Welcome to the Finding Your EPIC® podcast.

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Donna Herdsman, Senior Client Partner and Head of DE&I Advisory (EMEA) at Korn Ferry.

Donna shares an early career lesson about sponsorship, and how she learned the
importance of understanding decision-makers and their motivations, eventually coining the term "empowering sponsorship". She recounts a pivotal moment where she summoned the courage to approach a senior leader she found intimidating, only to receive an unexpected reply.

The conversation moves to Donna's career reinventions, from auditing to consulting and international development. She explains that her adaptability is driven by a strong sense of purpose, whether improving public services or supporting post-conflict reconstruction in Mozambique.

Donna also reflects on fear and privilege. She describes a frightening encounter with police  in Mozambique that shifted her perspective, making her realise that career setbacks pale in comparison to personal safety and family.

The episode concludes with Donna sharing her favourite quote by Dr. Maya Angelou: "Nothing can dim the light that shines from within".

To get in touch with Donna, find her here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-herdsman-3449095/

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

Welcome to the Finding Your EPIC® podcast.

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Beau Rollins, Global Head of Biocompatibility at Convatec. 

Beau shares his leadership philosophy, explaining how traditional management books felt cold and clinical, promoting competitive "cut the herd" approaches that didn't resonate with him. Instead, he believes that when employees feel invested and passionate, they naturally strive to achieve their objectives, benefiting both themselves and the business.

Beau shares his motivation for working in chronic disease care at Convatec. Having witnessed family members struggle with long-term conditions, he wanted to help patients reclaim their lives rather than feel burdened indefinitely. This empathy extends to his team, where he ensures people feel valued and supported.

For his final thought, Beau quotes social psychologist Amy Cuddy from her renowned TED Talk: "Don't fake it till you make it, fake it till you become it.” This philosophy resonates with Beau because it emphasises genuine growth and transformation rather than indefinite pretence.

To get in touch with Beau, find him here:   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaurollins/  

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In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Kalavati Bhashyam, Senior Director, Hardware Engineering for Robotics and Enabling Technologies at Smith+Nephew

Kala shares the epic realisations that have shaped her twenty-year career, moving from technical expertise to senior leadership. She shares her thoughts on the distinction between healthy "good stress" and debilitating imposter syndrome. Kala also explains why she advocates for unpopular decisions.

A significant realisation for Kala set about a fundamental shift in mindset and taught her a valuable leadership lesson, which she explores further in this episode.

For her final thought, Kala quotes French author Alexandre Dumas, famous for works like The Three Musketeers: "The merit of all things lies in their difficulty”. She encourages listeners to embrace challenges as essential catalysts for growth and self-discovery.

To get in touch with Kala, find her here:    

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalavatibhashyam/ 

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Karel van Gorp, Vice President Marketing MEA,

India, South East Asia and ANZ & Global VP Consumer Brands at Solenis. 

 Karel shares his leadership philosophy that whilst anyone can sail in calm summer weather, true leadership emerges during storms. He emphasises that current global conditions - economic and social uncertainty; require strong leaders who can navigate rough waters and help others through challenging times.

Discussing future leadership development, Karel advocates for transparency. He addresses common fears and the need for gradual skill-building, with preparation being key to overcoming such challenges.

Karel concludes with his favourite quote from Walt Disney: "If you can dream it, you can do it." He explains that whilst dreaming is the crucial first step, the journey to achievement requires effort.

To get in touch with Karel, find him here:   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karel-van-gorp-b073ab1/

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Paolo Beltrame, CEO Australia & New Zealand at EQUANS. 

Paolo shares his passion for treating gender balance as a business transformation rather than merely an HR initiative. He believes injecting inclusion at field level is crucial, especially as a high percentage of employees hold technical roles, and many future leaders emerge from these positions. Without inclusion at the base, achieving balance at senior levels becomes nearly impossible.

Paolo's experience in Saudi Arabia, where only three of 800 employees were female, sparked his commitment to change. At his previous company, he achieved 50/50 gender balance in apprentice programmes within three years, with male technicians eventually bringing their daughters to recruitment events. 

Concluding with a quote from Jerry Dunn, an endurance athlete, that inspires and drives him: “Don't limit your challenges, challenge your limits.”

To get in touch with Paolo, find him here:   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolobeltrame12111971/ 

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

Welcome to the Finding Your EPIC® podcast.

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Pamela Thomson-Hall, Head of International and Executive Officer at WTW. 

