Diverse & Inclusive Leaders

VE Day 75th Anniversary Special with the British Army Leila is joined by key individuals from the British Army: Major General Celia Harvey OBE QVRM TD, Deputy commander of the Field Army & Defence Sikh Champion Colonel Karl Harris – Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff Operations (DACOS) at Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ)  and also the Chair of the Army BAME Network.Naveed Muhamad – Muslim National Liaison Officer.Lt Col Tim Petransky, SO1 CE Communities, Engagement Branch, Headquarters Regional CommandIN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUTThe history of VE (Victory in Europe) day and the importance of the 75th Anniversary that we remember on this special day.  The contribution of the commonwealth as a whole to Victory in Europe including the economic and material support from other countries such as Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.The parallel between the time of crises today and the time of crises between 1939 and 1945 and the coming together of society and what we can learn from the wartime experience.Dive

VE Day 75th Anniversary Special with the Royal Air Force (RAF)"Find your right way to pick yourself up and carry on": the opportunities you're  Leila is joined by Sally Bridgeland – Honorary Group Captain Royal Air Force (RAF) & Trustee, RAF Central Fund IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUTThe history of VE (Victory in Europe) day and the importance of the 75th Anniversary that we remember on this special day.  The contribution of the commonwealth as a whole to Victory in Europe including the economic and material support from other countries such as Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.The parallel between the time of crises today and the time of crises between 1939 and 1945 and the coming together of society and what we can learn from the wartime experience.Sally's personal experience within the RAF and how she has managed this alongside her career in business in a portfolio capacity. Diversity, Inclusivity and Belonging in relation to the forces and the positive changes we have seen over

Leila is joined by Commador David Elford OBE Commador BE ADC BSc MSc MA CEng FRAeS MIET of The Royal Navy. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUTThe history of VE (Victory in Europe) day and the importance of the 75th Anniversary that we remember on this special day.  The contribution of the commonwealth as a whole to Victory in Europe including the economic and material support from other countries such as Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.The parallel between the time of crises today and the time of crises between 1939 and 1945 and the coming together of society and what we can learn from the wartime experience.Diversity, Inclusivity and Belonging in relation to the forces and the positive changes we have seen over the years. The Navy’s current role in supporting the nation today during the COVID 19 crises as we battle the invisible enemy together.  The important role of the reservists and others involved within the forces. How we can pull together and get involved as individuals, businesses and wider society. V

Christopher Kenna Leila is joined by Christopher Kenna - CEO & Founder at Brand Advance.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Why VE Day is so important to Chris· What led Chris to join the armed forces and, latterly, to found Brand Advance· The powerful yet privileged position that advertisers find themselves inRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskenna/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Don IroLeila is joined by Don Iro - Managing Director at Allteks Ltd.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Don’s personal background, from his upbringing in Nigeria through to his time in various C-suite level roles· The importance of digital frameworks and technology to adapting to the current Coronavirus crisis· How technology can be used to enhance inclusivity in the workplace· How crucial it is to be not only authentic but consistent as a leader in businessRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldiro/Don@allteks.co.ukContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

