From Refugee to Founder: Liana Nitsetskaia's Blueprint for Leading with Kindness
What does it take to build something that truly matters? Is it resources? A perfect business plan? An Ivy League degree? In a recent, powerful conversation on the Let's Talk Impact podcast—a collaboration between WERULE founder Justyna Kedra and The New School—we found a different answer.
The guest was Liana Nitsetskaia. By title, she’s the Vice President of Strategy at TBS Design Gallery and the founder of the Georgian Heritage Foundation. But her titles don't begin to tell her story. Her journey from a young girl on the shores of the Black Sea to a refugee of war, an immigrant starting from zero, and finally, a revered community leader in the U.S., offers a profound blueprint for any woman looking to build a life and a career of impact.
This isn't just a story. It's a masterclass in turning adversity into purpose. Click here to listen to the full episode.
Lesson 1: Your Leadership Ethics Are Forged in Unexpected Places
Liana’s idyllic childhood in Abkhazia, Georgia—a place she calls paradise—was shattered by war in 1993. She became a refugee in her own country, experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty. Years later, after immigrating to the United States, she once again started from "ground zero."
Her first big break came at Nordstrom, where she spent nearly 14 years in leadership and development. It was in the demanding, fast-paced corporate world that she forged her most crucial leadership tool.
"I learned about my individuality," she explains. "I have to lead with kindness, and that has become my ethics. If I do not lead with kindness, I cannot perform well."
The Mentor Takeaway: Your core leadership philosophy isn't something you learn in a boardroom; it's something you discover through experience. For Liana, the chaos of her early life crystallized the need for a compassionate, people-first approach. For any founder, defining your non-negotiable leadership ethics before you have a team is the most important foundational work you can do.
Lesson 2: Your Personal Void is Your Professional Calling
The idea for the Georgian Heritage Foundation didn't come from a market analysis. It came from a deeply personal void. In 2020, amidst the dual crises of the pandemic and California wildfires, Liana had a moment of reflection. She realized her own daughter, though Georgian at heart, couldn't read or write the language of her ancestors.
She saw the same was true for her friends' children. There was no school, no community center, no structure to connect the new generation to their roots. Her response was not to complain, but to create.
"I said, we're going to create one," she recalls.
With a small group of passionate mothers, she launched the foundation online, teaching 45 students the Georgian alphabet via Zoom. That single spark has grown into a professional organization that is a vital hub for the entire community.
The Mentor Takeaway: The most powerful business ideas often come from solving a problem that is intimately your own. Stop looking for a gap in the market and start looking for a gap in your own life or community. The project you can't stop thinking about, the resource you wish existed—that is your calling.
Lesson 3: Embrace "Diaspora Diplomacy" — Turn Your Heritage into Your Superpower
Liana's vision expanded beyond language classes into what she calls "Diaspora Diplomacy"—the belief that every immigrant is an ambassador for their country. This reframes heritage from something to hide or assimilate into a powerful tool for building bridges.
"It is our responsibility... to be the best ambassadors of our countries," she says. "Not hiding our heritage, not being ashamed of it, but being courageous and brave and being inspired by it."
The Mentor Takeaway: Your unique background, your personal story, your heritage—these are not footnotes to your professional life. They are your competitive advantage. In a world that craves authenticity, leading with your whole self is a superpower. Own your story and use it to connect with others.
Lesson 4: Don't Wait for Resources, Create Momentum
For anyone who feels they lack the time, money, or support to launch their big idea, Liana’s advice is a powerful call to action. She started her foundation with a small group of volunteers and a Zoom account. The resources came after the action.
"If you wake up with the same thought every day... you have to do this," she insists. "You just don't wait. You do it anyway without resources, without support. Just launch it. Make it happen. If you fail, fail fast. Do it again."
The Mentor Takeaway: Momentum is a magnet for resources. The world doesn't invest in ideas; it invests in conviction. The most important first step is simply to begin, however small. That initial action creates a gravitational pull that attracts the people, mentors, and support you need.
Her final message is a challenge to us all, a perfect summary of her life's work and a guiding principle for the We-Rule community:
"We cannot burn the bridges; they need to be built on the ground of kindness, compassion, and empathy. And if there isn't one, let's build it."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Liana Nitsetskaia?
Liana Nitsetskaia is the Vice President of Strategy at TBS Design Gallery and the founder of the Georgian Heritage Foundation. She is a community leader and advocate whose journey from a war refugee in Georgia to a successful executive in the U.S. has shaped her powerful leadership philosophy of leading with kindness.
What is the Georgian Heritage Foundation?
The Georgian Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Liana to serve the Georgian diaspora in Northern California. It began by teaching language and history to children and has since grown into a professional hub offering language classes, cultural programs like calligraphy, art exhibits, and lecture series to connect the community to their roots.
What does Liana mean by "leading with kindness"?
For Liana, "leading with kindness" is a core leadership ethic centered on servant leadership. It means prioritizing empathy, compassion, and the well-being of her team and community in every decision. She believes it is the only way to perform well and build something truly sustainable.
What is the "Let's Talk Impact" podcast?
"Let's Talk Impact" is a podcast hosted by We Rule founder Justyna Kedra in collaboration with The New School. It features in-depth conversations with founders, leaders, and innovators like Liana Nitsetskaia who are making a significant impact on their communities and industries.
