“They said she had no chance. But it never occurred to her to accept their reality”

At the age of 11, Marsha Shenk was suddenly and without warning taken from her family after contracting polio. Isolated in an iron lung, in a coma, she heard doctors tell her parents she was past the point of no return — that it might be best if they stopped visiting.

They were wrong.

A leader was born just before her 11th birthday: the day she walked — unsteady but determined — out of the hospital, knowing she would spend her life showing others that they have the power to shape their own reality.

In this extraordinary opening episode of Series 2, we hear from Marsha Shenk — a business anthropologist, leadership coach, and pioneer in human-centered strategy. Marsha shares her harrowing story of resilience, revealing how she used her own anger, grit, and inner will to survive what no one believed she could.

We explore:

Despite a life-changing illness, Marsha not only survived but thrived. Her experience shaped her unique perspective on leadership and business — where human beings play a game that wasn’t designed with us in mind.

Join us as we unpack her incredible journey, and set the stage for the powerful conversations to come in this season of Voices on the Edge of Change.

AI is transforming the world at an unprecedented pace, but what does it truly mean for businesses, leadership, and sustainability?

In this final episode of series 1 of Voices on the Edge of Change, Lou Robey catches up with an ex-colleague Petra Abbam Principal Responsible - AI Manager - BBCto explore the rapid rise of AI, the cultural shift it demands, and the fine line between meaningful innovation and corporate misrepresentation of sustainability efforts.

💡 Did you know that ChatGPT holds the record for the fastest-growing adoption in tech history? AI isn’t new, but something has changed—so why now? Petra shares her insights on what’s driving this acceleration and what leaders need to do to harness its potential responsibly.

🎙️ What you’ll hear in this episode:

✅ The fascinating journey that led Petra to the BBC and her work at the intersection of AI, culture, and transformation.

✅ Why AI is suddenly everywhere—what’s behind its explosive rise, and how companies should prepare.

✅ The reality behind AI-powered sustainability initiatives: genuine progress or just a corporate smokescreen?

✅ The biggest challenges in embedding AI into organisational culture—and how businesses can integrate it with purpose and long-term impact. How this sit with their Values and Trust as broadcaster - so much to think about!

✅ Why governance, trust, and integrity are critical when adopting AI—because it’s not just about what you use AI for, but how and where you use it.

🚀 If you want to stay ahead in the age of AI and understand how to lead responsibly, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now!

AI & Change: Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders” - “Where Leadership Meets Transformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”

Episode 5 of Voices of the Edge of Change AI & Change: Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders” - “Where Leadership Meets Transformation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”. With Leonie Valentine, an incredible leader with an illustrious career spanning traditionally male-dominated industries like oil and gas, Google, and cutting-edge AI. 

Presented by Louise Robey MD & COO from Women in Change & co- presented by Annette Andresen, our sponsor Marlowe Consulting. 

This episode is a must-listen for. anyone navigating transformation in the digital age. Lou Robey and Annette Andresen sit down with Leonie Valentine who has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary ability to lead through change, from cultural transformations to navigating the complexities of acquisitions.a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in navigating complex business environments. She has held C-level positions in various organisations, including serving as Managing Director of Sales and Operations at Google Hong Kong. Leonie is a conservation biologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Ecosystem Restoration and Intervention Ecology (ERIE) group at the University of Western Australia. 

Leonie shares her insights on what makes a great change leader, the motivations driving her leadership journey, and how she has seen attitudes shift across industries. She also tackles pressing questions about generative AI’s role in reshaping workplaces, its impact on leadership, and the challenges of AI governance.

Listeners will take away practical strategies for managing resistance to AI, fostering adaptability, and embracing the opportunities that generative AI presents. Leonie’s thoughtful perspectives highlight the generational nuances in AI usage and provide actionable advice for leading with confidence in a rapidly evolving world.

Whether you’re a leader, changemaker, or curious about the intersection of AI and transformation, this episode offers invaluable lessons from one of the most inspiring voices in the field.

🎙️ Listen now to hear how Leonie Valentine is shaping the future of work!

In this captivating episode presented by Lou Robey - she sits down with the incredible Lyndsey Simpson, founder and CEO of 55/Redefined, for a thought-provoking conversation about why she’s challenging stereotypes and sparks a powerful conversation about redefining age, work, and retirement. about age, work, and opportunity.

We dive into some pressing and thought-provoking questions:

•How do we break the bias against age in the workplace?

•Why are we clinging to outdated definitions of “retirement”?  How we un-retire!  

•What needs to change in leadership to embrace multi-generational talent?

Lyndsey shares her bold vision for reshaping the narrative around ageing, offering eye-opening insights and actionable advice for businesses and individuals alike.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from a true changemaker who’s leading the charge in redefining the way we live and work at every age. Be ready to be inspired!

🎧 Listen now and join the movement to reimagine a future that works for everyone, no matter their stage in life!  

Quote: "If you don’t have an age strategy - you don’t have a growth strategy!"

Ever wondered what it takes to turn down a major book deal with HarperCollins and find success through self-publishing? Want to learn how storytelling can become the ultimate tool for leaders navigating change?

Join us as we sit down with the extraordinary award-winning consultant, dynamic speaker, and storytelling expert Preethi Nair. In this podcast, she shares her remarkable story and illustrates the power of a personal narrative to build connections.

Preethi has overcome so many obstacles in her own career and journey to self-publish as an author, develop her own change consultancy, and to become not just an amazing speaker, but a truly accomplished author. 

This story is not just about commitment and manifesting a dream, it’s about ambition, risk and determination - no matter how high the obstacles. It proves anyone can achieve anything they can set their mind too!

Presented by Lou Robey MD & COO from Women in Change & Sponsored by ChangeStory.

Key highlights are:

1. The Publishing Story – Why did Preethi choose self-publishing over a traditional book deal, and how did she make it work?

2. Building a Storytelling Empire – Learn how Preethi’s storytelling business helps leaders harness the power of their own stories, especially during times of change.

3. Her Latest Novel – Get a sneak peek into Unravelling, launched in Sept 2024.  Hear about her unique approach to storytelling and the inspiration behind her work.

4. Bonus Content: Preethi’s practical advice for navigating change and top tips for aspiring authors who dream of writing their own book.

This episode isn’t just a listen—it’s an invitation to rethink your narrative to act and take action.

👉 Tune in now and get inspired!

Get your copy of Unravelling and dive into her brilliant storytelling: Order here (https://shorturl.at/MkQKx) 🎉

Episode 1:  

In this episode, Lou Robey, Director of Women in Change, alongside their sponsor Marlowe Consulting featuring Annette Andresen, speak to Christopher Harvey, Head of Change for Tesco. Chris shares why he champions women and believes they are vital to driving meaningful change. He emphasises that women bring diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and innovative approaches to the table. In many sectors, women are at the forefront of social, organisational, and cultural transformation, identifying challenges and creating solutions that address a broader range of needs. Their leadership often prioritises inclusivity, collaboration, and sustainability—values essential for long-lasting impact.

As we dig deep into Chris’s own leadership style, he opens up about his neurodiversity, his approach to wellbeing, and how he fosters wellbeing in his team. In this first-ever podcast, he poured his heart into the discussion, offering insightful perspectives and reflections—truly a worthwhile listen, especially as he leads change with a primarily female workforce.