Women Lead

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Jan 2026

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Join Nadia Koski, a digital media industry leader and creator, in authentic and empowering - also occasionally hilarious - conversations on Women Lead. Women Lead is a podcast dedicated to the important leadership topics, challenges, and achievements that professionals, particularly women, experience in the workplace. Through in-depth discussions with guests, Nadia explores what it takes to build your career, lead with empathy, and help the next generation of young leaders rise to take the reins in their industries. Based in Florence Italy, Nadia Koski brings more than sixteen years of experience as a team leader and global content director at an international digital media and ad tech organization, as well as a background in fashion and artist management, publishing, and digital startups. The podcast explores unique insights from all voices in the global media space, in a refreshing format meant to inform, inspire, and make you laugh.

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January 7, 202637 min

You Can’t Have It All. And That’s the Point. A Candid Conversation with Dorit Posdorf

In this episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski sits down with Dorit Posdorf, an experienced marketing executive, to explore what leadership, growth, and self-awareness truly entail behind the scenes.From her early days in consulting to senior roles across e-commerce, fashion, beauty, and digital health, Dorit shares a refreshingly honest view of her career journey, one shaped by adaptability, strong networks, and the courage to say, "no". Together, they challenge the myth of “having it all,” explore common misconceptions around mentorship, and discuss why personal responsibility is at the heart of professional growth.Dorit also speaks candidly about energy management - what lights you up, and what drains you - setting boundaries, and why leadership isn’t the only valid definition of success. The conversation wraps up with the two exchanging their points of view on the future of work, including how leaders can integrate AI thoughtfully and responsibly.A must-listen for anyone navigating career decisions, leadership paths, or personal growth, especially women redefining success on their own terms.Produced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

December 17, 202533 min

Navigating the Future of Media and Advertising with Verena Gründel

In this year-end wrap episode of Women Lead, Nadia Koski sits down with Verena Gründel, Host and Director of Brand & Communications, at DMEXCO, and one of Germany’s Top 100 Most Influential Women, for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on where media, marketing, and communication are heading next going into 2026.As the industry reflects on a year shaped by rapid innovation, awards season, and cultural shifts, Verena shares her perspective on the trends, tensions, and transformations that will define 2026. From standout purpose-driven campaigns and industry events to the real, practical role of AI beyond the hype, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what truly matters.Together, they explore how generative AI is changing creativity, search, and shopping behavior, why ROI and brand visibility are becoming more critical as budgets tighten, and whether we’re already seeing signs of AI fatigue—or simply a recalibration toward more emotional, human storytelling.Beyond industry trends, Verena opens up about her own personal branding journey: the habits, mindset shifts, and internal barriers she had to confront to show up consistently and authentically in a fast-moving, highly visible environment. She also shares why listening, asking better questions, and communicating with intention may be some of the most underrated leadership skills today.In this episode, you’ll learn:How AI is reshaping consumer behavior and what this means for creativity, search, ROI, and brand visibility in 2026.Why authenticity and consistency are becoming essential in personal branding, and how visibility can be approached as a service, not self-promotion.How curiosity, listening, and intentional communication can drive stronger insights, relationships, and business outcomes.This is a forward-looking and future-proofing conversation with one of the industry’s most influential voices, perfect for understanding how to navigate the rapidly changing trends and workflows in media, marketing, and leadership.LINKS & RECSDMEXCO Podcast with Verena GründelEarly Adoptr Podcast with Jess Carlin & Kyle CorlissConnect with Verena on LinkedInLearn more about DMEXCO, Europe's leading digital marketing and tech event & trade fairProduced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

