ReWrite The Rules

Hosted by Ritu G. Mehrish

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May 2026

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About the show

Powerful stories of senior Asian women leaders and their allies who have overcome challenges to achieve career and business success. These conversations go beyond insights—they’re about representation, leadership, and forging new paths for the next generation. Whether you’re a current or aspiring woman leader or an ally, tune in and learn from their journeys.

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May 27, 202632 min

Breaking The Access Barrier For Women Leaders

In this episode, I sit down with Kanchana Gupta, from climbing the corporate ladder to founding a global mentorship platform for women, her journey is anything but linear. We get into how she found the courage to redefine success, why surviving breast cancer taught her the true meaning of resilience, and what it takes to break access barriers for women.She breaks down why female leaders struggle with executive sponsorship and brand building and why asking for help is the ultimate career superpower.This one goes beyond the highlight reel. Real insights on reinvention, mentorship, and navigating change.IN THIS EPISODE00:00 | Breaking the Access Barrier for Women 00:35 | Introduction: Meet Kanchana Gupta 01:48 | Embracing a "Squiggly" Career Path 03:26 | Finding Common Ground Across Ecosystems 04:21 | Leaving the Corporate Rulebook Behind at 33 06:59 | Art School, Failure, and Finding Her Voice 09:09 | Redefining Success: Who Are You Without Your Title? 11:36 | True Resilience: Navigating a Cancer Diagnosis 13:52 | The Birth of vLookUp During Chemotherapy 19:19 | How vLookUp Democratizes Mentorship 21:46 | Why vLookUp Will Always be Free24:31 | Sponsorship & Branding: What Women Leaders Need Now 29:12 | Unlearning the "Waiting for Permission" Trap 30:46 | The "Five Meters" Rule for Navigating Change 32:00 | Episode Wrap-Up & Takeaways 32:27 | Gift SegmentKanchana Gupta | Founder and CEO of vLookUp.aiKanchana Gupta is the Founder and CEO of vLookUp.ai, a global mentoring platform built to break access barriers for women through technology. With over two decades of cross-functional corporate experience, she has led teams across geographies before intentionally stepping off a traditional career path to explore entrepreneurship, art, and new ways of working. A multidisciplinary visual artist, mentor, and investor, her journey spans corporate leadership, creative reinvention, and community building. Today, she brings these parallel experiences together to champion more inclusive career pathways – enabling women to navigate non-linear journeys with greater clarity, confidence, and access to the right guidance.https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanchana-guptaRitu Mehrish | Founder and Author | ReWrite The RulesRitu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/ https://www.ritumehrish.com/

