We Are PoWEr Podcast

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Raina Heverin, founder of Reculture and co-founder of Supplywell. Raina's journey goes far beyond business—it’s a powerful story about aligning passion with purpose.  From heartfelt insights to actionable strategies, our chat is filled with life lessons about how personal growth drives professional impact. Raina also shares: Practical steps for emplo...

Join us for an episode with Kelly Whitfield, founder and CEO of KLIK UK, who launched her entrepreneurial journey with just a £500 overdraft and built it into a powerhouse career. In this episode, Kelly shares her game-changing insights on standing out, staying true to your vision, and why focusing on personal growth is everything.  From the legendary inspiration of Coco Chanel, Daniel Priestley,...

This week we are joined by Stevie Mclaren, Employability Partner at Newcastle Building Society and chair of the Women in Leadership Network.  Stevie shares how her career was shaped by powerful female role models and a drive to uplift women and boost social mobility.  We tackle the pressing barriers women encounter today, including gender bias and the struggle for work-life balance. Plus, Stevie r...

Join us as we sit down with Claire O'Connor, founder of Baby Ballet, who has revolutionised how children experience dance. Growing up around ballet, Claire often felt she didn’t measure up to the high standards around her. But her journey is all about overcoming challenges, and defying expectations.  With Baby Ballet now reaching over 22,000 children each week, Claire's story is a powerf...

Join us as we chat with Jade Parkinson-Hill, Canva's Education and Community Manager, about her incredible career journey and how she found her way into the world of Canva. Jade talks about how Canva’s innovative features, like AI tools and website creation, are empowering freelancers, small business owners, and educators to unlock their creativity.  She also highlights the importance of self...

What drives an Olympic Story Teller to become an advocate for gender equality in sports?   Meet Jamie Mittelman, the driving force behind Flamebearers, who’s on a mission to spotlight Olympians and Paralympians from all corners of the world. But that’s not all—Jamie also tells us about the progress and setbacks in the push for equal media coverage, pay, and recognition for women and para-athletes....

Jessica Page's journey from beauty queen to entrepreneur will give you a never seen before insight into the world of pageantry! 👑💪 Instead of letting obstacles slow her down, she turned them into stepping stones on her way to becoming Miss Universe Great Britain in 2023.  Now, she's sharing her wisdom on building an authentic personal brand, staying true to yourself, and pushing throug...

"A ship is safe in the harbour, but that's not what ships are made for." Meet Sophie Storm Roberts, an extraordinary adventurer who shares her story on how a powerful mindset, mental resilience, and psychological tools helped her overcome both physical and emotional hurdles.  You'll learn how she built confidence by confronting challenges head-on, proving that bravery is a skil...

This week, we're joined by Joanne Henry from NIHR, winners of the 2024 Northern Power Women Inclusive Innovation Award. Joanne shares how winning boosted their mission to transform healthcare and ensure fair access to health research for underserved communities in Greater Manchester. From the joy of winning  to a celebration that involved everyone from finance to communications, Joanne’s stor...

This week we are joined by Alex Knight, founder and CEO of STEMazing, about her mission to empower women in STEM and inspire the next generation.  Alex dives into the power of mentoring, smashing gender stereotypes, and why everyone, no matter their position, can be a role model. And she reveals the book that reshaped her mindset on lifting others up while pursuing success.  Listen to learn: - The...

Unlock the secrets of successful leadership and career growth with Iwona Szmidt and Michael Howard from Bank of America.  Discover how resilience and transferable skills can transform your professional journey. Tune in to hear insightful stories about the role of employee networks in creating inclusive workplaces, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. Listen to Learn: - How embracing diversity boos...

This week, we sit down with Julie Baker, Head of Strategic Partnerships at NatWest Group.  Julie shares her inspiring 42-year journey from aspiring PE teacher to a leading role at NatWest, and her dedication to empowering women in business.  Discover the power of sponsorship, the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, and how building the right networks can lead to success.  Listen to l...

Ever wondered how a four-day workweek could revolutionise your workplace?  This week, we’re joined by Alison Dunn, our 2024 Levelling Up Leader and CEO of Citizens Advice Gateshead, who’s done just that.  She takes us through her incredible career journey and shares how the Northern Power Women Awards supercharged her organisation’s mission.  Alison’s passion shines through as she encourages leade...

