Success | Entrepreneur | Introvert | 60 Day Startups | Founder | Leadership | Mental Health | Boundaries | Media Platform |  Role Model | Women in Media |Mashal Waqar is a serial entrepreneur who loves being in the midst of startups, cool tech, writing, and good people.Her first media startup, The Tempest, impacts millions of readers globally through powerful storytelling. Mashal Waqar also co-created a business accelerator taking women founders from early-stage to revenue in 60 days.  She is passionate about gender equality, accessibility, and intersectional growth and has previously worked with the United Nations, Xerox, and startups as an advisor and founder.Among her awards, we find Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30, Entrepreneur Middle East's Achieving Women, 19th World Economic Forum Young Leader of the Year, and many more. She is also a speaker at 2 TEDx talks, Harvard Bold Conference, Stanford MENA Forum, and many other events. In our interview, we discussed the definition of success and what it means to “make it.” Mashal confesses her tactics for handling situations as an introvert and how she navigates her entrepreneurial journey.Follow Mashal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashalwaqar/ Episode Timeline: 02:37 How do you manage your success? 09:52 How do you set boundaries for work? 15:44 How did you decide to become an entrepreneur?21:02 How do you define success now?25:45 How did your idea of “making it” change?31:55 What are the barriers of women in entrepreneurship?38:24 Fire 5 Final Questions.

The Imposter Experience | Imposter Feeling | Cybersecurity Specialist | Thought Leader | The Human Element of Cybersecurity | Personal Growth | Organizational Culture |  Confidence | Joy Beland is a cybersecurity expert & thought leader. She gained worldwide attention for her thought leadership in the Human Element of cybersecurity while successfully training over 3,000 people on cybersecurity fundamentals. She has many accreditations and has successfully contributed to the cybersecurity world. Her mission is to protect organizations from cybercrime, whether caused by external or external internal threat actors. In addition to being a CMMC Registered Practitioner, Provisional Assessor and Provisional Instructor certifications, Joy holds the CISM certification from ISACA, the SSAP certification from SANS, Carnegie Mellon SEI certificates for Insider Threat Program Manager as well as Insider Threat Vulnerability Assessor. We discuss the imposter experience, phenomenon, or feeling in our interview rather than the imposter syndrome. We deep dive into the topic by asking what it means to experience this feeling of vulnerability. Follow Joy Beland on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-belinda-beland/Episode Timeline:02:27 Introduction to the human aspect of cybersecurity.05:40 How do you make the switch to focus on the human element in cybersecurity?08:40 The imposter syndrome: what is it, how does it manifest in our daily lives?15:00 What do you think the Imposter Phenomenon creates when it comes to barriers for growth?22:07 Is there a good part of experiencing the imposter feeling?25:50 What do you recommend to people who do not know where to start changing their imposter experience?32:50 Self-doubt and representation: how can we manage the imposter experience?36:20 Final 5 Fire Questions. 

Artificial Intelligence | Internet of Things | Rolls Royce | R² Data Labs | Data Science | Punk | Geek |  Superfreak | Future of Work | Leadership | STEM Careers| Motherhood | AI Trends |Caroline Gorski is a technology leader with more than 25 years of experience, with a background in strategy consulting, market development, and commercial decision-making at FTSE 100 board level.She is also the Group Director of R² Data Labs, the data innovation and artificial intelligence catalyst inside Rolls-Royce:"We create data and AI-based innovations, apps, and services that improve the way Rolls-Royce and our customers operate. We harness industry knowledge and engineering expertise to unlock new value from data that others can't. We believe that only collaborative innovation will find the most undiscovered value from data."She is the Co-Founder of the Emergent Alliance (www.emergentalliance.org), a not-for-profit Global Data Collaboration initiative focussing on Economic Recovery analytics in response to COVID-19. Previously, Caroline was Head of IoT and Digital Manufacturing at the Digital Catapult and Head of Business Development - Internet of Things for Telefonica UK.Caroline has an MA from Oxford University and lives in rural Yorkshire with her two children and two very noisy small dogs. She loves live music, heated debate, real ale, and long walks, and is happiest sitting in the pub indulging in at least two of them. Caroline tweets and blogs on some of the challenges and opportunities of modern living for women in the corporate world at www.whereisyourbanksman.com.Follow Caroline Gorski on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-gorski-1b333316/ Episode Timeline:02:20 What does it mean to work in AI at R² Data Labs at Rolls Royce?08:45 How does AI impact the future of work?12:35 What should people consider when thinking about the future of the workforce?16:52 What are the implications of bias and AI?21:21 What do you advise leaders about AI & IoT? What trends do you see?24:38 How did you start your career in IT from a bachelor's in arts? 29:30 What is the path to success that worked for you? 36:20 What advice can you share for women looking to follow in your footsteps? 41:00 Would you do anything differently looking back?42:20 What is your advice for mothers or women who consider motherhood?48:00 Final 5 Fire Questions.

