Knowledge Mindfulness Porch

“Leadership has only one definition,” says Krishiv Gandhi. “How many leaders did you create?” In this conversation, Dr. Laila Marouf is joined by Krishiv Gandhi – engineer, second-generation family business leader, and entrepreneur in early childhood education – to reflect on what it means to lead with intention in a world changing faster than our systems can keep up with. Together they explore wh...

Most people plan their career. Ghalia Alul was guided into hers—from working for Queen Rania to government communications to opening a plant-based restaurant—by what she calls the invisible hand. In this conversation, Dr. Laila Marouf is joined by Ghalia Alul – communications professional, Director of Capacity Building, and restaurateur – to explore what 25 years in communications ultimately teach...

In a fast world, leadership begins with who we are — not only what we do.  In this conversation, Dr. Laila Marouf is joined by Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim, Co-Founder of Legacy Hotels Holding, to reflect on identity, legacy, and what it means to lead as a human being first in times of unconventional change. Together, they explore building culture without wearing a “work persona,” why reputation is earn...

Unconventional times call for leadership anchored in humanity. In this conversation, Dr. Laila Marouf is joined by Raméz Baassiri, fourth-generation family business leader and author of Interrupted Entrepreneurship, to reflect on leadership in unconventional times where change is fast, multi-dimensional, and deeply uncertain. Together, they explore adaptability as an organisational capability, the...

In part 2, neurologist Dr. Richard Cytowic delves deeper into his pioneering research on synesthesia and its profound implications on how we understand perception. He explains how synesthesia challenges the outdated notion of brain modularity, revealing the brain's inherent cross-connectivity and multisensory interactions. Dr. Cytowic shares insights into how creativity and intuition thrive when w...

Laila welcomes pioneering neurologist Dr. Richard Cytowic to discuss the impact of digital technology on our brains, explored in his latest book Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age. They delve into the concept of our "Stone Age brains," highlighting how our ancient cognitive limitations struggle to keep up with the constant bombardment of digital distractions. Dr. Cytowic explains how multitask...

In the second part of this enlightening conversation on The Knowledge Mindfulness Porch, Laila continues her discussion with Jessica Chen, Emmy Award-winning communicator and CEO of Soulcast Media. They delve deeper into Jessica's book Smart Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons, focusing on practical strategies for navigating workplace conflict, building a strong career b...

In this episode of The Knowledge Mindfulness Porch, Laila welcomes Emmy Award-winning communicator Jessica Chen, CEO of Soulcast Media, to discuss her new book, Smart Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons. Jessica shares insights from her journey navigating the challenges of growing up in a traditional, quiet culture while working in fast-paced, loud environments like broa...

In the riveting second part of this insightful conversation, Laila and retired GE executive Nabil Habayeb explore the profound shifts reshaping our world and the urgency of cultivating knowledge mindfulness in leadership. As AI's ascendance sparks both awe and trepidation, they delve into the human advantages that wisdom and good judgment provide in an augmented knowledge landscape. Nabil shares h...

In this thought-provoking episode, Laila welcomes Nabil Habayeb, the retired President & CEO of GE International Markets and GE Senior Vice President, to the Knowledge Mindfulness Porch.  Over his extraordinary 41-year journey at GE, Nabil shares invaluable wisdom distilled from experiences spanning diverse cultures and leaders across the globe. Their chat delves into the profound importance o...

Laila and Pádraig's discussion shifts gears towards the increasingly paramount challenge of attracting and retaining top talent. Pádraig shares his philosophies on "working smarter, not harder,"  a mindset he has honed through launching businesses across multiple sectors. With a wealth of experience spanning entrepreneurship, academia, and public service, Pádraig offers unique insights into what i...

In an era defined by relentless change and unprecedented decision complexity, the role of visionary leadership has never been more vital. In this illuminating episode, Dr. Laila Marouf is joined by the iconic Pádraig Ó Céidigh, an entrepreneurial sage and former Senator of Ireland. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of leadership and what it takes to steer organizations toward success a...

In part two, Jasmine Busson dives into the purposeful culture she has cultivated at Globivest, the pioneering private investment firm, sharing how instilling a mindset of innovation, collaboration, and social consciousness has empowered her team to challenge conventions and drive meaningful change. Also, Dr. Laura-Joy Boulos, explains how understanding the intricate cognitive processes behind our...

