In Part 2 of our very insightful conversation with Stephanie Ezechukwu, Head of Prosecutions and Quality at the DVSA, we explore how vulnerability can be one of a leader’s greatest strengths.

Stephanie shares how her authenticity and willingness to lead with vulnerability not only made her the obvious choice for the extremely difficult task, of breaking the news of the sad passing of a colleague to the rest of the team, but how it helped her navigate the extremely difficult moment with empathy and grace.

We also dive into the role of mentorship, the importance of self-awareness, and how boldness is often built through meaningful support and self-reflection. 

🎧 Tune in for this masterclass in authentic leadership. You'll find it as moving as it is insightful.

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Stephanie Ezechukwu is the Head of Prosecutions and Quality at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), part of the UK’s Department for Transport. Starting her career as a court clerk at the age of 23, Stephanie’s remarkable rise through the ranks is a testament to her work ethic, humility, and passion for justice. Today, she leads the agency’s litigation and prosecution work, overseeing teams responsible for criminal and regulatory cases across multiple courts, including the Magistrates, Crown Court, and Court of Appeal. A champion of servant leadership, Stephanie brings authenticity, compassion, and conviction to every role she steps into. 

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What does it really mean to lead with authenticity?

In this inspiring episode, Stephanie Ezechukwu, Head of Prosecutions and Quality at the DVSA, takes us through her extraordinary journey—from starting as a 23-year-old court clerk to now leading three teams handling some of the UK government's most critical prosecution work.

Stephanie shares how humility, character, competence and compassion shaped her rise, and why those same values are essential in effective leadership. From being unexpectedly promoted in her first year to leading teams that represent the agency in major courts, her story is one of quiet strength and undeniable impact.

We discuss:

• How authentic leadership transforms teams
• The power of servant leadership in public service
• What happens when you lead with character, not just credentials
• Why delegation and trust are essential for growth

This episode will challenge your view of what leadership looks like—and remind you that the most powerful leaders are often the most authentic ones.

Listen now and be inspired to lead with heart, not just a title.

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Stephanie Ezechukwu is the Head of Prosecutions and Quality at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), part of the UK’s Department for Transport. Starting her career as a court clerk at the age of 23, Stephanie’s remarkable rise through the ranks is a testament to her work ethic, humility, and passion for justice. Today, she leads the agency’s litigation and prosecution work, overseeing teams responsible for criminal and regulatory cases across multiple courts, including the Magistrates, Crown Court, and Court of Appeal. A champion of servant leadership, Stephanie brings authenticity, compassion, and conviction to every role she steps into. 

Connect with Stephanie

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In this powerful conclusion to our conversation with Dr. Ibilola Amao, Principal Consultant at Lonadek Global Services, we dive deeper into what fuels her extraordinary journey.

Dr. Amao shares how she turns obstacles into opportunities—not only to rise above challenges but to create lasting, positive impact for others. Her leadership mindset can only be described as one of transformation, legacy-building, and bold innovation.

She also shares how she manages to achieve a sense of work-life integration, and the "superpower" that enables her to continuously break barriers and uplift others despite a staggering list of professional roles and commitments—ranging from her board appointments, advisory roles, and thought leadership across global STEM and energy spaces

Tune in to hear how one woman is shaping the future of engineering, energy, and entrepreneurship—one bold move at a time.

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Dr. Ibilola Amao is the Principal Consultant at Lonadek Global Services, an award-winning engineering technology and innovation solutions company. With over 30 years of experience in the Energy, Power, Infrastructure, and Renewable sectors, she has trained over 15,000 engineers and empowered 100,000+ STEM talents. A passionate advocate for STEM education, leadership, and entrepreneurship, Dr. Amao is a trailblazer in breaking barriers and championing diversity in a male-dominated industry. Recognized globally for her contributions, she continues to drive innovation, sustainability, and human capital development across Africa and beyond. 

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Dr Ibilola Amao’s journey is one of breaking barriers and defying odds. From navigating challenges as a black woman in a male-dominated industry to building a thriving engineering consultancy, in this episode, she reveals the bold strategies and leadership mindset that has fueled her success, how taking what many would see as a demotion and drastic pay cut became a game-changer for her career and how she is empowering thousands of young talents along the way, leaving a legacy of  empowerment, innovation, and transformative leadership that continues to inspire the next generation.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resilience, risk-taking, vision, and purpose-driven leadership.

