In The Lead

What does it take to steer a fast-growing startup through turbulent markets, shifting investor demands, and rapid technological change? In this debut episode of In The Lead Podcast, host Anna J. Breimer Bharati sits down with Michele Ferrario, Co-Founder and CEO of StashAway, to unpack the realities of modern leadership.From navigating the unprecedented challenges of the 2022 market crash to making tough calls on hiring, growth, and profitability, Michele reveals the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped his leadership approach. He shares candid insights on how to keep teams aligned during uncertainty, why empowering people matters more than ever, and how leaders can embrace AI without losing sight of the human side of business.This is not a polished success story, it’s a practical look at resilience, decision making, and the kind of leadership needed to thrive in today’s world of disruption.In This Episode (00:00) Welcome to the first episode of In The Lead Podcast (02:20) Lessons from navigating the 2022 downturn (05:30) Balancing growth with tough cost-cutting decisions (07:45) How boardroom and investor expectations shifted overnight (12:00) The art of providing direction without rigidity (16:30) Decision-making when the facts aren’t clear (22:00) Empowerment in action: context, space, and coaching (29:30) Feedback cultures and avoiding leadership overload (36:00) Embracing AI and building a future-ready team (44:30) The customer-first lens for adopting new technologyOur Guest: Michele FerrarioMichele Ferrario is the Co-Founder and CEO of StashAway, a digital wealth management platform launched in 2016. Under his leadership, StashAway has expanded across Asia, helping individuals and families build wealth through diversified, long-term investment strategies. With nearly a decade of experience leading a startup through cycles of rapid growth and market challenges, Michele brings a grounded perspective on leadership, resilience, and innovation.Your Host: Anna J. Breimer BharatiAnna J. Breimer Bharati is the founder of Tomorrow College, created to reimagine leadership development for a world in constant change. With more than 15 years of experience advising senior leaders at global organizations, Anna has witnessed firsthand the shift in what it takes to lead effectively. Her mission: to help trailblazers of today become the better leaders of tomorrow by fostering empowerment, adaptability, and self-awareness.The world is changing faster than ever. In The Lead Podcast brings you unfiltered conversations with leaders navigating disruption, so you can learn, adapt, and lead with impact.Follow Tomorrow College for more insights on leadership and transformation: 📷 Instagram: @tomorrowcollege 💼 LinkedIn: Tomorrow College 🌐 Website: www.tomorrow.collegep...

What does it take to lead global brands across continents while staying grounded in purpose, people, and impact? In this episode of In The Lead Podcast, host Anna J. Breimer Bharati sits down with Séverine Vauleon to explore her 25 plus year leadership journey at Unilever, from France to Australia and Singapore, and the lessons that shaped how she leads in complex, fast-changing environments.From building culturally relevant brands to driving “good growth” that balances performance with responsibility, Séverine shares the pivotal moments behind her leadership approach. She offers candid insights on navigating internal transformation, creating psychological safety, and leading with empathy and authenticity. They also unpack how leaders can respond to AI disruption with curiosity and clarity, and why a growth mindset is essential for staying resilient in the evolving landscape of modern leadership.In This Episode(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome(00:20) Severine's Leadership Journey(01:29) Building Global Brands with Purpose(06:11) Embracing AI and Market Disruptions(08:07) Navigating Leadership Challenges(14:01) Fostering a Growth Mindset(21:07) Balancing Data and Intuition(24:05) Taking Bold Bets in Leadership(25:01) Launching a Bold Campaign in the Philippines(25:48) Facing Backlash in India(27:08) Crisis Management and Strategy(29:36) Positive Outcomes and Continued Campaigns(29:52) Fostering Bold Risk-Taking(31:39) Supporting Others(39:10) Empowering Teams Through Challenges(48:24) Leadership Evolution and Future GoalsOur Guest: Séverine VauleonSéverine Vauleon is the Chief Brand Architect at Pure Butter Brands and a former Global Brand Vice President for LUX at Unilever. With more than 25 years of global FMCG experience, she has led transformational brand growth across major consumer categories, building purpose-driven brands through strategic positioning, innovation, and culturally relevant storytelling.Your Host: Anna J. Breimer BharatiAnna J. Breimer Bharati is the founder of Tomorrow College, created to build a new kind of leadership for a changing world. With over 15 years of experience working alongside senior leaders at global organizations, Anna helps executives develop themselves while empowering others. Having witnessed the paradigm shift in how organizations and leaders must evolve, she is passionate about equipping today’s trailblazers to become the better leaders of tomorrow.Powerful conversations with leaders navigating disruption, transformation, and the realities of modern leadership. Tune in, get inspired, and step confidently into your own leadership journey.Follow Tomorrow College for more insights on leadership and transformation:📷 Instagram: @tomorrowcollege💼 LinkedIn: Tomorrow College🌐 Website: a...

