This week, something different. I’ve invited two of my previous guests to join me. Each of them have significant corporate experience and strong opinions on women in leadership.

The first of these is Kelly Ann McKnight. Kelly Ann was my first guest, almost 50 podcasts ago.

Kelly Ann is a very experienced Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge. She’s worked across a broad range of clients delivering leadership programs. She’s also worked with and coached many women at all levels.

Joining Kelly Ann for this conversation is Ittela Ali. Ittela pursued a rewarding career of 20 years in Program Management, Revenue Operations, GTM Enablement and Change Management in the USA, UK and Canada. Now, she is the COO and co-founder of ReMendIt and also owns a training and consulting firm, Train 4 Development.

Coincidentally, the three of us are based in Canada.

I want to talk to them both about how women have been given opportunities - or not - in recent years. What’s holding women back? Is empowerment and equal opportunities really working for women or are we years away from equality in the workplace?

I’m sure this is going to be a lively discussion so let’s get started.

If you’ve been a regular listener to my Podcasts, I’m sure you’ll know that I’m on a quest to talk to inspiring woman leaders around the world.

Of course, that often means women with diverse backgrounds.

My special guest today certainly fits those criteria.

Jenell Paul has an engineering degree. She’s a proud woman of color – specifically she’s African-American. She claims the shortest period of retirement - only a few hours – before she was offered a position she couldn’t refuse.

During her career, as a woman and a woman who was an engineer, she was the subject of discrimination.

As a woman and an African-American she was the subject of discrimination.

Did that stop Jenell ? No way.

She’s now a powerful leadership coach and continues to inspire others and make a difference in this world.

I am so looking forward to talking to Jenell.

In producing this podcast, I always look for women leaders who have an inspiring leadership story to tell – and for us all to learn from.

As you might have gathered if you’re a regular listener, I’ve had the pleasure of talking to many who are Certified Masters of The Leadership Challenge. In fact, my first guest was fellow-Canadian and Certified Master, Kelly Ann McKnight.

Today I’m so pleased to be talking to another Certified Master, Brittney Majka.

Brittney is taking her expertise as a Certified Master to a whole new and exciting level. She has recently begun her doctoral research focused on two areas I’m passionate about. The first of these is of course leadership. And the second is parenting.

Of course, parents are leaders ! I’m excited to learn how she’s making the connection between The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership – and parenting. And this becomes her doctoral thesis.

Even if you’re not a parent – or a woman - I’m sure you’re going to enjoy this important conversation on parenting and leadership.