Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast

E.115 Knowing how to read the room with Keika Lee (Live from Stockholm)

This is our first episode recorded live in Sweden, here at Fotografiska Stockholm. And I couldn’t imagine a better guest to open this chapter.In this episode, I get to interview the brilliant Keika Lee, Director of Global Public Affairs at IKEA.Keika grew up in Sweden with Korean heritage, in a family where discipline and hard work were part of everyday life. She was on her way to becoming a classical pianist, with auditions at Juilliard and the Conservatoire in Paris, and then she made a decision that surprised many: she walked away.What followed wasn’t a straight career path, but years of trial and error. Keika tried many different roles: from bartending and working airport security to studying political science, building a fashion brand with her sister and working in consultancy. From the outside, It might look scattered, but it became one of her biggest strengths: learning how people behave and how to read the room.This episode might make you pause and ask yourself whether what you’re building is actually aligned with who you are, and remind you that nothing you try is ever wasted.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

E.114 How change happens when women are given power with Preeti Malkani (Live)

I’m really happy to welcome Preeti Malkani, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Co-founder of Women for Women International Germany. With Indian and German roots, and a career that spans global advertising, entrepreneurship and humanitarian leadership, Preeti has dedicated her work to empowering women in conflict zones and rethinking how we talk about power and inclusion.In this conversation, we speak about the moments that shaped her path, the stories she’s witnessed in places like Rwanda, Iraq and Bosnia. And we’ll also talk about what each of us can do, beyond donations, to support women across the globe.If you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

E.113 Facing the future of beauty tech with Wanfen Xia (Live)

It’s about time we really talk about beauty tech, what it already looks like in parts of Asia, and what it could become in our homes in the next few years, in ways we probably can’t even imagine yet.That’s exactly what I explore in this episode with Wanfen Xia, CMO and Managing Director at Ulike Europe.Wanfen brings a clear and grounded perspective on where the beauty-tech sector is heading. We talk about how advanced Asian markets already are, what Europe can learn from them, and how new self-care routines might soon become a natural part of everyday life at home.What I especially appreciated in this conversation is Wanfen’s gentle, thoughtful approach, shaped by literature, aesthetics, and a deep understanding to what beauty can mean beyond performance or perfection. It’s a reminder that some things are meant to be felt intuitively.If you enjoy this conversation, don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

E.112 Crafting a beauty brand built on self-expression and belonging with Linda Hallberg (Live)

This episode is brought to you in partnership with flaconi, Germany’s leading online destination for beauty and fragrance. But flaconi is more than a retailer, it’s a platform that celebrates individuality and empowerment. Values that deeply align with today’s guest and everything she stands for.Linda Hallberg is a name many in the beauty world already know. A visionary makeup artist, founder of LH cosmetics and one of Sweden’s most creative forces. From pioneering multi-use products to building a radically inclusive beauty brand, she’s been shaping the conversation long before it was mainstream.But behind the iconic looks and bold colors is a story of resilience. In this episode, Linda opens up about growing up queer in a small town, the early days of makeup school while living in a caravan and the journey of building her own brand, LH cosmetics.This conversation is a reminder that it’s okay to take up space  and that sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is return to artistry and play.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

E.111 Curating what millions hear and feel with Conny Zhang (Live)

Today’s guest is Conny Zhang. She is a curious mind, a culture lover and the Head of Music at Spotify DACH. Her journey took her from writing newspaper columns as a teenager to shaping what millions of people listen to every day.Conny grew up with a deep love for stories. Reading constantly, playing music and always finishing her homework before letting herself unwind. That mix of discipline and imagination has stayed with her, whether she was studying in Shanghai and San Diego, interning at Universal Music, or building her career at Google and now Spotify.In this conversation, Conny opens up about launching her first scholarship, finding confidence through coaching and how she’s still learning to rest in a world that rarely slows down.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★