Leaders with Ambition

We’re all familiar with the career admonition to pay it forward, but our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition is also all about paying it back. William Washington III, Global Chief Financial Officer at Baker McKenzie, shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana how he surmounted transgenerational trauma to build an exemplary life.His tireless work ethic is the underpinning for consistent achievement as a non-traditional student, a Black man in white-dominated corporate spaces and as a mentor to those who, as he once did, are yearning for support.William highlights lessons learned about the power of vulnerability and inclusion as well as milestones that have shaped both his personal ethic and singular upward trajectory. He reflects on the drivers behind a deep hunger for excellence and the fierce effort to match.Learn about the importance of developing healthy habits – from sleep hygiene to targeted reading materials – and the transformational impact coaching can have when you’re ready to make a professional quantum leap.Today William oversees all finances for Baker McKenzie, including $3.5 billion of annual revenue across 46 countries. “It’s really about finding that opportunity,” says our Washington, D.C.-based guest. “Was I lucky? Was it serendipity? Was it a spiritual force? I think it’s all of that. But the key takeaway is to never give up – and look for that opportunity.”Chapters00:00 Introduction to William Washington III02:20 The Journey to CFO: Overcoming Challenges07:27 Finding Opportunities and Perseverance11:45 Intentionality in Career Development15:28 The Impact of Executive Coaching20:47 Leadership Through Authenticity and Vulnerability22:34 Paying It Forward: Mentorship and Community Engagement26:36 Giving Back: A Lifelong Commitment29:55 Prioritizing Time: The Key to Balance30:11 Career Growth: Embracing New Opportunities34:38 Leadership: Empowering Teams for Success37:39 Education: The Path to Opportunity42:02 Diversity and Inclusion: Building Stronger Workplaces46:30 Navigating Challenges: The Role of a Global CFO48:50 Words of Wisdom: Giving 110% in Every Role

Matthew Gardner’s enviable career trajectory has been fuelled by equal parts openness and hard work, a combination that aligns with Ambition’s overall ethic of excellence. As the international staffing and recruitment firm’s Managing Director for the US, UK and Europe, he brings to this episode of Leaders with Ambition a unique insider’s perspective on the legal and professional services industries.

Matt shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana the true north values that propelled him from his initial role as a trainee fresh out of university to the highest reaches of global management.

He highlights lessons learned from key mentors who helped him navigate as a brand new recruiter facing a historically challenging job market and reflects on a career-defining early managerial stint in Singapore.

You’ll hear about the priority Matt places on fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace environment and what it is about the recruitment space that has kept him engaged. “We’ve grown up with people through their careers – seen them get married, have children,” says Matt, who started at Ambition 16 years ago. “To be part of that is incredibly rewarding and we’re in a privileged position to be able to make positive impacts.”

In looking ahead, Matt sees seismic change (both market shifts and tech innovation) in the legal and professional services space as well as equally tremendous opportunity for growth. He also shares words of wisdom for aspiring leaders, including advice about the importance of seeking out first-rate colleagues and taking control of our careers – successes and failures alike.

“The best feedback generally is the worst feedback, the most confronting, the feedback that makes you feel most uncomfortable in the moment,” says our guest. “But if you work through that and don’t put barriers up …you’ll grow.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Matthew Gardner's Journey

01:25 Early Life and Career Aspirations

06:22 Discovering Recruitment and Career Path

13:32 Building Relationships in Recruitment1

9:33 Navigating Early Career Challenges

22:26 International Experience in Singapore

30:01 Returning to the UK and New Challenges

37:19 Achieving Directorship and Future Goals

39:51 Adapting to the Pandemic and Leadership Response

41:46 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19

52:36 Embracing Flexibility and Support in the Workplace

01:04:09 Transitioning from Management to Leadership

01:11:48 Current Challenges in Professional Services

01:18:01 Words of Wisdom for Career Growth

Heather Vadgama- Chief Marketing Officer at Walkers

When our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition was starting out, marketing and business development were relatively new to the world of legal services. Today Heather Vadgama, Chief Marketing Officer at Walkers, takes pride in the fact that it’s a discipline studied at university.

As she shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana, Heather’s understanding of the profession has advanced along with her confidence in an evolving global skill set that showcases her resilience.

