Emerald CEO Vicky Williams talks leadership, challenges, and change on Midnight at the Casablanca

As she approaches her 25th anniversary with Emerald, Vicky joined podcast host Lauren Kane for a wide-ranging conversation on Midnight at the Casablanca, a podcast series that spotlights influential voices in scholarly publishing. 

In the episode, Vicky reflects on her journey from joining Emerald in the late 1990s to leading the organisation as CEO since 2018. She discusses the evolving publishing landscape, the challenges she’s faced, and the lessons learned along the way, including the importance of resilience, mentorship, and staying true to your values.

Vicky also delves into key issues close to her heart, including academic freedom and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). “We talk a lot about DEI topics. We publish very widely on these topics. It’s the core of our publishing philosophy. It’s the core of our product philosophy. It’s the core of our strategy, to be honest” she says, underscoring her commitment to values that continue to shape Emerald’s direction and culture.

Midnight at the Casablanca is co-hosted by Paul Peters and Lauren Kane, and features free-flowing conversations with leaders across the scholarly landscape.

The full episode with Vicky Williams is now available to stream on the Midnight at the Casablanca website and on all major podcast platforms.

ENDS