Women of the Future Podcast

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100

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Oct 2025

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About the show

Featuring alumni from the Women of the Future Programme and Awards, which recognises distinctive, innovative individuals in their fields. Previous winner Kim Rowell speaks to guests about their careers, big breaks, successes, failures and inspirations.

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October 17, 2025Episode 11731 min

The Women of the Future Podcast - Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies: Manon Dave

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – KINDNESS & COURAGE: MEN AS ALLIES* When you're onto a good thing, why stop?! We've decided to continue our brilliant new Women of the Future podcast series as it's proving incredibly popular with you lovely listeners. The idea was conjured up by the wonderful Pinky Lilani herself - founder and chair of the Women of the Future Programme it’s awards and initiatives. Introducing: ‘Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies’. We will be joined on this podcast by prominent male figures from the world of business, entrepreneurship, tech and more, as we delve into the nuanced world of male allyship. Defined as the consistent and intentional efforts by men to support and advocate for gender equity and inclusion. We have someone VERY special for you this week, who offered an incredibly moving and inspirational conversation. But, how to describe Manon Dave’s career? He admits himself it isn’t easy… One thing's for sure, Manon is immensely impressive - sitting confidently, powerfully and magnetically at the intersection of entertainment, technology, storytelling and culture. A Creative Technologist, Product Designer, Musician & Founder Manon Dave is the principal lead A.I. engineer for will.i.am and Idris Elba, and the founder of multiple new business ventures focused on creating better A.I. equity for all. Manon’s adaptive experiences connect with audiences and evolve with feedback, into something quite extraordinary as he continues to push the boundaries of what A.I. can achieve in shaping the future of creativity and innovation. One of Manon’s proudest moments was working alongside Framestore and Che Lingo, to produce original music for the Refugee Olympic Team. Combining live footage and generative A.I. to produce a graphic-novel-style showcase of the athletes which was shown at Cannes Lions and the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.  Manon is committed to developing tools that are not only powerful but also intuitive and accessible. With a track record of innovative projects and a dedication to collaboration, Manon is transforming complex challenges into opportunities, paving the way for smarter, more connected communities. We hope you enjoy! ------------------------------------------------ The Women of the Future podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness and collaboration among leaders, as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. Presented and produced by Kim Rowell, a media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni. For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

September 12, 2025Episode 11625 min

The Women of the Future Podcast - Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies: Nik Mehta OBE

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – KINDNESS & COURAGE: MEN AS ALLIES* We’re into week six of our brand-new Women of the Future podcast series – conjured up by the wonderful Pinky Lilani herself - founder and chair of the Women of the Future Programme it’s awards and initiatives. We’ve called it: ‘Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies.’ We will be joined on this podcast by prominent male figures from the world of business, entrepreneurship, tech and more, as we delve into the nuanced world of male allyship. Defined as the consistent and intentional efforts by men to support and advocate for gender equity and inclusion. Nikesh (Nik) Mehta is the British High Commissioner to Singapore, having joined the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in 2002. His work has taken Nik everywhere from Iraq to Malaysia, South Korea to Uganda - with his posting to Uganda particularly poignant as his mother, an Ugandan-Asian, was expelled from the country by Idi Amin’s forces in the 1970s. Awarded an OBE in 2014 for his contribution to British foreign policy and diversity - Nik has to be one of the most warm and welcoming Ambassadors I’ve ever met. If you’d like to hear more about his familial connection to the Lionesses, as well as efforts in brokering an agreement with the British government and K-pop, then you’ve come to the right podcast… ------------------------------------------------ The Women of the Future podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness and collaboration among leaders, as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. Presented and produced by Kim Rowell, a media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni. For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

September 5, 2025Episode 11527 min

The Women of the Future Podcast - Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies: Sir Ron Kalifa

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – KINDNESS & COURAGE: MEN AS ALLIES* It’s the turn of guest number five on our brand-new Women of the Future podcast mini-series – conjured up by the wonderful Pinky Lilani herself - founder and chair of the Women of the Future Programme it’s awards and initiatives. We’ve called it: ‘Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies.’ Over the next few weeks, we will be joined on this podcast by prominent male figures from the world of business, entrepreneurship, tech and more, as we delve into the nuanced world of male allyship. Defined as the consistent and intentional efforts by men to support and advocate for gender equity and inclusion. It’s not often that I get to welcome a ‘Sir’ to the podcast, let alone one who was entrusted by the government to conduct a Review into the UK’s Fintech opportunities. He’s an entrepreneur, former CEO, non-executive director at the Bank of England, and Trustee of the Royal Foundation - amongst several other prestigious roles and accolades. It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome Sir Ron Kalifa to the Women of the Future Programme podcast this week. ------------------------------------------------ The Women of the Future podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness and collaboration among leaders, as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. Presented and produced by Kim Rowell, a media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni. For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

