Today, I'm joined by Matthew Veland, President of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Metro DC and Dyanna Volek, proud Filipina American and native San Franciscan who during the day, works in government affairs and is a champion of the Filipino community. We discuss:

• Biggest challenges that Filipino business owners face
• Need to address mental health and business owners' relationship to money
• Entrepreneurial and mental health resources for business owners
• Ways we can support Filipino-owned businesses on both coasts

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Matthew Veland is a highly respected financial planner with Prudential Financial in the Washington D.C. area, distinguished by his deep commitment to empowering Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) business owners and medical professionals. Beyond his professional expertise in financial planning, Matt is a leading advocate for the local Asian American business community, with a particular focus on the significant economic contributions of these enterprises.

As the current President of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Metro DC, Matthew spearheads an organization dedicated to uplifting and empowering over 200 entrepreneurs and business owners across the DMV region. Under his leadership, the Chamber actively promotes economic development, fosters networking opportunities, and amplifies the voices of Filipino American businesses.

Further demonstrating his dedication to community development, Matthew is also a co-founder and Treasurer of FilExcellence, a non-profit committed to fostering personal empowerment and professional development within the Filipino diaspora.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgveland/

IG: mgveland

Dyanna Volek is a proud Filipina American and native San Franciscan who blends civic service with cultural passion. By day, she navigates government affairs with over a decade of experience in public affairs—but her heart beats for community, culture, and connection. Outside the office, Dyanna is a champion of holistic wellness and vibrant living, spotlighting the local businesses that are the lifeblood of cities.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyannavolek/

IG: dyannaluna

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Today, we welcome Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson to the show. Following an accident and a skull fracture, she advanced her education. She is the founder and executive director of
the Girls education initiative of Ghana (GEIG), providing
academic and financial support for girls including applicants with special needs, so they may access higher education, and professional opportunities. We discuss:

• De-stigmatizing special needs and empowering individuals with disabilities to lead meaningful and productive lives
• The importance of family in recovering from an accident
• The value of girls having role models
• Her new memoir, My Life After Death (https://www.amazon.com/MY-LIFE-AFTER-DEATH-Overcoming/dp/1960299751/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1V3710TWGSJ4Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.unRwEE8yzjTli3PzRVeRVtSAoBgX5tQw9E2LPZNHr0-sU3cQ6kd9cYNEzsQ7rwcmLvPM7873axRXL_q_qdl0TQ.kumUS4f1ols75P3toNRgH88z5RWgapMJpRbgZCJQIu4&dib_tag=se&keywords=my+life+after+death+patterson&qid=1754443953&s=books&sprefix=my+life+after+death+patte%2Cstripbooks%2C337&sr=1-1)

To learn more and support GEIG: https://www.girlsedgh.org/

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Jackie Dallas followed her passion, which led to her break-out role in Season 1 of "Stranger Things," as 'Jen,' Mr. Clarke's girlfriend, Jen Woo. In the Netflix series, The Hunting Wives, starring Dermot Mulroney, Malin Akerman, and Brittany Snow, she plays Jia-Yi. In this episode, we dive into:

• Career Transition from Medicine to Acting
• Her break-out role in Stranger Things and how it jump started her acting career
• How her surgical experience gives her perspective when facing rejection in Hollywood
• Ongoing advocacy for women's health, specifically education about urological issues
• Her role in Hunting Wives, streaming on Netflix!

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Full bio:

Jackie Dallas plays ‘Jia-Yi’ in the upcoming Netflix series “The Hunting Wives,” (July 21, 2025) starring Dermot Mulroney, Malin Akerman, and Brittany Snow. Based on the book of the same name by May Cobb, the series follows Sophie O'Neil, who relocates to deep East Texas and quickly falls under the spell of glamorous socialite Margo, leading to a world of obsession, seduction, and murder. Jackie plays ‘Jia-Yi,’ a sharp and strategic political advisor and campaign manager to Mulroney’s character.

You may recognize Dallas from her breakout role in Netflix’s “Stranger Things” as ‘Jen,’ Mr. Clarke’s girlfriend ‘Jen Woo’ from season 1. Her film work includes action thrillers alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme, Morgan Freeman, Frank Grillo, and Juliette Binoche.

Outside of acting, Jackie remains connected to her medical background as a philanthropic patient advocate for women’s health. She has published 20 clinical research papers focused on surgical outcomes, including disparities in race and age.

Connect with Jackie on Instagram: @jaxdallas

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