QIYADA

This episode features Andrea Maiweg, whose remarkable international journey offers a rich lens on humane leadership in global and high-performance environments. Andrea grew up between cultures in Venezuela and worked in consulting within the Korn Ferry ecosystem. She held leading positions in international organizations such as Deutsche Bank and spent 7 years in Tunisia as the wife of the German ambassador. Drawing on nearly 25 years of experience across six countries and multiple sectors, Andrea reflects on defining moments that shaped her leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of cultural intelligence, authenticity, and respect in navigating complex organizational realities. The conversation explores the delicate balance between empathy and accountability, the tension between performance-driven environments and human-centered values, and the challenges of remaining humane under pressure. Through her insights, Andrea highlights how leadership can be deeply personalized while remaining anchored in ethical responsibility, and offers practical perspectives for emerging leaders seeking to lead with humanity in diverse, demanding, and rapidly evolving contexts.

This episode explores humane leadership in governance and institutional reform through the lived experience of Abir Chebaro, a gender and governance expert and Vice President of the Lebanese League for Women in Business. With over two decades of experience, Abir has supported governments, international organizations, and institutions in translating gender equality commitments into functioning systems and measurable results. Drawing on her work in Lebanon and the region, including advising senior government leadership and contributing to the establishment of Lebanon’s first Ministry of State for Women’s Affairs, she offers a grounded perspective on leading change in complex and high-pressure environments.

Abir reflects on the realities behind reform, including entrenched bias, structural inequalities, and the expectations placed on both women and men in leadership. She unpacks how systems, not just individuals, shape who leads and how. Through a lens of dignity, safety, and fairness, she reframes humane leadership as a practice embedded in institutions, not only personal values. She also speaks to the role of authentic male allyship as a driver of meaningful change. The episode closes with practical actions for leaders seeking to embed equity into policy, organizations, and everyday decision-making. Her message is clear. Gender equality is not only about better outcomes. It is about rights, accountability, and shared humanity.

This episode explores humane leadership through the story of Vanessa Proux, a biochemistry Ph.D. and CEO of SupBiotech, a French biotechnology engineering school. Vanessa traces her journey from doctoral research to co-founding and leading one of France's leading biotechnology schools, driven by a desire to extend her impact beyond the laboratory and shape the next generation of scientists. She reflects on the key milestones in SupBiotech's development, the challenges of steering a major institution at the intersection of science and education, and the constant effort to balance innovation with academic excellence and strong human values. Throughout the conversation, Vanessa shares her vision of leadership as an act of empathy, active listening, and courage – a commitment not only to scientific progress, but to the human dimension of building and sustaining an institution.

This episode is in English; an extended version of the interview in French starts at 16:40.

This episode explores the humane leadership of Layal M. Rajha, one of Lebanon’s influential film and TV directors, whose career, from the record-breaking feature film ‘Habbet Loulou’ to ‘Chi Yom Rah Fell’, ‘Day 6’, ‘Aal Had’ and ‘Mech Mouhem El Essem’ has been shaped by deep listening, empathy, and courage. Layal reflects on the challenges of building a voice in a male‑dominated industry, her refusal to victimize characters, and her choice to deliver subtle, inclusive messages that break stereotypes without alienation. She shares how drawing inspiration from real human stories led her to spotlight women’s perspectives, advocate for tolerance and diversity, and promote putting oneself in another’s shoes. Beyond cinema, Layal discusses leading large crews with respect in difficult conditions, remaining human during wars and crises, engaging in humanitarian and NGO work, and eventually transitioning from artistic advocacy to direct political involvement affirming her belief in film as a powerful tool for nurturing empathy, reshaping mindsets, and sustaining humanity.

In this third Masterclass, we explore one of the most complex – and yet crucial – dimensions of contemporary leadership: how to navigate difficult work environments. Led by Guila Clara Kessous, UNESCO Artist for Peace, Harvard-certified executive coach, and expert in ethical and inclusive leadership, this session offers a clear-eyed and powerful perspective on microaggressions, unconscious bias, inappropriate behaviour, and other subtle forms of discrimination that weaken professional dynamics, erode trust, and hold back talent.

With a pedagogical yet deeply human approach, Guila defines what hostile work environments really are – often invisible, but profoundly destructive – and shares practical tools to recognize, deconstruct, and respond to microaggressions and bias, whether one is directly affected or a witness. She explores strategies for minority leaders to assert themselves while cultivating allyship, practical responses to sexist jokes or paternalistic remarks, and a nuanced reading of the psychological tactics linked to harassment. Above all, she shows how leaders can build cultures of safety, respect, and inclusion.

This Masterclass is both uncompromising and constructive, reminding us that inclusive leadership cannot simply be declared, but must be built, step by step, decision by decision, by creating environments that protect, uplift, and give space to everyone. An essential session for anyone seeking to transform their leadership posture and make workplaces more just, safe, and aligned with human values.

