"Own Your Seat": Confidence, Courage and Change - with Cynthia Karam
Description
In the season finale of the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha welcomes Cynthia Karam, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability for the Middle East at Coca-Cola. Cynthia is an advocate for sustainability, gender equality and empowerment, leading initiatives that have shaped opportunities for women across the region.
This episode is a celebration of courage, grace and living by your values. Raha and Cynthia explore what it means to lead with empathy while owning your seat at the table, even in male-dominated spaces.
In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, Cynthia shares:
- What quality of life means to her and why safety, purpose and simple joys matter most
- How her parents shaped her values of kindness, humility and resilience
- Her perspective on inner peace and the small habits she uses to protect it
- The story behind Tumo, a pioneering women’s empowerment initiative in Saudi Arabia
- How she finds balance between motherhood, career and personal growth
- Her honest take on failure, redundancy and trusting the process
- Overcoming imposter syndrome and learning to advocate for herself
- Why collaboration, not competition, is key to women thriving together
- Her motto: “Iron fist in a velvet glove” and what it has taught her about leadership
Cynthia’s story reminds us that true strength lies in staying grounded in who you are — and that you can create lasting impact without losing your softness.
📚 Cynthia’s Book Pick
Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho
🌿 Everyday Joys
- Long walks by the sea with a good playlist
- Journaling and sharing travel memories
- Dark chocolate and quiet evenings with family
Produced by Pineapple Audio Production
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