Pivot with Griselda Togobo

In this episode of Pivot with Griselda, we sit down with the incredible  @sarahfurness6384 , a Cambridge graduate, combat helicopter pilot, and the first female pilot to lead UK Special Forces missions in Iraq. After two decades of operating under extreme pressure in combat zones across Iraq and Afghanistan, Sarah pivoted from the battlefield to the boardroom to launch a new mission: revolutionizing wellness and mental fitness culture.As an executive coach and founder of Well Be It, Sarah discovered that high-achieving, capable people don’t always feel as strong as they look. Today, she translates military-grade discipline into science-backed, practical mindfulness strategies to help leaders thrive under pressure, ditch multitasking, and "practice scared."Follow and Learn More:📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for insights: https://www.thenoviawards.com/newsletterNovi Awards: Apply or nominate for the Novi Awards: https://entry.thenoviawards.com/ Learn more about the awards: https://www.thenoviawards.com/Pivot with Griselda: Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EQNICv...Stay Connected: Follow We Are Novi on LinkedIn: / Follow Griselda Togobo: / griseldatogobo

Griselda Togobo sits down with Tom Stancliffe, a lawyer-turned-CEO of TRIBE, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. In this episode, Tom opens up about his unconventional journey, walking away from the structure and security of a traditional nine-to-five legal career to pursue something far more purpose-driven. He shares the story behind that bold decision, the uncertainties he faced, and what it really took to transition into entrepreneurship. From co-founding a fast-growing energy bar brand to building a mission-led business, Tom highlights the challenges, lessons, and defining moments that shaped his path.

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Follow Griselda Togobo: / griseldatogobo

WUKA founder and CEO Ruby Raut, 2025 Novi Businesswoman of the Year, joins us for a candid conversation on leadership shaped by lived experience.

Trained as an environmental scientist and navigating life as a young immigrant in the UK, Ruby never planned to start a femtech company. What changed everything was confronting the stigma, waste, and silence surrounding periods and deciding not to accept them as normal.

In this episode, Ruby reflects on building WUKA from the ground up, why access matters as much as innovation, and what it means to lead with responsibility in spaces that have historically been overlooked.

A conversation about curiosity, courage, and redefining success on your own terms.

Follow Ruby Raut on LinkedIn:   / ruby-raut-49987b58  🌐WUKA Wear: https://wuka.co.uk/📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for insights: https://www.thenoviawards.com/newsletterNovi Awards: Inspired by Elizabeth’s story? Apply or nominate for the 2025 Novi Awards: https://entry.thenoviawards.com/ Learn more about the awards: https://www.thenoviawards.com/Pivot with Griselda: Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EQNICv...Stay Connected: Follow We Are Novi on LinkedIn: / Follow Griselda Togobo: / griseldatogobo

Griselda Togobo speaks with Elizabeth Vega OBE, founder and Group CEO of Informed Solutions. From leaving corporate life to building a global consultancy, selling her home to keep her business alive, and practising stoicism to stay grounded, Elizabeth shares powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, and creating inclusive workplaces.

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"Don't be afraid to embrace your full potential, find mentors who guide you, and always have the courage to find your voice, regardless of the setting. This is the essence of female leadership, and it's within each of us." - Dr. Margaret Korosec, Head of Online and Digital Education Department, University of Leeds.

Our CEO, Griselda Togobo, recently had a fantastic conversation with Dr. Margaret Korosec, the lead at the University of Leeds' Online and Digital Education Department, who shared pearls of wisdom and her candid experiences, highlighting the importance of pursuing one's passions and the significance of not letting setbacks define one's path. This conversation was recorded in Helix at the University of Leeds; https://digitaleducation.leeds.ac.uk/helix/

The big question is, why are the challenges of female leadership so significant? Well, these challenges are often deeply rooted in societal norms and expectations. Margaret's journey is one of remarkable resilience and personal growth amidst it all. For Margaret, it's not just about reaching the top but doing so with inner strength and the knowledge that she's staying true to herself and her values.

