Aisha Williams is an audio producer and presenter at Manchester based radio station, production house and social enterprise Reform Radio. Having worked in the audio industry for nearly 4 years now, she has experience working on BBC strands including The People’s Party with Afrodeutsche on 6 Music, producing award winning podcasts for clients such as Kaplan and making her first documentary for a civic leadership programme commissioned by the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham.
Alex is a narrative producer working across production and development. With a background in TV documentaries, current affairs and investigative journalism, she loves to find untold stories that speak to the voiceless and believes audio is the most powerful storytelling medium there is.
Alex Jueno is an Executive Podcast Producer at Global, bringing years of experience from the world of commercial radio—some of which involved alarmingly early starts. She made her mark in podcasting at Audioboom, where she created and launched the hit true crime series Devils in the Dark and Killers, Cults and Queens, both featured in Spotify’s Best True Crime Podcasts of 2022. She took The Rest is Historyon a global tour before joining Global, where she now produces acclaimed shows like Who We Are Nowwith Izzy and Richard Hammond and Take That: This Life The Podcast—with plenty more exciting projects in the pipeline.
Ali Sirois is a podcast producer and editor at editaudio, a full-suite podcast production company based in the US, UK and Canada. She has worked on projects such as Ozarks True Crime, Anatomy of Murder, Cosmo Confessions and many more. Her work has also been featured on The ECCO. In her space time she enjoys exploring the natural world and its many mysteries. She is currently based in Montreal, Canada.
Ali Aitken is an award-winning podcast producer currently based in Sydney. A passionate storyteller, Ali has worked on a wide range of podcasts from interview to documentaries to lifestyle and long-form news, and is currently creating podcasts for charities and businesses as well as working as a consultant and executive producer to help others find their voice and tell their story. Ali’s recent corporate experience includes heading up Paramount’s podcast operations in Australia.
Alitzel is a bilingual podcast coach, writer, and mentor passionate about helping Latinas amplify their voices and own their leadership. Ali hosts Latinas Brillando and The Soulful Entrepreneur podcast. She envisions more Latinas taking up space in positions of power and influence—on stages, bookshelves, forums, conferences, and online platforms—sharing their wisdom with the world. In her book, Latinas Leading (Brillar sin Miedo in Spanish), she encourages women to break free from the nice girl syndrome (“calladita culture”) and step into their power as wise women and thought leaders.
Ana empowers podcasters to discover their full potential with strategic content that drives business growth, builds trust with ideal audiences online, and creates endless opportunities. As the founder of The Podcast Space, she has coached impact-driven women, minorities, and multilingual businesses to double listener engagement, secure sponsorships, and position themselves as industry leaders. Her practical approach and deep expertise, honed over a decade in podcasting, radio, and digital marketing across Portugal, London, and the U.S., make her a sought-after coach and consultant. In 2023, Ana’s commitment to advancing diverse voices earned her the American Marketing Association Maverick Award (DFW Chapter). A frequent speaker and collaborator with global organizations like Riverside, Captivate, and Podcast Movement, Ana delivers actionable insights to help podcasters turn their shows into powerful tools for influence and success. Through her podcast, The Podcast Space, she continues to inspire and equip creators to elevate their shows and achieve lasting growth.
Andreea Coscai is a podcast marketer, producer, and writer with a global perspective on audio storytelling. Originally from Romania, she has lived in China and the U.S. and is most active in the American podcasting space, working in podcast marketing and PR with Tink Media and editing EarBuds Podcast Collective’s newsletter. She has experience creating multicultural podcasts, both independently and for clients, and recently launched Eurowaves to explore the European podcasting space and foster international collaboration. Passionate about audio’s power to connect cultures and advocate for gender equality, she also founded Her Time Romania, the country’s first feminist non-profit dedicated to empowering young women.
Ann Marie Awad is the editorial director for the Institute for Independent Journalists, as well as an independent audio journalist and editor based in Denver,CO. Awad has worked as an on-air host and reporter in a handful of public radio newsrooms across America as well as filing stories for NPR. They are the creator and host of the award-winning podcast On Something, all about life after cannabis legalization; they have also produced podcasts for clients like Audible and SONOS and edited shows for clients like WAMU and CityCast Denver.
Anne has have been working as a content manager at Radio-Canada OHdio for 2 years in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and has been in the media industry for 15 years. She owned a television documentary production company with her father (Arts et Images productions) then worked as a content manager at V (now Noovo) and as a content producer on various documentaries at Pixcom. After working in television for a few years, Anne fell in love with podcasts and is now lucky enough to work on about 40 podcasts per year. Her particular interest lies in documentary podcasts highlighting the work of women and she been involved in the board of directors of this organization for many years: Alliance of Women in Creative Industries.
Aradhna is a strategic consultant and leader in media, events and engagement. She brings together extensive experience in the entertainment, arts and technology sectors, with a passion for industry development to better reflect, represent and influence society. She is a regular speaker at industry events and has both chaired and hosted high-profile panels and conferences. Aradhna is Managing Director of The Radio Academy, the UK charity to promote and celebrate excellence in audio through supporting professionals working across the sector. She is also Director of Radio TechCon, the UK’s audio and radio technology conference. Formerly at the BBC and through her consultancy Clockhouse Media, Aradhna has led events, initiatives and strategies across the creative industries. Her portfolio includes BBC Shorts, OKRE Summit, Creative Cities Convention, the Film and TV Charity, the Worldwide Association for Women Journalists and Writers, AudioUK, Sadler’s Wells and the National Theatre. A former trustee of The Radio Academy, Aradhna was awarded their Fellowship in 2020 for her services to audio. She is trustee of WAC Arts, committee member of the Royal Television Society, London and former Chair of the Jury for their student awards.
