Women Who Make It Happen

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Sue Saunders sits down with Aurore to explore her career in insurance and financial services, the lessons learned from leading through major economic crises, and why adaptability is one of the most important qualities in leadership.From studying mathematics, economics and statistics to starting her career at Aviva in France, Aurore shares how she found her way into insurance and discovered an industry with a much bigger purpose than many people realise.The conversation explores her experiences through the 2008 financial crisis, the European sovereign debt crisis and Brexit, and how these defining moments shaped her approach to risk, decision making and leadership. Aurore also discusses the pace of technological change in financial services, the importance of continuous learning and why the industry must keep evolving to meet customers' changing expectations.What's Inside:⬩ Finding a career in insurance and discovering its wider social purpose⬩ Lessons from the financial crisis, Brexit and periods of economic uncertainty⬩ How major industry challenges shape leadership and decision making⬩ The growing influence of technology and digital transformation in financial services⬩ Why adaptability, curiosity and continuous learning matter for career progression🔥 Why Watch?For anyone working in insurance, banking or financial services, Aurore offers a fascinating perspective on building a career in an industry that never stands still. From managing risk during moments of uncertainty to understanding the human impact of financial security, this conversation offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that shape financial services leadership.Key Topics: Women Who Make It Happen, Sue Saunders, insurance leadership, financial services, women in finance, banking, career development, financial crisis, Brexit, risk management, digital transformation, leadership development, financial security, women in leadership, insurance industry, career progression✨ Subscribe for more conversations with women shaping leadership across business and finance.Let us know in the comments: What has been the biggest lesson you've learned from navigating change in your career?

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Michelle Khan talks to Clarinda Woodford, Founder and Director of CFW Fin Crime Consulting, about building a career in financial crime consulting and having the confidence to challenge the expected path.Clarinda shares her journey from falling into consulting after university to spending nearly 14 years in the profession, building her experience within major global consultancies before taking the leap into a smaller business. She discusses the drive to prove herself, pushing against conventional career timelines, and the lessons that came from moving through different environments in financial services.The conversation explores ambition, career progression, the challenge of being defined by who you were when you first joined a business, and why changing your environment can sometimes be an important part of moving forward. Clarinda also reflects on success on your own terms and the decisions that have shaped her career in financial crime.What’s Inside:⬩ Falling into financial crime consulting and building a career from an unexpected starting point⬩ Challenging traditional career timelines and progressing on your own terms⬩ Moving from major global consultancies into a smaller consultancy environment⬩ The challenge of outgrowing the reputation you built early in your career⬩ Ambition, hard graft and defining what success means to you🔥 Why Listen?If you work in financial services, financial crime or consulting, Clarinda Woodford offers a candid look at what career progression actually feels like from the inside. She shares the decisions, challenges and mindset that helped her move forward, including why there does not always need to be a five year plan to build a successful career.Key Topics: Clarinda Woodford, CFW Fin Crime Consulting, financial crime, financial services, consulting, career progression, women in finance, leadership, career development, professional growth, financial crime consulting, women in leadership, career change, female founders✨ Subscribe for more conversations with women shaping leadership across business and finance. Let us know in the comments: Do you think having a five year career plan helps, or can it sometimes hold you back?#WomenWhoMakeItHappen #ClarindaWoodford #MichelleKhan #FinancialCrime #WomenInFinance #FinancialServices #CareerGrowth #WomenInLeadership #Consulting #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Michelle Khan talks to Harriet Fairhurst, Head of HR at BLME (Bank of London and The Middle East), about the evolving role of HR in the modern financial world.Harriet shares her journey through the HR landscape, discussing the strategic importance of people-first leadership, the complexities of managing talent in a global bank, and how to maintain a strong corporate culture during periods of change.The conversation explores the skills needed to lead a modern HR function, the importance of diversity and inclusion in finance, and Harriet’s advice for women aiming for senior leadership roles in human resources.What’s Inside: ⬩ Transitioning into a senior HR leadership role in banking ⬩ Strategies for building and maintaining culture in a global firm ⬩ The reality of navigating talent management in a regulated industry ⬩ Advice for women looking to lead HR departments ⬩ Why emotional intelligence is the most critical skill for modern leaders🔥 Why Watch? If you are an HR professional or a leader in the financial services sector, Harriet Fairhurst provides a masterclass in the "human" side of banking. She offers practical advice on how to align people strategy with business goals while navigating the unique pressures of a high-growth bank.Key Topics: Harriet Fairhurst, BLME, Head of HR, banking leadership, HR strategy, financial services, women in finance, corporate culture, talent management, leadership development, human resources, female executives, diversity and inclusion✨ Subscribe for more conversations with women shaping leadership across business and finance. Let us know in the comments: What is the biggest challenge facing HR in your industry today?#WomenWhoMakeItHappen #HarrietFairhurst #MichelleKhan #HRLeadership #WomenInFinance #Banking #CultureBuilding #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast #BLME

