Diverse & Inclusive Leaders

What if diversity wasn't a zero-sum game? What could you achieve if you understood the power of connecting with diverse audiences and truly grasped the value of stakeholder engagement? Join us as we take an in-depth look at diversity and inclusion in the business landscape with Alicin Reidy Williamson, Chief Diversity and Culture Officer at Yahoo. This isn't just about ticking boxes and making sure the workplace is representative. It's about how a diverse and inclusive environment can drive positive change and prosperity.Alicin gives us a masterclass in communication and leadership. She shares their insights on the importance of resilience, the abundance mindset that comes with embracing diversity, and the vital role that a Chief Diversity Officer plays in an organization. We address the misconception that diversity is a zero-sum game and instead focus on the benefits it brings to innovation, economy, and the very identity of a business. For those interested in the role of the CDO, she even pro

What if the secret to success goes beyond financial achievements? Join us as we explore this concept with our guest, Chris Mouskoundi, Non Executive Director, The Ocean Partnership. Chris takes us along his unique career journey, starting with his upbringing in an immigrant family that instilled in him a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. We get an insider's view into the role his Greek-American background played in shaping his passion for diversity, inclusion, and equity, and how it guided him to his surprising love for tax and led to his active involvement in various boards and organizations.Now, imagine a workplace where diversity and inclusion aren't just buzzwords, but the foundation of success and innovation. We dive into this critical topic, revealing that a shocking 30% of minority individuals worry about fitting in, which inhibits their full contribution. Through sharing my personal coming out journey and its impact on my career, along with the economic significance of diversity,

Have you ever wondered how a person's humble beginnings can shape their journey to becoming an influential leader and advocate for diversity and inclusion? Join us as we sit down with a phenomenal woman, Joanne Conway, who turns her challenging childhood into a powerful narrative of resilience and success. Joanne, the Head of Inclusion and Culture, International at DLA Piper, shares her story of growing up in disadvantaged areas and offers practical tips on how to navigate uncertainty and build strong networks.As we delve deeper into the conversation, we explore a topic that often stirs up discomfort – privilege. We share personal journeys of grappling with this concept and discuss how leaders can reflect on and address their privilege to foster inclusivity. Joanne even provides a sneak peek into our ongoing research on creating a framework for leaders to make systemic changes in organisations. The discussion doesn't stop there. We dive into the intricacies of diversity and inclusion in organization

Prepare for an insightful conversation with Jon Dutton, the man behind British Cycling.  With his career spanning over 28 years in the sports field, Jon has taken the reins of leadership at illustrious events like the PGA, Rugby League World Cup 2021, and now, British Cycling. We dive into his journey, the power of resilience, the importance of a diverse and supportive culture within an organization, and how to navigate the challenges our complex world throws at us.The sports field is not just about games and records; it's also a mirror reflecting societal issues. Underneath the glitz and glamour, sports have been impacted by the weaponization of racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Jon shares his unique insights on how these issues have filtered into the sports world, the role of media in combating these inequalities, and the value of role models in our society. We also discuss the constant evolution of culture and the changing expectations of younger generations in our increasingly digitized world.Wrappin

Jenny Packwood, a name synonymous with sustainability and leadership, graces our podcast with her inspiring journey. Her story begins in the agency world as a PR professional and segues into her current role as KFC's Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, where she is transforming the global brand. As we navigate through her two-decade career, we delve into the pivotal role she's played in embracing the shift from CSR to ESG, reflecting the changes and expectations in the business world today.Life, however, has a way of throwing curveballs. Jenny courageously shares her personal battle when her late-husband was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, a struggle that deeply affected her mental health. The empathy and support she received during this challenging period from her KFC family has sparked a passion within her to actively address mental health issues in the workplace. Our conversation also highlights the untapped potential and resilience of single parents in the workforce, a personal

What would you do to ensure your children have limitless opportunities? Our intriguing guest, Joshua Partridge,  Vice President & Head of EMEA at Yahoo! an Australian-raised father of two living in London, shares his enlightening views on parenting, and how his multicultural upbringing influenced his perspective. He artfully weaves his personal experiences, reflecting on the relationships he built during his time at Yahoo! and Shazam. It's a riveting peak into the thrilling world of travel and the opportunities it can present.Ever thought about the role diversity and inclusion play in shaping future generations? Our guest emphasizes the importance of conscious inclusion and the celebration of our similarities as humans. He takes us on a thoughtful exploration of the diminishing civil discourse in our society, and the potential dangers of polarization. This conversation offers fascinating insights into the necessity for leaders to compromise and listen effectively. Curious about the impact of a multic

