Navigating a return to the workforce after a career break can be a daunting task. Whether due to family responsibilities, relocation, or a shift in personal priorities, many of us find it challenging to reenter our chosen fields after stepping away.

In this episode on Embracing Career Returners and Redefining Workforce Inclusion we’re joined by Esther Celosse. Esther is the founder of Return2Career, a company with the objective of supporting organizations to tap into the highly experienced and under-utilized professional talent pool of returners, while increasing gender equality and employer brand value through custom designed Returner programs

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In this inspiring episode, we welcome Robin, the co-founder of Girl Power Uganda, an organization dedicated to empowering women through education and tackling menstrual poverty.

In Uganda, where systemic challenges often limit opportunities for women and girls, two sisters turned their passion for change into a mission. Robin and Amanda, athletes and advocates, founded Girl Power Uganda to address the declining school attendance among girls and empower communities through education and opportunity.

Robin shares her journey as a passionate advocate for women’s rights, growing up in Uganda, and her dedication to creating lasting change in her community.

From fundraising initiatives to collaborations with local organizations, Robin provides a glimpse into the challenges and achievements of her work. She also emphasizes the critical role that education, sports, and community support play in breaking cultural taboos and addressing the global issue of menstrual poverty.

Donate to Girl Power Uganda HERE

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In this impactful episode, we dive into the critical issue of sexual and gender-based violence, featuring special guests Maria Grazia Surace and Stéphanie Makoumbou from LA VOIX DES SURVIVANT(E)S, an advocacy association supporting survivors of violence. Founded by survivor Ana Pinto, the organization is committed to assisting victims and amplifying their voices in society and within the legislative process in Luxembourg. Maria and Stéphanie, both lawyers, share their personal motivations for joining the association and discuss their efforts to strengthen support systems for survivors.

Together, they outline LA VOIX DES SURVIVANT(E)S' mission and the pressing need for reform in Luxembourg’s legal framework to better protect victims. Their conversation provides a deep look at how societal attitudes and legal systems must evolve to address both overt and subtle forms of violence effectively.

Topics Covered:

• Founding and Mission of LA VOIX DES SURVIVANT(E)S: Established in 2022, the association is dedicated to supporting survivors of gender-based violence and advocating for better legislation. Their primary goals are to help victims regain independence and ensure their voices are heard in policy discussions.
• Addressing Legislative Gaps:Maria and Stéphanie highlight the association's advocacy work, focusing on the need to criminalize psychological violence, coercive control, harassment, femicide, and economic violence. They stress that Luxembourg's current laws inadequately address non-physical forms of abuse, which are equally damaging.
• Proposed Reforms for Victim Support: The association's proposed legislation includes establishing an official victim status, which would improve access to housing, psychological support, and other essential services. Plans for a national support center are also discussed, which would centralize aid and improve data collection on violence.
• Support for Children: The association aims to protect child co-victims of violence, advocating for stronger legal safeguards and access to support services tailored to the needs of young survivors.
• Educational Initiatives and Training: To shift societal perspectives, the organization focuses on educating police, judges, and social workers on handling cases of violence compassionately and effectively. Their work in schools helps inform young people about the impact of violence and the importance of empathy and prevention.
• Cultural Shifts and Specialized Courts: The conversation emphasizes the need for a cultural change in perceptions of both victims and perpetrators. The association calls for specialized courts to ensure that cases of gender-based violence receive the appropriate sensitivity and understanding in the justice system.

Maria and Stéphanie close by reflecting on the vital importance of societal support and collective action in combating violence and supporting survivors.

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Today’s guest on KnowThyBrand Podcast is the CEO of HSBC, Emanuele Vignoli. HSBC and KnowThyBrand have worked together on several projects, and in this episode, Emanuele talks about HSBC's active role in gender finance and discusses the upcoming event organized by HSBC and KnowThyBrand: The Gender Inclusion Challenge: When Myths and Perceptions Meet Facts and Data. This event will bring together representatives from different companies to challenge preconceptions around gender equality and promote actionable solutions in the workplace.

Emanuele has over 25 years of experience in the banking sector, spending nearly 20 years at HSBC in various global and regional roles. He currently serves as the CEO of HSBC Luxembourg and is a member of the Luxembourg Gender Finance Task Force. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Emanuele has driven HSBC’s efforts to promote gender equality and is actively involved in initiatives aimed at removing barriers for women in the financial industry.

Register for The Gender Inclusion Challenge event here

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What is gendered innovations? Gendered innovations refer to the creative and transformative processes that integrate sex and gender analysis into research and design. Rather than treating gender as an afterthought or a mere demographic concern, gendered innovations actively incorporate it as a critical variable that can influence the direction and outcomes of research.

In this episode of KnowThyBrand Podcast, prof. Londa Schiebinger, from Stanford University, explains how accounting for sex and gender differences can lead to more accurate results, safer products, and more inclusive innovations

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In the dynamic world of startups, securing venture capital is often a critical step towards scaling a business. However, for female founders, this journey can be fraught with additional challenges due to biases and stereotypes.

Our guests in this episode are Tülin Tokatli and Hale Yildiz from Pitch Me First and they discussed the challenges faced by female founders in the venture capital industry. They highlighted the low percentage of funding received by female-led startups and the biases and cultural barriers they encounter during the fundraising process. They also explained the importance of increasing diversity in VC teams and suggested measures such as prioritizing female-led teams and promoting visibility for female founders.

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Have you ever felt held back from pursuing your dreams or potential due to beliefs about your own abilities? You're not alone.

In today’s episode, psychologist Carolina Nikaedo explains how we form self-limiting beliefs from a young age and shares strategies to overcome them. She also dives deep into neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to form new connections. Through a focused effort to bring beliefs to consciousness, to take space and engage rational thinking, and to intentionally replace negative thoughts, we can "rewire" our brains.

It's not easy to overcome deeply ingrained beliefs, but it is possible with neuroplasticity. With awareness, intention and practice strengthening new neural pathways over time, neuroplasticity allows us to reshape our self-image and overcome what once felt like fixed limitations. Because our abilities are not predetermined - there is always room for growth.


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Ageism, the discrimination or prejudice against individuals based on their age, remains a pervasive issue in today's workplaces. Recent studies reveal that nearly 65% of workers have experienced age-based discrimination at some point in their careers.

In today’s episode Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, a thought leader in gender and generational balance and a CEO of 20-first, discusses the four phases of women’s careers and the overlaps between gender and age. Avivah also highlights the need for companies to leverage the talent and potential of older workers in the 21st century because embracing age diversity isn't just about compliance or meeting quotas; it's about unlocking the full potential of every employee and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.

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