In this inspiring episode of the Knowledge Mindfulness Porch, Dr. Laila Marouf welcomes two trailblazing leaders who are reshaping the investment landscape with their vision and expertise. Jasmine Busson, the fearless Managing Partner of Globivest, took a leap of faith in 2016 to found the pioneering venture capital firm, proving that impact and profit can go hand in hand. Joining her is Dr. Laura...

In Part 2, Ode Dixon shares uplifting advice for educators worldwide. Laila asks Ode to elaborate on what originally inspired her to start Deep Rhythm and what its core mission aims to achieve. Listeners will learn how Ode's dedication to restoring dignity after injustice through arts and culture education came about. Tune in to hear her guidance for teachers and leaders everywhere seeking to empo...

Laila hosts a captivating guest on this week's Knowledge Mindfulness Porch: changemaker and community builder Ode Dixon. As founder and president of Deep Rhythm, Ode designs socio-economic programs to restore communities impacted by historical injustice. An educator, homeschool parent, dancer, and nurse for over a decade, Ode created healing dance curriculums that empower youth confidence and capa...

In part two, Rana opens up about what brings joy to her life on a personal level. An advocate for youth empowerment, she previously served as CEO of INJAZ, a non-profit focused on workforce readiness training and financial literacy education in Kuwait. During her tenure, Rana helped create a massive impact by preparing the country's future workforce. Laila asks Rana to elaborate on her experience...

Rana Al-Nibari, Director General of the Institute of Banking Studies in Kuwait, joins Laila for an enlightening conversation on the Knowledge Mindfulness Porch. As head of Kuwait's premier financial services training institution, Rana has spearheaded innovative education programs to develop the next generation of banking and finance leaders in her country. Rana, an influential leader and change ag...

In part two of their conversation, TX shares some advice for people struggling with inter-generational challenges. Having built bridges between the exponential world being born and timeless values, TX offers her thoughts on overcoming divides. Laila then asks about TX's own learning style, noting how she's clearly a sponge of knowledge. In the hurried modern world, TX finds value in ancient tradit...

Joining Laila on the Knowledge Mindfulness Porch is Tianmeng Xu, a visionary disrupting venture capital funding for humanity's next chapter. Known fondly by friends as TX, her investment collaborations empower cutting-edge startups to ignite progress across deep technologies, from AI to pharmaceutical breakthroughs. She builds bridges between the exponential world being born and timeless values th...

In part two, Rama opens up about her adaptive leadership style, offering insights into how she navigates change in the dynamic landscape of Silicon Valley and the global tech industry. She delves into her strategies for embracing change, sharing valuable lessons learned from her journey. One of the highlights of the conversation is Rama's heartfelt commitment to uplifting more women into leadershi...

Laila is delighted to welcome Rama Chakaki to the Knowledge Mindfulness Porch podcast. Rama is a Syrian American impact tech entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who is making waves in Silicon Valley and beyond. As a partner in Transform VC, she is part of an effort to invest in deep tech startups that can positively impact the lives of a billion people while also generating billions in reve...

In the second part of this episode, Laila and Seham AlHusaini continue their conversation about Seham’s remarkable leadership journey. Seham reveals how she balances her professional and personal life, and what she does to stay mindful and motivated. She shares her tips and tricks for managing stress, maintaining health, and nurturing relationships. Laila and Seham also discuss the importance of s...

In this episode, Laila welcomes Seham AlHusaini, the General Manager of Deliveroo in Kuwait, to The Knowledge Mindfulness Porch. Seham is a leader, a visionary, and a trailblazer in the fields of food delivery, logistics, and banking. She has successfully launched and managed businesses in Kuwait and the US, bringing innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction to the forefront. Dr. Laila and...

In this episode of The Knowledge Mindfulness Porch, Dr. Laila Marouf and Sanjay Sarma wrap up their conversation by looking ahead to the future of education for leaders. Sanjay shares his vision as the CEO, President, and Dean of the Asia School of Business, a unique institution that combines rigorous academic learning with real-world experiential learning in Asia. He explains how he aims to creat...