Global Skills Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Cheney Hamilton, award-winning workforce strategist and Lead Analyst for Fusion Work at Bloor Research, to explore what happens when AI is adopted without design, governance, or regard for people. Cheney shares her personal journey into flexible working advocacy and explains how outdated, time-based job models are putting organisations, economies, and workers at se...

In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Dalton, a seasoned sales leader and skills strategist who has spent over three decades redefining what high-performance sales really looks like. We explore why, in an AI-driven world, human skills like communication, confidence, emotional intelligence, and structured thinking are becoming more valuable—not less. Joe shares how selling has always been about human...

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Anne Hubbard to explore what education, skills, and employability really look like in a world shaped by AI, neurodiversity, and rapidly changing career pathways. Anne shares her unconventional journey from investment banking and trading into education, highlighting how transferable human skills like communication, adaptability, and emot...

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Dannny McCoy, CEO of Ibec, to explore how skills, education, and adaptability are shaping Ireland’s economic future in a time of rapid technological and geopolitical change. Drawing on decades of experience at the intersection of business, policy, and talent, Dannny shares a powerful perspective on why human capital is now the defining...

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Duane Baumgartner, Founder and CEO of City Ranked Media. Duane shares his journey from early sales roles to building a data-driven digital growth agency, and how that experience shaped his belief that strong human connection, measurable outcomes, and clear expectations are at the heart of sustainable business growth. We explore how AI, au...

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Alvaro Gonzalez, founder and CEO of Dawere, Latin America’s first accredited online high school. Alvaro shares how his journey from telecommunications engineer to edtech founder led him to build a radically inclusive education model designed for underserved and low-income communities. What began as a bold experiment in Venezuela has now g...

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Laura Liguori, Head of Curriculum at Britannica Education and a globally recognised leader in curriculum innovation, AI integration, and future-ready learning. With more than 20 years of experience spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, Laura brings a rare global lens to how education systems must evolve to meet the realities...

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Tash Wilcocks, a learning designer and systems thinker working across public service, digital transformation, and education. Together, we explore what it really means to close the skills gap at a time when AI is rapidly reshaping work, learning, and opportunity. Tash shares honest, grounded reflections on learning design, the limits of tr...

In this episode I sit down with Helen Burns — Global Talent Director at Owkin — to trace her truly non-linear journey: from freelance consulting and contract roles to leading talent acquisition at a cutting-edge AI/biotech firm. Helen shares how her background working across different sectors and countries taught her to value adaptability, curiosity and human connection above all, and how those qu...

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, we have an enlightening conversation with Kobi Ampoma, a veteran in talent acquisition with over twenty years of experience. Currently leading recruitment for Heineken in the Netherlands, Kobi is renowned for his dedication to inclusive hiring and his ability to shape diverse, high-performing teams. Throughout the episode, Kobi shares his deep insights...

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Maria Nadeem, Director of Learning and Development at the London Institute of Skills Development and board member of The Royal Club UK. Dr. Nadeem brings extensive experience in professional education, organisational development, and global skills transformation, offering clear insight into the rising importance of lifelong learning...

In this episode, I sit down with Jake Kimber, an international TA leader whose career journey from selling concrete to leading global talent teams ,perfectly captures how unpredictably we often discover our true path. Jake opens up about falling into recruitment, shifting from agency to in-house, and why empathy, creativity, and real human connection still matter more than ever in today’s AI-drive...

If you’re a student or recent grad trying to build a career in a world moving at lightning speed — this episode of the Global Skills Podcast is absolutely for you. I sit down with rising tech leader Usama Arif, who landed his first role before graduating by doing what every super-graduate needs today: Building strong soft skills Leading communities and taking initiative Staying curious across AI,...

In this episode I sit down with Joe Gagnon to explore what it really means to build a meaningful career in a world that’s changing faster than ever. From leaving a high-paying corporate role to taking a 90% pay cut so he could breathe again, Joe shares how he rebuilt his life, his identity, and his purpose from the ground up. His story reminds me why conversations like this matter—because so many...

In this episode, I sit down with Edmund Monk to explore what leadership really looks like in a world shaped by rapid technological change. This was one of those conversations that stays with you long after it ends. We dig into humility, learning, and the power of pairing human intelligence with artificial intelligence. I share my own observations on leadership across generations, and Ed breaks dow...

In this episode, I sit down with Revda Sari, Talent Manager at Compilio Health and Associate Member of the CIPD, to explore the urgent skills challenges in the healthcare industry. Revda shares her inspiring journey from marketing into recruitment and how her passion for connecting people led her to build a decade-long career in healthcare. We talk about the realities behind the talent shortage in...

In this episode, I sit down with  Skai O’Sullivan , Talent Director at Connexus, where she leads the Financial, Professional Services, and Technology divisions across Ireland, Europe, and the US. With over a decade of experience across agency and in-house recruitment, Skai  brings an insightful, human-centered perspective on how the world of work is changing. We explore the evolution of recruitmen...

In this episode, I sit down with Jayke  to dive into the often-overlooked art of job advertising. We explore how powerful writing can completely transform recruitment results, why niche expertise matters, and how staying human and connected is key to success in the talent space. Jayke shares his passion for face-to-face training in a digital world and how his hands-on approach helps recruiters ele...

In this episode, I sit down with Patrick to explore how talent acquisition is evolving from an administrative function into a true business partner. Patrick shares his 25-year journey from headhunting in London’s dot-com boom to leading a data-driven TA team in Sweden. We talk about what it means to create value in TA, why data matters more than ever, and how AI will reshape hiring. Patrick also o...

In this episode, I sit down with Ken, the founder and CEO of Talent Partners, to explore the future of skills, talent, and AI in the workplace. We dive into how organizations can adapt to transformation as usual, why AI is reshaping both talent acquisition and management, and the importance of continuous upskilling. Ken shares how his own team is using AI to streamline workflows, his insights on t...

In this episode of The Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Nathan, Head of People and Recruitment at Raffles London, to talk about how one of the world’s most iconic hotels is transforming the way it hires, develops, and retains talent. Nathan shares his journey from chef to people leader, what it takes to build a culture of growth, and how Raffles has achieved one of the lowest attrition rates...

Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Josh Webster, a true powerhouse in talent acquisition and AI-driven recruitment. From building record-breaking talent teams to integrating AI into hiring, Josh has led recruitment for one of the fastest-growing AI companies, AlphaSense. In this episode, we dive deep into his journey, lessons learned, and predictions for the future of TA. Josh shares how h...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Global Skills Podcast! I’m so excited to start this journey with Betty Encinacles, a global talent leader and changemaker who’s worked with some of the world’s top companies. Betty’s story is one of purpose, people, and the power of intuition. We talked about how she found her way into recruitment, what’s changing in the world of work, and why human connect...

The world of work is changing fast, and the skills gap is growing even faster. I’m Vanessa Wainwright, and on The Global Skills Podcast, I explore how we can bridge that gap. Each week, I talk with leaders, educators, and innovators rethinking how we learn, work, and grow in an AI-driven world. This isn’t just about jobs. It’s about opportunity and unlocking human potential. Join me and be part of...