Femme Lead

Regenerative Leadership | Sustainability Strategy | Co-founder | Sustainable Development | Board Member Annemarie Meisling is a visionary leader who stands at the forefront of sustainable business and organizational development. Her career has included influential roles at Chr. Hansen and Novo Nordisk, where she worked on integrating sustainability into their core strategies, as well as engagements with the World Bank and COWI, focusing on sustainable development. Beyond her professional roles, Meisling has held leading board positions in key think tanks and industry organizations, including Danish Industries and the United Nations Global Compact, underscoring her commitment to driving sustainable practices across various sectors. Currently, as a partner in Koral, she is dedicated to using the power of organizations to regenerate society, the environment, and leadership styles, demonstrating her belief in the transformative potential of businesses to create meaningful change.In our interview, we discuss the concept of regenerative leadership, sustainability, and the next era for companies looking beyond profitability and into societal impact. Follow Annemarie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarie-meisling-24515a2/ Learn more about Koral: https://koral.business/meet-koral 

Conscious & Intentional Leadership| Young Female Leader | Empowerment | Digital Experiences | IKEA | Women in Technology| Coaching | Parenthood | For this episode, we’re introducing Christina Bizoumi, a trailblazer in product innovation and leadership. As the Senior Director of Product at Universal Robots, she spearheads the Digital Experience organization, dedicated to ensuring that customers triumph in their automation endeavors.With a career steeped in the synergy of people and business, Christina is a seasoned leader who has navigated the realms of leadership and product innovation. Before her role at Universal Robots, she spent seven impactful years at IKEA, where she led teams and introduced groundbreaking products to the market, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.Beyond her professional achievements, Christina has embarked on a new journey as a coach and strategic advisor, channeling her expertise to empower individuals and businesses in crafting remarkable careers and ventures.Join us as we delve into the dynamic world of Christina, where innovation meets leadership, and success is not just achieved but orchestrated!We discuss leadership philosophies, coaching others to thrive, parenting lessons, and how to navigate being a young woman in a senior leadership position. Don’t miss this episode! Follow Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinabizoumi/ 

Chief of Staff | Management Consultant | Start-up | Strategy | Leadership | Success Mindset | Building Relationships | Sponsorship & Mentorship | Advice | Violeta Todorova is the Chief of Staff at Monta, a platform powering the entire EV charging ecosystem. Before diving into entrepreneurship, Violeta was a Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group in Copenhagen. Previously, she spent five years at one of the largest marketing & communication companies - Publicis Groupe - working across clients such as Samsung and Heineken. After exploring education and career options across various locations such as the US, London, and Paris, Violeta is now excited to help Monta succeed and advance her career in the process.In this episode, we explore Violeta's international career and how she used a solution-oriented mindset not only to solve problems but also to build relationships and propel her career. What is the role of a chief of staff? Violeta shares a lot of relevant pieces of advice for people looking to change careers and have an impact working with senior stakeholders with a strategic focus. Join us for a chat about mentorship, what is a success mindset, and more!Follow Violeta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/violeta-todorova-a974b762/Looking to build your start-up career? Join our upcoming event with Monta to learn from the best: https://fienta.com/da/femme-lead-x-monta-start-up-careersListen to our episode with Eylem Demir Sentürk on sponsorship here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nOA4kiDwW3bxmufDYwJuj?si=0WiZ5VaXT6KqNddPnUfxOw

Co-Founder | Growth | Robotics | Logistics | Leadership | Successful Career |In this episode, we dive into the world of innovation and robotics with Oana Jinga, the Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Dexory, a groundbreaking robotics and data company in Central London.🎙️ Oana's career journey, spanning from strategic partnerships at Google to innovative product development at Telefonica, has culminated in her current role at Dexory. Her passion lies in bringing robots to the logistics industry, driving significant business value and advocating for the benefits and ethics of robotics, alongside the importance of unbiased AI.🔍 Oana discusses her roles as Co-founder, CCO, and Product Officer, unveiling how she shapes and leads Dexory's vision and strategy while balancing the commercial and product aspects.Oana provides an insightful overview of Dexory's technology, showcasing its distinctions from traditional warehouse management systems. She introduces digital twin technology and shares the inspiration behind the platform's development.As a female leader in technology, Oana looks at the challenges she has faced and how she encourages diversity and inclusion within the tech industry and Dexory. She shares valuable advice for women aspiring to become entrepreneurs and discusses a must-have skill for this journey. Follow Oana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oanajinga/Learn more about Dexory: https://www.dexory.com/

