Bozena Gruzd Director, HR Business Partner of li-cycle Bozena Gruzd: Blending Psychology and Business Through HR Leadership Bozena Gruzd, Director and HR Business Partner at Li-Cycle, holds two bachelor’s degrees one in Economics and another in Psychology. Seeking a career that would unite both fields, she pursued a master’s degree in HR Management. Human Resources proved to be the ideal path, allowing her to support organizations while drawing deeply from her psychological background. Li-Cycle is a pioneering company specializing in the recovery of critical materials from lithium-ion batteries, reintegrating them into the supply chain. Its advanced technology enables batteries to be processed safely with zero landfill waste, minimal greenhouse gas emissions, and a significant reduction in CO output. “This is truly encouraging for the world,” Bozena notes. “We now have a safe and sustainable way to recycle lithium-ion batteries while supporting the continued growth of the EV industry.” Challenges as Catalysts for Growth Bozena openly admits she doesn’t enjoy challenges but recognizes they are unavoidable. Whenever she encounters a difficult situation, she reminds herself: “This is temporary. Pause. Breathe. Give it your best you’ll get through it.” And then, she simply moves forward. One defining moment occurred early in her career when she was tasked with delivering a two-day communication skills training for a group of senior engineers. At just 25 years old, the idea of teaching experienced professionals felt overwhelming. “I honestly felt I should be the one learning from them,” she recalls. Determined to succeed, Bozena immersed herself in preparation developing multiple training scenarios and refining countless presentation versions. Despite her efforts, self-doubt crept in. She feared the assignment might become the greatest failure of her career and even promised herself she would never accept such a project again. Sleep eluded her the night before the session. Yet the following morning, she was greeted by participants offering warm, encouraging smiles. Taking a deep breath, she addressed the room with sincerity: “I know I’m young and you know it too. You bring far more experience and wisdom than I do. I also understand you may have preferred different ways to spend these two days. But since we’re here together, what if I simply share the most valuable and interesting things I learned at university? I’m young enough to still remember all those books and I’ve selected the best insights for you.” Their response was immediate and supportive: “Let’s try. Go ahead.” Later, participants shared that her honesty and humility instantly built trust. The training became highly engaging, with full participation throughout. From that experience, Bozena gained a lasting lesson: “Stay humble. Be honest. Authenticity always resonates.” Life as a Mountain Journey Bozena often compares life to hiking. “What fascinates me about mountains is that they offer many peaks. The path is never a steady climb you move up and down repeatedly. Life mirrors that rhythm, filled with highs and lows.” Each summit, she explains, unveils new perspectives, opportunities, and challenges. The journey becomes deeply fulfilling when one chooses the “right mountain” a path aligned with personal strengths, passions, and aspirations. “Climbing a mountain may bring success. Climbing your mountain brings both happiness and success.” Driving HR Growth at Li-Cycle Bozena oversees HR responsibilities across the EMEA region, which is currently experiencing rapid expansion. Recruitment remains her primary focus and will continue to be central in the near future. She joined Li-Cycle in February 2022 as only the second employee in EMEA. By December of the same year, the regional team had grown to 25 colleagues. Alongside hiring efforts, she has been instrumental in building and strengthening the HR infrastructure for the region. Navigating Work and Life Balance Bozena shares candidly that maintaining work-life balance is still a learning process. “It’s easy for me to become fully absorbed in work, so I consciously remind myself to pause at least once every eight hours.” She also emphasizes the importance of a supportive team culture. When she sees colleagues investing extra effort, she matches their dedication while encouraging mutual care within the team. “This is one of the reasons I value being at Li-Cycle a company that genuinely promotes balance.” She credits leadership for reinforcing this mindset, recalling a guiding principle shared by Lauren Choate, CPO at Li-Cycle: “Your health is priority number one, your family is priority number two, and your work is priority number three.” Bozena believes such messages must extend beyond words. “It’s vital not only to say it but to live it.” Advice for Aspiring Leaders Bozena’s message to emerging professionals and business leaders is refreshingly simple: “Make mistakes and keep going. Perfection isn’t the goal. The world needs people who are willing to give their best.” Progress, she emphasizes, is not defined by speed. “It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you move. Just continue forward. The horizon will always be there— today, tomorrow, or even next week.”