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Dr. Ibilola Amao is the Principal Consultant at Lonadek Global Services, an award-winning engineering technology and innovation solutions company. With over 30 years of experience in the Energy, Power, Infrastructure, and Renewable sectors, she has trained over 15,000 engineers and empowered 100,000+ STEM talents. A passionate advocate for STEM education, leadership, and entrepreneurship, Dr. Amao is a trailblazer in breaking barriers and championing diversity in a male-dominated industry. Recognized globally for her contributions, she continues to drive innovation, sustainability, and human capital development across Africa and beyond. 

Connect with Ibilola

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In the final part of our conversation with Michael Wood FIH on Leadership and Work-Life Balance, Michael reveals his top three traits of an effective leader, how he navigates moments of failure, and the single most important piece of advice he has ever received. Plus, he shares what every new leader must embrace to truly succeed.

Prepare to be both inspired and empowered by Michael's profound insights!

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Michael Wood FIH is General Manager and Director of Hempstead House Hotel and spa based in Kent, in the United Kingdom. With 20 years of independent hotel experience and 9 years of senior management, Michael has a passion to create a team of people to learn from each other and lead when required and to make collaborative decisions for business and individual growth and success.  

Also joint vice chair of the Southeast Institute of Hospitality, Michael is very passionate about his career in hospitality and has a wonderful wife and two children who support this lifestyle along with their new addition of Bonnie the cockapoo. 

Michael loves to make a good cappuccino when he gets to work and to escape to the golf course whenever possible.

Follow Michael Wood https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wood-mih-05b72b71/

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In the 24/7 world of hospitality, achieving work-life balance might seem impossible, yet nothing could be further from the truth. Safe to say if the elusive work-life balance can be achieved in the industry, it is achievable in any industry. 

In this episode of the Life and Leadership podcast, we delve into this crucial topic with Michael Wood FIH, General Manager of Hempstead House Hotel in Kent, United Kingdom. Michael not only shares his personal strategies for achieving work-life balance but also explains how he tries to ensure the same for his team. 

He also emphasizes the power of effective leadership, recounting how one influential general manager early in his career has made a lasting impact on his leadership style today. 

Michael’s insights offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to balance life and leadership in a demanding industry. 

Tune in for a compelling discussion filled with practical strategies and inspiration!

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Michael Wood FIH is General Manager and Director of Hempstead House Hotel and spa based in Kent, in the United Kingdom. With 20 years of independent hotel experience and 9 years of senior management, Michael has a passion to create a team of people to learn from each other and lead when required and to make collaborative decisions for business and individual growth and success.  

Also joint vice chair of the Southeast Institute of Hospitality, Michael is very passionate about his career in hospitality and has a wonderful wife and two children who support this lifestyle along with their new addition of Bonnie the cockapoo. 

Michael loves to make a good cappuccino when he gets to work and to escape to the golf course whenever possible.

Follow Michael Wood https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wood-mih-05b72b71/

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In this episode of the Life and Leadership podcast, Zachary Jones, Security Advisory Director at CNA Financial Corporation in Chicago, underscores the importance of perspective for leaders, emphasizing that the process of achieving objectives is far more crucial than achieving the objectives themselves.

Zach explains that reaching a goal at the expense of trust, relationships, and employee enthusiasm is far more costly in the long run. He also sheds light on his concept of work-life integration, highlighting the pivotal role trust plays in making work-life harmony possible, especially for leaders.

Zach also shares how he navigated a significant "failure" moment, the lessons he learned, his decision-making framework as a leader, and his top three leadership qualities, including the unexpected yet powerful art of storytelling.

Tune in for a compelling conversation filled with insights on trust, leadership, and achieving true success.

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Zach Jones is the Security Advisory Director at CNA, a Financial Corporation based in Chicago. Zach kicked off his journey studying Applied Physics at Indiana University and working in the field for a few years as an Undergraduate Researcher. He then joined cybersecurity consulting firm based in indianapolis called The Mako Group, where his cybersecurity career began. 

He went on to spend about 2 years living abroad and worked in about 30 different countries across 6 continents. His experience at The Mako Group set Zach up for success with the right mix of skills and experience to take on the Airport and Operational Technology Cybersecurity program at United Airlines. 

Between coordinating new hire/intern programs, guest speaking at Indiana University, and helping recruit for the TechWomen program, Zach and his wife try and spend at least 2 months each year traveling. 

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Trust is the foundation of team success and a vital asset for any leader. In this episode, Zachary Jones Security Advisory Director at CNA, a Financial Corporation based in Chicago explains why trust is so crucial and how its absence can hinder productivity and progress.
 