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Sue Saunders sits down with Kate Marechal, Director at Shawbrook Bank, to discuss the power of agility, authenticity, and the "mask" of confidence.Kate shares her journey through the financial sector, revealing why she traded large institutions for the fast-paced, high-accountability world of smaller banks. She discusses the art of "reading the room," the reality of leading through digital transformation, and why human empathy remains the ultimate competitive advantage in an AI-driven industry.What’s Inside: ⬩ The "Confidence Mask": How to navigate senior leadership as an introvert ⬩ Why smaller banks offer faster career progression and higher accountability ⬩ Breaking silos: Creating a collaborative culture that large firms can’t replicate ⬩ The future of AI in banking and why human empathy can’t be automated ⬩ Practical advice for young professionals on bravery and trusting your instincts🔥 Why Watch? Kate Marechal offers a masterclass in how to transition from a "cog in the machine" to a high-impact leader. If you want to understand how to build a career based on influence rather than just hierarchy, this conversation is essential viewing.Key Topics: Kate Marechal, Shawbrook Bank, Banking Leadership, Women in Finance, Workplace Culture, Career Progression, SME Banking, Digital Transformation, Inclusive Leadership, Professional Development✨ Subscribe for more conversations with the women shaping the future of global business.#WomenWhoMakeItHappen #KateMarechal #ShawbrookBank #WomenInFinance #Leadership #BankingCulture #CareerAdvice #AuthenticLeadership #Podcast

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Michelle Khan sits down with Nafisa Feeney, GM and Head of Legal UK at Paynt Ltd., to discuss the intersection of law, leadership, and the fast-paced world of fintech.Nafisa shares her journey from legal expert to General Manager, offering insights into navigating the regulatory complexities of the payments industry while driving business growth.The conversation explores the challenges of scaling a global fintech, the importance of adaptable leadership, and how to build a successful career by embracing change and new opportunities.What’s Inside: ⬩ Transitioning from a legal specialist to a General Manager role ⬩ The reality of scaling a fintech in a competitive global market ⬩ Navigating complex legal and regulatory landscapes in payments ⬩ Advice for women balancing leadership and technical expertise ⬩ The power of staying curious and adaptable in your career🔥 Why Watch? If you are interested in the fintech space or looking to transition from a technical background into senior management, this episode provides a blueprint for growth. Nafisa Feeney offers a rare look at how to lead with both legal precision and commercial strategy.Key Topics: Nafisa Feeney, Paynt, Head of Legal, General Manager, fintech leadership, payments industry, women in tech, career transition, legal strategy, business growth, leadership mindset, female executives, fintech scaling✨ Subscribe for more conversations with women shaping the future of business and technology. Let us know in the comments: What was your biggest takeaway from Nafisa’s journey?#WomenWhoMakeItHappen #NafisaFeeney #MichelleKhan #FintechLeadership #WomenInTech #LegalLeadership #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Podcast #Paynt

