Empowering Female Leaders to Step Up. With Emma Woods

Leadership Insights

In the School for CEOs Leadership Insights podcast, we access the workable wisdom of prominent executives, thought leaders and business experts, whose knowledge can help you to become a more effective leader, and improve your company culture.
In this episode we’re joined by Emma Woods. Emma had a successful marketing career for over two decades, working for Unilever and then moving into private equity-backed businesses before becoming CEO at everyone's favourite noodle restaurant, wagamama, which she successfully led through Covid.
Emma now works on Boards to help them grow and is currently supporting four businesses. She is Chair of Ancient + Brave and Tortilla Mexican Grill plc. She is also a Non-Executive Director at Great Portland Estates and at the amazing ABBA Voyage. As a mother of four kids, she understands the challenges of juggling family demands and also developing a career.
In this illuminating discussion with School for CEOs' Dave Wright, Emma shares her thoughts on:

• Becoming a role model for women, and seeking role models for various stages of life
• How women can overcome Impostor Feeling and boost self-confidence
• The importance of male allyship
• Being versatile and cross-functional in your career
• Why mentoring and coaching has been crucial to her success
• What leaders can learn from colleagues of a different lived experience
• Resilience and building an 'inner scaffold' in mid-life

Mentioned in this episode:
YoungMinds - Mental Health charity for children and young people
1:1 Coaching with School for CEOs
Amy Cuddy - Your body language may shape who you are
Sheryl Sandberg
Ancient + Brave
Tortilla Mexican Grill
Great Portland Estates
ABBA Voyage