On the Women Authors of Achievement Podcast, we hear from some of the most successful women of our time about the ebbs and flows of their personal and professional lives. Host Daria Suvorova takes listeners to discover and learn from the inspirations and obstacles these remarkable women faced to get to where they are today.
Today’s episode marks an exciting milestone: it’s the official launch of our year-long partnership with flaconi, Germany’s leading online retailer for beauty and perfume. Flaconi stands for more than just beauty products, it’s a brand that celebrates diversity, mental well-being, empowerment, and culture. Values that align deeply with what we do here at WAA. And to celebrate this moment, we’ve planned this special edition of the show. Alexandra Szarmach is flaconi’s CHRO and Managing Director. With a background that spans sales and HR at global giants like Sephora, Alexandra brings both business savvy and a deep, human-centered leadership style. She opened up about what it means to lead through values, to support mental health in the workplace in tangible ways, and how she is creating inclusive space for women to rise across industries.
Viviane Sassen doesn’t just take photographs, she creates entire worlds. Known for her dreamlike use of light and shadow, she moves seamlessly between fashion, fine art, and documentary photography, always pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling, often exploring themes of identity, memory, and mortality. In this conversation, we’ll uncover the influences that shaped her artistic vision, from her childhood in Kenya to her fascination with abstraction. Whether you’re an artist, a storyteller, or simply curious about the way we see the world, this conversation will leave you looking at photography and life through a new lens.
We are joined by Maria von Scheel-Plessen, who traveled all the way from Munich to meet me at Fotografiska’s cozy Bar Clara—bringing luxury straight to the show. As a senior marketing leader for a top luxury brand, Maria is a powerhouse in her field, blending strategy, tech, and business. But her path wasn’t conventional. Instead of stepping into her family’s 300-year-old legacy, she carved her own path—moving across the world, taking bold risks, and redefining what leadership looks like. In this episode, we get real about the highs and lows of leading—navigating self-doubt, setting boundaries, and making big career moves. Maria also shares insights on the future of luxury, from shifting consumer habits to why personalization is everything. And of course, we talk about the power of trusting yourself—because sometimes, the best strategy isn’t just knowing the market, it’s knowing you.
