In this episode of The Sync Podcast, Nicole sits down with her sister, Adrienne Piggott, Associate Director of Faculty Procurement at McGill University, for a powerful conversation about courage, lived experience, and what it truly means to use your voice with intention. She opens up about the moments that shaped her—mentors who guided her, communities that lifted her, and the personal challenges that taught her to stand firm even when it’s uncomfortable. Her reflections offer a grounded, honest look at how real leadership is built: through practice, vulnerability, and choosing authenticity every single day. We also get into the heart of legacy—how we honour those who came before us, and how we make space for those coming next. From navigating difficult conversations to redefining what “strength” looks like, this episode is filled with the kind of insights that stay with you long after listening. Whether you’re on your own leadership journey or looking for a spark of inspiration, this conversation will remind you that courage is a muscle—and it grows each time we choose to use it. Tune in for an episode you won’t want to miss. Adrienne Piggott is a first-generation Canadian, born to two brilliant, accomplished parents who immigrated from the Caribbean in the 1960s. Adrienne never takes the easy road. Whether running the New York City marathon, rafting with crocodiles in Costa Rica, exploring caves in Tasmania, skydiving over the 1000 Islands, or dropping out of a helicopter to snowboard the Canadian Rockies, she approaches everything in life with fearlessness and passion. This extends to her professional life as well. After becoming a computer programmer, then a business analyst, then a translator, she switched gears again to work as an Associate Director of Faculty Procurement for McGill University’s Procurement Services department. If it can be learned, she can learn it. Her career has been driven by a willingness to say, “Yes, I can do that!” This extends to her social justice work as well. She embraces the sentiment that injustice anywhere is indeed a threat to justice everywhere. This is why Adrienne has worked with underrepresented groups of all stripes. She donated her translation services to an organization that supports the gender non-conforming community. She has worked with community groups that offer homework support to young people from economically disadvantaged environments. Adrienne has volunteered with a number of organizations and always finds time to support where her skills may be of use. In recent years, Adrienne has dedicated her energy, passion, and commitment primarily to two endeavours. First, to McGill University’s Joint Board-Senate Subcommittee for Racialized and Ethnic Persons (REP) and the University’s Board of Governors, and second, to the Teesri Duniya Theatre company. The purpose of her work is to increase representation and visibility of underrepresented groups in our local context and in the wider world. Through REP, Adrienne has worked with a dedicated group of McGill faculty, staff, students, and alumni to improve policies and procedures affecting racialized and ethnic McGillians. The subcommittee also seeks to advocate for and educate about issues that affect people of colour, who remain woefully under-supported in higher education. Adrienne has also served on the McGill Board of Governors since 2021. Her current term ends in 2028. With Teesri Duniya, she supports the artistic vision and mission of the theatre company to foster a climate in which stories of people that rarely get told are shared with a wider audience. Teesri Duniya’s mission of changing the world, one play at a time, helps to bring us all closer together. Adrienne believes that when we are able to see the humanity in people we once viewed as “other”, we begin to appreciate the many ways in which we are one. Connect with Adrienne! https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-piggott-9b544732/ Teesri Duniya Theatre https://teesriduniyatheatre.com/ Welcome to the Sync Podcast, where we explore the value of an inclusive approach in the way we think, work, and engage with our communities and workplaces. We show that the meaning of inclusion, contrary to what many may believe, is about leaving no one behind. Each episode features candid conversations with thought leaders and changemakers driving inclusive initiatives across various sectors. Our goal is to create a community of inclusive-minded individuals and organizations committed to collective and sustainable impact. Synclusiv is dedicated to fostering organizations that reflect the communities they serve. Synclusiv Consulting Services are designed to facilitate the translation of identified gaps into concrete actions for a more inclusive workplace. Our approach addresses People, Systems, and Culture with practical solutions. Our goal is to deconstruct systems and norms to create inclusive work environments that will benefit everyone. Connect with us! Website: https://www.synclusiv.com/ Email: info@synclusiv.com The Sync NewsletterTM: https://www.synclusiv.com/newsletters/the-sync-newsletter-le-sync-infolettre LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/synclusiv/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synclusiv/ Credits Hosted by: Nicole Piggott Guest: Adrienne Piggott Produced by: Gabrielle Piggott Edited by: Justin Blair