What does it take to lead with clarity in times of disruption while staying grounded in purpose, people, and impact? In this episode of In The Lead Podcast, host Anna J. Breimer Bharati sits down with Godelieve van Dooren to explore her nearly three-decade leadership journey in consulting and professional services, and the principles that shaped how she leads through uncertainty in complex, fast-changing environments.From scenario planning and decision-making under ambiguity to building psychological safety and predictability for teams, Godelieve shares practical approaches for navigating disruption without losing clarity or authenticity. They also unpack how leaders can respond to AI’s rapid acceleration with curiosity and discipline—integrating GenAI into business processes to improve client experience, enable smarter workforce planning, and reimagine how work gets done.In This Episode(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome(01:07) Navigating Uncertainty in Leadership(02:58) Scenario Planning and Decision Making(06:02) Embracing Disruption and Change(07:25) The Impact of AI on Consulting(11:24) Integrating Gen AI in Business Processes(15:13) Future of Work with AI(23:18) Improving Client Experience with AI(25:08) The Role of AI in HR and Salary Planning(26:54) Challenges in Healthcare Billing(28:13) Leadership Qualities: Originality and Audacity(29:36) Creating a Safe and Predictable Leadership Environment(35:19) Decision Making in Uncertain Times(37:18) Empowering Leadership in a Matrix Organization(40:34) The Importance of Authentic Leadership(48:12) Continuous Evolution as a LeaderOur Guest: Godelieve van DoorenGodelieve van Dooren is the CEO of Marsh Southeast Asia (formerly Marsh McLennan). With nearly three decades of experience in consulting and professional services, she leads across complex, fast-changing environments to help organizations navigate uncertainty, strengthen decision-making, and build high-performing teams.Your Host: Anna J. Breimer BharatiAnna J. Breimer Bharati is the founder of Tomorrow College, created to build a new kind of leadership for a changing world. With over 15 years of experience working alongside senior leaders at global organizations, Anna helps executives develop themselves while empowering others. Having witnessed the paradigm shift in how organizations and leaders must evolve, she is passionate about equipping today’s trailblazers to become the better leaders of tomorrow.Powerful conversations with leaders navigating disruption, transformation, and the realities of modern leadership. Tune in, get inspired, and step confidently into your own leadership journey.Follow Tomorrow College for more insights on leadership and transformation:📷 Instagram: @tomorrowcollege💼 LinkedIn: Tomorrow College🌐...