Margaret Korosec is the Dean of Online and Digital Education at the University of Leeds, leading on establishing a design ecosystem to support and scale online education and a digitally enabled student experience. She has recently led the development of Helix, a creative space to encourage experimentation and enable radical internal and external collaboration.

"Be brave and take risks. Don't be afraid to speak up and challenge the status quo. The world needs more women leaders who are willing to make a difference." - Sheridan Ash

A story of triumph in the face of adversity.

From modest beginnings, Sheridan's journey is unusual and inspiring. Dyslexic, she left school at sixteen without formal qualifications. She became a single mother while pursuing a career in fashion modelling. Her fashion career abruptly ended on her impending motherhood, driving her to find a new way to provide for herself and her son. 

Enjoy this conversation on a journey of motherhood, education and a career in technology. Sheridan Ash is the Founder and Co-CEO of Tech She Can.

“Never turn down an opportunity. A door opens for a reason. Open it, go through it, and don’t have regrets because it will take you somewhere else.”

- Julianne Antrobus.

How do you go from feeling the fear to embracing the fear?

Meet Julianne Antrobus, a Leading Woman in Nuclear Energy and a Forward Ladies Awards Alumni.

From a young age, Julianne had a real curiosity about the world around her. This thirst for knowledge, and a passion for environmental science and technology, would eventually lead her to a career in nuclear energy.

In this episode, Griselda sits down with the inspirational Julianne Antrobus to discuss her career, highs and lows and secrets to embracing fears.

About Julianne Antrobus

- Leanne Caret

How do you go from not being considered "management material" to running a $34 billion business? What does it take to succeed in the male-dominated world of aerospace and defence?

Meet Leanne Caret, a major force in global business. 

Leanne didn't dream of taking to the skies in a spaceship as a child, but it's undeniable that aerospace is in her blood. Three decades ago, her parents worked on the Apollo mission; today, Leanne worked on Artemis, the sister rocket to Apollo, which will place the first woman on the moon in a new era of human space exploration.

Having spent her whole career at Boeing, the company has shaped Leanne's philosophy around leadership. She has since developed her unique framework for success founded on four guiding principles - Grit, Gumption, Gratitude & Grace.

In this episode, Griselda sits down with the inspirational Leanne Caret to discuss her career, highs and lows and success framework.

About Leanne Caret

"I have realised that it's a very short time we have on this earth. We have to live it well. I do good because it makes me feel good. When people around me are comfortable, I can be comfortable. I'm not interested in people-pleasing. I want to do good. When I do good, it's for me. When I challenge a situation, it's because I really believe it needs to be challenged. I don't play to the gallery."

Mamokgethi Phakeng is a Professor of Mathematics Education and Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town. She holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of the Witwatersrand. She has published over 80 reviewed articles and five edited volumes. She is a B1 NRF-rated scientist, which indicates she has considerable international recognition. She has been invited as a speaker and visiting professor at international conferences and universities worldwide.

She has won several awards for her research and community work, including the Order of Baobab (Silver) bestowed upon her by the President of South Africa in April 2016 and the CEO magazine's most influential woman in academia in Africa in 2015. Mamokgethi has served and continues to serve on several notable boards in South Africa and Africa.

In our first podcast for 2023, Griselda sat down with the inspirational vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Prof. Mamokgethi Phakeng, on her Success, Survival, and Sacrifices to becoming the First Black Female Vice-Chancellor.

Cassandra Illidge is a woman on a mission. She has grown the Getty  Images content partnership business to add authentic, diverse, and  inclusive content so that all communities and voices are accurately  represented in the visual content at Getty Images.com.When Getty Images grappled with how to address systemic racism in support of the black community, Cassandra stepped up and worked tirelessly, taking on a  leadership role to support employees. She even received the Getty Images  Leadership Principle Award in recognition of this contribution. October  is National Black History Month, and in this episode of the leadership  podcast, Griselda engages with Cassandra Illidge. Vice President of  Getty Images on championing diversity and inclusion through visual  content representation at Getty Images #gettyimages #racismingarenafreefire  #diversity  #inclusion #blackhistorymonth  #blacklivesmatter