April 29, 202641 min

AI Is Not the Threat — Your Mindset Is

She was building AI before the world even knew what it was.In this episode, I sit down with Ayesha Khanna—from coding complex financial models on Wall Street to founding a leading AI company in Asia, her journey is anything but typical. We get into how she spotted the artificial intelligence wave early, why most companies still struggle with AI adoption, and what it really takes to build AI-powered businesses today.She breaks down how leaders can use generative AI, automation, and machine learning to drive productivity—and why AI won’t replace leadership, but will redefine it.This one goes beyond the hype—real insights on AI tools, future of work, and building a career in AI.IN THIS EPISODE00:00 | Will AI replace your job—or make you more powerful? 02:44 | Simple ways to use AI in your daily work 05:48 | How she built a career in AI before it was a trend 07:18 | What AI companies actually do (and why it matters) 08:18 | Biggest AI myths that are holding you back 09:31 | Why people resist AI—and how to get ahead anyway 11:19 | How AI can unlock your creativity and time 14:44 | AI tools that can 2x your productivity 16:58 | How women leaders can win in the AI era 19:39 | Where to find AI tools that actually help you 21:57 | The human skills AI still can’t replace 24:30 | Should you use AI for content or not? 27:35 | Should your kids be using AI already? 29:34 | The real risks of AI nobody talks about 34:32 | The skills you need to stay relevant in AI37:01 | The AI question that actually matters for your career 39:28 | Mid-career? How to stay relevant (and get ahead) with AI 40:29 | Final takeaway: what to do next with AI todayAyesha Khanna Dr. Ayesha Khanna is a globally recognized AI expert, entrepreneur, and CEO of Addo, helping businesses leverage AI for growth. With 20+ years in digital transformation, she advises Fortune 500 CEOs and serves on global boards, including Johnson Controls and NEOM Tonomus. A graduate of Harvard, Columbia, and the London School of Economics, she spent a decade on Wall Street advising on information analytics.A thought leader in AI, Dr. Khanna has been recognized as a groundbreaking entrepreneur by Forbes, named to Edelman’s Top 50 AI Creators (2025), featured in Salesforce’s 16 AI Influencers to Know (2024), recognized by Reuters as one of the Trailblazing Women in Enterprise AI (2026), and named among LinkedIn’s Top 10 Female Founders in Singapore.Committed to diversity in tech, she founded the charity 21C Girls, which taught thousands of students the basics of AI and coding in Singapore, and currently provides scholarships for mid-career women through her education company Amplify.Ritu Mehrish | Founder and Author | ReWrite The RulesRitu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/ https://www.ritumehrish.com/

March 26, 202634 min

Why Women Risk Missing the AI Revolution | Rewrite The Rules by Ritu G. Mehrish

I met two women who turned a friendship that started in a Hong Kong maternity ward into a global mission. Christine Fellowes, former media CEO and board leader, and April Swando Hu, a Yale engineer turned EdTech entrepreneur, are now co-founders of NINEby9, a nonprofit tackling gender equality, AI, and the future of work in Asia.In this episode of Rewrite the Rules, they share how decades of leadership across Asia led them to research AI and women in the workplace, revealing a surprising gender gap in AI skills and opportunities.We talk about AI careers, leadership, gender equality, and the future of work, and why women could shape the next wave of AI innovation and workplace transformation.Trust me, you’ll want to hear the full story behind NINEby9 and their bold mission to close the gender gap before AI widens it.IN THIS EPISODE00:00 | Meet the Founders Changing Women’s Futures01:26 | Why “Nine by Nine” Matters Now02:36 | The Unexpected Way They Met04:35 | The AI Report Everyone Should Read05:12 | April’s Journey from Engineer to Changemaker06:59 | Christine’s Path to Global Leadership09:06 | The Surprising Truth About Women at Work15:04 | The AI Skills Gap Women Can’t Ignore18:57 | Speed vs Ethics in the AI Workplace19:52 | Asia’s Biggest AI Opportunity22:04 | Why HR Must Become Human Again23:04 | Career Advice for Women 25–3524:40 | Why Your Skills and Network Matter26:05 | Get Sponsors, Not Just Mentors26:43 | Staying Grounded in a Changing World28:32 | The Rule They Chose to Rewrite30:06 | Redefining Success on Your Terms31:18 | What’s Next for Nine by Nine33:16 | Where to Find the AI ReportChristine Fellowes | Founder | NINEby9Christine is an accomplished global business leader and public company board director with three decades of experience driving growth for Fortune 500 multinationals in media, technology and consumer services.Christine is the Co-founder and Chair of NINEby9, and currently serves as a Non-Executive Board Director of National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) and leading property investment and development company, Guocoland Group (SGX:F17), listed on the Singapore Exchange. She previously served on the Board of Directors of technology company VIQ Solutions Inc (TSX:VQS), listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Christine also serves on the Board of Directors of the University of Western Australia Business School.April Swando Hu | Founder | NINEby9April Swando Hu is an impact entrepreneur and community builder with 30 years of experience in Asia. Merging a family legacy of education with a background in science and leadership, she works to democratize access to impact education and sustainable energy. She founded Youth Leaders Davos, a global youth forum held during the World Economic Forum and drives the adoption of Chinese hydrogen fuel cell technology globally. In 1992, April established the Zigen Fund, providing 200,000 scholarships to girls in rural China. She also co-founded NINEby9, researching gender equality and the impact of AI on the Asian workplace.Ritu Mehrish | Founder and Author | ReWrite The RulesRitu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.