December 11, 202546 min

Unapologetic Holistic Leadership with Shazia Ginai

In this powerful episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski sits down with Shazia Ginai, Global VP of Consulting at Lumen Research and founder of Exhale Expand, to explore a career journey defined by courage, reinvention, and deep authenticity. Trained in science and shaped by lived experience, Shazia shares how she carved a path into global leadership while staying grounded in holistic wellbeing and purpose-driven growth.Together, they unpack the realities of navigating toxic workplace cultures, the pivotal moments that pushed Shazia to define her work on her own terms, and how advocating for women’s health—especially endometriosis—became both a personal mission and a systemic call to action.Shazia also opens up about the transformative power of yoga, breathwork, and nervous system regulation in leadership, and why building a supportive community of women has been essential to her resilience and confidence. Her mantra, “I am unapologetic about what I want,” becomes a throughline in this conversation, offering a roadmap for women who want to negotiate for more choice, freedom, autonomy, and balance in their careers.Listeners will walk away with insights on how workplace culture shapes leadership, why self-trust and embodiment matter, and how to advocate for yourself and for others with clarity and courage.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to recognize the impact of workplace culture on your personal and professional growth, and what authentic leadership can look like even in environments that don’t nurture it.Why holistic growth matters, and how practices like yoga, breathwork, and self-awareness can strengthen your leadership presence and decision-making.What it truly means to advocate—for yourself, for women’s health, and for your community—and how connection and support can empower you to be unapologetically confident.This conversation is a reflection on self-trust, inner grounding, and the power of taking a breath—literally and figuratively.Produced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

November 19, 202541 min

Women Lead at The Digital Distillery Amsterdam with Clemmentijn Treinen, Katja Henneveld, Saskia Wagenmakers

In this special recap from The Digital Distillery Amsterdam edition, host Nadia Koski brings together insights from three industry leaders: Clemmentijn Treinen, Country Director, Microsoft Advertising NL; Katja Henneveld, Country Manager NL/BE/FR, Adform; Saskia Wagenmakers, CEO, IPG Mediabrands NL.From the event discussions, Clemmentijn explains her view on how AI can foster hyper-personalization and the importance of transparency. Katja challenges the industry to rethink its dependency on Big Tech while considering the strength of European-owned media and ad tech alternatives. And finally, Saskia emphasizes that today’s media landscape rewards relevance over reach, and leaders must champion inclusivity and purposeful communication to stay ahead.Each conversation offers a unique lens on leadership, innovation, gender diversity, and the evolving advertising landscape. Together, they deliver one powerful message: the future belongs to leaders who are authentic, connected, and unafraid to drive change.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why authenticity is becoming a key leadership advantage, especially in the age of AIHow Europe can strengthen its position by reducing dependency on Big TechHow clear communication and self-advocacy can transform careers and team cultureA must-listen for anyone shaping the future of advertising, tech, and leadership.LINKS & RECSConnect with Clemmentijn on LinkedInConnect with Katja on LinkedInConnect with Saskia on LinkedInThe ROX Institute for Research and Training, a nonprofit focused on research and programming that studies girls’ unique experiences and captures the opinions, behaviors, and aspirations of thousands of U.S. girls, released its 2023 ROX Research Study, which uncovered many areas of adolescent girls’ well-being. Takeaways:57% of girls don’t think they are smart enough for their dream career.The more time girls spend using social media, the less likely they are to describe themselves as confident.1 in 2 girls are afraid to be leaders because they don't want others to think they are “bossy”.Girls' confidence declines substantially between 5th and 9th grade, with a slight rebound in high school. Since the publication of the 2017 Girls' Index, girls' confidence is lower for every age up to 12th grade, where it is unchanged.“The Confidence Code for Girls” by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, notes a rapid confidence decline between the ages of 8 and 12, leading to self-doubt that can affect long-term goals.Read this A Mighty Girl blog post with an interview with the authors, Katty Kay and Claire ShipmanProduced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

