113: How Do We Innovate Ourselves? Deep Lessons from a Transgender CEO & VC Innovator

In this special episode of Innovation Storytellers, I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Caroline Farberger, a groundbreaking Transgender CEO and Venture Capital Innovator. Caroline is a partner and chairperson at the venture capital company Wellstreet. Caroline is widely known for her open dialogue about her gender transition, becoming the first senior business leader in the Nordics to do so.

Having held various senior management roles in the financial industry for over 25 years and possessing entrepreneurial experience from the dot com era, Caroline brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion. She candidly shares her transformation journey, shedding light on the revelations she discovered during her transition and how it led to a complete shift in her leadership style.

In a deeply personal and inspiring interview, Caroline talks about the importance of listening, openness and challenging oneself to foster innovation. She discusses how she once overlooked the value of diversity and was confined to structured, linear thinking, replicating old practices. But now, embracing her identity as a woman and an LGBTQ+ person, she recognizes diversity's power and business value, leading her to surround herself with people of different backgrounds and perspectives.

Join us as we delve into how her transformation enriched her personal life and broadened her approach to innovation and leadership. In doing so, Caroline offers crucial insights into the value of fostering diverse and creative thinking to build successful, future-ready companies.

Tune in to this insightful episode to understand how embracing diversity and challenging traditional practices can become a catalyst for creativity and innovation, leading to ultimate business success.