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Leadership Development | Executive Career Track | Career Pivot | AWS |

In this Femme Lead episode, Melanie McGrory, Director of the EMEA Tech team at Amazon Web Services, shares her unique career journey spanning cybersecurity, defense, and tech leadership.

Known for her “zig-zag” career path, Melanie discusses pivotal moments of risk-taking, overcoming challenges in male-dominated industries, and the evolving nature of leadership in today’s digital world.

Melanie and her team at AWS support digital native companies and enterprises by enabling digital transformation, innovation, and new customer experiences. With expertise across 175+ AWS services, including AI/ML, migration, security, and hybrid cloud, Melanie is a recognized leader in driving business outcomes through technology.

Before AWS, Melanie held leadership roles at HP and the UK Ministry of Defence, bringing two decades of experience in strategy, consulting, and general management across sectors such as travel, transport, logistics, and retail.

A STEM advocate and veteran charity participant, Melanie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Operational Research from the University of Cranfield.

Tune in for career insights, leadership lessons, and practical advice for women forging paths in tech and beyond!

Follow Melanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-mcgrory-4684757/

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Rebekka Gunnarsdóttir is redefining what it means to lead in the tech industry.

As a Senior Manager in AI and Data at EY Consulting in Copenhagen, she brings a powerful blend of business insight, digital innovation, and a deep commitment to community.

In this episode, Rebekka shares her journey from finance to tech, her passion for shaping the future of AI, and how she founded KATLA, an Icelandic women’s network to help others visualize and reach their career goals. We also discuss authenticity in leadership, building inclusive workplaces, and striking a balance between ambition and family life.

Whether you're navigating your next career step or curious about the human side of AI, Rebekka’s story offers clarity and connection!

Follow Rebekka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekka-gunnarsdottir/

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In this special episode of Femme Lead, host Alexandra welcomes back Sophie Jelstrup, Head of FX Trading at Nordea Markets in Copenhagen. Sophie returns to share her remarkable journey from Chief Dealer to leading the FX trading desk, offering exclusive insights into career progression, leadership, and the evolving world of finance.

Whether you’re curious about what it takes to rise in the financial sector or want to learn how leaders like Sophie navigate market trends, innovation, and inclusion, this episode is packed with actionable advice and behind-the-scenes stories.

Follow Sophie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-jelstrup-70bb0343/

Key Topics & Questions Covered

• Sophie's Career Evolution:
  How Sophie transitioned from Chief Dealer to Head of FX Trading and what her current role entails.
• A Day in the Life:
  What a typical day looks like for Sophie and which aspects of her work she finds most fulfilling.
• Pivotal Decisions & Opportunities:
  The key moments and choices that shaped Sophie’s career trajectory.
• Leadership Qualities:
  The most important leadership traits Sophie has developed and how she’s cultivated them.
• Redefining Success:
  How Sophie’s understanding of achievement in finance has changed over time.
• Building Professional Relationships:
  How her approach to networking and relationships has evolved and supports her leadership today.
• Overcoming Challenges:
  The unexpected hurdles Sophie has faced as a leader and her strategies for overcoming them.
• Leadership in Finance:
  What makes the financial sector unique for leadership development and whether it’s becoming more inclusive.
• Credibility & Impact:
  How Sophie builds credibility and drives impact within Nordea Markets.
• Early Career Preparation:
  The role of Nordea’s graduate program in preparing Sophie for leadership.
• Emerging Market Trends:
  The trends Sophie believes will reshape financial markets in the coming years.
• AI & Automation:
  How Nordea is navigating technological change and what skills finance professionals need for the future.
• Evolving Leadership Styles:
  How the definition of a good leader is changing in finance and the value of diverse leadership styles.
• Shaping Workplace Culture:
  How Sophie and her peers are actively shaping the working environment and culture at Nordea Markets.

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