Webinar | Passion | Women-Led Business | Accelerator | Purpose | Career Path | Inspiration | Startup | New Beginning | Personal Story | Peggy Poon joined the Femme Lead community to share her professional journey & share how she transformed her passion for startups and communities into her day job at both IBM & Microsoft. Peggy recently started Time to Raise to accelerate women-led startups to investment.In our live event, we covered the process of finding one’s passion, the decision to leave a job to pursue a new endeavor, steps to manage this decision successfully, and plans for the future once you have clarity on your next journey. Follow Peggy Poon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggypoon/ Check out Time to Raise: https://www.timetoraise.co/ For the full interview, check out our streams onlineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6870735875936976896/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/femmeleadpodcast/live_videos Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T39s5pD9z8E&ab_channel=FemmeLeadPodcast Join the Femme Lead newsletter on the homepage at femmeleadpodcast.com to hear about our next events!

Mindset Shift | Career Change | Talent Management | Human Resources | Consultancy | Diversity & Inclusion | Representation | Entrepreneurship | Education | Thought Leader |Four our episode on mindset shift, we have brought to the table a special guest: Dr. Poornima Luthra is the author of ‘Diversifying Diversity: Your guide to being an active ally of inclusion in the workplace’ and the founder and CEO of TalentED Consultancy ApS as well as a member of the teaching Faculty at the Copenhagen Business School. She has spent the last fifteen years researching and teaching university courses in the field of talent management, with a focus on Diversity and Inclusion. More recently, Poornima has taken her years of academic experience into the corporate world with the vision of making workplaces more inclusive for all. Poornima focuses on inspiring shifting mindsets and expanding the areas of diversity we look at through strategy consulting, corporate training, keynote sessions, talks, articles, blog posts, and podcasts.In our interview, we discuss the topic of changing your mindset and going for what makes you happy. Passion and career are often two words that we all strive to connect, but the success stories are not shared as much. We think Poornima is an example of how following your passion and going back to who you help you successfully build a career that you are passionate about. Follow Poornima on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-poornima-luthra-she-her-b09128100/Books by Poornima:1. Diversifying Diversity: Your Guide to Being an Active Ally of Inclusion in the Workplace - available on Amazon 2. From Plant to Planet: Nudge your way towards healthier, more sustainable food habits - available on Amazon Episode Timeline:02:30 Why pursue a talent management career?07:30 Career change: From engineering to talent management.13:10 What does it mean to shift your mindset?21:10 What is the recipe to thrive and stay true to ourselves?29:30 Imposter Syndrome: How do you manage it?34:49 Thoughts on our fast-paced professional lives.39:00 Final 5 Fire Questions

