Changing the Game She Leads: Episode 7 The Confidence to Keep Evolving | Jenny Gladman, Founding Partner & CCO of Brightsmith

Changing the Game She Leads: Episode 7 The Confidence to Keep Evolving | Jenny Gladman, Founding Partner & CCO of Brightsmith

In Episode 7 of Changing the Game She Leads, Lisa sits down with Jenny Gladman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennygladman/] to discuss building a recruitment business authentically, balancing leadership with motherhood, and creating cultures where people genuinely thrive.  As Founding Partner & CCO of Brightsmith [https://www.brightsmithgroup.com/], Jenny shares the journey of helping build and scale the business through lockdown, growing an international team, and navigating the realities of leadership in a fast-growth environment.  What to expect:  This episode explores the realities of leadership behind the scenes, including imposter syndrome, returning to work after maternity leave, and learning to lead in a way that feels authentic rather than performative.  You’ll hear about:  * Building and scaling Brightsmith during lockdown  * Why authenticity and empathy matter in leadership  * Returning to work after maternity leave as a founder  * How Jenny’s definition of success has changed over time  A thoughtful and honest conversation for anyone navigating leadership, growth and the evolving world of recruitment.

Changing the Game She Leads: Episode 6 Leading with Authenticity | Amy Davies, Managing Director at Workwell Global

In this episode of Changing the Game – She Leads, we’re joined by Amy Davies [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amydavies-wwg/], Managing Director of Workwell Global [https://workwell-global.com/], for an honest conversation about leadership, growth, and what it really takes to build a people-first business at scale. Amy shares her journey from events management and operations into the recruitment and contingent workforce space, before stepping into a pivotal leadership role at PGC Group and helping guide the business through growth, acquisition, and its evolution into Workwell Global. She reflects on the importance of authenticity in leadership, the power of emotional intelligence, and what it means to scale a business without losing the culture that made it successful in the first place. This episode also explores motherhood alongside leadership, the reality of compromise at different stages of life, and why no one is ever the finished article in their career. What to expect: A grounded and relatable conversation about building a career with ambition, leading with authenticity, and staying focused on people as your business grows. You’ll hear about:  * Amy’s journey from operations into leading a global business  * Why authenticity, trust and feedback matter in leadership  * Navigating motherhood, career growth, and the changing demands of both  * Building culture across multiple offices without losing what makes a business special  A brilliant listen for anyone growing into leadership, scaling teams, or trying to balance high standards with a very real life outside of work.

Changing the Game She Leads: Episode 5 Confidence Through Risk | Tara Ricks, NED at Prospero Group

In this episode of Changing the Game: She Leads, we’re joined by Tara Ricks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-ricks-4b17112/], Non-Executive Director and board advisor at Prospero Group, for a candid conversation on leadership, confidence, and what it really takes to build longevity in recruitment.  Tara shares how she moved from investment banking into recruitment through an early opportunity, before helping grow and scale a multinational financial services recruitment firm and later experiencing the shift from founder-led growth to corporate scale following an acquisition.   Along the way, she unpacks what leadership actually demands in a people-first industry: emotional intelligence, empathy, curiosity, and the ability to keep learning.  A standout theme in this episode is confidence, not as a fixed trait, but as something you continually build. Tara speaks openly about imposter syndrome, why “waiting until you’re ready” keeps people stuck, and how meaningful growth often sits on the other side of fear.  You’ll hear about:  * Why recruitment remains a true meritocracy, and how the profession has evolved  * Tara’s framework for confidence: visibility, risk-taking, and “owning your space”  * Reframing “balance” as choices and seasons, and building a career that last  If you’re building a team, stepping into leadership, or navigating your next career move, Tara’s perspective is grounded, strategic, and refreshingly real.

Changing the Game She Leads: Episode 4 Belief Through Uncertainty | Kathryn Pride, Executive Director at Dartmouth Partners.

Kathryn shares her journey from starting out in recruitment in London to spending over a decade building specialist teams at Dartmouth, before making the bold move to the US to launch and scale the firm’s Charlotte office. She speaks candidly about relocating during a challenging market, rebuilding from scratch, and the resilience required to hold belief when progress feels slow. This episode explores leadership through uncertainty, learning to be authentic as a leader, and why celebrating progress matters just as much as pushing forward. Kathryn also reflects on building community in a new country, setting boundaries to avoid burnout, and the importance of relationships in shaping long-term success in recruitment. What to expect: An honest conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build something meaningful when the conditions aren’t perfect. You’ll hear about:  * Relocating to the US and launching a new office in a tough market  * Resilience, self-belief, and leading without losing perspective  * Authentic leadership, boundaries, and building teams that last  A thoughtful listen for anyone navigating growth, leadership, or change, especially when the path forward feels uncertain.

Changing the Game She Leads: Episode 3 Ambition without burnout | Nicky Acuña Ocaña, Regional Director, Ambition

In Episode Three of Changing the Game - She Leads, we’re joined by Nicky Acuña Ocaña previously Regional Director, now President – Americas, UK & Europe at Ambition, for an honest conversation about ambition, leadership, and the realities of building a career that works alongside real life.  Nicky shares how she moved from a graduate role in retail into recruitment, why she took a step back to learn the industry from the ground up, and what it took to grow into leadership. She also opens up about navigating career progression while raising a family, the sacrifices that come with “doing it all”, and why sometimes you have to tread water before you can move forward again.  We also talk mentoring, imposter syndrome, psychological safety, and what it looks like to build high-performing teams where people are trusted, supported, and given space to grow.  What to expect:  A grounded, real conversation about building a long-term career in recruitment, with the confidence to lead, the honesty to be vulnerable, and the perspective to keep what matters in focus.  You’ll hear about:  * Career pivots, stepping back strategically, and building towards leadership  * Imposter syndrome, vulnerability, and creating psychologically safe teams  * Scaling in the US vs the UK, and why relationship-led recruitment still wins  Hit follow and share with a woman who’s changing the game in recruitment. Visit our website: FIFTEEN WEST [https://www.fifteenwest.com/]