225. Re-release: Aha Moments of Women in Their Journey to Leadership

225. Re-release: Aha Moments of Women in Their Journey to Leadership

As Women Emerging concludes its Journeys to Leadership series, this special re-release revisits one of the conversations that helped shape how we think about leadership. The episode brings together Rouba Mhassen, Erica Su, and Folawe Omikunle as they reflect on the moments that transformed how they understood themselves and the way they lead. Rouba shares how she did not recognise herself as someone leading until others named it, and how embracing that identity changed everything. Erica explores the importance of writing your own story, making decisions that are self-defining rather than self-limiting, and having the courage to say no. Folawe reflects on leading with love, building communities that lift one another up, and accepting that difficult conversations are part of the journey. Together, their stories explore confidence, responsibility, identity, relationships, courage, and the quiet moments that reshape how we see ourselves. The conversation reminds us that leadership is rarely a linear journey, and that the most significant turning points are often recognised only in hindsight. About the Guest: Rouba Mhaissen Rouba Mhaissen is an economist, activist, and development practitioner focused on the MENA region, particularly forced migration and the Syrian refugee crisis. She is the founder and director of the Sawa Foundation and Sawa for Development and Aid, organizations dedicated to working with Syrian refugees through an integrated development approach since 2011. Mhaissen has also worked with Lebanese, Iraqi, and Palestinian refugees and has been actively involved in lobbying for human rights, especially concerning Syrian refugees. Her expertise spans a range of issues, including education, gender, violence, conflict, household economics, forced migration, and activism. Erica Su Erica is the EY Global Emerging Markets Leader for Strategy and Transactions, with 20 years of experience in cross-border M&A. She specializes in helping foreign companies expand in China and advising Chinese companies on international investments. Erica’s expertise spans due diligence, M&A negotiation, financing, and post-merger integration. She has worked across industries like manufacturing, automobile, FMCG, and healthcare, focusing on enhancing value, competitiveness, and efficient resource allocation through M&A. Folawe Omikunle Folawe Omikunle is the CEO of Teach for Nigeria, where she leads efforts to address education inequity. She graduated with a bachelor’s in international law and diplomacy from Babcock University and a master’s from the Diplomatic Academy of London. Folawe’s passion for education grew while working as a school administrator, particularly after helping an orphaned child. Influenced by Montessori’s belief in every child’s potential, she pursued further education in Montessori education. Folawe’s work with Teach for Nigeria and the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria has focused on improving education for marginalized children and leading systemic change. She was recognized as one of the 100 most influential young Nigerians in 2017.

224. Journey to Leadership is a Journey Through Relationships

In this episode of the Women Emerging podcast's Journey to Leadership series, Julia Middleton speaks with former international rugby captain and educator Kelly McCallum about why every journey of leadership is, ultimately, a journey through relationships. Drawing on her experiences in both individual and team sports, Kelly reflects on the different relationships that shape us. Swimming taught her the importance of building a relationship with herself—developing resilience, focus and the confidence to move forward when there is no one else to rely on. Rugby taught her how to navigate relationships with others, balancing trust, communication, teamwork and shared responsibility. Together, Julia and Kelly explore what happens when relationships become difficult. They discuss conflict, boundaries, feedback, knowing when your window of tolerance has closed, and the courage to protect the outcome when relationships are under pressure. They also reflect on an important question: what do we do when a relationship simply cannot be repaired? This conversation offers practical insights into self-awareness, teamwork, emotional regulation, conflict, resilience and the relationships that shape the way we lead. Whether you're leading a team, navigating difficult conversations or strengthening your relationship with yourself, this episode explores why relationships remain at the heart of every leadership journey. About the Guest : Kelly McCallum is a leadership expert, educator, and former elite athlete. Currently pursuing a PhD at Auckland University of Technology, her research focuses on emotional intelligence in sports leadership. A two-time Rugby World Cup player for Canada and the first female rugby inductee into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, Kelly brings a wealth of experience in high-performance environments. She is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, specializing in emotional intelligence and leadership development. *