Ashleigh King is a creative entrepreneur with an unwavering passion for communication and media. Born and raised in South Africa, Ashleigh now resides in the North East of England, in the vibrant and creative city of Newcastle upon Tyne. She is the founder of Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio, which provides a welcoming and creative space for all podcasters, whether seasoned or newcomers, to bring their stories to life. Ashleigh previously worked in corporate communications for 15 years before eventually discovering her voice through podcasting, sparking a mission to help others share their narratives with the world. She is also the host of the acclaimed podcast, #NurtureYourZest, a podcast for the creative and curious, which has reached audiences in over 70 countries! As well as her entrepreneurial pursuits, Ashleigh is also a passionate advocate for talking openly about mental health, neurodiversity, and surviving trauma, using her own journey to promote understanding and empowerment. Ashleigh is deeply passionate about podcasting and believes in the power of storytelling to inspire and connect communities.
Bea Duncan is an award-winning audio producer, storyteller and community builder. She has developed and produced a roster of hit podcasts across a variety of formats, with a specialism in human interest narrative and documentary. Bea is also the founder of The Entry Level Audio Network, a grassroots organisation aiming to improve accessibility and foster community for those entering the audio industry.
Becky Lamb-Pritchard is the Head of Marketing at This Is Distorted with over 20 years of experience in the audio industry. Becky partners with brands and individuals to ensure their stories are not only told but resonate widely. She describes her role as the perfect meeting of her two passions: people and audio. Driven by a commitment to make meaningful content that has a positive impact in society, Becky is on a mission to influence change and spark conversations through audio.
Brooke Black is a Global Communications expert at the intersection of culture and tech. After many years representing a span of international artists and festivals on both the agency and label side, she was recruited to build out the global communication strategy for both Live Nation’s developing artist division and Apple Music Radio out of Los Angeles, later working on Apple Podcasts and additional services. During the pandemic she relocated to Copenhagen, and is Global Communications Director at Podimo, a fast-growing, local-language podcast and audiobook subscription service in seven countries across Europe and Mexico.
Brune Smith is a trauma-informed storyteller, podcast host and producer who champions podcast creators. She entered the industry by producing a podcast about her entering the industry. Now Brussels-based after five years in Canada, she is passionate about fostering community in European podcasting. Her verticals are stories of progress, healing, nature, and the intersection of creativity and spirituality.
Caroline is a science radio presenter and she performs science shows on stage. She has a background in physics but an interest in anything she doesn’t know much about. Caroline presents CrowdScience and Unexpected Elements on the BBC World Service. Before presenting she worked as a producer making series like The Infinite Monkey Cage on Radio 4 and Bad People on BBC Sounds. She was a runner-up at the IWPAs in 2024 in the storytelling category for a documentary she presented for BBC Radio 4 about searching for cosmic dust.
Catalina May is a Chilean journalist. She is the co-founder, host and editor of Las Raras, a groundbreaking, award-winning, documentary style Spanish-speaking podcast. Their series TE BUSCO was awarded an International Women’s Podcast Awards 2024. She currently lives in Spain and works as an editor and consultant.
Charlotte, as Head of Production at Insanity Studios (the dedicated podcast and digital production arm of Insanity), leads the in-house podcast roster’s omnichannel output with titles including FFS! My Dad Is Martin Kemp (with Roman Kemp & Martin Kemp), Beyond The Bathroom (with Sali Hughes), Club Sandwich (with Henry Southan & Jordan Sangha), The Doctor Will Hear You Now (with Dr Zoe Williams) and more (with plenty more to come!) Charlotte specialises in working collaboratively with both emerging and established talent to create impactful, meaningful and talent-centric shows.
Chhavi Sachdev is India's earliest podcast producer, consultant, and coach -- she has been making podcasts since 2008 and training podcasters since 2011. Her company, Sonologue, has produced podcasts for Accenture, CREA, The Canadian Consulate General, The Tata Group, WaterAid India, World YWCA, and the Better India among others. She is also one of few narrative and documentary radio reporters and producers in the country. Her feature productions have been broadcast on Deutsche Welle, BBC World Service, Public Radio International, and National Public Radio programmes and podcasts.
After many years working as a journalist in the tech and design space, Christopher Phin (he/they) made podcasting his full-time career in 2019. He's launced over a dozen shows, has both judged and won awards (not the same awards, to be clear!) and is currently the Head of Branded & Partnership Content for production agency Message Heard.
Christabel Nsiah-Buadi is an award-winning global journalist and the founder of Your Podcast Pipeline, where podcasters can access insights and guidance for their editorial business needs. Christabel has built, led, and hosted shows for leading media companies. As an executive at Spotify, she gave creators tools and advice to grow their audiences. She also created and led the company’s Behind the Mic one-of-a-kind podcast production fellowship. She also holds Executive Producer and contributor credits with KCET, American Public Media, the BBC, and NPR. In addition, Christabel has taught journalism and audio storytelling to students at the University of Pennsylvania, Howard University, and Spelman College. Her writing about parenting and the media has appeared in The Independent and British Vogue.
Dr. Claire Murigande is a dynamic leader dedicated to amplifying social impact through audio storytelling. Her podcast, Narratives of Purpose®, features unique stories of changemakers from across the globe in thought-provoking conversations around topics such as, youth empowerment, health equity initiatives, and sustainable food systems of the future. As a captivating speaker, multi award-nominated podcast host, and outstanding moderator, she combines her passion for gender parity and inclusion with thoughtful leadership cultivated in the life sciences industry. Dr. Claire Murigande holds a PhD in Biology and an Executive MBA in Digital Leadership, blending her scientific background with strategic expertise to drive meaningful change. She has been named an influential voice of change by The Female Factor in 2024.
Host and producer of the podcasts Creativity Found and Podcasting 2.0 in Practice, and co-host and producer of Fanzone from TrueFans.
Dawn J. Fraser is the Founder & CEO of Fraser’s Edge, Inc., which empowers businesses, thought leaders, and advocates to elevate their leadership potential through the power of storytelling. Her clients have included entities such as Google, the Gates Foundation, and Spotify, along with a host of notable celebrities. She also serves as a Senior Producer at the Stanford Storytelling Project and a Lead Instructor with The Moth. Dawn holds a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA, a Master in Public Policy (MPP) from Harvard’s Kennedy School, and was a featured among the nation’s top change makers as a speaker at TED@NYC.
