Diverse & Inclusive Leaders

Tania GarrettLeila is joined by Tania Garrett - Vice President, International Employee Experience at Adobe.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Tania’s working-class background and how the lack of a pigeonholing approach from her parents led her to embrace a spirit of open-mindedness· How Tania dealt with being harassed by a male business leader in the workplace earlier in her career, and how this has engendered a determination to further the cause of D&I· The importance of allyship to ensuring that businesses and ERGs/networks within do not become too “siloed”· How D&I has evolved from merely focusing on “representation when hiring”RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tania-garrett-29464332/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Paul FarmerLeila is joined by Paul Farmer – Chief Executive at Mind.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How the mental health problems that Paul’s mother had and a traumatic experience for a close friend at university inspired him to work in mental health·  The importance of prioritising your own mental health before that of others if needed, while also doing your best to care for others as well· How mental health in the workplace has become much more important in recent timesRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-farmer-309b3b2/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Buta AtwalLeila is joined by Buta Atwal – CEO at Wrightbus and Ryse Hydrogen.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How Buta was first inspired to go to university and then subsequently found himself entering management training with Unilever after only applying for one job after university· How serendipity and hard work have both played a key role in Buta’s consistent progression through his career· How anyone can develop the gravitas and confidence to operate at senior level with sufficient practice/talentRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://ryse.teamwww.wrightbus.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/butaatwal/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Naomi SesayLeila is joined by Naomi Sesay - Senior Trainer/Keynote Speaker at APS Intelligence.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Naomi’s current work training the larger FTSE-listed companies on race fluency· How getting the gender balance right can inspire greater innovation in teams· The ‘smart cities’ project that Naomi is developing to further drive greater equality, diversity and inclusionRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://naomisesay.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-sesay/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Aki HussainLeila is joined by Aki Hussain – Group CFO at Hiscox.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How Aki grew up as a second generation Pakistani immigrant in an industrial setting and learned to prioritise education through his father’s influence· The individuals who have been key influences on Aki’s career to date through their mentoring· The importance of diversity of thought in the boardroomRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aki-hussain-906117121/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Jim TownsendLeila is joined by Jim Townsend - Chief Procurement Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How Jim’s career in procurement has unfolded so far after leaving school at the age of 16 and then subsequently studying at university on a part-time basis as a mature student, which led to him working for companies like General Electric and Walgreen Boots Alliance at an extremely senior level· The inter-generational/cultural evolutions in the workplace that Jim has seen and experienced in his career· Supply chain diversity: what exactly this means and why Jim is instilling it at WBARESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswtownsend/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Sam AllenLeila is joined by Sam Allen - Managing Partner at Sam Allen Associates.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  How Sam has built a stellar career despite initial academic struggles, working her way up to board level at Greene King after successful roles at other blue chip companies and latterly founding her own executive search business·  The positive impact that Diversity & Inclusion can have on the world overall, not just business·  The role that executive search/recruitment has to play in building more diverse boardroom/company environments·  ‘Unconscious bias’ at board level – how big a problem is this?RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-allen-1801a914/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Irene McGillivrayLeila is joined by Irene McGillivray - Account Management Lead at Verizon Media.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Irene’s international background, which has taken her from Norway to the UK, Spain and latterly Ireland, as well as her career journey to date· The work that Irene is doing to help young women with endometriosis· The pain and problems for women that endometriosis can cause, which Irene has experienced personally, and the lack of progress that has been made to find a cure to the condition· The medical means which are available to resolve the issue RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/irenehenriksen0/https://nancysnookendo.com/about-endometriosis/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Ying TanLeila is joined by Ying Tan - Founder and Chief Executive at Dynamo.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· The remarkable emigration story of Ying’s father, who left Malaysia for the UK in the late 1950s; the circumstances of which still inspire Ying to this day· Ying’s career story to date, from starting out in financial services to then starting his own business· How Ying defines success and what inspires him to help others achieve financial wellness· How financial inclusion sits as a key part of equity and what can be done to help ensure that everyone can achieve financial wellbeing/stabilityRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ying-tan-6a188312/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Celeste WarrenLeila is joined by Celeste Warren - Vice President, Global Diversity & Inclusion Center of Excellence at Merck.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· The inspiration that Celeste’s father provided her in her childhood by leading the way as the first black principal in his region· The key aspects of Merck’s D&I strategy from a ‘top level’ perspective· The “employee awakening” that has occurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and resulted in a greater focus on inclusion and belonging· The trend for corporations to play a key role in social activism· The crucial role that those in Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer roles can play within the boardroom RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-warren-3728784/Twitter: @@CRWDiversityContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Debra Ruh and LaMondre PoughLeila is joined by Debra Ruh and LaMondre Pough - CEO/Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ruh Global IMPACT respectively.