Shows
ReWrite The RulesS3E9 - 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 conversati...2025-04-2325 min
ReWrite The RulesS3E8 – Women Groups. Yay or Nay? w/ Yolanda LeeWomen groups—essential or overrated?I sat down with Yolanda Lee, founder and CEO of Uncommon, to unpack why women leaders need spaces to connect, share, and grow. Yolanda’s journey—from navigating leadership roles in fast-growing tech companies to building a global network—proves that leadership doesn’t have to be lonely.We dive into confidence, burnout, setting boundaries, and why women sometimes hesitate to ask for help. Are women-focused communities the key to thriving in leadership? Tune in to find out!IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Why leadership can feel lonely—and how to chang...2025-04-0226 min
ReWrite The RulesS3E7 - Is It Safe to Drop the Mask at Work? with Josefhine ChitraCould your hobbies shape your career success?Dive into this episode of Rewrite the Rules where our host Ritu discusses the art of bringing your whole self to work with Josefhine Chitra. Josefhine, the Head of Corporate Communications at GoToGroup and a mentor at WomenWorks, shares her insights from Jakarta on balancing personal passions with professional responsibilities. From handling life's curveballs to integrating personal hobbies at work, Josefhine's story will inspire you to think about how much of you should really show up at work. Join us as we explore the intersection of personal identity and professional...2025-02-2622 min
ReWrite The RulesMeet The AuthorsReady to shake up the status quo? Dive into "Rewrite the Rules: Powerful Stories of Senior Asian Women Leaders" with authors Ritu Gupta Mehrish and Rajita Saxena! This episode flips the script, putting our usual hosts in the hot seats. Hear firsthand how they captured stories of resilience and triumph that are changing the narrative for women in leadership. From challenges to actionable insights, this book isn’t just a read—it’s a movement. Tune in, get empowered, and start rewriting your own rules!Meet the Hosts,Ritu Gupta MehrishRitu Gupta M...2025-01-0113 min
ReWrite The RulesS2E13 - Leading in a Male-Dominated Industry with Gigi ParcoWhat defines success in a winding career journey?In this episode, I sit down with Gigi Parco, who has held C-level roles in companies like Johnson & Johnson, DHL, Unilever, and Coca-Cola. Gigi shares how her journey from engineering to sales taught her valuable leadership lessons, especially as a woman in male-dominated industries. We also explore her transition to entrepreneurship and her passion for balancing work with life, including her recent venture into culinary arts. Tune in to hear Gigi's story and how she navigated the challenges of her diverse career path!IN THIS EPISODE(00:30...2024-09-1225 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #12 How a Chemical Engineer Became a Business Leader with Zinnia RiveraHow does a chemical engineer become a top business leader? In this episode, we sit down with Zinnia Rivera, a seasoned business executive and former president of Johnson & Johnson Philippines and Red Ribbon Bakeshop (Jollibee Foods Corp). Zinnia shares her inspiring journey from R&D to the boardroom, revealing how she embraced unexpected opportunities and overcame challenges in the FMCG and food retail industries. Now a freelance management consultant, Zinnia discusses the importance of leadership, continuous learning, and the balance between personal and professional life. Tune in for insights into navigating a dynamic career path and building a lasting...2024-08-2926 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #11 - How to be a business partner, not a support function with Gloria NgooiHave you ever wondered how an HR director finds her way to the top? In this episode, we speak with Gloria Ngooi, the HR director at Ikano Retail, better known as IKEA. Gloria shares her journey from starting as a recruitment consultant to becoming a key player in HR. She opens up about how she initially wanted to be in sales, how her father's advice to think outside the box-shaped her approach, and the pivotal moments that led her to HR. Gloria's insights on leveraging diverse experiences and the importance of speaking up in a male-dominated boardroom are truly...2024-08-0714 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #10 The power of executive coaching with Nawan PoovarawanWhat can you learn from the journey of a compassionate change leader?In this episode, we talk with Nawan Poovarawan, the Director of Global Trust Operations APAC for Airbnb. Nawan shares her career journey, starting from consulting in the late 1990s, transitioning into brand management, and eventually finding her passion in operations management. Discover how she navigated her way through various roles at Google and Airbnb, the importance of self-reflection and coaching in her growth, and the balance she maintains between her global role and personal interests. Join us for a conversation about courage, support...2024-07-2423 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #9 How to champion yourself and build visibility with Uma Thana BalasingamHow can a pianist become a leader in the tech world? In this episode, we have a conversation with Uma, the founder of Lean In Singapore and a seasoned technology sales leader with 20 years of experience. Uma shares her inspiring journey from aspiring pianist to tech innovator, her challenges with confidence, and her passion for advancing women in the workplace. Discover how she navigated her career, overcame obstacles, and championed herself to success. Tune in for an empowering conversation about perseverance, visibility, and the power of mentorship!IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) How did Uma’s journey from mu...2024-07-1023 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #8 Learning, relationships and purpose: Three legs of a stable career with Patricia Feria LimHow do you navigate a diverse and adventurous career path from finance to education to AI? Today on "Rewrite the Rules," we're joined by Patricia Feria Lim, Vice President of Operations at Thinking Machines Data Science in the Philippines. From an early desire to study abroad to making significant career shifts, Patricia's journey is a testament to embracing change and seeking growth. She shares insights from her transitions across continents and industries, illustrating how each step has prepared her for the next. Tune in to discover how curiosity and resilience can shape your career path in unexpected and f...2024-06-2626 