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Episode Description

In this episode, Julia is joined by three incredible women Temilade, Margarita, and Meenakshi as they explore the powerful and often underappreciated world of female friendships. Each of them shares how these relationships have shaped their leadership journeys, providing insight into the essential role of women supporting one another.
Temilade challenges the common narrative that female friendships are driven by competition and gossip, offering a fresh perspective on how her closest friends have helped her embrace vulnerability and leadership. Margarita, who hails from Argentina, reflects on the strength of long-lasting friendships built on mutual support, loyalty, and collaboration, which have been fundamental to her personal and professional growth. Meenakshi, from India, speaks about the societal pressures that often sideline women’s friendships, and how, despite these challenges, she has cultivated deep, nurturing bonds that empower her as a leader.
This episode invites us to explore the impact of female friendships, not just as emotional support, but as vital pillars for women in leadership. Tune in to discover how these connections shape our resilience, agility, and sense of purpose as we lead.

About the Guests

Temilade Salami

Temilade Salami, also known as Global Temi, is the Executive Director of EcoChampions, an organization empowering young Africans with the knowledge and tools for climate action. A passionate climate education advocate, Temilade believes in equipping youth with the skills to address the climate crisis through innovative solutions. She has been recognized as one of Nigeria’s 25 Under 25 Leaders in Energy and Sustainability in 2020 and is a 2018 LASEPA Ambassador and US Consulate’s Carrington Youth Fellow. Temilade advocates for scaling climate education across Africa to close the education gap and prepare young people to tackle climate change.

Dr. Margarita Grobocopatel Marra

Dr. Margarita Grobocopatel Marra is a medical professional and research scholar at NYU Langone Health, specializing in neuroimmunology. With a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Buenos Aires, she has worked in gynecology, neurology, and family medicine at institutions like Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan and Hospital de Clínicas in Buenos Aires. Margarita combines clinical practice with a passion for medical education and research, having also contributed to the training of future healthcare professionals. She is dedicated to advancing healthcare systems and empowering the next generation of medical professionals.

Meenakshi Arundhati

Meenakshi Arundhati is an actor, writer, and researcher exploring the intersections of culture, history, and performance. With a diploma in Acting and Theatre Making from The Drama School, Mumbai, and a Bachelor’s in Humanities from Manipal Academy, Meenakshi blends her academic background in history with her creative work. Her publications, such as A Dancer’s Guide to Writing Fiction and Orienting Odissi – A Personal Reflection, reflect her commitment to using theatre and writing as tools for personal and social transformation. She continues to create thought-provoking work that challenges norms and encourages critical reflection.

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.