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Urmi Hossain

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In a world where women are constantly redefining what leadership means, Urmi Hossain stands out as a woman who truly wears many hats. A finance professional, author, speaker, blogger, and podcast host, Urmi’s journey reflects the power of resilience, self-discovery, and purpose-driven growth.

Currently based in Canada, Urmi works in the financial services industry and holds two of the most respected designations in global finance , CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst). Her path in finance is not just about numbers but about breaking barriers and empowering more women to pursue careers in the male-dominated world of finance.

A Voice for Identity and Belonging

Urmi’s debut book, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle, offers a deeply personal look into her journey as a third-culture kid , avigating identity, culture, and belonging. Through her words, she invites readers to embrace their unique stories and see difference not as a barrier, but as a bridge to empathy and understanding.

Her storytelling continues through her acclaimed podcast, Stories Beyond Borders, where she explores themes of identity, migration, and what “home” really means. By amplifying diverse voices, Urmi fosters important conversations about inclusion and representation in an increasingly interconnected world.

Championing Women’s Empowerment and Leadership

Beyond her professional achievements, Urmi is passionate about women’s empowerment and personal growth. She serves as Co-Chair of Women in Leadership’s Montreal Chapter, where she advocates for mentorship, education, and equal opportunities for women in the workplace.

Her commitment to leadership is also evident in her role as an active Toastmasters member since 2019, where she has served as both VP of Education and Club President. Through public speaking, she continues to inspire others to find their voices, build confidence, and lead with authenticity.

A Lifelong Learner and Role Model

For Urmi, growth is a lifelong journey. Whether she’s boxing, running, or diving into a new book, she embodies the spirit of continuous learning and balance. Her life is a reminder that women can thrive in multiple spaces — combining intellect, empathy, and passion to create meaningful impact.

As Urmi prepares to share her expertise at the upcoming Media Visibility Bootcamp Cohort 5, her story continues to inspire women to show up boldly, speak their truth, and embrace their full potential.

Have you ever Googled yourself to see what’s out there about you? Because I have.

A friend of mine once pointed out how much of an online presence I’ve built. Before I’m invited to a podcast or asked to write an article, I’m often met with questions like, “How do you manage all of this?” “Where do you find the time to do the things you do?” “Why is it important to do the things you love?”

Simply put, nothing I’ve done so far was intentionally planned. I just followed my passions and put them “out there” for the world to see. So let’s go back in time to understand how it all started.

I’ve always been a woman with many passions. When I started my career in 2016, all I did was work, and I felt like I was missing out on life. My life felt empty and meaningless, just working all the time. I used to share my dreams with friends and family and talk about wanting to achieve all of them.

Then the pandemic happened. Suddenly, I had more time to do the things I loved: YouTubing, podcasting, blogging, creating content, and publishing books. It was 2020, the turning point that made me realize it was time to go after the things that truly matter to us.

As I began this adventure, I spoke with many industry experts, especially friends who were already pursuing their passions. Most of them were entrepreneurs, which meant they had to be on strict schedules and manage everything on their own. I, on the other hand, had to balance it all while working full-time and studying almost full-time, which left me with very little time.

My journey of pursuing my passions started with the concept of Ikigai, which means a reason for being, a purpose in life, or a sense of meaning. After reading the book Ikigai, I realized it was time to live with intention. It all started by following my curiosity and intuition. I wanted to write? I started a blog. I wanted to create YouTube videos? I opened a YouTube channel. None of this happened overnight. It was a step-by-step process filled with trial and error. I stepped outside of my comfort zone to explore what truly resonated with me.

Nothing came easily, and I faced many challenges along the way. When you pursue your passions, you’ll face judgment, zero support, and even backlash, but you have to cut through the noise and follow your intuition.

In my case, there was a lot of learning involved. I didn’t know much about YouTube or blogging, so I spent a lot of time learning. Since I was also working full-time, I kept it simple, posting twice a month on both platforms. Over time, as I exposed more of myself to the world, people started reaching out to me for podcasts, article features, interviews, and collaborations. Little by little, I began to build my online presence and personal brand. The things I valued most, the things I talked about online and in my content, became part of my identity. And it all remained consistent with who I truly was.

So, what was the secret sauce?

When it comes to pursuing your passions, there are three key things you need:

  1. Passion must feel effortless.
    Whatever you do should come from the heart. You do it because you want to.
  2. You’ll always make time for it.
    Whether it’s working out, cooking, or writing, we do it because it’s on our priority list. We don’t make excuses like “I don’t have time.” Instead, we say, “I’m going to make time for it.”
  3. Passion develops you into who you’re meant to be.
    Whatever you commit to helps shape who you are. It gives you clarity about who you want to become and builds your identity. For example, if you love writing, you’ll grow into a writer or blogger. If you enjoy creating videos, you’ll become a YouTuber. Your passions define your present and your future.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Pursue Your Passions

  • Start with one passion and see if you can manage it with your busy schedule. Don’t overdo it.
  • Create a schedule to allocate time for the activities you want to accomplish. Don’t just come home and scroll or do nothing. Use your time wisely.
  • Some passions can be monetized if done well. Quality content attracts the right audience. If executed properly, it can pay off.
  • Be consistent. Don’t stop just because you’re not seeing engagement. It takes time. Your consistency reflects your character, it shows that you’re not a quitter.
  • Utilize mentors, websites, and YouTube for educational purposes. There’s plenty of free information out there to help you grow.
  • Your passion can become a full-time job. It’s all about trial and error. If you’re good at something and feel it has the potential to become a business, go for it. Many entrepreneurs start this way.
  • Most importantly, enjoy it.
    If you keep making excuses, maybe it’s not something worth pursuing annd that’s okay too.

About Urmi

Urmi Hossain is a finance professional, author, speaker, and advocate for women’s empowerment. Based in Canada, she works in the financial services industry and holds both the CFA and CAIA designations. She is the author of Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle and host of the Stories Beyond Borders podcast, where she amplifies voices on identity, migration, and belonging.

Urmi also serves as Co-Chair of Women in Leadership’s Montreal Chapter and is passionate about continuous learning, personal growth, and public speaking.