Powering Your Career

In this episode, David sits down with Jennifer Hughes, Executive General Manager of Delivery at Transgrid, to unpack her diverse career journey through the energy sector. Jen shares how she navigated non-linear career moves, why she’s passionate about leadership and diversity, and what excites her most about Australia’s energy transformation.

In this episode:
    🚀How a love for problem-solving led Jen into engineering

    🚀The role of mentors, risk-taking and resilience in career growth
    🚀Leading a 1000-strong team through change and innovation
    🚀Mental health, balance, and building a culture of care

    🚀Why inclusion and collaboration are essential to the energy transition

In this episode, David chats with Kane Thornton, CEO of the Clean Energy Council, about his career journey from IT into clean energy🍃💨, and the role of purpose in navigating career shifts. Kane shares what sparked his passion for renewables, the lessons from 15 years at the helm of Australia’s peak clean energy body, and why looking after your mental health matters - especially in leadership.

🎧In this episode:
    ⚡Making a career shift into the energy industry
    ⚡Leadership lessons from 15 years at the Clean Energy Council
    ⚡The power of purpose and doing work that matters
    ⚡Thoughts on diversity, inclusion, and culture change
    ⚡Mental health and staying grounded as a leader

Episode 008 featuring Mark Branson | Chief Development Officer, Voyager Renewables:

From birdwatching ecologist to leading Australia’s clean energy transformation, Mark Branson brings a refreshingly honest, grounded, and inspiring perspective to the mic in this episode of Powering Your Career.

Host David Smith dives deep with Mark on:
⚡ Building Voyager Renewables from the ground up
🌱 His career shift from environmental science into energy
💡 Lessons from the Sun Cable rollercoaster
🧠 Mental health, cold water swimming, and the value of real mateship
🌏 Why Newcastle is the beating heart of Australia’s energy transition

Mark’s journey is proof that career pivots, purpose-led leadership, and daring to dream big can all coexist—especially in the fast-moving world of renewables.

In Episode 8 of Powering Your Career, David speaks with Mark Branson, Chief Development Officer at Voyager Renewables.

Mark’s journey from ecologist to energy leader is anything but conventional. With senior roles across Australia, Asia Pacific, and the Americas—including time at SunCable, CWP Renewables, and ERM—he’s now helping drive Voyager’s mission to deliver 6 GW of onshore wind, solar, and battery projects across Australia by 2030.

In this episode, Mark shares his take on building trust with communities, why he’s always said yes to opportunity, and how he juggles leadership with being a father of five. He also opens up about what he wanted to be as a kid (spoiler: it wasn’t in energy) and how alpine skiing shaped his mindset.

An inspiring listen for anyone considering a career pivot or passionate about renewables.

In Episode 7 of Powering Your Career, Dave sits down with Heidi Sick – an inspiring and honest voice in the energy sector who was named a 'Top 100 Green Power Player'. Heidi shares her journey from growing up on the Mornington Peninsula to becoming Regional Business Line Director – Energy & Environment at AECOM. With a background in chemical engineering and a career built on saying yes to new opportunities, Heidi reflects on the twists, turns and pivots that shaped her path to executive leadership.

This episode explores:

It’s a real, down-to-earth conversation on leadership, setbacks, and self-belief – and one many of you will relate to.

Episode 006 of Powering Your Career is now live — and in this one, I sat down with Lyndon Frearson, Managing Director at Ekistica, whose unique career journey is matched only by the impact he’s having across some of the country’s most complex energy projects.

Lyndon shares his journey from working at Ford to running one of the most fascinating businesses involved in projects ranging from large-scale transmission to remote community energy systems — and everything in between. A storyteller, systems thinker, and passionate leader, Lyndon brought incredible insight and authenticity to our chat.

Here are just a few standout themes we covered: 
✅ Engineering meets purpose — how curiosity and a willingness to say “yes” shaped a fulfilling and unconventional career. 
✅ Mental health, vulnerability, and why building connection within teams is just as important as technical skill. 
✅ Why we need to rethink Australia’s “energy transition” as an industrial transformation — and the critical role people play in its success.

