Leaders with Ambition Ambition UK

Samantha Keen, Partner, EY UKI Strategy and Transactions.

​The true mark of leadership is an ability to make well-informed, sometimes difficult choices. By that measure, our guest on this episode of Leaders With Ambition has undeniably demonstrated strength again and again throughout her career.

Samantha Keen couldn’t have made Partner at a Big Four accounting firm (while also raising two children) without very intentionally cultivating clarity, both professional and personal. She shares with host Nicky Acuna Ocana her journey to leading EY-Parthenon’s UKI Strategy and Transactions team, including bumps and revelations along the way.

You’ll learn about how it feels to be among the only women in a boardroom as well as why the areas of corporate insolvency and restructuring have made such a great fit for Samantha, her skill set and personality.

She also touts the importance of networking (early and often!) as well as staying authentic (to yourself and others) throughout the whole career trajectory. Find out about some of the big challenges impacting global corporate transactions and which have been some of Samantha’s most treasured career highlights, along with words of wisdom you won’t want to miss.

“It’s a question of understanding what you want and then articulating it – because nobody’s going to articulate it for you!”, says our guest, a long-time champion of women and inclusive workplaces. Wise words indeed from Samantha!

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

As a Black woman breaking new ground in the area of Legal Project Management, Blandine brings to bear not only her law degree but also an unshakeable ability to demonstrate strength and advocate for herself as well as others.

During this insightful conversation, Blandine highlights the benefits of maintaining purpose through self-awareness, networking, and bravery.

You’ll also learn how authenticity, self-confidence, and openness to mentoring have formed the cornerstones of an extraordinary career – one that has taken Blandine from helping to manage the legal and financial fall-out after Lehman Brothers’ dissolution to establishing the critical ROI that business services have to offer law firms.

And all along the way, wherever she has worked, Blandine has contributed to building healthier, more diverse cultures, most recently at DLA Piper and Norton Rose Fulbright.

“What drives me is bringing order to chaos and solutions to people’s problems,” explains Blandine, who exemplifies what it means to identify a core skill set, passion, and purpose - then wield them in transformational ways!

You'll also hear Blandine's take on the current challenges facing law firms as well as her advice on strategies for young people looking to build a dynamic, fulfilling career in professional services.

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