Leaders with Ambition

​We’re constantly evolving – towards ever better things – so long as we stay curious! That’s the message from Nicky Acuna Ocana’s guest on this episode of Leaders with Ambition. Lesley O’Leary’s career provides a vivid roadmap for what it looks like to maximise potential and do so with delight.

As Chief Operating Officer at Charles Russell Speechlys, she incorporates lessons throughout her varied career (in real estate as well as legal services spaces) to create a workplace culture based on inclusivity, personal development and innovation. Leslie has stayed open to growth and connection at every stage, welcoming challenge and learning how to advocate for herself – and then by extension for those that she has gone on to lead.

She shares thoughts on how her leadership style has taken shape and the role of both mentoring and networking in getting her there. You’ll learn about the power of staying curious and engaging with a coach as well as what secret ingredients have helped this busy marketing and business development professional stay grounded and happy in both her family and career.

The episode includes a fantastic tip for introverts navigating business events and encouragement for those cultivating the confidence to speak up at the table. And, speaking of using our voices, Lesley also leaves us with parting words of wisdom, including: Don’t be afraid to ask!

Says our dynamic guest: “If there’s something you want to do, you need to tell somebody and work out a plan. And if it’s not (a job) they see in their future, that’s alright too!”

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

Emma Baylis - Managing Director of Interpath Advisory

Our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition podcast series, Emma Baylis, reached the ranks of Senior leadership at the Big Four accounting firm of KPMG and more recently was named Managing Director at Interpath.

She shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana a decidedly unconventional career journey, recalling the mentors who helped her learn to manage important clients, navigate challenging circumstances and ultimately find her voice over 20+ years in a traditionally male-dominated profession.

You’ll hear about Emma’s career highlights (rooted in trials and lessons learned) as well as what it looks like to change lanes as a senior member of Interpath’s, entrepreneurial culture.

Emma has never let her gender, education (she doesn't have a University degree) or family background stop her from becoming a highly successful tax professional as well as a role model.

To the contrary, she has used her experience to advocate for those who are struggling, as she once did, to feel like valued contributors. “The more senior you become, inevitably the more you find your own voice and the more you (can) use your platform to do more advocacy and support other people,” says Emma, who has done exactly that and built a powerful network along the way!

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

From the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) to Brexit to Covid19, Kristian Gavan has ridden out a remarkable series of unpredictable economic events. Most remarkable of all? He has somehow managed to remain grounded and connected throughout, using his accounting expertise and people skills to navigate a wild ride.

On this episode of Leaders With Ambition, host Nicky Acuna Ocana invites her guest to take a comprehensive look at the fulfilling opportunities accountancy has afforded him, both professionally and personally.

Kristian walks us through his career journey, which includes lots of highlights as well as challenges, and takes a look at developments influencing business today. Find out whether having (or not having) a university degree may impact your corporate goals and how the decision to take a career sabbatical provided Kristian a critical reset and focus on family.

He also shares thoughts about the importance of a strong work ethic, healthy workplace cultures and a robust network when it comes to cultivating a resilient career in professional services.

You’ll learn about the influence of new technologies such as AI, what it all might mean for both younger and older generations – and what tools (including the important so-called “soft skills”) Kristian believes are perennially the most indispensable if you want to become, well, indispensable!

Want to learn more about the team at Ambition? Click here to find out what we’re up to!

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

​J​ay Linder - Global Director of Communications at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft

Our guest on this episode of the Leaders With Ambition podcast knows exactly what it takes to build a robust marketing and professional services career.

Jay Linder, Global Director of Communications at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, walks Nicky Acuna Ocana through his impressive career.

He lets us in on valuable lessons learned and shares thoughts on the importance of embracing both ambiguity and collaboration at every stage of career development.

That can look like – among other things – consistent networking, investing in education and seeking out the right advice from sometimes unexpected resources (like junior colleagues).

You’ll also learn how his son’s early diagnosis with autism indirectly taught Jay to relate more intentionally, effectively and meaningfully – skills that have come to define his leadership style.

“Going through (an autism diagnosis) personally gave me such a greater appreciation for how critical it is to better understand people and try to meet them where they are,” says our guest.

