She Leads Because She Can
We believe that there is a need to provide support for female school leaders, who want to thrive and grow within international school settings.
In this series of fortnightly podcasts, we share our own lived experiences and the hard-hitting realities which have shaped us as successful leaders within the sector.
Each podcast forms a topical conversation which is experienced-based; sharing truths, sound council and suggested solutions.
We aim to be a source of courage, confidence and practical solutions to keep others ' leading because they can'.
Episodes
31 episodes
#Bridging Cultures and Systems with Kay Yang
In this episode, we hear from Kay Yang, a Chinese national whose journey from the north to the south of China, and ultimately into school leadership in Shanghai, has shaped a deeply reflective and culturally-informed approach to leading ...
#28 Finding Resilience, Adaptability and Self-Belief with Paula Ralph
Episode OverviewIn this episode, we hear from endurance sportswoman Paula Ralph, who completed a remarkable solo, unsupported cycle ride of 12,290 km from Cape Town, South Africa to Nordkapp, Norway — crossing 17 countries...
#27 Leading with Care, Compassion and Community with Fiona Cottam
In this episode, we sit down with Fiona Cottam, Principal of Hartland's International School in Dubai. Recorded before the situation in the Middle East unfolded, Fiona shares how strong, values-driven leadership enables a community to fa...
#26 Leading as an Introvert with Nicola Nelson
In this episode, we sit down with Nicola Nelson, Head of Primary at Garden International School, Kuala Lumpur, for an honest and inspiring conversation about what it means to lead authentically.Nicola opens up about identifying as...
#25 Being 10% Braver and Knowing Your Worth with Vivienne Porritt
Guest: Vivienne Porritt OBECo-founder & President, WomenEd About the GuestVivienne Porritt OBE is a global pioneer in women's empowerment and a leading advocate for equity in the work...
#24 Creating a Shared Understanding Across Generations with Dr Reham El Shamy
This episode features Dr Reham El Shamy, Head of the Senior School at Beech Hall School Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Reham shares her personal journey as a female leader, drawing on the influence of her mother and a lifelong commi...
#23 Building Strong Teaching Partnerships in Early Years with Liz Smith and Hajra Abbasi
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Liz Smith and Hajra Abbasi, an exceptional teacher and teaching assistant partnership from The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Working together in a Reception Class, they share the secret...
#22 Collaborative Recruitment Practices - with Jessica Delgado, Maki Nishihara and Julie Villers
Collaborative Recruitment PracticesThis episode features a remarkable conversation with Jessica Delgado, Maki Nishihara, and Julie Villers, who transformed a competitive senior leadership interview process into a coll...
#21 Building a Coaching Culture in International Schools with Kai Vacher
Episode SummaryThe way we communicate shapes everything—our relationships, our culture, and our collective growth. In this episode, we explore these ideas with Kai Vacher, Principal of the British Schools of Muscat and Salalah.
#20 Flexible Working in International Schools
Flexible Working in International Schools In this episode, we explore what flexible working really means for staff in international schools. We unpack the concept of flexible and contracted work, looking closely at how job-sha...
#19 Leadership, Balance and Community in International Education with Julia Knight
Guest: Julia KnightInternational School Leader & School Improvement Partner, BahrainThe Journey to International EducationJulia Knight shares her transition into the international school sector, r...
#18 Language Leadership in International Education with Juliëtte van Eerdewijk
Guest: Juliëtte van Eerdewijk - Educational Consultant and School LeaderOverviewIn this episode, we sit down with Juliëtte to explore how language development can transform international school leadership and ...
#17 Role models and why they count: reflections sparked by Pat Clark's conversation
Episode SummaryIn this episode, we unpack our conversation with Pat Clark, exploring four key leadership insights that challenged our thinking:"It takes a very strong leader to give the power away" We discuss how sch...
#16 Inspirational leaders never age: with Pat Clark
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Pat, a distinguished educator whose remarkable six-decade career spans classroom teaching, school leadership, and international leadership training. Her energy and passion for the profession remain as...
#15 Transforming displacement into personal growth and global awareness with Sasha Kondratenko
Guest ProfileName: Oleksandra (Sasha) Kondratenko Current Role: Student of International Relations University: University of Rotterdam Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Background: Uk...
#14 Servant Leadership: a deeper dive into what this means in a school context
In this episode, we explore the concept of servant leadership and its application in educational settings, particularly for headteachers.Key Discussion Points:What is Servant Leadership?The hosts share their per...
#13 Servant Leadership with Sahreen Siddiqui
Guest: Sahreen SiddiquiPosition: Educator, Headteacher, Executive Leader and Consultant Location: London, UKKey Themes Discussed:Service-Centred LeadershipSahreen e...
#12 The Art of Graceful Leadership Transition with Nicola Holloway and Lisa Thorpe
The Art of Graceful Leadership TransitionEpisode Description:In this compelling guest episode, we witness leadership transition at its finest as Nicola Holloway and Lisa Thorpe share their story of the Primary ...
#11 A Summary of Season 1's Top Tips
This special wrap-up episode of the "She Leads Because She Can" podcast brings together the most valuable insights and advice from all 10 episodes of Season 1, creating a comprehensive guide for professional and personal growth.Ke...
#10 Co-leadership: you don't need to do it alone
This episode of "She Leads Because She Can" delves into the transformative power of co-leadership, exploring how two leaders can unite to create outcomes that exceed what either could achieve individually.Key ThemesThe F...
#9 Male allyship in action
In this episode of She Leads Because She Can, we explore practical ways that male colleagues can actively contribute to creating more inclusive and equitable workplace environments for women, particularly in educational settings.
#8 When it's time to move on: navigating transitions with grace
In this week's episode of She Leads Because She Can, join us for an intimate conversation about one the most challenging yet inevitable aspects of educational leadership: knowing when and how to leave. In this candid episode, we explor...
#7 Authentic Leadership: Staying True to Yourself as a School Leader
In this week's episode of She Leads Because She Can, we dive deep into the cornerstone of effective educational leadership: authentic self-awareness. Join us as we explore why understanding and embracing your true self is not just bene...