RAW with Uma

How do women find their voice and claim their space in male-dominated workplaces?  Many of us grow up being taught to be quiet. So how do we overcome cultural conditioning that teaches women to stay quiet and docile? My guest Jenny shares her struggles with speaking up in meetings and having her ideas heard, especially with senior male colleagues. Despite 13 years of corporate experience, she stil...

How do you build an authentic brand identity while staying professional? How can you be vulnerable while discussing important but uncomfortable topics? My guest, Nicole, is an HR leader and DEI advocate from the Philippines. Nicole faced a decade-long battle with depression and took nine years before she felt ready to open up and share her story. She realized that her vulnerability didn’t just hel...

Many of us don't realize the invisible disabilities that hold our colleagues or friends back. We see them every day at work, in meetings, or grabbing coffee, but beneath the surface, some are fighting battles we can't even imagine. My guest, Suvinder has been silently battling lupus for 25 years while climbing the corporate ladder. Her story of blood clots, brain surgery, and boardroom pressures w...

What would you tell your 20-year-old self about life and work ?  From worrying about validation from others to self-confidence, Kit and I talk about the layers of self-perception, workplace dynamics, and the liberating power of authenticity.  Later Reeta joins us to talk about evolving in confidence as a young, timid girl who did what ever her parents asked, to a woman who isn’t afraid to ask ques...

How do you turn superficial conversations into meaningful connections?  Networking can be tricky. Overcoming discomfort to put yourself out there, following up, cultivating introductions into deeper connections or even feeling worthy of asking for one’s time are all challenges women face when trying to network.  In episode 4, I chat with Divya for the first time to explore transforming superficial...

You’re in your 50’s, your health is failing, and you can’t sustain your career… How do you pivot? In episode 3, I meet Mona for the first time to talk about navigating career transitions when you don’t know where to start and have no time to put yourself first. Duncan Hewett, Former CEO of VMware in Asia Pacific, Author of “Accelerating Women,” and a trailblazer for diversity in leadership, later...

➡️ How do you discover and pursue your passions while managing energy levels? ➡️ Why shouldn't we wear "busyness" as a badge of honor? ➡️ How can introverts thrive in extroverted roles? ➡️ What role does play and self-care have in professional success? Here is What We Talk About: ➡️ Finding Your Passion: Uma shares a powerful framework for discovering passion by asking yourself what makes you feel...

Returning to work after an extended career break. Uma speaks with Shirani, a lawyer and content creator who brings questions about re-entering the workforce, and later with Jingjin, an experienced entrepreneur and founder who offers powerful insights on building confidence and creating systemic change. Their combined perspectives reveal practical strategies for women navigating career transitions...

How do you thrive at work and not just survive? How do you build meaningful relationships while staying true to yourself?  My guest Shan Wen is an award-winning leader from Australia who initiated a mentorship program across Asia Pacific at VMware. At work, she noticed many women feeling deflated and overwhelmed, simply surviving rather than thriving. We discuss what it takes to move beyond surviv...