
Episode 13 - Gender Equity in Finance: Marijn Wiersma's Journey and Insights
12/16/24 • 45 min
In this engaging episode, Sara is joined by special guest Marijn Wiersma, a renowned corporate anthropologist and leader in sustainable finance, leadership, and gender equity. Together, they delve into the pressing issue of unconscious bias and its impact, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and actionable change.
Marijn has over 20 years of successful international experience, of which 10 years were on the African continent. She co-authored the book “Banking for a Better World” and made video portraits of female role models from the financial sector globally.
Today, Marijn shares insights from her new book "SOS: A Navigation Guide for Women at Work," and her broader efforts to highlight and challenge gender disparities, particularly in finance.
This episode also touches on the transformative potential of AI in mitigating bias—a concept close to Uplevyl's mission of pioneering woman-run AI technologies. Marijn's inspiring journey from anthropology student to advocate for gender equality and sustainable development across continents is a testament to the power of intersectional equity.
Marijn has lived on three continents, worked in over 35 countries and is a mother of four.
About Women. Wisdom. Worth.
Welcome to Women. Wisdom. Worth. - the podcast series from Uplevyl where we learn from women around the world about what they’re doing to find success and joy in this time of great digital and AI change.
For show notes, visit uplevyl.com/podcast.
About Uplevyl
Uplevyl is the global leader in women-trained generative AI, transforming society and business.
Featuring women-centric data inputs, insight, and advice, you’ll find all the answers you need in a way that works for you as you navigate the complexities of modern life.
Learn more at Uplevyl.com.
In this engaging episode, Sara is joined by special guest Marijn Wiersma, a renowned corporate anthropologist and leader in sustainable finance, leadership, and gender equity. Together, they delve into the pressing issue of unconscious bias and its impact, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and actionable change.
Marijn has over 20 years of successful international experience, of which 10 years were on the African continent. She co-authored the book “Banking for a Better World” and made video portraits of female role models from the financial sector globally.
Today, Marijn shares insights from her new book "SOS: A Navigation Guide for Women at Work," and her broader efforts to highlight and challenge gender disparities, particularly in finance.
This episode also touches on the transformative potential of AI in mitigating bias—a concept close to Uplevyl's mission of pioneering woman-run AI technologies. Marijn's inspiring journey from anthropology student to advocate for gender equality and sustainable development across continents is a testament to the power of intersectional equity.
Marijn has lived on three continents, worked in over 35 countries and is a mother of four.
About Women. Wisdom. Worth.
Welcome to Women. Wisdom. Worth. - the podcast series from Uplevyl where we learn from women around the world about what they’re doing to find success and joy in this time of great digital and AI change.
For show notes, visit uplevyl.com/podcast.
About Uplevyl
Uplevyl is the global leader in women-trained generative AI, transforming society and business.
Featuring women-centric data inputs, insight, and advice, you’ll find all the answers you need in a way that works for you as you navigate the complexities of modern life.
Learn more at Uplevyl.com.
Previous Episode

Episode 12 - Ethics, Governance, and Inclusivity in the AI Age - with Dr Christina J. Colclough
Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Dr Christina J. Colclough, the founder of The Why Not Lab, a boutique value-driven consultancy that equips workers and their unions across the world with the skills to ensure collective rights in the digital age.
In this episode, Christina delves into the pressing issues surrounding the governance of digital systems. She enlightens us on the powerful role of worker advocacy in digital systems, emphasizing the need for clear governance structures to counter "managerial fuzz."
Christina shares her personal journey, including her survival from a brain tumor, driving her passion for ethical technology and underscoring the urgency of action. She passionately discusses the inadequacy of self-regulation in tech ethics and calls for a robust legal framework to enforce ethical practices.
Discover the necessity for inclusive and diverse governance in AI systems and listen to Christina's thoughts on harmonizing ethical AI frameworks, drawing from her collaboration with UNESCO's Women for Ethical AI group.
As we explore these critical topics, Christina shares inspiring anecdotes from her advisory work and highlights the paramount importance of listening to younger generations' voices and embracing empathetic curiosity.
Christina’s background is in labour market research and in the global labour movement, where she led their future of work policies, advocacy and strategies for a number of years. She was the author of the union movement's first principles on Workers' Data Rights and the Ethics of AI.
A globally sought-after keynote speaker and workshop trainer with over 400 speeches and trainings the last 3 years, Christina created the Why Not Lab as a dedication to improving workers' digital rights. She is included in the all-time Hall of Fame of the world's most brilliant women in AI Ethics.
Christina is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK and member of the UNESCO #Women4EthicalAI Platform, the OECD One AI Expert Group and is affiliated to FAOS, the Employment Relations Research Center at Copenhagen University. In 2021, Christina was a member of the Steering Committee of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI).
About Women. Wisdom. Worth.
Welcome to Women. Wisdom. Worth. - the podcast series from Uplevyl where we learn from women around the world about what they’re doing to find success and joy in this time of great digital and AI change.
For show notes, visit uplevyl.com/podcast.
About Uplevyl
Uplevyl is the global leader in women-trained generative AI, transforming society and business.
Featuring women-centric data inputs, insight, and advice, you’ll find all the answers you need in a way that works for you as you navigate the complexities of modern life.
Learn more at Uplevyl.com.
Next Episode

Episode 14 - Future Forward: Stay AI Relevant, Boost Your Salary & Safeguard Your Career
In this must-watch episode about Future Forward, Jacki Zehner and Shubhi Rao discuss the critical importance of staying ahead in the age of AI and digital transformation. As workplaces undergo unprecedented shifts, this conversation offers actionable strategies for women leaders to thrive.
Presented by Uplevyl, the world’s first female-forward, inclusive generative AI platform, this session explores how digital acumen is rapidly becoming a non-negotiable skill for career advancement and job security.
Key insights include:
- Why 92% of organizations rank digital transformation as a top priority (McKinsey).
- How AI will reshape every industry and why it’s crucial to adapt.
- The benefits of staying digitally savvy: higher salaries, promotions, and job security (Gallup research).
With the next five years set to define the future of women in leadership, Jacki and Shubhi share how Uplevyl’s Future Forward program powers women leaders with the skills, insights, and networks needed to stay ahead.
Explore the Future Forward Accelerator: Learn more
About Future Forward:
Future Forward is a selective membership program designed to equip women leaders with the tools to succeed in the digital age. From building AI knowledge to fostering influential networks, Future Forward ensures women lead the way in the age of transformation.
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