Women Who Make It Happen

In this episode of Women Who Make it Happen, host Sue Saunders sits down with Joanna Baird, Chief Risk Officer at Birmingham Bank, for an honest and powerful conversation about leadership, challenge, and staying true to yourself in a fast-evolving industry.

With 20 years in financial services, Joanna brings a wealth of experience, from working through the financial crisis and major IT transformations, to advocating for more inclusive, human leadership that supports people in life and at work.

🔥 Why Watch?

If you’re navigating career challenges, figuring out your leadership style, or wondering how to bring more humanity into the workplace, Joanna’s story offers relatable insight, humour, and resilience. This episode is for anyone who’s ever questioned whether they belong

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Sue Saunders sits down with Aileen Gillan, Group Chief Risk Officer at The AA, for a powerful conversation on leadership, mentorship, and building a meaningful career across the financial sector.

From creating fan-first cultures to mentoring the next generation of women leaders, Aileen shares the mindset shifts, values, and strategic moves that shaped her 25+ year journey, and why she believes real leadership is about walking the talk.

Why Watch?

If you’re thinking about how to lead with impact, support rising talent, or shape a team that challenges you to think bigger, this episode is for you. Aileen’s story is honest, energising, and packed with practical leadership wisdom.

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Michelle Khan sits down with Felicity Cui, Executive Director at Nomura, for an open and empowering conversation about leadership, motherhood, mentorship, and the real work behind meaningful diversity in finance.

From navigating high-pressure environments as a working parent to saying yes to career-defining opportunities, Felicity shares the insights and experiences that shaped her journey, and why she believes empathy and execution can (and should) coexist.

🔥 Why Watch?

If you’ve ever struggled with balancing career and family, or questioned whether leadership has room for empathy, this episode will speak directly to you.

Felicity’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to choose between being driven and being human, you can be both.

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Michelle Khan sits down with Denise Ho, Head of Operations & Technology Risk at ClearBank, for an inspiring conversation about resilience, purpose, and redefining what success really looks like.

From her unexpected pivot from game design to banking, to leading with authenticity in a high-stakes industry, Denise shares the lessons, mindset shifts, and personal truths that shaped her journey.

🔥 Why Watch?

If you’ve ever felt like your path wasn’t following the “plan,” this episode will remind you that the detours are often where the magic happens.

Denise’s story is an honest look at growth, resilience, and leading with purpose, proof that your voice and perspective matter more than fitting in.

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Sue Saunders sits down with Sandhya Kawar, Chief Risk Officer at The Cambridge Building Society, for an honest and insightful conversation on leadership, resilience, and the power of backing yourself.

From navigating the evolving world of risk to shaping a leadership style rooted in authenticity and inclusion, Sandhya shares the pivotal moments, lessons, and mindsets that have guided her journey to the top.

🔥 Why Watch?

If you’ve ever felt unsure of your leadership style, questioned whether you belong in the room, or wondered how to lead through change, this episode is for you. Sandhya’s story is filled with grounded advice and powerful takeaways for women ready to lead with confidence.

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Sue Saunders sits down with Harriet Wright, Chief of Staff at Saffron Building Society, for a candid and empowering conversation on self-belief, leadership, and owning your voice in the room.From redefining her role to embracing discomfort and advocating for others, Harriet shares the real, unfiltered version of what it takes to grow, not just professionally, but personally too.

Key Topics:Career progression, leadership, mentorship, self-confidence, women in finance, growth mindset, imposter syndrome, career discomfort, strategic communication, women in leadership

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Michelle Khan sits down with Dane Pedro, Head of UK Compliance and MLRO at Mollie, for a powerful conversation on confidence, leadership, mentorship, and the courage it takes to show up boldly, both in your career and your life.

From overcoming imposter syndrome to breaking into leadership as a woman in compliance, Dane shares real, actionable insights on trusting the process, embracing the journey, and lifting others along the way.

🔥 Why Watch?

If you’ve ever second-guessed your potential, hesitated to go for a role, or wondered how to balance ambition with authenticity, this episode will speak directly to you.

Dane’s story is packed with motivation, vulnerability, and powerful takeaways you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Michelle Khan sits down with Tanja Gihr, former Head of Sustainable Banking EMEA at Barclays Investment Bank, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, authenticity, and building a career rooted in purpose.

From tackling imposter syndrome to creating space for women at the table, Tanja shares how she’s blended toughness with empathy, built teams that thrive and championed sustainability at the highest levels of global banking.

🔥 Why Watch?

If you’ve ever wondered how to thrive in competitive industries without losing yourself, or how to balance empathy with assertiveness as a leader, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Michelle Khan sits down with Tanja Gihr, Managing Director & Head of Sustainable Banking EMEA at Barclays Investment Bank, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, authenticity, and building a career rooted in purpose.

From tackling imposter syndrome to creating space for women at the table, Tanja shares how she’s blended toughness with empathy, built teams that thrive and championed sustainability at the highest levels of global banking.

🔥 Why Watch?

If you’ve ever wondered how to thrive in competitive industries without losing yourself, or how to balance empathy with assertiveness as a leader, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Women Who Make It Happen, host Sue Saunders sits down with Lucy Morley FCICM, Chief Credit Officer at Tint Financial, to explore the reality of building something from the ground up and doing it with purpose.

From winding down a bank to launching a fintech, Lucy shares what it really takes to scale with integrity, lead through uncertainty, and stay grounded in values.

Why Watch?If you are navigating leadership, launching something new, or just looking for real talk on growth and grit, Lucy’s story will speak to you.