Leigh Rust. Founder of Safetyline Jalousie Leadership Shaped by Grace and Responsibility Being at the helm of an enterprise is undeniably a significant responsibility. Yet, there are individuals who carry this role with such composure and refinement that their leadership leaves a lasting impression. To become a truly respected leader requires resilience, passion, and a steadfast commitment to one’s vision. Leigh Rust stands among those rare leaders who consistently lead by example and command admiration not only within his organization but across the wider industry. Leigh strongly believes in remaining true to himself, embracing authenticity as a guiding principle in his professional journey. This sincerity has deeply connected with people, strengthening both his leadership presence and entrepreneurial reputation. Starting from the ground up, Leigh successfully built his louvre window business, transforming a vision into a thriving enterprise that continues to achieve new milestones. The Exemplary Leader It is often said that teams perform at their best under the guidance of an inspiring leader, and Leigh Rust has proven to be exactly that for his organization. He skillfully balances the demands of business leadership while maintaining a well-rounded personal life, steering his company steadily toward success. Leigh’s entrepreneurial drive developed early, influenced by growing up in an environment closely connected to business development. In 2010, he co-founded Safetyline Jalousie alongside his brother Nathan a venture that marked the beginning of an impressive business journey. Over time, Leigh’s accomplishments have earned him considerable recognition. He has received multiple business awards across the Australian and Asia-Pacific regions. His consistent excellence led to his acknowledgment as one of the leading young entrepreneurs, along with being featured among the “Top 100 Entrepreneurs Under 40” for three consecutive years. Reflecting on his decade-long dedication to growing the company, Leigh acknowledges that he now enjoys greater flexibility in determining how he allocates his time. This autonomy has played a crucial role in sustaining his desired work–life balance. The Motivation Behind Continuous Growth Leigh attributes much of his motivation to his family. As a father of three, he finds inspiration in both his wife and children, who, he says, teach him valuable lessons every day. While his entrepreneurial journey began before fatherhood, having a family has significantly strengthened his determination to succeed. Their encouragement fuels his ambition to excel, not only for business success but also as a role model committed to personal and professional growth. “Authenticity must remain at the core of everything you pursue.” – Leigh Rust Cultivating a Loyal Consumer Base Leigh understands that sustained success depends on building strong relationships with customers. He credits this achievement to an efficient and approachable sales team dedicated to addressing consumer queries and providing clarity. Additionally, having region-specific staff enables the company to deliver more personalized services, strengthening trust and customer satisfaction. However, Leigh emphasizes that product quality remains the most decisive factor. He firmly believes that excellence in quality naturally communicates value and credibility. Strengthening Company Culture Leigh places considerable emphasis on fostering a positive organizational culture. He believes workplaces should encourage collaboration, enjoyment, and mutual support. These elements, he feels, are essential for driving performance and unlocking team potential. A Vision for a Sustainable Future Looking forward, Leigh’s aspirations extend beyond business expansion. He is deeply invested in contributing to environmental sustainability. A primary objective involves minimizing carbon emissions and supporting greener initiatives. Together with his team, Leigh is actively pursuing sustainability-focused strategies while simultaneously developing innovative projects. Under his leadership, the company also aims to expand internationally, bringing its window solutions to global markets.