Additionally, as a board member with the Legal Marketing Association, this C-suite leader is focused on helping junior colleagues begin building robust networks to ensure ongoing growth and opportunity.

You’ll learn why Heather believes giving team members a sense of safety – including permission to fail – is critically important to effective leadership and how a stint in the world of Big 4 consulting pushed her to do what she does best: take on challenges and navigate unfamiliar situations.

“Deep down I think I feel most comfortable … when I’m in an environment that is uncertain,” says Heather. “I think it’s some sort of drive to get through it and succeed. That’s really what I enjoy!”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Heather's Journey

02:14 Cultural Curiosity and Early Experiences

05:57 Transitioning into Legal Marketing

10:52 The Importance of Mentorship and Networking

13:37 Career Growth and Opportunities in London

17:11 Expanding Horizons at Simmons and Simmons

18:05 The Big Four Experience at KPMG

21:17 Adapting to Change During the Pandemic

24:59 Stepping into the CMO Role at Walkers

28:57 Building a Strong Team Culture

32:34 Current Challenges for CMOs

40:27 Words of Wisdom for Future Generations

Clear communication. Transparency. Collaboration. Permission to fail.

As we learn on this episode of Leaders With Ambition, these cornerstones for a healthy workplace culture were knit into Opus Business Advisory Group from its inception. Managing Partner Jo Rolls shares with us career highlights along the way to co-founding a firm that is setting an industry standard for business insolvency and restructuring.

Opus has developed a unique formula over more than a decade – one that translates today into 14 offices across the UK advising a broad range of clients on how to turn financial stress towards the best possible outcomes.

Host Nicky Acuna Ocana invites Jo to reflect on how she has managed a pioneering career while raising a family and why creating – and sustaining – a strong network is key, both personally and professionally.

You’ll find out about current professional challenges, the importance of lifelong curiosity and one of the hardest – but best – things an effective manager can do.(Hint: Leadership is about hiring the right people – and then letting them demonstrate their competencies!) Says our guest, above all else, be brave: “Everything we do is a learning experience, which is fantastic. It leads us to grow, change, pivot, do what we need to do.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jo Rolls and Her Journey

01:47 Career Path: From Fashion to Finance

06:31 Balancing Work and Family Life

10:10 The Importance of Networking

11:21 Opus Business Advisory Group: Mission and Values

14:26 Learning from Mistakes16:00 Building a Strong Company Culture

18:59 The Challenges of Starting Opus

22:47 Expanding Horizons: Work in Qatar

24:51 Succession Planning and Future Growth

26:52 Networking Strategies for Success

29:45 The Power of Networking and Connections

32:53 The Importance of Allyship in Career Growth

36:09 Navigating Career Paths and Opportunities

41:00 Challenges in the Professional Landscape

47:58 The Role of AI in the Future of Work

Our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition exemplifies an intuitive, adaptable managerial style that brings out the best in her teams.

A multi-faceted leader, Melisa Rojas brings ongoing curiosity and openness to her role as Global Head of Practices & Markets at Simmons & Simmons.

Armed with both law and master’s degrees, this native Peruvian launched a London-based career that quickly uncovered her natural gifts for marketing and business development.

As for the inevitable professional challenges Melisa has faced along the way? She shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana a personal strategy that includes being bold, positive – and stowing any twinges of Impostor Syndrome in an imaginary drawer.

This self-professed “glass half full” executive brings out the best in her global team by staying attuned to diverse cultures and communicating effectively across multiple time zones while keeping remote workers connected to one another.

It’s a formula that embraces Melisa’s native ability to form strong relationships as well as a deliberate commitment to mentorship for ongoing career development.

Learn how Melisa developed her unique leadership style and why she believes that fostering human relations – including empathy and openness – is key to building healthy corporate cultures. This episode also offers insights into time management, the importance of networking and what it means to be brave. “It’s good to get outside your comfort zone and give things a try,” says our guest. “It may work or may not. But you need to find out.”

