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Episode Description

In this episode of the Women Emerging Podcast, host Julia Middleton highlights two extraordinary Brazilian leaders—Anielle Franco and Sonia Guajajara. Just 24 hours after government buildings were attacked, while many leaders stayed behind closed doors, they stepped forward and took office as ministers in Brazil’s new government.

Julia speaks with expedition member Camila Pontual, who knows them both, to explore their courage, decisiveness, and ability to seize the moment. This episode is a celebration of leadership in times of crisis and a lesson in recognising when to act.

About the Guests

Camila Pontual

Camila Pontual is a human rights advocate and social impact leader focused on education and equality. She has worked on global initiatives supporting women’s leadership and social justice.

Anielle Franco

Anielle Franco is the Minister of Racial Equality in Brazil and a prominent activist, journalist, and writer. She is dedicated to fighting racial and social injustice and leads the Marielle Franco Institute.

Sonia Guajajara

Sonia Guajajara is Brazil’s first Minister of Indigenous Peoples and a lifelong advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental protection. She has been a powerful voice in defending the Amazon and Indigenous communities.

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.