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  The culture shock that LaMondre experienced when he first became an adult and realised that the world did not view him the same way his mother did·  The work that they are doing at RUH Global to make the world more accessible for those with disabilities·  The need for discriminators/oppressors to take action to fix problems regarding inequality/accessibility instead of those who are being oppressed/discriminated against·  An exciting public announcement by Debra and LaMondre, which was made here first!RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/debraruh/https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamondre-pough-b178a09/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Simone Roche MBELeila is joined by Simone Roche MBE – CEO/Founder of Northern Power Women and Northern Power Futures.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  How Simone became an entrepreneur and found herself working in gender equality after starting her career in the Royal Navy· The power of “male advocates as agents of change” within the gender equality spaceRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-roche-mbe-49316416/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Julia ChampionLeila is joined by Julia Champion – Managing Director at Champion Talent.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  How Julia developed a career in talent management· The work she is doing to encourage greater diversity among media presenters· The improved representation of local/regional accents on British TVRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-champion-954a1513a/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Hannah AwonugaLeila is joined by Hannah Awonuga - Vice President - Global Diversity and Inclusion at Barclays.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· What led Hannah to start her lifelong career in banking at the age of 16 and her career journey to date· The need for psychological safety in order to facilitate employees’ ability to “choose to challenge” · The sustainable change for people of colour in future leadership generations that Hannah is looking to drive as a school governor after the George Floyd murder RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-awonuga/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Esther StanhopeLeila is joined by Esther Stanhope – Speaker, author and personal impact expert at the Impact Guru and former Senior Producer at the BBC.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  How Esther uses the superior communication skills from her media career to coach business leaders to speak well when needed· The two types of public speaker·  Esther’s personal battle with Glossophobia· How her work has often revolved around helping women with their self-confidence while speaking in particularRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/estherstanhope/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Mita MallickLeila is joined by Mita Mallick - Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  The bullying that Mita experienced as a child due to her Indian background· How Mita is challenging leaders to be more inclusive with their day to day practices/activities· Mita’s advice for future generation leaders and how she battles ‘impostor syndrome’· How to do good by supporting smaller business owners as well as larger organisationsRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Susie PetruccelliLeila is joined by Susie Petruccelli – Digital Product Manager at Atlanta Media and Author/Publisher.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  The moments of gender exclusion that Susie has experienced throughout her life·  The lack of media coverage dedicated to women’s sport·  How we can level the playing field for women’s sport compared to men’s sportRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-petruccelli-4777682/https://www.amazon.com/Raised-Warrior-Memoir-Leveling-Playing/dp/1948062828/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1610658120&sr=8-1Instagram @susiepetruccelliTwitter @sooozieContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Bina MehtaLeila is joined by Bina Mehta – Partner, member of the board and Acting Chair at KPMG UK.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  Bina’s career journey to date, from moving abroad numerous times; from working in India as one of the original members of staff on the ground to joining a more established business in Canada and then coming back to the UK· Bina’s passion for “shifting the dial” by helping ethnic/female entrepreneurs find the business funding they need· How the Founders for School programme is helping inspire future generations with their own career choicesRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/binamehtauk/https://home.kpmg/uk/en/home/contacts/m/bina-mehta.htmlhttps://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/insight/events/enterprise-tuesday-2feb2021/https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Costa DelisLeila is joined by Costa Delis: Head of Commercial - Classic and Head of Sales & Network - SVO at Jaguar Land Rover.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How Costa found himself working in the UK after being brought up by Greek potato farmers in the USA before spending several years working in China· The most important lessons that Costa has learned from his time living/working abroad·  The differences between Chinese culture and American/western culture· Costa’s perspective on the Chinese New Year celebrationsRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/costapeterdelis/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Rania MarandosLeila is joined by Rania Marandos - Chief Executive at Step Up To Serve.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How Rania’s desire to work with/help people and drive sustainable change has influenced her career to date· The power of listening effectively and storytelling· Rania’s work in the charity sector at organisations such as Teach First and Step Up To Serve· How best to empower young people and the actions that organisations need to take· Ideas for involving young people in leadership and governance structures RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rania-marandos-b111b84/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn