Behind The CEO

Meet Salwa Rajaa from France, a Model with Moroccan backgrounds who advocates for inclusivity in the fashion industry. In the past few months, Salwa’s story was covered by several French media where she shared her experience as an Arab model. One day, she found herself having her name changed to “Sylvie” during a casting. For a long time Salwa felt ashamed of her identity, but today she is confident about who she is and bold to speak up to call for inclusion.In conversation with Rajaa, she shared with us the meeting that changed her career and prompted her to become a model, but also the difficulties she faced in the industry and what motivated her to speak up in order to foster change.

Meet Élisabeth Moreno, a French-Cape Verdean businesswoman and politician.Mrs Moreno served as Minister for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities at the French Prime Minister's Office.

Previous to that, Mrs Moreno worked for giant tech companies as Dell, France Telecom and she was the Managing Director for HP Africa before receiving a call from the French Prime Minister’s office that changed her destiny.Under Moreno's leadership, the French government successfully introduced a bill intended to protect victims of domestic violence, allowing doctors to break patient confidentiality if they believe a life is "in immediate danger".

In conversation with Mrs Moreno, we discussed her journey moving from Cape Verde to France with her family in the late 1970s, her management style as a Female Executive in Tech and her ambitions to bridge the gap between public and private sectors.

Her key advice to our listeners is: Dare to try!

Meet Sawsan Chebli, a Palestinian-German Politician who worked in the highest spheres of power in Germany.Sawsan was born to Palestinian asylum seekers in Germany and grew up with her parents and twelve siblings in Berlin.Between 2010 and 2014, Chebli was the first spokesperson for intercultural affairs of Berlin's State Minister of the Interior and Sport. In 2014, she served as deputy spokesperson of the Federal Foreign Office, she was the first Muslim person to hold that post.From 2016 until 2021, Sawsan served as State Secretary for Federal Affairs in the state government of the Governing Mayor of Berlin.In conversation with Sawsan, she shared the challenges she faced as a female politician, the hate she faced as a muslim outspoken woman and what motivates her to keep going despite threats and criticisms.Episode produced in collaboration with Get The Trolls Out.

Meet Nesrine Slaoui, a Franco-Moroccan independent journalist and author.After graduating from Sciences Po in 2018, she has worked for national TV channels such as reporter for ITélé (Canal+) and as host for France Télévisions. She was also the face of the online media Loopsider, carrying out several investigations on domestic violence, police violence and student precariousness.In January 2021, Nesrine published her first novel "Illegitimate" to tell her story and her family immigration journey coming from Morocco and to growing up in a small rural city in France. A book committed to equal opportunities and against all forms of sexist or racist discrimination.Ahead of her upcoming second book “Seule” (Alone), out on January 4, we discussed with her about the struggles she faced at school, her experience in journalism and how she found a way to express herself through writing.

Meet YEИDRY, a Dominican-Italian singer and songwriter.Born in Santo Domingo, YEИDRY recalled her journey of migrating to Italy at age 4, after a year spent apart from her mother, and the tribute she paid to her in the song Nena.YEИDRY composes in Spanish, English and Italian and she collaborated with reggae legend Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Congolese-Belgian singer Lous and The Yakuza.For the past year, YEИDRY has been busy working on her debut album in Latin America and in Miami, she shared with us her ambition to experiment different genres and bridge her Caribbean and European cultures through music.She also described her reaction when she learned that she was featured on Barack Obama’s “Favorite Music of 2021” and how this recognition inspired other young women.

Meet Dr. Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a German Member of the European Parliament and one of the six elected female MEPs of African descent.In June 2020, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and as she was heading to the European Parliament for the adoption of the historical Anti-Racism Resolution, Dr. Pierrette denounced having been victim of police violence on the basis of discrimination.In conversation with Dr. Pierrette, we discussed how she got elected, the importance of having more diversity in spheres of power in order to ensure representation and the need to foster anti-racism policies, based on her personal experience.

Meet Samira Rafaela from the Netherlands, a Member of the European Parliament.Elected in 2019, she is not only one of the youngest elected euro-deputies, but she is also the first Dutch MEP with Afro-Caribbean roots.Rafaela ran on the promise to fight for a strong, social and secure Europe. She strongly believes that the EU is at its best when we work together to diminish inequality and celebrate our diversity.In conversation with Samira, she shared with us her upbringing in the Netherlands, how she makes her diversity a strength and her priorities on the fight against racism during her mandate at the European Parliament.

Meet Elozi Lomponda from Belgium, a professional in foreign policy and founder of DLSP, a Charity enabling young people and women living in areas located near the Congo River to access quality education.Since 2013, Elozi has held a position at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2015, the news that nine school children had died when their canoe overturned on the Congo River spurred her to set up the Charity DLSP. Since then, her Charity impacted more than 400 children.In conversation with Elozi, we discussed her journey at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that she joined at only 24, and her mission to give back to both Belgium and DRC, the country of her roots.

Meet Nadia Nadim, an Afghan-Danish professional footballer. Nadia is considered the most influential and greatest Afghan female football player of all time, particularly as she won the French league title in the 2020-21 season with Paris Saint-Germain.She was only 11 when her father was murdered by the Taliban, and she was forced to evacuate to find refuge in Denmark. There, she discovered a passion for football and she has earned success after success, having represented the Denmark's National Team since 2009.In conversation with Nadia, we discussed how she keeps pushing boundaries despite the criticisms she faces in the media, but also her ambition to prove that a professional football player can also become a doctor. Nadia is a compassionate woman and she is currently attending medical school to become a surgeon and give back to humanity.Episode produced in partnership with WISE Qatar.

Meet Mariya Atanasova, an advocate from Bulgaria. As an activist, she was recognised Young European of the Year 2020 by the Schwarzkopf Foundation for her efforts to increase the visibility of young Roma people, and she also received the Woman in Youth Activism Award the same year.As a young Roma in Bulgaria, Mariya experienced discrimination at an early age. She then became a member of the Roma Youth Volunteer Network where her mentorship work contributes to uplifting one of Europe’s most disadvantaged minorities.In conversation with Mariya, we discussed her journey as an activist, the importance of receiving such a title as the Young European of the Year, the impact these recognitions have for broader communities and the importance to occupy spaces in spheres of power and influence.