Dana Scarcella VP, Head of Human Resources at NOVONIX Dana became the first member of her family to pursue higher education a milestone shaped by resilience and curiosity. Raised by a single mother employed in a unionized minimum-wage role, Dana grew up observing workplace dynamics from a unique lens. She often wondered why friction seemed inevitable between management and employees, believing there must be a more collaborative and respectful way forward. This early exposure sparked her interest in Industrial Relations, a field she chose deliberately with the conviction that human resource management could bridge communication gaps and cultivate healthier organizational relationships. Even today, Dana remains a firm advocate of direct, transparent, and honest dialogue between leadership and staff, viewing it as the cornerstone of trust and long-term success Defining Ideal Leadership For Dana, leadership is deeply rooted in navigating complexity rather than avoiding it. She believes effective leaders must learn to function amid uncertainty, interpret ambiguity with clarity, and actively seek broad-based feedback before making critical decisions. Leadership, in her perspective, is not about satisfying everyone an expectation she considers unrealistic but about setting direction, articulating the reasoning behind choices, establishing clear expectations, and inspiring collective alignment. By understanding how the organization operates at every level, leaders empower their teams to move beyond isolated tasks and appreciate the broader mission and vision. NOVONIX NOVONIX is positioned at the forefront of battery materials and technological innovation. The company is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions and high-performance materials that support the rapidly expanding electric vehicle and energy storage industries. As global demand for EVs and grid-scale storage systems accelerates, the need for advanced battery technologies capable of delivering durability, efficiency, and longevity continues to intensify. While battery cell manufacturing within the United States is gaining momentum, the domestic supply chain is still evolving. Recognizing this emerging gap, NOVONIX strategically anticipated the challenge. Through its Anode Materials division, the company is actively working to localize production, with plans to manufacture significant volumes of high-capacity, long-life synthetic graphite within the US a move designed to strengthen supply chain resilience and meet growing industry needs. NOVONIX’s growth strategy reflects bold ambition. Dana shares, “We are currently navigating the early stages of our company’s lifecycle, with a workforce of approximately 200 employees. Over the next three years, we aim to expand our team by more than 500%. This phase is both incredibly exciting and undeniably demanding we are, quite literally, building while advancing.” In this transformative stage, Dana is focused on establishing a scalable HR infrastructure, laying down the structural and cultural foundations necessary to support accelerated expansion. Professional Journey Dana’s career path is distinguished by breadth and adaptability. Having contributed to eight different organizations across seven distinct industries, she has cultivated a diverse and versatile professional perspective. Each role presented new challenges, insights, and opportunities for growth, enabling her to integrate a wide range of best practices into her leadership approach. Equally important to Dana is the pursuit of balance through intentional decision-making. She has consciously shaped her career to accommodate both personal fulfillment and professional advancement. Reflecting on her journey, she remarks, “I could never have predicted how my career would unfold. However, looking back, it’s evident that every experience prepared me for the next chapter. It has been an extraordinary journey, and I remain excited about what lies ahead.” Focusing on Top Priorities Dana views career development as a continuous interplay between aspiration, capability, and necessary trade-offs. Rather than chasing the elusive ideal of perfect balance, she prioritizes intentionality making conscious choices aligned with her values and commitments. She regularly reflects on whether her time and energy are being invested in what truly matters. One of her most significant lessons was accepting that excellence does not require equal intensity across all areas. Following her return from maternity leave, Dana redefined her priorities using a tiered framework. She explains, “I committed my full energy to Tier 1 priorities. Tier 2 received focused but measured attention. Anything categorized under Tier 3, I respectfully declined.” This structured clarity allowed her to protect both performance and wellbeing. Dana has experienced firsthand the effectiveness of positive reinforcement. During her college years, while working as a waitress under a strict dress code, she encountered a defining moment. Employees who met every uniform requirement received a reward, but Dana narrowly missed it due to a single overlooked item a calculator. Though initially disappointed, the experience reshaped her mindset. She recalls, “That small incident permanently influenced my behavior. From that day forward, I ensured complete preparedness.” Gaining Perspective Through Challenges Dana firmly believes that the most demanding professional experiences often yield the greatest personal and leadership growth. While leadership may feel smoother during periods of economic stability, it becomes significantly more complex during downturns. Having navigated challenging business climates, workforce reductions, and high-pressure scenarios, Dana emphasizes the importance of resilience within HR leadership. She believes HR professionals must remain steady, empathetic, and dependable particularly when organizations face uncertainty. Passion for People and Cultures Although Dana excelled academically in analytical disciplines such as mathematics and science, she found herself increasingly drawn to the intricate nature of human behavior. Unlike equations with definitive answers, human psychology presents nuance, variability, and depth elements that deeply fascinated her. She values the individuality of people, teams, and organizational cultures, along with the diversity of global perspectives. These interests ultimately shaped her commitment to human resources. Leadership Philosophy Dana’s leadership philosophy centers on empowerment rather than authority. She believes leadership is less about directing others and more about guiding individuals to recognize their strengths, potential, and capabilities. She strongly aligns with the principles of servant leadership removing barriers, fostering supportive environments, recognizing exceptional effort, and reinforcing behaviors that contribute to collective success.

