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Episode Description

In this episode of the podcast, Julia sits down with Ann, a vibrant thinker and advocate for Renaissance leadership. Ann challenges the binary choices often imposed on leaders, emphasizing the need for creativity, connection, and crossing boundaries to address the complexities of today’s world.
“Leaders of my generation must be Renaissance leaders—people with many talents who connect worlds and reject binary choices.” – Ann
From her childhood memories of collecting bones and insects to her passion for black-and-white films, Ann reflects on how seemingly unrelated experiences have shaped her approach to leadership. Her insights reveal how embracing diverse interests can lead to innovative problem-solving and a more inclusive leadership style.
Tune in to hear Ann’s thought-provoking take on what it means to be a Renaissance leader and how we can reimagine leadership for a more interconnected world.

About the Guests

Fatima Zibouh

Fatima Zibouh is a researcher in Social and Political Science, specializing in diversity, inclusion, and discrimination. She holds a Master’s in Political Science and an advanced Master’s in Human Rights from Université Catholique de Louvain and Saint-Louis. Fatima is completing her PhD in Political and Sociological Sciences at the University of Liège, focusing on “Art, Urban Culture, and Ethnicity.” Her research covers ethnic minorities’ political participation and integration policies. She has published works on Muslim political representation and mobilization strategies in Brussels. Fatima co-founded W100, a community amplifying diverse women’s voices in Brussels.

Andini Makosinski

Andini Makosinski is a multi-talented inventor, speaker, and host, recognized for her innovative work in alternative energy and her passion for blending science and art. Starting with a childhood fascination for electronics, she created her first major invention, the Hollow Flashlight, at age 15, which harnesses human heat to power light. This invention won her the Google Science Fair and widespread attention. Andini’s subsequent inventions, including the eDrink, earned her accolades like Forbes 30 Under 30 and Time 30 Under 30. She’s also a TEDx speaker and global ambassador for Uniqlo’s Heat-Tech fleece. Andini hosts financial literacy and green energy events and is a passionate advocate for STEAM education. She is currently writing a book about the 21st-century multipotential individual.

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.