Ep.5: Leading in Red Boots: Building a Bold Career Without Compromise feat. Nathalie Palladitcheff

In this episode, Summer & Melanie welcome Nathalie Palladitcheff, global business leader and former CEO of Ivanhoé Cambridge, the real estate arm of CDPQ, who shares her journey from banking to the C-suite at just 30 years old. With an international career spanning Europe and Canada, Nathalie reflects on leading in male-dominated industries, navigating cultural differences, and rising through finance and real estate without ever losing herself. From being known as the “CEO in yellow stilettos” to championing inclusion in the boardroom, she explains why authenticity, resilience, and openness to opportunity have defined her leadership style. She offers advice for students and young professionals on seizing global opportunities, anticipating emerging industry trends, and connecting the dots beyond a single specialization. At its core, this conversation is a reminder that success isn’t about fitting your personality or femininity to a mold. It’s about building a career, and a life, entirely on your own terms.