The SOapbox Series

Spencer Ogden
  • 4.6 (11)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Spencer Ogden is excited to launch our new podcast: SOapbox Series. Twice every month, we’ll be opening up discussions with thought leaders in the industry about the human element of the renewable energy landscape. We’ll be covering the dynamic and innovative environment of renewable energy, asking how we can create a progressive workforce that champions diversity, and delving into what a truly sustainable future looks like. Join us for in-depth discussions, interesting debate, and thoughtful dialogue. 

  1. OCT 23

    S5 I Ep 6 I Navigating Talent Concerns Across the Globe I SOapbox: Voices of the Energy Transition

    In this special episode of the SOapbox podcast, our Spencer Ogden hosts Scarlett Menzies, Senior Business Manager, Ella Cann, Team Manager, and John Bougias, Senior Principal Consultant, come together from across EMEA, North America, and APAC to wrap up a series of global conversations on Talent and the Energy Transition. Across three regions and three expert guests, one message is clear - the energy transition depends on people. From scaling renewables projects and tackling skills shortages, to building values-led teams that can deliver at pace, this discussion brings together the key takeaways shaping today’s energy workforce. Ella shares insight from her conversation with Senior HRBP Lindsay Reichert at Cypress Creek, exploring the persistent challenge of attracting and retaining professionals with three to five years’ experience in renewables. John reflects on his panel with Merinda Harvey from OX2, Manjeet Hooda of Envision Energy and Adam Gifford from Potentia Energy speaking on Australia and Asia, where constructability, mobility, and employee value propositions are redefining how engineering teams are built. And Scarlett recaps her discussion with Andy Baker from Turner & Townsend, highlighting how culture, values, and people-first leadership are critical to delivering the energy transition at scale. Together, they unpack the shared themes shaping the global market - the growing use of contractors to bridge talent gaps, the renewed focus on inclusion and engagement, and the need for flexible, forward-thinking workforce strategies. Key timestamps:  3.02: Talent challenges by region – the key themes  7.03: How talent shortages and skills gaps are being addressed by our client’s organisations  10.02: Candidate engagement – from interview stage and beyond  11.31: Is EVP important to Contract staff?  13:57: Skillsets in high demand regionally  16:54: Are companies tending to hire more contract or more permanent staff? 20:43: How psychological safety at work is pertinent to all employees  21:50: The career benefits to global mobility and global exposure and for clients, the talent pool access  28:14: What our hosts learned from their episodes with energy industry professionals that changed their perspective on talent  You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector.

    33 min

  2. SEP 11

    Soapbox I S5 I Ep 5 I Opportunity in Uncertainty: OBBB Impact on Renewable Energy Finance I Voices of the Energy Transition

    On the latest episode of the SOapbox podcast, our hosts Alicia Orr, Team Manager and Nicole Johnson, Principal Consultant at Spencer Ogden, sit down with Bryan Didier, Partner and Managing Director of Renewable Energy at Monarch Private Capital.  The conversation explores how the passing of OB3 is shaping the financial landscape for renewable energy, from investor appetite and tax credits to long-term planning. Brian also shares insights on hiring trends within finance, the skills currently in demand, and how professionals can build resilient careers in a rapidly evolving sector.  02: 29- What does Monarch do  03:56- What does OB3 entail   06:44- What would the Bill change in the energy market   08:41- Changes after the Inflation Reduction Act   10:48- How OB3 is impacting solar and storage credits   12:45- Investor appetite after the passing of OB3   13:34- Explaining long-term investment horizons to the board  15:43- Hiring trends in the finance industry   19:32- Skills in demand in the industry    22:51- Brian's advice for having a long-term career path within renewable energy finance You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector.

    27 min

  3. AUG 27

    S5 I Ep 4 I Career Crunch: Attracting Mid-Level Talent With Cypress Creek I SOapbox: Voices of the Energy Transition

    In this week’s episode of the SOapbox podcast, our host Ella Cann sits down with Lindsay Reichert from Cypress Creek to explore a key challenge in today’s energy workforce: attracting, engaging, and retaining mid-career talent.  With experience spanning both recruitment and HR, Lindsay offers a unique perspective on what makes the candidate experience truly stand out- and why mid-level professionals need more than just competitive pay to commit to an organisation. From mentorship and cultural fit to relocation support and long-term engagement, this conversation dives into what companies must do to secure the professionals driving the energy transition forward.  05:37 - How the candidate experience differs for juniors and seniors.  07:05 - Mid-career candidate priorities   12:44 - Supporting candidates who require visa sponsorship.  14:32 - Relocating with Cyprus Creek to any of their US offices  15:22 - Keeping the interview experience fresh for mid-career hires.  19:25 - Gaining an authentic sense of company culture.  19:46 - The importance of employer branding.  25:11 - Retention strategies for mid-career hires.  26:19 - The 4P’s of engagement and employee populations.  30:46 - Team equity and how it impacts retention  You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector.