September 25, 202542 min

Trust Your Gut: Haleh Shoa on Reinvention, Legacy, and Success

What happens when a top ad executive decides to rewrite her story? After 27 years in advertising, working with global brands and creative icons, Haleh Shoa pivoted to launch Picturli, a business born from her love of photos and her own family history.In this episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski sits down with Haleh as she shares how she transformed uncertainty into opportunity. They unpack the mindset shifts that carried Haleh from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and the importance of preserving both physical and digital family memories. She also opens up about leadership lessons, the impact of her personal history on her business vision, and navigating bias in the ad world. Haleh also addresses issues of gender and age discrimination in the advertising industry, the evolving workplace culture regarding parental leave, and her redefined view of success.Tune in to learn:How to embrace big career pivots with courage and clarityWhy storytelling and memory are powerful tools for legacy and connectionWhat leadership looks like when you trade agency life with building your own companyIf you’ve ever felt the pull to reinvent yourself or wondered how to trust the next step, this conversation is packed with wisdom, honesty, and inspiration.Links and RecsConnect with Haleh on LinkedInLearn more about PicturliFollow Picturli on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Produced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

September 10, 202550 min

Empowering Change: Lisa Smith on Gender Equality and Sustainable Development

In this episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski dives deep into the transformative power of sustainable development and gender equality with Lisa Smith, co-founder and executive director of the GIRL Institute. Lisa shares her journey from the challenges with political processes to founding a global initiative focused on empowering women through education and community building. Discover how gender equality is intricately linked to sustainable development goals, and why creating women's embassies worldwide can be a game-changer for global gender equality. Tune in as they explore the interconnectedness of climate justice, economic empowerment, and the role of women in shaping a sustainable future.Links and Recs:Learn more about the GIRL InstituteAttend the Women’s Equality Summit in Knoxville, TN October 24-26, 2025Follow Lisa on LinkedInBooks:Equality within Our Lifetimes by Jody Heymann, Aleta Sprague, Amy Raub Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall Across That Bridge by John LewisProduced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

July 23, 202549 min

Navigating the Future: Insights from Futurist, Donna Dupont

In this episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Donna Dupont, Founder and Chief Strategist, Foresight & Design, at Purple Compass. Donna brings her skills and insights developed over 25 years working with leaders in healthcare, emergency management, government public policy, strategic planning, and program design. She has facilitated a range of foresight and design activities for clients in healthcare, emergency management, and military sectors.Donna shares why building futures literacy is essential for navigating today’s uncertainty and complexity. We discuss how leaders can move from reactive decision-making to proactive, strategic conversations that open new opportunities. Donna also explains how understanding your mindset—and your organization’s—can help shift from fear and control to adaptability and future-focused thinking.Three things you'll learn:How to build future literacy skills to navigate uncertainty.The importance of strategic conversations in adapting to change.Ways to balance short-term actions with long-term foresight.Tune in to explore the intersection of security, foresight, and design, and how these elements can better guide us through turbulent times.Links and RecsConnect with Donna on LinkedInDiscover Purple CompassListen to Donna’s Podcast “The Futurist”Produced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

July 8, 202554 min

How To Be Soft and Loud in Your Entrepreneurship Journey with Michelle Wolber & Elena Klöser

In this episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski sits down with longtime friends turned business partners Michelle Wolber and Elena Klöser, the dynamic duo behind the wellness brand and podcast “zart und laut” (meaning “soft and loud”). Recorded during the midst of a major rebrand, this episode captures the behind-the-scenes energy of launching something bold and meaningful into the world.Michelle and Elena open up about the evolution of their 14-year friendship into a business rooted in trust, the non-negotiables of good sleep and well-being practices, and their mission to build an authentic, multifaceted brand that speaks to different generations with equal clarity and care.From podcasting strategy and social media struggles to redefining wellness and navigating imperfection, this conversation is filled with honesty, actionable insights, and a refreshing dose of the real-world scenarios that occur when launching a new business with your best friend.Links and RecsConnect with Michelle Wolber on LinkedInConnect with Elena Klöser on LinkedInListen to Michelle and Elena’s podcast: “zart und laut” (in German)Discover more about Die-schlafprofis (“The Sleep Professionals” )Books:Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Mathew Walker, PhDAtomic Habits (The 1% Method) by James ClearThe Red Bull Story: The Unbelievable Success of Dietrich Mateschitz and His Energy Drink Empire The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric WeinerPodcasts:Diary of a CEO with Steve BartlettLifestyle of Longevity (German)Produced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

