Although the work now appears connected, Renee Le Cussan says it wasn’t guided by a detailed career plan.

Her early interests were geopolitics, international development and travel. The projects that followed were often very different from one another. One year could involve security analysis or border management, while the next focused on governance, research or institutional capacity in another region.

Only later did Renee Le Cussan recognize the common thread: helping organizations understand complex problems and make difficult decisions.

That work has taken different forms. Sometimes it has involved improving internal systems. In other cases, it has required producing research that leaders could use when considering policy options. It has also meant listening to people with direct knowledge of an issue and making sure their experience informed the response.

This has required Renee Le Cussan to work across disciplines rather than remain within one narrow specialty. Research into the heroin trade in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for example, presented a different set of questions from institutional capacity building in Sri Lanka or project work in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.

The subject may change, but the underlying task remains similar: understand the environment, identify the real problem and determine what can work under the conditions that exist.

That approach has become particularly relevant in places where there is no standard solution. Local infrastructure, institutional capacity, political conditions and community expectations can all affect whether a proposed system will work. Methods developed elsewhere may need to be reconsidered rather than transferred without adjustment.

Renee Le Cussan sees local partnerships as central to this process. People working within an institution or community often know why previous efforts failed, which relationships influence decisions and what changes are realistic. External advisers may contribute research, structure and comparative experience, but they don’t automatically have the best understanding of local conditions.

Her career also shows that professional direction can become clearer through experience rather than being fully decided at the beginning. The consistency in Renee Le Cussan’s work came from the kinds of problems she chose to address, rather than from remaining in one country, organization or technical field.

Renee Le Cussan now wants to continue working on projects that require critical thinking, adaptability and different perspectives. After twenty years, she remains drawn to assignments without textbook answers, where understanding the problem is as demanding as developing the response.

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Economic Benefits of Anosh Ahmed’s Projects in Chicago

Anosh Ahmed’s work with AAA Reels Productions has not only elevated the city’s music and video production standards but also contributed substantially to its economy. His projects have created numerous job opportunities for local artists, technicians, and other industry professionals. By employing a diverse range of talent from within the city, Anosh has helped stimulate economic growth and supported the livelihoods of many Chicagoans.

The production of high-profile projects like the song “Dholna,” featured in Season 1 of “The Artist” presented by AAA Records, exemplifies the economic impact of Anosh’s work. These projects require the collaboration of various professionals, including musicians, sound engineers, videographers, and production assistants, thus providing a steady stream of work and income for local industry participants.

Support for Local Talent and Job Creation in the Creative Industry

One of Anosh Ahmed’s core missions is to nurture and promote local talent. Through AAA Reels Productions, he has provided a platform for Chicago-based artists to showcase their skills and gain exposure. By investing in local talent, Anosh has helped many emerging artists build their careers and reach wider audiences.

His commitment to supporting local talent extends to various aspects of production, from music and video creation to behind-the-scenes roles. By offering opportunities to a diverse range of professionals, Anosh has contributed to job creation within Chicago’s creative industry. This support not only benefits individuals but also strengthens the overall infrastructure of the city’s arts community.

Contributions to Chicago’s Cultural Events and Festivals

Anosh Ahmed’s influence on Chicago’s creative economy is also evident in his contributions to the city’s cultural events and festivals. AAA Reels Productions frequently participates in and supports local events, providing a platform for artists to perform and engage with the community. These events play a crucial role in fostering a sense of cultural identity and unity among Chicagoans.

By collaborating with local venues and event organizers, Anosh has helped elevate the profile of Chicago’s cultural events. His involvement ensures that these events are not only well-produced but also attract significant attention from both local and international audiences. This increased visibility helps promote Chicago as a vibrant cultural destination and encourages tourism and economic activity.

