Conversations with Agents of Change

What does meaningful change look like when it begins quietly—through listening, trust, consistency and a room where people feel welcome? In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , Izy Boyd speaks with Louise Spence, Manager of North Down Community Network , about the often-unseen work that helps communities organise, connect and flourish. Louise shares more than 25 years of experienc...

Stage the Change at Stendhal Festival 2026 | AI, Accountability & the Hidden Costs of Innovation Recorded live at the iconic Stendhal Festival in Northern Ireland, this special episode of Conversations with Agents of Change brings together a diverse panel of experts to explore one of the most important conversations of our time: Artificial Intelligence . From bias and inclusion to sustainabili...

What if the future of sustainability isn’t about replacing materials — but reimagining how we use them? In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , I sit down with Adrian Curry, Chair of Glass Futures and a long-time leader in the glass industry. What starts as a conversation about glass quickly becomes something much bigger — a deep dive into industrial transformation, innovation at...

What if selling didn’t feel pushy, awkward, or transactional—but instead felt natural, human, and rooted in connection? In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , Izy Boyd speaks with Tina O’Hagan—sales trainer, business mentor, and entrepreneur with over 35 years of global experience. Together, they unpack a powerful reframe: selling is simply having a conversation with a purpose ....

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , Izy Boyd speaks with Sara McCracken, PR and communications specialist, founder of The PR Club and creator of the PRESS framework. Together, they explore how PR is not just about promotion, but about trust, reputation, confidence and change. Sara shares how storytelling can help people and organisations become more visible, communicate with i...

In a tech-driven world, are we overlooking the skills that truly build the future? This episode features master craftsperson Paddy Finnegan, who’s proving that traditional hand skills aren’t outdated—they’re essential. From empowering young people to creating real-world solutions through the Wheels of Change programme, this conversation is all about dignity, resilience, and opportunity. Because th...

In this episode, Izy Boyd speaks with Tim Magowan, Director of the 174 Trust in Belfast, about social impact, community development, and nonprofit leadership. From tackling structural inequality to empowering local communities, Tim shares powerful insights on creating sustainable change, coaching-led leadership, and building resilience in underserved communities. Find out more https://www.thedunca...

What does it really take to create change when systems are complex and progress is hard? In this episode, Matthew Barrington Packer shares why good ideas aren’t enough — and how clear decisions, real trade‑offs, and the VAULTS method help teams move from stuck work to shipped outcomes. Read more about this episode.

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , host Izy Boyd speaks with peacebuilder and community leader Charmain Jones about growing up during the Troubles, the power of relationships, and why real change happens through human connection. From rural women’s leadership to trauma‑informed peacebuilding, this conversation explores the quiet ripples that transform communities — one relati...

What happens when silence at work costs women their confidence — and organisations their best talent? Izchel Boyd speaks with menopause workplace advocate Siobhan Kearney about lived experience, leadership responsibility, and why menopause belongs in the strategic business conversation. Honest, hopeful, and long overdue. Read more about this episode here .

Confidence coach Margaret Kelly joins Izy Boyd to share her journey of reclaiming her voice, redefining self‑worth, and becoming an agent of change. A powerful conversation about mindset, boundaries, and living a life that truly aligns. Read the article here

How do you build the future of batteries outside Asia? In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , Izy Boyd sits down with Kieren Hall , CEO of Avocet Battery Materials , to explore the unseen world behind battery manufacturing, precision materials, and local supply chains. From ultra‑thin copper foil to deep‑tech innovation, this conversation reveals what it really takes to turn mate...

Contemporary and Mexican folk dancer Mayte Segura joins Izy Boyd to tell the story of a late-blooming dance career that became a mission: teaching, choreographing and building Mexican Dance Belfast to bring culture, wellbeing and community to Northern Ireland. Mayte reflects on starting dance at 23, training and touring, teaching babies to adults, the realities of funding and fair pay for artists,...

“So I am a proud and worried father of two. I am an engaged citizen and a longtime academic activist, that tries to use my privilege as an academic.” In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , Izy Boyd speaks with Professor John Barry — a leading voice in green political economy, former co‑chair of the Belfast Climate Commission and a long‑time academic activist. John explains how hi...

Jacqueline Gibson, director at International Synergies NI, explains how industrial symbiosis turns other people’s waste into local resources—saving money, cutting carbon, and strengthening supply chains. Hear practical stories from workshops that unlocked £14 million in potential savings and learn how simple matchmaking between businesses sparks creativity and resilience. “We believe that there&#3...

What if the key to ending gender bias starts in our homes — in the tiny, everyday moments we barely notice? In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , host Izy Boyd sits down with feminist author, DEI trainer, speaker, and whole‑person leadership coach Virginia Méndez Mason . Together, they explore how gender stereotypes shape childhood, why consent begins long before the teenage yea...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, I sit with Dr Yesenia Jauregui Sanchez, a research fellow at Queen's University of Belfast, whose is helping to design optical and photonic instruments by developing non-invasive computational imaging techniques. She tells us about her journey from Physics to Optics, from Mexico, then Spain, Exeter and to Belfast and the importance of fem...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , host Izy Boyd sits down with award‑winning digital marketer, community builder, and cancer survivor Esther Ocampo — a woman reshaping what marketing can and should be. From moving across continents and building a bilingual agency from scratch, to navigating illness, rebuilding confidence, and redefining what “success” looks like, Esther’s jo...

Too often, International Women’s Day is reduced to a symbolic celebration — flowers, compliments, and social media posts about how wonderful women are. But the day was never meant to be just that. International Women’s Day is about recognising the impact of women in society and the world. It is about celebrating women everywhere — the progress we have made, the strength we carry, and the future we...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , I sit down with Ronan Bradley, Northern Ireland Site Lead and Principal Engineer at Ocula Technologies, to explore one of the biggest questions shaping our future: How can we embrace the power of AI while reducing its environmental footprint? We dive into: the shift from AI as infrastructure to AI as real‑world impact how agentic systems are...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izy Boyd is joined by Janet Schofield, CEO of CAN, the Compass Advocacy Network, user-led charity based in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland. This conversation is about power, who holds it, who is heard, and what happens when leadership genuinely centres the people it exists to serve. Janet leads with a simple but radical principle: "not...

In this episode, Dr Erika Servin Zamora — veterinary scientist, educator, and one of the world’s leading voices in axolotl conservation. From the mystical origins of Mexico’s iconic Ambystoma mexicanum to pioneering breakthroughs in cryopreservation, Dr Servin Zamora is reshaping what conservation can look like. She takes us inside her work restoring fragile habitats, freezing genetic material to...

In this episode of Conversations with Agents of Change, host Izchel Boyd sits down with Ola Sobieraj — community organiser, immigration advisor, and relentless advocate for migrant rights. Ola shares her journey from being one of the only Polish migrants in rural Northern Ireland to becoming a powerful voice for EU citizens navigating complex, often hostile systems. Together, we explore what acces...

In this powerful episode of Conversations with Agents of Change , host Izy Boyd sits down with Sharon Galway — a woman who has turned personal adversity into profound purpose. With over 30 years in financial services and a deeply human approach to trust and estate planning, Sharon is reshaping how we talk about money, legacy, and preparing for the future. From navigating divorce and rebuilding con...

What really helps us stay steady when life speeds up? In this episode, we sit down with Doug Strycharczyk , CEO of AQR International and one of the world’s leading voices on mental toughness , to explore the invisible inner capacities that shape how we respond to pressure, uncertainty, and opportunity. Drawing on decades of research across business, education, sport, and social mobility, Doug expl...