For years, Tita Lau was part of the industry without being seen in it. Before the streams, the tours, and the billing on international lineups, she was writing and recording vocals behind the scenes, contributing to records that carried her voice but not always her name. That early chapter is not unusual. For many women, especially women of Asian heritage, the path into electronic music has often started in the background. What sets Lau apart is what she did next. Around 2020, she made a clear shift into production and began releasing music under her own name, bringing her voice with her and building a sound that felt entirely hers.

Through raw and defiant lyrics, Afghan rapper and activist Sonita Alizadeh shares her values and her story within every verse. Her songs, amplified by international media coverage and public speaking, have captivated millions. The power of her performances shows how she has transformed her voice into both a passion and a purposeful force. Today, she moves audiences around the world as a vital voice for truth in the context of Afghanistan and Iran, shedding light on the struggles of war and poverty.

This year, Bharatanatyam dancer Radhe Jaggi—the only child of global spiritual leader Sadhguru—is particularly excited about the Hindu festival of Mahashivratri. For the first time, instead of choreographing Isha Yoga Centre’s spectacular Mahashivratri performance, which takes place on February 15, she will step onto the stage herself. The Hindu festival of Mahashivratri represents something quietly countercultural: a mass global gathering centred on discipline, stillness and inner alignment, dedicated entirely to Lord Shiva.

Behind every artist, there’s often someone whose courage and resilience shape the person they become. For Canadian-Persian producer Daijo, that figure is his mother. An Iranian refugee who risked everything to build a new life for her family, she left her homeland with nothing but hope, determination, and a belief that her sons deserved a future filled with possibility. Her strength and unwavering commitment are the invisible threads woven into every beat Daijo produces.

Over the course of my research and travels I have witnessed how shared values can inspire action. I have seen first hand how a chain of collaboration, empathy and persistence – often led by women – can turn seemingly immovable global challenges into collective movements for change. Something embodied by a value I call “mateship.” Nowhere has this been more striking than in the critical fight for our ocean.

It was during the Clinton Global Initiative’s 2025 conference that I had the privilege of hearing these words first-hand from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - the world’s first elected Black female president, former leader of Liberia, and Africa’s first elected female head of state.

On 2 December, a bold revolution unfolded at the Design Museum in London with the launch of a global coalition called “All In.” This new initiative seeks to confront the worldwide epidemic of violence against women and to envision a future free from this deeply entrenched harm.

The old saying that “behind every great man is a great woman” doesn’t quite apply to Maureen and Tony Wheeler. As co-founders of Lonely Planet, theirs has always been a well-balanced, values-based partnership: one the business brain, the other the creative force.

For British electronic artist TroyBoi, music has always been a deeply personal expression of heritage and memory. His latest release, “Kabhi,” is more than just a track, it is a cultural bridge. Sampling the hauntingly beautiful voice of the late Lata Mangeshkar from the 2001 Bollywood classic Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, the song becomes a tribute not only to one of India’s most revered vocalists, but also to TroyBoi’s own family history.

At the age of 12, Friederike Ernst’s father handed her a copy of theoretical physicist Simon Singh’s The Code Book, sparking a lifelong interest in cryptography. The gift was prescient; Friederike went on to study physics to post-doctoral level at Stanford and Colombia, before transitioning to the world of tech.

When you think of actor, advocate, presenter and podcaster Jameela Jamil, what often comes to mind is her sharp wit, her unapologetic honesty, and her fierce support for marginalised voices. In a world where women are often expected to “soften” their edges, Jameela’s story is one of the value of resilience - a quality she sees reflected deeply in the Indian and Pakistani cultures that shaped her.

To say that Helena Lersch, Vice President of Public Policy at TikTok, has one of the most important jobs in technology would be an understatement. TikTok is a global giant with over a billion users in a sector where engaging with policy makers is becoming increasingly critical.

Papa Francisco’s influence reached far beyond the Catholic Church, touching religious, political, and cultural spheres across the globe. His legacy is one of unwavering commitments to values, compassion, peace, and justice, shaping the actions of world leaders and inspiring entire nations.

Authenticity is a core value at the heart of award-winning singer-songwriter Devika’s creative success. “I pour my heart and soul into my creation. I love to explore, experiment and collaborate,” she says. “I don’t worry about conforming to a formula but follow my feelings in pursuit of deep emotional impact.”

For centuries, women have had deeply personal, often profound encounters with Sikh culture, yet their stories have remained largely untold. That’s what makes Eleanor Nesbitt’s recently published book, ‘Sikh: Two Centuries of Western Women’s Art & Writing’, such a groundbreaking work.

Behind every great person, there's often a figure who stands as a pillar of love, wisdom, and resilience. For Diamante Anthony Blackmon also known as GORDO, that person is his grandmother, Aura. At 91 years old, Aura is his everything, his constant, his life. A figure who has instilled in him the value of generosity and giving back. She has always been by his side and continues to live with him. GORDO’s love and reverence for her are so profound that he named a song after her in his debut album “Diamante.”

Our first relationship is most often with our mother, and it is said to form the basis of all other relationships in our lives. It teaches us how to bond, stability, respect, belonging, love, care, connection and more. A mother’s influence many a times shapes the very core of who we become, leaving an indelible mark on our lives. This is indeed the truth of almost everyone - even Gurus - and it resonates deeply with Sadhguru, The Isha Foundation founder; a man whose journey and teachings have profoundly impacted millions worldwide.

Colombia—a land of contrasts. Once shrouded in the shadows of civil conflict and drug-related violence, the country has undergone a transformation. Today, it increasingly shines as a sought-after destination, celebrated for its warm hospitality, breathtaking natural beauty, and rich cultural tapestry.

While the ambition to address climate change by 2050 is well meaning, Shally and her team have recognized that waiting until then will be far too late. With each passing year of delay, the expense of lost opportunities will continue to rise, reaching a point where the crisis becomes insurmountable, and we forfeit the chance to scale technologies capable of transforming our economies.

Nicaragua is a land that lives and breathes its identity through the value of poetry. In this land where every corner tells a story, poetry and storytelling help individuals navigate the unpredictable currents of life.