Future Initiatives Aimed at Boosting the Local Creative Economy

Looking forward, Anosh Ahmed is committed to further enhancing Chicago’s creative economy through innovative projects and initiatives. He plans to continue investing in local talent and exploring new ways to support the city’s arts community. One of his key ambitions is to establish educational programs and workshops that provide aspiring artists and producers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Anosh also aims to expand the reach of AAA Reels Productions by forging new partnerships and exploring opportunities in emerging markets. By bringing fresh perspectives and resources to Chicago’s creative scene, he hopes to create a more dynamic and sustainable arts ecosystem.

Anosh Ahmed’s impact on Chicago’s creative economy through his work at AAA Reels Productions is both profound and far-reaching. By fostering local talent, generating economic growth, and enhancing the city’s cultural vibrancy, Anosh has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Chicago’s creative landscape. His dedication to excellence and innovation continues to inspire and drive the city’s arts community forward, ensuring that Chicago remains a thriving hub of creativity and cultural expression.

About Dr. Anosh Ahmed 

Dr. Anosh Ahmed has served as the CFO, COO, Medical Director, and board member of the Loretto Hospital and since has developed a profound connection and deep passion for music and production. He has carved a niche for himself as an executive producer who consistently delivers exceptional work. Anosh Ahmed’s journey in the music industry is marked by a relentless pursuit of quality and creativity. Anosh Ahmed’s impact on the music production industry is undeniable.

As an executive producer at AAA Reels Productions, his vision, expertise, and dedication have transformed how music is created and enjoyed.

Through projects like “The Artist” Season One, and many others, Anosh Ahmed has set new benchmarks for excellence, making him a pivotal figure in the world of music production. His journey is a testament to what can be achieved with passion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

Apart from spending time at his record studio, Dr. Anosh Ahmed has dedicated his time, resources, and unwavering commitment to the west side of Chicago around Loretto Hospital, continuing to make a meaningful impact through his philanthropic efforts.

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Welcome Stan. Tell us about yourself and how you got your start as an electrician.

Hi my name is Stan Davis and I studied at the Charleston Electrical Contractors Association. I completed a 4-year apprenticeship program there and I also hold a Masters and Commercial Contractors License. I am a licensed electrician and the owner of Powerful Electrical LLC in Charleston South Carolina. I love helping people and guarantee excellent and honest service to my clients.

You own Powerful Electrical LLC. What is it like operating the company?

Powerful Electrical LLC is a joy to run. My team and I have worked, and continue to work, really hard to create a company that people can rely on to provide top-tier electrical work for an affordable price. We have had great success so far with many happy customers and a loyal following.

What kind of services do you offer?

We offer all of your standard electrical services and strive to solve any problem big or small. We love working with clients to find a solution for their needs and are happy to help advise you on anything. Our main services include electrical panel replacement and installation, electrical service upgrades, circuit breaker replacement, recessed lighting installation and GFCI repairs. These are popular services however we are happy to work with you on anything you may need.

You personally manage every project. Why do you feel this is important?

I do. I oversee each project that we are hired for to ensure that it meets code and client expectations. This way I can guarantee that I have done my very best for each and every project and that each client’s unique project is handled carefully and correctly. You can trust us to do everything in our power to solve your problems in a safe and efficient way.

Tell us about what your motto “Personal. Professional. Experienced” means to you.

The relationship with our customers is of paramount importance to both me and my team. Our motto “personal, professional, experienced” captures this. We are a team of fully qualified electricians who are highly experienced in our field. This, paired with our friendly attitude makes for a company that our clients are delighted to use for all of their electrical issues.

What can people expect when they hire you?

First of all, people can expect a free consultation where we will work out the root of your issues. Our helpful and experienced team will put you at ease and set your project up as one that will be as stress free as possible for you. They can then expect the project to be well-executed and carried out on time and at or below the discussed budget.

What makes you different from other electrical companies?

We are the most time and cost effective electrical company in the area. Our transparency about price and the services we deliver means that we are trustworthy and can be counted on to deliver optimal results. Our commitment to our customers really makes us stand out. We also have a 24-hour live chat service available to answer emergency questions at any time for the convenience of our customers.

What inspires you most in your job?

