All Inclusive with Natasha Rainey

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome Latesha Byrd, CEO of Perfeqta, an award-winning consulting firm helping organisations build high-performing, people-centred workplace cultures.
Latesha breaks down what high performance really looks like heading into 2026 and why so many organisations are missing the early warning signs of culture strain. She shares how leaders can support high performers, address “quiet promoting,” strengthen trust and communication, and create environments where people feel safe enough to perform at their best.
Connect with Latesha Byrd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lateshabyrd/Download Perfeqta's Performance Pulse Check: https://www.subscribepage.com/performance-pulse-check
🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on inclusive leadership, workplace culture, and building businesses where people belong.
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-

​​In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome Winnie Annan-Forson, Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Engagement at Royal Mail.
Winnie shares how Royal Mail is turning inclusion from a label into lasting strategy, embedding DEI into business decisions, customer strategy, and culture at scale. She explains why linking diversity and inclusion to commercial outcomes, compliance, and employee experience is essential for long-term success.
 
Connect with Winnie (Oudemans) Annan-Forson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winnieannanforson-b267a131/
 
🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on inclusive leadership, workplace culture, and building businesses where people belong.
 
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction & Winnie’s journey into inclusion
06:00 - Early career lessons and the role of social mobility
12:30 - From HR and banking into DEI leadership
17:00 - Turning inclusion from a label into strategy
22:00 - The commercial case: customers, demographics, and growth
28:00 - Global and legal perspectives shaping inclusion
34:30 - Building culture at scale: initiatives, psychological safety & leadership advice

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome Dr Victoria Verlezza, People and Culture Strategist. With more than 20 years of experience in leadership, workplace culture, and employee experience, Victoria has helped organisations design more inclusive and equitable environments where people can thrive.
Victoria unpacks why most leaders are getting feedback wrong—and how vague or biased feedback damages retention, employee engagement, and performance. She shares practical strategies for giving feedback that fuels growth, supporting neurodivergent employees, and building cultures rooted in psychological safety and accountability.Connect with Dr Victoria Verlezza
Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-verlezza/Email: victoria@victoriaverlezzaphd.com 
🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on inclusive leadership, workplace culture, and building businesses where people belong.
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/
Episode Highlights0:00 – Introduction 3:15 – Why most leaders get workplace feedback wrong 7:25 – Bias in feedback: how it shows up in performance reviews 12:40 – Feedback and retention: why vague comments drive talent away 17:55 – Neurodiversity at work: supporting employees with clear feedback 23:40 – Practical tips for managers to give better feedback 29:15 – Final advice on building inclusive workplace cultures

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, we welcome back Gareth Whalley, Founder and Chief Connection Officer of Big Bang People Solutions. Gareth shares what he’s learned about leadership, workplace culture, and inclusion from working with organisations across multiple industries.
With over 20 years in corporate HR before launching his own business, Gareth has seen inside companies of all sizes — spotting the patterns, gaps, and opportunities that many leaders miss. He reveals how external pressures are changing inclusion strategies, why recognition is one of the most underused tools for building a strong culture, and what truly drives employee engagement across different workplaces.
 
Connect with Gareth:
🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethwhalley/
🌐 Big Bang People Solutions: https://www.bigbangpeople.com/
🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on inclusive leadership, workplace culture, and building businesses where people belong.
 
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn:   / natasha-rainey-  
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introduction
01:20 – Lessons from leaving corporate HR for a new chapter
05:05 – Surprising leadership patterns Gareth sees across companies
09:40 – Why leaders can’t do it all alone
14:15 – Key leadership lessons from working with many organisations
20:50 – How global and political shifts impact workplace culture
28:30 – The overlooked culture booster most companies ignore
37:10 – Gareth’s one piece of advice for living and working authentically

What does it really take to build a workplace culture people actually believe in? In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I sit down with Adiat Baker, Global Inclusion and Social Impact Strategist at Mintel, to uncover why so many workplace culture commitments have failed—and how leaders can turn those promises into something real.
Together, we explore the common pitfalls that make culture feel like a buzzword, the power of aligning inclusion with business strategy, and the critical role of language, leadership, and consistency in creating trust. Adiat also shares how she’s helping Mintel weave inclusion into the DNA of the business, making it more than just a statement on a slide deck.
If you want to move past empty pledges and start building a workplace your people can truly believe in, this conversation is for you.🤝 Connect with Adiat Baker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adiat-baker-69b4858/
🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on inclusive leadership, workplace culture, and building businesses where people belong.
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introduction01:05 – Adiat Baker’s path to Mintel and inclusion work04:20 – Why 2020 commitments didn’t last08:40 – Embedding inclusion into the heart of the business14:15 – Overcoming resistance and getting leadership buy-in19:35 – The power of language and communication in culture25:10 – Lessons for leaders building culture that lasts

