Raul Cuadrado is the Vice President of Customer Service at DHL Express Spain, with a 26-year career that spans operations, strategy, transformation, and international leadership. Trained as an engineer, Raul rose through the ranks with sharp analytical thinking and a deep drive to solve problems — until he realized that what made him successful was also limiting his impact.

In this episode, Raul reflects on his shift from fast answers to slow growth and what it really takes to support others. He shares the inner work of leadership: facing the “dark side” of our strengths, softening judgment, and embracing emotion in a world that often asks leaders to hide it. He talks about stepping out of the strategy room to build something lasting on the ground, why labels hurt more than they help, and how purpose — not power — has become his compass. With honesty and humility, Raul offers a powerful invitation: to lead as one whole person, not a polished projection.

Faranak Farahmand Pour is a global executive at Google and board member with a remarkable journey that spans law, sales, technology, and leadership across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. From a young immigrant navigating a new language to leading strategic initiatives at some of the world’s top companies, Faranak’s path has been shaped by resilience, curiosity, and a deep commitment to staying grounded.

In this episode, she opens up about her journey—from her early days at Philips, where she learned the power of getting out of her comfort zone, to bold moments in tough negotiations, and her ongoing drive to help others succeed. She talks about the balance between analytical rigor and playfulness, the female energy she brings into male-dominated rooms, and why genuine human connections matter more than titles.

With honesty and warmth, Faranak shares lessons on growth, self-reflection, and the power of knowing your limits—plus the advice she’d give her younger self and the next generation of leaders.

Sulaiman Ansari is a seasoned global business leader with nearly three decades of experience across six continents and brands like Unilever, PepsiCo, Gillette, and Lipton. Originally trained in comparative religion, he never planned a corporate path — instead, it unfolded through what he calls “a series of happy accidents.” Today, he brings deep experience, grounded wisdom, and a refreshingly human lens to leadership.

In this episode, Sulaiman reflects on what it means to lead when you don’t have it all figured out — and why flexibility, failure, and faith often matter more than control. He talks about learning to “follow the breadcrumbs,” how decision-making gets better with practice, and what it takes to build teams that think differently. This is a warm, reflective conversation about evolving through challenge, finding purpose at work, and letting life (sometimes) take the wheel.

Isabel Bustos is the CEO and Co-Founder of Atlas Marketing Studio, a women-owned marketing agency helping global brands successfully implement their local marketing campaigns. Before founding Atlas, Isabel built an international career, working across Spain, Germany, South Korea and the US.

In this episode, Isabel shares how starting her leadership career in South Korea at just 23, building an international career and operating at full speed taught her how far drive and determination can take you — and can take from you.

She shares openly about the emotional and physical toll of burnout, the process of unlearning hustle culture on her road to recovery, and how she’s redefining success as a young entrepreneur. She also discusses balancing feminine and masculine energy in leadership, learning to set boundaries, and her passion and purpose of founding and empowering women-owned businesses.

Bijan Khajehpour is a social entrepreneur, economist, Managing Partner at EUNEPA and WAIP, and Co-President of the International Dialogue Initiative (IDI). With over three decades of leadership experience, Bijan has built a career at the intersection of entrepreneurship, cross-cultural understanding, and socially responsible business.

From co-founding one of Iran's leading consulting firms to navigating unexpected turns as a political prisoner and migrant, Bijan’s journey reflects resilience, integrity, and the courage to adapt when life takes an unplanned path.

He reflects on navigating the complexities of building businesses in challenging environments, including his time as a trusted advisor to multinational companies in Iran, to co-founding leading businesses and the life-altering experience of political imprisonment. Bijan dives into the personal cost of leadership, how he rebuilt life as a migrant in Europe, and why integrity remains his guiding principle. He also explores partnership and business with his wife (the host Pari Namazie), the concept of energy balance—how leaders can sustain themselves while supporting others—and offers powerful advice for entrepreneurs facing uncertainty.

In this heartfelt episode of Leadership to Go, Pari Namazie sits down with John Bing, a beloved mentor, cultural bridge-builder, and poet whose life story spans decades of leadership. From his early days with the Peace Corps in Afghanistan to founding ITAP International, a company dedicated to fostering global collaboration, and his work developing tools like the Culture in the Workplace Questionnaire, John’s life has been a testament to the power of understanding across cultures.

Now in the twilight of his life, living with a terminal illness, John reflects on the lessons that truly matter: the importance of humility in leadership, the beauty of learning from others, and the value of finding joy and meaning in every moment. He shares moving stories of his work in Afghanistan, the challenges of building a business without formal training, and finding beauty and poetry in daily life.

Jochen Meissner is a passionate social entrepreneur, adventurer, and the founder of Uncharted Horizons, a unique tour company in Myanmar, as well as a project coordinator for SONNE International, an Austrian NGO focused on education and healthcare in vulnerable communities. Originally from Austria, Jochen’s adventurous spirit led him to explore Southeast Asia, where he found his new home in Myanmar.

In this episode, Jochen shares his journey from Austria to Myanmar and his search for purpose; from quitting a corporate job to launching Uncharted Horizons, a tour company born from a passion for exploration. He also opens up about his work with SONNE International, where he supports slum communities, street children, and healthcare initiatives for marginalised groups. Throughout the episode, Jochen reflects on the power of courage, following your heart, and living life fully in the present.

Silke Maurer is the COO of MTU Aero Engines and a Supervisory Board Member of Bilfinger SE, with over 25 years of experience, including two decades in leadership roles. Holding a Ph.D. in industrial engineering, Silke’s career spans renowned companies like BMW, Rolls-Royce, and BSH Home Appliances.

In this episode, Silke shares her journey from engineering to the boardroom, revealing how modern leadership is evolving to embrace emotional and social intelligence, individuality, and even playfulness. She discusses her lessons from navigating high-pressure roles, trusting gut decisions, and learning from mistakes. She also talks about the importance of knowing yourself first as a leader, and the inspiring power of women in executive and boardroom roles.