Jessy Tolkan CEO & President of Drive Agency Culminating as a Successful Leader For this visionary leader, success has never been defined by a single milestone or title. Instead, it has unfolded as a continuous journey shaped by growth, resilience, and evolving impact. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to witness success in many different forms over the past 20 years,” he shares. “Early in my career, success was measured through tangible, immediate outcomes like the number of voters I registered on the UW-Madison campus. Those moments taught me discipline, persistence, and the value of grassroots engagement.” As his career progressed, the meaning of success transformed. It became less about numbers alone and more about scale, influence, and long-term change. “More recently, success has meant helping unlock millions of dollars in philanthropic capital to address global issues from the climate crisis to human rights,” he explains. “These achievements are deeply fulfilling because they represent systemic progress rather than isolated wins.” He emphasizes that success is not static; it evolves with perspective. What feels significant at one stage may later become a stepping stone toward something greater. “Success is layered,” he reflects. “Sometimes it’s personal growth. Sometimes it’s organizational progress. And at other times, it’s the ability to create opportunities that positively affect communities and future generations.” The Power of Self-Advocacy One of the most profound leadership lessons he has learned is the necessity of taking ownership of one’s professional advancement. “Early on, many people assume that hard work alone guarantees recognition,” he notes. “But experience teaches you that career growth cannot rely solely on the expectation that someone else particularly those in leadership positions will automatically look out for your best interests.” He stresses that leadership requires courage not only in decision-making but also in self-representation. “You must become your own strongest advocate,” he says. “Whether it’s negotiating compensation, requesting equity, or pursuing partnership, these conversations are rarely comfortable but they are essential.” Avoiding such discussions often leads to stagnation, undervaluation, or missed opportunities. “Confidence is built by stepping into discomfort,” he explains. “When you believe in your value and articulate your contributions clearly, you shift from waiting for permission to actively shaping your trajectory.” Building a Brand Through Bridge-Building A defining achievement for Jessy and the Drive Agency team has been their ability to unite two worlds often seen as incompatible: youth activism and the corporate sector. “At first glance, these communities appear to operate with entirely different priorities,” he observes. “Youth activists are driven by urgency, values, and systemic change, while corporations are traditionally guided by structure, scale, and profitability.” However, Drive Agency recognized a powerful opportunity within this contrast. “Our work has demonstrated that when these groups are thoughtfully brought together, they can generate transformative solutions,” he explains. “Innovation frequently emerges at the intersection of differing perspectives.” He highlights that global challenges particularly climate change cannot be solved within silos. “The magnitude of today’s issues requires cross-sector collaboration,” he adds. “We must be willing to engage beyond familiar networks and build partnerships that might once have seemed unlikely.” Purpose-Driven Mission Drive Agency operates with a clear commitment: contributing to a more just and equitable world. The team understands that this mission represents work that spans generations. “We remain humbled by the opportunity to play even a small role in this larger movement,” he says. “Our focus is to push relentlessly toward solutions that address the climate crisis while ensuring fairness, inclusion, and equity.” He underscores that climate solutions must benefit all communities not just a privileged few. “True progress will demand participation from governments, institutions, businesses, and individuals across every region of the world,” he explains. “When we succeed, it will reaffirm humanity’s capacity for cooperation, creativity, and collective action.” Responsibility and Human Context Working with major global corporations brings both opportunity and responsibility. While many organizations already possess sophisticated research and analytics capabilities, Drive Agency adds another dimension. “We help translate data into human understanding,” he explains. “Behind every statistic are real communities, real challenges, and real lives.” Rather than simply incorporating external expertise into projects, Drive Agency prioritizes authentic collaboration. “We actively involve local and regional organizations,” he adds. “These partners bring invaluable lived experience and contextual knowledge that cannot be replicated from a distance.” This approach strengthens both credibility and impact Looking Ahead Jessy’s vision for Drive Agency remains anchored in bold ambition and fearless experimentation. “We will continue to show up each day as a woman-owned, woman-powered firm committed to redefining what’s possible,” he states. “We embrace calculated risks and accept that failure is often part of meaningful innovation.” The path forward may be uncertain, but the mindset is unwavering. “The future will be shaped by those willing to think big, act courageously, and pursue transformative change,” he concludes. “And we’re fully ready for that journey.

