Atalanta Diaries

Conversations With Breakthrough Women

Embark with me on inspiring journeys as I delve into insightful conversations with Trailblazing Women from around the world.

Listen to their stories of resilience as they overcame biases, advocated for themselves, and secured their rightful place at the table.

Atalanta Diaries takes its name from the legendary Greek figure Atalanta, who challenged gender norms and showcased unparalleled courage and capability. Her story serves as a symbol of female empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity.

Through Atalanta Diaries, I invite you to meet modern-day ‘Atalantas’, discover their unique journeys and find inspiration to carve your own path and secure your place at the table.

Listen in order of release or tailor your podcast experience based on the themes below.

Dr Jennifer Shepard on Navigating the World with ADHD and a Whole Lot of Heart

EP 112: Dr Jennifer Shepard on Navigating the World with ADHD and a Whole Lot of Heart

Dr. Jennifer Shepard is a globally recognized HR strategist and organizational psychologist with over two decades of experience across the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe. With a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, she spent over eight years at Saudi Aramco, leading enterprise-wide performance and talent initiatives and advising senior leadership on aligning people strategy with business goals.

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From Princeton Scholar to Queen Mother: Dr. Barbara Wallace on Walking Her Path with Purpose, Community, and Spiritual Grace

EP 111: From Princeton Scholar to Queen Mother: Dr. Barbara Wallace on Walking Her Path with Purpose, Community, and Spiritual Grace

Dr. Barbara Wallace is a Princeton graduate and licensed clinical psychologist who made history as the first African American woman to earn tenure at Teachers College, Columbia University—later rising to Full Professor of Health Education. She is the Founding Director of the Research Group on Disparities in Health and has mentored over 145 diverse doctoral scholars while pioneering online education and dissertation bootcamps.

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Dead Woman Walking: Mountain Daughter Baljeet Kaur

EP 110: [Republish] Dead Woman Walking: Mountain Daughter Baljeet Kaur

Baljeet Kaur, an accomplished mountaineer from Solan, Himachal Pradesh, has etched her name in history with remarkable achievements. As the first Indian woman to conquer Mount Pumori Peak (7161m) and Mount Dhaulagiri Peak (8167m) in Nepal, Baljeet set a precedent. In 2022, she accomplished an unprecedented feat by becoming the first Indian to summit seven peaks above 8000m, achieving five of them within a remarkable 30 days.

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In Pursuit of Gender Equality: Srishti Bakshi's Epic 3800 km Journey - Inspiring the Award-Winning Film, WOMB

EP 109: [ Republis] In Pursuit of Gender Equality: Srishti Bakshi’s Epic 3800 km Journey – Inspiring the Award-Winning Film, WOMB

Srishti is a dynamic and accomplished impact leader with a track record of successfully designing and implementing projects that create systems change.
After spending more than a decade in the corporate world, Srishti’s passion for gender equity led her to embark on a remarkable journey. She walked 3,800 kilometers over 230 days from the very south to the north of India to put a spotlight on social norms that limit a girl’s potential in her country. Srishti put up a fight to bring systemic change for all women.

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From Bureaucracy to Bookshelves: Rachna Singh's Path Beyond the Revenue Service

EP 108: [Republish] From Bureaucracy to Bookshelves: Rachna Singh’s Path Beyond the Revenue Service

Rachna Singh former Principal Commissioner Income Tax is a multifaceted professional whose expertise spans across literature, finance, and writing. She authored notable books on economic matters, including ‘Penny Panache: Piecing the Economic Puzzle’ (2016), ‘Financial Felicity: Making Sense of Money Matters’ (2017), and ‘Myriad Musings’ (2016), a compilation of her published articles and travelogues. Her recent publication, ‘The Bitcoin Saga: A Mixed Montage,’ was released by Bloomsbury.

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Archana Chandra - The Purpose Driven Leader

EP 104: [Republish] Archana Chandra – The Purpose Driven Leader

Archana Chandra is Board Member & CEO of Jai Vakeel Foundation & Research Centre, one of the oldest & largest NGOs serving those impacted by intellectual disabilities. She is a Trustee of SRCC, which operates the largest super speciality paediatric hospital in the country in partnership with Narayana Hrudayalaya.

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Miss India and Beyond: Hasleen Kaur, Forging a Path in Film, Fashion, and Advertising

EP 102: Miss India and Beyond: Hasleen Kaur, Forging a Path in Film, Fashion, and Advertising

Hasleen Kaur is an actor, former Miss India 2011, and a successful entrepreneur with a career spanning fashion, film, and advertising. She has been featured on major platforms like Netflix and Sony, walked for India’s top designers, and appeared on the covers of Femina, GQ, and Harper’s Bazaar Bride. As a model, she has represented global brands such as L’Oréal, Perfectil, and Vaseline.

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Enma’s Musings – Taking Chances, Challenging the Status Quo & Pushing Comfort Zones

EP 101: Enma’s Musings – Taking Chances, Challenging the Status Quo & Pushing Comfort Zones

In this episode of Atalanta Diaries, Enma explores three interrelated themes—Taking Chances, Challenging the Status Quo, and Pushing Comfort Zones—each contributing to a larger success factor that has helped her Atalantas succeed. Through the stories of five remarkable Atalantas, she uncovers the courage it took for them to step into the unknown, embrace uncertainty, and forge new paths.

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Influenced by Mentors, Driven by a Deep Sense of Purpose: Dr. Amrita Bahl Inspiring a New Mindset in Education

EP 99: Influenced by Mentors, Driven by a Deep Sense of Purpose: Dr. Amrita Bahl Inspiring a New Mindset in Education

Amrita Bahl is the Chief Education Officer at the GD Goenka Group, where she leads innovation in pedagogy, curriculum development, and academic strategy. An alumna of Columbia University and a certified Climate Reality Leader trained by Vice President Al Gore, Amrita has spent over two decades driving transformative education and social reform.
In 2020, she joined the Education Research Center at the Druk Gyalpo’s Institute in Paro, Bhutan, where she contributed to developing the Bhutan Baccalaureate—a visionary education system inspired by His Majesty the King of Bhutan’s vision for a just and harmonious society.

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Finding Purpose, Building a Legacy: Denise Mannix’s Commitment to Gender Equity

EP 98: Finding Purpose, Building a Legacy: Denise Mannix’s Commitment to Gender Equity

Denise Mannix is a pioneering leader in DEI, renowned for her expertise in leadership, talent, and transformation, with a deep commitment to advancing gender equity and inclusion.
Her passionate interest in difference and gender equity has seen her find Equity in Leadership purposed to achieve executive and board equity for women and to be President of Lean In Network Energy a global, nonprofit dedicated to challenging, changing, and collaborating elevating women and advancing gender equity in the energy sector and beyond.

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