June 25, 20251 hr 26 min

Women Lead Live from Cannes 2025: Creativity, AI & Inclusive Leadership with Microsoft Advertising

In this very special episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski brings you the bold ideas, vibrant voices, and high energy straight from the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. Recorded live in Cannes, France, this episode features on-the-ground interviews with inspiring global leaders who are shaping the future of tech, AI, marketing, and inclusive leadership.In collaboration with Microsoft Advertising, Nadia sat down with:Sunita Richardson, Head of Brand & Campaign Strategy, Microsoft We explore the evolving relationship between AI and creativity, and how storytelling is being redefined in an age of disruption.Ravleen Beeston, Regional Vice President, Microsoft Advertising UKRavleen shares what it takes to lead through rapid change with empathy, resilience, and purpose, and why advocacy is non-negotiable.MJ DePalma, Head of Inclusive Business Impact, Microsoft AdvertisingMJ takes us behind the scenes of one of Cannes’ most talked-about panels, “The Future of AI Personalization is Inclusive,” and the case for using inclusive data and neuroscience in advertising strategy. Plus, a quick insight from Pranav Yadav, CEO of Neuro-Insight, on the science behind creative messaging and subconscious influence.We also had some fun on the Croisette with Stefanie Beach, Host of The Digital Marketeer podcast. Nadia and Stefanie talked about reinvention and leadership as Stefanie shared her journey from corporate to founder. Don’t miss her #Cannesversations podcast series over at The Digital Marketeer podcast.Hit ‘play’ and let Cannes come to you.Links & Mentions:The Digital Marketeer Podcast by Stefanie Beach: Listen on SpotifyLearn more about Microsoft Advertising: microsoftadvertising.comMore from The Digital Distillery: thedigitaldistillery.comProduced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.

June 11, 202557 min

Beyond the Playbook: Embodying Leadership Through Intuition, Energy & Emotional Intelligence with Valarie Sandjivy

In this inspiring episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski is joined by Valarie Sandjivy, a Paris-based leadership mentor, business coach, and former mechanical engineer whose journey from Detroit’s automotive industry to high-level executive coaching is transformative.Valarie works with CEOs, founders, and visionary leaders who are ready to evolve beyond the status quo. Her approach is rooted in embodied leadership, blending structure and intuition, logic and emotion, strategy and soul. Throughout the conversation, she shares how leadership must go beyond theory. It must be felt, lived, and expressed through self-leadership, emotional intelligence, soul care, and team guidance.Listeners will gain powerful insights into what it means to lead with presence, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Valarie explains how emotional mastery is a critical leadership tool and why intuition often surfaces in moments of stillness. She unpacks the roles of masculine and feminine energy in leadership, revealing how structure and creativity can coexist to fuel growth and innovation.Nadia and Valarie explore how real transformation requires more than change. It demands acceptance, understanding, and action. Valerie encourages leaders to embrace vulnerability and authenticity, let go of guilt and shame, and model the leadership they want to see in the world.The episode offers a deeply human take on modern leadership, grounded in personal growth, emotional awareness, and the courage to trust one’s inner compass.LINKS & RECSConnect with Valarie Sandjivy on LinkedInListen to Valarie’s new podcast: Higher Self Leadership – In BetweenTake Valarie’s free leadership assessment: Assessment QuizProduced and Hosted by Nadia KoskiEngineered by Phil McDowell / YUNEGet in touch with us at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com or go to the website.Find us on LinkedIn & Instagram.