From Refugees to Runways: Leadership, Human Dignity & the Story Behind Fabric | Maya Persaud & Sanam Hasan

In this episode of *Expressions of Leadership*, Michele Kawamoto Perry sits down with Maya Persaud, founder of Espero Atelier in Paris, and Sanam Hasan, documentary filmmaker and media professional, for a conversation about leadership, human dignity, confidence, trust, and the power of meaningful work. Maya shares how Espero evolved from its origins during the refugee crisis into a social enterprise connecting refugee artisans with luxury fashion, while helping people rebuild skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Sanam shares what compelled her to tell this story through her documentary *Fabric*, and the leadership lessons she and director Annabelle Marshall learned while earning the trust of the artisans and bringing their stories to the screen. Together, we explore leading across cultures, creating environments where people can thrive, challenging narratives about refugees and migration, and what it means to lead with dignity, hope, and purpose. We also look ahead to what's next for Espero, *Fabric*, and the legacy they hope to create. *Fabric* is the winner of the Social Impact Award at the LA Shorts International Film Festival. Learn more about Espero Atelier at esperofrance.org and follow them on Instagram @esperoatelier. Learn more about Tiny Circus Productions at https://tinycircusproductions.com/ and follow them on Instagram @tinycircusproductions. Follow the documentary Fabric on Instagram @fabric\_shortdoc Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow *Expressions of Leadership* on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada.