Why Women Risk Missing the AI Revolution | Rewrite The Rules by Ritu G. Mehrish

I met two women who turned a friendship that started in a Hong Kong maternity ward into a global mission. Christine Fellowes, former media CEO and board leader, and April Swando Hu, a Yale engineer turned EdTech entrepreneur, are now co-founders of NINEby9, a nonprofit tackling gender equality, AI, and the future of work in Asia.In this episode of Rewrite the Rules, they share how decades of leadership across Asia led them to research AI and women in the workplace, revealing a surprising gender gap in AI skills and opportunities.We talk about AI careers, leadership, gender equality, and the future of work, and why women could shape the next wave of AI innovation and workplace transformation.Trust me, you’ll want to hear the full story behind NINEby9 and their bold mission to close the gender gap before AI widens it.IN THIS EPISODE00:00 | Meet the Founders Changing Women’s Futures01:26 | Why “Nine by Nine” Matters Now02:36 | The Unexpected Way They Met04:35 | The AI Report Everyone Should Read05:12 | April’s Journey from Engineer to Changemaker06:59 | Christine’s Path to Global Leadership09:06 | The Surprising Truth About Women at Work15:04 | The AI Skills Gap Women Can’t Ignore18:57 | Speed vs Ethics in the AI Workplace19:52 | Asia’s Biggest AI Opportunity22:04 | Why HR Must Become Human Again23:04 | Career Advice for Women 25–3524:40 | Why Your Skills and Network Matter26:05 | Get Sponsors, Not Just Mentors26:43 | Staying Grounded in a Changing World28:32 | The Rule They Chose to Rewrite30:06 | Redefining Success on Your Terms31:18 | What’s Next for Nine by Nine33:16 | Where to Find the AI ReportChristine Fellowes | Founder | NINEby9Christine is an accomplished global business leader and public company board director with three decades of experience driving growth for Fortune 500 multinationals in media, technology and consumer services.Christine is the Co-founder and Chair of NINEby9, and currently serves as a Non-Executive Board Director of National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) and leading property investment and development company, Guocoland Group (SGX:F17), listed on the Singapore Exchange. She previously served on the Board of Directors of technology company VIQ Solutions Inc (TSX:VQS), listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Christine also serves on the Board of Directors of the University of Western Australia Business School.April Swando Hu | Founder | NINEby9April Swando Hu is an impact entrepreneur and community builder with 30 years of experience in Asia. Merging a family legacy of education with a background in science and leadership, she works to democratize access to impact education and sustainable energy. She founded Youth Leaders Davos, a global youth forum held during the World Economic Forum and drives the adoption of Chinese hydrogen fuel cell technology globally. In 1992, April established the Zigen Fund, providing 200,000 scholarships to girls in rural China. She also co-founded NINEby9, researching gender equality and the impact of AI on the Asian workplace.Ritu Mehrish | Founder and Author | ReWrite The RulesRitu Gupta Mehrish is a speaker, executive coach and author, with 20 years of corporate experience working in companies such as P&G, GE Capital and GE spin-off Genpact. In her last role, Ritu ran a multimillion-dollar business vertical with 1000 people across eight countries and five continents. Throughout her extensive career, Ritu has had the opportunity to work, coach and converse with leaders across the globe from diverse industries. Her business and leadership experience has enabled her to bring in a pragmatic approach to leadership development. Her client list of Google, PayPal, Swiss Re, JP Morgan, Applied Materials, Intel, Knight Frank, Johnson & Johnson, AIA, Medtronic, Wharton Executive Education highlights the level of expertise she brings to the leadership topic.