Deepanjana Pal is a writer and co-host of the books podcast, The Lit Pickers. She has been a journalist for over 20 years, writing about culture, society and gender. Deepanjana is also the author of The Painter: A Life of Ravi Varma; the feminist thriller, Hush A Bye Baby; and the Puchku series of children’s books. In the past, Deepanjana has worked with Time Out Mumbai, Firstpost, Newslaundry, Hindustan Times and Film Companion. Her writing has also appeared in a range of Indian and international publications including The Atlantic, Buzzfeed, Wallpaper, Caravan, The Hindu, Mint Lounge and Vogue, among others.
Devin Andrade is a podcast marketer at Tink Media and creator of Podstack, a podcast recommendation newsletter for celebrating great audio. She has worked on the production side creating podcasts herself and for organizations, and currently works with podcasts every day to support their growth and marketing. As an avid listener, she is always looking for new podcasts to check out, share with others, and collaborate with to grow their audience. She has a background in digital content production and loves pairing a good podcast with a delicious recipe or crafty project.
Doris Onyango is a vibrant and dynamic authority in the podcasting space. With over 5 years experience in the industry, she has a wealth of knowledge, skills and good-natured humour. Doris who has made her bones in the entertainment space, works directly with hundreds of creators to provide the technical support needed to fuel a story. She is the project lead for Dada Podcast Incubator - the world's first incubator for women and non-binary folks as well as the team lead at SemaBOX - Kenya's first specialist podcasting studio. For Doris, the most important thing is to tell a story only YOU can tell.
Elaine Appleton Grant is the CEO of Podcast Allies, LLC, a podcast production and training company helping media companies, higher ed, and mission-driven organizations make beautifully crafted shows. Following a 15-year career as a magazine writer and editor, Elaine moved into the audio world, serving as an award-winning producer, reporter and showrunner at WBUR, NHPR, and Colorado Public Radio. Her work has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and on major podcast platforms, including Wondery. Her print journalism has appeared in Inc., Business Week, The Boston Globe, AARP The Magazine, Fast Company, and hundreds of other publications. Her podcast, Sound Judgment, explores the creative processes of today's best audio storytellers.
Elisabete Costa is passionate about voices, stories, and everything that happens between a simple “hello” and a thoughtful “see you soon.” After more than 30 years with the mic on — from radio production to audio content coordination — she is now the editor of Popcasts, a Portuguese platform that gives space to podcasts with personality and quality. Elisabete hosts Por Dentro Com…, a show where she talks to people who are shaping the world of podcasting, always with curiosity and a critical ear. She's been part of events like UNICAST and the PODES Festival, where she has shared ideas and listened to many more — because she believes podcasting is built in community. Elisabete sees podcasts as spaces of freedom, where diversity, attentive listening, and even a good pause all have a place. She works to support those just starting out and to give visibility to those with something to say — all in the company of her grumpy Persian cat, who listens to everything, silently judges most of it, and never says a word.
Emilia Brock (she/her) is senior producer at School of Humans, and she also gladly writes, edits, directs, scores and does whatever else needs doing in production. Emilia is a passionate and versatile storyteller, covering anything from sex clubs to coups, Yeti hunts to dictatorships – on podcasts like Let's Start a Coup!, Tom Slick: Mystery Hunter, Big Brother: North Korea's Forgotten Prince, and the IWPA-winning Sanctum Unmasked, among others. Before making the leap into podcasting, Emilia honed her skills as a producer at local NPR stations in Atlanta, GA. Prior to that, she had a wide-ranging career: she's been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king. (Translation: everything from music supervision for VICE to communications at Delta Air Lines to literally writing as a street poet in Helsinki, Finland.) Emilia is from Los Angeles and spent nearly a decade in New York, but has happily transitioned into life as a Southerner in her Atlanta home.
Emily Y. Wu is executive producer and founder of Ghost Island Media, a podcast network from Taiwan that focuses on urgent social issues and the strengthening of cross-cultural understanding. Ghost Island Media’s 15 programs are in Mandarin, English, or French. Show topics range from climate, gender, cannabis, China impact, Taiwan politics, to art and culture, and more. Emily has been a judge of Cannes Lions Awards (2024), Dubai Lynx Awards (2025), and the International Women’s Podcast Awards (2024, 2025). She’s based in Taiwan.
Emma is an award-winning producer with 7 years of experience, having created content for the BBC, the United Nations, the British Council, and The Telegraph. Her recent projects include producing Something to Declare, a Radio 4 series on how ancient practices can address modern challenges, and What Makes Us Stronger, a series showcasing the resilient stories of women who’ve survived conflict. Emma’s work focuses on human-centered social issues, wellbeing, and culture, with a strong emphasis on impactful storytelling.
With over a decade of experience in multimedia production, Epti Pattnaik leads the Multimedia and Digital team at Breakthrough Trust, an organization dedicated to making gender-based violence unacceptable. A passionate storyteller, Epti believes in the transformative power of storytelling to shape perspectives and inspire change. She has spent years working on digital storytelling projects and has directed and produced a wide range of content, including documentary films, corporate videos, podcasts, ad films, and more. As the Creative Director of Keeping It Feminist and Women in Labour podcasts, she has led projects that explore critical issues around gender, labor, pop culture and gender sensitive storytelling. She also directed Fursat Mein Serious Baatein, a digital talk show that engages with creators, directors, actors from the entertainment industry in insightful discussions about gender-sensitive storytelling in pop culture. Focused on creating impactful content through a gender lens, she strives to engage young audiences, sparking critical conversations and thought-provoking discussions. Always open to experimenting with new formats and creative approaches, Epti’s work aims to challenge the status quo and inspire a more equitable world.
Faith Howley is a freelance Audio Producer who works with individuals and small teams to create award-winning podcasts and audio projects. She enjoys helping her clients discover a love for podcasting as a way to connect and tell stories.
Florence Barrau-Adams is a Peabody-nominated, award-winning audio producer, editor, sound designer, and professor. She played a vital role in creating over a dozen audio programs—a blend of radio shows and podcasts—from conception to implementation. Florence is thrilled to hear the outstanding work submitted.
Gathoni Ngumba is a leading podcast community builder with over half a decade of experience in Africa's podcasting industry. As Community Manager at Afripods, she fosters growth and collaboration among African podcasters. Beyond her role, Gathoni is a podcast trainer, coach and digital strategist, dedicated to empowering creators and helping them navigate the digital space. Passionate about amplifying authentic African stories, she is committed to shaping the future of podcasting on the continent.
Goldy Ann Levy is a bilingual journalist, audio producer and poet. She is the lead producer of Las Cosmos (Shake It Easy Media) and Crossing the River (NYU School of Law’s Earth Rights Advocacy and Cerosetenta). She is the creator of Encuento: Espacio de Escritura Libre (Encuento: Free Writing Space) where she uses her poetry and creative writing background to facilitate an online meetup for writers of all levels. Previously the editor of 070 Podcasts, an independent platform in Colombia. With a background in communication and literature from Emerson College in Boston, and a master’s degree in Journalism from the Universidad de los Andes in Colombia, her work centers on rights of nature and feminism. Her podcasts have been featured on Cerosetenta, Ithaca Horizon and La Liga Contra el Silencio, while her articles have appeared in Pacifista, Sembra Media, La República, La Revista de Costa Rica and Haaretz. Originally from Costa Rica, Goldy now lives in Madrid with her husband and two dogs.
Grace Walker is a podcast producer and journalist at CNN. She has produced a number of podcasts for CNN including All There Is with Anderson Cooper, Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, The Assignment with Audie Cornish, CNN Political Briefing, and All Over The Map with John King. Prior to CNN, Walker worked as a producer and reporter at WABE 90.1 FM, Atlanta’s public radio station. There, she covered the George Floyd protests, the pandemic and produced an award-winning documentary series on inequities within Atlanta’s public transit system. Walker is a graduate of the University of Georgia. She is most passionate about using journalism to seek the truth, tell compelling stories, and help listeners make sense of our ever-changing world.
Helen Brown worked in BBC Radio as a producer for over 20 years before becoming a podcaster. She's the creator of "Effin Hormones", a podcast about perimenopause, which won "Moment of Comedy Gold" in the IWPA's in 2022. Helen splits her time between freelance production and obsessive podcast listening on walks with her dog, Ziggy Stardust.
Isis Madrid is a first-generation Colombian-American journalist, writer and executive producer. She is the co-founder of Pizza Shark, a Latina-owned podcast and multimedia production company that creates impactful, culturally relevant content for clients around the world. With nearly two decades of experience in audio and video storytelling, Isis has produced award-winning projects across platforms, from public health to pop culture. She’s passionate about elevating underrepresented voices and championing diverse perspectives in media. Isis lives in New York City with her husband and two pugs.
Jaanam is a writer at WTF, a podcast and media company based in Bangalore, India. She has worked in pet care, advertising, music and entertainment, most notably serving as a podcast producer on ‘Maed in India’, India’s first podcast dedicated to Indian independent music and at IVM Podcasts, one of India’s leading podcast networks. As producer, she managed a diverse range of shows, from finance to dating to advertising and more.
Jasmine Rach is a Toronto-based bilingual podcast producer, journalist, and consultant with a talent for turning great concepts into award-winning shows. As the head of client relations and senior producer at Lead Podcasting, she works on acclaimed series like Borders & Belonging and Canadian Time Machine. With over five years of experience, Jasmine specializes in helping organizations and brands build podcasts from the ground up—everything from shaping the concept to landing high-profile guests and producing polished episodes that listeners love, and clients are proud to share.
Jasmine Vickaryous is an award-winning producer based in Calgary, Alberta. She is currently the Senior Producer at CKUA Radio, Alberta’s voice for music, arts, and culture. In this role, she helps produce Hidden Track, CKUA’s flagship music and conversation podcast. She also hosts The Wild Card, a radio show spotlighting underrepresented voices in country, folk, and roots music. Before joining CKUA, Jasmine worked as a video journalist at CityNews Calgary and served as the Podcast Coordinator at CJSW, Calgary’s community radio station.
Jelena is a producer, curator, writer, and researcher based in London, working at the intersections of cultural history, politics, and the arts. Her independent curatorial projects include exhibitions like Invasion Ecology (2024), and she produces EMPIRE LINES, a podcast which uncovers the unexpected flows of empires through art. Jelena is pursuing a practice-based PhD with Gray’s School of Art, curating exhibitions of Balkan and Yugoslavian/diasporic artists in British collections.
Jennay is the Content Director for We Edit Podcasts and a die-hard lover of the audio medium in all its forms, from hearing stories read and told, to cassettes (yes, cassettes!) to audiobooks and now podcasts. She is passionate about storytelling and nothing moves her more than a tale told well. Jennay is happiest getting lost in a story - and is surrounded by them every day. In her main role at We Edit Podcasts, her mission is to always offer valuable content, without fluff but she also loves when she get to strengthen a narrative through content edits for clients. The podcast industry is an incredible place to be, full of diverse creators and voices sharing all kinds of stories, and Jennay feels so privileged to have found a space in this sphere.
Jennifer is a marketing powerhouse with a decade of experience and a niche expertise in podcasting. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Ausha, a platform specialized in Podcast Marketing, she's shaping the future of the industry. Before Ausha, she honed her skills at L'Oréal International and founded 'Culinariste,' a digital culinary media platform. Co-leading Ausha, she's catapulted the startup to market leadership in France and is now breaking ground in the U.S. A recognized authority in her field, Jennifer is a sought-after speaker at international conferences and has even had the opportunity to collaborate with tech giants (Google/Youtube, Amazon...).
