Race Forward Pod

Race Forward Pod

By Lydiah IgwehBusiness
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Race Forward Pod episodes

  • Episode 53: Measuring Human Flourishing in the Age of AI

    What if we've been measuring AI all wrong, asking how to avoid harm, when we should be asking what helps people thrive? In this episode, I'm joined by Iliana Grosse-Buening, an AI ethics and digital wellbeing expert working at the intersection of technology, ethics and human flourishing. She is Co-Founder and CEO of Deeply Human Innovation, a strategy, research and design firm advancing humanity-centred innovation. 

    She serves as Chair of the IEEE Global AI Systems Flourishing Initiative and is an expert with UNESCO’s AI Ethics Experts Without Borders network. She is also Adjunct Professor of Digital Wellbeing at IE University and IE Business School, and an Affiliate of the IE UNESCO Chair for AI Ethics and Governance. 

    With more than a decade of international experience across five continents, Iliana advises multinational companies, global charities, universities and public institutions on AI ethics, digital wellbeing and responsible innovation.

    Her research has been published by Springer Nature and De Gruyter. We talk about agency, why the frightening stories drown out the hopeful ones, and how each of us, wherever we are, has a role in shaping where AI goes next.


    In this conversation:

    • Why "how do we avoid harm" is the wrong question, and flourishing is the better one.

    • The Kind Index, a B Corp-style standard for digital responsibility, and the resistance to it.

    • What hundreds of ordinary people said about AI that boardrooms still aren't hearing.

    • Whether AI feels different depending on where in the world you are.• From a music degree to AI ethics, and what music still teaches her about the work.

    Hosted by Lydiah Igweh. More episodes and guests at raceforwardpod.com

    Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and share this if it resonated.


    30 min
  • Episode 52: Women in A - Building a 400,000-Strong Movement

    What does it actually take to build a movement, not just a community, but a movement?

    In this episode, I'm joined by teh formidable duo, Luisa Reinwald and James McGlasson.

    James McGlasson is the Co-Founder of FemTechConf and Women in AI, where he has spent the past seven years building one of Europe’s largest communities supporting women and allies in technology. A growth marketer and Interim CMO with more than 11 years of experience helping digital-first organisations scale, Jamie has led marketing, community growth, brand strategy, and commercial partnerships across startups and high-growth technology companies. Today, his primary focus is building the Women in AI Global Summit, bringing together leaders from industry, government, research, venture capital, and startups to create one of the world’s leading gatherings dedicated to the future of artificial intelligence and inclusive innovation.  

    Luisa Reinwald is the Co-Founder of FemTechConf and Women in AI, where she is dedicated to building inclusive communities that empower women and allies across technology and artificial intelligence. An AI-curious technologist with a passion for innovation, Luisa is focused on bringing together global leaders from industry, government, research, and startups to shape the future of AI. She is currently leading the development of the Women in AI Global Summit, creating one of the world’s largest platforms for advancing responsible AI, collaboration, and diverse leadership in technology. 

    We explore what it truly takes to build something at that scale, what inclusion looks like in practice rather than on a slide, and how a community like theirs is responding to the AI moment and the adaptation era we are all living through.

    In this conversation:

    • From community to movement, what actually changes at scale.• What inclusion looks like in practice, beyond the statements and the pledges.

    • What 400,000 members are telling them about AI, careers and job security.

    • How to build trust with a community you can't meet in person• Where women in tech stand to gain and lose in the AI era.

    Hosted by Lydiah Igweh. More episodes and guests at raceforwardpod.com

    Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and share this if it resonated.


    30 min
  • Episode 51: Lorenzo Mencattelli: Nature's Playbook for Adopting AI

    What if the smartest way to adopt AI is to take a lesson from nature?In this episode, I'm joined by Lorenzo Mencattelli, a deep-tech operator, biomimetics engineer and NATO DIANA innovator, and Managing Director of Helicoid Industries, with a PhD from Imperial College London.Lorenzo brings lessons from nature and physics to the way companies adopt AI: why smaller, purpose-built models often beat the biggest ones, why adoption has to start with the business problem rather than the technology, and why — in a fast-growing company with no armies of consultants — the most durable asset any organisation has is still its people.In this conversation:• What a biomimetics engineer sees in AI that the rest of us miss• Why nature optimises for survival, not speed, and what that means for AI adoption.• The case for smaller, purpose-built models over the biggest available.• Proving AI in one critical unit before scaling, and why large organisations do the opposite.• Leading a team through change when the pace outruns every plan you make.Hosted by Lydiah Igweh. More episodes and guests at raceforwardpod.comFollow the show so you don't miss an episode, and share this if it resonated.