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Michelle Khan sits down with Nisrin Abouelezz, Managing Director and Head of Africa Group at SMBC.Nisrin shares her incredible journey from a background in psychology and journalism to leading a multi-billion-dollar portfolio in global banking. She reveals how curiosity, persistence, and a "non-linear" perspective helped her rise through the ranks over 18 years at one of the world's largest financial institutions.What’s Inside: ⬩ How a background in psychology and journalism became a competitive edge in finance ⬩ The reality of leading the Africa Group and managing a multi-billion-dollar portfolio ⬩ Why "internal networking" and building your own mental board of directors is vital ⬩ Leading through crisis: How to remove emotion and solve complex global problems ⬩ Nisrin’s advice on visibility, productivity, and why women shouldn't wait for opportunities🔥 Why Watch? If you feel limited by your current background or degree, Nisrin Abouelezz’s story is a masterclass in how curiosity and ambition can rewrite your career path. This is an essential watch for anyone looking to build influence and lead with impact in the financial sector.Key Topics: Nisrin Abouelezz, SMBC, Head of Africa Group, Managing Director, Women in Finance, Career Pivot, Leadership Philosophy, Global Banking, Emerging Markets, Diversity in Finance✨ Subscribe for more conversations with the women shaping the future of global business.#WomenWhoMakeItHappen #NisrinAbouelezz #SMBC #WomenInFinance #CareerPivot #GlobalLeadership #BankingCareer #AfricaFinance #Podcast

In this episode of our Women Who Make It Happen series, we are joined by Stephanie John, Senior Risk and Controls Manager, OKX, to discuss her career journey, leadership philosophy, and her experiences navigating the financial services and technology sectors.Stephanie shares her unique perspective on the importance of building authentic relationships, the value of diverse thinking in high-growth environments, and how she has approached pivotal transitions throughout her professional life. Whether you are an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, Stephanie’s insights into resilience and staying true to your core values offer powerful lessons for anyone looking to make their mark.

🔥 Why Watch? Whether you are an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, Stephanie’s insights into resilience and authentic leadership offer powerful lessons for anyone looking to make their mark. This episode provides practical advice on staying true to your values while navigating the complexities of high-growth tech and finance sectors.

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Sue Saunders talks to Tanya Retter, CEO of the Chartered Banker Institute, about the future of professional standards in a digital-first banking world.Tanya shares her journey to the top of a historic global institution, offering a rare look at the strategic leadership required to drive innovation while maintaining the highest levels of integrity and ethics.

🔥 Why Watch? As CEO of the Chartered Banker Institute, Tanya Retter sits at the very heart of the industry’s professional standards. This episode is essential viewing for anyone in financial services looking to understand where the sector is heading and what it takes to lead at an institutional level.

Most women in leadership still navigate a challenging path filled with stereotypes and outdated perceptions. Sue Hayes, CEO of Nottingham Building Society, shares the insider strategies that helped her rise from sales roles to top executive, breaking barriers along the way. Her journey is proof that authentic leadership and resilience can reshape industry norms if you know where to focus your energy.In this episode, Sue reveals how she leveraged her curiosity and strong external networks to transition smoothly between large banks, challenger banks, and smaller institutions like Nottingham. She breaks down simple, effective strategies for building leadership credibility, fostering a positive culture, and navigating organisational change, even during turbulent startup phases.

📌 Why this matters: The banking industry has long been a battleground for gender equality and leadership innovation. Missing these insights could mean missing out on how to turn obstacles into opportunities, especially amid rapid change and digital disruption. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or spearheading change in your organisation, Sue’s lessons in authenticity, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership provide a blueprint for success.

Ready to take a chance on your career? Hear Hazal Muhtar’s real story of growth, from self taught coder to leading a nearly 300 person analytics function at Wise.

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, Sue Saunders sits down with Hazal Muhtar, Senior Director of Data at Wise, to explore leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build a meaningful career.

From studying mathematics, economics, and psychology to teaching herself coding and analytics, Hazal shares the unconventional path that led her into leadership. Along the way, she reflects on the mentors who took chances on her, the strong female role models who shaped her outlook, and the lessons she's learned while scaling one of the largest analytics functions in fintech.
✦ Perfect for aspiring leaders, data and analytics professionals, fintech talent, people managers, and anyone looking to build a career with purpose.