Jess Schmidt is a freelance producer, consultant, accessibility advocate, and instructor from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She's always loved telling stories, and fell in love with podcasting and all things audio back in 2014. She's been creating and running branded and independent podcasts since 2019, and currently teaches audio practices and entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University. Jess cohosts the indie podcast Rooked: The Cheaters' Gambit with her partner, Ryan.
Jill Ruby has developed and produced radio, podcasts, and television series for multiple national organizations and networks including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, George Washington University, American Academy of Pediatrics, PBS, A&E, Nickelodeon, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Court TV, and HGTV. She holds a MA in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University, and is a member of New York Women in Film & Television, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Jill is a judge for the Webby Awards, the Signal Awards, and has been a judge for the Daytime Emmys. She recently won several awards for podcasting, including four Webby-Anthem Awards, five Signal Awards, two Webby Honorees, and was shortlisted for a 2024 International Women's Podcast Award. Jill lives with her husband, two teenagers, and one very good goldendoodle in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Karen Given is a podcast showrunner, story editor and coach. A veteran of public radio, Karen is the former executive producer and host of NPR’s Only A Game. She writes Narrative Beat, a free newsletter for journalists and podcast makers who want to tell better stories.
Karen is a senior podcast producer at AudioBoom, producing the award winning official Formula One podcast F1: Beyond The Grid, the world's biggest motorsport podcast. From cracking jokes to cracking cases, Karen has lent her talents to an eclectic array of podcasts, spanning comedy to true crime, sports, psychology and tech. Her career in audio began working on popular daytime strands at BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4, where she honed her craft and fell in love with the art of storytelling through sound, making compelling documentaries for BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
Kathleen Speckert is a producer and production manager at editaudio. She's helped bring dozens of in-house and client shows to life — including the award-nominated Ozarks True Crime series which recently covered the release of Sandra Hemme, the longest-known wrongfully incarcerated woman in US history.
Katie Jensen is a podcast producer who specializes in arts & cultures, news & current events, and science audio storytelling. She runs Vocal Fry Studios, a podcast production company in Toronto and she has made podcasts for CBC Podcasts, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, The Globe and Mail, Canadaland and many others.
Dr. Kori Czuy ᒥᐦᑯᐱᐦᐁᓯᐤ, was born in Treaty 8 by the banks of the Peace River in Alberta Canada. She's passionate about bringing together multiple ways of knowing, being, and doing science, which began with her PhD in Indigenous mathematics and continues to do as an Indigenous Science Educational Consultant and through being the Director and Host of the Ancestral Science Podcast. The pod was started in response to Kainai Elder Casey Eagle Speaker's guidance that "knowledge that isn't shared isn't knowledge." Kori is on an ongoing journey to reconnect with and learn from scientific knowings of the Land, as well as helping others connect with the complexities of these knowings alongside Global science.
Kristen Fields is a storyteller at heart who stumbled into podcasting by accident. In 2022, she took the helm of the Financial Feminist Podcast (hosted by Tori Dunlap of Her First $100K) and since then has started a production studio with her spouse and business partner, Austin Fields. Their venture, Knuckledragger Studios, works with brands to hone their unique sound and develops new content through its narrative wing. Their first release, Longtime, First Time, a horror-fiction podcast about the not-so-quiet town of Wolf Bluff and its local radio station, WBAR, premiers in April 2025. Kristen is also an actor based in the Southeast and will be lending her voice to Longtime, First Time as the formidable radio producer Kit Greenville.
Laura Joyce Davis teaches podcasting at Stanford University, where she helps students turn climate change research into planet-saving stories, and manages production for the award-winning State of the Human. She is the CEO and cofounder of Narrative Podcasts, the Executive Producer of Shelter in Place, and a Podcast Magazine Top Influencer in Podcasting. Her work has been recognized with a Social Impact Award for Mentoring and DEI initiatives, a Fulbright scholarship, a Poet & Writers Exchange Award, and the International Women’s Podcasting Award for “Changing the World One Moment at a Time.”
Laura Ubaté (she/her) is a Creative Director, Story Editor and Audio storyteller. One of the leaders in the Spanish-language podcasting industry. A former radio host, her work has been featured in award-winning narrative nonfiction podcasts from Audible, Spotify, and BBC World. Laura founded Colombia’s first podcaster community, El Café Podcastero, and has mentored more than 20 Latinx creators in five countries. Her podcasts "Juventud Maldito Vacío" and "Viajes Inmóviles" have been showcased in Colombia, Mexico, and Spain.
Lea Dakowski is a podcast producer and host. She has been working at the German production company Kugel und Niere since 2021. She has written for Europes biggest Science Podcast on Spotify ‘Wissen Weekly’ and edited the Wondery podcast ‘Verdammt Berühmt’ - the German spin off of 'Even The Rich'. Since March 2024, she has been co-hosting the podcast ‘Juice’ with Lina Kempenich, in which they tell each other real gossip stories anonymously.
Lena Kohlwe is a German science journalist from Munich with a sweet spot for storytelling. She primarily works on Germany’s most successful science podcast "Wissen Weekly".
Lina Prestwood is the founder of mission-led audio indie Scenery Studios, whose podcasts aim to bring out the best in humanity, one listen at a time. Based in London, UK, Scenery has made shows such as Lowlines and The Long Time Academy.
Liz Burnett is an Executive Producer and brand and IP specialist with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. As the Head of Podcasts at Storyglass Australia and Fremantle Australia, Liz co-created and executive produced over 200 episodes of content across podcasts and audiobooks, including Sex Therapy: Sessions with Chantelle Otten, wellness daily series Sweat Daily with Kayla Itsines, hit true crime series Chasing Charlie, scripted series Wentworth: The Fall Girl and the Sleep Sound Australia series for Audible. Liz is currently consulting for Penguin Random House and producing an upcoming investigative podcast series for SBS.
