The Whole Truth: Leadership Stories with Sarah Perugia

Silja Eatock works across leadership, responsibility, and what it takes to create meaningful impact over time. With over 25 years of experience across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, she brings a grounded, human perspective shaped by environments where decisions matter and leadership is a very real, very lived experience. Her career has moved between the non-profit and corporate worlds. She c...

Amy Rowlinson is a purpose and fulfilment coach, speaker, author, and the host of the globally recognised Focus on WHY podcast. Driven by a belief that life should be lived with intention rather than on autopilot, Amy helps individuals and organisations create more meaningful, sustainable ways of living and working. Since launching her podcast in 2020, she has inspired listeners in over 150 countr...

Arvashni Seeripat is the President of Averitas Pharma, an award-winning author, and a passionate advocate for kindness in leadership. Known for her thoughtful perspective and powerful storytelling, Arvashni challenges the traditional belief that toughness is the only path to success in the corporate world. In this episode, we explore a powerful question: Is kindness a weakness in the boardroom, or...

Victoria Rennoldson is an award-winning Cultural Intelligence and communication coach, author of Become a Global Leader , and host of the Culture Cuppa podcast. In her work with global leaders, she helps teams understand the hidden cultural dynamics that shape how we communicate, collaborate, and build trust across borders. In this episode, Victoria joins Sarah to explore the idea of the “cultural...

Shakila Dabare is a senior finance professional based in Dubai who is carving out her place in the world of finance as a young woman with remarkable clarity and confidence. As a Senior Associate at Deliveroo with over eight years of experience in strategic growth and portfolio oversight, Shakila has built a reputation for managing high-stakes responsibilities in fast-paced, often male-dominated en...

Serene Haddad is VP of Innovation & AI at Nestlé and a marketer at heart, with nearly 20 years of experience building brands across Europe and the Middle East. Having lived in nine countries, she brings a truly global perspective and thrives in complexity, transformation, and change. She works at the intersection of data, human insight, strategy, and storytelling to turn ideas into meaningful...

Kasia is the Global Communications Director at Reckitt, and a leader who knows what it means to step boldly into new seasons of your career. After 14 years at Unilever, she embraced a new challenge, showing us what it looks like to stop waiting to be ready and just start doing. In this episode, Kasia shares her honest reflections on the invisible glass ceilings we often build for ourselves: the do...

Cassie Hugill is the CEO of the Martingale Foundation, an organisation dedicated to breaking down barriers to postgraduate study for talented students, no matter their background. With a career she describes as “squiggly,” Cassie’s journey has taken her from a small country town in Australia to a senior leadership role at UCL, and now to leading a foundation making a real difference in the UK rese...

Roota Mittal is a self-made millionaire, bestselling author, startup investor, and award-winning thought leader who elevates women’s financial autonomy worldwide. As founder of a thriving coaching business and author of ‘Wealthy Moves’, Roota is on a mission to help women own their stories, unlock financial freedom, and step into their power. Roota is a true inspiration for women everywhere seekin...

In this episode, I’m joined by Sharry Cramond, an accomplished leader with a remarkable career working with global brands like Kraft and Tesco, where she drove significant business transformations. Sharry is currently the Marketing Director for M&S Food Group and leads the Sparks Loyalty programme across the business. In addition to her corporate success, Sharry is also a published author and...

Reena Cholera didn’t set out to break barriers, but that’s exactly what she’s done. Over two decades in the pharmaceutical industry, she’s carved out a reputation not just as a sharp strategic thinker, but as the kind of leader who lifts everyone around her. In this episode, Reena opens up about the real story behind the titles – the challenges, the mindset shifts, and the moments that define...

Corina Goetz knows what it means to live between worlds. Born in East Germany and shaped by the fall of the Berlin Wall, her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and fearless transformation. Today, she’s an intercultural strategist and trusted advisor to global leaders navigating the complexities of doing business across the West and the Middle East. From boardrooms in London to business deals...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Anya Topiwala, an award-winning medical researcher, psychiatrist, and lecturer. Anya graduated from Oxford University before going on to complete her DPhil in Psychiatry, and she’s since made an extraordinary impact in the field by exploring the links between alcohol and dementia. Recognised with major research grants from the Wellcome Trust, Anya is a champion f...

What does it take to drive meaningful transformation in business, culture, and leadership? Randy McFarlane, Global Partnerships Lead at Thought Machine, a leading force in banking tech, joins us to share his journey through 25+ years in FinTech. But this conversation goes deeper than deals and strategy. As co-lead of Thought Machine’s Inclusion Council, Randy opens up about the personal experience...

What does it take to lead thousands through change while staying true to who you are? Emma Carter is an inspiring senior HR leader who embodies authenticity and whole-person leadership. Currently Head of HR for the North Europe Cluster at Bayer, Emma leads a multicultural team across 13 countries, guiding over 4,000 employees through transformation and growth. With a career spanning top roles in b...

In this episode, I’m joined by an extremely passionate leader - Dr Sade Mokuolu, Regional Business Development Manager for Life Sciences at Watson Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions. Sade has a wealth of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and chemical engineering, holding numerous senior business and technical roles throughout her career. She has also published her work in peer-reviewed jou...

In today’s episode of The Whole Truth: Leadership Stories with Sarah Perugia, I’m joined by the accomplished leader and powerful advocate of women in tech, Andrea Bright. Andrea is a C-suite/senior exec and has worked all over the world in board-level leadership roles leading hugely impressive business transformations. She's a passionate supporter of women in the industry, helping them along the w...

In this episode, I’m joined by Emma Mitchell, Talent Director at EY, who has spent over 25 years working in HR, recruitment, DEI, and organisational change across international financial and professional services. Emma is not only a values-driven leader with a wealth of experience, but she’s also a champion of disability and neuro-inclusion, using both her personal and professional experiences to...

In this episode, I’m joined by Siri Soosalu, an accomplished Creative Director with over 20 years of international experience across contemporary and premium brands, retail and supply. Siri is responsible for the creative direction and product strategy at HUGO Red and Blue premium womenswear lines at HUGO BOSS. Siri is also a dedicated advocate and sponsor for Women’s empowerment at HUGO BOSS, act...

Welcome to the first-ever episode of The Whole Truth: Leadership Stories with Sarah Perugia! This episode is with the wonderful Jo Kerr, Head of Purpose at Brandpie, who has over 25 years of experience helping businesses become more purpose-driven. Having built experience laterally in business strategy, insights, brand, culture, and communications, she now applies this combined experience to helpi...

Welcome to this special episode of The Whole Truth: Leadership Stories with Sarah Perugia. In this episode, Sarah reflects on some of the biggest learnings from the female leaders featured in this first series. From science and technology to fashion and global branding, these leaders share a wealth of experience, each bringing unique perspectives and powerful insights. Sarah touches on the themes...

Welcome to The Whole Truth: Leadership Stories with Sarah Perugia! Each week, this podcast delves into unscripted, candid conversations with female leaders who share their stories, learnings, and wisdom to empower and inspire others on their leadership journeys. The women featured in this first series are driving change within their organisations and beyond. These are Women on a Mission. They open...