Customer satisfaction is extremely rewarding for me. Knowing that I am helping people and impacting the Charleston community for the better makes me very proud of what I do and inspires me to keep pushing myself each and every day.

Thank you Stan for your time!
You can follow up with Stan Davis at https://powerfulelectricalllc.com

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With her mother also being involved in real estate, Caroline Hobbs developed a strong passion for the industry and for helping people both buy and sell homes. Due to her interest in architecture and design, Hobbs took a job as an open house host while studying in college. It was this experience that solidified her goals of being a broker and what encouraged her to pursue these dreams after she graduated. Today, her mission remains the same- helping people achieve the best possible outcome for their real estate goals.

As a mother of two, Hobbs is particularly aware of how important adequate housing is for families. Most of her clients are first time home buyers or young families and she prides herself on doing everything in her power to help them find the home of their dreams or sell their existing one. Upon starting her business Reward Realty in 2013, she has built a team of dedicated individuals who are passionate about doing the same.

Reward Realty has quickly become one of Silicon Valley’s most treasured real estate brokerages due to its expert team and its values of honesty and integrity. Hobbs and her team of agents are committed to going above and beyond for their clients and continuing to innovate new ways of providing a seamless process. Utilizing technology is important for this and something that is used by the team effectively to create smooth transactions.

Hobbs and her team are sure to walk their clients through the process carefully and thoroughly to ensure that both buyer and sellers will be properly represented throughout the journey. Their process involves constant communication with clients to identify the key important factors that they are searching for when buying or selling their home. Whether its needing schools close by, needing a house close to work or other features when buying a property, Reward Realty identify these and separate the needs from the wants to ensure that their clients find a property that fulfils their criteria. For sellers, it’s about determining other factors such as the price they are after to secure them a deal that they are happy with.

A good home is extremely important for many people. Thanks to brokers like Caroline Hobbs and her team at Reward Realty, more and more people are able to find the home that is perfect for them. Hobbs’ commitment to client satisfaction and extensive knowledge of the market has paid off to make her one of the best brokers in the Silicon Valley area.

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From his studio in North Carolina, Daniel Turbert offers a range of photography sessions including head shots and portraits. He works hard to capture clients in a unique yet authentic way. He aims to make people feel extremely at ease in his studio and take photos of them that capture their true essence. Whether you’re a model, actor or need a headshot for another reason, Daniel Turbert is making a name for himself as someone who can deliver you photos of the highest quality.

Turbert is also the founder of not-for-profit organization The Sentient Project. The Project aims to raise awareness for social issues and encourage people to change their attitudes and behaviors towards certain things. This is all done through photography and as an experienced photojournalist, Daniel Turbert is the perfect man for the job.

With a background in nature photography and a passion for animal rights that has been steadily developing since childhood, Turbert has made it his mission to change the way that people see animals. His goal is to display pictures to people that remind them of the inherently sentient nature of animals. He hopes that this will encourage them to modify their behavior. Turbert notes that our everyday actions often have serious repercussions for animals, even if we don’t really realize it, and hopes that through showing animals in a new light, we will be more considerate of our actions.

Turbert also directed a short documentary in 2019 by the name of “Cows Come Home” which portrayed a cattle farm that has now turned into an animal sanctuary. Turbert aimed to show that when people realize that animals are sentient beings, they are capable of changing their attitudes and helping them live good lives. The film won numerous awards including Best Short Documentary at the Anaheim Film Festival.

A collection of Turbert’s photographs were selected for display in the NYC Subway System and in Times Square to bring awareness to the fact that animals are denied rights due to the warped perceptions of the general public. By helping people to realize that all animals are fundamentally sentient beings, Turbert hopes to inspire greater compassion and love for the animal kingdom.

Daniel Turbert’s humanitarian approach to photography is changing the lives of humans and animals alike. His passion for capturing all his subjects as their truest selves is inspiring people from around the world to understand and respect other beings. The Sentient Project continues to develop new and impactful initiatives and with a leader like Daniel Turbert, there’s no stopping them from achieving their goals and making a real difference.

