How do you lead authentically and succeed in a rapidly changing, male-dominated sector without losing sight of your wellbeing or identity? Host Jo Cowlin is joined by Chief Data Officer Kinnari Ladha for a refreshingly honest, encouraging conversation about leadership, diversity, and the evolving world of data.

They discuss the value of curiosity, letting go of perfectionism, how to navigate setbacks as fuel for growth, and the importance of making yourself visible as a female leader in tech. You’ll also hear practical advice for ambitious women and insights into how AI is reshaping the future of work.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Intro: Kinnari’s journey to Chief Data Officer

04:23 Career paths are often unstructured

06:53 Transitioning to senior leadership is challenging

11:13 Leadership and parenting requires reflection, and avoiding comparison

17:51 Building confidence in public speaking

21:34 Life can't always be planned; sometimes you have to take risks

25:32 Take action now; don't overthink or wait for confidence.

28:15 Overcoming "good girl" conditioning and making bold decisions

32:28 Getting a leadership coach helped Kinnari address feedback

36:08 Effective feedback requires receiving and responding well

41:08 AI is reshaping roles, leadership is evolving, and data work is crucial.

Jo Cowlin keeps it real.

Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.

Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northerner

She is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.

She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.

Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/

About Kinnari Ladhi:

Kinnari Ladhi has spent over 20 years building a career in data and analytics and is currently Chief Data Officer at Travelodge. She is a senior executive leader who operates at board level, but her journey hasn’t been linear or without self-doubt - something she speaks openly about.

Kinnari has been recognised with multiple industry awards, including being named one of the most influential leaders in the...