LaFawn DavisLeila is joined by LaFawn Davis - Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Indeed.com and member of 2019 SFBT Most Influential Women in Business shortlist.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·The importance of intersectionality, both to LaFawn personally and to building a community·How Indeed are making the most of their Inclusion Resource Groups (IRGs) to help adapt to the threat posed by Coronavirus·LaFawn’s advice for those who are suffering from Covid-19 due to furlough/redundancy·How to embrace being different in order to conquer imposter syndromeRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.indeed.com/career-advice/coronavirus-job-resources?from=here_to_helphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lafawn/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Simon FilleryLeila is joined bySimon Fillery - Modern Employer Consultant at GSK and Principal Consultant at SiFI Diversity.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· The “two halves” of Simon’s career, investment banking and latterly D&I· The three pillars of GSK’s ‘Modern Employer’ strategy: ‘Being you’, ‘Feeling good’ and ‘Keep growing’· Simon’s own personal tricks for surviving social distancing and self-isolation· The need to prioritise inclusion now more than everRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/simonfillery/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Kirsty Rogers Leila is joined byKirsty Rogers – Executive Head of Manchester office at DWF, Board Trustee at WeMindTheGap, Board Member at North West Academies Trust (NWAT) and Chair of Board of Governors at Delamere Academy.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· What led Kirsty to move into law for a career· What drives her to manage a very busy law career in addition to various non-exec roles· Kirsty’s own experiences and thoughts on furthering the cause of gender diversity· The importance of accepting everybody for who they are and avoiding unconscious biases as much as possibleRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstyrogersemploymentlaw/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Brannan HancockLeila is joined by Brannan Hancock – Technical Induction Manager, Head of Employee Resource Group and Chair of internal LGBTQ+ community at Alfa Financial Software.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·How Brannan has spent his entire career to date at Alfa, going from software development to his current role on the training side·The influence of digital products on every day life, particularly for millennials and zillennials·How he first discovered his bisexuality as an adult·What led him to become involved in Alfa’s LGBTQ+ community and similar inclusion groups·The importance of getting "buy-in" from C-suite level executives for community-focused initiatives RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brannanhancock/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Yulia O’Mahony Leila is joined byYulia O’Mahony – Former Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing at John Lewis Partnership. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT·  Yulia’s career story to date, which has seen her go from working in the consulting space in Russia to heading up Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing for John Lewis Partnership· The differences in the ‘melting pot’ of nations between different international cultures· The three components essential to improving wellbeing in any organizationRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/yuliaomahony/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Stacey CopelandLeila is joined by Stacey Copeland - Professional speaker, athlete and Founder of Pave the Way. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· The barriers that Stacey has had to overcome to practice her sports as a female in a male-dominated environment· The legal struggle to make boxing legal for females (after it had been legal for males to practice for many decades)· What Stacey believes still needs to be done in order to keep progressing and “moving the dial” for female sport· The details of Stacey’s exciting Pave the Way project· “Feeling excluded is a human experience, and everyone has felt it”: the negative impact of exclusionRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDwww.stacey-copeland.co.ukhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-copeland-431649162/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Ben PageLeila is joined by Ben Page, Chief Executive at Ipsos Mori, Visiting Professor at King’s College London and a Board Member of the King’s Fund and the Centre for Ageing Better.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· “The speed of the shock”: the tough times experienced by Ipsos Mori and many of their clients due to Coronavirus·The new role that technology is playing in Ben’s day to day working life·“I didn’t ever expect to be a Chief Executive”: How Ben went from studying history and not being sure what he wanted to do in life after university to working his way through the ranks to the very top at Ipsos Mori over the last 30 years·The importance of being a leader that employees can relate to (“great leaders selectively show their weaknesses” – Ronald Heifetz)·The link between a company’s a CSR policy and employee motivation/engagement: “People want to be part of something that’s more than themselves”RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDUncharted: How to Map the Future Together by Margaret HeffernanLeade

