Business In Colour

In this episode, we interview Hussain Ali who is an engineer and finance leader. We first came across his profile in an article in The Age about managing a career and parenthood and I found his words refreshing. We think you will too as in this podcast he shares his reflections on transitioning out of the workforce onto parental leave and back into the workforce – a voice of a father that you don’t often hear. We hear first hand about the conversation with his partner before their son was born and how workplace systems supported their transitions, and how some health, child nurse and vaccinations services are still gender biased – for example, Hussain faced the question of whether his wife should be the primary contact on his son’s file. We delve practically into the decisioning and choices with taking parental leave, both the internal fears about the backlash to careers, the reality of the way the system works and how leadership behaviours play a part. Hussain shares a unique perspective on his journey of parental leave and transitioning back from a skills and personal development lens. This is a valuable insight to both individuals and employers. Listen out for his advice at the end, about making choices and playing the long game. Please enjoy the generous and reflective leadership of Hussain Ali.

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In this episode we speak to Anubha Sahasrabuddhe who is the Chief Marketing Officer at Lion Beverages. Anubha is a transformational leader with global experience with brands like Mars-Wrigley and The Coca-Cola Company and we are so glad to have her back in Australia, to create a culture of inclusion for consumers and customers. This episode is packed with frank career and leadership advice and in true marketing style there are phrases that Anubha spins that will stick with you, like: “Breaking the Mould”, “Be Curious – Make it More About Others than Yourself”, “Grudging Respect vs Earned Respect”, “Diversity & Inclusion Beyond Gender”, “The Power of the AND in D&I”, “ Progress Over Perfection”, “Don’t worry too much about yesterday, care about the Future”, “Recruit for the next generation of consumer and the next generation of talent with the same focus”, “Gain insight through human truths”. You will have to listen to this episode to decode these gems and more. Please enjoy the energy and visionary leadership of Anubha Sahasrabuddhe – thank you for shaping our tomorrow now.

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In this episode we interview Rana Hussain, a diversity inclusion leader, presenter and broadcaster, and one of the very few women of colour working in sports administration. Rana’s positive energy and determination is felt right throughout this interview. It really hits me after finishing our conversation, what Rana is really going up against – she is going after diversity change in the sports industry….it is Australia’s brand globally and is still male dominated in its leadership, despite the many women stepping into CEO roles. She is a woman of colour boldly going forward and we love the way she breaks down the way she influences to get action – she talks about influencing Board Chairs, supporting CEO’s one on one, having the business case ready, going after the structure and systems, and leveraging targets and quota’s. We hear of Rana’s lived experience, how her parents supported her to take the good from her Australian, Indian and Muslim identities and hold it all at once. How she learned early on to participate in spaces seemingly alien to her, like sports and to make her mark. Listen for when Rana, smartly turns the tables on us – Sadhana and I find ourselves answering Rana’s questions! Her message to woman of colour – “Its okay to break the rules” and to CEO’s of sporting organisations, “Be Bold in your leadership”. Please enjoy the trailblazer, Rana Hussain.

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In this episode we talk with Dr Michelle Rodrigues, an award-winning dermatologist with globally renowned expertise. She is the Founder and Director of Chroma Dermatology, Australia’s first dedicated dermatology centre for pigmentary disorders and skin of colour. Michelle walks us through reflections of being a first generation Australian, a daughter to Indian immigrant parents and how their experiences became her own and propelled her forward. She gives us an insight into the medical sciences and health care world. We learn how bias is baked in, from the lack of representation of people of colour in cases medical students study, to visuals and language in books, to the limited research and evidence. Michelle, has been working at every angle to build the knowledge and capability of her peers, to influence investment in research, to influence the education system and pharma businesses. She explains the term cultural humility and her examples of what this means…goes to the core of the gaps in our healthcare system, much of which was not built for people of colour… Michelle is leading a transformation and you will be hanging of her words in this episode. Please enjoy the visionary leadership of, Dr Michelle Rodrigues and get behind her dermatology centre, Chroma Dermatology. www.chromaderm.com.au

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In this episode, we talk with Sally Bruce, COO and CFO of CultureAmp, the world’s leading employee experience platform. She was also the ex CEO of AMP Bank and ex CFO, Business and Personal Banking at National Australia Bank. Sally begins this podcast by sharing her background from a small country town, being the youngest of 6, and having a role-model in her mum being a small business owner She describes her father as a raving feminist. She reflects deeply about her father’s disagreement that a women’s fate should be determined by the man she married and how he schooled his four daughters that they were more than the relationship they were in. A standout part of this episode is when Sally practically walks us through the moment when women or anyone of difference has the courage to speak up and get’s treated by the rest of the room, as if the question was rhetorical. Sally shares some gold advice on how to influence allies in these moments. An added bonus is a window into inclusive boardroom conversations. We also squeeze in topics like, intersectionality, psychological and physical safety and the shared rage that that there are only 2 women of migrant backgrounds as CEO’s of ASX listed companies. If it all seems a little too much, Sally brings us all into a pragmatic space – she shares - Use the power at the level you have it. We can all certainly begin here, please enjoy the outstanding leadership voice of, Sally Bruce.

