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Episode Description

In the part 2 episode of The Context in Which We Lead, Julia welcomes Leila and Nichol to further shift the focus on how emerging technologies and financial systems shape the context for leadership. Following last week’s exploration of climate change and geopolitics, this episode delves into artificial intelligence and global financial systems.
“Today in the world, we’re facing many challenges from climate change and poverty to displacement and social injustice. And in that context, innovation is critical to helping us tackle these issues. AI, no doubt, is one of the most powerful technologies of our time.”
As the relevance of AI as a transformative force in addressing global challenges becomes the focus of this episode, Leila and Nichol begin by discussing the potential of AI and how it is influencing leadership decisions across industries. They reflect on the balance leaders must strike between innovation and ethical responsibility. Julie concludes the discussion by addressing her blind spot: how the financial systems of the world are evolving and what leaders need to know to navigate this complex terrain.
This episode encourages listeners to consider how technology and finance intersect with leadership and how leaders can prepare to adapt to rapid, systemic changes.

About the Guests

Leila Toplic

Leila Toplic is a seasoned leader at the intersection of climate, technology, and ethics, with over 20 years of experience spanning corporate powerhouses like Microsoft, global nonprofits such as NetHope, and innovative startups. As Chief Communications and Trust Officer at Carbonfuture, Leila drives global communications, partnerships, and go-to-market strategies, and developed the industry’s first Trust Framework for carbon removal markets. A recognised thought leader, Leila was named one of the Top 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics (2021) and a Bloomberg Green Champion (2024). She serves on the boards of the Negative Emissions Platform, EqualVoice, and advisory committees like the Swiss Digital Trust Label, championing ethical innovation and diversity in technology. Leila is also a trusted advisor to climate tech startups and a passionate advocate for responsible AI, frequently speaking on the future of work, ethical technology, and sustainable business practices.

Nichol Bradford

Nichol Bradford is a visionary leader at the intersection of human potential and artificial intelligence, driving transformative change through technology investments, research, and thought leadership. As Executive-in-Residence at SHRM and Co-Founder of Niremia Collective, she drives global innovation in human potential tech. A co-founder of TransformativeTech.org, she has built the largest global ecosystem for tech focused on human flourishing.
Previously, Nichol held executive roles at Epic Games, Activision-Blizzard, and Disney, managing World of Warcraft China and contributing to the $18B Activision-Blizzard merger. With an MBA from The Wharton School and faculty roles at Singularity University and Stanford, she is shaping the future of human thriving through empowering technology.

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.