Louisa Wells is Head of Audio at The Telegraph, helping to shape the publication's award-winning audio. This year her team launched a new daily news offering, The Daily T, as well as blockbuster narrative documentary series such as Bed of Lies, global news like Battle Lines and Ukraine: The Latest, which is the only English-language podcast on the invasion still running daily, and seasonal specialist shows about Sport, Money and many other topics. Before The Telegraph, Louisa produced local and network radio for the BBC for 8 years.
Lucia Scazzocchio is an award winning audio producer/sound artist and founder of Social Broadcasts - where audio making meets community engagement and participatory art practice, weaving conversations and personal stories to reveal broader social themes. Driven by creating engaging audio that is ‘soundscaped' into imaginative on and off-line productions, Lucia's work is often connected to our relationship with place. www.socialbroadcasts.co.uk Lucia is also the founder and curator of xmtr.fm a sonic storytelling platform for independent audio makers.
Mae Mariyam Thomas is award-winning presenter, podcast producer, and audio content/production consultant with over 18 years experience in radio and podcasting. She is currently the founder of podcast production company & consultancy, Maed in India (which is also the name of her indie music podcast).
Maria Passingham is a Podcast Producer & Editor, inspired and driven by human stories. Having pivoted from a background in music radio, she's been with indie podcast production company editaudio for over 5 years, and in 2023 wrapped her solo 3-season project Equal Parts. Based in the UK's beautiful Peak District, Maria spends her free time attempting to climb hills, usually with a library book in her bag, and one eye on the pub in the distance.
Mark Packard is a media production leader passionate about crafting high-quality audio and video experiences. With expertise in end-to-end production, business operations, and client relations, Mark specializes in optimizing workflows, enhancing sound quality through advanced audio restoration techniques, and developing equitable pricing models that make professional production more accessible to all storytellers. Mark’s goal is always to merge technical expertise with creative vision to bring compelling content to life. Beyond production, Mark has been deeply involved in the arts, music, and storytelling worlds for over 30 years. Whether producing a podcast, directing an audiobook, or mentoring creators, Mark brings a problem-solving mindset and a passion for innovation to every project.
Martina Castro is a podcast producer, host, and entrepreneur, with 20 years of experience telling stories in audio. Since 2017 she has been the founder & CEO of Adonde Media, a multilingual audio storytelling company that she founded at a startup incubator for female founders in Santiago, Chile. Since then, she has led international teams as EP on projects with partners such as Duolingo, TED, Spotify, Audible and more. Named PodWoman of the Year in 2022, Martina is also a leading voice in the Spanish language and international podcast industry, and has given numerous talks and workshops on the art of audio storytelling. Martina’s family is originally from Uruguay and she now lives in Oxnard, California.
Mary Chan is a Podcast Strategist, Voice Coach, and Voice-Over Artist who believes in empowering underrepresented humans to build a community of belonging through podcasting. Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada to immigrant parents, Mary was told to stay quiet. Today, Mary gives historically marginalized communities the self-confidence with their voice because she felt that she didn’t have one growing up. After working in radio for 20 years, she struck out on her own and founded Organized Sound Productions, a podcast production and consulting company.
Max Collins is an audio-focused editor, producer, and development consultant, currently serving as Director of Audio & Creative Production at Canadaland. With a background in campus radio thanks to CFUV 101.9 FM in Victoria, max has made a career over the last decade by wearing a vast array of audio production hats. max has reported for the BBC World Service, acted as a director for current affairs programs at CBC Vancouver, and sound-designed some of the most beloved podcasts to come out of Canada. max's work has garnered attention from the Ambie Awards, the Signal Awards, the Webby Awards, the iHeart Radio Awards, the NCRA Awards, The New York Times, Vulture, The New Yorker, IndieWire, Psychology Today, Chatelaine, SAD Magazine, The Vancouver Sun, and more. Outside of the podcasting industry, you can find max organizing music gigs with the Toronto collective New Friends DIY.
After spending almost 20 years as an audio producer at the BBC, and then the podcast commissioning team at Audible, Michelle Martin is one of Wondery’s top leaders in the UK, overseeing global hits such as Ghost Story and The Price of Paradise.
Natalie Silverman is a former radio presenter having spent over 15 years in commercial radio, with a five-year stint on Heart Breakfast before leaving to have her son. During this time Natalie had built up her voiceover credits and today is an award-winning voiceover artist with clients ranging from Netflix to the UN. For the last decade however, Natalie has been flying the podcast flag and hosted and published the multi-award winning podcast 'The Fertility Podcast' which launched in 2014, as the UK's first podcast dedicated to this taboo topic. It paved the way for the range of fertility-related podcasts available today and as a result, Natalie became a patient advocate hosting events and regularly speaking to the mainstream media about fertility. Natalie is a professional presenter and event host facilitating panels and live events, as well as hosting podcasts for brands ranging from tax to supplements. Natalie has also co-founded Fertility Matters at Work, a CIC on a mission to make the workplace fertility friendly, and of course it has a podcast 'The F Word at Work' which talks all about family - building challenges and why people need better support at work. She's delighted to be a judge at the IWPA's.
Nic Redman has spent nearly 20 years recording, speaking, and helping podcasters, speakers, and corporate professionals feel confident and at home on the mic. Her expertise has been featured on BBC and Times Radio and in The Guardian, The Irish Times, and Metro. As a voice coach and director, Nic works with everyone from startup founders to C-suite executives at multinational corporations, as well as household names and global brands, helping them refine their vocal delivery and connect creatively with their audiences. Through her 5-star Voice Coach Podcast Nic shares practical tips and tools to help her audience elevate their vocal delivery and speak with confidence. She’s also the author of the best-selling book On The Mic; a must-read for anyone looking to master their voice and make an impact.