Sales Manager | Growth | Transferrable skills | Sales leadership | Successful Career |  For this new episode, please welcome Jessica Cohen, the North America Sales Manager at Dealfront as our guest and we cannot wait to spotlight her experience!  In this episode, Jessica shares her journey from a decade as a Sales Leader in B2C to her current role as the Sales Manager at Dealfront. Dealfront, a dynamic go-to-market platform, equips sales and marketing teams with crucial data, applications, and insights to conquer leads and seal deals.Jessica emphasizes that sales revolve around one key element - human connection. Leading the North American sales team for over 2 years, Jessica strives for a personalized experience for all prospects. Beyond the products, she resonates with Dealfront's core values, particularly as a remote-first company.She delves into insights on building a thriving sales career and connecting with people to pitch new ideas. Jessica also provides tips on navigating the North American market and valuable advice for women aspiring to succeed in the field. Jessica reveals how she stays motivated and resilient in the competitive sales industry, sharing a personal experience showcasing the importance of a positive mindset. She talks about adapting the sales approach to Dealfront's global operations, specifically in the North American market, and provides insights into unique challenges and opportunities.Follow Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessashleycohen/Learn more about Dealfront: https://www.dealfront.com/ 

Formula 1 | Oracle Red Bull Racing | Powertrains | CFD Engineer | STEM | Career Development | Mental Health | CV Tips | Dream Job | Meet Andra Groapa, the driving force behind innovation at Red Bull Powertrains! 🚀In 2021, Red Bull Powertrains roared to life, supplying power units to Formula One giants Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri. 🏎️💨Join us as we dive into Andra's incredible journey from dreaming big in Romania to becoming a pivotal engineer at the forefront of Formula 1 technology. As a simulation expert, Andra's role in building and running models for the 2026 power unit is nothing short of revolutionary. Her simulations enable the team to predict thermal performance, giving Red Bull Racing a competitive edge!Navigating a male-dominated field, Andra stands tall, advocating passionately for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.In our episode, Andra opens up about her role, the challenges in the motorsport industry, and her strategies for tackling difficulties head-on. As an advisory board member for the Society of Women Engineers, a Mental Health First Aider, and a mentor, Andra's impact extends far beyond the racetrack. Join us for an inspiring conversation on her journey to Formula 1, the industry's challenges, and Andra's advice for those aspiring to build STEM careers in the fast lane!Follow Andra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrapatricia/ 

Financial Wellbeing | Financial Freedom | Wealth Management | Prosperity | Impact Consulting | Personal Transformation | Art of Kintsugi | Angel Investor | Ula Caroto is a mentor, coach, thinking partner, and a trusted welllth-being (wealth + wellbeing) advisor. She combines her extensive wealth management knowledge with powerful coaching and exquisite listening skills to help her clients find true prosperity in every area of their lives.In our interview, we discuss insights on how women approach investing and what they need to succeed in the financial realm, key strategies or advice you offer to women to boost their financial confidence and overall well-being, principles, and methods to help her clients overcome challenges, and amplify their impact, and how she helps women feel empowered with their money and in all areas of their lives. She has 16 years of experience as a wealth manager and she has been the trusted advisor to successful entrepreneurs, senior leaders, well-known families, and charities. At one stage of her career, she was responsible for nearly £1bn of clients' wealth. Unusually for the male-dominated investment world, women accounted for over 50% of her client base, giving testament to her understanding of how women approach investing and what they need to be successful. She founded UC IMPACT Coaching & Consulting - a company focused on empowering ambitious and driven people and organizations to achieve IMPACT: Inner Mastery + Personal and Collective Transformation. She helps her clients overcome challenges, accelerate growth, and amplify their impact. Ula is skilled in helping women to feel empowered with their money and across all areas of their lives. She is also a connector, Pilotlighter, angel investor, and a keen supporter of female founders. She's a passionate advocate for Sustainability Diversity and inclusion and applies her "Art of Kintsugi: Power of Imperfection" approach to help her clients turn their imperfections into superpowers and accelerate their career and life progress on the path to empowered authenticity which in turn breeds belonging, confidence and higher positive impact. Follow Ula on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urszula-caroto/Check Ula’s website: https://uc-impact.com/Street Wisdom:https://www.streetwisdom.org/ Book references:Hidden Potential. The Science of Achieving Great Things - Adam Granthttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157095669-hidden-potentialInfluence is your superpower. How To Get What You Want Without Compromising Who You are - Zoe Chacehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60458130-influence-is-your-superpowerEssentialism. The Disciplined Pursuit of Less - Greg McKeownhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18077875-essentialismUnbound: A Woman's Guide to Power - Kasia Urbaniakhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51205436-unboundIf you want to stay up to date with Femme Lead initiatives and events, subscribe here: https://www.femmeleadpodcast.com/subscribe