Learn more about the project here: https://agya.info/research/research-projects-by-year/inclusive-leadership-a-digital-approach-to-bridging-the-gender-gap

In this Masterclass, Hiba Rajha shares the key insights drawn from 40 interviews with inspiring women leaders, centered on a universal and often taboo theme: the balance between professional and personal life. The session gives voice to those who have had to juggle professional ambition, family commitments, and the search for meaning. It’s not a lesson in perfection, but a behind-the-scenes look at human leadership, where doubts, choices, sacrifices – and strategies of resilience – come to light.

Among the most powerful takeaways, we learn how to break free from self-imposed limits to succeed across different spheres of life, why compromises can become acts of freedom when they align with personal values, and how the myth of ‘having it all at once’ needs to be replaced with a more dynamic vision of life. We also hear how guilt can be transformed into pride and a legacy of values, why letting go of perfectionism is essential to thriving, and how self-care, pauses, supportive networks, honest conversations with loved ones, and transparency with children can become the true pillars of sustainable balance.

Hiba channels these experiences to offer us a compass for redefining success: not as a solitary sprint, but as a shared journey, nourished by clarity of priorities, the strength of connection, and the right to imperfection.

Learn more about the project here: https://agya.info/research/research-projects-by-year/inclusive-leadership-a-digital-approach-to-bridging-the-gender-gap

In this Masterclass, project partners Dr. Hiba Rajha and Dr. Luise Fischer unveil the results of their qualitative study conducted with 40 women leaders from around the world. Their goal? To understand the invisible barriers women face on their path to leadership – and, more importantly, to uncover the concrete strategies they use to overcome them.

Drawing from in-depth interviews, the Masterclass highlights three levels of challenges. On the personal side: self-doubt, impostor syndrome, perfectionism, and the struggle to align personal values with traditional leadership norms. On the interpersonal level: a lack of role models, limited solidarity among women, persistent gender stereotypes, mental load, and family imbalance. And on the systemic level: toxic corporate cultures, the glass ceiling, microaggressions, structural inequalities, and workplaces that fail to foster inclusion.

But that’s only part of the story. Hiba and Luise also share the transformative strategies women leaders have developed: building resilience, negotiating smartly, creating support networks, practicing inclusive leadership, and staying true to their values. Along the way, they uncover surprising insights – the unexpected role of sports in boosting confidence, cultural nuances around motherhood, and even tensions between women in highly competitive environments.

This Masterclass introduces an evolving model of inclusive leadership, structured around nine spheres: leading yourself, your personal life, your professional relationships, a team, change, a business, your career, your image, and your environment.

Learn more about the project here: https://agya.info/research/research-projects-by-year/inclusive-leadership-a-digital-approach-to-bridging-the-gender-gap

This episode explores the origins and ambitions of the Qiyada podcast itself, in a conversation between the host, AGYA member Dr. Hiba Rajha, and her project partner, Dr. Luise Fischer, AGYA alumna and expert in Human & Historical Geography, Education, and Sustainability at Leipzig University, Germany. Together, they reflect on personal motivations, the development of their joint AGYA project, and the challenges on the path to building more inclusive spaces in academia and beyond. Join this inspiring dialogue on collaboration, leadership, and the pursuit of meaningful change.

Learn more about the project here: https://agya.info/research/research-projects-by-year/inclusive-leadership-a-digital-approach-to-bridging-the-gender-gap

This episode dives into one of the most profound and universal dimensions of leadership: the inner battle. A powerful theme that runs through the journeys of many leaders, raising questions about legitimacy, ambition, and the fear of failure. To explore these invisible yet decisive dynamics, host Hiba Rajha welcomes Dr. Guila Clara Kessous. A UNESCO Artist for Peace, Officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters, Harvard-certified executive coach, and founder of the NGO Resili’Act, Guila is a pioneer of humanistic leadership, weaving together artistic creation, human rights advocacy, and the inner transformation of leaders.

With sensitivity and depth, Guila sheds light on the many faces of self-doubt, perfectionism, fear of failure, and impostor syndrome. She unpacks how limiting beliefs shape our ambition, hold back our drive, and influence the way we show up as leaders for our teams.

Offering concrete guidance and a deeply ethical vision of leadership, she outlines how to deconstruct these inner narratives and transform them into drivers of growth, resilience, and self-confidence. A moving and restorative episode for anyone aspiring to a more aligned, embodied, and conscious form of leadership.

Learn more about the project here: https://agya.info/research/research-projects-by-year/inclusive-leadership-a-digital-approach-to-bridging-the-gender-gap

This episode explores a cornerstone of contemporary leadership: professional visibility. Host Hiba Rajha welcomes Ouadih Dada, journalist, commentator, and personal development coach, known for supporting leaders in their quest for alignment, clarity, and impact. With extensive experience working alongside executives of international companies, Ouadih shares a vision of leadership rooted in authenticity, strategy, and the courage to fully embrace who you are.

In this inspiring and practical conversation, he tackles head-on the challenges of self-branding, public speaking, fear of judgment, and the weight of limiting beliefs. He offers valuable tools to build a professional identity aligned with your values, to dare to be visible without self-betrayal, and to embody a positive role model in your environment.

A powerful episode for anyone seeking to shine in their professional sphere without compromising their uniqueness.

Learn more about the project here: https://agya.info/research/research-projects-by-year/inclusive-leadership-a-digital-approach-to-bridging-the-gender-gap