Diverse & Inclusive Leaders

Mamta Singhal: FMCG expert, Design Engineer and STEM/Diversity Public SpeakerLeila is joined by Mamta Singhal - FMCG expert, Design Engineer and STEM/Diversity Public Speaker.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·         Mamta’s unique career experience so far in STEM, FMCG and academia·         Her unique upbringing as a child, which combined both Scottish and Indian culture and led to her love of both the arts and sciences·         Mamta’s thoughts on the increasing importance of neurodiversity, particularly with regard to the advantages of dyslexia (“dyslexiability”), as she is affected by this personallyRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mamtamba/Twitter @mamtasinghal2Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Anni Townend: Leadership Consultant, Executive Coach and Author Leila is joined by Anni Townend; Leadership Consultant, Executive Coach and Author.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· The importance of micro behaviours to business leaders, for instance the choice to smile or not smile, as they are being observed by those around them: “You are being watched”· Anni’s advice on shaping your own set of personal values as a leader· How a conversation encouraging, ‘open door’ policy type of approach with colleagues can be both holistic and humanistic· Fostering stronger relationships with your colleagues/team by making uncomfortable conversations as comfortable as possible· How attending boarding school led Anni to feel different in terms of her background, and why this led her to concentrate on helping her clients to create a sense of belonging in the workplaceRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDanni@annitownend.com www.linkedin.com/in/anni-townend-92265a2 www.annitownend.com www.futureengagedeliver.com Continue

Mark Metry: Founder at VU DreamLeila is joined by Mark Metry, Founder at VU Dream, Show Host at Humans 2.0 Podcast (Global Top 100 Podcast), Forbes featured speaker and New York Times bestselling author.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Mark’s childhood story, where he had to overcome various health obstacles in the form of both physical and mental disorders such as social anxiety and asthma while attending a school with no diversity and intense feelings of isolation· His successful early ventures as a young entrepreneur on the Internet: Mark started his own YouTube channel at the age of 13 and launched the world’s most successful Minecraft server at the age of 15!· Mark’s realisation as a result of his journey in life that the best way to live your life is to forge your own path and identity· The steps that Mark took (both consciously and subconsciously) to go from having no self-confidence as an 18 year-old to feeling much more confident/comfortable in his own skin RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDh

Dennis Ossipov-Grodsky: CEO/Founder at agile5.co Leila is joined by Dennis Ossipov-Grodsky, CEO/Founder at agile5.co and ex-Head of Vayner Consulting and SVP Digital Strategy at VaynerMedia IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Dennis’ exciting new venture in growth mentoring for CEOs of SMEs· The importance of freedom of expression, personal growth and having pride in your personal achievements in the workplace for all individuals· How vital cultural intelligence/awareness is becoming in an ever more global/internationalised business world in Dennis’ experience after travelling to and working with teams in 50 countries· “People are universes that walk”: how “mental diversity” can enable organisations to see things differently e.g. assembling a team with experience from other sectors/countriesRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-ossipov-grodsky/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Karin Hurt: CEO at Let’s Grow Leaders Leila is joined by Karin Hurt, CEO at Let's Grow Leaders, award winning author, Inc Top 100 Leadership Speaker and former Verizon Executive.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How vital it is for a company to get the balance right between its results and its customer relationships· “Micro innovations” and how crucial it is for leaders to listen with two ears and one mouth· Karin’s thoughts on the practice of business leaders using fear and intimidation tactics RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-hurt/https://letsgrowleaders.com/https://letsgrowleaders.com/blog-2/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Keith Antoine: Performance Coach at 3rd Leg Ltd Leila is joined by Keith Antoine: Performance Coach at 3rd Leg Ltd. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· The importance of motivation in performance coaching: clarity and credible goals are particularly crucial· Keith’s work with Richard Whitehead, the renowned British athlete and multiple Paralympic medal winner· How crucial it is to diversify your organisational leadership in order for them to be able to properly understand the differing needs of individuals from different backgrounds, etc. in their workforce· The importance of individuals also being able to define what inclusion means to them on a personal level: what do they personally need in order to feel included within an organisation?RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-antoine-4b15694/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Christoph Bauer: Innovation Evangelist at Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking (SGCIB)Leila is joined by Christoph Bauer, Innovation Evangelist at Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How innovation specifically can profit from different groups of people coming together to form something new· How diversity of thought is leading to us all becoming more generalist in terms of “soft skills” e.g. empathy, communication, team leadership, etc.· The growing importance of emotional intelligence as a commodity for business leaders in an ever more digital world· How important it is to be able to demonstrate your vulnerable side at work as an employee· Christoph’s admiration for diverse/different cultural artists such as Björk and Stanley Kubrick RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDTwitter @christophbauerhttps://de.linkedin.com/in/bauerchristoph Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Graham Frost: Professional Speaker and Trainer Leila is joined by Graham Frost, Professional Speaker/Trainer and professional member of the Professional Speaking Association. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Graham’s journey in life so far, from leaving school with 1 GCSE and conquering testicular cancer in his early 20s to leaving a full-time role in order to become a professional speaker· His courageous decision to move out of his parents’ home at the age of 17 due to leaving the fundamentalist church· Graham’s passion for giving people equal opportunities regardless of their gender, class, race, colour or disability – “It shouldn’t be about jobs for the boys or the girls or whatever”· How useful servant leadership can be within an organisation to encourage positive change· How crucial it is to never give up on anything and to find your passion in order to be happy and successful in life, while also making the most of “happy accidents” and serendipity like GrahamRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDgra

Martin Pong: Management Consultant at Oliver Wyman Leila is joined by Martin Pong: Management Consultant at Oliver Wyman, Global Chair of the LGBT+ Network and Financial Times & Yahoo Finance Top 10 Global Future Leader IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Martin’s experience growing up as the LGBTQ+ son of Chinese immigrant parents in Manchester, UK· The impact bullying at school had on Martin’s relationship with his Chinese heritage throughout his childhood· How the modern day corporate focus on D&I helped Martin understand, accept and embrace the fact that his differences are also some of his key strengthsRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-pong-5401b872/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Bobby Umar, President at Raeallan, CEO at DYPB and renowned leadership speaker/speaking coach. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Bobby’s career journey, from his beginnings as an engineer to working as a teacher and brand marketer, before finally finding his passion in professional speaking· How you can build your own personal brand through storytelling in public speaking· Some of Bobby’s public speaking stories from over the years, such as 20-second hugs!· Bobby’s belief in the importance of being authentic about vulnerability and mental healthRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDwww.raeallan.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyumar/Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @raehanbobbyContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

WARNING: There is some strong language in this podcast.Desiree Barnes: Founder and Managing Partner at BRKDN Strategies LLC Leila is joined by Desiree Barnes, Founder and Managing Partner at BRKDN Strategies LLC, as well as ex-Communications and Public Engagement Specialist for Barack and Michelle Obama. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Desiree’s recent/current projects in communications and public engagement, from taking the dangerous step of founding her own consultancy BRKDWN Strategies LLC to working on various projects for the Obamas, both in and out of office at the White House· Her passion for art, which has come from her love of graffiti and hip-hop music after growing up in New York· Her achievement of going to college/university a year early despite a difficult upbringing by a single parent as an only child and dealing with various challenging circumstances e.g. addiction· How she owed her success with the Obamas to her outstanding work ethic· The story of Desiree’s battles with anxiety and dep

Lisa Targett: UK General Manager at TRIBELeila is joined by Lisa Targett, UK General Manager at TRIBE, member of the Drum’s #50Under30 and one of Diversity Journal's Women Worth Watching in 2018. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·         Lisa’s leadership stories throughout her career so far, such as managing a team of 30 in her early 20s at a Microsoft/Channel 9 (Australia) joint venture·         How Lisa grew up with inspirational role models who influenced her career through hard work, entrepreneurialism and lack of entitlement·         How the new challenges of technology and changes in identity have shaped younger generations·         The importance of embracing authenticity and “truth seeking”·         “Be comfortable in the uncomfortable”: how business innovation can lead to development of resilience to making mistakesRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lisatargett/http://tribegroup.coContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Leendert Den Hollander, Vice President & General Manager at Coca-Cola European Partners and President of the British Soft Drinks Association. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·         Some of CCEP’s exciting cross-functional initiatives in employee engagement and D&I (which is referred to internally as Inclusion & Diversity at CCEP)·         The thinking behind the creation of the three key values of I&D at CCEP: Be Yourself, Be Valued and Belong·         Leendert’s personal journey and background in his career to date·         Collaborative/connected leadership and motivational factors: “You need to connect at all levels”·         CCEP’s key management principle: “You challenge the professional and not the individual”  RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONED https://www.linkedin.com/in/leendert-den-hollander-9820672/ Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by John Stapleton, Non-Executive Director at the Grocery Accelerator and a well-known FMCG entrepreneur/investor/speaker/advisor/mentor IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·         How John has gone from setting up new businesses to focusing on helping entrepreneurial businesses grow·         John’s own entrepreneurial journey (which has now lasted 30+ years and is still ongoing)·         The importance of not trying to be an expert at everything as an entrepreneur, and instead bringing on board, leading and inspiring the right people·         The reasons for John’s belief that a male-female partnership can be the strongest type of partnership in business·         John’s opinion that D&I is more than just “box ticking” and how essential it is to focus on outputs/results RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.johnstapleton.eu/John@stapleton.euContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Hither Mann, CEO at Fortune Academy and the world’s first female trader/educator. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·         Hither’s business journey: going from a medical degree to establishing her own multi-million property development portfolio by the age of 25, and then creating Fortune Academy·         Fortune Academy’s offering of a lifelong wealth education and its executive IPO services·         Hither’s experience as a young female Asian business leader·         The importance of differentiating between individuals controlling money and being controlled by money and prioritising inspiring people as well·         What Hither looks for in potential employees: free spirits and entrepreneurialism·         Hither’s passion for encouraging females to “raise their game”  RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hithermann/https://www.instagram.com/hithermann/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/hithermann/www.fortuneacademy.co.uk/eventsContinue the conversation on Li