Women on Stage | Founder | Immigrant Stories | Sponsoring Women | Empowerement | Success Story | Eylem Demir Sentürk is the founder and CEO of 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲, and her goal is to increase the number of female leaders within the Pharma & Life Science Industry. As a mother with 23 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry at global companies, she knows exactly which challenges women face.To overcome these challenges, she designed the «𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻» program, which increases the visibility of the female talents in business and grants them access to the next level positions with the help of powerful leaders. At the age of 12, I immigrated to Switzerland and started a life from zero. I faced discrimination at school and later bullying at work. These negative experiences shaped me positively and helped me to design and provide trainings in career coaching, female leadership, being on stage and bullying at work in English, German & Turkish. She holds an M.Sc. in applied psychology from the University of Liverpool and a leadership education from Harvard University.🔺Do you want to move up in your career?🔺Are you looking for a job that will give you development opportunities and don’t know how to start?🔺Do you believe in increasing the number of female leaders and talents in organizations?If you answer any of these questions with a yes, then this interview is for you! Follow Eylem on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eylemdemirsenturk/If you want to stay up to date with Femme Lead initiatives and events, subscribe here: https://www.femmeleadpodcast.com/subscribe

Diversity & Inclusion | Economist |  Mental Health | Belonging | Diverse Founders | Chisom is an Economist, a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Strategist, and a 3 times founder of impact-driven companies. She has over 14 years of experience working with organizations like the European Commission, The United Nations, ExxonMobil, and The Economist Group. Chisom has just been honored with the prestigious title of "Diversity Leader of the Year" at the Nordic Women in Tech Awards! 🌐👩‍💼As the founder of Diversify and Diversify Consult, Chisom and her team work with companies, institutions, governments, and civil society to develop sustainable DEIB strategies and embed measurable diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace and society. In addition, in 2022, Diversify launched the Diversify Nordics Summit, the largest conference in the Nordics that gathers cross-sectoral stakeholders to amplify DEIB in the Nordics and beyond.In 2020, she founded HerSpace, a diverse and inclusive co-creation community for all genders, with a particular focus on women and non-binary people. In 2022, HerSpace launched HerTech, a Women in Tech incubator, for women-led companies, with a focus on the inclusion of diverse founders. Chisom is a thought leader in DEIB and a passionate advocate for mental health and wellness. She writes often on these subjects and also justice-related topics, and some of her work is published on Forbes. Follow Chisom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chisomudeze/  If you want to stay up to date with Femme Lead initiatives and events, subscribe here: https://www.femmeleadpodcast.com/subscribe

Automotive | Engineering | McLaren | Leadership | Management Advice | Simone Gemkow is an automotive product engineer with over a decade of experience in British automotive brands. She boasts a robust academic background, including a Ph.D., and a wealth of industrial expertise, which have propelled her from an engineering professional to a proficient people manager. Currently serving as a manager, Simone leads a team of world-class engineers in the automotive engineering sector.Simone's journey to leadership involved rapid learning in areas like team management, building business relationships, positive influence, and strategic goal attainment. Her influence extends beyond her workplace, as she serves as the president of the International Association of Women London (IAW), actively fostering a community of professional women through monthly events and championing women's empowerment and gender equality.Recognizing the need for more accessible career progression and people management insights, Simone shares her knowledge and experiences through her blog, "Career with a View," to support young professionals in making their talents visible across their organizations.In the discussion with Simone, you can expect insights on her current role at McLaren, her career journey in STEM, her leadership philosophy, her commitment to promoting accomplishments, her strategies for handling difficult conversations, the mission of the International Association of Women, her thoughts on women's leadership development, and her reflections on her career journey, including what she might have done differently in hindsight.Follow Simone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-gemkow/Check Simone's blog: https://careerwithaview.com If you want to stay up to date with Femme Lead initiatives and events, subscribe here: https://www.femmeleadpodcast.com/subscribe

