A Leader Like Me: Building a Culture of Inclusivity

In this episode of A Leader Like Me, co-founders Advita Patel and Priya Bates sit down with internal communications specialist and former educator Rachelle Henderson. Rachelle shares her unique journey from linguistics and education into the world of internal comms, and how her passion for inclusion, creativity, and courageous conversations drives her work today. Discover how Rachelle bravely chal...

In this episode of A Leader Like Me, we sit down with Matisse, an award-winning advocate for inclusive communications, to unpack why accessibility is good business—and why it's time we stopped treating it as an afterthought. We explore: Why designing for the 'outliers' creates better experiences for everyone Common accessibility oversights in communications—and how to fix them The problem with get...

In this powerful episode of A Leader Like Me, we speak with Janelle Benjamin—award-winning DEI consultant, founder of All Things Equitable, and LinkedIn Top Voice—about her journey from workplace mistreatment to building an influential consultancy rooted in justice and inclusion. Janelle opens up about life beyond the title: a dedicated single mum, a quiet changemaker, and a passionate learner com...

In this episode of A Leader Like Me, we sit down with Garry Clarke-Strange —founder of Think Inclusion and passionate inclusion consultant, who shares his inspiring journey from a traditional corporate career to running his own consultancy while living in Spain. Garry opens up about what inclusion really means, how respectful curiosity can be a catalyst for change, and why joy and humanity must be...

In this energising episode of A Leader Like Me, Priya Bates and Advita Patel sit down with the dynamic and joy-fuelled Gabriel Galdamez—internal communications expert, community builder, and flying trapeze coach (yes, really!). Gabriel shares his unconventional journey into internal communications, his passion for purpose-driven work, and his reflections on what inclusion truly looks like when it’...

Welcome back, and thank you for joining us for a brand-new season of A Leader Like Me Podcast! Season five brings a fresh approach—while we’ll still be joined by inspiring guests and industry leaders, this time, we’re focusing on stories closer to home. This season, we’re highlighting voices from The Leader Like Me Collective—a powerful network of HR professionals, communication experts, and leade...

In this episode of A Leader Like Me, hosts Advita Patel and Priya Bates sit down with Alexandra McAvoy, a marketing and events professional, business owner, and digital assistant for A Leader Like Me. Alex shares her inspiring journey of resilience—navigating job loss, single parenthood, and entrepreneurship—while championing equity, diversity, and inclusion. What’s Inside This Episode? Alex’s per...

In this episode, Priya and Advita are joined by Christelle Beneteau, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer for Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Christelle leads all aspects of Ferrings Human Capital Strategy, Corporate Communications and sponsors the ED&I Strategy, she also serves on Ferring's Executive Committee.   Before that she held similar positions with a number of major global companie...

In today's episode were interviewing Katherine Power and Tony Tenicela from Sodexo.  Katherine is Vice President of Communications in North America. She is recognised for driving innovation, Inclusion and delivering superior communications results. A regular speaker at national and international conferences on Diversity and Inclusion, Corporate Social Responsibility and Leadership.  Tony Tenicela...

In this special bonus episode, Priya Bates and Advita Patel, co-founders of 'A Leader Like Me,' discuss the Society for Human Resources Management's (SHRM) decision to remove Equity from their terminology.  SHRM, a career development membership based in America, equips today’s HR professionals with the knowledge, resources, skills, and support to make a true, lasting impact—creating a world of wor...

Building a Culture of Inclusivity With Dr Cornell Verdeja-Woodson   In this episode Priya Bates and Advita Patel, co-founders of 'A Leader Like Me', are joined by Dr Cornell Verdeja-Woodson, Founder and CEO of boutique consulting firm, Brave Trainings.  Dr Cornell has been leading the conversation in DEIB for over a decade, helping senior leaders and organisations use data to improve their DEIB ef...

In this episode of the podcast "A Leader Like Me," the hosts, Priya Bates and Advita Patel, interview Merima Baralić, the Director of Communications for PepsiCo Europe. Merima discusses her personal background and experiences growing up in different countries, as well as her passion for storytelling and its connection to inclusive communication. She emphasizes the power of communication and storyt...

