Jenny Buccos works around the world creating engaging global entertainment for kids. In this episode, she shares how she taps into local storytellers on the ground to enable them to star as the heroes of their own stories, making the productions so much richer. She shares her tips for understanding what it’s like to work in a particular country, including the importance of connecting with artists, chefs and musicians who tend to be in tune with what’s going on socially, politically, and historically. Jenny candidly shares the challenges of being a woman who travels 150 days of the year — maintaining relationships with family and friends can be tough — and the need to speak up as a woman if being treated in a way that is not cool.

About Our Guest

Jenny Buccos is a multi-award-winning director and producer, and the founder and CEO of EXPLR Media. Having explored at least 50 countries in-depth, Jenny is a global citizen who brings the world up close and personal into classrooms (and living rooms) for teachers, families, and students to explore together. She has been creating entertaining and educational content for educators to enhance and expand their curriculum over the past two decades — after leaving her job in the corporate world of finance oh-so-many years ago.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

Ambassador Susan Stevenson has had a rich career working around the world as a U.S. diplomat, yet she began her career as a product marketing manager for Kellogg's in Paris. Listen to her describe how her marketing skills have helped her in her diplomatic roles as she has facilitated communication and understanding between the U.S. and the rest of the world, and what motivated her to pivot from private to public sector. She shares how being a woman is oftentimes a “superpower” in many countries, as people often underestimate women and there are many ways to use this to one’s advantage. As a woman who brought up her children around the world, Susan recognizes there are challenges, but says the benefits outweigh the risks for her and her family.

About Our Guest

U.S. Ambassador Susan Stevenson joins us to talk about her career as a diplomat. Susan served as ambassador to Equatorial Guinea for almost three years and is now back in Washington, DC, serving as principal deputy assistant secretary for intelligence and research at the U.S. Department of State. Over the course of her career she has lived and worked in Thailand, China, Hong Kong and Mexico City, as well as Paris, where she began her global career working as a product manager for Kellogg's. Susan speaks Chinese, French, Spanish and Thai.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

In this first episode of Season 5, our guest Alison Lands shares her professional journey of determining the relevant skills needed to shift her career from a large global consultancy to a tech start-up using free online learning tools available to job seekers around the world. Skills such as data analytics, cybersecurity and AI are trending, while the uniquely human and durable skills of communications, relationship-building and leadership continue to be critical and transferable. The combination of skills is crucially important to leading cross-cultural global teams, which Alison believes has been opened to more women, noting technology playing a big role as women can lead global teams from anywhere. Ironically, the tech industry has limited women by its inability to level the playing field in executive positions.

About Our Guest

Alison Lands is a self-described “skills evangelist” who has dedicated her career to helping others tackle the challenges of the Future of Work. She is the head of strategy at SkyHive Technologies, a skills intelligence platform focused on analyzing the world’s labor market data and using it to unleash human potential at scale. For more than 20 years, Alison has operated at the intersection of economic and workforce development, arming companies, jobseekers, students and governments with the skills they need to prosper in a globalized digital economy — an economy that is evolving ever more rapidly and unpredictably.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

What is it like to live and work in ten countries across a career? In this episode, Robyn Kessler shares her extensive experience, including the need to embrace the highs and lows of living and working in a new country as well as the challenges of missing family and having to learn a new culture and language every few years. She notes that the typical expat experience is on the decline, with organizations hiring local and global talent, so building one’s brand is critical to international success. Now living in Israel, known as start-up nation, she emphasizes that tech underlies everything in the country and in every industry, respecting the Sabbath is critical, and the need to avoid subtleties by engaging in direct conversation and negotiation with business partners or co-workers.

About Our Guest

Robyn Kessler is the commercial counselor and senior commercial officer at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. A career diplomat, Robyn most recently served as executive director for the Department of Commerce’s Middle East and Africa region, where she oversaw a team of more than 200 people in 27 offices across that region. Robyn previously served in India, Afghanistan, Russia, Mexico and Belgium. Prior to her commercial service, she worked in the private sector for almost 15 years for Manugistics and Sara Lee in the U.S., Belgium, Philippines, France and the Dominican Republic. All told, Robyn has lived and worked in 10 countries.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

Is the famous work-life balance in Sweden myth or reality? According to our guest, Goran Koprivnjak, it is one of the best aspects of living and working in Sweden – besides the expansive natural beauty, of course! A GW alumnus and student athlete, Goran’s international experience began with studying abroad in the US, which eventually led to his working in Stockholm, Sweden, where he has been living for five years. He switched from IB to IT, an industry he says allows for tremendous opportunities for working globally because the jobs are, literally, all over the world.