    25 min
  • Episode 50: Prof Michael Jacobides: AI Theatre vs AI Value

    How much of what we call AI adoption is actually theatre?In this episode, I'm joined by Professor Michael Jacobides, who holds the Sir Donald Gordon Chair of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at London Business School, where he is Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship. A Thinkers50 management thinker, he is an academic advisor to the BCG Henderson Institute and part of the World Economic Forum's AI Governance Alliance. His work focuses on business ecosystems, AI, and where strategy meets digital regulation. At London Business School, he directs major executive programmes including the FT/LBS GenAI Masterclass. He holds a PhD from Wharton and has taught at Wharton and Harvard Business School.Michael cuts through the noise on AI strategy: why so much corporate adoption produces activity rather than value, the difference between a showy pilot and a use case that genuinely moves the needle, and why human judgement matters more, not less, as the tools get better.In this conversation:• AI theatre versus AI value, and how to tell which one your organisation is doing• Why pilots stall, and what separates the ones that scale• Where AI actually changes the economics of a business, and where it doesn't• What good governance looks like when the technology moves faster than the policy• The kind of judgement that becomes more valuable, not less, in the AI eraHosted by Lydiah Igweh.More episodes and guests at raceforwardpod.com

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    26 min
  • Episode 49: Raj Jones: Algorithmic Inclusion Debt, and What Happens When AI Scales Inequity.

    What happens when we build AI on top of systems that were never equal to begin with?

    In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Raj Jones, Chartered FCIPD, an award-winning culture, inclusion, and employee experience specialist with over twenty years' experience who now advises boards and executive teams on AI governance in workforce decisions.

    Raj shares her framework, Algorithmic Inclusion Debt: the hidden liability organisations quietly accumulate when AI scales the inequities already inside their systems. We talk about psychological safety, who gets left behind when hiring, promotion, and performance decisions are automated, and how HR and people leaders can find their voice in a conversation that has largely happened without them.

    In this conversation:

    • What Algorithmic Inclusion Debt is, and how organisations rack it up without noticing.
    • Why AI in workforce decisions is a governance and risk question, not just a tech one.
    • The questions every board should be asking before an AI tool touches a hiring decision.
    • Psychological safety in a workplace where people fear being replaced.
    • How HR leaders move from bystanders to decision-makers in AI adoption.


    Hosted by Lydiah Igweh. More episodes and guests at https://www.raceforwardpod.com

    Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and if this one resonated, share it.

    22 min
  • Episode 48: Dr Daniel Hulme: Why "We Need an AI Strategy" Is the Wrong Question.

    Everyone is being told they need an AI strategy. But is that even the right question?

    In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Daniel Hulme, one of the world's leading voices in artificial intelligence. He is CEO of Satalia, the AI company he founded as a spin-out from UCL and sold to WPP in 2021, where he is now Chief AI Officer. He is also founder and CEO of Conscium, the first commercial research organisation dedicated to machine consciousness, and a co-founder of Faculty AI, acquired by Accenture in 2026.He holds a doctorate in AI from UCL, where he previously directed the Applied AI Masters programme and is now Computer Science Entrepreneur-in-Residence. A Founding Fellow of the Academy for the Mathematical Sciences, he speaks globally at TEDx and is a faculty member at Singularity University.

    We get into what boards should really be asking about AI, how to find purpose in an era of accelerating change, and whether a machine could ever truly be conscious.

    In this conversation:

    • The thing most people still fundamentally misunderstand about AI.
    • Why an "AI strategy" is often the wrong starting point, and what to ask instead.
    • AI safety versus AI ethics, and why the harder question is about the people building it.
    • What machine consciousness research is actually trying to answer.
    • Finding purpose and meaning in work as the ground shifts beneath us.


    Hosted by Lydiah Igweh. More episodes and guests at www.raceforwardpod.com


    Follow the show so you don't miss an episode, and if this one gave you something to think about, share it with someone navigating the same questions.

