In this season opener of Emotional Business, host Olga Skipper welcomes Gülşah Wilke—partner and head of Germany at DN Capital, co-founder of 2hearts and executive, investor, and mother. Gülşah brings a rare perspective shaped by migration, entrepreneurship, and motherhood, and this episode dives deep into what it truly means to lead—and live—with authenticity in the rapidly evolving landscape of tech and business.

At a pivotal moment, as leaders confront one of the toughest years in recent history and brace for a more complex 2026, Olga and Gülşah explore the emotional, strategic, and personal dimensions at play for founders, investors, and operators. This conversation moves well beyond theory, surfacing the realities of identity, diversity, executive presence, and resilience.

In this episode, we explore: • Roots and Resilience — how Gülşah’s family migration story shaped her drive, outlook, and commitment to “success has no borders” • The Immigrant Advantage — why hardship and diversity unlock strength for founders and leaders • Evolving Leadership Styles — moving from structured, theory-driven leadership to authenticity, intuition, and empathy • Motherhood and Grounding — how becoming a parent recalibrates priorities, focus, and emotional bandwidth • Navigating Fast-Moving Environments — why flexibility, boundaries, and acceptance are core tools for modern leaders • Cultural Identity and Humor — how Gülşah reframes and celebrates her Turkish identity, from childhood lessons to boardroom resilience • Supporting the Next Generation — intentional actions to instill cultural roots and perspective in her children

Together, Olga Skipper and Gülşah Wilke unpack the pressures facing leaders now—from the fallout of layoffs and geopolitical instability to the unique struggles of founders with “two hearts.” They discuss actionable tools for grounding, acceptance, and boundary-setting, and offer hope for building meaning and community through tough times.

This episode is essential listening for leaders, founders, and anyone navigating identity, diversity, or the emotional weight of rapid change. If you seek honest insights into leadership, resilience, and the power of roots, tune in for this thoughtful, challenging, and genuinely uplifting dialogue.

So settle in and experience an episode that challenges, supports, and inspires.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with someone leading—or aspiring to lead—in business and beyond!

CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction to Emotional Business 00:28 — Meet Gülşah Wilke: Migration, Hardship, and Entrepreneurship 01:58 — Roots, Motivation, and Building 2hearts 04:49 — Coaching, Leadership Evolution, and 2026 Reflections 06:11 — The Shift from Structured Leadership to Authentic Presence 09:20 — Essential Traits for Leaders Today: Flexibility, Authenticity, Empathy 12:47 — Empathy and Hope Amid Industry and Global Challenges 13:41 — Staying Grounded: Family, Perspective, and Gratitude 16:12 — Culture, Identity, and Strategic Vision 18:37 — Immigration Background and Building Resilience 22:42 — Raising Multicultural Children and Honoring Roots 26:10 — Recognition, Pride, and Two Hearts 27:04 — Coaching, Boundaries, and Community 30:32 — The Importance of Networks, Boundaries, and Saying No 31:31 — Wrap Up and Reflections

Connect with Olga: LinkedIn: Olga Skipper Website: www.olgaskipper.com

Connect with Gülşah: LinkedIn: Gülşah Wilke Community: 2hearts

Enjoy this rich, refreshing, and authentic conversation. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow founder or leader who needs a dose of perspective and hope for the journey ahead!

Season 2 of Emotional Business Podcast, hosted by executive coach and advisor Olga Skipper, dives into the realities of modern leadership.

After a uniquely challenging year in 2025, this season zooms out to examine the big shifts and patterns that leaders need to unlearn as the business world becomes faster, more complex, and emotionally demanding. Olga Skipper brings on guests including tech founders and executive thinkers to discuss what leadership truly requires now, emphasizing that emotional intelligence is no longer just a “nice to have” but essential for survival.

New episodes drop every Tuesday, with the season launching on March 3, 2026. Tune in and join the conversation.

In the 2025 season finale of the Emotional Business Podcast, host Olga Skipper welcomes Daria Saharova, founding partner at World Fund—a €300M venture capital powerhouse tackling climate, tech, and decarbonization. Known for her vision and grounded humanity, Daria Saharova brings over 15 years in tech, investment banking, and entrepreneurship to a profound conversation about belonging, risk, and the relentless pursuit of meaningful innovation.

Together, Olga Skipper and Daria Saharova chart the journey from Riga to Munich, exploring the emotional landscape of immigration, integration, and finding home. The episode pulls back the curtain on Daria’s path: navigating cultural difference, language barriers, building bridges outside her comfort zone, and manifesting resilience that fueled a career spanning multiple disciplines, culminating in the birth of World Fund in the heart of Europe.

Their conversation illuminates the internal calculus behind risk-taking, the mindset required to start—and stay—the course as a founder, and the discipline of seeking impact without succumbing to market skepticism or the turbulence of global politics. Daria Saharova discusses breaking ground as a woman VC, her “capitalistic” drive, building a team and portfolio with integrity, and investing in companies whose products thrive—even in the hands of climate skeptics.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Immigration Journey—how open-mindedness, resilience, and language fluency fuel personal and professional integration
• The Art of Building Social Bridges—proactively stepping out of cultural enclaves to create genuine local connections
• Choosing Entrepreneurship (and Venture Capital)—decoding the pivotal career dots that led from startup founder to investment partner
• Facing Down External Forces—navigating COVID, geopolitical strife, and unsupportive market climates while closing a landmark fund
• VC as a Platform for Change—investing in deep tech and climate solutions, and the necessity of optimism in the face of systemic inertia
• Resilience & Competitive Speed—the “immigrant advantage” of spotting and seizing opportunity, building without a backup plan, and outpacing the market
• Multiplying Impact—how mobilizing communities and teams expands a founder’s reach beyond the constraints of time and resources
• Looking Forward—how Germany and Europe must shift from preservation to radical innovation, and why technological sovereignty is essential for future growth

This episode is essential listening for immigrants, VCs, operators, and executives wrestling with commitment, self-doubt, and the desire to create radical impact in shifting, sometimes hostile environments. Founders and fund managers—especially women and those building in deep tech—will find Daria’s deeply honest journey particularly resonant.

Settle in for this candid, energizing, and unfiltered year-end conversation that moves far beyond investment returns to the emotional reality of pioneering a new future.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share with a founder, investor, or anyone craving courage for bold moves!

Connect with Olga: LinkedIn: Olga Skipper Website: www.olgaskipper.com

Connect with Daria:

LinkedIn: Daria Saharova

Website: https://www.worldfund.vc/

Share your reflections on this episode or reach out with your own emotional business story—Olga loves hearing from you!