You can connect with Daniel Turbert at https://danielturbertphotography.com

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But how did he do it? Ultimately, Joseph knew that he was getting into a competitive industry, so he was prepared for significant challenges from day one.

Joseph says:

“It was obviously pretty scary jumping into it at my age, but I knew I needed to take the risk and not look back. I did a lot of research into Bitcoin trading before I got started, but nothing can truly prepare you like actually doing it does.”

Even when Joseph started to accumulate some early wins, there were still plenty of doubts in his mind. Luckily, he knew how to keep himself objective focused and not entertain defeatist thinking.

“I was worried about diving in too quickly and losing everything. While I did lose money the first few times when I started trading crypto, I learned quickly and was able to recover from those losses. It would have been easy for me to give up when things did not initially go well, but I knew that I needed to persevere to have true success”.

Like trading regular currencies, Bitcoin trading requires a cool head and a calm mindset. Joseph trained himself to keep focused and not allow himself to trade emotionally.

Joseph says:

“I knew that currency traders who dealt with dollars and cents needed to keep a cool head, so I did some research into how they coped with big risk trades. It paid off for me in a big way, because I learnt that everyone has lost money before when trading and it’s all about learning from those trades and making better estimations in the future.”

When he started, Joseph had a lot of naysayers who told him that he was in over his head. However, he did not listen to them and instead focused on his goals to prove everyone wrong.

On this, Joseph says:

“Yes, I encountered a lot of negativity when I told people I was trading Bitcoin because they didn’t understand it and were afraid of it. However, I was confident that it was what I wanted to do and was ultimately successful in it.”

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The Sect’s Creative Director Adam Valenta was kind enough to answer a few questions about the game.

Hi Adam, what started you on your journey to becoming a game developer?

Hi there. I’ve had a huge passion for or video games since I was a kid. Unlike most of the other kids at the time, I always thought that games were a form of art as much as they are a form of entertainment.

Like any other person, I made a couple of mistakes during my youth. This caused me to stay in a job I didn’t like, and not enjoy my lifestyle. Eventually, I realized, that I wanted to achieve something. I wanted to be something more than just a number in the paperwork of some factory.

And that´s pretty much it. I know I am creative, and I know I have leadership ability. I know that I don´t want to die as a butcher with 50 years of experience.

While I am still a full-time butcher, thanks to some online courses (and the support of family and friends), I have been able to learn games development and start Knife and Steel Studio.

What inspired the story of The Sect?

There was plenty of influences in the beginning, games like Nibiru: Age of Secrets, Post Mortem, Still Life etc. All those old-school, dark and gloomy, but not necessarily horror games in this genre.

But biggest inspiration was a Czech series, (I am Czech by the way, but I’ve lived in Ireland for quite some time) called Labyrinth. It has a very well-written story, great actors, great director. It was great, a little complicated, but very enjoyable.

Also, that whole story was believable, which was something that I was focused on when I was writing The Sect. Many of my friends who don’t really play video games said, “if that Kickstarter fails, you should write a book”.

Are the game’s mechanics and structure inspired by any other point-and-click adventure titles?

Yes but it’s kind of hard to explain, as the point-and-click adventure genre is basically based on combining items and talking to NPC´s. I am not saying that all P&C adventure games are exactly the same, but these aspects are essential in the genre. So, the most accurate answer would be all of them!

How many others make up the development team for The Sect?

There is two of us working together. My colleague has a similar background to myself when it comes to game development.

Then there is Daniel Teodoro, who was hired to compose music for the trailer, and he did a fantastic job with it. If we can reach our funding goal, I would absolutely love for him to produce music for the whole game.

If there is something that we can´t do internally, we need to hire someone. However, that was something we were prepared for with the development of The Sect.

What does Knife and Steel Studio hope to do differently with The Sect to revitalize the point-and-click adventure genre?