223. I Thought My Leadership Journey Would Never Happen

In this episode of the Women Emerging podcast's Journey to Leadership series, Julia Middleton speaks with writer, social entrepreneur and Obama Leader Europe, Mevan Babakar, about a journey she never imagined would be described as leadership. Born in Baghdad, Mevan spent five years as a child refugee after her family fled Saddam Hussein's genocide of the Kurds. As she moved across borders and languages, she found herself translating not only words, but systems, cultures and opportunities for the people around her. Looking back, she can now see those moments as acts of leadership, even though she did not recognise them as such at the time. Together, Julia and Mevan explore what leadership looks like beyond titles and hierarchy. They discuss community, belonging, trust and the many ways people step forward when something needs doing. Mevan reflects on her work in technology, fact-checking and democracy, and why some of society's biggest challenges require more than quick fixes. The conversation also explores the relationship between intellect and instinct, and what happens when the work we do no longer aligns with what we know to be true. Drawing on her experiences at Full Fact and Google, Mevan shares why paying attention to both mind and body can be essential when making difficult decisions. Throughout the episode, she returns to a powerful idea: leadership is not reserved for a select few. It is something people step into every day, often long before they recognise it in themselves. This episode will resonate with anyone interested in leadership, women leading, social impact, community building, belonging, resilience, personal growth and finding the confidence to take up space. About the Guest: Mevan Babakar is a writer and technologist born in Baghdad to Kurdish refugee parents. She built award-winning AI fact-checking tools as Deputy CEO of Full Fact and later led information quality work at Google. In 2023, she she was named an Obama Leader for Europe. Her debut children's book, The Bicycle, was inspired by reuniting with the aid worker who gave her a bike as a refugee 25 years earlier.

222. Shailja Saraswati on the Twin-Track Journey of Leading

In this episode of the Women Emerging podcast's Journey to Leadership series, Julia Middleton speaks with Shailja Saraswati, founder of Unstoppable Network, about the visible journey we write on our CVs and the quieter journey that unfolds beneath it. Drawing on a 25-year corporate career, her deep spiritual practice and the experiences that led her to create Unstoppable Network, Shailja reflects on what happens when the systems around us no longer fit and we begin searching for something more aligned with who we are becoming. Together, Julia and Shailja explore self-leadership, inner authority, intuition, resilience and the role of spirituality in shaping the way we lead. They discuss how women navigate uncertainty, why courage often begins with doing the things we believe we cannot do, and what happens when we learn to trust ourselves more deeply. The conversation also examines storytelling, community and the importance of women learning alongside one another. Throughout, Shailja returns to a powerful belief: that leading starts within, and that the most important person we will ever learn to lead is ourselves. This episode will resonate with anyone interested in self-leadership, personal growth, women leading, intuition, resilience, inner authority and finding the courage to create their own path. About the Guest: Shailja Saraswati Varghese is the Founder of Unstoppable Network and creator-host of Unstoppable Woman. With over 25 years in global media and content across Omnicom Media Group, WPP, Discovery Networks, National Geographic–FOX, and Zee, she has worked at the intersection of content, culture, brand partnerships, storytelling, and growth across markets. Her work focuses on helping founders, experts, and senior leaders build trust, authority, and structured influence through leadership positioning, personal branding, podcast-led IP, and content systems that evolve into monetisable business assets. An ICF-trained PCC-level Executive Coach, Shailja also works with founders and CXO teams on Decision Stability Under Pressure — strengthening judgment, clarity, consistency, and visible authority in high-stakes environments. She has coached and mentored over 1,000 leaders and has been recognised as ET Panache Woman of the Year 2024 and Woman Advertising Maven 2024 by Adtech Today.

221. Dr. Shakenna Williams' Leadership Journey From "Leading the Boys' Club" to "Becoming"

In this episode of the Women Emerging podcast's Journey to Leadership series, Julia Middleton speaks with Dr. Shakenna K. Williams, Executive Director of the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College, about the experiences that shaped her approach to leading long before it was formally recognised. From childhood fishing trips with her father to becoming the oldest girl guiding a group of younger cousins, Shakenna reflects on the lessons that taught her patience, resilience and responsibility. She shares how those early experiences continued to influence her as she navigated higher education, corporate environments, entrepreneurship and the often-unseen challenges that come with being a woman finding her way of leading. Together, Julia and Shakenna explore confidence, imposter syndrome, mentorship, personal growth and the invisible load many women carry. They discuss what happens when your contribution is overlooked, how to keep moving forward during periods of uncertainty, and why understanding yourself is often the foundation for influencing others. Drawing on her work supporting women entrepreneurs, Shakenna also reflects on the relationship between wellbeing, resilience and entrepreneurship, and why community matters when navigating both personal and professional challenges. This conversation offers thoughtful insights for anyone interested in women leading, entrepreneurship, resilience, confidence, mentorship and finding their own way of shaping what happens next. About the Guest: Dr. Shakenna K. Williams is the Executive Director of the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College. She is also an innovator, thought leader, and changemaker. Shakenna K. Williams, Executive Director, CWEL. With her passion to propel women entrepreneurs to new levels of success, she pushes boundaries and opens doors, shaping the future of entrepreneurship, equality, and education through her impactful vision.