Paul ClealLeila is joined by Paul Cleal, Non-Executive Director at various FTSE 100 /public sector companies (including Sainsbury’s, PwC and the NHS Guy and St. Thomas’ Foundation Trust)IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· The impact of Coronavirus on the public sector institutions where Paul operates as a board member· Paul’s life story, from growing up in London as the son of first generation immigrants and his mother in particular to suffering the difficulties of being “non-white” in the early 1970s and finally achieving partner level at PwC· “I think it helps often to share stories when it hasn’t been easy at all”: the importance of learning lessons from difficult times and previous mistakes· The importance of accepting and promoting diversity in order to encourage inclusion and belonging within organisationsRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-monekosso-cleal-obe-9230415/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Ramcess Jean-LouisLeila is joined by Ramcess Jean-Louis, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Verizon Media.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Ramcess’ personal background, beginning with his upbringing by Haitian immigrants in New York through graduating from law school and then his career move into the D&I space·The ‘Four Cs’ model: Community, Culture, Career and Customer·How allowing time for social interaction can help to combat the negative effects of Coronavirus on employees’ mental health·The importance of collaboration within a company’s community RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ramcess-jean-louis-a8696139/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Jon DuttonLeila is joined by Jon Dutton, Chief Executive at Rugby League World Cup 2021.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How Jon has found himself in a very privileged position taking the lead on showcasing Rugby League’s finest athletes· The impact that Coronavirus has had on sport in general, and Rugby League in particular· The various Inclusivity measures being introduced as part of RLWC 2021, with Inclusivity being one of their core values· Their choice to focus on the “power of the North” in the UK geographically, with many of the host cities being in the North of the UKRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-dutton-29a5121a/Twitter @jon-dutton72www.rlwc2021.comContinue the conversation on LinkedIn

Mark ParelloLeila is joined by Mark Parello, Managing Director & Chartered Wealth Manager at King Street Wealth Management.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Mark’s epiphany moment in 2015 when he realised that there was a better way to do wealth management, leading him to co-found his own business· Mark’s difficult experiences as a teenager after being taken into a care home· Mark’s incredible work ethic which is one of his key attributes -- “I have never met anyone that I couldn’t outwork”RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-parello-79974b13/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Mirko SenatoreLeila is joined by Mirko Senatore, Global Supply Chain Lead - European Distributor Markets at Pfizer.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· Mirko’s career journey in supply chain to date, which has now taken him to the point of managing supply chain operations across 42 countries in EMEA· His wide range of international experience, which has taken him from Italy, and from living in his relatively small hometown of around 160,000 people to international “melting pots” such as Brussels and London· The benefits of language, not just as a communication tool but as a means of deciphering culture e.g. “the British understatement”!· The Pfizer workstream known as Inclusive Culture, and Mirko’s contribution to this by developing “inclusive measures”RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mirkosenatore/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Joanne Carlin Leila is joined by Joanne Carlin, Human Resources Director at Fresenius Kabi UK.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· The ever-increasing importance of employee engagement· How Joanne fell into the people function by chance, but grew to appreciate its all-encompassing nature in terms of other functions· Joanne’s passion for D&I: “If you have an inclusive environment, then it becomes naturally diverse”· The key role that leadership and management development can play in building company strategy long-term RESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-carlin-msc-fcipd-1b23386/Twitter @jomcarlin16Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-PerezTriggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts--Becoming the Person You Want to Be by Marshall GoldsmithBlack Box Thinking: The Surprising Truth About Success by Matthew SyedThe Chimp Paradox: The Acclaimed Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness by Steve Pet

Dr. Nyla RajaLeila is joined by Dr. Nyla Raja, Founder and Medical Director of Medispa Cheshire.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How Nyla came to find herself in the medical profession, having been inspired to become a doctor by the tragic death of her younger sister in a car accident· How she has been inspired by multiple generations of women, from those behind the Suffragette movement to the modern day business leader Karen Brady· The improvements in gender diversity representation that have seen more women apply to medical school over the last decadeRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://doctornyla.com/Continue the conversation on LinkedIn

Tasneem Bhopalwala Leila is joined by Tasneem Bhopalwala, Global Diversity and Inclusion Specialist at Oxford University Press.IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT· How Tasneem’s career evolved from a wider range of management types to specializing in HR, and from her beginnings in the “entertainment hub” of Bombay in India to working in the UK· Her inspiring story so far, having continued working as a mother part-time as well as funding her university education herself· Tasneem’s keen belief that D&I should not just be driven by the HR function, but by the whole organization· The important role that technology such as AI and new communication platforms now has to play in furthering the cause of D, I & BRESOURCES & INFORMATION MENTIONEDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tasneem-bhopalwala-cipd-05979059/tasneembhopalwala.hr@gmail.comContinue the conversation on LinkedIn