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In this episode we interview, Marjan Khalidi who is a currently in the management consultancy space and recently is a qualified Career and Life Coach. What is so powerful in this interview is the level of deep introspection, and goal setting, that Marjan has led for herself. She walks us through her life journey as a 20 day old refugee in the arms of her professional parents as they made their way from Kabul to New Delhi to Australia in the late 80’s. She talks about the feeling of hopelessness and hope in watching 20 years of progress in health, education and employment for both men and women in Afghanistan collapse overnight in 2021. This will resonate with so many of us who play tug of war with our hearts and minds, in two countries we love, our homelands and Australia. Marjan, powerfully gives us her story of being a single mother for the last 5 years and how she has not only survived but thrived. There is so much in this interview for professional women from ethnic backgrounds and their allies and advocates in the workplace. My two favourite quotes from Marjan, [and there were many to choose from], are: Turn your pain into Power and Don’t let anyone dim your light. Please enjoy the lived experience and authentic leadership voice of, Marjan Khalidi.

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In this episode, we host the fabulous, Mariam Veiszadeh, who is the inaugural CEO of Media Diversity Australia. Mariam walks us through her parents journey from Afghanistan, how it feels to begin again in a new country, giving up past lives and accomplishments. This interview is special, as Mariam gives us a rare inside view of the mental, emotional and physical toll of advocacy that comes with being a visible and vocal, migrant, Muslim woman of colour. Mariam talks about not only having a fan base but a troll base, and she chillingly recounts the kinds of threats she has endured. Mariam also shares her story of reclaiming and restoring her mental health through pragmatic decisions, she talks about, “what can I take off my plate’. Changing gear, we talk about her role as CEO of Media Diversity Australia and she reminds us of why we need this so badly, with her phrase, “Media is a megaphone for culture”. Listen to her call to action at the end for allies and advocates not to wait to have skin in the game and the concept of "critical yeast" - you will have to listen in to understand more. Please enjoy the courageous, visionary leadership of, Mariam Veiszadeh.

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In this episode, we host the incredible Antoinette Lattouf, co-founder of Media Diversity Australia, fellow 100 Women of Influence, writer, author, journalist from SBS, ABC, Channel 10 and more. What we talk about in this episode is sobering, Antoinette gives us an inside view of how, as women of colour, we have to do more, in this gender equality space, to be seen, heard and to create impact - we hold down jobs, take care of families, create communities, side hustles – we are change makers. We talk genuinely about the emotional labour that comes with it, the many moments of feeling like an imposter, and how we push through for the greater good, sometimes as the expense of ourselves. Of course, we had to talk about the media shaping our national conversation, what it is like to be the only or one of the very few women of colour journalists. Listen in for the practical pieces of advice Antoinette provides to women and to allies and advocates alike. One that stands out for me, is “Find your audience”. Please enjoy the courageous and compassionate leadership voice of Antoinette Lattouf.

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In this episode, we host the incredible Kim Rubenstein, law professor, author, human rights advocate and an independent candidate for the Senate, in our upcoming election in Australia. In this episode, we hear about Kim’s upbringing, her Jewish identity, her early voice in standing up for herself and others. She explains what she means by active citizenship, what our government is missing to serve us as people, and what has driven her to stand as an Independent candidate. This podcast is informative, on citizenship and migration law, and is inspirational – Kim shows us how to lead advocacy and change. What sticks with me and I know it will, with you, is Kim’s reflection that our systems are built with who we are not, rather than who we are. Please enjoy this episode, filled with hope for the future, with the charismatic, Kim Rubenstein.

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In this episode, we speak to Zoe Daniel who is the Independent candidate for Goldstein, in Australia's upcoming election [May 2022] and an award winning journalist. We talk about her growing up years, connection to horses, her decision to choose to write not become a vet, the support from female leaders and journalists throughout her career, her 4 years at the White House covering the election of Donald Trump and now her position as an Independent candidate. What is clear from this interview with Zoe is her passion to serve others, to manage her own fears of the unknown because she focusses on the potential positive outcomes of putting herself through hard things. She steps into the work, removes the mental blocks and gets to heart of what people need to live better futures. This interview is packed with practical examples of pushing through pressure, finding your voice and creating a vision. Thank you Zoe doing the work to find your voice to amplify ours. Listeners, please soak up the accountable and authentic leadership of Zoe Daniel.

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