August 29, 2025Episode 11432 min

The Women of the Future Podcast - Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies: Dex Hunter-Torricke

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – KINDNESS & COURAGE: MEN AS ALLIES* We are well-and-truly into our brand-new Women of the Future podcast mini-series now – conjured up by the wonderful Pinky Lilani herself - founder and chair of the Women of the Future Programme it’s awards and initiatives. We’ve called it: ‘Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies.’ Over the next few weeks, we will be joined on this podcast by prominent male figures from the world of business, entrepreneurship, tech and more, as we delve into the nuanced world of male allyship. Defined as the consistent and intentional efforts by men to support and advocate for gender equity and inclusion. This week’s guest has quite an extraordinary CV. Dex Hunter-Torricke is one of the tech industry's leading strategists and thinkers on AI with nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of technology and global power. He has advised some of the world's most influential leaders including as Head of Communications for SpaceX, where he reported to Elon Musk, as Head of Executive Communications for Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook, and as Head of Communications and Public Policy for Meta’s Oversight Board. Dex was Google's first executive speechwriter, supporting Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt. Beginning his career as speechwriter and spokesperson for the office of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Dex has also advised major political campaigns in the US and UK. A New York Times-bestselling ghostwriter, he is a frequent public speaker on technology's impact on society and a visiting research fellow for the University of Cambridge Thinklab. ------------------------------------------------ The Women of the Future podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness and collaboration among leaders, as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. Presented and produced by Kim Rowell, a media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni. For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

August 26, 2025Episode 11332 min

The Women of the Future Podcast: Women's Equality Day Special - Josefa González-Blanco Ortiz-Mena

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY SPECIAL* Who fancies a bonus podcast episode?? It’s Women’s Equality Day in the United States, the anniversary of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote, so in celebration we at the Women of the Future Programme thought we would take tiny break from our male allyship podcast mini-series, to share a rather special conversation with you. Josefa González-Blanco Ortiz-Mena is nothing short of extraordinary. An ecologist, politician and diplomat, Josefa has served as the Mexican Ambassador to the United Kingdom since April 2021. A strong advocate for gender quality, having spear-headed programmes promoting women’s leadership, professional growth, and protection against gender-based violence; Josefa also has an immediate warmth, humour and generosity of spirit that makes her stand out from the crowd. In this candid chat Josefa opens-up on the influence of her family in empowering her to stand up for her beliefs, as well as sharing a very heart-warming anecdote on the impact and influence of her ‘Ambassador for a Day’ initiative. We do hope you enjoy! ------------------------------------------------ The Women of the Future podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness and collaboration among leaders, as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. Presented and produced by Kim Rowell, a media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni. For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

August 22, 2025Episode 11223 min

The Women of the Future Podcast - Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies: Phil Pomford

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – KINDNESS & COURAGE: MEN AS ALLIES* We are in the third week of our brand-new Women of the Future podcast mini-series – conjured up by the wonderful Pinky Lilani herself - founder and chair of the Women of the Future Programme it’s awards and initiatives. Welcome to ‘Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies.’ Over the next few weeks, we will be speaking to prominent male figures from the world of business, entrepreneurship, finance, tech and more, as we delve into the nuanced world of male allyship. Defined as the consistent and intentional efforts by men to support and advocate for gender equity and inclusion. This week, we had the opportunity to speak to Phil Pomford, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Global eCommerce for the industry leading payments technology and solutions company Worldpay. Covering everything from nurturing team culture to why it’s inadvisable to run an ultra-marathon in a 40-degree tropical climate... we hope you enjoy this incredibly insightful and inspiring conversation. ------------------------------------------------ The Women of the Future podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness and collaboration among leaders, as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. Presented and produced by Kim Rowell, a media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni. For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

August 15, 2025Episode 11130 min

The Women of the Future Podcast - Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies: Dr. Mukund Rajan

