In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd sits down with award‑winning digital marketer, community builder, and cancer survivor Esther Ocampo — a woman reshaping what marketing can and should be.

From moving across continents and building a bilingual agency from scratch, to navigating illness, rebuilding confidence, and redefining what “success” looks like, Esther’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and human‑centered marketing.Read the story

Too often, International Women’s Day is reduced to a symbolic celebration — flowers, compliments, and social media posts about how wonderful women are. But the day was never meant to be just that.

International Women’s Day is about recognising the impact of women in society and the world. It is about celebrating women everywhere — the progress we have made, the strength we carry, and the future we continue to shape. At the same time, it is also a moment to acknowledge how much work still remains.

One of the most powerful moments of the rally was the speech delivered by former Irish president Mary Robinson.I want to share it with you.

Read the full story here

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, I sit down with Ronan Bradley, Northern Ireland Site Lead and Principal Engineer at Ocula Technologies, to explore one of the biggest questions shaping our future: How can we embrace the power of AI while reducing its environmental footprint?

We dive into:

• the shift from AI as infrastructure to AI as real‑world impact
• how agentic systems are transforming e‑commerce
• the hidden energy cost of the digital world
• Northern Ireland’s rising role as a global tech hub
• why collaboration across tech, academia, impact and industry matters more than ever
• what young people entering AI need to know right now

Ronan shares powerful insights on responsible innovation, the democratization of AI, and how regions like Northern Ireland can lead the next wave of transformation.

If you care about the future of technology, sustainability, and meaningful impact, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Read the full article

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd is joined by Janet Schofield, CEO of CAN, the Compass Advocacy Network, user-led charity based in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

This conversation is about power, who holds it, who is heard, and what happens when leadership genuinely centres the people it exists to serve.

Janet leads with a simple but radical principle: "nothing about us, without us", and under her leadership, CAN has become a powerful example of how small organisations create big impact by supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and mental ill-health to gain skills, confidence, work experience, and real control over their lives.

CAN has a whole system of programmes from age eight up to eighty three, where they're supporting individuals on their journey through life by making sure that there will be then in the future provision for those young children when they come into adult services.

In this episode, Dr Erika Servin Zamora — veterinary scientist, educator, and one of the world’s leading voices in axolotl conservation.

From the mystical origins of Mexico’s iconic Ambystoma mexicanum to pioneering breakthroughs in cryopreservation, Dr Servin Zamora is reshaping what conservation can look like.

She takes us inside her work restoring fragile habitats, freezing genetic material to safeguard future biodiversity, and creating accessible resources so families, vets, and curious young minds can care for these extraordinary animals responsibly.

This is an inspiring look at science with heart: the quiet, foundational work that transforms entire systems. If you’ve ever wondered how one person, one species, or one small act can change the world, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izchel Boyd sits down with Ola Sobieraj — community organiser, immigration advisor, and relentless advocate for migrant rights.

Ola shares her journey from being one of the only Polish migrants in rural Northern Ireland to becoming a powerful voice for EU citizens navigating complex, often hostile systems. Together, we explore what access to justice really looks like in everyday life, why migrant‑led organising is essential, and how small acts of courage can transform fear into agency.

This conversation shines a light on the invisible emotional labour behind immigration processes, the power of community, and the quiet, persistent work that shifts systems from the ground up. If you care about dignity, belonging, and building a fairer society, this episode will stay with you long after you finish listening.

In this powerful episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd sits down with Sharon Galway — a woman who has turned personal adversity into profound purpose. With over 30 years in financial services and a deeply human approach to trust and estate planning, Sharon is reshaping how we talk about money, legacy, and preparing for the future.

From navigating divorce and rebuilding confidence, to guiding families through some of their most vulnerable conversations, Sharon brings empathy, honesty, and clarity to a subject many of us avoid. Together, Izy and Sharon explore:

• Why legacy planning is really about values, identity, and care — not fear
• How women can reclaim financial confidence and independence
• The quiet but transformative power of clear communication
• What it means to build a life — and a future — with intention
• How small acts of support can spark meaningful social change

Sharon’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and choosing growth — even when the path feels uncertain. This conversation will leave you inspired to reflect on your own legacy, your own choices, and the power you hold to shape your future.

If you've ever thought “estate planning isn’t for people like me,” this episode will change that.

What really helps us stay steady when life speeds up?

In this episode, we sit down with Doug Strycharczyk, CEO of AQR International and one of the world’s leading voices on mental toughness, to explore the invisible inner capacities that shape how we respond to pressure, uncertainty, and opportunity.

Drawing on decades of research across business, education, sport, and social mobility, Doug explains why performance isn’t just about behaviour or skills, but about our default mental responses and how we’re wired to face challenge .

If you care about building resilience, confidence, and sustainable performance—for yourself or others—this conversation will shift how you think about human potential.

Tune in and start developing the inner skills that power real change.

What if the problem isn’t how people learn — but how systems are designed?

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd is joined by Dr John Kelly, founder of Fingerprint Learning, to explore how brain science and upstream thinking can reshape education, leadership, and innovation.

Drawing on insights from neuroscience, John challenges deficit-based models that label people as underachievers or failures. Instead, he reveals how entrepreneurial and innovative thinkers often thrive through action, pattern-spotting, and experimentation — and why traditional systems frequently fail to recognise these strengths.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that real change doesn’t start by fixing people — it starts by redesigning the systems around them.Tune in for a thoughtful, human exploration of brain diversity, leadership, and what it means to be an Agent of Change.

What if the biggest climate solutions aren’t in the sky… but beneath our feet?

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, I’m joined by Allistair Wilkinson, Sustainable Materials Expert at CDE Group — working inside one of the most carbon-intensive industries in the world to help transform it.

We talk cement decarbonisation, circular economy solutions, and why changing how we build might be one of the most powerful climate actions we can take.

If you care about the future of our planet — and the foundations, it’s built on — this conversation is for you.