    31 min
  • Episode 47 - Crafting Football's Future with Iffy Onuora
    Ever wonder how a top-tier football league plans to create a more diverse and inclusive environment? Today's discussion with Iffy, the first head of equality, diversity, and inclusion for the Premier League, offers some answers.
    This episode is a treasure trove of insights on leadership, resolution, and fostering positive change in the sporting world. Iffy delves deep into his convictions and his game plan for creating diverse pathways in football.
    He also gives us a glimpse into how the Black Lives Matter movement has stirred the football community and shifted attitudes towards diversity and inclusion.
    Gain an understanding of the influence of high-profile incidents and the ensuing demand on social media firms and governments to act. We also get a candid peek into the initiatives to create more opportunities for diverse individuals and what this means for the future of football.
    Hear from an influential figure in football as they share their vision for the future of DEI in sports, emphasising the importance of diversity in leadership positions plus more!
    Don't miss out on this rich conversation filled with valuable insights, progressive thought, and a vision for a more inclusive sporting world.
    About this Episodes Guest: Iffy Onuora
    Iffy is Head of EDI; Professional Pathways at The Premier League, having been appointed in April 2021. Amongst his duties, he’s Chair of the PL’s Black Participants Advisory Group (BPAG) and leads the PL’s No Room For Racism action plan, and the flagship Player to Executive Pathways Scheme (PEPS).
    Before this, he’d spent nine years working for the Players Union (the PFA), in a joint role as Coach, Educator and Equalities Executive.
    As part of his role there, he was also a Trustee of the anti-racism organisation, Kick It Out, and sat on the FA Council as part of the FA’s Inclusion and Advisory Board. Before joining the PFA in 2013, he’d taken several Coaching roles as an Assistant Head Coach and Head Coach both in the UK and abroad, and all this after a fifteen-year playing career spanning three decades.
    33 min
  • Episode 46 - The Impacts of Systemic Discrimination and the Path to Equity.
    Today, we invite you into a conversation that is sure to challenge your perspective and broaden your horizons. We've had the privilege of sitting down with Noémie, an influential figure at the forefront of advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
    Her journey is rooted in her experiences in South Korea, where she first encountered significant cultural differences and misunderstandings, which inspired the pursuit of her passion.
    Noémie's story of self-discovery and exploration of privilege is compelling, and she brings these lessons to the daunting world of business, unravelling the often overlooked, yet impactful, office rituals that shape our workplace culture.
    She highlights the lack of women in leadership roles and emphasises the necessity of a qualitative approach when navigating the experiences of marginalised individuals in the workplace. Noémie's insights are a call to action, reminding us all of our role in creating more inclusive and diverse environments.
    Beyond the office, Noémie is a staunch advocate for inclusivity and diversity in the job market, particularly for those with disabilities.
    She talks about her work with organisations like FortSchritt Bayern, which are making strides in promoting linguistic inclusion and creating opportunities for the youth.
    This episode concludes on a powerful note — the call for humility, the acknowledgement of indigenous wisdom beyond the Western framework, and the importance of empowering others.
    About this Episodes Guest: Dr. Noémie Hermeking
    Anthropologist, researcher, author, keynote speaker & podcaster Noémie Hermeking is an experienced intercultural trainer, consultant, inclusion and diversity officer who enables people to unlock their full potential to work within our multicultural world. Trilingual in German, French & English, Hermeking holds a PhD. in socio-cultural anthropology from Indiana University, USA & a master’s degree in socio-cultural anthropology from l´Ecole des hautes études en Sciences Sociales (School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences), Paris.
    She is an anthropologist with nearly twenty years of work experience in research (extended research with Indigenous communities both in the USA and Canada) and in Germany. Her anthropological background helps her to identify the insider perspective, understand human behaviour and as such, be instrumental in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
    As an inclusion and diversity officer at FortSchritt Bayern, it is Hermeking’s goal to ensure that people with disabilities are included in all aspects of society; hence fostering their inclusion. As an avid inclusion and diversity officer Noémie daily strives to advance young people's career opportunities by levelling the playing field for underserved communities.
    39 min
  • Epsiode 45 - Changing the DEI Landscape: Tolu's Inspirational Story
    Immerse yourself in today's enriching conversation with Tolu, a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Tolu opens up about his challenging journey that has been coloured with resilience and second chances, and how these experiences shaped him and his approach to DEI strategies. He shares his story of how he turned obstacles into opportunities and transformed his life to advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workspace.
