Mates in Mind is a leading UK charity raising awareness, improving understanding and addressing the stigma of mental ill health.

Sam started her career as a research psychologist and has since set up, and lead, mental health services at local, regional and national levels. 

Today, as Managing Director of Mates in Mind, Sam works with organisations to help them create environments that are good for their employees, environments that are healthy both physically and psychologically. 

In this podcast, Sam talks about normalising mental health and that for many, work gives us purpose and meaning. She shares with Dr Graham Kelly some of the success stories she has witnessed through her time at the charity and why Appreciative Inquiry - a collaborative approach to organisational change that focuses on building on what's already working well, rather than fixing problems – is so important. 

Graham also asks, for organisations wishing to implement or improve their mental health strategies, what should be at the top of their list? 

In this insightful podcast, Faye Bowser, Vice President Higher Education Vertical at Siemens discusses the evolving challenges and opportunities facing global universities. Drawing from her 23 years at Siemens, she explores key themes such as post-COVID learning shifts, financial pressures, the rise of AI and the urgent need for sustainable campus operations. 

Faye highlights the importance of data driven decision making, smart infrastructure and digital twins in transforming campuses into more efficient, student focused environments. With over two decades of experience in the smart infrastructure and energy sector, Faye oversees the development and implementation of innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of higher education institutions.

Stephanie Newman is the Chief Project Engineer for Trent Fleet Engines at Rolls-Royce, she is responsible for managing product safety across the fleet and leads a team of talented engineering managers. 

Stephanie has to date had an incredible career journey, from aspiring astronaut to becoming an engineer with her own aircraft pilot’s licence! 

In this podcast Stephanie shares with Dr Graham Kelly not just her career wins but what fuelled her passion for engineering and what were her early ambitions that led her to Rolls Royce. 

Adler Enoksen has worked on some of the most advanced, complex and detailed infrastructure and engineering projects in Norway, including the Follo Line and the Rogfast tunnel. 

As Director for Hydropower Plants and Caverns at Implenia Norway, Adler has a background as an engineering geologist and a specialism in substructure construction. 

In this Okana podcast, host Dr Graham Kelly delves into Adler’s fascinating career (to the envy of many engineers around the world) and vast knowledge to understand how he leads successful, large complex projects for both the Norwegian Government and private sector clients. 

 The conversation also leans towards risk and safety and how these are measure, monitored and managed, and what parts data and digital play from the planning stage through to breaking ground.  

Zineb is a qualified Architect, BIM Professional and Trainer with a deep seated passion for the growth of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and new technologies driving a digital culture across the built environment.

As the Founder of BIMPATH, Zineb’s focus has been on providing international consultancy and training in digital construction technologies, contributing to the advancement of BIM practices. 

In this conversation with Dr Graham Kelly, Zineb discusses the current maturity level and the future direction of BIM in Morocco and throughout Africa. Together with demand in the region for bigger projects that require bigger thinking in the wake of the preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2030 and the introduction of the National Strategy: Digital Morocco 2030. 

Despite her passions for digital progress, Zineb firmly believes that BIM and transformation go beyond technology, they require strategic thinking, collaboration and education – all human centric enablers. Meaning technological progression can not take place without people! 

Jacqueline Chinwe Stephen is a Global Future Energy Leader for the World Energy Council, dedicated to driving change in energy, sustainability and social impact. With a background in Oil and Gas Management and a Master’s in Offshore and Ocean Technology with Subsea Engineering from Cranfield University, Jacqueline is currently Associate Director – Energy and Natural Resources, Turner & Townsend.

The Okana Podcast Host, Dr Graham Kelly invites Jacqueline to discuss what strategies, or indeed urgent actions, need to be implemented in the UK to address the Energy Trilemma and how can we better facilitate positive, sustainable change across emerging markets.

Chris Paton is a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Marines and saw active service for over 18 years. One of his senior roles was Head of Strategy in Afghanistan to the David Cameron Government, where he was responsible for the extraction of all UK combat troops and their equipment from Afghanistan from 2010-2012. 

Chris shares his experiences as a former marine and how he transitioned from the military to running a successful consultancy, advising Fortune 500 and FTSE 250 global giants on their performance and leadership, plus his views on passing on key principles to others to strengthen trust in relationships.

Chris also shares his thoughts with host Dr Graham Kelly on his people first approach and how to manage micro cultures within organisations.

Helena was listed as one of the top 100 most influential women in the engineering sector and in 2019 named one of the most influential women in engineering by the Financial Times. 

Helena is currently leading on net zero for AECOM across Europe and India and tells podcast host, Dr Graham Kelly, why it is important for organisations to develop their decarbonisation pathways and what operational pressures this can create for a business. 

Graham asked Helena, when it comes to decarbonisation strategies where would you say as an industry, we are getting it right and just as importantly where are we not getting it right?  The conversation then goes deep into the understanding and responsibilities of sustainability within the built environment and how to prioritise what needs to be addressed first in the decarbonisation journey.

Joseph Michael Daniels is a world leading sustainability technologist, innovator and entrepreneur. Having built the first net zero connected buildings across four continents and raising £40 million upon founding Etopia, Joseph is pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

As he talks with Dr Graham Kelly, Joseph is very candid about his earlier years and becoming homeless at the age of 15, which was a key driver in his ambitions to succeed. Joseph shares his thought processes on seeing things through a data driven perspective and how data is a nucleus for change. 

The pair look beyond the traditional understanding of what is construction and how data is an enabler for digital twins in a very organic way – whilst unwrapping what is a digital twin and how it is a core element that allows us to create new ecosystems.

Humanitarian psychologist, Sakshi Bansal is a strategy consultant and sustainability advisor for Arup and the recipient of The Diana Award – the highest civilian award for humanitarian work across the globe.

She is also the world’s first UNESCO Kindness Leader based on her work as the founder of Project LEAP, a social service project with over 300 volunteers based in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, pan Africa and throughout Australasia, who deliver capability development training to climate activists and sustainability leaders around the world. 

Sakshi discusses global ambitions for sustainability, people and the planet, and how big corporations are adopting a shift in mindset to embrace the benefits of working more sustainably by mobilising their investments to support ESG goals in emerging markets.