RAW with UMA: Unfiltered Conversations for Female Leaders

How do you thrive at work and not just survive? How do you build meaningful relationships while staying true to yourself? 

In this episode of Raw with Uma, my guest Shan Wen is an award-winning leader from Australia who initiated a mentorship program across Asia Pacific at VMware. At work, she noticed many women feeling deflated and overwhelmed, simply surviving rather than thriving. We discuss what it takes to move beyond surviva...

How do you build an authentic brand identity while staying professional? How can you be vulnerable while discussing important but uncomfortable topics?

In this episode of Raw with Uma, my guest, Nicole, is an HR leader and DEI advocate from the Philippines. Nicole faced a decade-long battle with depression and took nine years before she felt ready to open up and share her story. She realized that her vulnerability didn’t just help...

Many of us don't realize the invisible disabilities that hold our colleagues or friends back. We see them every day at work, in meetings, or grabbing coffee, but beneath the surface, some are fighting battles we can't even imagine.

My guest, Suvinder has been silently battling lupus for 25 years while climbing the corporate ladder. Her story of blood clots, brain surgery, and boardroom pressures will make you rethink what streng...

What would you tell your 20-year-old self? 

In episode 5, I chat with Kit for the first time about what we would tell our younger selves. From worrying about validation from others to self-confidence, Kit and I talk about the layers of self-perception, workplace dynamics, and the liberating power of authenticity. 

Later Reeta joins us to talk about evolving in confidence as a young, timid girl who did whatever her parents...

You’re in your 50’s, your health is failing, and you can’t sustain your career… How do you pivot?

In episode 3, I meet Mona for the first time to talk about navigating career transitions when you don’t know where to start and have no time to put yourself first.

Duncan Hewett, Former CEO of VMware in Asia Pacific, Author of “Accelerating Women,” and a trailblazer for diversity in leadership, later joins us to discuss his advice on w...

You’re in your 50’s, your health is failing, and you can’t sustain your career… How do you pivot? In episode 3, I meet Mona for the first time to talk about navigating career transitions when you don’t know where to start and have no time to put yourself first. Duncan Hewett, Former CEO of VMware in Asia Pacific, Author of “Accelerating Women,” and a trailblazer for diversity in leadership, later joins us to discuss his advice on...

Success isn't measured in hours, it's measured in impact... In episode 2, I meet Calissa for the first time, and we discuss the journey of self-discovery and work-life balance. Later, Charles joins to offer a male perspective on these challenges. Together, we tackle: ✅ Breaking free from the "busyness as a badge of honor" mentality ✅ The importance of play and self-investment in our lives ✅ Practical advice...

It all starts in the bedroom. For women, speaking up and asking for what we want or need at home is essential. Engaging in open, honest communication with your life partner is a vital practice to express your needs in the workplace. If we can master the art of asking for what we need at home, we can carry that strength and clarity into professional environments, where we often navigate spaces dominated by men. In the first ...