Women Lead

In this episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski interviews Daniela Grilnberger, a prominent young leader in the German media landscape. They discuss her journey into media and advertising, the importance of authenticity in the workplace, and the challenges women face in balancing their professional and personal lives. Daniela emphasizes the need for self-worth beyond work achievements and the significance of setting healthy boundaries to prevent burnout. The conversation also touches on the generational shift in attitudes towards work, particularly with Gen Z, who prioritize mental health and healthy work-life balance.

In this conversation, Daniela discusses the necessity of understanding the motivation behind tasks, particularly for Gen Z employees. She explains how leaders can empower their teams with responsibility and create a supportive work environment that prioritizes mental health. Daniela’s personal journey towards mindfulness and balance highlights the significance of yoga in her life. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by women in media and the importance of open communication within teams, especially in a post-COVID world.

Connect with Daniela on LinkedIn
Book rec: “The Power of Now” by  Eckhart Tolle

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

In this episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski sits down with Jacqueline Boayke, Vice President Customer Success, EMEA at PubMatic, who shares her extensive career journey from marketing to programmatic advertising, highlighting the importance of authenticity and diversity in leadership roles. She discusses the challenges she faced as a black woman in a leadership position and emphasizes the significance of open communication and trust within teams.

Jackie also shares her make-or-break moment of launching Spotify in the UK and how she approached this challenge. She breaks down her approach to feedback and performance reviews, as well as her hiring practices that prioritize cultural fit and adaptability. In this conversation, you will learn more about her insights on team dynamics, the importance of self-awareness, the challenges of balancing parenthood with career growth, and the necessity of flexibility in the workplace. She opens up about how becoming a parent has shaped her leadership style, emphasizing the value of authentic communication and resilience in overcoming challenges and finding solutions. The discussion highlights the significance of nurturing relationships within teams and the transferable skills gained from parenting that enhance leadership capabilities.

Recs:
Netflix series “The Starting Five”

Connect with Jacqueline on LinkedIn

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

In this special episode of Women Lead, recorded live at The Digital Distillery Vienna: Disruptive Edition, host Nadia Koski hops on the mic for Part 2, with two incredible leaders: Doris Christina Steiner, Founder of neongreen, and Catharina Riess, Director Media House at the Vienna Tourism Board.

Doris shares how her innovative campaigns, like renaming weather events with migrant names to highlight societal shifts, redefine attention in advertising, while emphasizing the importance of balancing work and family life. Catharina discusses the transformative power of tourism, using authentic storytelling with her team to showcase Vienna's charm and inspire exploration. This episode highlights how bold ideas and small acts can create big change, all while embracing a healthy work-life balance. Grab a coffee—or a schnitzel and beer—and join us as we continue exploring the stories and insights from the inspiring women of The Digital Distillery Vienna.

Links and recs:

Connect with Doris Steiner on LinkedIn
Connect with Catharina Riess on LinkedIn

Check out Women Lead at The Digital Distillery Vienna Part 1.

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

In this special episode of Women Lead, recorded live at The Digital Distillery Vienna: Disruptive Edition, host Nadia Koski hops on the mic with three incredible leaders: Nicola Dietrich, CSO at COPE Content Performance Group; Carina Kaiser, COO of SlopeLift; and Viki Zischka, Marketing and Retail Media Expert at BILLA.

The event took place at the historic Ottakringer Brewery, the atmosphere was electric, with panel discussions and inspiring conversations that reflected the "disruptive" theme of the event. The industrial ambiance and vibrant energy set the perfect backdrop for powerful conversations with female leaders in media and marketing.

From unique career paths to powerful leadership insights, this episode dives into the journeys of these trailblazing women, exploring their perspectives on growth, resilience, and the courage to pivot. Nadia shares her love for Vienna, which has become a city close to her heart, and we get a glimpse into what made this live event so memorable.

Featured Interviews:

1. Nicola Dietrich, CSO at COPE Content Performance Group
   Nicola shares how her diverse career experiences led her into media, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and resilience. She discusses the value of failing fast, learning from it, and pivoting to try new strategies.
   
   
2. Carina Kaiser, COO at SlopeLift
   Carina’s confidence and commitment to growth are palpable as she talks about expanding SlopeLift into new markets. Her advice? Curiosity and hard work go hand in hand to drive both personal and business success.
   
   
3. Viki Zischka, Marketing & Retail Media Expert at Rewe
   Viki offers valuable insights into team building, motivation, and the importance of creating an inspiring work environment. Her tips for keeping her team engaged and productive are rooted in collaboration and continuous learning.

Links and recs:

Connect with Nicola Dietrich on LinkedIn
Connect with Carina Kaiser on LinkedIn
Connect with Viki Zischka on LinkedIn

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

Women Lead host Nadia Koski sits down with Kate McCagg, Head of Brand Innovation Lab at Amazon, who shares her inspiring journey from copywriter and creative director in New York City, to a global innovation leader based in London. Kate talks about the unique challenges and rewards of her role, emphasizing Amazon’s distinctive interview process and diverse company culture, which focuses on substance over style and seeks problem solvers who embody Amazon’s customer-centric ethos. Her career story offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of digital advertising, creativity, and leadership in a fast-paced creative world.