Join us this week as we chat with Hayley Roberts, CEO of Distology and our 2024 Outstanding Entrepreneur Winner!  Hayley shares the emotional story behind winning the award and what it means to her.  Discover the importance of staying true to yourself how being authentic has led to Hayley's achievements. And she shares her nostalgic love for perms and why she’s still proud of her hair days go...

Join us as we sit down with Jayne Little, the founder and CEO of Skills4, and our 2024 Agent of Change! Jayne opens up about her incredible journey from leaving school with limited qualifications to overcoming personal losses and setting up her own business. Facing bias and microaggressions in male-dominated fields? Janye shares her experiences of confronting gender inequality, particularly within...

Ever wondered what it takes to balance purpose and profit? Gill Hunter takes us behind the scenes of Square One Law's two-year journey to achieve B Corp certification. She shares candid insights into building an inclusive workplace,  why cultural change is crucial for any organisation.  Discover how she and her team are not just aiming for financial success, but also making a positive impact...

This week on the We Are Power podcast, we chat with Chloe Fletcher, co-founder of the Job Share Revolution and 2024 Northern Power Women Awards' Mentor of the Year commended winner. Chloe shares how her award nomination came at a pivotal moment in her career, and the moving testimonials from her mentees. Join us to explore the power of mentorship and advocacy through the inspiring story of a...

Join us as we chat with Nicola Johnson, Director of the HR Centre of Excellence at Bentley , as she opens up about balancing a high-powered career and being a mum. From her return to work after maternity leave to the thrill of driving a Continental GT Speed at Silverstone, Nicola's stories are all about breaking boundaries. And find out about Nicola's role models, like Michelle Obama and...

Get ready for a captivating episode with Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, the brilliant mind behind 'Gender Reboot: Reprogramming Gender Rights in the Age of AI'. Eleonore shares her path from a shy teenager in Model UN to a trailblazing data scientist at the UN.  Listen as she dives deep into the motherhood penalty and the urgent need to challenge stereotypical gender roles in caregiving.  List...

This week we are joined by Simon Calderbank, Positive Leadership Mindset Coach and 2024 Northern Power Women Awards Advocacy Lister. Listen as Simon shares how a cancer scare led to him finding a passion-driven career. Learn about Simons work in coaching, with everyone from corporate leaders to troubled teenagers. And hear the inspiring story of a woman who overcame a toxic work environment to lan...

Meet Angela Owen OBE, the founder of Women in Defence UK and a 2024 Northern Power Women Awards finalist! Discover how Angela transitioned from a military career to founding an organisation advocating for gender equality in the defence sector.  And hear Angela's story of being the second ever mother to re-join the military... Listen to learn: - The evolving policies and attitudes towards wome...

2024 Northern Power Women Awards Future Lister, Dr Beth Barnes shares her journey into the world of engineering. From her accidental discovery of civil engineering to her dedication to building inclusive spaces, Dr. Barnes provides valuable insights for listeners from all walks of life.  And find out how she founded the Durham Women's Engineering Society to create a safe space for women to di...

Join us as Seb Randle, Founder of The Helpful Space and a UN Women UK Delegate, shares his journey from a 20-year career in media to a fulfilling role in coaching and advocacy. Discover how a pivotal moment just before the pandemic inspired Seb to empower young professionals in a tech-driven world. And hear Seb's  passionate insights on advocacy, allyship, and creating a positive future throu...

Discover the true meaning of resilience as we bring you an insightful episode of the Northern Power Women podcast, live from EY HQ in Manchester.  Our panelists Lauren, Rebecca, and Kerry share their unique stories and wisdom about overcoming setbacks. . Join us to hear inspiring anecdotes about learning from challenges, embracing progress over perfection, and the importance of making everyone in...

Paul Sesay, the driving force behind Inclusive Companies Limited, joins us to share his awe-inspiring story of resilience. Paul shares how his early years forged a path of activism which led to his recognition as a 2024 Northern Power Women Advocate.  He candidly discusses his own struggles with mental health and the importance of seeking help. And find out which Liverpool legend inspired him... ...