Chana Chiesa, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Chana Chiesa, a distinguished Human Development scholar and community leader, has been featured in an exclusive interview on Kivo. In this insightful discussion, Chana delves into her journey, sharing how her academic background and leadership roles have shaped her approach to fostering resilience and well-being in vulnerable populations.

Interview Highlights

In the interview, Chana Chiesa discusses how her work in Human Development has significantly influenced her understanding of resilience, particularly among vulnerable populations. Through her experiences with projects like the Iranian Street Kids Resilience Project, she has seen firsthand how children facing extreme adversity develop remarkable coping mechanisms. These insights have driven her to design programs that not only meet immediate needs but also empower individuals to build long-term resilience.

Chana also emphasizes the critical role of empathy in her approach to community service. She explains that empathy allows her to connect deeply with those she serves, leading to more effective and compassionate interventions. By actively listening and immersing herself in the communities she works with, Chana cultivates empathy that goes beyond surface-level understanding and drives systemic change.

A key moment Chana shares in the interview is when her academic research directly influenced a community service initiative with the Children’s Needs Task Force in Huntington Beach. By applying her research findings on resilience from the Iranian Street Kids Resilience Project, she helped develop a program that provided long-term coping strategies for at-risk youth in the local community.

Chana reflects on her approach to leadership, emphasizing that it is about service and collaboration. She believes that effective leadership requires humility, active listening, and the ability to bring diverse perspectives together to find the best solutions. Her leadership roles in the WECAN Coalition and the Children’s Needs Task Force have taught her the importance of adaptability and resilience in guiding teams and initiatives.

Despite the challenges that come with her work, Chana remains grounded and motivated by the tangible impact she sees in the lives of children and families. She highlights the importance of mindfulness, self-care, and strong relationships with colleagues and mentors as key to maintaining focus and well-being in her work.

For those interested in combining research and community service, Chana advises staying curious, committed, and deeply engaged with the communities you serve. She stresses the importance of building strong relationships with mentors and peers, and always letting the mission of creating positive change guide your actions.

About Chana Chiesa

Chana Chiesa is a proud graduate of California State University, Long Beach, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Human Development, graduating magna cum laude. Her work spans research and community service, including significant projects like the Iranian Street Kids Resilience Project and leadership roles in the WECAN Coalition and the Children’s Needs Task Force. Honored with the Alice Hurst "Visionary" Award, Chana is dedicated to fostering resilience and well-being in children and communities, embodying the values of empathy, determination, and service.

To read the full interview, click here.

Media Contact
Contact Person: Chana Chiesa
Email: Send Email
City: Los Angeles
State: CA
Country: United States
Website: https://www.chanachiesa.com/