Kate also discusses the importance of balancing a clear vision with giving her team the creative freedom to explore solutions. Drawing on Amazon’s principle of being “stubborn on vision, flexible on details,” she highlights how empathy, cultural awareness, and measurable goals are essential to effective creative leadership. Additionally, Kate reflects on how her experience as a parent has influenced her leadership style, fostering a patient, empathetic approach that prioritizes personal growth alongside professional success.

Listeners will gain perspective on the cultural dynamics of managing a global team, Amazon’s “customer obsession” philosophy, and how modern content and language evolution inspire Kate’s work. Join us for this compelling conversation with Kate McCagg, where she shares her experiences and wisdom on upholding vision and creating impactful campaigns at one of the world’s leading companies.

Links and Recs

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn
Netflix hit series to check out: Nobody Wants This
Book: “1984” by George Orwell

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

In the latest episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski brings us a vibrant, live conversation recorded at The Digital Distillery London Edition, held at the iconic Hippodrome Casino. Nadia is joined by Hannah Marshall, Head of Performance Activation at IPG, who shares her journey through the world of ad tech, leadership, and mentorship. From the historic backdrop of a venue that has seen legendary performances by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland, this episode captures the energy and inspiration of a live interview.

Hannah discusses her career trajectory, from agency roles to leading performance activation at one of the most innovative media agencies. One of the standout moments of their conversation is Hannah's approach to decision-making, where she combines instinct with thorough research, a method that has guided her success. She also tackles the challenges many women face in male-dominated industries, offering insights on how to overcome imposter syndrome and the importance of speaking up with confidence in professional settings.

Additionally, Hannah shares her passion for giving back, mentoring young talent both within her company and through volunteer work. The episode also delves into her involvement in Media Fight Night, a charity boxing event where media professionals step into the ring for a good cause. Packed with practical advice and heartfelt stories, this episode is sure to inspire anyone looking to navigate leadership, boost confidence, or support the next generation of industry talent.

Learn more about Media Fight Night

Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

In today's episode of Women Lead, Nadia sits down with Melissa Lawton, Chief Content Officer at SailGP to discuss the disruptive and high-octane world of sailboat racing and her journey through high-profile sports production and broadcasting.

For some background, SailGP is a company that delivers thrilling extreme sail races across the globe while also aiming to be the world's most sustainable and purpose-driven sports and entertainment platform.

Melissa highlights the importance of digital technology in the industry and shares her journey from sports journalism to event broadcasting in extreme sports.
She talks about the importance of building a reliable team and making tough decisions in high-pressure situations, and shares her experiences in the broadcasting industry, including dealing with challenges such as a lack of wind during sailing events and managing social media crises.

There is a well-proven value in learning from mistakes and making decisions with the support of trusted team members.  We go into the significance of female representation in sports and the need for diverse thinking and storytelling to attract a wider audience.

Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

In this episode of Women Lead, Nadia Koski sits down with Sarah Leinberger, Brand Experience Leader at General Mills, to explore her inspiring career journey and the leadership strategies that have guided her path. Sarah shares how her varied experiences in brand management, merchandising, and change work have shaped her unique approach to leading teams and driving success in the ever-evolving retail and CPG industry.

Throughout the conversation, Sarah emphasizes the importance of really understanding what makes people tick and building connections. She discusses how creating a shared understanding and buy-in within teams is crucial for navigating changes, setting shared goals, and celebrating milestones. Sarah also shares her own personal experience with working with a coach to identifying her strengths and align her career path.

Tune in to hear Sarah's insights on creating successful omnichannel experiences, and building meaningful workplace relationships that put authenticity and empathy first and foremost. Plus, learn about her approach to recognizing team achievements, including a unique case study method to showcase success and boost engagement.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

In this first episode of Season 3 of the Women Lead podcast, Victoria Usher, the CEO and founder of GingerMay, shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to establishing her own successful business. 

Victoria opens up about the motivations behind her bold decision to start GingerMay and the challenges she faced as a working parent. She highlights the importance of flexible working arrangements, especially in light of recent changes in UK legislation, and how these changes are making it easier for businesses to support their employees.

She delves into the importance of creating a supportive and open work culture at GingerMay. She passionately speaks about the need for employees to feel comfortable voicing their concerns and the crucial role that senior managers play in providing the necessary support. Victoria also sheds light on the issue of burnout in the fast-paced PR and advertising industry, sharing her thoughts on setting boundaries, recognizing when normal job stress turns into anxiety, and how GingerMay's people-first approach has been key to their high retention rate.

As the conversation unfolds, Victoria touches on the challenges and rewards of managing intergenerational teams, particularly the unique dynamics of working with Gen Z employees. She also shares Ginger May’s dedication to sustainability and its commitment to becoming a certified B Corp, reflecting the company’s broader mission to make a positive impact. Victoria’s insights offer valuable lessons on leadership, workplace culture, and the future of business.

Links and recs:

Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn

European Business Review “Know Your Worth: The Challenges of Working Moms”

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

What a journey we have been on for Season 2 of Women Lead!

In this episode, Nadia wraps up season two of the Women Lead podcast and shares a speech she gave at the NextM Nordics conference in Stockholm, Sweden. She discusses the importance of cultivating curiosity, getting over the fear of failure, and making time for fun as individual abilities to enhance creativity and collaboration. She also explores how effective communication, empathy, and acceptance contribute to better collaboration and creativity within teams. Nadia emphasizes the impact of healthy collaboration on personal health and happiness, and concludes by expressing gratitude and announcing a break before the start of season three.

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell / YUNE

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.