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Episode Description

In this episode of the podcast, Julia speaks to Selvie, Uma, and Liz: three members of the 1st expedition. Together, they explore the contrasts between good and bad leadership, the transformative power of listening and the importance of creating environments where growth thrives.
As Selvie reflects, “Good leadership is a very nurturing environment where I feel valued and appreciated. It’s an environment where my leader cares about me as a person.”
Selvie shares her experiences navigating leadership in financial services, while Uma discusses the dual nature of self-awareness as both a gift and a challenge. Liz, drawing from her military and NGO background, emphasises the power of humility, listening and action, even under intense pressure.
Listen to this episode to discover how these insights redefine leading and make it accessible, empowering women to find their own approaches to leading with confidence.

About the Guests

Selvie Jusman

Selvie Jusman is a finance professional at one of the leading financial institutions. She became involved in women empowerment and workplace inclusivity through the Women Business Alliance at her workplace, where she has actively advocated for these causes. Selvie was born in Indonesia, spent her childhood there, and has been residing in Singapore since her teenage years. She is fluent in English, Bahasa Indonesia, and conversational Chinese Mandarin. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her loved ones.

Liz Bloomfield

Liz Bloomfield is the Executive Director of Ripple Effect Images, with a background spanning the military, corporate, and humanitarian sectors. She has led global disaster relief efforts at Airlink, driven policy initiatives at InterAction, and managed renewable energy projects at Siemens Wind Power. Liz began her career as a logistics officer in the British Army, deploying to Iraq in 2003 to restore rail infrastructure.

Uma Chatterjee

Uma Chatterjee is a passionate psychosocial trainer, social entrepreneur, and skilled researcher dedicated to designing and implementing innovative leadership and empowerment programs. With a focus on youth and adults, she has created training tools and resources around gender, sexuality, and emotional intelligence. Uma is the Founder Director of Sanjog India (KSI), where she develops trauma management and leadership programs, and is also the Managing Partner at ChangeMantras, specializing in leadership development and change management. As an Ashoka Fellow, Uma continues to drive social change through her work in youth entrepreneurship and leadership development.

About the Host

Julia Middleton

Julia Middleton is the host of the Women Emerging podcast and a best-selling author of “If that’s leading, I’m in” as well as two previous books: “Leading beyond Authority” and “Cultural Intelligence”. She is deeply committed to helping people from all backgrounds to find their own approach to leading.

In 2020, Julia launched Women Emerging and in 2022 she lead an expedition of 24 women to find ‘an approach to leading that resonates with women’. She now leads expeditions with women all over the world based on 4Es methodology, discovered in the first expedition.

Prior to that, Julia was founder and, for over thirty years, Chief Executive of Common Purpose, which grew to become one of the biggest leadership development organisations in the world.
Julia is also an Ambassador for the Aurora Prize based in Armenia, on the boards of Alfanar Venture Philanthropy in the Arab World and Equality Now which operates globally, and on the Advisory Councils of Fundacao Dom Cabral in Brazil and Synapse in Pakistan.

Born in London and brought up in New York, Julia was educated at French Lycées and graduated from the London School of Economics. She is married, with five children and lots of grandchildren.