ability to communicate, express myself, and become a stronger storyteller.

Although these worlds may seem different, they complement each other and have shaped the person I am today.

If you had one piece of advice for readers, what would it be?

Never let society’s expectations dictate your life. You build your life on your terms and in your own timeline. You are meant to live once. Make it worth it!