female inner power podcast

leadership inspiration for women

From compliant to powerful: How we can show up authentically and unapologetically while uplifting each other [S2 E10]

by Noomi Natan | 12 Sep, 2023

As Kareem Gayle-Fagan says, she came from ‘humble beginnings’ to become a Human Resources Executive for luxury retailers, developing a passion for cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging, where all are empowered to thrive.

Now working at Dior, Kareem has over 15 years of experience working with iconic brands on culture evolution, performance management, learning and development, and driving inclusion and talent management strategies.

A proud mother, Kareem is also a dedicated Board Advisor to Gyrl Wonder, where she empowers young women of colour through mentorship and guidance. Gyrl Wonder aims to empower the next generation of female leaders to be aggressive and steadfast in the pursuit of their dreams.

In this episode she shares:

Her personal story of how she went from being a quiet, compliant employee, with her head down, not speaking up or showing up, to finding her confidence and integrity and stepping into her unapologetically authentic power.
Reframing how we see ourselves in relation to work/home life – and how to answer the question ‘what do you do?’
How useful ‘Cultural fit’ is, and what organisations really need to be looking for when hiring, and the importance of community at work, mentorship, and people having your back.
The importance of leaving the door open for those coming up behind you, doing good for its own sake and helping others with no strings attached.

And she tells the joyful story of her upbringing in Jamaica, with a matriarchal grandmother who believed in the importance of education, and parents who encouraged her to forge her own path in the world.