Diverse & Inclusive Leaders

Karen WalkerLeila is joined by Karen Walker, Former Fortune 100 Exec, Hyper-growth Tech Advisor, Board Member, Executive Coach, Speaker, Contributor Forbes and Harvard Business Review.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT –·  Karen’s “wow” and fruitful career journey to date.  ·  The importance of diversity of thought. ·  The advice that Karen gives to CEOs and senior leaders on thriving in hyper-growth.· The advice Karen would like to give to her younger self - “….Think bigger, never limit yourself and  take advantages of opportunities. There is a big world out there”. RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDwww.linkedin.com/in/karenwalkerus Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Leila is joined by Dr Anino Emuwa, Founder & Director,  Avandis ConsultingIN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT –·  Dr Anino’s background and early career from working in finance, banking and her studies at Cambridge University·  Her passion for entrepreneurship, particularly after noticing the gaps in the market for financial help for female owned businesses in Nigeria. ·  You’ll hear how Dr Anino is helping to rectify the gaps in financing by helping women to develop their managerial skills to be successful in business and prepare them for funding·  How we can convert words into action when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, particularly around gender equality. RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONED- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anino-emuwa/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Mark TwiggLeila is joined by Mark Twigg, Executive Director, Cicero/AMO.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT –·  Marks difficult up-bringing and not feeling part of his community. ·  Having an inclusive mindset that was one of the biggest drivers to bring Cicero to life. · How his childhood unknowingly provided him with the skills to do what he does today.  ·  Smashing the stigma surrounding mental health and much more. ·  Transforming the business landscape in a positive way and delivering campaigns in 50+ countries. RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDwww.linkedin.com/in/mark-twigg-3ba9981/ Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBELeila is joined by Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, Author and Founder of 'The Black Farmer’. PART 2, IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT –· ‘The Black Farmer’, bringing Wilfred’s dream to life and what the future holds for his business.    · Having faith and courage in your own belief system, in your own purpose. · Wilfred’s love for the human spirit, flamenco, and Morris dancing. · To inspire others, inspire positive change and living life to the fullest.  RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDwww.linkedin.com/in/theblackfarmer/?originalSubdomain=ukContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Edwin Booth CBE DLLeila is joined by Edwin Booth CBE DL at Chairman & CEO at E.H. Booth & Co ltd.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT –·  Changes that the supermarket chain Booths made to reconfigure the business and be more reactive through Covid-19.   · Understanding the company’s culture and purpose - people, product, and place. ·  The importance of listening at senior level- being an ‘Owl’ that listens, look, learn, and then simulates the information.  ·  Booths diverse employee portfolio from culture, religion, and value in meeting the needs of all individuals.  RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDwww.linkedin.com/in/edwin-booth-cbe-dl-b25b9b8/ Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBELeila is joined by Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, Author and Founder of 'The Black Farmer’.PART 1, IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT –· Why Wilfred puts every success in his life down to guardian angels, understanding the importance and value in humanity.·  Leaving his secondary school in Birmingham with no qualifications to working at the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) for 15 years. ·  Understanding Wilfred’s purpose in life as a pathfinder. ·  Learning more about his book -  "Jeopardy: The Danger of Playing It Safe on the Path to Success" that re-examines the concept of “choice”.  RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDwww.linkedin.com/in/theblackfarmer/?originalSubdomain=ukContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

 Ambily BanerjeeLeila is joined by Ambily Banerjee, Director, Therapeutic Groups, Global Regulatory Affairs at GSK.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT -    · Ambily background and how her career was a happy accident. ·Gender equality should encompass all women. ·A common enemy amongst us all is  “bias” and  the solution is “allyship”.· Inclusion dialogues and initiatives leading the way.   RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDwww.linkedin.com/in/ambily-banerjee-85455116/?originalSubdomain=ukContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Esther Marshall   Leila is joined by Esther Marshall, Founder & Author of 'Sophie Says’.   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT    · Esther Marshall’s entrepreneur spirit and corporate background- former Unilever Global Lead for Gender Diversity and Inclusion. · Being a mum, a millennial leader and why it is important to be proactive and not reactive. ·  The inspiration behind her book, “Sophie Says I Can, I Will” and “Sophie Says It's OK Not To Be OK". · Using her privilege to make a difference.   RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONED  www.linkedin.com/in/esther-marshall-648b862a/ Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Paul Graham Leila is joined by Paul Graham – Managing Director at Britvic.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT - Advocacy at a senior level is very important.- How Paul dads' business and hardworking ethos helped shape and rub off on him in his growing career.- Recognising that to be successful is centred on the team around you. - Why diversity and inclusion are important. RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONED www.linkedin.com/in/paul-graham-a646a35/?originalSubdomain=ukContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Tami ErwinLeila is joined by Tami Erwin - EVP and Chief Executive Officer, Verizon Business.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How Tami’s upbringing as the daughter of a farmer/doctor gave her a grounding in compassionate leadership· Tami’s career journey to date, which started over 30 years ago at Verizon as a customer service executive and has now seen her rise through the ranks to EVP/CEO level· How conversations around diversity have become much more urgent/needed at board level in recent times· Tami’s thoughts on how to further improve gender diversity and create a working environment more focused on creating a strong sense of belonging and authenticity· The gender equality programme that Verizon has put in place to enable women to further progress their career in sales/senior level rolesRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tamierwin/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Clive MyrieLeila is joined by Clive Myrie – News Presenter and Correspondent.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  What Clive openly acknowledges as a very happy and lucky childhood, during which he attended a grammar school in Bolton after his parents emigrated to the UK from Jamaica·  How Clive moved from studying law at university to a career in journalism·  The ongoing lack of black front-line TV presenters and correspondents in the UK, and how essential it is to improve this level of representation·  Mental health concerns for modern day journalistsRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDTwitter @CliveMyrieBBChttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_MyrieContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

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