If you enjoyed this discussion, please click here to find previous episodes of Leaders with Ambition.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Melissa Rojas

01:30 Melissa's Journey from Peru to London

04:42 Transitioning from Law to Marketing and BD

10:49 Embracing Multiculturalism in Career

15:58 Taking on New Challenges at Simmons

20:36 Adapting Leadership in a Global Context

25:30 Continuous Growth in Leadership

26:29 The Essence of Leadership

29:06 Navigating Imposter Syndrome

31:31 The Importance of Mentorship

34:16 Networking: Building Connections

37:36 The Role of Family Influence

40:15 Embracing AI in the Workplace

43:55 Words of Wisdom for Career Growth

When it comes to mastering the art of human resources, our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition invests above all in communication – and one facet in particular.

Richard Dickson, HR director at James Cowper Kreston, emphasizes to Host Nicky Acuna Ocana, the importance of teaching teams how to listen – truly absorb – the needs and experiences of those around them.

It bridges gaps (especially intergenerationally) and promotes healthy workplace environments in which everyone feels they have a voice and valid lived experience.

You’ll also learn from Richard which tools have proved most critical as he has navigated a career full of change and challenge across multiple sectors – and helped others to do the same.

He shares the ups and downs of managing through the pandemic (a focus on health and wellbeing proved key) as well as some of the personal highlights from a long, very robust career.

Effectively managing people, our guest says, comes down to staying human-centred and prioritising the common desires, differences and growth that we as individuals all share.

Find out how mentorship from fellow leaders, a talent for leveraging processes and a passion for cultivating the best in others have formed the heart of an illustrious career.

Says Richard: “Having a culture of being friendly and treating everyone with respect goes a long way.”

​It may seem like a long way from a doctorate in zoology to a high-profile role in global business development, but we learn on this episode of Leaders With Ambition exactly why that path has made abundant sense for one dynamic executive.

Daisy Williamson, Head of BD for the M&A and Corporate practice at Freshfields, shares her unconventional path into corporate marketing and lessons learned along the way – some of them from the world of primates! This is a woman who has clear priorities and executes on them, whether in building effective teams or promoting equity in the workplace.

Daisy brings a bedrock belief that colleagues perform best when given the benefit of respect and autonomy from the outset. And if a career stretch triggers a bit of Imposter Syndrome, that’s okay, says Daisy. “To move forward, things have to feel a little uncomfortable sometimes and you don’t always do well. But you keep on trying, become more comfortable and grow into it.”

Learn about the tools this innovative leader brings to Freshfields and to her broader network across the sector.

You’ll also hear words of wisdom about fostering highly effective teams and the importance of staying personally open-minded, nimble and creative.

Our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition has experienced first-hand a shift away from narrow boxes (like male, corporate finance, central London) to a more holistic, humane approach to doing business – at every level.

​Our guest’s anecdote about learning to “dress for success” as an aspiring executive will no doubt resonate with Leaders With Ambition listeners. Alex Liddle, who today is Sales Director for EMEA at PwC, explains how he learned early that presentation matters when it comes to establishing oneself as a serious player. But his stalwart commitment to sporting a suit and tie is just one of the multiple ingredients that explain Alex’s rise through the ranks.

For someone who once felt like a “fish out of water,” Tahisha Fugate, Senior Marketing & Business Development Manager at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider, has never been out of her depth over the course of an enviable career in legal marketing and business development.

On this episode of Leaders With Ambition, she shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana her many professional insights – from joining her first law firm to securing an MBA to paying forward the mentorship that helped make possible her successful trajectory.

Networking has been key, says Tahisha, in her growth and evolution as a marketing leader who constantly demonstrates that all-important value propositionYou’ll hear about why sustained commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is a superpower for law firms as well as how the legal marketing space is being changed and challenged by new technologies.

Don’t miss Tahisha’s words of wisdom and the vision she brings to her leadership role at the Legal Marketing Association – an organisation to which this Washington, D.C.-based dynamo attributes much of her tremendous – and ongoing – success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tahisha Fugate and Legal Marketing

02:20 Tahisha's Journey: From Aspiring Lawyer to Legal Marketer

10:15 The Evolution of Legal Marketing and Business Development

18:27 The Importance of Mentorship and Community in Legal Marketing

22:27 Authenticity and Representation in Legal Spaces

28:11 Challenges and Changes in Legal Marketing Over Two Decades

35:45 Leadership and Coaching in Legal Marketing

40:59 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Law Firms