How can a single experience mold your identity and shape your destiny? Our conversation with Cesar Wurm, the charismatic and empathetic VP of Commercial and Premium Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, has us grappling with these profound questions. He takes us down the memory lane, revealing a mesmerizing journey from heart-wrenching loss to finding his passion in hospitality, through a path filled with valuable connections and growth opportunities. Cesar's story is a testament to the power of human connection, underlining how every interaction holds the potential to influence and inspire.But the journey to success is never a bed of roses. It's more like a rollercoaster ride with its highs and lows, and Cesar is no stranger to it. He bravely opens up about the struggles he faced, including his battle with addiction and mental health issues. Caesar's thoughtful reflections on the importance of vulnerability in leadership and the pressing need to normalize seeking help are like a breath of fresh

Ever pondered on the stark reality of a CEO's life or the power of personal branding? Well, you're in for a treat! We're thrilled to welcome Freddie Paxton, the dynamic CEO of the UK's leading personal branding agency, WOAW. Freddie takes us on an inspiring journey, sharing his transition from a university dropout to a C-suite executive. He peels back the layers of the CEO role, revealing its challenges and responsibilities - which can often be a far cry from the perceived glamour.Freddie's insightful narrative extends to the realm of personal branding in our digital age. He emphasizes that we all have a personal brand, often unconsciously, and harnessing it can yield significant benefits. With Freddie's expert guidance, we delve into the importance of carefully crafting our messages and the role of a robust personal brand in streamlining networking. His unique perspective on this emerging branch of marketing is a treasure trove of knowledge.We are not just about business; we del

What if, in a heavily male-dominated industry, your gender wasn’t a barrier but a superpower, an asset? Join us for a captivating conversation with Liz Benison, CEO of ISS UK and Ireland, as she shares her journey from an uncertain 18-year-old to leading a major organization, and how she turned her gender into a superpower in the automotive industry. This episode promises interesting discussions on gender equity, parenthood, care responsibilities, and the different life stages of a CEO.Balancing work and family life is a delicate act. Liz shares fascinating stories, including one where her daughter demonstrated an incredible business acumen, and how bringing children to work and celebrating life milestones can shape a career.We take you through Leila's trip to Hong Kong, where she retraced her father's steps showing that work, life, and business are not separate entities but a harmonious blend. In the last part of our discussion, we tackle CEO activism, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and

Our fourth CEO Activist episode features a conversation between Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global and Ben Page, CEO at Ipsos."People want leadership. That means they want clarity, they want fairness, they want transparency, They want to believe that someone has a plan, even if the world is in turmoil or in chaos."You'll hear about- Ben's 36 year stint with Ipsos, starting as a graduate trainee to his rise as CEO- Ipsos' evolution over the years growing to become a global juggernaut of data and research and the work they do now not just in data but also with communities and their core values which drive them to do what they do- How cultural outlook on life affects what people see as acceptable or not when it comes to DIBE issues- How Ben adapts his leadership style depending on the situation, culture and norms- What diversity brings to the table, and how that has become more important within global orgnaisations- The role of the CEO within the organisation and how th

In this week’s podcast, Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global speaks to Roisin Mackenzie, Chief People officer at Saga PLC"But ultimately it's it's all about back to listen to your colleagues - How are they feeling? What are they telling you? Because they will tell you if a culture is off, they will tell you if they don't feel like you've got an inclusive culture. So you have to focus on culture as much as you do your processes, diversity and who who you bringing in. If you haven't worked hard enough on making sure that culture is safe, inclusive, that people feel like they can get on, they can feel seen, they can feel themselves, leaders understand what it is, you're pushing water up a hill."You'll hear about:- Roisin's career journey and how she progressed to become Chief People Officer at Saga PLC- How the evolution of the role of the people function, ESG and diversity, inclusion and belonging has played out over the last decade- Saga's

Our third CEO Activist episode features a conversation between Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global and Paul Gerrard, Campaigns, Public Affairs & Board Secretariat Director at the Co-op Group, Board Director at Co-ops UK and Trustee of the Co-operative Heritage Trust.Paul played a role in shaping what the CEO Activist campaign looks like today especially when it comes to the convening power of the initiative when it comes to business and policymakers."A partnership between government, local or central, and business is critical. If you want to help communities prosper then businesses have a critical role to play alongside governments."You'll hear about- Paul's strong family background and tightly-knit community which played a large role in shaping his worldview- Why Paul believes that the intersection between business and the government has such an important and crucial role to play in today's modern world- The history of the Coop and what makes its sense of communi

In this week’s podcast, Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global speaks to Katherine Griffiths, the City Editor at Bloomberg."But it is the case still that I think in news in particular, it's a problem. If a parent needs to be out of the office, take time off. And I think it's got something to do with the very nature of the job, which is sometimes things need to be done immediately."You'll hear about:- A whistlestop tour of Katherine's life including her career history through various newspapers- Parenthood, particularly her experience of it in the workplace and what's needed for parents to be able to navigate the complexities of working and parenting in a world where gender roles meet company practices- The importance of investing in talent that exists within the organisation to prevent women within the organisation from hitting the glass ceiling- The evolution of how talent flows into an organisation, and how important closing off the opportunity gap is- Time o

