the Executives: A Dialogue with Majid

In this episode of the Executives, I sit down with Aparna, a trailblazing social entrepreneur, B-Corp advocate, and plant-based investor reshaping how we think about impact, culture, and sustainability in business.What you'll learn: 🌍 Why "impact entrepreneurship" is the future of business🧵 How women-led artisans in Indonesia are powering a slow fashion revolution 💼 Aparna’s global leadership journey from DHL to leading TORAJAMELO 🤝 The value of trust, community, and collaboration in growing a purpose-led company 💚 What it takes to stay financially sustainable and values-driven🎥 Chapters00:00 Introduction01:28 Who is Aparna Saxena?04:05 What's one Indonesian food you could eat every day?8:52 From engineering to impact leadership18:00 What inspired your focus on sustainability?24:03 How do you empower women-led artisan communities?29:26 Challenges of building TORAJAMELO34:58 A success story from Ahana or TORAJAMELO39:27 Balancing financial sustainability and social impact46:28 What are plant-based businesses? (Vriksha Impact)50:39 How can everyday people live more sustainably?01:02:08 What's next for Ahana and TORAJAMELO?📢 Connect with AparnaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparna-saxena/TORAJAMELO: https://www.torajamelo.comAhana: https://ahanaimpact.com📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficialThreads: https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Majid M : https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow the Executives:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/

In this episode of the Executives, I sit down with Stephanie Blenckner, Communications Director at SIPRI. From marine biology to high-stakes diplomacy, Stephanie shares what it means to lead with integrity, manage geopolitical narratives, and foster peace in a polarized world.🎯 What You’ll Learn:How facts shape peacebuilding in the age of disinformationThe power of silent diplomacyEngaging Gen Z on global peace and strategyLeadership lessons from two decades at SIPRI⏱️ Chapters00:30 Stephanie Blenckner, Communications Director at SIPRI01:17 Stephanie’s Career Pivot from Marine Biology02:16 Stephanie’s experience in Communications03:14 Weird food combination Stephanie likes05:06 What Is SIPRI & Why It Matters?07:00 Explaining Peacebuilding to Gen Z12:34 Communication Challenges in Diplomacy14:49 Stephanie’s normal day at work in SIPRI16:25 Lessons from 16 Years at SIPRI28:23 Reaching Policymakers and Media28:23 Navigating Credibility in a Misinformation Age39:15 Collaborating with Journalists & Stakeholders41:41 Crisis Communication at SIPRI45:45 Social Media Strategy for Peace Messaging51:50 Advice for Careers in Global Communication56:54 Final Thoughts on Hope & Human-Centered LeadershipAbout StephanieStephanie Blenckner is the Communications Director at SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), where she has led global strategy and outreach for over 16 years. With a background in natural sciences and a deep focus on diplomacy, she works at the intersection of peace, public engagement, and strategic communication, translating complex security issues for global audiences.📢 Connect with StephanieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-blenckner-12bab6b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipriorg/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sipri.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sipriorg X (Twitter): https://x.com/SIPRIorg SIPRI: http://www.sipri.org/ 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficialFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/majidmpageMajid M : https://www.majidm.com 📢 Find the Executives on Social Networks:LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast

In this episode of the Executives, I sit down with Jingjin, a serial entrepreneur, global business leader, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. She shares her incredible journey from being the only under-35 Asian woman director in the automotive sector to launching impactful ventures like ZaZaZu and Elevate, which aim to transform how women lead, negotiate, and succeed. The topic of discussion is Breaking Barriers: Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Redefining Success for Women in Business.🎯 What You’ll LearnThe story of Jingjin’s first €5M company built alongside a full-time jobThe surprising link between bedroom confidence and boardroom negotiationWhy women pitch conservatively and how that hurts fundingHow gender lens investing drives real, measurable changeWhat Jingjin’s mission to impact 5 million women looks like in action⏱️ Chapters01:48 Who is Jingjin? Beyond LinkedIn04:45 Ice Cream, Superwomen & Identity06:14 Breaking Barriers & Her First Company10:53 The Emotional Reality of Exiting15:23 Challenges of the First Startup17:32 Redoing the same problem as a startup18:47 What is ZaZaZu & Elevate?20:57 Example of successful transformation23:58 Bedroom to Boardroom: Advocacy & Confidence27:09 Gender Gaps in Pitching & Fundraising29:13 Imposter Syndrome & Leadership35:57 Diversity, Hiring & Team Design40:59 Mistakes Companies Make Supporting Women45:30 Negotiation Tips for Career & Home49:14 Gender Lens Investing & Global Scale50:59 What’s Next: Elevate Group Expands to Europe52:37 Final Message to Men & Women📌 About JingjinJingjin is a serial entrepreneur, global business leader, and advocate for women’s empowerment. As the Founder & CEO of ZaZaZu and Elevate, she’s dedicated to helping women advance in leadership, entrepreneurship, and negotiation. With a background in automotive, finance, and technology, Jingjin has built businesses across Europe and Asia, breaking barriers in male-dominated industries and driving inclusion through bold action and big vision.📢 Connect with Jingjin:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jingjinliuZaZaZu: https://www.zazazu.clubElevate: https://www.elevateleadership.cJoin the movement to uplift 5 million professional women: https://elevateasia.org/newsletter/📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ Website: https://www.majidm.comX (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficialMajid M : https://www.majidm.com