Ambassador | Diplomat | Human Rights | Justice | Women's Rights | Career Change | Emma Kate Hopkins OBE took up her post as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Denmark in October 2020. Prior to this, she served as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Bulgaria from 2015 to 2020. Whilst in Bulgaria she was also the senior regional lead for organised crime and rule of law projects (including modern slavery) in Central and Eastern Europe.Emma was born in Bolton and studied at St. Clement Danes Comprehensive School (Chorleywood) and Cambridge University (Fitzwilliam College) where she graduated with a degree in Law. She was called to the Bar in 1995 and practiced as a criminal barrister until 2001 when she entered public service.Before her appointment in Sofia, Emma led the UK government’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI), a campaign to end impunity for warzone rape. She was awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for services to preventing sexual violence in conflict-affected countries.Emma’s career in government has included leading legal and policy teams at a senior level. She has worked on immigration and asylum, human rights, EU justice and home affairs, international criminal law, organized crime, as well as violence against women.Between 2006 and 2008, she developed the first UK strategy on human trafficking and delivered it through a national and international campaign. For her work, in 2008, Emma received the Civil Servant of the Year Award for outstanding contribution to public service and in 2014 her team was given the Civil Service International Award for their work on the PSVI campaign.In this episode, opening the 5th season of Femme Lead, we explore Emma's journey from her beginnings in Bolton to her studies at Cambridge University, where she earned a degree in Law and later became a distinguished criminal barrister. Discover how Ambassador Emma transitioned from the legal world into public service, and how her passion for justice led her to spearhead ground-breaking initiatives!Follow Emma Hopkins on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-kate-hopkins-966219210/ Follow Emma Hopkins on Twitter.Learn more about the Ambassador for a Day program: https://www.ambassadorforaday.dk/If you want to stay up to date with Femme Lead initiatives and events, subscribe here: https://www.femmeleadpodcast.com/subscribe

Authenticity | Agency | Transformation | Activism | Leadership | Shaping Humanity | Technology | Role Model | Consulting | Curiosity | Digital Transformation |Sarah Freiesleben is a fantastic role model and an inspiration and once you hear her speak you know you have met an extraordinary person! Sarah helps purpose-driven organizations sustainably innovate by harnessing and applying human insights to technology development. With an advanced degree in linguistics and 15 years working on global, cross-functional enterprise tech projects in a wide variety of industries, she has come to believe that tech needs the humanities to develop tech for humanity. Her passion is shaping more holistic ecosystems so groups of people who want to bring change into the world can find the coherence & agency to be able to do so. She works as a consultant at Ramskov Consulting Group in Denmark and as an Industry Fellow at the Danish Technical University.  Her top 3 lessons reflection on her career path?1. The future generations are reclaiming their multiplicity. From an innovation perspective, you will find new ideas by having more perspectives. 2. If something doesn’t feel right, trust yourself. Allow yourself to leave. 3. Don’t try to predict in 10 years what you want to be. Have some direction, but there needs to be space for following and sensing what can happen and trying it out. Don't miss this engaging conversation with Sarah Freiesleben!Follow Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-freiesleben-40a7701a/ If you want to stay up to date with Femme Lead initiatives and events, subscribe here: https://www.femmeleadpodcast.com/subscribe

Product Management | Product at Heart | Product Teams | Product Coach | Strong Product People | Coaching | Author | Community Building | In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Petra Wille, an independent product leadership coach and author with a passion for empowering product teams. With over eight years of experience in the field, Petra has been instrumental in helping product teams enhance their skill sets and elevate their performance.In recent years, Petra's focus has been on supporting product leaders in building outcome-oriented product teams. Her dedication to sharing knowledge with the broader product community led her to publish the highly acclaimed book, "STRONG Product People: A Complete Guide to Developing Great Product Managers," in January 2021. This book has quickly become a must-read for product professionals, praised by industry experts such as Martin Eriksson for its valuable insights into coaching and empowering teams.In addition to her writing, Petra developed the #52questions coaching card set, designed to help product leaders become effective coaches. These cards offer valuable prompts and guidance for enhancing coaching skills and driving team success.Alongside her freelance work, Petra serves as the co-organizer of Product at Heart in Hamburg, Germany, where she actively contributes to fostering a vibrant product community.In this episode, Petra joins us to discuss her professional development journey and share invaluable advice for product leaders striving to excel at building products that people love. Get ready to be inspired and gain practical insights from Petra's wealth of experience and expertise.Follow Petra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-wille-b8b1329/ Check out Product at Heart: https://productatheart.com/Check out Petra's website: https://www.petra-wille.com/ Book - Strong Product People: https://www.amazon.com/dp/3982235103?utm_source=pw&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=general 