What does it take to lead an e-commerce business through nonstop disruption—while staying agile, culturally intelligent, and ready for AI’s next wave? In this episode of In The Lead Podcast, host Anna J. Breimer Bharati sits down with Jasper Knoben, CEO of Intrepid e-Commerce Enabler (Singapore), to explore how leaders can stay ahead in one of the fastest-changing industries in the region.From Jasper’s journey from the Netherlands to leading a Southeast Asia-focused digital commerce company, to the real-world impact of platforms like TikTok and the rise of generative AI, this conversation unpacks what it means to lead with both structure and flexibility. Jasper shares how Intrepid approaches scenario thinking, builds agility across teams, and creates the conditions for continuous learning, so people can adapt quickly without losing clarity or performance. They also discuss practical management practices, decision-making under uncertainty, cross-cultural leadership, emotional control, and how leaders can balance team development with the pace of market change.In This Episode(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome(00:28) Jasper's Background and Intrepid Overview(01:19) Industry Changes and Adaptation(03:06) Disruptions and AI Impact(07:44) Scenario Thinking and Strategic Planning(15:05) Agility and Employee Empowerment(20:32) Leadership and Decision-Making(24:51) Navigating Cultural Intelligence in Leadership(25:24) Learning from Diverse Leadership Styles(26:46) The Importance of Emotional Control in Leadership(31:13) Balancing Leadership and Team Development(35:06) Upskilling and Training for Effective Management(40:37) Decision Making in Uncertain Times(45:00) Adapting to Market Changes and Competition(46:18) Final Thoughts on Leadership in a Disruptive WorldOur Guest: Jasper KnobenJasper Knoben is the CEO of Intrepid, a Southeast Asia focused digital commerce company that helps brands grow their presence across leading e-commerce marketplaces in the region. He is also a regular voice on Southeast Asia e-commerce trends and how the digital commerce landscape is evolving.Your Host: Anna J. Breimer BharatiAnna J. Breimer Bharati is the founder of Tomorrow College, created to build a new kind of leadership for a changing world. With over 15 years of experience working alongside senior leaders at global organizations, Anna helps executives develop themselves while empowering others. Having witnessed the paradigm shift in how organizations and leaders must evolve, she is passionate about equipping today’s trailblazers to become the better leaders of tomorrow.Powerful conversations with leaders navigating disruption, transformation, and the realities of modern leadership. Tune in, get inspired, and step confidently into your own leadership journey.Follow Tomorrow College for more insights on leadership and transformation:📷 Instagram: @tomorrowcollege💼 LinkedIn: Tomorrow College🌐 Website: www.tomorrow.college

How do you lead with ambition and empathy when the world feels increasingly polarized and AI is rewriting the rules of work? In this episode of In The Lead Podcast, host Anna J. Breimer Bharati sits down with Aditi Sharma, former Country Manager for Food Panda in Singapore, to explore what it takes to thrive amidst today's business challenges and navigate the rapid evolution of the food delivery industry.From managing large-scale operations and embracing new business models to fostering balanced communication in a divided world, this conversation unpacks the evolving role of modern leaders. Aditi shares her views on embracing career transitions, the ongoing debate between generalists and specialists, and the real-world impact of AI on our professional lives. They also discuss practical management practices, including making effective decisions under uncertainty, building unwavering trust within teams, setting ambitious goals, and the importance of proactive feedback when managing complex ecosystem relationships.In This Episode(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome(01:02) Leadership in a Polarized World(03:23) The Impact of AI and New Possibilities(08:17) The Importance of Balanced Communication(15:09) Embracing Career Transitions(22:34) Lessons from Leadership Stories(30:17) Generalist vs Specialist Debate(36:45) Effective Decision Making in Uncertain Times(42:56) Building Trust and Credibility in Teams(50:12) Ambitious Goal Setting and Team Motivation(01:00:01) Navigating Ecosystem Relationships(01:09:45) Setting Clear Expectations and Proactive Feedback(01:16:42) Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur Guest: Aditi SharmaAditi Sharma is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in managing large teams and business operations. She has navigated various roles with a keen focus on technology and new business models, especially in the rapidly evolving food delivery industry.Your Host: Anna J. Breimer BharatiAnna J. Breimer Bharati is the founder of Tomorrow College, created to build a new kind of leadership for a changing world. With over 15 years of experience working alongside senior leaders at global organizations, Anna helps executives develop themselves while empowering others. Having witnessed the paradigm shift in how organizations and leaders must evolve, she is passionate about equipping today’s trailblazers to become the better leaders of tomorrow.Powerful conversations with leaders navigating disruption, transformation, and the realities of modern leadership. Tune in, get inspired, and step confidently into your own leadership journey.Follow Tomorrow College for more insights on leadership and transformation:📷 Instagram: @tomorrowcollege💼 LinkedIn: Tomorrow College🌐 Website: www.tomorrow.college