Ep. 93 Allyson Stewart-Allen- “If you don’t try it, you’ll never know what it could have been.”

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuña Ocaña is joined by Allyson Stewart‑Allen, Founder and CEO of International Marketing Partners, for a wide‑ranging and deeply insightful conversation on international careers, professional services leadership, and the realities of global growth.

A globally recognised authority on the internationalisation of professional services firms, Allyson brings decades of experience advising leaders across legal, consulting, accounting, and advisory businesses.

Originally from Los Angeles and now based in London, Allyson shares how early exposure to international life — including growing up in Munich and studying languages — shaped her worldview and ultimately her career.

Allyson reflects on her professional journey from PwC, PA Consulting Group, and Hay Group to founding her own consultancy in the early 1990s. She speaks candidly about recognising early on that traditional corporate environments weren’t where she did her best work — and the courage it took to build something of her own.

The conversation explores Allyson’s bestselling book, Working with Americans, written in response to years of being asked the same cross‑cultural questions by global leaders.

Allyson explains how the book came to life, why cross‑cultural understanding is still widely misunderstood, and how global firms continue to underestimate the complexity of international expansion.

Nicky and Allyson also unpack the real differences between mentoring, sponsorship, and executive coaching, drawing on Allyson’s experience as both a mentee and mentor.

3Allyson shares why mentorship has been particularly influential in her career — and why sponsorship is often the missing ingredient for progression in professional services.

The episode also dives into the biggest challenges facing leaders in professional services today, including global‑versus‑local tensions, leadership transitions from technical expert to firm leader, and the growing importance of culture, people leadership, and adaptability.

Allyson offers thoughtful, practical insight from her work with senior partners, CMOs, and leadership teams across international firms.

This episode is essential listening for professionals navigating international careers, leadership transitions, and growth within professional services environments.

​Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Allyson Stewart-Allen

01:57 Allyson's Journey and Background

09:02 Career Path and Professional Growth

16:08 The Process of Writing a Book

19:41 Broadcasting Experience and Public Speaking

23:56 Mentoring, Sponsorship, and Coaching

24:17 The Value of Mentoring and Coaching

26:07 The Importance of Sponsorship in Career Development

28:33 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurial Life

32:20 Networking: Building Relationships for Success

34:57 Consultancy Work and Its Impact

37:50 Challenges Facing Leaders in Professional Services

41:13 The Evolution of Leadership in Modern Times

42:47 Taking Risks and Embracing Opportunities