Inclusive Leadership | Leader | Career Growth | Career Perspectives | Digital, IT & Data | Novo Nordisk | Research & Development | Role Model | Future Skills |  In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Kathrine Hee Nielsen, a leader in Digital, Data, and IT at Novo Nordisk. With a remarkable career spanning 11 years within the company, Kathrine has held various positions in finance, quality, and clinical development. She is currently leading software development teams as the Manager of Digital Accelerator in Research & Early Development.Kathrine thrives in the intersection between people, organizational development, and transformational technology. Her passion for fostering inclusive environments is deeply rooted in her personal experiences as she belongs to several minority groups herself. We will explore the facets of leadership and delve into the concept of being an ally. What does it mean to practice inclusive leadership? What role does Kathrine play within Novo Nordisk, and how does she envision the future of skills in her field?Before joining Novo Nordisk, Kathrine gained valuable experience as a consultant and worked within the governmental sector in Denmark. Her educational background as a political scientist, her diverse international experiences living in Denmark, Greece, Sweden, Ireland, and Vietnam, and her travels to over 50 countries bring a unique perspective to her leadership journey.Join us as we embark on a thought-provoking conversation with Kathrine, where we explore the importance of inclusive leadership, delve into the intricacies of allyship, and gain insights into her role within Novo Nordisk and the future of skills in her industry.Get ready to be inspired by Kathrine's expertise and passion for creating inclusive and transformative workplaces. Let's dive right in!Follow Kathrine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrinehee/ Learn more about Novo Nordisk: https://www.novonordisk.com/careers/career-areas.htmlLearn more about Femme Lead's mission: https://www.femmeleadpodcast.com/

Equal IT | Co-founder | Equality in IT | Recruitment Services | DEI Partner | Interview Preparation | Entrepreneurship | Career Lessons | Reflection | Voices of Women | Representation | Women in Tech | STEM | Ellie King, the Co-Founder of Equal IT is joining us today. Ellie and her team are on a mission to support organizations worldwide in recruiting inclusive teams and building equitable cultures through their coaching and support services.At Equal IT, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords - they are the foundation of everything they do. Ellie and her team have cultivated a vibrant community and have collaborated with esteemed organizations such as Nordic Women in Tech Awards, Women in Tech Sweden, PyLadies, WomenWhoCode, and HackYourFuture.Ellie's passion for sharing inspiration shines through her role as the host of Equal IT's Equal Inspired Podcast. Through this platform, she amplifies the voices of women and non-dominant groups who are doing amazing work in the tech industry, creating relatable role models because representation truly matters.In today's episode, we have the privilege of diving into Ellie's entrepreneurial journey. We'll explore her insights on recruitment practices, the pressing need for increased representation across industries, and her perspective on career progression based on Equal IT's focused initiatives.Get ready to be inspired and gain valuable insights as we delve into a conversation filled with entrepreneurial wisdom, diversity advocacy, and the importance of equal opportunities. Follow Ellie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-king-62842777/ Check out the Equal Inspired podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh7D0wLe6sA&ab_channel=EqualIT-DE%26IisinourDNA