    We ventured into a thought-provoking discussion on the role of inclusive leadership in tackling racism. Tolu elaborates on the power of understanding the nuances of our interactions and how this awareness can mould a more inclusive workplace culture. He encourages us to delve into the world of cultural activation and provides crucial insights on how organisations can transcend beyond policy changes to authentically foster diversity and inclusion.
    Tolu sheds light on the designing of comprehensive DEI strategies and emphasises the need for accountability when it comes to implementation. He stresses the importance of having separate strategies to address race and ethnicity due to their varied nuances.
    He also underscores the value of mental health support in these initiatives. Lastly, Tolu gives us a snapshot of his initiative, Limitless, a fascinating intersection of brands, entertainment, and cultural change. This episode is brimming with priceless insights for anyone looking to cultivate a more inclusive and diverse workplace environment.
    About this Episodes Guest: Tolu Farinto
    Tolu Farinto, Founder of Limitless, Partner, change-maker & Ethnicity and Social Mobility Specialist Lead at Utopia
    Tolu is the Ethnicity and Social Mobility specialism Lead at Utopia - a culture change business that creates more inclusive, healthy and entrepreneurial cultures for clients. Tolu is a central part of a team that takes Utopia’s top-to-bottom, boardroom to the factory floor into clients including household names such as Coca-Cola European Partners, Google, Schneider Electric, Spotify, and Universal Music. 
    Tolu is also the founder of Limitless Live - an annual music festival at The Roundhouse in Camen, with a social purpose at its core to reach, inspire, connect and equip aspirational talent from underrepresented backgrounds who are often disenfranchised. This is done through the power of culture change, brands and entertainment, shining a light on existing creative and employment opportunities for young people.
    He co-founded The Great British Diversity Experiment in 2015 and is a key advisor to Hackney CVS's flagship Black Men for Change initiative: a strategic pan-London platform, funded by the Mayor of London, to combat structural inequality as it impacts vulnerable communities. He also sits on the creative advisory board for the Ideas Foundation, a charity that ensures career opportunities within the creative industry are accessible to talent from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
    36 min
  • Episode 44 - Creativity and Advocacy: Christina’s Path to DEI
    Have you ever wondered how personal experiences can shape professional journeys? What if I told you about Christina, an accomplished playwright and performer, who currently champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Soho House? Her compelling journey from being a soccer player and opera singer to discovering her passion for acting and education is nothing short of inspiring.
    Her powerful one-woman show about her disabled sister not only touched hearts but also steered Christina towards the world of DEI.
    In our chat, we also discuss her play 'Dangerous Giant Animals,' a poignant reflection on her relationship with her sister, showcasing the often overlooked perspectives on disability, violence, and caregiving within families.
    Christina helps us understand the intricate process of creating such impactful plays and how they become instrumental in advocating for social change.
    Wearing multiple hats can be challenging. Between managing DEI at Soho House and writing plays, Christina gives us valuable insight into effectively managing time and creative energy. We explore the concept of privilege in DEI, how resilience fuels her work, and the importance of storytelling in bridging art and advocacy. Christina's story is a testament to how personal experiences and unyielding commitment can shape a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Tune in to get inspired!
    About this Episodes Guest: Christina Murdock
    Christina Murdock has been a Diversity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing coach, consultant, and trainer for the past seven years for individuals and organisations across the UK, Europe, and the US. With extensive experience leading sessions on equity, belonging, and inclusive leadership with managers and senior leaders in top global organisations, she strategically tackles complex culture challenges in an accessible and human-centred approach. She motivates and inspires individuals to maximise their power and privilege as change agents in their spheres of influence, resulting in her clients describing her as an ‘empowering’ and ‘expert communicator’, particularly remarking on her accessible and pragmatic approach to diversity and inclusion. She's also an award-winning social impact theatremaker, performer, and playwright whose work has been performed at Shakespeare's Globe and The Park Theatre.
    40 min

About Race Forward Pod

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Bold conversations on the future of work, culture, and transformation, with the leaders rewriting the rules. Hosted by Lydiah Igweh, The Race Forward Pod dives into the ideas, innovations, and human…