February 25, 202638 min

“Be Shameless”: Georgette Tan on Confidence, Culture & Speaking Up

She once asked women to be shameless… and that’s exactly where this conversation begins.In this episode, I sit down with a woman who’s moved seamlessly from public service to corporate leadership at Mastercard, and then into shaping women’s leadership across Asia.We talk about confidence without apology, speaking up without shouting, and why power skills—not “soft skills”—are what really shape leaders today.She shares what she’s learned working across sectors, building women leaders, and bringing men in as true allies—not by theory, but by practice.If you care about women in leadership, board diversity, career transitions, or building real influence at work and at home, this one will stay with you.IN THIS EPISODE00:30 | Why Women Should be “Shameless” at Work06:18 | Speaking Up Without Being Labeled Difficult07:55 | How She Moved Across Sectors Without Losing Momentum11:01 | The Skills She Had to Learn—and Unlearn—to Grow15:39 | Why Male Allies Matter More Than We Admit20:20 | Board Diversity: Why Targets Beat Quotas25:25 | Raising Daughters Who Aren’t Afraid to Fail30:13 | The Gender Expectations We Still Don’t Talk About36:27 | The One Rule She’s Truly RewrittenGeorgette Tan Adamopoulos | Board Member | United Women SingaporeExperienced Board Member at a number of NGOs focused on women’s empowerment, gender equality and education. Experienced Senior Vice President Communications with a demonstrated history of working in the technology and services industry and non-profit sector. Strong media and communication professional skilled in Marketing Strategy, Corporate Reputation, Organisational Communications and Management. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and women’s empowerment. Ritu Mehrish | Founder and Author | ReWrite The RulesRitu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/ https://www.ritumehrish.com/

January 22, 202626 min

Why Most Leaders Misread the Boardroom | Rewrite The Rules by Ritu G. Mehrish

If someone told you they dropped out of kindergarten, went on to sit on global boards, and now runs half marathons in Greenland… would you believe it?In this episode of Rewrite the Rules, I speak with Su-Yen Wong, global board director, former Chair of the Singapore Institute of Directors, and a leader who has quietly rewritten every rule around leadership and careers.We unpack her journey into corporate governance, what really makes an effective board director, and why portfolio careers are becoming the next chapter for senior leaders.Su-Yen shares how curiosity and courage have shaped her leadership path… and why success doesn’t have to follow a single title or linear climb.If board roles, leadership reinvention, career pivots, or women in leadership resonate with you, this conversation will challenge how you think about the long game!IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Why Board Careers Aren’t Accidental(01:10) How a Real Board Journey Actually Begins(02:19) The Two Traits Every Board Director Is Tested On(05:31) What It Took to Become SID’s First Woman Chair(08:55) Where to Start If You Want a Board Seat(10:33) Why Portfolio Careers Are Replacing Linear Success(13:59) The Hidden Upside (and Risk) of Portfolio Careers(14:42) Why Most Portfolio Careers Stall After Six Months(16:47) Is a Portfolio Career Too Early—or Just Right?(18:20) Do Women Have an Edge in Portfolio Careers?(20:36) Why She Ran a Half Marathon in Greenland(21:47) What Art, Leadership, and Legacy Have in Common(23:11) The One Rule She Chose to Break—and WhySu-Yen Wong | Board Member, Speaker and EducatorSu-Yen Wong is passionate about helping audiences around the world navigate the intersection of technology, strategy and people. As a professional speaker, she challenges audiences to think differently about the future of work, reinvention, diversity, and governance. Su-Yen serves on the Boards of several public, private, and not-for-profit organisations in Australia, Asia, and the United States, across a range of industries including telecommunications, media, professional services, agriculture, real estate, education, and FinTech / HRTech. She is Chairman of a listed company and of the Singapore Institute of Directors. She is also an adjunct professor of global leadership and a highly-rated guest lecturer who has spoken at universities across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.Ritu Mehrish | Founder and Author | ReWrite The RulesRitu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/https://www.ritumehrish.com/