Creating an environment that empowers authenticity: Insights from Samantha Thomas Berry. Join Priya Bates and Advita Patel, co-founders of 'A Leader Like Me', for another incredible discussion with special guest Samantha Thomas-Berry, VP of Global Talent and Chief Diversity Officer at Kellanova. – A pragmatic and authentic Human Resources leader with over 25 years experience across a range of indu...

Driving Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging in the Workplace: Insights from Garry Clarke-Strange Join Priya Bates and Advita Patel, co-founders of 'A Leader Like Me', in an enriching discussion with special guest Garry Clarke-Strange – a talent acquisition expert passion-driven about inclusivity and diversity. Garry the previous Head of Inclusion and Diversity at Green King, sheds light on his jou...

“We're focused on KPIs, we're focused on actually driving change, helping people through that change through the communications expertise. And it's really, it's all connected. And it's embedded,”            - Priya Bates    Welcome to a bonus episode of A Leader Like Me, where we launch our new season in which we'll be getting real about Building a culture of inclusion with the leaders who are mak...

"I want sport to be more reflective of the world that we live in. So that is representation from a diversity point of view. But also, treating people as a whole. A person is not just a person of color. There's so many other characteristics and lived experiences that an individual brings. So it's about accepting a person as a whole, and really creating that belonging for them to be whoever they wan...

Inclusion work is not about flags, food, and fun. It's about execution, strategies, tactics, and most importantly, impact. Let's move beyond performative gestures and dive into the real conversations that drive change.  --- In this episode, Priya and Advita, co-founders of A Leader Like Me are joined by Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey, a leading expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Dr. Jonatha...

"Your DEI strategy should not be some separate thing that sits over here, it should be a light. It should be through the center of your business strategy. It should be touching every single bit of what your business is doing. It should be central to your mission and your vision.   - David Blackburn  --- In this episode, Priya and Advita, co-founders of A Leader Like Me are joined by be inspiring,...

"Yes, we want equality, but the world is not equal. For us to get to equality, you need to go through equitable practices." - Nene Molefi   --- In this episode, Priya and Advita are joined by the three co-authors of The Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks: Standards for Organizations Around the World, Nene Molefi, Julie O’Mara, and Alan Richter, PhD   Listen in to learn about the e...

"'When we know our why, then we feel less the how.' If I know why this is important, why it's important for my organization, when I can connect, sit not simply with the business imperative, which is clear and proven, but also the moral imperative, when I know why, there is nothing that will stop me, I will find a way through."   - Sharon Amesu  ---   In this episode, Priya and Advita are joined by...

*I think a safe space.(for active communication) that is maintained by leaders and where leaders aren't afraid to apologize, or to stand back and listen, rather than to decree… maintains itself to a degree, and that sometimes the lines get crossed but people will often pull themselves back by themselves without needing to be corrected or admonished.*    In this episode, Priya and Advita are joined...

"I think on the whole, it's a good idea, especially for the big brands to get that voice out there and get those voices represented and heard and to bring that awareness because of the influence that these big brands can have.... And I'd be really interested to see how some of the bigger brands tackle more representation beyond the most obvious ones." Vardeep Edwards In this episode, Advita Patel...

"Understanding your audience, knowing the business case for what you're talking about and using the language for whom you're talking to, that's a recipe for success." - Zahid Mubarik CEO of HR Metrics In this episode Priya Bates and Advita Patel, co-founders of A Leader Like Me, sit down with Zahid Mubarak, CEO of HR Metrics, an internationally acclaimed thinker, writer, speaker, thought leader an...

"But allyship is something that's very actionable that you can do... It's sit down at the table, reach out, get to know people who look and experience different things than you do... You have to start somewhere with that understanding of another person's perspective. And then using the platform or the opportunities or the access that you have to increase those opportunities for others."   In our f...

Season 2 bonus episode.: A final look at our book journey.   Did you know? you can now order Priya and Advita's new book Building a Culture of Inclusivity   Order from https://www.koganpage.com/ Discount Code ALLME20   The book is available in most online stores including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, Indigo etc… and in some physical ones as well.   Please note: The book has been launched i...