Nicole Engelbrecht worked in corporate management for 20 years before moving on to try her hand at creative entrepreneurship in 2019. She is the creator and host of the popular True Crime South Africa and I Lived Through This, podcasts as well as the Showmax official companion podcasts, Devilsdorp, Stella and Rosemary’s Hit List. She is the author of Samurai Sword Murder: The Morné Harmse Story, Sizzlers: The Hate Crime That Tore Seapoint Apart, and coauthor of Killer Stories: Conversations with South African Serial Killers. Nicole helps to mentor other South African true crime content creators to help grow the space in an ethical and victim-focused direction.
Kahstoserakwathe Paulette Moore is founder and co-owner of The Aunties Dandelion; a media organisation informed by traditional Onkwehòn:we (Indigenous) teachings and focused on revitalising communities through stories of land, language, and relationships. She is an award-winning documentary film director, producer, writer, and podcaster with more than 25 long-form documentaries completed for mainstream media. She spent two decades in Washington, DC as producer/director/writer with Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and others. Moore is an enrolled Kanyen'kehà:ka (Mohawk) citizen from Six Nations of the Grand River territory, and a fluent Kanyen'kè:ha speaker (ACTFL intermediate/high).
Regina Larko ‘s first big love was audio. Becoming a podcaster was inevitable. With 8+ years as the Executive Producer and Host of #impact - A Podcast about stuff that matters, and 'Podcasting With Impact' she emphasizes the power of authentic stories told with intention and empathy to inspire and engage communities. Regina empowers others to create their own impactful podcasts too. She provides tailored support to clients worldwide, helping them effectively start, run, and grow their podcasts to reach their personal and professional goals. Regina is a TEDx speaker and was recognized as one of the "10 Women Changing the Future of Impact in Asia" during her time in Hong Kong. Now based in her hometown of Vienna, she continues to harness the power of voice for positive change.
Ruby Zaman is host and producer of her own independent podcast show Story By Story - a show featuring conversations aiming to connect people through their stories. Ruby is an experienced journalist and has previously worked for Al Jazeera Media Network's multi-award-winning podcast team. She has also worked on the BBC World Service flagship business show World Business Report and the discussion show Business Matters. In addition to this Ruby worked on the What's News AM podcast for The Wall Street Journal. Her podcast experience goes beyond news and business. She was personally hired by happiness expert Mo Gawdat to produce his top-rated mental health podcast Slo Mo. In her 10 months in this role, she contributed to the biggest growth period since the podcast launched – the number of subscribers more than doubled and she produced the episode with the highest number of views on YouTube. Guests included Dr Deepak Chopra, Mona Kattan, Shivani Pau and Elizabeth Day. Ruby has a profound interest in human stories, those that give a voice to marginalised communities around the world and ultimately have a positive impact on humanity. Her work has earned her industry recognition. She was invited to share her journalism experience as a guest speaker for events held by SOAS, University of London and corporate firm EY. Alongside her involvement in the International Women’s Podcast Awards, Ruby has previously been on the judging panel for the British Podcast Awards and the Asian Media Awards.
Ruchi Sawardekar is a film and audio professional based in Pune, India. She is a senior podcast producer with Maed in India, a podcast production company based in India. She has produced shows such as Limitless by Westside, NoSugarCoat with Pooja Dhingra, Her Kajal Won't Smudge, among others. She has also previously produced fifteen live-action short films as part of School Cinema, a film-based educational programme and has served as film programme manager for the International Kids Film Festival for five years. She is also a writer and has contributed feature articles to publications like Rolling Stone India, Open Magazine and the Indian Express.
Samantha Hodder is an audio producer, writer and critic based in Toronto, Canada. She founded Bingeworthy to be the home for the art and the craft of narrative podcasts.
Samantha is an award-winning multi-media professional with experience in TV & Film, podcasts and technology. She is Production Manager at Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio, helping podcasts big and small take flight and is also the Founder & President of Newcastle Film Club, an award nominated community filmmaking organisation. Having lived in the U.S., Ireland and the U.K. has allowed Samantha to see through an eclectic and creative lens that informs her work. She is most passionate about producing factual and documentary work that breaks molds and shares undiscovered voices. Samantha loves listening to podcasts nearly as much as she loves making them. Her creative ability to bring to life the surprising behind-the-scenes stories of thought-leaders, celebrities, and influencers from around the world can be heard in her work as co-host of Big On Small - The Official Small Business Podcast on Spotify. Samantha has been described as a 'podcast prodigy' for the way she's brought these stories to life. Samantha has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal for her work at a tech startup company, created content for Channel 4, Channel 5, the BBC, and has been featured multiple times across various radio and online news outlets for her work in media.
Sarah Holt has worked in radio, television and digital media for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and CNN before arriving back in audio with a series of narrative sport podcasts for BBC Sounds. She is the co-creator and co-host of F1: Back at Base, a series that follows life inside the top-secret Formula 1 factories. She combines podcasting with scriptwriting and producing for other sporting series, usually of the four-wheeled variety.
Sherley is a Montreal-born podcaster since 2008, now works in Toronto as a podcast producer, speaker, and digital strategist. She co-founded The Chonilla Network, hosting podcasts like Black Canadian Creators and Uncolonized Podcast. She also leads the BCANC Instagram and Facebook groups, supporting over 450+ vetted content creators. Their motto: "We create community and welcome new media content by keeping it funny, thought-provoking, and educational. She’s also the co-organizer of the Soundwave Summit “Bringing together creators making waves in podcasting” that is coming up this year Sunday, May 4, 2025 at the famous Orange Lounge recording studio in Toronto.
Simona Costantini is the Founder and CEO of VOLT Productions, a leading podcast production agency producing over 20 shows weekly, many ranking in the top 30-100 in their niches. She is also the CMO of Northflow, an industry-shaking podcast project management system. She helps business owners and entrepreneurs amplify their voices, grow their impact, and turn their passions into thriving platforms. She is also the CMO of Northflow, a podcast project management systems company. As the host of Happiness Happens and As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona blends mindset shifts with actionable strategies. Off the mic, she enjoys wine country life with her cockapoo, Gus.
