What does it actually feel like to step into the top seat of a company that isn't yours yet, but suddenly is? In this episode of Netwomen Uncut, Pinky sits down with Julie Allen, Managing Director of Active Insight, to talk about her journey from joining the team in 2022 to leading it in 2026.

Julie opens up about rebuilding a core product from scratch in her first weeks, the moment she was made Director, and what nobody tells you about taking over from the founders who built the company you now lead. We also talk candidly about being the only or first woman in the room at senior level; the real challenges that come with it, and how she's turned that into an outcome she's proud of. Julie's also a firm advocate for coaching, and shares how having a professional development coach has shaped her growth as a leader. It's an honest, relatable conversation about ambition, self-doubt, and what it really takes to grow into a role before you feel ready for it.

Whether you're stepping into leadership for the first time or navigating your own succession story, this one's for you.

Follow Active Insight on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/leisure-net

This week on Netwomen Uncut, Pinky is joined by Amanda Rumball makeup artist, social media and marketing strategist, and the woman behind the brilliant @sipandlearn.

They've known each other for three years, built a friendship, met in person in Lisbon in 2024, and have spent a lot of time since talking about travel, building businesses across borders, and what it really means to design a life that works on your terms.

Amanda is doing exactly that, she's packing up and moving to Lyon, France, and running her business from there. In this episode they get into what that decision actually looks like behind the scenes, how Amanda manages clients, creative work, and a killer social presence while living and working across Europe, and why community, real, in-person community, matters even when you're location-independent.

They also talk about what so many business owners get wrong on social media. If you're a business owner, a creative, or someone quietly googling "how do I move abroad and keep my business running", this one's for you.

Find Amanda at @sipandlearn across socials.

If the word "sales" makes you want to look away, this episode is for you.

Sam Theyers has spent 25+ years selling at the highest level in the global fitness industry from Life Fitness and Fitness First to Wattbike and now intelligent motion, an Austrian company building robotic rehab technology for elite sport and clinical settings. He's negotiated international contracts, built and led commercial teams across multiple continents, and worked out what separates the salespeople who thrive from the ones who give the whole profession a bad name.

And here's what he'll tell you: the best salespeople aren't pushy. They're curious. They listen. They solve problems. Sound familiar?

In this conversation, Pinky and Sam get into what sales actually is, versus what most of us were taught to fear it was. They talk about why women in particular resist the label even when they're doing it every day. They talk about rejection, relationships, trust, and why understanding how to sell yourself, your ideas, and your expertise is one of the most underrated professional skills there is.

Whether you're running your own business, making the case for a pay rise, or just trying to get your ideas taken seriously, this one's going to reframe how you think about the ask.

Part 2 of Unspoken is live, and this one is practical.

Mediator and conflict resolution consultant Pinky joins HRologist Naomi Withers to break down what actually happens when difficult conversations go wrong and what you can do about it.

They cover mediation, emotional regulation, and the skills that separate families who find a way through from the ones who stay stuck.

No theory. No jargon. Just tools you can use this week, in the situations that matter most.

Episode 2 of 5 · Netwomen Uncut · Unspoken

www.linkedin.com/in/bypinkygwww.linkedin.com/in/naomi-withers-thehrologist

Part one of a five-part series with Pinky and Naomi. In this opening episode, Pinky and Naomi Withers, HRologist, share their stories openly, honestly, and without the polish. They explore why so many families find themselves locked in conflict, what it costs when nothing changes, and why the conversation has to start somewhere.

Together, they are building a different kind of resource for families navigating separation, co-parenting, and difficult conversations: one rooted in emotional intelligence, practical tools, and the belief that how we handle conflict shapes everything that comes after it.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-withers-thehrologist/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bypinkyg/

We’re thrilled to welcome Rahni Jenkins, Chief HR & Operations Officer at The Geller Law Group, Netwomen Ambassador, and award-winning change maker in DEI and workplace equity.

From gold-medal martial arts leadership and health equity at March of Dimes, to transforming cultures at global firms like Microsoft and now steering people strategy at a top law group, Rahni’s career bridges education, consulting, and C-suite impact.

Join us as Rahni shares bold insights on authentic advocacy, conflict mastery through discipline, and the mindset shifts leaders need to build truly inclusive high-performance teams. Let’s dive in!

After years of solo travel around the world, Amanda realised that what women truly crave isn’t just adventure, it’s belonging. She founded SoFe to bring those two things together: real, transformative travel in extraordinary places and a global community that feels like instant friendship. In this episode, we talk about what running a women-only travel company has taught her about courage, belonging, and creating safe spaces. Amanda also shares why solo travel is one of the fastest paths to building self-confidence, self-trust, and a deeper sense of who you are. www.sofetravel.com

Kofi Kyei is an executive leadership coach and CEO of Chay Executive Coaching, and the founder of Ride For Unity, a community that brings people together through cycling and sport. In this episode, Pinky asks Kofi about the barriers women face in their careers, the challenges we navigate to reach the top, and how leadership roles are still typically given to white men. He shares meaningful insights on what real allyship looks like, how sport and cycling mirror these inequalities, and what needs to change for leadership to truly be inclusive

Pinky chats with Marissa Ellis, the founder and CEO of Diversily, https://www.diversily.com global inclusion consultancy dedicated to driving more inclusive innovation and equipping leaders and teams to create impactful strategic change. She is also a valued Netwomen Ambassador. In this episode, we chat about AI and innovation, why being inclusive is simply good business sense, and the idea of seeing your glass as half full, because business can be tough, and that mindset is essential for resilience and success. Have a listen!

Pinky speaks with Mandy Cansler who shares her journey from ophthalmology technician to founder of her own consulting business is one of resilience and insight. With over 20 years of experience navigating the highs and lows of the healthcare industry, she shares candid advice on the challenges of starting a consultancy, embracing uncertainty, and finding confidence in leadership. In this episode, Mandy opens up about the tough moments and the triumphs that shaped her path, offering valuable lessons for anyone making a bold career transition. Worth a listen!