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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia Middleton is joined by Arpen Ghahriyan to discuss the power of courage in challenging times. Arpen, whose family has deep roots in Armenia, reflects on her personal experience during periods of conflict, including the moment her mother had to flee their home.

Amidst adversity, Arpen highlights the importance of strength, community, and vulnerability in leadership. She shares how she continues to show up for her students, instilling in them values of courage and resilience. Arpen believes these qualities will shape the leaders of tomorrow, capable of overcoming obstacles and building a better future for Armenia.

An insightful episode on leadership in times of crisis, supporting others, and leading with compassion.

About the Guests

Arpen Ghahriyan

Arpen Ghahriyan is an educator and leader at UWC Dilijan College in Armenia. She is dedicated to fostering international understanding and education, and her personal experiences reflect her deep commitment to her community.

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.