CEO | Co-Founder | Start-up | Investment | Board Member | Fundraising | Global Expansion | Partners for Growth | Social Entrepreneurship | Women Empowerment | Arya Women Investment Platform | Welcome to today's episode of Femme Lead podcast, where we have the pleasure of introducing our guest, Esra Talu. Esra is not only an extraordinary businesswoman but also a renowned writer, keynote speaker, and the Founding Partner & former CEO of Deppo, the first e-commerce company in Turkey. Serving in this role from 1999 to 2014, Esra successfully transformed Deppo into one of the leading e-commerce companies in the country.Since then, Esra has been offering her expertise in advisory services to corporate firms, individual investors, institutions, and global funds, focusing particularly on startups and early-stage investment matters. Her extensive experience and knowledge have made her a sought-after advisor, providing invaluable guidance to clients worldwide.Between 2017 and 2019, Esra held the position of Chapter President at Keiretsu Forum Turkey, which is recognized as the world's most prominent angel investors network with headquarters in San Francisco. This role allowed her to further expand her network and deepen her understanding of investment dynamics.In 2019, Esra founded GoGlobal, a Miami Beach-based next-generation tech ecosystem advisory company. With strategic partners located in the USA, UK, Israel, Türkiye, and the UAE, GoGlobal specializes in facilitating sustainable and impact-driven growth, scale, and expansion for innovative startups.As an accomplished professional, Esra also contributes to academia as a part-time Lecturer at Istanbul Bilgi University in the LITE Graduate Program. Her focus lies in the areas of Learning, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, where she imparts her knowledge and expertise to aspiring students.Esra's influence extends beyond her various roles. She serves as a board member for numerous organizations, including Arya Women Investment Platform and leading companies in the US, Europe, and the MENA region. Her diverse involvement showcases her commitment to fostering growth and development within the business community.Follow Esra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esratalu/ Check out GoGlobal’s mission: https://www.goglobaladvisory.com/ 

CEO | Leadership | Personal Reflection | Motherhood | M&A | Crisis Management | Team Leader | Business Development | Women’s Business Association | Dovilė Končak is the CEO of RAIT Group, in Lithuania, a market research company, and an active representative of key women's business associations in Lithuania. Her leadership approach is balanced and holistic, combining empathy with directness enabling businesses and teams to align and find their rhythm in a busy market place which in turn helps to achieve a competitive advantage.Her journey with the RAIT group started 12 years ago in the role of Head of Projects however she experienced many other responsibilities and roles which today have all led to the position of CEO. Currently, she ensures smooth operations and development of divisions in the Baltic and Swedish markets, as well as finding and helping to acquire new companies in existing and new markets (M&A), advising different businesses on solutions to business challenges, and both internal and external crisis management.In our interview, we discuss management lessons and how to not forget yourself in the process of becoming an organizational leader.Follow Dovilė on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dovilekoncak/ Episode Timeline:02:25 Dovile, can you share more about the scope of your work today?04:50 What were some of the lessons you learned in this process?13:55 You mentioned empathy as the key to being a successful leader. Why?20:25 Do you believe confidence can be taught?26:50 How important it is to know yourself and how do you go about growing personally and professionally?32:00 Conflict management as a way forward - Can you share your advice and reflections?36:14 What are your thoughts on motherhood and career? How did it impact your environment and your professional aspirations?41:35 Final 5 Fire Questions.

Entrepreneurship | Hooves | Start-up | Founder | Business Closure | Venture Architecture | Strategic Partnerships | Meta | Lessons | Business Development Manager | Role Model | In this episode of the Femme Lead Podcast, we have a special guest speaker, Alina Engel, who is not only a source of inspiration but also a close friend of the show. Alina's entrepreneurial journey started with the co-founding of Hooves, an app that revolutionized the expensive sport of horse riding and brought it into the sharing economy. Although COVID-19 forced the app to shut down, it had a massive impact with over 35,000 horses registered.Alina's strength in people-facing roles was evident early on in her career, and she constantly focused on building relationships to create commercial impact. After the closure of Hooves, Alina found herself at a crossroads, but she quickly found her footing as a venture architect at OBI Squared, where she worked on creating cutting-edge business models and startup collaborations.Currently, Alina is working at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, where she uses her skills to build relationships with strategic partners, from investors in startups to clients and stakeholders in a corporate setting. In this episode, Alina will discuss the ups and downs of being a founder, as well as the importance of building relationships in both the startup and corporate worlds. Don't miss this fascinating conversation with Alina Engel, a true role model for anyone looking to make an impact in their careerFollow Alina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinaengel/ Article Male and Female Entrepreneurs Get Asked Different Questions by VCs — and It Affects How Much Funding They Get: https://hbr.org/2017/06/male-and-female-entrepreneurs-get-asked-different-questions-by-vcs-and-it-affects-how-much-funding-they-getBook Recommendation - The Culture Map: https://www.amazon.com/Culture-Map-Breaking-Invisible-Boundaries/dp/1610392507 Episode Timeline:03:55 Tell us about your entrepreneurship journey. 07:15 What happened with Hooves at the end, how was the decision made to close the company?11:53 Pitfalls of first-time founders. 12:57 How important is the relationship between the co-founders? 14:50 The importance of bringing together the right team. 15:45 What mindset do you have when approaching difficult conversations?19:00 Transparency as the key to moving forward. 23:10 The benefit of working for a start-up: the impact you can have. 24:15 What's the biggest learning from your start-up founding path? Would you do it again?25:00 What’s the main lesson from your entrepreneurial journey? 27:50 Have you noticed any difference between men and women when raising funds?35:10 Why did you decide to move to a corporate? What guided you in your career decision? 39:35 How is it to work for Meta?41:45 What do you appreciate about the start-up world vs corporate culture?48:55 Do you have advice for listeners who are unsure about their next professional career? How do you guide your decision-making for e.g. joining Meta?50:55 If you could, would you change anything looking back?53:04 The Final 5 Fire Questions.

