Founder of Maritime SheEO and Director at Sitara Shipping Ltd

Our newly released book The First and Only celebrates bold trailblazers across industries—those who’ve chosen the harder path of leading without precedent. Sanjam Sahi Gupta is one of them.

In this powerful episode, Sanjam opens up about what it means to lead in one of the world’s most traditionally male domains: maritime. As a changemaker and policy advocate, she’s redefining what leadership looks like—not just for women, but for the global industry as a whole.

We talk about breaking through old hierarchies, resisting the pressure to conform, and disrupting exclusionary systems without apology. Sanjam shares what kept her going when no one else had done it before, what invisible barriers still need dismantling, and what legacy she hopes to leave behind.

This is an episode for anyone who’s ever felt like the only one in the room—and decided to stay anyway.

In this episode, we speak with Mali Holde Skogen, a leading voice on digitalization and sustainability in Norway, to explore the current state of gender diversity in the Nordic IT sector.

We delve into the progress and persistent challenges in achieving gender balance, comparing Norway’s efforts to other Nordic countries, and examining what’s working—and what’s not. Mali highlights key success stories and innovative approaches that are reshaping the tech landscape.

We also turn our focus to India, where many IT companies are setting ambitious gender targets. What can the Nordics learn from India's strategies? Mali offers a nuanced perspective on cross-cultural insights, mentorship programs, and the importance of policy and business alignment.

Topics covered include:

• The state of gender diversity in Nordic IT
• Leadership development for women in tech
• Lessons from India’s gender balance initiatives
• The role of mentorship and networking
• Cultural and policy differences impacting gender equity
• Potential for Nordic-Indian collaboration in tech

Tune in for a candid and thoughtful conversation on how inclusive leadership can drive both innovation and equity in the global tech sector.

From New York to rural India, Ajaita Shah’s journey is anything but typical. In this episode, we dive into the founding of Frontier Markets and her bold goal: to empower 100 million women through She-Leads Bharat by 2030.

We ask:
– What sparked her commitment to rural women’s leadership?
– How did she challenge social norms and win trust in male-dominated systems?
– What setbacks taught her the most about resilience and scaling impact?
– How are rural women quietly driving climate action and digital finance?
– And what must change in funding and policy to truly unlock women’s economic power?

Ajaita doesn’t just talk systems change—she lives it. Tune in for a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.