In this episode of the Executives, I sit down with Stefan Löfven, the former Prime Minister of Sweden and a lifelong advocate for social democracy, sustainability, and global cooperation. From humble beginnings as a welder to leading a nation through crises like the refugee wave, terror attacks, and the pandemic, Stefan shares his insights on inclusive leadership, future governance, and why technology must be met with responsible policy.🎯 What You’ll Learn:How Stefan went from trade union leader to Sweden’s Prime MinisterKey leadership traits for navigating crises and changeWhy inclusion and vision matter in every decisionWhat governments must do to regulate AI responsiblyHow Sweden achieved sustainability without leaving people behindThe importance of youth engagement in politics and democracy⏱️ Chapters:00:30 Intro & Swedish greeting01:25 Who is Stefan Löfven?03:15 Stefan’s go-to fun04:24 Topic for discussion- Leading through Change: Innovation, Sustainability, and the Future of Global Leaders05:06 Key lessons in leadership08:09 Defining moments in leadership12:35 The Feeling on becoming the Prime Minister of Sweden14:46 Navigating crises as a leader17:49 Why youth should care about politics22:55 Sustainability strategy for nations27:45 Did they foresee the rise of AI?30:00 AI, tech giants & regulation32:10 Supporting workers through transition38:51 Democracy beyond voting41:45 Small nations in global cooperation44:10 Role at SIPRI47:35 Challenges for the next 20 years50:22 Funniest moment as PM52:26 What’s next for Stefan Löfven54:54 Concluding remarksAbout StefanStefan Löfven is a former Prime Minister of Sweden (2014–2021) and a global advocate for social democracy, sustainability, and international cooperation. With a career spanning from trade union leadership to national governance, he has championed economic equality, climate action, and workers’ rights on the global stage.During his tenure, he played a key role in shaping Sweden’s progressive policies on innovation, sustainability, and social welfare, while also strengthening Sweden’s influence in European and international diplomacy.He is currently the Chair of the SIPRI Governing Board, a position he has held since June 2022, where he continues to contribute to global discussions on leadership, governance, and the future of democratic institutions.📢 Connect with Stefan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sipri/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipriorg/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sipri.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sipriorg X (Twitter): https://x.com/SIPRIorg SIPRI: http://www.sipri.org/ 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficialFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/majidmpageTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidmofficial Majid M : https://www.majidm.com 📢 Find the Executives on Social Network: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/ Facebook: http://facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast/

Welcome to the debut episode of "The Executives: A Dialogue with Majid"! In this enlightening conversation, Majid sits down with the dynamic Natalia from EASE to delve into the world of Public Relations. Discover how PR plays a pivotal role in the growth and branding of startups. Natalia shares her insights, experiences, and the magic behind effective PR strategies. 🔥 Quote of the Episode: Getting featured can be a startup game-changer. 🎙️ Hosted by Majid, CEO of Marminova, Founder and Chief Digital Wordsmith for Xtartup Bar, and a board member at the German Asian Business Club. Chapters: 0:19 - Introduction 1:00 - Natalia's journey into PR 2:48 - The importance of PR for startups 5:44 - More information about the European Association of Software Engineering 6:50 - Why is PR important for a startup? 7:30 - Difference between PR in startups and companies 10:08 - A success story of a PR for a startup 12:08 - Challenges for startups in PR 16:50 - Do events help startups? 19:52 - When should startup founders share their ideas with the press? 21:30 - What are cost-effective strategies for startups to do PR?24:26 - Is there something called too much PR? 25:05 - How can startups do PR in a crisis? 31:58 - What are the roles of founders in PR? 34:32 - Should founders share their stories about why they are doing the startup? 36:51 - Can startup founders create stories to support their startup? 38:55 - How to become a PR specialist? 40:45 - What is the future of PR? 43:38 - Conclusion 📚 Dive deeper into product innovation, executive leadership, and cross-cultural collaboration with Majid. Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes and share if you find value in our content! 🎧 Also available on YouTube #TheExecutivesPodcast #BrandingMagic #NataliaSpeaks #PRPowerhouse #ADialogueWithMajid #MajidM