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #7 Strategies for winning from a CEO and former athlete with Deepthi BopaiahCan one person's decision to shift careers impact a nation's Olympic dreams?Join us as we delve into the inspiring journey of Deepthi Bopaiah, CEO of GoSports Foundation. Deepthi's story begins with a successful career in banking, where she honed her professional skills and learned the art of perseverance. However, the 2012 Olympics sparked a pivotal change in her life. Discontent with India's underrepresentation in sports, she left her banking job to redefine the country's approach to nurturing Olympic talent.At GoSports, she's not just a former athlete turned executive; she's a catalyst for change, helping young athletes...2024-06-1227 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #6 Building a career through continuous learning and discovery with Minette NavaretteWhat does a career journey filled with unexpected turns look like? In this episode of "Rewrite the Rules," join us as we sit down with Minette Navarette, the president of Kickstart Ventures Incorporated. From marketing heavy-hitters like Unilever and L’Oreal to shaping the future of telecommunications and venture capital in the Philippines, Minette shares her story of embracing a career not as a path to a destination but as a continuous discovery.Discover how she navigated industries dominated by men, her insights on innovation, and how embracing change and challenges led her to venture capital—where her pass...2024-05-2925 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #5 How to get help, sponsors and your shot at success with Dr Vinika RaoHow does a journey from a banking career to academic leadership shape one's approach to diversity and inclusion? In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Dr. Rao, Executive Director of INSEAD Africa Initiative and Hoffman Institute for Business and Society Asia. Discover how her early career in banking led to pivotal changes, steering her towards a significant role in education focused on leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion.Dr. Rao shares insights into the challenges and transformations she faced, from being a "trailing spouse" to becoming a thought leader in creating equitable educational and corporate...2024-05-1527 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #4 How to focus on what’s most important with Arpita Pal AgrawalIn this episode of "Rewrite the Rules," Rajita welcomes Arpita Pal Agrawal, MD and CEO of Dia Vikas Capital, to discuss her journey from electronics engineering to leading a social impact investment firm. Arpita shares insights from her pivotal career decisions, her approach to navigating male-dominated fields, and the challenges she faced when shifting her focus towards impact investing without a concrete plan. Join us as we explore the importance of aligning career goals with personal values and the power of networking effectively!IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) How does a tech engineer switch to social impact investing?2024-05-0125 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #3 Journey from Teaching to Publishing with Nora Nazerene Abu BakarHow does a passion for reading transform not just lives but careers, too? Join us in this episode as Nora Nazerene, the publisher of Penguin Random House Southeast Asia, takes us through her journey from being a teacher to steering one of the most prestigious publishing houses in the region. Nora shares the pivotal moments of her career, the challenges of balancing motherhood with professional life, and the joy of impacting the literary world. Tune in to hear her story of change, resilience, and the enduring power of books to shape our destinies!IN THIS EPISODE(00:00...2024-04-1724 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #2 How to Harness Tech for Change with Pratima AmonkarHow do you turn a passion for technology into a powerful tool for inclusivity and change? In this episode, Pratima Amonkar, Area Lead for Cloud and AI Strategy at Microsoft, shares her remarkable 25-year journey in tech. From her early fascination with computers in India to leading transformative projects across ASEAN, Pratima delves into the pivotal moments and insights that shaped her career.She discusses the synergy between passion and purpose, the impact of organizational support, and the importance of mentorship and a learning mindset in overcoming challenges and making meaningful contributions. Join us as Pratima reveals...2024-04-0425 min
ReWrite The RulesS2 #1 How the First Woman Regional CEO Helms Japanese Beauty Brand with Nicole TanHow did Nicole Tan climb to the top of the beauty industry during a global pandemic? In this episode, Nicole Tan, the President & CEO of Shiseido Asia Pacific (APAC), delves into her journey, the challenges as a woman leader, and the keys to her success. From joining Shiseido amidst the turmoil of 2020 with a rich 25-year background in beauty, to balancing the demands of career and family, Nicole’s story is one of perseverance, networking, and the crucial role of support. As Shiseido's first female regional CEO, she shares valuable advice for aspiring leaders, emphasizing the importance of calculated ri...2024-03-2026 min
ReWrite The RulesTrailer for season 2Have you ever wondered why, in the vast landscape of leadership, we only hear a handful of women's voices, especially from Asia? In "Rewrite the Rules," we delve into the stories of extraordinary women leaders whose achievements and insights are seldom brought to light. Each episode is an intimate conversation, shedding light on the paths they've carved and the barriers they've overcome. This podcast is more than just storytelling; it's an invitation to challenge norms and support a growing community of women and their allies. Join us, as we uncover these inspiring journeys, redefine success, and inspire one another...2024-03-1303 min
ReWrite The RulesEP13 - Highlights of season 1As we wrap up this season of Rewrite the Rules podcast, we reflect on the inspiring stories shared by our guests. From overcoming challenges to redefining success, each conversation has been a journey of growth and empowerment. We hope you've found valuable insights and encouragement to rewrite your own rules in life, career, and relationships. Remember, the power to create change lies within you. Join us again in season 2 for more uplifting conversations!IN THIS EPISODE(00:00) Introduction(00:47) What Inspired Rewrite the Rules: Identifying the Gap(03:41) What’s the Power of Connection?(04:06) Our Key Pi...2024-03-0516 min