Claim OwnershipShe Leads Because She Can
Subscribed: 2Played: 24
Subscribe
© 2026 She Leads Because She Can
Description
We believe that there is a need to provide support for female school leaders, who want to thrive and grow within international school settings.
In this series of fortnightly podcasts, we share our own lived experiences and the hard-hitting realities which have shaped us as successful leaders within the sector.
Each podcast forms a topical conversation which is experienced-based; sharing truths, sound council and suggested solutions.
We aim to be a source of courage, confidence and practical solutions to keep others ' leading because they can'.
29 Episodes
Reverse
Send us Fan Mail This episode features Dr Reham El Shamy, Head of the Senior School at Beech Hall School Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Reham shares her personal journey as a female leader, drawing on the influence of her mother and a lifelong commitment to learning and development. Her story explores how leadership can evolve across generations, cultures, and contexts. About Beech Hall School Riyadh Beech Hall School Riyadh provides a balanced, inclusive education to internation...
Send us Fan Mail The Art of Graceful Leadership Transition Episode Description: In this compelling guest episode, we witness leadership transition at its finest as Nicola Holloway and Lisa Thorpe share their story of the Primary Headship handover at Ascot International School, Bangkok. This is a masterclass in what happens when two exceptional leaders prioritise community wellbeing over personal agenda. Nicola, the outgoing headteacher, and Lisa, her successor, demonstrate the rare art of gu...
Send us Fan Mail This special wrap-up episode of the "She Leads Because She Can" podcast brings together the most valuable insights and advice from all 10 episodes of Season 1, creating a comprehensive guide for professional and personal growth. Key Topics Covered International Career Transitions This episode explores strategies for taking the bold leap to work internationally, covering the practical and emotional aspects of making such a significant career move. This includes navigating th...
Send us Fan Mail This week on She Leads Because She Can, we dive into our personal leadership journeys and explore strategies for professional growth. We discuss which qualifications carry weight in the international school sector and how these can enhance your leadership foci in your school. We suggest ways to expand your skills and knowledge within partnerships in and beyond your school community. Learn how to foster meaningful professional conversations that enhance your reflective practic...
Send us Fan Mail This week on She Leads Because She Can, we explore how to choose the right school for your growth and success. We discuss how to navigate the recruitment process and how to negotiate contractual terms and conditions. We offer proven strategies for a successful start in a new leadership role. Tune in for practical advice and top tips to guide your decision.
Send us Fan Mail This week on She Leads Because She Can, we share how we ventured into a career and life within the international school sector. We explore how saying YES to an opportunity started a life changing experience. We discuss how the benefits outweighed the challenges and how life lessons and memorable moments were formed. Join us to learn more about how living and working internationally can shape your life?
Send us Fan Mail Sue and Cazzie explain the reason why they chose to call the podcast She Leads Because She Can. Based on more than 40 years working as successful international school leaders in Europe, SE Asia and the UAE, they promise to provide experienced-based, shared truths, sound council and suggested solutions to help pave new pathways for those who follow.
Send us Fan Mail A short introduction to Sue and Cazzie, the podcast hosts. They invite educators, school leaders or anyone curious about the field of female leadership in the international school sector, to join their pod cast.
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Fiona Cottam, Principal of Hartland's International School in Dubai. Recorded before the situation in the Middle East unfolded, Fiona shares how strong, values-driven leadership enables a community to face uncertainty with resilience and unity. Fiona takes us through her leadership journey — from teaching in the UK to heading one of Dubai's most prestigious international schools. She reflects on the role models and supporters who shaped her a...
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Nicola Nelson, Head of Primary at Garden International School, Kuala Lumpur, for an honest and inspiring conversation about what it means to lead authentically. Nicola opens up about identifying as an introverted leader — someone who listens carefully, processes deeply, and is intentional about the space she occupies in meetings and conversations. Rather than viewing introversion as a limitation, she has built a leadership style around it: di...
Send us Fan Mail Guest: Vivienne Porritt OBE Co-founder & President, WomenEd About the Guest Vivienne Porritt OBE is a global pioneer in women's empowerment and a leading advocate for equity in the workplace. Her career in educational leadership spans roles as a Secondary Headteacher, Vice-President of the Chartered College of Teaching, and Director of School Partnerships at the Institute of Education, University College London. She is also a school consultant, coach, published a...
Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring conversation with Liz Smith and Hajra Abbasi, an exceptional teacher and teaching assistant partnership from The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Working together in a Reception Class, they share the secrets behind their successful collaboration and what makes their professional relationship thrive. In this episode, Liz and Hajra discuss: • How they established a strong foundation by sharing their vision for students from day one • The impo...
Send us Fan Mail Collaborative Recruitment Practices This episode features a remarkable conversation with Jessica Delgado, Maki Nishihara, and Julie Villers, who transformed a competitive senior leadership interview process into a collaborative and supportive experience. The Story Three candidates found themselves competing for the same senior leadership position at a school. Rather than viewing each other as rivals, they chose to embrace a "Better Together" philosophy, supporting and encour...
Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary The way we communicate shapes everything—our relationships, our culture, and our collective growth. In this episode, we explore these ideas with Kai Vacher, Principal of the British Schools of Muscat and Salalah. As a long-serving school leader, Kai recognised that traditional performance management approaches weren't creating meaningful professional development. His school community asked a powerful question: What if we equipped everyone with the skills to ha...
Send us Fan Mail Flexible Working in International Schools In this episode, we explore what flexible working really means for staff in international schools. We unpack the concept of flexible and contracted work, looking closely at how job-share arrangements can strengthen staff retention, support professional growth, and enhance recruitment. We speak candidly about the challenges that come with managing multiple job shares within a school, and we offer practical strategies for overcoming t...
Send us Fan Mail Guest: Julia Knight International School Leader & School Improvement Partner, Bahrain The Journey to International Education Julia Knight shares her transition into the international school sector, revealing the personal and professional opportunities this path has created for both her career and her family. Her story offers insight into what draws educators across borders and the rewards that come with embracing global education. Leading While Living: The Balancing Act W...
Send us Fan Mail Guest: Juliëtte van Eerdewijk - Educational Consultant and School Leader Overview In this episode, we sit down with Juliëtte to explore how language development can transform international school leadership and student success. Key Discussion Points Personal Journey and PerspectiveJuliëtte brings a unique perspective as a native Dutch speaker who mastered English for her professional career. Her personal experience navigating language acquisition informs her entire approach t...
Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary In this episode, we unpack our conversation with Pat Clark, exploring four key leadership insights that challenged our thinking: "It takes a very strong leader to give the power away" We discuss how school leaders can consistently develop their team leaders' skills and motivation, and why empowering others requires confidence, not weakness. "Heads can make the weather -- alongside a good team" An honest look at self-awareness in leadership: recognising when we...
Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Pat, a distinguished educator whose remarkable six-decade career spans classroom teaching, school leadership, and international leadership training. Her energy and passion for the profession remain as vibrant as ever, offering a masterclass in sustained professional commitment. Key Insights Throughout the conversation, Pat shares profound reflections on what sustains school leaders through the inevitable challenges of educational le...
Send us Fan Mail Guest Profile Name: Oleksandra (Sasha) Kondratenko Current Role: Student of International Relations University: University of Rotterdam Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Background: Ukrainian refugee Episode Overview In this inspiring episode, Sasha shares her journey from Ukraine to the Netherlands and how she transformed the challenges of displacement into opportunities for personal growth and global awareness. Her story highlights resilience, ambition, and the power...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States