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.
Katharin Ahrend is the co-managing director of the Clubcommission Berlin, a pivotal force in protecting and shaping the city’s club scene. Born in East Germany just before the fall of the Wall, Katharin grew up navigating the grey zones of youth culture, rave spaces, and political shifts. We talk about everything from abandoned buildings turned dance floors to her journey into cultural policy. Katharin opens up about leadership in male-dominated spaces and her deep-rooted belief that club culture is culture. Beautiful, political, and essential, especially in times of division and crisis.
Cynthia Mensah-Neglokpe is the founder of clicqui and KORE. In this conversation, we talked about starting over, more than once. About what burnout really looks like when you’re the one everyone counts on. And how community, when done right, can quite literally bring you back to yourself. You’ll hear how Cynthia went from managing luxury brands to building grassroots spaces in four cities, all while figuring out how to protect her energy and build something that actually lasts. If you’ve ever thought about creating something real, something that connects people and still keeps you whole. This one’s for you.
Today’s guest is Marina Paulenka, program director of Fotografiska Berlin and a fearless voice in contemporary photography. Born in Yugoslavia before the war, Marina’s story is one of resilience. From growing up during conflict to building a global platform for artists, often without institutional support.We talked about using photography as a tool for empowerment, activism, and storytelling. Marina shared what it really takes to launch a festival from scratch, the importance of making space for underrepresented voices, and how art can drive real societal change.