Find out why Jay, a past President for the Legal Marketing Association’s influential Northeast region, believes that community, shared knowledge, peer support and two-way sponsorship are essential to advancing professional services at every level.

Especially as marketing and communications professionals navigate the fast-changing impacts of new technologies like AI and seek to demonstrate the value proposition for clients and Partners.

The episode wraps with words of wisdom you won’t want to miss!

To find out more about the Legal Marketing Association and its myriad global activities – including workshops, meetups, resources and advocacy – visit this link.

​​Seeking words to live by as you build your professional services marketing and communications career? Our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition has them in abundance.

Peter Columbus, Chief BD, Marketing & Communications Officer, is sharing wisdom accumulated over decades of success in both the accounting and legal sectors.

His actionable advice comes fast and furious:

As Peter explains to host Nicky Acuna Ocana;

“If you take the time and jump in with both feet, real enthusiasm, passion and love, then the sky is the limit as far as what’s really out there – as long as you’ve got the skills to get it done!”

Find out about the trends that are shaping global law firms and the many ways in which marketing, business development and communications skill sets have become a valuable asset at every level of legal practice.

You’ll also learn about the huge impact (as well as personal dividends) our guest has known as the result of his huge commitment to volunteerism, for which he has been honoured by the Legal Marketing Association. “You never know how opportunities are going to come about, but it comes down to connecting with people, doing the proper things with the tools available now,” says Peter.

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

Everything that has come before in his career has perfectly positioned our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition for today’s demand for professional services support.

Kevin Iredell, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Lowenstein Sandler, and President of the Legal Marketing Association in 2024, shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana the complementary skills he has developed through stints in retail, telecom, media and legal marketing.

Kevin explains why the current moment – increased competition, technological advances and growing client expectations – requires ever more sophisticated business management strategies.

“The need for law firm business support professionals is at a level that it’s never been before,” says Kevin, who also serves as President of the Legal Marketing Association. “It’s reflected in the number of LMA members, the size of the annual conference and how many service providers come to talk about new products and software.”

His career demonstrates the power of staying open, networking as well as paying it forward within the full spectrum of career development opportunity. You’ll learn about how Kevin’s exposure to retail sales management, telecom marketing, media brand development, legal PR and in-house business support together represent far more than just a CV.

In his role as a Chief Marketing Officer as well as President for the LMA, Kevin continues to stay curious, diving into the latest data and machine learning technologies, sharing best practices with peers and mentoring younger generations.

He also actively promotes healthy workplace cultures and growth opportunities in the changing and challenging the world of legal professional services and support. Kevin's parting advice for aspiring leaders?

Don’t give up and remember, forums like the LMA offer the perfect platform for stretching those all-important networking skills!

Ready to sharpen communications skills and build community? Check out the many international opportunities available through the Legal Marketing Association, including regional workshops and career events highlighted in this link.

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

“Keep your eyes and ears open – and your mouth shut!” Unlikely as it may seem, these words of advice from a wizened WWI veteran resonate still today for Nicky Acuna Ocana’s guest on this episode of Leaders with Ambition. Stuart Davis, Global Head of Marketing & Business Development, Litigation at Dechert LLP, believes being alert and attentive is key to building valuable relationships in all areas of life – and success in professional settings.

Based in Washington, D.C., Stuart shares the cumulative wisdom he’s gathered throughout his life’s journey – from growing up in rural Wyoming to signing on to help restore Hadrian’s Wall to hopscotching through a series of key marketing roles at a spectrum of services firms. At every stage the goal has been to augment his portfolio of value-add skills, including an MBA at Georgetown University and other ongoing education.

He explains why networking and discipline are cornerstones for any legal workplace culture, along with a commitment to ensuring all team members feel supported. The ethos is collaborative and the work-life balance intentional for Stuart, who prioritises innovation and an atmosphere of growth.

Learn about the lessons he has picked up over 20 years of driving business for top law firms as well as why – for all his professional success – it has been the relationships and proximity to brilliance that have inspired him most.

The episode wraps with thoughts on the impacts of AI, importance of EDI and challenges ahead for law firms navigating the quickly shifting sands of change. Enjoy this thoughtful conversation – and actionable words of wisdom!

