Inspiring Women Leaders

Podcast Episode: Resilience, Leadership and Mental Health with Sally Orange MBEIn this powerful episode, we sit down with Sally Orange MBE - former British Army Major, record-breaking endurance athlete, mental health campaigner and award-winning charity fundraiser - to explore what true resilience really looks like.From completing the legendary Marathon des Sables to racing 3,000 miles across America in the Race Across America, earning six Guinness World Records and four Invictus Games medals, Sally has continually pushed the boundaries of mental and physical endurance. Yet behind the extraordinary achievements lies a deeply personal journey through chronic depression and anxiety - experiences that now shape her authentic, compassionate leadership voice.Sally shares practical, hard-won strategies for performing under pressure, building resilience in extreme environments, and leading courageous conversations around mental health. With warmth, humour and humility (often delivered in her signature slice-of-orange outfit), she challenges organisations and individuals alike to rethink how we support wellbeing and unlock human potential.Recognised with the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award and appointed MBE for services to charity and mental health, Sally’s story has featured on BBC Breakfast and The Kelly Clarkson Show, among others - but in this conversation, you’ll hear the unfiltered lessons behind the headlines.This is an episode about courage, compassion, and the kind of leadership that creates lasting impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma specialises in creating positive change through communications. She has 30 years’ experience in the communications industry. Today she is Chief Executive of SEC Newgate UK, part of the international communications group, SEC Newgate S.p.A. on whose board she also sits. Her clients include business leaders, household brands and international organisations. She is a regular feature in the ‘PR Week UK Power Book’.She is Deputy Chair of the Elton John Aids Foundation and a Non-Executive Director of the Green Finance Institute. She is the former Chair of the UK’s largest ovarian cancer charity, Target Ovarian Cancer, and of The Barbican Centre Trust and served on both boards for nine years. She was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2017. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clémence Mahéo is a publishing professional and feminist activist who has built her career around amplifying powerful stories and championing social change.Originally from Brittany, France, Clémence has always been passionate about books and the power they hold. She studied French Literature at the Sorbonne, followed by Media, Communication, and Marketing at CELSA in Paris. In 2008, she moved to the UK and began her publishing career, turning a lifelong love of literature into a global vocation. With over 15 years of experience, she now works internationally, connecting beautiful children’s books and thought-provoking non-fiction with readers around the world.In March 2023, alongside her publishing work, Clémence co-founded togetHER (www.togetheragainstsexism.org), a UK-based feminist social enterprise and collective with a bold mission to end sexism and sexual violence. The organisation brings together people of all genders, backgrounds, and experiences to make feminism practical, inclusive, and accessible. Through free, action-oriented training, togetHER empowers individuals to understand gender inequality and actively challenge it in their everyday lives.Clémence's involvement in togetHER reflects her strong commitment to justice, a collaborative spirit, and the belief that real change starts with everyday actions. Trilingual in French, English, and Spanish, she brings a truly international perspectiveIn this episode of the Inspiring Women Leaders podcast, host Leigh interviews Clémence Mahéo. Clémence shares her journey from a strict upbringing in Brittany, France, to her current work in the UK, where she champions women's rights and social justice through literature and activism. The conversation explores her influences, the nuances of ambition, the importance of collaboration, and the founding of her social enterprise aimed at combating sexism. Clémence emphasises the need for practical action against sexism and the role of literature in empowering voices. She also reflects on navigating dark times and her aspirations for a legacy of justice and inclusivity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya, a TEDx speaker, engineer, and founder of African Women in STEM, an organization driving global impact. With over two decades of experience managing billion-dollar projects in energy and engineering, Adaeze is a champion for cultural inclusion and leadership development. She shares how embracing cultural identity fuels innovation, the power of community in STEM, and how she’s helping women build values-driven careers. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on breaking barriers and redefining success in STEM! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙️ Episode Title: Deanna Oppenheimer – Leadership, Mentorship, and Leaving a LegacyJoin us for an extraordinary conversation with Deanna Oppenheimer, a global leader, trailblazer in corporate governance, and passionate advocate for diversity in leadership. In this episode, Deanna reflects on her remarkable career journey across industries, sharing invaluable insights on the power of mentorship, overcoming self-limiting beliefs, and the transformative impact of human connection.Together with Leigh, Deanna dives deep into navigating leadership challenges, the critical role of confidence, authority, and gravitas, and how her upbringing shaped her perspective. She offers thought-provoking reflections on transitioning between industries, the evolving role of technology and AI in leadership, and the ethical considerations shaping the future.Deanna also opens up about the darker moments of her career, sharing heartfelt lessons on resilience and how to channel passion into meaningful legacy-building. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an experienced leader, or simply curious about thriving in a rapidly changing world, this episode offers a wealth of actionable advice and inspiration.About Deanna Oppenheimer:Deanna is a seasoned global corporate board leader and turnaround executive with a career spanning financial services, retail, and digital transformation. She is Chair of IHG Hotels & Resorts (FTSE 100) and a non-executive director at Thomson Reuters and Slalom. Deanna is the founder of BoardReady, a non-profit accelerating diversity on governing boards, and CameoWorks, a consultancy for entrepreneurial transformation.From her tenure as CEO of Barclays UK and Western Europe Retail Banking to her leadership roles at Washington Mutual, Deanna has consistently driven customer-centric innovation and organizational growth. Her accolades include Lifetime Achievement Awards, Diversity Director of the Year, and Women of Influence honors.Deanna splits her time between London and Seattle, sharing her wisdom as a mentor, advocate, and family matriarch.Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most influential voices in modern leadership! 🌟 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alison Hutchinson CBE is the CEO of Pennies, an award-winning fintech charity making digital giving easy and affordable for everyone who chooses to give as part of everyday life. Pennies could unlock £1Bn of incremental donations if every UK adult gave around 30p/week. She is also a Senior Independent Director at DFS plc, Yorkshire Building Society and Foresight Group Holdings Ltd. Alison was previously a Trustee of the Charities Aid Foundation, Non-Executive Director of Aviva Life Holdings UK and AIL (General & Health Insurance), subsidiary boards of Aviva Group plc, LV=, and of LMAX Exchange. In 2016, she was awarded a CBE for services to the economy and charities.She has a wealth of experience in the consumer, technology and finance sector, across a variety of previous director positions. Alison was educated at Strathclyde University where she graduated at 19 with a BSc in Technology and Business Studies. She is married with three children and loves fresh air, exercise, and quality time with her familyIn this episode, Alison Hutchinson, CEO of Pennies, shares her journey from her early life in Scotland to leading a successful fintech charity that enables micro donations. She discusses the importance of values, purpose, and profit in business, the role of technology in enhancing customer experience, and the challenges faced in entrepreneurship. Alison emphasizes the need for a strong work ethic, accountability, and the significance of community engagement in business success. In this conversation, Leigh explores the themes of leadership, community impact, and personal growth through the lens of the micro-donation movement. They discuss the importance of navigating criticism, the growth of the Pennies initiative, and the power of storytelling in engaging communities. The conversation emphasises the balance between profit and purpose, the significance of personal leadership lessons, and the need for individuals to embrace challenges and stretch themselves for growth. Ultimately, they highlight the importance of inspiring leadership and the impact of playing one's own cards in life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙️ Inspiring Women Leaders Podcast: Dr. John HamiltonIn this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. John Hamilton, Chief People Officer at Bellrock Group, a prominent UK property and facilities management company with a £200M turnover and a 1,650-strong team. With a wealth of senior leadership experience across public and private sectors, John brings expertise in organizational change, transforming complex organizations, and empowering people to reach their full potential.John shares his dedication to inclusive leadership, emphasiSing that successful organisations are those that create growth opportunities for everyone. With a PhD in organizational psychology, John discusses his research on managing work-related stress and his belief in the powerful role leaders play in supporting wellbeing. Plus, outside his corporate role, John’s a talented playwright, blending creativity and strategy in every endeavor.Tune in to explore how purpose-driven leadership and people empowerment shape the workplaces of tomorrow! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are excited to launch our charity podcast, Inspiring Women Leaders, the sister podcast to Inspiring Leadership with Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE. Today’s special guest is 21-year-old Zara Lachlan, who will be rowing solo and unsupported this October from Portugal across 3,600 miles to French Guiana. This mainland-to-mainland attempt will allow Zara to set three world records: she will be the first female to row this crossing solo and unsupported, the youngest person to complete this crossing in any boat, and the youngest female to row from any mainland to mainland across the Atlantic Ocean in any boat (others have crossed from Africa, which is about 600 miles shorter).Zara’s challenge will involve rowing for 15 hours a day, navigating through orca- and shark-infested waters, and facing waves up to 30 feet high. Remarkably, this will be Zara's first ocean crossing, and the first time she rows on an ocean will be when she departs from Portugal. None of this would be possible without the help and support of her sponsors, including Team Forces, Collins Aerospace, Telent, Civica, and Spectra Group. Zara's row will also raise funds for her two chosen charities: Women in Sport and Team Forces. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.