Leading to Change: L2C Inclusive Leader’s Voices Podcast Series

5. Inclusion – the golden thread across Health and Care Systems with Gladys Lopez

In this powerful episode of Inclusive Leader’s Voices, host Christiana Ekpete sits down with Gladys López, Elsevier’s Race & Ethnicity ERG Global Chairperson and founder of EMPOWER, to explore why inclusion is not a “nice‑to‑have”, but a fundamental pillar of safe, equitable and compassionate care.

Drawing on over 15 years of experience across health, care, education and international systems, Gladys offers a rich, human‑centred perspective on what it truly means to treat inclusion as the golden thread woven through every decision, pathway and interaction in health and social care. From her vivid Guatemalan analogy of handcrafted huipiles to real-world examples within overstretched healthcare systems, she illuminates how inclusion strengthens trust, safety and dignity — especially for those most unheard.

Listeners will leave with a deeper understanding of how inclusive leadership builds bridges, restores trust and helps create care systems that truly serve everyone. As Gladys beautifully puts it:

“Inclusive leadership means building bridges to create trust.”

Whether you are a leader, practitioner, student or someone passionate about equity in health and care, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight into what meaningful inclusion looks like in action.

Read the full transcript here.

 

4. Leading Differently for Change with Vivian Okezie-Tirado

n this powerful episode of Inclusive Leaders’ Voices, host Christiana Ekpete is joined by award‑winning social work leader, social justice advocate and author Vivian Okezie‑Tirado for a thought‑provoking conversation on what it truly means to lead differently.

Drawing on over a decade of experience amplifying marginalised voices and challenging systemic inequities, Vivian explores how leadership must move beyond titles and performance—and instead be rooted in humanity, compassion, courage, and accountability. Together, Christiana and Vivian unpack why traditional leadership models have been shaped by unequal systems of power, how privilege and exclusion still influence who reaches senior positions, and what leaders can practically do to shift these dynamics.

 

This episode is a call to action: a reminder that inclusive leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing things differently. It asks leaders at every level to step out of isolation, listen deeply, confront uncomfortable truths, and create conditions where everyone can belong, contribute and thrive.

Whether you’re an experienced leader, an aspiring one, or simply passionate about equity and social change, this conversation offers insight, challenge and inspiration in equal measure.

Download the transcript here. 

 

 

3. The Philosophy of Ubuntu with Dr Ndiweteko Jennifer Nghishitende

In this episode of Inclusive Leader’s Voices, we explore the profound wisdom and contemporary relevance of Ubuntu — the African philosophy that reminds us “I am because we are.” Host Christiana Ekpete is joined by Dr Ndiweteko Jennifer (Jen) Nghishitende, Equality and Human Rights Education Project Manager at NHS Lothian, for a rich, heartfelt conversation on what it truly means to lead through connection, humanity, and shared purpose.

Drawing on lived experience, African cultural traditions, and practical leadership insight, Jen demystifies Ubuntu and shows how its core principles — community, interdependence, compassion, reciprocity, and dignity — can transform the way teams collaborate and thrive. Together, they explore how Ubuntu challenges hierarchical and individualistic leadership models, strengthens psychological safety and belonging, and supports the wellbeing of diverse colleagues, including those across different identities and protected characteristics.

From the power of names and the importance of dignity, to the role of solidarity in creating inclusive cultures, this episode invites leaders to consider how everyday actions can nurture trust, authenticity, and collective strength. Whether you lead a small team or influence large systems, Jen offers practical reflections on how Ubuntu can be lived — even within structures not designed for it.

At its heart, this episode is a reminder that leadership is relational, not positional, and that thriving workplaces are built together, not alone.

 

Download the transcript here. 

 

2. Home away from Home with Lola Dabiri

In this powerful episode of Inclusive Leader’s Voices, we explore what it truly means to find “home away from home”—and how inclusive leadership can help create belonging for culturally diverse and marginalised communities.

Host Christiana Ekpete is joined by transformational leader Lola Dabiri, whose remarkable career spans Africa, Europe and North America. Lola shares her deeply personal journey of arriving in the UK, navigating unfamiliar spaces, and carving out a sense of comfort, identity and relevance. Through heartfelt storytelling, she reflects on the challenges of starting over, the people who extended support, and the importance of self‑understanding and purpose when building a life in a new environment.

Together, Christiana and Lola unpack themes of:
✨ belonging and identity in unfamiliar spaces
✨ what truly helps people feel valued
✨ the role of relevance, contribution and community
✨ how leaders can foster inclusion without asking people to assimilate
✨ the power of everyday presence, curiosity and courageous conversation

Lola also offers reflections for organisations looking to support staff from underrepresented backgrounds—and shares a beautiful poem, “Opportunity”, that has shaped her outlook on leadership, purpose and contribution.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that belonging isn’t something individuals must earn. It is shaped by compassionate leadership, inclusive cultures and the everyday actions that help people feel seen, heard and at home.

Tune in, reflect, and discover what it means to create spaces where everyone can truly belong.

 

Download the transcript here..

 

1. Moving Towards True Inclusion - with Virginia Toyi

In this powerful first episode of Inclusive Leader’s Voices, host Christiana Ekpete sits down with Virginia “Vee” Toyi—an EDI advocate, consultant, author, and long‑standing champion for equitable workplaces. Together, they explore what true inclusion looks like beneath the surface of policies, statements, and well‑intentioned words.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Vee offers an honest and deeply reflective conversation about navigating organisational systems as both an EDI professional and a Black woman—roles that often intersect in challenging and emotionally complex ways. She speaks candidly about performative inclusion, the silent behaviours that shape culture, the emotional toll of advocating for change, and the persistence required to keep going.

Key themes include:

• The tension between real vs. performative inclusion
• Why culture, behaviour and psychological safety matter more than statements
• How exclusion shows up in everyday interactions and organisational norms
• The impact of resistance and microaggressions on underrepresented colleagues
• The role of leaders, allies and accountability in creating meaningful change
• Personal strategies for resilience, healing, and staying committed to the work

Vee also shares heartfelt reflections on trauma, resilience, and the importance of finding allies in systems not built with everyone in mind. Her message for leaders is clear: creating inclusive workplaces requires curiosity, courage, transparency, and the willingness to sit with discomfort.

This episode invites leaders and changemakers at every level to pause, reflect, and ask the uncomfortable questions that drive genuine progress.

 

Download the transcript here.