What really happens when women return to work after maternity leave? In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I sit down with Clare Radford, business psychologist and founder of &Culture Consulting, to unpack the powerful findings from her latest report: From Boardrooms to Babies and Back Again.
Together we explore the emotional, cultural and systemic challenges that returning mothers face and what real support looks like. From line manager training to flexible policies and the power of self-advocacy, this conversation offers a blueprint for organizations that want to stop losing talent and start building workplaces that actually work for women.
📥 Download Clare’s full report here: https://www.andcultureconsulting.com/insights 🤝 Connect with Clare on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clareradforduk/ 🌐 Learn more at andcultureconsulting.com
 
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👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn:   / natasha-rainey-  
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introduction & Why This Conversation Matters
01:10 – What Women Told Us About Returning to Work
06:05 – The Line Manager Gap & Where Culture Fails
13:25 – The Emotional Toll, Talent Loss & What Needs to Change
 

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I’m joined by Hannah Awonuga, a culture transformation strategist, a multi award-winning Culture, Talent and Inclusion expert and former Global DEI Director at Barclays.
We unpack what it really takes to move inclusion beyond HR, beyond internal comms, and beyond the brand — into the heart of business strategy.
Hannah shares her powerful “Three C’s” framework and explains why so many inclusion efforts fall flat when they’re siloed or surface-level.
This episode is essential listening for HR, DEI, and business leaders serious about building inclusive workplaces that last.
Connect with Hannah Awonuga: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahawonuga/
Check out  hannahawonuga.com to explore Hannah’s consulting work on inclusive culture and leadership.
 
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn:   / natasha-rainey-  
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introduction 01:34 – Hannah’s Journey: From Cashier to Culture Leader 06:00 – Why Inclusion Can’t Live Under HR Alone 11:55 – The 3 C’s of Real Culture Transformation 18:30 – From Tick-Box to True Impact: What Inclusion Requires 26:45 – Developing Leaders Who Can Build Inclusive Cultures 35:50 – Power, Privilege & Using Your Position for Change

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I sit down with Chela Gage, Talent & Inclusion Consultant and Executive Coach at Oli Strategies, to explore a bold truth: your title doesn’t define your impact.
Chela opens up about her personal journey—from growing up in foster care to leading global teams in HR and DEI—and why stepping away from a C-suite role led her to a deeper purpose, the 1 Million Foster Initiative.
This is a must-listen for anyone navigating change, questioning their role, or looking to lead with authenticity and intention.
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
Connect with Chela Gage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelagage/
Learn more about 1 Million Fosters: https://www.1millionfosters.com/
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/
 
Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction01:35 – Chela’s Journey from Foster Care to Corporate Leadership06:45 – The 7 Keys to Building Resilient, Inclusive Teams15:22 – What to Do When You Lose the Title24:30 – Why Purpose Matters More Than Position31:10 – The Story Behind One Million Fosters39:55 – Final Message: How to Lead from Wherever You Are

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I sit down with Sara Gene “SG” Houtman, Chief People Officer at Truly Free, to unpack how one company is redefining what it means to support women at work—from stay-at-home moms to senior leaders. We explore what makes Truly Free’s culture so unique, the leadership practices that drive retention, and why hiring "like-hearted" people is at the core of inclusion. SG also shares her own powerful career journey from customer service to the C-suite, offering candid reflections on imposter syndrome, mentorship, and the importance of being given room to fail—and grow.
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
Connect with Sara Gene "SG" Houtman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-gene/
Learn more about Truly Free: https://trulyfree.com/ 👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast 👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/ Episode Highlights
00:00 - Introduction
01:35 - SG’s journey from stay-at-home mom to CPO
04:48 - Overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence
10:35 - The role of mentorship and honest feedback
15:40 - What makes Truly Free’s culture inclusive
20:32 - Supporting working moms and women into leadership
29:00 - Advice for building truly inclusive workplaces

In this episode of the All Inclusive Podcast, I sit down with Brandy, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Canada Post, to explore what it really takes to embed inclusion across one of the country’s largest and most complex organizations.
Many DEI professionals face the challenge of engaging remote or deskless employees—but what happens when the majority of your workforce can’t be reached by email at all? Brandy shares how she’s transforming workplace culture through grassroots champions, mailed communication, and a deep commitment to storytelling, transparency, and community.
This episode is sponsored by Paradigm. 📥 Download their latest report 'The State of Culture and Inclusion', which reveals how companies are navigating the current climate and driving real progress in 2025 → https://bit.ly/3Q2C6DB
Connect with Brandy Ryan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-ryan-dei-hr/
👉 Subscribe to All Inclusive : https://tinyurl.com/allinclusivepodcast
👩🏾 Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-rainey-/