Simone Terbrack, born in 1995, completed her training as an actress and musical performer in Hamburg. Since 2016, she has been working as a radio host, audio drama director, and audiobook narrator. In 2021, she made her debut as a podcast and audio producer with Dark Audio Moments, which earned her a nomination for the German Podcast Award in the category “Best Production” that same year. After two years as an Executive Producer at the production company Wake Word, Simone has been working as an Originals Producer at Wondery since 2022. Among other projects, she developed the successful history podcast Was bisher geschah.
Stephanie Fuccio started out as an indy podcast creator and now runs Coffeelike Media, a boutique media agency that focuses on podcast's on helping business owners and community leaders manage and grow their podcasts She's an American serial expat who currently lives in Denmark with her husband and far too many equipment boom arms/tripods.
Stephanie Jenz is the Head of Story at Wondery, the award-winning podcast studio. She was Executive Producer on 28 series including eight number-one hits, such as the Ambie Award- winning Dying for Sex (Best Podcast of the Year, 2021) and Even the Rich (Best Entertainment Podcast, 2021). She also spearheaded the development of long-running podcast series American Scandal, Against the Odds, Scamfluencers, and four seasons of Hollywood & Crime. A veteran producer, director, and writer with more than two decades of experience spanning television and audio, Jenz is recognized for her innovative storytelling and ability to craft compelling narratives across diverse entertainment platforms. During her six-and-a-half years at Wondery, she has played an instrumental role in the expansion of Wondery’s content portfolio.
Sydney Gladu is an award-winning independent podcast producer and editor whose work has topped charts on Apple and Spotify. As the Senior Producer and Editor of "You Probably Think This Story's About You" (winner of the Bronze Signal Award for Best Driveway Moment), Sydney specializes in crafting intimate narrative experiences that explore personal transformation and resilience. With a diverse background spanning public media at KEXP and Crosscut to her extensive production work with Larj Media, Sydney brings a unique perspective to audio storytelling. Her production toolkit includes sound design, field recording, editorial development, and a talent for translating complex ideas into compelling content. A returning judge for the International Women's Podcast Awards, Sydney is passionate about elevating diverse voices in the podcasting industry.
Tammi is passionate about helping and supporting new voices and talent break into the industry. From her roles in News through to her time at Radio Four and now at BBC Sounds she has years of commissioning experience giving her a finely tuned antennae for a great pitch and a “banger” of an idea.
Tashi Radha started her career providing technical support for a range of grass roots podcasts in a small podcast studio housed in a sea container. She is passionate about the medium of podcasts and is a staunch advocate for the positive impact they can have. In 2024 her Radio 4 podcast Best Medicine was nominated for two IWPA awards – Behind-the-Scenes Brilliance and Moment of Comedy Gold. Hosted by award winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Best Medicine combines laughter and hope, celebrating medicine’s inspiring past, present and future.
Theodora Louloudis is a Senior Producer at Wondery, where she oversees hit scripted podcasts including British Scandal and The Spy Who. Previously, she led The Telegraph's audio team, where she co-created critically acclaimed series such as Bed of Lies. Her work has won Press Awards, British Podcast Awards and a British Journalism Award.
Tsedon Lhamu serves as the Managing Director at BBS Channel 3, a non-commercial, educational television channel in Bhutan that she played a key role in establishing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tsedon has led and initiated various programs spanning communications, public relations, a non-profit organization, administration, and human resources. Notably, she headed Kuzoo FM, Bhutan’s first and only youth-oriented radio station. Beyond her role as the only female head of a broadcast media organization in Bhutan, Tsedon is also the youngest Director on the Board of Kuensel, the national newspaper. Her diverse contributions reflect her commitment to empowering women and youth, fostering education, and addressing important societal issues in Bhutan.
Award Winning podcast producer, journalist and host. Verity wrote and produced award-winning three-part documentary, “CUTI”, exposing the hidden world of Chronic UTIs, featured in the Guardian and Dua Lipa’s Service 95. Verity was nominated for Best New Producer at the Audio Production Awards 2024 for CUTI, and her work in the audio industry, supporting Transmission Roundhouse Podcast Academy, which helps young people get into audio.
Vic is audio obsessed and the founder of the multiple award-winning podcast production and training agency MIC media. To date, they’ve produced over 55 audio projects and trained almost 2,500 people equipping them with podcasting skills. Their clients include the National Football Museum, where they produced the successful ‘Quite Unsuitable for Females’ women’s podcast that featured as #1 on Apple Podcasts New and Noteworthy, BBC R4, The Guardian and The Times. Their other clients include Amnesty, Oxfam, Co-op, Manchester City Council, and Plan UK.
Whitney Rosenthal is a seasoned Creative Executive committed to the democratization of content through global platforms and new technologies. She has worked directly with and in support of creators and media companies by building innovative products and developing best-in-class content opportunities. Over the last 15 years, Whitney helped shape the creator economy through her work at both YouTube and Instagram and has recently joined Podimo as the Global Director of Creator Platforms.
Yesenia Bocanegra is the founder of Focus and Bloom Studios, a multilingual podcast producer, speaker, and strategist for content creators. She helps podcasters grow their platforms and reach wider audiences on YouTube. As the host of Focus and Bloom, Bloom Creativo, and Creative Made, she shares insights on entrepreneurship, mindful content creation, and building sustainable platforms. With a background in photography and a deep understanding of multimedia content creation, Yesenia empowers creators to amplify their voices and produce impactful, authentic content.
Zoe Langley-Wathen is an author, speaker, and adventurer passionate about encouraging midlife women to step beyond their comfort zones. The first woman to walk the Wales Coast Path, she has tackled multiple long-distance trails with enthusiasm. Zoe hosts HeadRightOut, a podcast inspiring female resilience through outdoor adventure. A Royal Geographical Society Fellow, her debut memoir, 630 Miles Braver—Midlifing on the South West Coast Path, publishes in April 2025. From October 2025, she and her husband will spend two years walking the coastline of mainland Great Britain, writing, speaking and podcasting along the way.