Women in Tech | STEM Careers | Role Model | Software Engineering | Talent | CXO | Leadership | Professional Growth | Advice | Working Mother |  In our interview, we explore the multi-facets of running an international organization as a technical leader and the need for more representation in STEM. Anne-Sofie shares her experience from starting her career in web development to leading teams and continuing to bring innovation to large organizations. Looking back, the business world still needs to advance the mission of diversity and representation.  Anne-Sofie Nielsen leads the development of the Peakon employee engagement platform in her role as VP, Software Development at the global HR & financial SaaS company Workday. She is incredibly passionate about leadership, changing the world with technology, and building inclusive organizations. Before joining Workday, she was the CTO of the Danish startup success Peakon that Workday acquired in 2021. Before that, She was the CTO of the Danish online supermarket nemling.com. She led a charge to rapidly revamp the IT landscape of the growing company, including a whole new customer-facing experience that went on to win multiple industry awards. She’s also on the board of the Alexandra Institute that specializes in consulting organizations on how to take cutting-edge IT research and apply it to real-world projects.Follow Anne-Sofie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/femalenerd/Episode Timeline:02:05 Representation of women in STEM03:15 What do you consider are the barriers for women in technology?05:09 When did you know you want to pursue to a career in tech?06:53 What is the view of the future of representation in tech?09:00 What changed in terms of encountering bias at work?10:30 What do you advise leaders that do not see D&I important?12:00 What do you advise women who do not see themselves in the team they are part of?13:50 What advice do you have when recruiting tech talent?16:02 What reflections can you share for graduates looking to start their tech careers?17:48 Is there any reflection from the start of your career?19:45 What is a piece of advice you always emphasize?20:30 Do you have some advice for new moms?22:10 How do you tackle confidence? 24:00 What do you advise women who have challenges at work?26:05 What lessons did you take from your CXO career?28:10 What is the most rewarding part of your CXO role currently?29:30 Looking back would you have done anything differently?30:45 Fire 5 Final Questions

Human Potential | Emotional Intelligence | Coach | Unlock Potential | Talent | Personal Growth | Fulfilment | Zone of Genius | Leadership | EmpowermentAntesa Jensen is an extraordinary speaker and coach whose philosophy is the fastest way forward is inward. Antesa helps people take something that exists within us, empathy, and use it to fulfill one's path. In our latest interview, we explore the topic of unlocking human potential. Antesa shares that parts within that are not yet potentiated can get opened, and as a result, we become more of who we already are. We need to bring more of what is inside and let it out. Figuring out your potential is the life journey. In our interview, we go straight to the topic of finding your area of genius: 'The truth is we are all born with gifts that need to be cultivated throughout our life, and that is potential. People misuse the word to induce guilt, a dangerous stretch on the topic of potential. We all have potential, and it will not be the same for everybody. That should be honored and respected.'Find out about Antesa’s work: www.antesajensen.com Connect with Antesa on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/antesa Resources:Download the FREE Breath Bundle from Antesa’s website: www.antesajensen.com Book: Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl StrayedVideo about Hobby, Job, Career, Vocation by Elizabeth GilbertEpisode Timeline:02:30 What does it mean to unlock your potential? 05:15 How do we become aware of our potential?08:25 What influences knowing about our zone of genius?12:50 How do we become aware of the areas we are supposed to grow?20:15 Breathing Exercise.21:55 Is it wrong to do something even though it doesn’t represent you?28:05 How do we cope with the idea that we don’t know what we want?32:00 Mindset for growth: ‘There must be a reason why I am experiencing this situation.’ 34:15 What should you know about unlocking your potential?36:55 Fire 5 Final Questions.

Boundaries | Embodiment | Coach | Practice | Self-Reflection | Boundaries at Work | Alignment | Leadership | Women EmpowermentSigrid is an Embodiment and Leadership Coach. She is on a mission to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs tap into their infinite potential as leaders by fully embodying their truth and most profound alignment to amplify their impact in this world.In our interview, we discuss the process of establishing boundaries, how to communicate our boundaries, and how to integrate the practice of setting boundaries in a world that is constantly changing.She has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs and leaders around the world. Her unique and refreshing wisdom and vulnerability are sure to impact listeners profoundly.Find out more about Sigrid’s work: https://sigridtasies.com/ Follow Sigrid on Instagram: @sigridtasiesEpisode Timeline: 03:15 What does it mean to be an embodiment coach?04:20 What are boundaries? 08:25 What does it mean to have healthy boundaries? 15:00 How can we manage boundaries when we are in a power-play situation in our professional life, e.g., manager vs. employee, senior vs. junior, expert vs. generalist? 20:55 What advice do you give to people with difficulties setting boundaries or who are stuck in a context where past traumas do not let them evolve from those situations? 24:50 What are the most frequent pieces of reflection people tell you when they start the journey with you? 27:55 How can we integrate the practice of setting boundaries and knowing ourselves in a world that is constantly in motion?  32:10 What is one thing you wish you knew about your path? 33:10 Why don’t we tell ourselves from a young age that we can do anything?37:30 Final 5 Fire Questions 