About Our Guest

Goran Koprivnjak is Scrum Master and Digital Business Integration Specialist at Accenture Song. Goran grew up in Croatia and speaks English and German in addition to his native Croatian. He is also a GW alumnus, having studied international business while also serving as captain of the swimming team. He has lived in Stockholm now for five years and works on projects across Europe. In his spare time, he enjoys riding his motorcycle and exploring the magnificent natural environment across all of Sweden.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

Guido Gaona left his native Mexico for 10 years to work in Argentina, Colombia and Miami, Florida. In this episode, he shares his thoughtful perspective on the great diversity of the Latin American region including language, cultural nuances, business norms and food, yet is quick to note the common bond of fútbol (soccer). Filled with personal stories and practical tips, Guido emphasizes that learning from people with different perspectives is an invaluable professional and personal gift.

About Our Guest

Guido Gaona is the CEO of BCW Mexico and a corporate communications director with more than 25 years of experience working for some of the largest multinationals including SAP, Microsoft and Coca-Cola. Guido left his native to Mexico for 10 years to work as an expat and CEO in the BCW offices of Buenos Aires and Bogota, as well as Miami, where he served in a regional coordination role. Guido has robust experience in the corporate communications field on both the agency and the client side. In addition to his native Spanish, he speaks English and a little Italian.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

In this episode, our guest Jessica Forman shares how moving to London during the pandemic was filled with challenges, but also had the silver lining of being able to adjust to a greatly slowed-down version of a global metropolis, a city that can easily overwhelm. She appreciates the emphasis placed on work-life balance in the UK, the opportunity to engage not only with Brits but with a thriving international community (including enjoying a diverse food scene), and the chance to explore destinations across Europe for quick long-weekend jaunts.

About Our Guest

Jessica Forman works at Amazon in HR as the UK People Priorities Lead: Mental Health & Wellbeing, Future of Work. She moved to London from Seattle during the pandemic, but she made, arguably, an equally big move by pivoting her career from education to HR after receiving her master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Performance at Vanderbilt. She began her career with Teach for America and now works in HR for one of the largest companies in the world. She speaks Spanish, loves to travel, and has lived in many cities across the US.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

The United Arab Emirates is one of the most dynamic places on the planet according to Brian Lott, who has lived there for more than ten years. He shares how the country’s globalization strategy has inspired broad industry expansion beyond hydrocarbons into renewable energy, technology, hospitality and tourism in a place where expats are the majority.

About Our Guest

Brian Lott is the chief communications officer of Mubadala Investment Company, responsible for stewardship of the Mubadala brand and management of the group’s corporate communications requirements. Brian has worked in the communications industry for over 30 years, beginning his career in Washington, D.C., where he served as chief of staff, spokesman and campaign manager for two members of Congress. Before joining Mubadala in 2009, Brian worked at global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller for ten years, where he provided strategic guidance to the firm’s public affairs, corporate and technology clients. He is a board member of the Arthur W. Page Society and the Institute for Public Relations.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

Living and working in Switzerland offers the ideal balanced lifestyle to Michelle Pawlow, who recently relocated to Zurich after kickstarting her career at ABInBev’s headquarters in St. Louis. She shares the benefits of living in a country where organization, efficiency and formality are the norm, and a love of the outdoors can be enjoyed with co-workers and new friends alike.

About Our Guest

Michelle Pawlow is global sourcing manager for ABInBev, a global beer company that prides itself on having a 600-year heritage of brewing with current operations in more than 50 countries and global brands such as Corona, Budweiser, Stella Artois, Beck’s, Leffe and hundreds more. In her role, Michelle helps ensure procurement of goods or services at optimum overall cost and cash flow to the business, secure continuous material and service supply as well as coordination of changing materials or suppliers, and reinforce company’s guidelines for quality and service level. Although based in Zurich, Switzerland, Michelle leads projects around the world – in Africa, Europe and the U.S. – across categories and commodities.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.

With more than 600 million people, Southeast Asia boasts tremendous diversity in cultures, languages and food — and this is why Curtis S. Chin enjoys living and working there so much. In the first episode of our fourth season, Curtis shares with us his experience working across the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, all of which are ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing economies in the world.

About Our Guest

U.S. Ambassador Curtis S. Chin is a business leader, board member, strategist, and public affairs and policy specialist, having worked in leadership and operational positions in the private, nonprofit and public sectors in Asia and the United States. Curtis served as the 15th U.S. ambassador to the Asian Development Bank — becoming only the fourth U.S. ambassador of Chinese heritage — and is now chair of the Milken Institute Asia Center. He also serves on the boards of several companies based in Southeast Asia.

About the Global Careers Podcast Series

This podcast presents inspiring stories from seasoned professionals who have embraced a global role and reaped the benefits. We offer practical advice and insider tips across a broad swath of industries and fields around the world about what it is like to work globally. If you love adventure and thrive on taking risks and operating outside your comfort zone, join us as we explore the ins and outs of pursuing an international career!

About GW-CIBER

The George Washington University Center for International Business Education and Research (GW-CIBER) promotes the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise related to the theme of Institutions, Resilient Globalization and Sustainable Competitiveness.