The Hope Matrix

Episode 25: Shining Hope and Creating Sparks on the International Day of Hope, featuring Zoya Awan

Kathryn Goetzke

This is a special episode of The Hope Matrix Podcast featuring Zoya Awan, Director of Public Affairs at Walmart. Zoya Awan directs the strategic outreach and engagement strategy for Walmart’s strategic partnerships within multicultural and minority communities including People with Disabilities, Native Americans, and Emerging Generations across communities.

In this episode, Zoya and Kathryn Goetkze had a Chai Chat, and shared the progress of the International Day Of Hope and discussed its significance in promoting mental well-being. They also discussed how to Shine Hope, and why it is important to activate in diverse communities. 

Recorded at the Sam’s Club Home Office Studio, we extend our gratitude to Sam’s Club for making this episode possible, along with our appreciation to Zoya and Walmart for their invaluable contributions to activating hope, both within their workplace and on the International Day of Hope.


More about Zoya Awan:

Prior to Zoya’s work at Walmart, Zoya worked at Microsoft in Government Affairs, in the State Department’s office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and various non-profits. Zoya has an MBA from Georgetown University and her B.A. in International Affairs and Communication Studies from American University.

Zoya is a proud Pakistani-American Muslim woman and an explorer who loves to travel and explore all things in the world.  Zoya is passionate about giving a voice to the voiceless and building partnerships to work across sectors to make an impact in communities. Born and Raised in Long Island, New York a longtime Washingtonian Zoya currently resides with her family in New York.  


Discover more about Walmart and Sam's Clubhouse initiatives:

Join the movement and activate hope with the International Day of Hope: