Tea with TE: She Who Leads

From engineer to Chief Revenue Officer, Rachael Sepcic’s journey is anything but conventional.Now leading Illumia through transformation and rebrand, she shares the defining moments that shaped her career journey and the powerful lesson many women overlook when thinking about their own brand.In this episode, Rachael breaks down how to build and own your personal brand through three steps: define, differentiate, and deliver, and why success comes from making your impact impossible to ignore.

Breaking the System: Leadership, Inequality and Building Change from the Inside OutIn this episode of She Who Leads, Terri Lecheva is joined by Phoebe Waters (also known as Pete) for a candid conversation about breaking systems from the inside out and redefining what leadership looks like for women today. Phoebe shares her journey from corporate investigator to co-founder of Optimising Potential, her work as a part-time academic, and her recent appointment as the sole leadership consultant for UN Women UK. Together, they explore the realities of systemic inequality, the impact of being underestimated, and why confidence alone is not the answer without structural change. The conversation blends personal insight with practical action, highlighting the power of women supporting women, the business case for gender equality, and the small, strategic moves that can create lasting change — for individuals, organisations, and the next generation of leaders.

She Who Leads 2026 Spotlight on Women in SalesIn this episode of She Who Leads, we sit down with Eir Bjørkly, CEO EMEA at Element Logic, to explore her journey from Sales into the CEO role of a fast-growing logistics and automation business.Eir shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, the confidence it took to step into the top role, and what CEO leadership in 2026 looks like — balancing strategy, visibility, and culture across a 400-person organisation. She reflects on leading in a male-dominated industry, shifting leadership from power to empowerment, and why culture is one of the strongest drivers of performance.We also look ahead to the future of logistics, the impact of automation and AI, and the legacy Eir hopes to leave for her people — and for the next generation of female leaders.

In this heartfelt conversation, we explore the journey of Shelly Gupta Senior Vice President of Finance from Juniper Networks who has built an incredible career while navigating the challenges of family, identity, and self-doubt. From her early years as an immigrant and working mother to becoming a mentor and leader, she reflects on the moments that shaped her confidence, the guilt that often comes with ambition, and the myth of “having it all.” We discuss how authenticity—not perfection—is what truly drives success, and how the right mentors and mindset can help you embrace who you are, speak up, and go after what you deserve.

Small Things, Big Impact: Lisa Lesko on Building Cultures That LastFrom IBM to Avon, Revlon, and now Chief People Officer at Bristlecone, Lisa Lesko has spent her career transforming cultures and building people-first organizations. Known for her ability to turn chaos into clarity, Lisa has led large-scale change programs, rebuilt talent strategies, and introduced small but powerful practices that dramatically improved engagement and retention. In this episode, Lisa shares how small, human-centered actions can spark big impact — from slashing attrition in turbulent times to creating flexible policies that retain diverse talent and giving women leaders the visibility and confidence to step up.

From leading global sales and M&A strategy at Thoughtworks to her role as Senior Vice President at Infogain, Sunshine Burkett has spent her career driving transformation while empowering others to thrive. After decades of success, she took time to pause, reflect, and rediscover what truly matters — finding purpose not just in achievement, but in lifting others along the way.In this episode, Sunshine opens up about her journey through change, confidence, and community — and how women supporting women can transform not just careers, but lives.

Authenticity at the Top: Mamta Rodrigues on Leading with HeartFrom American Express and Mastercard to Visa and now Global Chief Client Officer at Teleperformance, Mamta Rodrigues has built a career at the highest levels of financial services and fintech. Yet her story isn’t defined only by the boardroom — it’s about choosing authenticity over expectation. Mamta has stepped back at key points to prioritise family, redefined success on her own terms, and championed diversity through her work with TP Women. In this episode, she shares how authenticity has shaped her leadership, why staying true to your values can accelerate rather than limit your career, and the legacy she hopes to leave for future generations of women leaders.

In this episode of She Who Leads, we sit down with Joanna Parke, Chief Talent Officer at Thoughtworks and former COO, who has spent more than two decades shaping the future of technology and leadership. With a career spanning from software engineer to C-suite executive, Joanna brings a rare dual perspective — blending commercial acumen from running a $250M business unit with people-first leadership as the company’s first-ever Chief Talent Officer.We explore how she navigated Thoughtworks’ evolution from private to public to private again, the lessons learned in steering a global workforce through change, and why she believes leadership development must go beyond skills into values, purpose, and time mastery. Joanna shares how she creates clarity from complexity, her take on reskilling for the AI revolution, and her advice for building authentic, resilient leadership in fast-changing times.