Pamela shares the incredible story of how at just 13 years old, she decided to become an international lawyer. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in difficult circumstances, she was driven by a desire for financial self-sufficiency. This clarity of purpose, combined with an innate wanderlust, shaped her early career choices.

After joining WTW as an in-house lawyer, Pamela falls in love with both the insurance industry and the company. She faces significant challenges, including working on the groundbreaking 9/11 insurance litigation, which transformed how the UK insurance market operates.

The conversation concludes with Pamela sharing Henry Kissinger's words: "The task of a leader is to get their people from where they are to where they have not been," - helping them not just survive or thrive but truly flourish.

To get in touch with Pamela, find her here:   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-thomson-hall-28915321/

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Doug Campbell Senior Director, Strategy, Transformation and Operational Excellence at Smith+Nephew. 

Doug shares how he believes that the best ideas emerge from collaboration rather than lone geniuses, and how he distinguishes between strategic and tactical thinking through simple questions. Doug demonstrates approaches to enable creativity, and advocates for "going slow to go fast" - thorough upfront planning - preventing interruptions and reconsiderations later.

Doug views planning as both art and science - combining intuition with structured approaches and admits he's naturally better at starting projects than finishing them!

The conversation concludes with Doug sharing his favourite quote – “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together” - emphasising his preference for collaborative journeys that accomplish more. 

To get in touch with Doug, find him here:   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglcampbell/

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Dawn Constantin COO, Gas & Power Trading Americas at bp.

Dawn shares two pivotal experiences: receiving challenging early-career feedback that prompted her to demonstrate hidden strengths whilst remaining authentic. Later, facing a simple question about career aspirations that revealed she lacked direction. Through coaching and self-reflection, she gained clarity about her strengths and identified development gaps.

Both experiences underscored essential leadership lessons: the courage to accept constructive feedback, the importance of trusted advisors, and the value of dedicating time to strategic self-reflection. 

The conversation concludes with Dawn sharing her favourite quote from Agatha Christie: "Instinct is a marvellous thing. It can neither be explained or ignored." This resonates with Dawn's approach of trusting her gut feelings throughout her career, recognising that instinct becomes sharper with experience and should guide curiosity and exploration.

To get in touch with Dawn, find her here:   

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-constantin-6a07a228/

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

In the final episode of the season, the tables are turned as Elevate Talent founder Jacqueline Frost takes the hot seat. She's interviewed by her good friend, coach, and co-presenter Kevin Hall.

With years of experience and countless stories, Jacqueline shares powerful insights on courage and leadership. One question, asked 14 years ago by the incredible @Eleanor Mills during a panel at the first women’s conference she hosted, left a lasting impact - and helped her further recognise how those lived experiences became a powerful foundation for helping women unlock their potential.

She shares that story here - with all the honesty and emotion that’s become her hallmark. Jacqueline recalls the sheer terror she felt over an entire weekend, knowing she had to stand up for what was right - not just for herself, but for her team.

It wasn’t a dramatic confrontation, but a quiet, internal storm. She wrestled with doubt, pressure, and the fear of rocking the boat. But by Monday morning, she chose courage. That decision, made in a moment of fear, became a defining point in her leadership journey - and it still shapes how she shows up today.

To get in touch with Jacqueline, find her here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frostjacqueline/

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Emma Neave-Webb, Marine Scientist, Strandings Coordinator, International Whaling Commission.

Emma highlights an upcoming all-female expedition to Antarctica led by Sea Women Expeditions, showing how women can raise their voices by organising, collaborating, and setting new standards.

The team of 25 women from science, tech, engineering, and the arts will study warming oceans while also challenging the male-dominated history of polar research - proving that action and unity can speak louder than words.

Emma sums it up beautifully: "It doesn't matter whether it's challenging, there are ways around it. If you have courage, you persevere, you're organised, you are determined and you're willing to put that effort in, you will get results and you will get to do some amazing things. We're really trying to show that women have as much, if not more to give in these different STEM subjects."

At the heart of this expedition is the desire to 'pay it forward', to pave the way for other women to follow. There is such power in that, to not only be part of this amazing all women expedition but to also inspire others into roles they may have thought were beyond their reach. In Emma's own words: "I'd really love to hear of an early career scientist who at the time we're doing this expedition was at school and we've been able to influence them on that career path."

Find out more how Emma is Breaking Boundaries at the Bottom of the World here: https://gofund.me/5106d1a3

To get in touch with Emma, find her here:  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-neave-webb-92131312/ 

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