    33 min

  4. AUG 7

    S5 I Ep 3 I People, Purpose & Progress with Turner & Townsend I SOapbox: Voices of the Energy Transition

    In the latest episode of the SOapbox podcast, our host Scarlett Menzies, Business Manager at Spencer Ogden, is joined by Andy Baker, Director of Energy and Natural Resources at Turner & Townsend.  Together, they explore what it takes to lead through rapid change in one of the most complex and fast-paced sectors of the energy industry. From the evolution of mega-projects to the importance of company values, Andy offers a candid look at the people, projects, and mindset driving Turner & Townsend’s European energy and natural resources business forward.  From talent shortages and regulatory shifts to digital transformation and culture-building, this conversation dives into the real-world challenges of delivering the energy transition at scale - and the leaders making it happen.    04:41 – Navigating the pace and scale of the energy transition: why moving fast and smart matters.  07:15 – What we can learn from mega-projects that delivered real impact.  08:35 – Unpacking the biggest talent challenges facing the energy sector today.  13:27 – A proud milestone: Andy reflects on integrating CBRE’s project management group into the business.  16:53 – What’s driving the talent shortage and how Turner & Townsend is leading the charge to solve it.  19:50 – Opening doors: creating opportunities in data centres and other fast-growing sectors.  22:36 – Career-defining moments: the experiences that shaped Andy’s industry perspective.  27:46 – The energy future is bright: what excites Andy most about the road ahead.  30:51 – For those just starting out: one piece of advice for the next generation of energy leaders.  33:04 – A book that changed his thinking and still inspires today.  You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector.

    37 min

  5. JUL 24

    S5 I Ep 2 I Driving Sustainability at ABB I SOapbox: Career Conversations

    In this episode of SOapbox: Career Conversations, Spencer Ogden’s Global ESG Manager, Regan Callender, speaks with Marie-Hélène Westholm-Knebel, Head of Sustainability at ABB’s Energy Industries division.  As part of our Career Conversations series, we spotlight industry leaders who are shaping the future of energy; diving into their career journeys, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and how they’re accelerating meaningful progress on a global scale.  Marie-Hélène shares her path from political science to environmental management, her role in launching ABB’s global sustainability agenda, and the lessons learned from over two decades in the field. From building strategy around emissions, water, chemicals, and human rights, to embedding purpose into business performance - this is a candid look at what it really takes to lead sustainability within one of the world’s largest energy technology companies.  Discussed:   01:39- Marie-Hélène’s path into sustainability and the energy sector  02:35- ABB's Sustainability strategy and 3 pillars: low carbon society, resource preservation, and social progress  06:38-  Early influences that shaped Marie-Hélène’s passion for sustainability  13:52- Her proudest achievements and how she’s reinvented herself along the way  17:44- How the sustainability space has matured over the past two decades  20:17- Addressing bottlenecks and unlocking opportunities at ABB   23:40- Balancing commercial goals with long-term environmental objectives   27:47- Tackling emissions, water use, chemical impacts and human rights across ABB’s value chain  30:33- ABB’s 78% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions since 2019 - and their road to net zero by 2050  You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector.

    40 min

  6. JUL 10

    S5 I Ep 1 I People Powering Australia’s Energy Shift I SOapbox: Voices of the Energy Transition