In this season-opening episode, Charisma Glassman, Group VP of Retail and Consumer Advisory at Genpact, shares her journey from ad-agencies to leading global retail and consumer advisory. We discuss owning your career path, adding real value in lean teams, and what it takes to drive change from within. Charisma also offers honest insights on mentorship and whether women can truly have it all — with powerful reflections on legacy, leadership, and lifting others as you rise.

On the latest episode of the "She Who Leads" podcast, Caroline Walker, Chief People Officer at Trailstone, discusses her career in finance and the lessons she's learned. She highlights her achievements and emphasises the importance of driving gender equity from executive positions. Caroline shares her experiences navigating male-dominated environments, advocating for women to assert themselves and address unconscious bias. She discusses her strategies for championing diversity and inclusion, including engaging senior leaders to drive cultural change. Balancing work and personal life is key for Caroline, and she outlines initiatives to support protecting your well-being in a difficult sector. Caroline also shares some fantastic insights and advice for our female leaders, to lead by example and actively be a catalyst for change.

In this episode of "She Who Leads," we sit down with Jade Bentwood, founder of TALO, a platform dedicated to supporting women in the workplace through peer-to-peer mentorship. Jade shares her journey from finance to entrepreneurship, discussing the inspiration behind TALO and its vision for empowering women through key life transitions.We delve into Jade's experiences overcoming obstacles in her career, her proudest achievements, and the invaluable advice she's received along the way. Through the lens of women in leadership, we explore the challenges they face and how initiatives like TALO can make a difference.Jade sheds light on the importance of addressing personal topics, such as maternity leave and menopause, in the workplace and how TALO humanises these conversations. She offers practical advice for women navigating such discussions while maintaining professionalism and confidence.From sharing vulnerabilities to providing support for female talent, Jade shares insights on how TALO helps organizations, regardless of budget, create inclusive environments where all employees can thrive. We also discuss the role of education and training in ensuring equal opportunities for women in the workplace.

Join us on the latest episode of the She Who Leads podcast, titled "Make Your Career Work for You" featuring Emma Salaman, VP and Global HR Business Partner for Finance at Capgemini, the business and technology transformation partner of the world's business leaders. Emma shares insights from her remarkable career journey, reflecting on her proudest achievements, overcoming obstacles, and balancing motherhood while advancing her career. Discover strategies to maintain work-life balance, including Emma's approach to managing a four-day workweek while thriving in her career. Gain valuable insights into navigating maternity leave and returning to work and learn about Emma's role in driving diversity initiatives and empowering female leaders. Don't miss out on Emma's advice and her unique perspective, shared during the Tea with TE episode. Tune in to explore how you can make your career work for you!

In this episode, we sit down with Oli Ikechi D'Amico to explore the concept of impact leadership. Join us as we delve into what it truly means to lead with impact, highlighting the significance of the "3 E's" - in shaping impactful leadership. Discover actionable strategies to incorporate these principles into your daily life as a leader, empowering you to make a lasting difference in your organization and beyond. Tune in as we unravel the essence of impact leadership and unlock its transformative potential.

In this episode, Sarah Grice, Group Head Talent and Interim Head of DE&I at Barclays Bank, shares her career journey and insights into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Sarah discusses pivotal moments, including her transition to HR at Marks & Spencer and her experience of living in Singapore, which shaped her understanding of cultural influence and team dynamics. She emphasises the importance of cultivating a trusted network and utilising data-driven approaches to drive progress in DEI initiatives. Sarah also highlights strategies for inclusive hiring and retaining female talent in male-dominated fields, and offers advice for future female leaders. Overall, the episode provides valuable perspectives on fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

In this episode of the She Who Leads podcast, Sophie Dabbs, CEO of Tompkins Ventures and Managing Partner of Tone Solutions, shares her inspiring career journey and insights into leadership, resilience, and fostering support among women. Sophie discusses her experiences navigating male-dominated industries and overcoming unique challenges faced by women in leadership roles. She emphasises the importance of supporting other women and champions diversity and inclusion beyond gender representation. Sophie delves into the significance of coaching, both personal and business, in empowering leaders and aligning teams towards common goals. She highlights the importance of embracing a holistic approach to leadership development and shares practical strategies for navigating team dynamics effectively.

Terri interviews Shellye Archambeau, Fortune 500 Board Director, Strategic Advisor, Former CEO, & Author. Shelley sheds light on what it means and how to be Unapologetically Ambitious, the title of her best-selling book.As a mother, Shellye dives into her thoughts on work-life balance- and why she doesn't believe in it. Shellye brings humility and realism to the conversations of imposter syndrome, rejection, saying "sorry," ruthless prioritization, and being intentional in your life and career. "We have to decide what we're willing to be judged on and just let go of the rest."

This week, Terri interviews Janet Foutty, Former CEO & US Board Chair of Deloitte Consulting. The two discuss cultivating resilience, learning to pause and reflect, different forms of visionary leadership and authenticity, and more. Janet has done it all- from navigating newborn twins to being the first woman named CEO of Deloitte’s Consulting business and now chair of Deloitte’s U.S. Board, you don't want to miss this week's episode.

SVP of Global Sales at Deltek Natasha Engan joins Terri for tea to discuss building businesses in your twenties, her 12 years at IBM, how to handle constantly being in the pressure seat, and the beauty of perseverance.

Terri interviews Partner at Deloitte Legal Peggy Pauwels about her journey cultivating confidence and authenticity, taking risks and embracing opportunities, and what it means to lean into your true self. Who are you, and what makes you feel good?

To kick off 2024, Terri interviews Nymbus' Chief People Officer, Crina Pupaza. The two chat about navigating life and career transitions, finding and using your unique voice as a female leader, and learning to find comfort in the uncomfortable.

Terri interviews VP, CFO Americas at IBM, Ketelyn Jesus. From cultural transitions to boardrooms, Ketelyn discusses the nuanced dance of motherhood as a female executive leader and corporate ascent. Ketelyn's story, a testament to resilience and grace, explores the delicate definition of success- and what it should mean to you.

Terri interviews Jeremy Stockdale, CEO and Founder of Ylead. Jeremy gives our listeners a new perspective on She Who Leads- not only as our first male guest- on tackling how to practice what you preach and embody what it means to be a true Gender Ally.

Terri interviews Ashely Crandall, CFO Americas at Capgemini. The two discuss achieving balance, quality over quantity, setting boundaries in life and the workplace, and telling a story with numbers.

Terri Lecheva (née Wickett) interviews Hope Johnson, CFO of Haven Technologies on this week's episode of Tea with TE: She Who Leads ☕Terri and Hope delve into changing career paths, following your passions, and mentorship at all levels.

Terri interviews Chief People Officer of OSF Digital Namita Seth about having the confidence to speak up, being a female immigrant in the world of HR in the early 2000s, striking deals with the devil, and how to deal with your employer asking you to go grey because you look "too young" on client calls.

This week, Sarah interviews Samantha Wilson Jones, Chief of Staff at Spark Therapeutics and the Founder & CEO of Jewels Advancing, Nurturing & Empowering (JANE) Inc. The pair discuss the importance of positive EGO- but not the "ego" you're thinking of. At JANE, EGO means something deeper: Exposure, Guidance, and Opportunity. EGO is everything a woman needs to succeed in her career and life.

This week, Sarah interviews Helee Lev, SVP of Operations at Conservice. Helee and Sarah chat about all things networking, being a female in finance, and putting it all out there.

Sarah chats with Marketing Executive Tenaya Britton on this week's episode about small moves and big changes: finding your joy, embracing your femininity, healing, and honing your craft.

Terri interviews Chantal Cantle, Chief People Officer at Balderton Capital. The two discuss the importance and variation of mental health, Balderton's successful wellness initiatives, men as an ally, flotation therapy, and much more.

In this episode of Tea with TE: The Empowered Women Series, Terri interviews Suzie Ruffley, Head of Culture and People at Foresight Group, as she shares what it means to her to be a female leader in 2023. This week, Suzie discusses the benefits of executive coaching, female empowerment programs she has created within Foresight Group, realistic goal setting, social media in and out of the workplace, the permanent state of "want," and more.

Welcome to Tea with TE, a video podcast featuring Executive Search leaders Sarah Herrmann and Terri Lecheva focused on spilling all the tea about women in leadership. In our first episode, Terri and Sarah go into detail about their backgrounds, passions, and motivations for creating a podcast surrounding the experiences successful women endure in the workplace. Looking forward to seeing who's going to be featured on episode 2? Make sure to subscribe!