September 1, 20252 min

The Boldest Leadership Lessons from Season 3

How often do you see women take the top seat at the table… and what happens when they do?Hosting this season of Rewrite the Rules has been eye-opening for me. I’ve heard stories of women who fight for funding when only 1% ever reaches them, leaders who juggle boardroom bias with personal hurdles, and bold voices learning to say no to people-pleasing.What stuck with me most? The power of allyship, of raising your hand even when you don’t feel “ready,” and of choosing growth over perfection.This season isn’t just about breaking barriers, it’s about rewriting the quiet rules we all live by. And trust me, these are stories you’ll want to carry with you.Meet the Host,Ritu Gupta Mehrish:Ritu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/https://www.ritumehrish.com/

July 24, 202525 min

S3E12 - How To Build Leadership Staying Power With Supriya Rao Patwardhan

What makes someone stay at the same company for thirty years—and still love it?I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Supriya Rao Pat, EVP at DHL Group, who’s been with the company for three decades. We talked about how she’s grown through the ranks, created roles for herself, and balanced leadership with life as a mother and now a grandmother. Supriya opened up about the turning points in her journey, the moments of doubt, and the power of asking for what you need. This conversation is packed with real stories, honest insights, and the kind of wisdom you only get from someone who’s truly seen it all.IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) What makes someone stay at one company for 30 years? Supriya spills the secret.(02:00) Perfection isn’t the goal—but what is?(04:05)Supriya’s big bet: taking roles that didn’t even exist yet.(06:00) “Am I still relevant?”—the question that changed her career.(08:45) Thinking of switching roles? Listen to this before you do.(10:55) Why Supriya stopped hiding who she really was at work.(12:55) How a male board learned to talk about emotions (yes, really).(14:05) The trap of trying to be ‘that kind’ of leader—and how to break it.(16:00) A question for men: would you want your sister to succeed like this?(18:00) What bullying, moving continents, and reflection taught her.(20:00) Her favourite leadership quote will stick with you too.(22:00) The job she didn’t get—and why it was the best thing that happened.(24:00) The one rule she’s rewritten—and wants every woman to try.(25:45) Her advice to her younger self (and maybe to you too).Supriya Rao PatwardhanGlobal executive with an international outlook excelling in Leading multi-cultural teams, Corporate Governance, Strategy, Digitalization, ESG, Change Management, IT Portfolio Management, Vendor Management, Demand Management, IT Modernization, Global Standards, Enterprise programs & Secure services.EVP at the DHL Group with over 30 years experience in Tech and the Logistics and Supply Chain industry. P&L accountability for 5000+ strong global unit as the first Asian leader to head IT Services for the DHL group. Board Member - Corporate IT Board and Global Business Services Board. Co-chair Amcham SG - Supply Chain, Transportation and Logistics committee. Meet the Hosts,Ritu Gupta Mehrish:Ritu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/https://www.ritumehrish.com/

