Cultural Identity, Empathy and Leadership

Join Dr. Nazia Adeel and Dr. Jackie King for an interactive speaking session exploring the powerful intersections of cultural identity, empathy, otherness and their significant impact on judgments and decision making in both individual and organisational context. 

An interactive session, designed combining research-based insights and reflective practice on how identity and cultural values shape judgement and decision-making in leadership. 

In today’s diverse business landscape, leaders and founders are constantly navigating cultural differences, personal identity, and complex decisions. This session provides a safe and engaging space to explore these themes and translate them into stronger business and leadership practices. 

Expected Outcomes 

• Greater awareness of how cultural identity influences judgement and decision-making 

• Practical tools to embrace difference as a strength in leadership: Otherness 

• Clarity on personal and professional narratives that inspire others 

• Actionable insights to build inclusive, empathetic, and future-focused leadership 

Light refreshments will be provided.

Speakers:

Dr Nazia Adeel: Accomplished executive leader and academic with a PhD in Accounting and Corporate governance and Master in Financial Management, bringing over 15 years of experience in business consulting, higher education, cross cultural research, and professional accounting and public audit projects. Demonstrated board-level expertise in corporate governance, strategic decision-making, and financial and audit risk assessment in leadership roles, with a strong record of mentoring, project management, social audits, sustainability accounting, and regulatory compliance. Skilled in management accounting, corporate governance, profitability analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and AI and data-driven decision making, with deep insight into industry challenges, regulations, and opportunities. International keynote speaker and presenter with proven ability to foster diversity of thought, cross-cultural engagement, and effective collaboration across countries and cultures (Australia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, USA, Spain, Indonesia). Committed to advancing sustainable, inclusive, and accountable governance practices for organizations and inclusive and culturally sensitive decision-making frameworks! 

Dr Jackie King: Jackie is the award-winning author of The Ultimate Other. She has a PhD in public policy and EMBA in organisational leadership and strategy. She has had a long executive career dedicated to supporting for-purpose institutions in designing and implementing actionable strategies in leadership, governance, risk, compliance, ESG, CSR and DEI, and operations/service delivery. She is an accredited ADMRAS mediator who resolves boardroom and staff conflicts through value‑based design‑thinking and mediation. She provides strategic and advisory support through her consultancy JDK Research. More information on Jackie’s formal qualifications, certifications and experience can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiedking/ 

Jackie’s working principles: 

• Human-Centered Approach: Every solution is designed around the real needs and experiences of people. 

• Empathy-Driven: Fosters deep understanding—starting with self-empathy, extending to others. 

• Collaborative Solutions: Empowers individuals and groups to co-create sustainable change. 

• Iterative & Adaptable: Embraces growth mindset, continuous learning, creativity and flexibility in complex systems. 

• Scalable Impact: Personal transformation informs and inspires collective progress, from individuals to entire organisations and communities.