Welcome to the Finding Your EPIC® podcast.

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Mary Taylor (de Sausmarez), Managing Director at Renaissance Global.

Mary shares how a moment of unexpected self-awareness led her to reflect on the unspoken realities women can experience in senior leadership. She explains why naming difficult feelings can create greater understanding within teams and why humour often plays an important role in leadership resilience.

Mary also discusses how a conversation with a colleague during the global response to George Floyd’s death challenged her thinking about diversity and inclusion, prompting a deeper personal journey of reflection and learning.

The episode closes with a powerful reminder that leadership is an ongoing process of growth, honesty and self-awareness.

To get in touch with Mary, find her here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-de-sausmarez/

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

Welcome to the Finding Your EPIC® podcast.

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Emma Chatwin, Vice President Marketing Europe at Fujitsu.

Emma reflects on what consistency has meant across 25 years in one organisation. For her, consistency is not rigidity, but showing up with the same intent - creating stability, trust and psychological safety for others, especially during challenging moments.

She explains why retention is a business-critical leadership choice, particularly when leading a geographically dispersed team in a complex tech environment. Longevity, she argues, is not a lack of ambition, but an opportunity and a choice to evolve alongside an organisation and build real momentum over time.

Emma also shares the story of launching a women’s network in tech in 2013, how it evolved as the industry changed, and why knowing when to adapt - or stop - is part of responsible leadership.

The episode closes with a quote from Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” A powerful summary of a career built on sustained, intentional leadership.

To get in touch with Emma, find her here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-chatwin-fcim-55062037/

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

Welcome to the Finding Your EPIC® podcast.

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Donna Herdsman, Senior Client Partner and Head of DE&I Advisory (EMEA) at Korn Ferry.

Donna shares an early career lesson about sponsorship, and how she learned the
importance of understanding decision-makers and their motivations, eventually coining the term "empowering sponsorship". She recounts a pivotal moment where she summoned the courage to approach a senior leader she found intimidating, only to receive an unexpected reply.

The conversation moves to Donna's career reinventions, from auditing to consulting and international development. She explains that her adaptability is driven by a strong sense of purpose, whether improving public services or supporting post-conflict reconstruction in Mozambique.

Donna also reflects on fear and privilege. She describes a frightening encounter with police in Mozambique that shifted her perspective, making her realise that career setbacks pale in comparison to personal safety and family.

The episode concludes with Donna sharing her favourite quote by Dr. Maya Angelou: "Nothing can dim the light that shines from within".

To get in touch with Donna, find her here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-herdsman-3449095/

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

Welcome to the Finding Your EPIC® podcast.

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Beau Rollins, Global Head of Biocompatibility at Convatec.

Beau shares his leadership philosophy, explaining how traditional management books felt cold and clinical, promoting competitive "cut the herd" approaches that didn't resonate with him. Instead, he believes that when employees feel invested and passionate, they naturally strive to achieve their objectives, benefiting both themselves and the business.

Beau shares his motivation for working in chronic disease care at Convatec. Having witnessed family members struggle with long-term conditions, he wanted to help patients reclaim their lives rather than feel burdened indefinitely. This empathy extends to his team, where he ensures people feel valued and supported.

For his final thought, Beau quotes social psychologist Amy Cuddy from her renowned TED Talk: "Don't fake it till you make it, fake it till you become it.” This philosophy resonates with Beau because it emphasises genuine growth and transformation rather than indefinite pretence.

To get in touch with Beau, find him here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaurollins/

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Kalavati Bhashyam, Senior Director, Hardware Engineering for Robotics and Enabling Technologies at Smith+Nephew

Kala shares the epic realisations that have shaped her twenty-year career, moving from technical expertise to senior leadership. She shares her thoughts on the distinction between healthy "good stress" and debilitating imposter syndrome. Kala also explains why she advocates for unpopular decisions.

A significant realisation for Kala set about a fundamental shift in mindset and taught her a valuable leadership lesson, which she explores further in this episode.

For her final thought, Kala quotes French author Alexandre Dumas, famous for works like The Three Musketeers: "The merit of all things lies in their difficulty”. She encourages listeners to embrace challenges as essential catalysts for growth and self-discovery.

To get in touch with Kala, find her here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalavatibhashyam/

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Karel van Gorp, Vice President Marketing MEA,

India, South East Asia and ANZ & Global VP Consumer Brands at Solenis.

Karel shares his leadership philosophy that whilst anyone can sail in calm summer weather, true leadership emerges during storms. He emphasises that current global conditions - economic and social uncertainty; require strong leaders who can navigate rough waters and help others through challenging times.

Discussing future leadership development, Karel advocates for transparency. He addresses common fears and the need for gradual skill-building, with preparation being key to overcoming such challenges.

Karel concludes with his favourite quote from Walt Disney: "If you can dream it, you can do it." He explains that whilst dreaming is the crucial first step, the journey to achievement requires effort.

To get in touch with Karel, find him here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karel-van-gorp-b073ab1/

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Paolo Beltrame, CEO Australia & New Zealand at EQUANS.

Paolo shares his passion for treating gender balance as a business transformation rather than merely an HR initiative. He believes injecting inclusion at field level is crucial, especially as a high percentage of employees hold technical roles, and many future leaders emerge from these positions. Without inclusion at the base, achieving balance at senior levels becomes nearly impossible.

Paolo's experience in Saudi Arabia, where only three of 800 employees were female, sparked his commitment to change. At his previous company, he achieved 50/50 gender balance in apprentice programmes within three years, with male technicians eventually bringing their daughters to recruitment events.

Concluding with a quote from Jerry Dunn, an endurance athlete, that inspires and drives him: “Don't limit your challenges, challenge your limits.”

To get in touch with Paolo, find him here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolobeltrame12111971/

Stay tuned for future episodes of the Finding Your EPIC® podcast

Welcome to the Finding Your EPIC® podcast.

In this episode, host Jacqueline Frost talks to Pamela Thomson-Hall, Head of International and Executive Officer at WTW.

Pamela shares the incredible story of how at just 13 years old, she decided to become an international lawyer. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in difficult circumstances, she was driven by a desire for financial self-sufficiency. This clarity of purpose, combined with an innate wanderlust, shaped her early career choices.

After joining WTW as an in-house lawyer, Pamela falls in love with both the insurance industry and the company. She faces significant challenges, including working on the groundbreaking 9/11 insurance litigation, which transformed how the UK insurance market operates.

The conversation concludes with Pamela sharing Henry Kissinger's words: "The task of a leader is to get their people from where they are to where they have not been," - helping them not just survive or thrive but truly flourish.

To get in touch with Pamela, find her here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-thomson-hall-28915321/