July 4, 202545 min

S3E11 - They conquered doubt, fear and Everest together

Ever wondered what it takes for a group of young women from flat, humid Singapore to climb Mount Everest?When I sat down with Peh Gee Lee, Jane Lee, Li and Hui Lee, and I wasn’t just expecting stories of grit—I found lessons in building strong teams, facing doubt, and tuning up that inner light when no one else believes in your big, crazy dreams. From pulling off a historic first for Singaporean women to carrying those Everest lessons into their work and life, these women share what it really means to keep going when the mountain feels too high. It’s a conversation about climbing into history, leading while learning, and yes, having fun even when the stakes are life and death.Join me for this one—it’s a masterclass in quiet courage and doing serious things with a smile.IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Think Everest is crazy? Try why they did it.(01:25) 50 strangers, one wild plan—what could go wrong?(04:20) The silent teammate lesson you didn’t know you needed.(07:45) Coming down is the real climb—why?(14:00) Doubt vs. dreams—who wins?(19:00) What Everest taught them about work.(25:30) The year everything almost fell apart.(31:30) Big goals, lonely roads—sound familiar?(37:25) When your values get tested for real.(41:20) The rule they rewrote—and you might too.Lee Peh GeeArmy Officer, Singapore Armed ForcesA believer in living a purposeful existence, Peh Gee is inspired to be of service to others through her life.With the achievement and lessons she has gained from Everest, backed by decades of experience in training and development and deep understanding of how adults learn, Peh Gee is able to present clear and practical solutions to a presentation or event programme.Jane LeeHello, I'm Jane. 26 days. That's the longest I have gone without a shower. It is still unclear if that was a contributing factor to being stalked by a polar bear. I was completing a ski-crossing of the Greenland icecap, becoming the first Southeast Asian female to do so.I was born in Singapore, and lived in the United States, Switzerland, Japan, and New Zealand. I moved to Australia in 2020, and Byron Bay is home today.I was also the first Southeast Asian female to complete the "Seven Summits", the tallest mountain on each of the continents, and the leader of the Singapore Women's Everest Team. It was arguably the most badass all-female climbing team of all time, if you take into account the fact that Singapore is a flat, tropical island nation. Talk about overcoming odds!Lee Li HuiLi Hui heads Underwriting Life and Health solutions team across APAC for Swiss Re. She focuses on delivering next level risk insights via digital offerings to enhance automation, derive data insights and advance partnerships to lead and transform the future of underwriting.Li Hui is the first woman from the Singapore Women's Everest Team to summit Mt Everest (8,850m) on 20th May 2009. For these achievements, she was awarded the NUS Outstanding Young Alumni, Herworld Young Women Achiever Award and received a special commendation by the President of Singapore in 2009. In 2014, Li Hui was inducted into the Singapore Women Hall of Fame.Meet the Host,Ritu Gupta Mehrish:Ritu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/https://www.ritumehrish.com/

May 28, 202537 min

S3E10 - Why “Balance” Is Bad for Personal Branding with Amrita Randhawa

Ever been told you're “too much”? Too loud, too emotional, too aggressive? Amrita Randhawa owns it - and I loved every minute of this chat with her!In this episode of Rewrite the Rules, I sit down with Amrita, the CEO of Publicis Groupe for Singapore and Southeast Asia, who’s spent 25 years shaping brands across Asia. From crying at work to calling out “work-life balance” as a scam, she gets real about leadership, ambition, and showing up as your full, fierce self.We talk about what it means to build a personal brand (without the cringe), why women need to stop second-guessing their success, and how Asia's time is now. Tune in for bold truths and refreshing clarity.IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Can a “vibe” be your brand? Why feelings matter more than logos.(02:25) Three words, one brand: A fun trick to discover your personal essence.(03:56) Think you control your image? Think again.(05:06) Why smart women stay silent—and how to change that.(07:43) What if your passion is the only place to start?(11:48) From "not qualified" to CEO: Her accidental Asian career path.(13:07) Asia ≠ one market. So why do we still treat it like one?(17:00) What if your accent, culture, and chaos are actually strengths?(21:22) Aggressive, pushy, bossy—what if we owned those labels?(23:25) One job changed her life. One rejection changed her mindset.(26:05) Do men and women really make decisions differently? Her surprising answer.(27:20) What she’d tell her younger self (and maybe you need to hear it too).(28:44) The question women leaders ask too often—and why it needs to stop.(30:39) Forget balance. What you need is integration—and honesty.(33:43) Overthinking? Nah. Why gut instinct wins in the long run.(35:07) The one leadership rule she broke—and why you should too.Amrita RandhawaChief Executive Officer, Singapore & South East AsiaPublicis GroupeAmrita Randhawa is CEO of Publicis Groupe Southeast Asia leading all the Groupe's capabilities across data, technology, creative and media for the high growth Southeast Asia markets. Amrita took on the role in June, 2021 and is working to elevate the Groupe offering in every market as well as create Centres of Excellence that feed all of Southeast Asia.Prior to her current role she was CEO of Mindshare Asia Pacific and Executive Chair of Mindshare Greater China where she turned around the Mindshare China operations making it a formidable #1 in the market and maintained Mindshare’s position as the #1 media network in Asia.https://sg.linkedin.com/in/amrandhawa Meet the Hosts,Ritu Gupta Mehrish:Ritu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/https://www.ritumehrish.com/ Rajita SaxenaRajita Saxena is a leader and people manager with over 20 years of business experience in sales, sales support, strategic operations, and learning & development. She builds strong, high-performing teams and believes in being a Level 5 leader to unleash the potential and performance of teams. She thrives in an environment that provides an opportunity to problem solve or create impact, whether it is a situation that is full of change and ambiguity or one that requires creating a strategy.https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajita-saxena/Kalyani VaidyaI’m a fractional marketing manager with a diverse background and a passion for brand activations, podcasting, and business development. As both a sportsman and podcaster, I enjoy offering fresh perspectives and adding value to start-ups. I have a special interest in the domain of parenting, education, and wellness.https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalyani-vaidya/