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – KINDNESS & COURAGE: MEN AS ALLIES* We are in the second week of our brand-new Women of the Future podcast mini-series – conjured up by the wonderful Pinky Lilani herself - founder and chair of the Women of the Future Programme it’s awards and initiatives. Welcome to ‘Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies.’ Over the next few weeks, we will be speaking to prominent male figures from the world of business, entrepreneurship, finance, tech and more, as we delve into the nuanced world of male allyship. Defined as the consistent and intentional efforts by men to support and advocate for gender equity and inclusion. This week, in celebration of India’s Independence Day, we had the absolute pleasure of speaking to Dr. Mukund Rajan. Mukund is Chairman of ECube Investment Advisors, a first of its kind platform created to catalyse Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) changes in Corporate India. Prior to this, he held a number of senior executive positions through his 23-year career with the Tata Group, where he served as the first Brand Custodian of the Tata Group, Chief Ethics Officer of the Group, Chairman of the Tata Global Sustainability Council, and Member of the Group Executive Council at Tata Sons. ------------------------------------------------ The Women of the Future podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness and collaboration among leaders, as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. Presented and produced by Kim Rowell, a media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni. For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

August 8, 2025Episode 11031 min

The Women of the Future Podcast - Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies: Richard Reid

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – KINDNESS & COURAGE: MEN AS ALLIES* This week we are launching a brand-new Women of the Future podcast mini-series – conjured up by the wonderful Pinky Lilani herself - founder and chair of the Women of the Future Programme it’s awards and initiatives. Welcome to ‘Kindness & Courage: Men as Allies.’ Over the next few weeks, we will be speaking to prominent male figures from the world of business, entrepreneurship, finance, tech and more, as we delve into the nuanced world of male allyship. Defined as the consistent and intentional efforts by men to support and advocate for gender equity and inclusion. What better day for us to get started with this imperative conversation than International Allyship Day itself! So, settle in, get comfortable, and join us in welcoming our first prestigious guest – the 697th Prime Warden of The Goldsmiths’ Company, Chairman of the National Heart & Lung Foundation, and senior advisor to the Bank of China UK, amongst many other remarkable achievements and accolades, it’s the extraordinary Richard Reid. ------------------------------------------------ The Women of the Future podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness and collaboration among leaders, as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. Presented and produced by Kim Rowell, a media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni. For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

July 30, 2025Episode 10932 min

The Women of the Future Podcast: International Friendship Day Special - Jenny Brown & Jane Lunnon

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY SPECIAL* In celebration of International Friendship Day, we at the Women of the Future Programme, thought it would be the perfect opportunity to tease the start of a NEW podcast mini-series we have coming very shortly spotlighting the kindness and courage demonstrated through male allyship. HOWEVER, before we do that, arguably there is no stronger bond of friendship than that of sisters… and Jenny and Jane can go one better than that – they are identical twin sisters. Both with immensely prestigious careers in academia, since 2019 Jenny Brown has served as Head of the City of London School for Girls, with her sister Jane Lunnon, the first female Head of Alleyn’s School in Dulwich. So, Happy International Friendship Day, please do settle in and join me for our brilliant conversation which covered everything from Laurence Olivier to a broken down campervan on the M5, with a healthy dose of inspiration, tenacity and resilience thrown in for good measure. ------------------------------------------------ The Women of the Future podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness and collaboration among leaders, as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. Presented and produced by Kim Rowell, a media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni. For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

April 21, 2025Episode 10826 min

The Women of the Future Podcast: Motherhood Mini-Series Special – Lalita Taylor

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – MOTHERHOOD MINI-SERIES* Here’s our last little Easter treat for you for this Women of the Future Podcast Motherhood Mini-Series. Presented by Kim Rowell, media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni, who was joined for these special episodes by the wonderful Rhona Hunt, Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police Service, previous podcast interviewee, and currently on maternity leave having had her first child late last year - we have a cracking BONUS episode to keep you company this Bank Holiday weekend. For this, our final, FINAL episode of what has been a totally brilliant series to have presented and produced for you, Rhona and I spoke to Lalita Taylor. Lalita is an award-winning media professional with over 36 years’ experience working at the intersection of editorial, digital, and technology. Formerly Executive Producer at the BBC and Co-Chair of BBC Women in STEM, she has led pioneering work in metadata, multimedia journalism, social media strategy, and workforce upskilling through BBC Academy Fusion. Now Inclusion Consultant for the CoSTAR National R&D Lab, Lalita is focused on embedding inclusive design and AI-driven innovation across immersive technology ecosystems. She is also mum to two wonderful grown-up children. Introducing the motherhood journey of the incredible Lalita Taylor. ------------------------------------------------ For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk To donate to Lalita’s daughter Sophie’s London Marathon fundraising page in honour of her Dad, and in aid of Sue Ryder - to ensure no one faces death or grief alone - click here.