Perfect question, thank you for that. Well, lately, there have been many point-and-click adventure games that, because of a lack of free time, I was not able to try myself, which is a pity.

We want to deliver a great story that makes people think, and we want to serve it in a variety of ways. This includes multiple endings, side-quests that will give the player some advantage (such as extra information), items which can be helpful later on, and more insight into how to solve a particular problem etc.

Other than raising funds, what are some of the challenges in developing a game like The Sect?

The biggest challenge is not going crazy, which I almost ended up doing a couple months ago. No, seriously, this information can be really helpful for anyone who wants to accomplish something big.

A human being is not a machine, you cannot work for 20 hours every day (by that I mean, 12 hours of a regular job, then write and try to do some marketing for 8 more). Believe me, I tried that and almost got fired from my job!

Focus on time management, work, work on your things, spend time with people you love, have a beer, watch football – don’t forget to relax! Taking a break and stepping back is important. Otherwise, you’ll end up too stressed to focus on anything except the negatives.

What are some of the rewards you offer your backers on Kickstarter?

As we wanted to maximize support for the Kickstarter, we are offering a fair few rewards for backers.

We have some really nice stickers and t-shirts (I ordered a few, and they ended up simply epic). We offer an invitation to our discord, where we can discuss the game’s development.

We also offer to model an actual game character based on a backer, immortalizing them as part of the game. Our top backers get something extra special – not just a character, but a whole questline based around them in the game.

Other than a copy of the game itself, and the soundtrack, backers can get their name in the credits, or even have their name appear during gameplay.

Thank you very much for the interview!

Thank you Adam for sharing your thoughts with us!

Are you curious to know more about The Sect; emotional story driven point and click adventure game? If yes, visit www.kickstarter.com

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Christopher’s style, as reflected through We Style The Street, is one that focuses on the ‘casual modern gentleman’. In essence, Christopher’s followers seek his advice in adding a touch of class to their street style, allowing them to enjoy the confidence that comes with looking sharp every day.

The page has already amassed over 100,000 followers from around the world. There is a common theme connecting many of the men who follow Christopher’s posts – they want inspiration and advice about how to curate their own street style that works specifically for them.

The main content on We Style The Street is photo layouts of different styles that are current, offering inspiration to followers on how they might like to dress. Each month, Christopher challenges his followers to try to replicate the looks they like best and tag him in their posts. He then shares the best photos he finds on the We Style The Street page story.

This is no doubt very motivating for men who want to improve their confidence through street style, or men who just want to find new ideas to add to their outfit collection. There’s a diverse range of men’s street styles on display via We Style The Street, and the gallery is always expanding.

In this way, Christopher Senekki has created more than just an Instagram page around men’s fashion – he’s created a community that makes a positive impact in encouraging men to find confidence through their street style.

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If you want to learn more about Shamus’ life and career, read some of his insightful answers to our questions we posed to him. You can also see some of his art below:

Sidewalk salon Danang VN

Navy buddy ‘T’ Atsugi, Japan

Street Market Vietnam

Shamus, in your opinion, when is the best time of the year to shoot and does this vary from year to year?

Every season has something worth going after.  Winter for its barren, desolate beauty.   Fall for its colors and its sweetness, knowing a bleakness is coming around the corner.  Summer for its bright colors and landscapes. But it’s not really the seasons for me.  It’s more the time of day and the weather.  I’m an early morning photographer. And I love stormy weather, so much so that I have a lot of rain gear specifically to protect my camera gear from the elements.

How important is having the latest, most up to date equipment? Has the rise of cell-phone cameras helped your business?

Not the latest equipment, really, but the latest technology.  A good example is what allowed me to move away from Nikon to other cameras, like Canon.  My Canon M50 mirrorless camera has everything from 4k video to Bluetooth and the ability to shoot in a raw format as well as a silent shutter, which is good for street photography, and it only weighs 17oz. My Nikon D800 doesn’t have Bluetooth, only 1080p video, weighs 3lbs. 3 oz., and when you click the shutter, the whole world knows.