DR. Ahmed Eissa Championing Patient – Centered Care in the UAE Dr. Ahmed Eissa: Redefining Patient-Centered Leadership A Visionary at the Helm of SGH UAE As Group CEO of Saudi German Health (SGH) UAE, Dr. Ahmed Eissa represents a new generation of healthcare leadership one that blends clinical understanding with executive foresight. With a background that bridges medicine and business administration, he brings a multidimensional perspective to navigating today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Dr. Eissa’s leadership is anchored in a clear mission: healthcare must go beyond treatment to deliver trust, comfort, accessibility, and measurable outcomes. In an era defined by technological acceleration and rising patient expectations, he continues to steer SGH UAE toward innovation without compromising the human essence of care. Championing Preventive Healthcare One of the most notable milestones under Dr. Eissa’s leadership was SGH UAE’s entry into the Guinness World Records through a large-scale vascular screening initiative. This accomplishment symbolized more than operational excellence it underscored a strategic shift toward preventive healthcare. By prioritizing early detection and proactive intervention, Dr. Eissa reinforced a crucial message: preventing disease is as important as curing it. The initiative demonstrated SGH’s ability to mobilize expertise, resources, and community engagement at scale while raising awareness about cardiovascular health across the region. Transforming the Patient Experience Dr. Eissa has been instrumental in reshaping how patients perceive hospital care. Recognizing that healing is influenced by environment as much as clinical intervention, he introduced hospitality-inspired standards into SGH facilities. This transformation includes: Designing warmer, more welcoming clinical spaces Embedding empathy-driven communication across teams Streamlining patient journeys to reduce friction and delays Ensuring personalized engagement at every touchpoint The result is a care model where medical precision is matched by emotional reassurance. This patientfirst philosophy contributed to SGH Dubai receiving the title of ‘Best Service Provider in Dubai’ by Khaleej Times, reflecting excellence not only in treatment but also in service quality. Driving Digital & AI Integration A strong advocate for healthcare innovation, Dr. Eissa views digital ecosystems and artificial intelligence as foundational pillars of the future. Under his direction, SGH UAE continues to accelerate technology adoption to enhance both clinical and operational performance. Key focus areas include: AI-assisted diagnostics and predictive analytics Digitally enabled patient engagement Smart hospital management systems Automation of administrative workflows Remote monitoring and telehealth expansion For Dr. Eissa, technology is not an end goal it is a tool to improve accuracy, efficiency, safety, and accessibility. His approach ensures that innovation directly translates into better patient outcomes and smoother healthcare experiences. Balancing Global Standards with Regional Sensitivity Supported by his MBA background, Dr. Eissa integrates international best practices while maintaining alignment with local cultural and social dynamics. This balance is essential in the GCC, where healthcare excellence must coexist with patient trust, community values, and regional expectations. His leadership reflects a nuanced understanding that world-class healthcare is achieved not by imitation, but by intelligent adaptation. Leadership Rooted in Care At the core of Dr. Eissa’s philosophy lies a deeply human belief: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” This principle defines his management style empowering teams, fostering accountability, and cultivating an environment where clinicians and staff are supported to perform at their best. Rather than focusing on personal accolades, Dr. Eissa measures success through: Patient satisfaction and safety Organizational resilience Team development and engagement Sustainable innovation Shaping the Future of Healthcare Through strategic clarity, operational discipline, and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered care, Dr. Ahmed Eissa continues to guide SGH UAE toward a future defined by accessibility, personalization, and technological advancement. His leadership is not merely about managing healthcare systems it is about elevating how care is delivered, experienced, and valued.