April 23, 202525 min

S3E9 - Can Male Leaders Really Support Women at Work?

What makes a senior banking executive step up as a champion for women at work?In this episode, I speak with Bruce Perry—MD Head of Operations for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa at Barclays, and co-chair of the bank’s Women’s Network in the region. We dive into Bruce’s unexpected journey from elite university rowing to supporting gender equity in the boardroom. He shares how sport shaped his views, what he's learned from working closely with women leaders, and why male allies need to show up—authentically and intentionally.A candid, thoughtful conversation with someone who's rewriting the rules from the inside out.IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) The tricky tightrope male leaders walk today(02:06) How Bruce became the guy leading a women’s network(03:44) What rowing taught Bruce about gender and real equity(06:52) Job ads, confidence gaps—and what women still won’t apply for(09:00) What space suits and air conditioning reveal about hidden bias(10:21) Allyship or overstepping? Where men still get stuck(13:00) The quiet reason women fear promotions(17:10) The one thing women don’t do enough at work(19:30) Asia vs. the West—who’s doing inclusion better?(23:20) One personal rule Bruce completely rewroteBruce PerryBruce Perry is the MD and Head of Operations, APAC at Barclays. With global experience across Singapore, New York, Zurich and Paris, he’s known for leading large, cross-functional teams and delivering complex financial strategies. He has held senior COO roles and worked across investment banking, wealth, and corporate operations. A CIMA-qualified leader, Bruce also serves on boards of Cambridge University sports bodies, bringing business rigour to not-for-profit spaces.https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-perry-a0b7116/Meet the Hosts,Ritu Gupta Mehrish:Ritu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.https://www.letsrewritetherules.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritugmehrish/ https://www.ritumehrish.com/ Rajita SaxenaRajita Saxena is a leader and people manager with over 20 years of business experience in sales, sales support, strategic operations, and learning & development. She builds strong, high-performing teams and believes in being a Level 5 leader to unleash the potential and performance of teams. She thrives in an environment that provides an opportunity to problem solve or create impact, whether it is a situation that is full of change and ambiguity or one that requires creating a strategy.https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajita-saxena/Kalyani VaidyaI’m a fractional marketing manager with a diverse background and a passion for brand activations, podcasting, and business development. As both a sportsman and podcaster, I enjoy offering fresh perspectives and adding value to start-ups. I have a special interest in the domain of parenting, education, and wellness.https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalyani-vaidya/