Cell phones are another great example of the value of technology in photography.  The cameras on some of these phones are incredible.  I have used mine at times when I didn’t have my camera gear with me and have come away with some very high-quality photographs.

In your many decades of being a photographer, what would you say has been the biggest change to the way photography operates and why?

From my start in high school in 1969 through my stint in the Navy from 1972 to 76 and into the nineties, the entire process was slow and ‘wet’.  Everything used to be done in darkrooms filled with chemicals.  I can still smell the D-76 and D-72. Your photograph couldn’t see the light of day until the final fixer (another chemical) had been applied.  And without computers and applications like Photoshop, there was very little post-processing to be done.  One example of how big that is, is telephone poles.  They ruined numerous possibilities.   They seemed to always be in the way.  Now, with photoshop, you can get rid of them in seconds.  Problem solved.

How have you been adjusting your services given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic?

I haven’t been doing any street photography, or anything to do with people.  Actually, I haven’t been shooting a lot of anything.  I spend most of my time working on old photos I’ve got archived.  I didn’t know I had so many photos archived until now.  It’s been a good time to catch up and discover forgotten photographs.  I’m always moving and looking forward.  When I shoot 100 photos on an outing, I look for the best 3 or 4 and work on those, forgetting about the others because I’m off on to something new.  It can be interesting to see what was left out.  I’ve found some great shots that would have remained buried if not for this pandemic.

Thank you Shamus for your time!
You can follow up with Shamus Johnson at https://shamusphotography.com
Please contact him with inquiries at  [email protected] 

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A breakdown at 23

When he was just 23 years of age, Joshua had a rather severe breakdown. While working at a local school, Joshua found himself unable to function or engage with anyone. His concerned mother had to pick him up, prompting a serious life intervention. A short time later, Joshua was diagnosed with a condition known as an acute anxiety disorder. It’s a mental health condition that causes intense panic attacks, which can naturally have a demonstrable effect on the individual’s ability to foster meaningful relationships, both socially and professionally.

Joshua also recalls a range of other symptoms, which had a debilitating impact on his mind and physical body. He wouldn’t eat for days or would suffer from long bouts of insomnia. He was constantly living in fear that something terrible would happen to him or his family, causing waves of stress and terror. Little did he know that his experiences would shape the lives of other people, later down the track.

Working through the trauma

It took Joshua a long time to get over his troubles and plight. However, with the support of his family and other people, he was able to overcome his demeanours. For him, overcoming his demons inspired him to become a clinical psychotherapist. He wanted other people to feel the same sense of power he felt when he defeated his mental disorder.

Refining his craft

Joshua began studying at Keele University, where he completed a Masters in Counselling Psychology. After completing his Masters, Joshua moved onto Salford University, where he picked up a PGCert in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. For Joshua, studying psychotherapy was challenging at times, as the course often required students to engage in necessary self-exploration. This could be emotionally challenging for a lot of students.

The writing process

Once he became a trained and qualified psychotherapist, Joshua’s next career goal was to get published. He wanted to get down on paper his experiences as a way of translating these insights into meaningful practices and information for clients and readers. “Anxiety: Panicking about Panic” is all about helping people with anxiety and self-esteem problems. In his practice, Joshua saw so many patients struggling with the stigma of anxiety – bottling their feelings as opposed to normalising their problems.

After about four years as a private practitioner, Joshua published his second book, called “Anxiety: Practical about Panic”. He learnt a lot about the writing process from his first book, and as a result, his second book represents a more refined approach to overcoming anxiety and panic disorders.

Embracing COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed how we interact and socialise. Moreover, it’s massively increased widespread social anxiety, as people have been made redundant, lost their livelihoods and cut off from their families because of border restrictions and social distancing measures.

In his practice, Joshua has found that more and more patients are coming to him in need of help, with some people developing extreme agoraphobia (afraid of going outside and leaving their homes). For clinical therapists and psychologists like Joshua, their role in society has only grown in importance.

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