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Episode Description

In this episode of the Women Emerging Expedition Podcast, host Julia Middleton explores two thought-provoking themes: power and privilege, and spirituality- and their intersections with leadership. By bringing together Aparna, Ana Luz, and Katya, Julia uncovers the nuanced ways these concepts inform and challenge traditional views of leadership.
“There are ways in which I can work with my privilege to shift power… And when it comes to power, we’ve been able to sort of reshape the idea of power as a form of energy that flows, rather than a force that sits and accumulates in one place.”
All the three guests encapsulate the episode’s central themes of reimagining privilege as responsibility and power as a shared, dynamic force. Aparna, initially skeptical about the expedition, reflects on the transformative journey of confronting her own privilege and reimagining power as an energy to share rather than a tool to dominate. Ana Luz contributes a perspective on balancing power and love, illustrating leadership as a dynamic process of navigating control, influence, and care. She emphasizes the cyclical nature of leadership. And Katya, representing the spirituality group, delves into the role of inner awareness in leadership. She describes spirituality not as a rigid framework but as an adaptable lens that fosters empathy, a broader vision, and the willingness to share power for collective good.
This episode unites the themes of empowerment, introspection, and collective responsibility, offering a rich tapestry of ideas to redefine leadership in ways that resonate deeply with women. It calls on listeners to rethink the role of privilege, power, and spirituality, envisioning leadership as a journey of growth, inclusivity, and meaningful transformation.

About the Guests

Aparna Uppaluri

Aparna Uppaluri is an accomplished interdisciplinary professional with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of philanthropy, women’s rights, public health, and arts and culture across India and Canada. Her expertise spans strategic planning, program design, and network building, leveraging her connections across civil society, academia, and the private sector. Highlights of her impactful career include managing gender justice grants, leading cross-sector collaborations, founding a not-for-profit in the arts, and strengthening social justice frameworks through innovative policy, research, and program implementation. Multilingual and globally connected, Aparna offers a rich, cross-sectoral perspective, bridging diverse fields to inspire inclusive and sustainable progress.

Ana Luz Porzecanski

Dr. Ana Luz Porzecanski is a conservation scientist and director of the American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. With a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Columbia University, she integrates scientific research and traditional knowledge to address global conservation challenges. Passionate about collaboration, Ana has led capacity-building projects worldwide, including groundbreaking field expeditions and training initiatives in Cuba, Peru, Madagascar, and beyond.

Katya Guryeva

Katya is an urban planner and climate advocate, currently interning at C40 Cities, where she supports international urban climate action. A UCL graduate with experience in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Copenhagen, she has conducted research on green infrastructure in Yerevan and co-founded Caucasus Connect, an arts initiative promoting regional youth unity. An award-winning scholar, musician, and polyglot, Katya is passionate about collective action, inclusive education, and building bridges across cultures.

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.