Andrew Pearce: Managing Director at AccentureLeila is joined by Andrew Pearce, Managing Director at Accenture, Executive Sponsor of the Accenture African and Caribbean network and UK Chair of the ELC. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·         “Formative years”: Andrew’s adoption experience as a black baby to white parents and how this fostered his lack of judgment regarding gender, race, etc.·         The disturbing use of language around sensitive topics such as gender, sexuality and race that he experienced earlier in his career, and the acceptance of this as the norm·         The importance of using inclusion to make a difference in order to avoid treating D&I as just ‘box ticking’·         “Cross-culture”: how working and living abroad can contribute to the D&I agenda·         How Andrew has overcome racism and confirmational bias during his career through always overdelivering and encouraging others to treat people as individuals·         Pressure to conform in the workplace and how best to r

Fiona McDonnell: European Director - Beer, Wines & Spirits at AmazonLeila is joined by Fiona McDonnell, European Director - Beer, Wines & Spirits at Amazon. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·       What Fiona gets up to on a day to day business as European Director – Beer, Wines & Spirits and as Amazon’s Executive Sponsor for Diversity in the UK·       What Amazon can do to change the world of tech, while also making sure that they are “doing the right thing” in general·       The recent launch of Amazon’s Amplify programme in order to attract more female talent into STEM·       The importance of making job descriptions more appealing to women and giving them more recognition at senior level·       “Running into walls and learning lessons”: Fiona’s own personal journey to becoming a more collaborative leader while ensuring that she has still remained focused on her strengths·       The importance of equal contributions and voices in a D&I context  RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONED Resea

Leila is joined by Alexandra Watson, Editor In Chief at SHINE UK Magazine, Founder of TRUE Leadership for Women, Keynote Speaker and Best-Selling Author  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT  ·       Alexandra’s documentary film project about women’s careers at senior level and their representation as icons·       The career challenges facing women in the present day and future·       Alexandra’s passion for the advancement of women and the doors that she can open in the battle against gender pay gaps and gender training gaps·       The behavioral and personality differences between men and women and the impact that this can have on careers·       How to be a commanding leader instead of a demanding one: “Heart and soul leadership”·       Access to leadership training specifically for women via the 2020 Initiative  RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONED http://alexandrawatson.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/happiness/ success@shineukmagazine.comContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Davide Moro, Marketing VP at NespressoIN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT:Davide’s life abroad as an expat in various locations all over the worldThe importance of adapting your approach as a leader to different leadership culturesHow to navigate ‘corporate culture’ at multinational companies compared to more entrepreneurial businessesThe concept of ‘global citizenship’The importance of learning from your failuresHow crucial it is as a leader to maintain communication and open, respectful long-term relationshipsRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davide-moro/   Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Sharon Amesu, Chair of the Institute of Directors (loD), founder at SA Consulting and award-winning public speaker.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUTThe need for courage in the context of Diversity & Inclusion.The story of Sharon’s life and career so far, from being born and bred in Whalley Range, Manchester during the 1970s and 1980s to her current passion for D&I.How her father’s social activism inspired her to become a lawyer in order to use her voice to support disenfranchised and marginalised people in society, and later to have an even more positive impact on these people outside of law through coaching and chairing the IoD.How Sharon is making a difference through coaching and professional speaking in the North West community.The importance of engaging future leaders and empowering them to make their own contributions.How important it is to say yes to opportunities and therefore raise the bar to enable your own ceiling to become someone else’s floor.How essential it is to b