Our second CEO Activist episode features a conversation between Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global and Stephanie Mehta, Chief Executive and Chief Content Officer of Mansueto Ventures.'I think that good now in in my new role looks like creating a place where people really do feel like they are empowered to do their best work and empowered to say when there is something that is preventing them from being able to do their best work.'You'll hear about- Stephanie's rich and vibrant career which includes names like Fortune Magazine, Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal and a work history that starts with journalism school in Chicago and an internship in Virginia with a newspaper chain that went out of its way to remove barriers for students of colour.-  Her early life including immigrant parents from different cultures, who were extremely supportive of her choices, her work ethic,  and her experiences with growing up as an Asian-American which led to her awareness of race.- Ho

In this week’s podcast, Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global speaks to Ruben Alejandro Ramirez, the group head of Diversity and Inclusion for Syngenta Group"it all starts by understanding the space. For example, we have a global pride campaign as an entire group. However, we understand that in some places, this is illegal. So what we are trying to do this year is to have a low pressure campaign for those countries where pride is accepted and LGBTQ community is accepted, but then have our Respect campaign for the countries where we are not able sometimes even to speak about the topic."You'll hear about:- A whistlestop tour of Ruben' life including his heritage, international education and career, which is also how he met his husband, his passion for customer strategy  and how he ended up in D&I- Intersectionality, and how being a part of the LGBT community also helped him understand other underrepresented groups and showed him how to connect to people, to relate, and mak

Our first ever CEO Activist podcast kicks off with a fascinating conversation between Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global and  Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CEO at Co-op. "In terms of activism from a from a CEO perspective it is important to be authentic and to really determine what it is that's important to you, that you feel you can actually stand up and talk about with credibility, both inside your own organization, to be able to effect the change within one's own organization, but also outside, whether it's in government or in media or other other places." You'll hear about: - Shirine's upbringing including being a world traveller at a very young age thanks to her father's job and growing up in a multi-faith household to her own professional career which included multiple roles in multiple industries - The culture and the history of the council and the importance of organisations and CEOs to really be following the values and purpose - The reason behind

In this week’s podcast, Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global speaks to Asif Sadiq, Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Warner Brothers Discovery"At Warner Brothers Discovery, I'm looking at the internal elements. I'm looking at productions. I'm looking at our content. You know, how do we make it more diverse? How do we tell authentic stories? And that's how D&I should be positioned. In a way that you are really aligning to the internal and the external so that the messaging and what you truly believe in is consistent."You'll hear about:- A whistlestop tour of Asif's personal and professional journey including his early experience in different industries, his thoughts on authentic storytelling that is aligned with D&I, his Kenyan heritage, his family, race as a huge element while growing up and his views on disability inclusion- The need for D&I efforts to move away from alignment with the dominant culture, to give other minority

In this week’s podcast, Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global speaks to Salma De Graaff, VP People/(CHRO) at Skyscanner"People that have come from the people function that can lead an organization, they're also leading the people in an organization and finding a way to understand and facilitate both what generates great revenue and what are going to be the key elements that lead the company forward and also how do we create the environment able to thrive."You'll hear about:- Salma's rich personal history and her upbringing with an immigrant father and growing up in an Asian family with its educational pressures, through her career in sales into HR- How her move abroad made her understand privilege from an intersectional lens, but also started her on her travel history, living in the Netherlands, Suriname, Kinshasa, The Dominican Republic, Congo, Ethiopia and finally back to the Netherlands with regular trips to the UK.-  The importance of a strong understanding of the c

In this week’s podcast, Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global speaks to Clare Costello, Chief People and Inclusion officer at the Co-op"How many times have I said to somebody in the last decade, You're a fantastic negotiator. You can pull an RFP together, analyze data in such an immense way, massive thumbs up, humanity, stakeholders, kind of. Okay. But if you can get your people scaled up, you'll go from being a really good buy to being amazing. And it is that is the more people centric side that shifts the dial in terms of how we work together and the outcomes that you can get to."You'll hear about:- Clare's professional journey through accounting to procurement and now to people.- How to grow and develop relationships in terms of the supply chain, and in particular how to manage the more difficult parts of these relationships-  The importance of transparency and honesty in business relationships as well as creating a spirit of collaboration to make everyone feel

In this week’s podcast, Leila McKenzie-Delis, CEO and Founder of DIAL Global speaks to Zahoor Ahmad, Head of Social Mobility, Inclusion and Belonging at Coop and Executive Director at Alchemy Performance."Through emotional intelligence you can create a level of psychological safety and then people are accepting of ideas because they are non-threatening. However, if people enter their fight or flight mode when you approach them, you're not going to get much out of them."You'll hear about:- Zahoor's evolution through D&I including why he peaked at the age of 11, his Pakistani background, his experience of racism in public schools at a young age, how he's used his degree in psychology starting from social services to race equality to fire services, his career break where he wrote a novel and then continuing on to Royal Mail, the finance sector and finally to the Coop.- The differences he found within organisations at his various roles and what it means to be a forward-thinking D