Zach highlights the key differences between low-trust and high-trust cultures, offers insights on identifying where your organisation stands, and shares his strategies for building what he calls his "dream team"

He also discusses how leaders can foster a culture of trust and suggests alternative approaches to handling common issues that might otherwise undermine trust. For example, instead of micromanaging a team member struggling with time management and thereby stifling creativity and innovation, equip them with the tools to improve, which will not only improve their productivity but build trust with them.

Tune in now to discover practical strategies for enhancing your leadership and elevating your team to new heights.

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Zach Jones is the Security Advisory Director at CNA, a Financial Corporation based in Chicago. Zach kicked off his journey studying Applied Physics at Indiana University and working in the field for a few years as an Undergraduate Researcher. He then joined cybersecurity consulting firm based in indianapolis called The Mako Group, where his cybersecurity career began. 

He went on to spend about 2 years living abroad and worked in about 30 different countries across 6 continents. His experience at The Mako Group set Zach up for success with the right mix of skills and experience to take on the Airport and Operational Technology Cybersecurity program at United Airlines. 

Between coordinating new hire/intern programs, guest speaking at Indiana University, and helping recruit for the TechWomen program, Zach and his wife try and spend at least 2 months each year traveling. 

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Can Do Academy is committed to making ordinary people extraordinary leaders. Find out more about our work here

Have a question about this episode or know a leader that should be on it? Reach out to us here

In this episode , Scott Brown, UK Director of Sales for Melia Hotels International,  delves into the profound lessons he’s learned from exceptional leaders and mentors throughout his career. He emphasizes the critical role of continuous learning and development for leaders and recounts how he transformed a ‘failure’ into a career-launching opportunity.

Scott also discusses the transformative power of establishing and communicating clear non-negotiables to your team, sharing his own non-negotiables that you might find compelling enough to adopt.

As we wrap up, Scott shares a heartfelt tribute to his first director of sales, Nikki Staley, who taught him the importance of empathy and the human touch in leadership, and whose caring and non-transactional approach to sales has profoundly shaped Scott's leadership style. 

The episode concludes with Scott offering invaluable advice for those just beginning their leadership journey. Tune in for an inspiring and enlightening conversation that offers rich insights and practical advice!

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Scott Brown is a 22-year veteran of hospitality whose career started with Marriott Hotels in operational roles before a transition to Sales early in his career and a rapid rise through the ranks of the company. 

Leaving as UK Account Manager for Marriott’s National Sales team, Scott took the challenge as Director of Sales at Manchester’s first 5* Hotel, The Lowry Hotel, before moving to Melia Hotels in 2020 to set up their UK North area. In late 2022 Scott added 3 London Hotels to the existing UK North hotels as he was handed the reigns of the UK Sales Team with circa £70m Turnover and a multi-location team of 25. 

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Get ready to be inspired as we reflect on the critical role of empathy in leadership and its profound impact on team dynamics and performance with Scott Brown, UK Director of Sales at Melia Hotels International. 

From his humble beginnings at Marriott Hotels in Manchester to being part of a team managing large-scale events like the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth, Scott's storytelling provides a captivating look at the experiences that have shaped his professional growth and leadership style.

In this episode, Scott shares the inspirational journey of his 22-year career in hospitality, offering invaluable insights into the importance of empathy, the power of diverse skill sets within a team, and the principle of believing in what you sell.

Scott emphasizes that true leadership involves understanding and leveraging each team member's unique strengths and motivations. This approach not only creates a cohesive, high-performing team but also fosters a culture of trust and mutual respect. 

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Scott Brown is a 22-year veteran of hospitality whose career started with Marriott Hotels in operational roles before a transition to Sales early in his career and a rapid rise through the ranks of the company. 

Leaving as UK Account Manager for Marriott’s National Sales team, Scott took the challenge as Director of Sales at Manchester’s first 5* Hotel, The Lowry Hotel, before moving to Melia Hotels in 2020 to set up their UK North area. In late 2022 Scott added 3 London Hotels to the existing UK North hotels as he was handed the reigns of the UK Sales Team with circa £70m Turnover and a multi-location team of 25. 

Support the show

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Follow me on Linkedin

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE before you leave

Can Do Academy is committed to making ordinary people extraordinary leaders. Find out more about our work here

Have a question about this episode or know a leader that should be on it? Reach out to us here