In the third episode of Season 3 of our NextGen Talks podcast series, we were delighted to speak to Carla Simas, Legal Director for Latin America of Haleon – a world-leading consumer health company headquartered in the UK. In this episode, we cover the challenges posed by gender inequality and how we can address them to create a better environment for our next generation of leaders.

Women are still in a significantly weaker labour market position than men across all OECD countries, despite considerable improvements over the last few decades.  This not only goes against basic notions of fairness, but incurs significant economic costs by not fully utilising women’s human capital. 

This podcast covers Carla’s lived experience in Brazil and the UK, and touches on the wider implications across the world.  

In the second episode of Season 3 of our NextGen Talks podcast series, we are delighted to bring you our first transatlantic collaboration. Our guest is Ian Brownlee, the former Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Ian’s career in the US State Department spanned a remarkable 30 year period, and on this podcast he talks about:

• his experiences in the US State Department, including some career highlights and anecdotes;
• the ‘arc of leadership’, and how he moved from being a doer, to a manager, to a leader as his career developed;
• the importance of relationships (both professional and personal) and how getting those relationships right is integral to a successful career.

In the first episode of Season 3 of our NextGen Talks podcast series, we were delighted to speak to Seng Choon Koh, founder of Dignity Kitchen, a social enterprise that aims to restore dignity to the differently-abled and disadvantaged through culinary training and vocation with passion. Dignity Kitchen currently operates in Hong Kong and Singapore. In this podcast, Seng Choon:

• describes the inspirational mission of Dignity Kitchen;
• explains how his diverse background led him to start a social enterprise;
• reflects on how to overcome challenges both in our professional and non-professional lives;
• offers thoughts as to how the NextGen community can give back through volunteering; and
• talks about his exciting future plans for Dignity Kitchen.

About Seng Choon Koh

Before starting Dignity Kitchen in 2010, Seng Choon worked in engineering and consultancy roles, spending many years abroad in the UK, India and China. Seng Choon was most recently awarded a Champion of Change Award as part of The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2022 programme.  

About NextGen Talks

Mayer Brown's NextGen Talks podcast explores key themes and issues, such as the future of work, next generation leadership, sustainability, well-being and more, with special guests from various industries and sectors.

Podcast speakers

Seng Choon Koh, Founder of Dignity Kitchen

Wei Na Sim, Counsel, Mayer Brown

James Ford, Senior Associate, Mayer Brown

Jason Leung, Senior Associate, Mayer Brown