Brand Management | Communication | Digital & IT Comms | Jewelry Industry | Career Change | Decision Making | Reflections | Laura Dzurna was Communications Manager at Pandora from August 2020 until September 2022, with a special focus on digital & technology. In October 2022, she took on a new role at Pandora as Brand Manager, managing one of Pandora’s collections.Her career in the jewelry industry spans a variety of roles within Brand Communications & PR and internal communication, driving various initiatives and campaigns. A recent example is setting up internal communications for Pandora’s digital & technology function and working to establish the digital & technology community with various initiatives amongother Hackathons.Laura has a master’s in Brand & Communications Management (Copenhagen Business School).  She loves sports, reads voraciously, and enjoys exploring new cultures.In this interview we discuss Laura’s career progressions, lessons learned, and the thought process behind deciding to change the department within an organization. She will share more about the importance of community building and how to tackle a career change. Follow Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-dzurna/ Episode Timeline:02:30 Laura, tell us more about your current work setup. 04:45 How does one start to build communities within organizations?11:30 What are the challenges you've encountered and how can one be successful? 15:45 Is community building important outside engagement inside the company? What does it help with?19:00 For those of our listeners who want to start a career in brand management and communication, what skills should they focus on building?For the leaders who listen, what is your advice on building you career in this field? How do you navigate your career progression?25:20 You shared with me that deciding on a career change was not easy, what were your main focus areas when deciding to make the switch? 28:57 What is one of the latest reflections you've had about your career?32:25 What are the 3 main leadership lessons you've learned from your professional endeavors?33:20 What is the biggest surprise of your career? What is one thing you would change if you could about your career? 38:05 The Final 5 Fire Questions.The podcast is available on all major streaming platforms. More details on www.femmeleadpodcast.com

Cultural Adjustment | Living Abroad | Culture Shock | Consultant | Integration | Well-Being Specialist | Intercultural Awareness | Founder |  Role Model | Trainer | Our guest is Kathy Borys Siddiqui the founder of Active Action, an organization supporting International companies as well as internationals and their families in the intercultural transition when moving abroad. Active Action focuses on raising awareness and bringing solutions to challenges that internationals, their families, and employers are faced with, in order to create thriving and positive environments. Kathy lived in 4 countries and on 2 continents and holds MA’s in Cultural Studies and in American Studies. A firm believer that "if you are lacking something - create it."  She has been able to combine her passion and profession as an Intercultural Trainer, and owner of Active Action, with public speaking and branding initiatives, and describes herself as a well-being specialist. We discuss cultural adjustment and the notion of identity when moving abroad and we deep dive into the stages of cultural adjustment to a new country, culture, and environment.Follow Kathy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathybsiddiqui/ Episode Timeline:01:58 Kathy, can you share more about the focus of your work?05:50 What does it mean to help companies with intercultural awareness?12:00 The definition of subtext. 13:25 What are the phases of cultural adjustment? 22:10 What are the Nordic cultural adjustments differences you’ve noticed compared to other places?30:35 What does it mean to feel at home once you move abroad? What about your career prospects?38:30 What are the 3 important lessons you learned in your career?43:30 Final 5 Fire Questions.