Confidence | Founder | Coding Bootcamp | CTO | Software Engineering | Code Chrysalis | Speaker | Diversity in Tech | Women EmpowermentYan Fan is changing the way Asia trains software engineers. She is the co-founder and CTO of Code Chrysalis, a coding Bootcamp in Tokyo. She started Code Chrysalis because she was brimming with ideas on best teaching programming and developing top software engineering talent. Code Chrysalis helps individuals change their careers through our programs and works with large enterprises to re-engineer their teams. Code Chrysalis is Yan's second coding Bootcamp. Yan co-founded and served as CTO of her first coding school in Jordan, helping refugees in 2016.Among Yan's accolades, she is a co-creator at @speakherjapan, promoting women speakers in Japan. At the same time, she is a board member of Waffle Org, where women in secondary schools & high schools learn about the importance of IT.In this episode, you will hear about building companies passionately, searching for your path, and finding it in yourself to move forward even if it means to quit, so you can start doing what you have envisioned to do. Follow Yan Fan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanfan/ Follow Yan Fan on Twitter: @yanarchy Find out more info about Code Chrysalis: https://www.codechrysalis.io/ Episode Timeline:00:33 News: Top 5 Finalist as ‘Initiative of the Year’ at the Nordic Women in Tech Awards05:20 Confidence as an outlier.06:40 How did you decide to become a founder?08:49 Would you change the path you chose when you finished high school? 11:00 The importance of failing.12:30 What is confidence?17:50 What destroys confidence?18:55 Do you see a difference between the confidence level of men & women?21:25 What do women tell themselves about being successful? 23:25 What did you tell yourself when you started your first company?26:40 What do you recommend to people who are afraid to fail?29:00 What reflections have you done before starting a business?32:00 How did you decide on your career change?36:45 Final 5 Fire Questions Book recommendations:Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-PerezIn the FLO: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life  by Alisa VittiYan would change place with Elaine Welteroth, American journalist, editor, author, and television host.

The live session shared via LinkedIn Live with Dr. Anino Emuwa in the spring of 2021 is now available for streaming!  Dr. Anino Emuwa was named one of the top 125 Diversity and Including experts to follow on LinkedIn & she has spoken at prestigious conferences and institutions including Forbes, University of Cambridge, France’s National Assembly, and TechPark Davos, to name a few.An executive strategist, she works with high-achieving women CEOs and founders, and she is a coach and mentor for several global organizations. She is the founder of several communities of women, including 100 Women@Davos and the Africa Women CEOs Network.As the Managing Director of the strategy and financial advisory firm, Avandis Consulting in France contributes to UN SDG5 Target 5.5 on ensuring the equal participation of women in leadership. Follow Dr. Anino Emuwa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anino-emuwa/ Check out Anino’s first podcast interview:  https://bit.ly/FemmeLead-Episode15 Episode Timeline:01:18 What is diversity & inclusion in leadership?03:40 How did you tap into the diversity & inclusion space?06:21 What did you decide to do when it came to the lack of representation of women in leadership? 08:30 What are the qualities of inclusive leadership?10:22 What are the benefits of diversity & inclusion in business?13:05 What advice do you have for those who have issues attracting talent? 15:50 What do we do when we know that leadership teams are not conscious of their biases?20:55 What do you advise leaders that believe they do not have the power to change?27:50 What advice have you gathered from mentoring leaders?30:45 What do you advise people who want to have a career in the diversity & inclusion space?