Lyndon’s reflections on leadership, impact and what drives him personally made this one of the most thought-provoking episodes so far.
 🎧 Tune in to the episode now at: 🔗 https://www.westrecruitment.com.au/powering-your-career-podcast

🚀 Powering Your Career - Episode 005: Megan Fisher, CEO of EnergyLab 🎙️🔋

In this episode of Powering Your Career, host David Smith sits down with Megan Fisher, CEO and Director of EnergyLab, to discuss the future of clean energy startups, innovation, and leadership in the energy sector.

🔎 Topics Covered:
✅ Megan’s non-traditional path into energy from product development & innovation
✅ The role of startups in shaping the energy transition
✅ How EnergyLab supports clean energy entrepreneurs & emerging tech
✅ The biggest opportunities for startups in the energy sector
✅ Navigating the challenges of leadership and mental health & wellness
✅ Why Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) is critical to fostering innovation

🌍 With a background spanning multiple industries, Megan shares insights on how Australia can become a renewable energy superpower and why collaboration between startups, venture capital, and industry giants is key.

🎧 Listen now for actionable insights and career inspiration in the evolving energy landscape.

🔗 Connect with Megan Fisher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansfisher/
 🔗 Learn more about EnergyLab: https://www.linkedin.com/company/energylab-international/

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#EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #Leadership #Innovation #Startups #CareerDevelopment #RenewableEnergy #EnergySector #PoweringYourCareer #EnergyLab #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #Sustainability

I’m excited to share the latest episode of Powering Your Career! This time, I had the privilege of sitting down with Robert (Bob) Webster – a man whose career has spanned farming, politics, and leadership in some of Australia’s biggest energy businesses.

From serving as NSW’s Minister for Energy to chairing Endeavour Energy, Bob has had a front-row seat to decades of change in the industry. In this episode, we dive into:

⚡  Career transitions & leadership – How Bob navigated his journey from politics to the corporate world.
⚡  The future of Australia’s energy transition – What we really need to get right to ensure success.
⚡ The role of nuclear energy – Should it be part of Australia’s energy mix?
⚡  Building a board career – Insights for those looking to step into executive leadership.
⚡  The importance of diversity, equity & inclusion – Why it matters now more than ever in the energy sector.

Bob’s depth of experience and no-nonsense insights made this a fascinating conversation, and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed recording it.

Would love to hear your thoughts - what’s your biggest takeaway? 

Episode 3: Andy Evans – Pioneering Offshore Wind & Reinventing Careers

In this episode of Powering Your Career, David Smith sits down with Andy Evans, a trailblazer in Australia’s renewable energy sector. Andy’s career has been anything but traditional—starting in AFL, moving into law, and ultimately co-founding major offshore wind ventures like OceanEx and Star of the South.

Beyond energy, Andy is also a documentary filmmaker, using storytelling to reshape conversations around renewables. In this episode, he opens up about:

This is a must-listen for anyone looking to carve their own path in energy, leadership, or business.

Episode 2: Leading with Curiosity & Courage – Daphne Yao, CEO of Valent Energy ⚡🎙️

In this episode of Powering Your Career, host David Smith (Founding Partner & Director, West Energy & West Recruitment) sits down with Daphne Yao, CEO of Valent Energy, to explore her incredible career journey - from corporate law to leading the charge in energy retail, infrastructure, and green hydrogen. 

Daphne’s path is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and saying yes to new opportunities. She shares her insights on leadership, the energy transition, and why diversity in decision-making is key to driving real change. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 
⚡ Navigating a non-traditional career path – How Daphne went from corporate law to executive leadership in energy 
⚡ The power of saying yes – How embracing opportunities can accelerate your career 
⚡ Leadership insights – Why diverse perspectives make stronger teams and better decisions 
⚡ The future of energy – Daphne’s take on innovation, infrastructure, and Australia’s energy transition 
⚡ Mental wellness & work-life balance – How she stays grounded while leading in a high-pressure industry 
⚡ A surprising personal passion – How Daphne’s love for LEGO 🧩 fuels her creativity and problem-solving skills 

Why This Episode Matters 🌏 
The energy industry is evolving rapidly, and leaders like Daphne pave the way for a more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable future. Whether you’re already in the industry, considering a transition, or looking for leadership inspiration, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world insights. 

Let us know your thoughts in the comments - what’s your biggest takeaway from Daphne's journey?