Want to learn more about the team at Ambition? Click here to find out what we’re up to!

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

​While his trajectory hasn’t always been straight ahead, Brad McAvoy was never taken off course toward his goal to make Partner at an accounting and advisory firm. The head of James Cowper Kreston’s award-winning M&A transaction services team shares his fascinating career journey with Host, Nicky Acuna Ocana on this episode of Leaders With Ambition.

A native Australian, Brad walks us through his early professional development, including transformational stints in Guernsey and Hong Kong (where he started his family and earned an MBA that has paid both professional and personal dividends).

We learn about the corporate culture and post-pandemic workplace landscape at James Cowper Kreston, and how Brad has grown his network in the UK.

This lively conversation underscores the power of taking risks, the value in making mistakes and the importance of seeking – and providing – mentorship for ongoing growth. The episode wraps up with compelling Words of Wisdom and Brad’s forecast for dealmaking over the next year or two. Despite some current bumpiness, there are economic bright spots on the horizon!

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

Claire Mason wanted to be where the action was, generating rather than reacting to change. What that looks like, as we learn on this episode of Leaders With Ambition, is the phenomenally successful global B2B thought leadership and strategic marketing consultancy known as Man Bites Dog.

An Oxford graduate from a comprehensive school raised in an entrepreneurial family, Claire’s core values and openness have been foundational, not only to her branding, messaging and communications approach, they are also woven into the workplace culture for which Man Bites Dog is known – and highly decorated, including most recently being named B2B Marketing 's “Specialist Consultancy of the Year.”

Claire shares with Host, Nicky Acuna Ocana, the priorities that have shaped her illustrious career and the drivers behind her commitment to social issues. Her firm’s focus is on promoting positive messages and initiatives that support, among other things, sustainability, diversity and inclusivity.

With a portfolio of top-notch clients and delivering work across 20 countries, Man Bites Dog is also known for innovative workplace programmes around learning and development and ground-breaking reports such as, “The Gender Say Gap,” a term they coined to highlight the invisibility of women and diverse leaders in the corporate and public spheres.

You’ll hear about Claire’s career highs and challenges as well as important advice for anyone looking to hone their entrepreneurial, interpersonal and business skills. “We wanted to create (a firm) where you could be in a really supportive culture while working with the biggest and the best business brands and doing the best possible global work,” says Claire. It seems that’s exactly what this dynamo has done – and then some!

Visit this link to find out more about Man Bites Dog’s work on the “Gender Say Gap,” an influential report highlighting the lack of women and diverse leaders as authorities in business and public life.

Want to learn more about the team at Ambition? Click here to find out what we’re up to!

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

(This episode was recorded in September 2023).

Claire Mason wanted to be where the action was, generating rather than reacting to change. What that looks like, as we learn on this episode of Leaders With Ambition, is the phenomenally successful global B2B thought leadership and strategic marketing consultancy. known as Man Bites Dog.

An Oxford graduate raised in an entrepreneurial family, Claire’s core values and openness have been foundational, not only to her branding, messaging and PR approach. They are also woven into the workplace culture for which Man Bites Dog is known – and highly decorated, including most recently being named “Specialty Consultancy of the Year.”

Claire shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana the priorities that have shaped her illustrious career and the drivers behind her commitment to social issues. Her firm’s focus is on promoting positive messages and initiatives that support, among other things, sustainability, diversity and inclusivity.

With a portfolio of top-notch clients in 20 countries, Man Bites Dog is also known for innovative workplace programmes around learning and development and ground-breaking reports such as, “The Gender Say Gap,” a term they coined to highlight the invisibility of women and diverse leaders in the corporate and public spheres.

You’ll hear about Claire’s career highs and challenges as well as important advice for anyone looking to hone their entrepreneurial, interpersonal and business skills. “We wanted to create (a firm) where you could be in a really supportive culture while working with the biggest and the best business brands and doing the best possible global work,” says Claire. It seems that’s exactly what this dynamo has done – and then some!

Visit this link to find out more about Man Bites Dog’s work on the “Gender Say Gap,” an influential report highlighting the lack of women and diverse leaders as authorities in business and public life.

Want to learn more about the team at Ambition? Click here to find out what we’re up to!

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