    In the latest episode of the SOapbox podcast, our host John Bougias, Principal Consultant at Spencer Ogden, is joined by three industry leaders shaping Australia’s clean energy future:  Merinda Harvey, ANZ Human Resources Business Partner at OX2 Adam Gifford, Head of Engineering at Potentia Energy Manjeet Hooda, Director of EPC at Envision Energy Together, they explore the people dynamics behind Australia’s renewable energy transformation. From skills shortages and workforce strategies to hiring challenges and international labour trends, this conversation dives into what it takes to power the energy transition and who will do it.  Discussed:  03:35 – What skills are in demand across Australia’s renewable energy sector?  07:45 – Remote sites and FIFO rosters: What’s working, and how can we make these roles more appealing?  10:02 – Merinda shares the HR lens: Crafting a compelling employee value proposition  12:10 – Manjeet weighs in on why camp amenities – from food to Wi-Fi – really matter  15:51 – Retention strategies that actually work in renewables  18:00 – Building a culture of collaboration – even when teams are remote  20:17 – Matrix orgs, hybrid projects, and giving teams autonomy: Manjeet’s take on driving high performance  22:45 – Tapping into global talent: Where international skills can add immediate value  23:24 – Adam explores the balance: Transferable engineering skills vs. navigating local regulations  24:33 – Manjeet on the scale of Australia’s engineering shortage – and the need for smarter migration policy  25:53 – Merinda on relocating global talent: What works and what doesn’t  28:17 – Are we investing enough in homegrown talent development?  29:06 – Scholarships, paid internships, and early pipeline building: Adam’s real-world example  29:46 – Manjeet highlights the growing gap in skilled and unskilled blue-collar roles  You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector.

    44 min

  7. 10/17/2024

    S4 | Ep 3 | Company Culture in a Hybrid World | SOapbox

    In the latest episode of the SOapbox podcast our host Mindy Prefling, and guest host Ella Cann, Team Manager at Spencer Ogden is joined by Copia’s Chief Development Officer, Ryan Galeria and Amber Rogers, Senior Manager for People & Culture.   With many companies announcing a return to office for four or five days a week and a move away from the hybrid split, what does this look like from a company culture perspective? That is what we explore in this episode: re-creating that office culture, introducing the culture to new hires, advice for dispersed workforces and what companies can do to cultivate a deep and lasting culture.   Discussed:  01:18- The workforce and workplace post-COVID  02:50- How companies can make the return to office transition smoother while keeping employees motivated  06:40- What does ‘fun’ look like in the office?   07:30- The meaning of company culture in today’s environment and how to introduce it to new hires  09:20- Advice for candidates to assess cultural fit during an interview  12:55- How to communicate culture to candidates so that candidates feel excited and aligned with the company’s mission  21:17- Advice to someone joining a business with a dispersed workforce   22:50- How companies can ensure new joiners adapt to the company culture  30:40- What companies can do to cultivate a deep and lasting culture  34:54- Culture eats strategy for breakfast   36:10- Activities and traditions that Ryan has seen work well to create a positive office environment  46:06- Creating a culture that’s more than just happy hours and social events  You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector.

    1h 8m

  8. 07/16/2024

    S4 | Ep 2 | Breaking Barriers: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Renewable Energy | SOapbox

    In the latest episode of the SOapbox podcast our host Mindy Prefling , is joined by industry experts Doseke Akporiaye, Executive Director, Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) and Zoe Berkery, COO, CleanCapital.  They examine the renewable energy industry through a DEI lens, looking at the progress made, challenges and further opportunities. The conversation explores if organizations are pulling back on initiatives, why it makes business sense to invest in DEI, how AI might be utilized and the success of CleanCapital and WRISE’s very own initiatives.  Discussed:  00:57 – The current trends and challenges in achieving DEI in the industry  09:14 – Are organizations pulling back on initiatives? 13.45 – Is there a lack of policy in the industry 17.07 – Ways DEI initiatives have been implemented in the last 5 years and the impact  23.15 – How AI is being utilized to promote DEI  26.40 – The benefits of diversity in the workplace  30.34 – Key milestones our guests would like to see in the industry moving forward 35.14 – The DEI transition is like the energy transition  40.38 – CleanCapital's allyship and internship programmes  44.59 – WRISE’s industry initiatives  You can listen to and download the SOapbox from most popular podcast apps, subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available. Follow us on LinkedIn for more industry leading content in the energy sector.

    52 min
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4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Spencer Ogden is excited to launch our new podcast: SOapbox Series. Twice every month, we’ll be opening up discussions with thought leaders in the industry about the human element of the renewable energy landscape. We’ll be covering the dynamic and innovative environment of renewable energy, asking how we can create a progressive workforce that champions diversity, and delving into what a truly sustainable future looks like. Join us for in-depth discussions, interesting debate, and thoughtful dialogue. 

Information

  • Creator
    Spencer Ogden
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The SOapbox Series
  • Show Website
    The SOapbox Series