Workforce Innovation and Equity with Cynthia Hansen

🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Workforce Innovation and Equity with Cynthia Hansen Episode 2   In this episode, Chris sits down with Cynthia Hansen - Managing Director of the Innovation Foundation empowered by the Adecco Group, and a change-maker in global workforce inclusion. Together, they explore Cynthia's journey from her first job at a veterinary office to teaching in Japan, leading initiatives at the World Economic Forum, and now steering a foundation that pushes the boundaries of corporate philanthropy. Along the way, Cynthia shares how her personal story - from growing up in a multicultural family on the U.S.A. West Coast to raising trilingual children in Switzerland has shaped her vision for a more inclusive and opportunity-rich future. She reflects on the art of balancing professional ambition with personal fulfillment, the power of small actions, and why embracing both grit and humanity is essential for leadership. This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about purpose, agency, and crafting a legacy that truly matters in a complex, interconnected world. 📍 The ingredients: 00:30 Welcome and favorite drink 02:23 Early career beginnings: veterinary office to convalescent hospital 06:16 Leading the Innovation Foundation and redefining corporate philanthropy 10:58 Family transitions, trilingual kids, and life in Switzerland 12:24 Career pivots: from aspiring vet to professor to global leader 16:19 International experiences and lessons from Japan 18:12 Designing with, not for communities 22:02 Conversations with her kids on stereotypes and identity 22:56 Hopes for future generations and climate-conscious living 23:45 Making high-stakes choices as a CEO 26:27 What inspires change and what keeps her going 27:30 Books that leave a mark: from India to leprosy to social change 30:22 Technology, AI, and the "serendipity engine" 34:30 Looking ahead to 2050: challenges, hope, and self-correcting systems 37:04 Balancing life, leadership, and letting go of what doesn't matter 41:58 Lessons learned and staying true to a personal North Star   🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Cosmopolitan   🎧 A thought to leave you with: How do we create systems that unlock human agency?   Episode Resources: Cynthia Hansen Innovation Foundation YouTube   Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram : @choosingtomatter LinkedIn : @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded with our partners at the Schweizerhof Hotel Zürich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast Subscribe & Listen: Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.