In this episode, we speak with Aimee MacFadyen, a nuclear project manager showing that one of the most misunderstood sectors can also be one of the most exciting places to build a bold, meaningful career.

She demystifies what nuclear work really looks like, why safety standards are among the highest in any industry, and why the future of clean energy relies on trust, transparency, and diverse skills, not just engineers.

Aimee explains how she carved her own path into nuclear, through specialist education, an apprenticeship, and a move into project management while self-funding her degree. 

We also dive into confidence, visibility, and the importance of speaking up early in your career, practical lessons for anyone looking to make an impact in competitive, high-stakes industries.

You’ll hear:
➡️ What nuclear work really looks like day to day
➡️ How apprenticeships create early credibility and real-world skills
➡️ Why nuclear’s safety culture is stronger than people assume
➡️ The sector’s skills gap and why new voices matter
➡️ How self-advocacy, preparation, and visibility accelerate your career
➡️ The power of role models, outreach, and saying “yes” before you feel ready

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode, we speak with Kate McKenna, a BBC Sport assistant producer who went from Liverpool FC tour guide to working on some of the world’s biggest sporting events, without industry connections.  Kate shares how saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities helped her break into one of the most competitive industries, and why careers rarely unfold in a straight line.

She takes us behind the scenes of life at BBC Sport, where no two days look the same. From coordinating VTs in the intensity of live athletics broadcasts to travelling globally for major sporting events, Kate’s career is filled with “pinch me” moments she never imagined at the start.

But her story is also about navigating identity, confidence, and belonging. As a woman in sports broadcasting, Kate opens up about finding the balance between fitting in and staying true to herself, and how self-awareness has shaped both her storytelling and her leadership.

You’ll hear:
➡️ How to break into competitive industries 
➡️ The reality of working behind the scenes in elite sports broadcasting
➡️ Why saying “yes” can open doors you didn’t know existed
➡️ Navigating authenticity, confidence, and visibility as a woman in sport
➡️ Why mentoring younger women is essential to industry change
➡️ What makes great sports storytelling and why concise, human stories matter

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Addy, founder of the Female Advisory Board (FAB), who is reshaping how women leaders support each other’s business growth. After realising that traditional peer advisory boards had almost no female representation, Sam set out to build the UK's first in-person peer board exclusively for women, creating a space where ambition, accountability, and authenticity come together to drive real impact.

Sam shares the story behind FAB’s creation, the power of structured peer support, and why women in business often need both a safe space and a serious space to grow. 

She lifts the lid on what happens inside these curated sessions, where women from different sectors challenge each other, reveal blind spots, and turn insight into action, with results ranging from personal breakthroughs to hundreds of thousands in new revenue.

You’ll hear:
➡️ The moment Sam realised women needed their own peer board
➡️ How structured accountability transforms confidence and performance
➡️ The barriers that stop women investing in themselves
➡️ Why vulnerability is a strategic strength for leaders
➡️ The philosophy behind Sam’s mantra: “Change it, rearrange it”
➡️ What it takes to build equitable spaces where women can thrive, collaborate, and lead with power

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

In this episode, we speak with Alicia McDonnell, from Manchester Airports Group, who shares her experience supporting neurodiverse employees and amplifying voices across early- and mid-career stages. She explores how organisations can move beyond diversity statements to meaningful, day-to-day action, and offers practical insights into recognising and nurturing talent in all its forms.

You’ll hear:
 ➡️ How to design talent development strategies that are genuinely inclusive
 ➡️ Why recognising neurodiverse strengths benefits teams and individuals alike
 ➡️ The power of transparency in career pathways and progression
 ➡️ How early- and mid-career voices reveal what inclusion looks like in practice
 ➡️ Why building equity is essential

This conversation is both insightful and actionable, offering inspiration for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone who wants to help create workplaces where every voice is heard, and every person can flourish.

Listen/Watch the full We Are PoWEr x Manchester Airports Group series via the links below ⬇️

Listen on audio platforms: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

Watch on YouTube: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People 

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

On this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Sarah Lewis and Emma Cooper bring insight, honesty, and encouragement to a conversation about finding your place in technology. As leaders within MagTech, the technology team at Manchester Airports Group, they show that building the world’s most intelligent airports takes more than code – it takes communication, curiosity, and courage.

You’ll hear:
 ➡️ How transferable skills—from law to public service—can open doors in tech
 ➡️ The critical role of “translation” in connecting technology with business outcomes
 ➡️ How airports operate like cities, offering opportunities for project managers, designers, and problem-solvers of every kind
 ➡️ How inclusion, mentoring, and curiosity drive innovation
 ➡️ Why stepping outside your comfort zone—whether skydiving or tackling a new career challenge—can spark growth

This conversation is both practical and inspiring, offering advice for anyone looking to upskill, switch careers, or gain confidence in a changing world of work. Sarah and Emma’s stories show that technology is for everyone—and that courage and curiosity are just as important as coding.

Listen/Watch the full We Are PoWEr x Manchester Airports Group series via the links below ⬇️

Listen on audio platforms: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

 Watch on YouTube: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People 

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

On this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Emma Preston and Maxwell Crowson bring honesty, courage, and compassion to a conversation about what it truly means to belong at work and beyond. From shaping culture at Manchester Airports Group to turning policy into practice through Fly with Pride, Emma and Max show how small, consistent actions create workplaces where everyone can be their authentic selves.

You’ll hear:
 ➡️ Emma’s journey from surviving trauma to living authentically
 ➡️ Max’s perspective as an adoptive dad and how confidence at work and home impacts identity
 ➡️ Why inclusion isn’t about grand gestures, but the small signals that make a real difference
 ➡️ How Fly with Pride translates policy into everyday practice
 ➡️ The role of leaders in listening, learning, and making space for others to thrive

This episode is deeply human and inspiring, offering insights for leaders, colleagues, and anyone who wants to help workplaces move from promises of belonging to lived experiences of respect, safety, and authenticity.

Listen/Watch the full We Are PoWEr x Manchester Airports Group series via the links below ⬇️

Listen on audio platforms: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

 Watch on YouTube: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People 

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

What does it mean to truly belong at work? For Victoria Tobin, Senior People Partner at Manchester Airports Group, the answer is shaped by nearly 20 years of HR leadership across the UK and internationally. 

From steering complex transformations to shaping cultures where people feel seen and valued, Victoria brings a wealth of insight into how representation and authenticity drive lasting change. Her journey offers a powerful perspective on building workplaces where every voice matters and talent can thrive.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:
➡️ The barriers that still hold back minority ethnic professionals
➡️ Why visible role models can inspire whole organisations
➡️ The different factors that shape people’s career experiences
➡️ Why “bringing your whole self” is more than a slogan
➡️ Why diversity isn’t a tick-box exercise, it’s daily action

This episode is both personal and practical. A must-listen for leaders and employees alike, offering inspiration and tools to help create workplaces where everyone can truly thrive.

Listen/Watch the full We Are PoWEr x Manchester Airports Group series via the links below ⬇️

Listen on audio platforms: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

 Watch on YouTube: 

Representation Matters: Ethnic Diversity and Visibility at Work

LGBTQ+ at Work: What Inclusion Really Means

Tech Careers Aren’t Just for Tech People 

Leading for Everyone: Inclusion in Action

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant Sophie Milliken MBE joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing a conversation about the power of visibility, storytelling, and taking bold action to create lasting impact.

As an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and founder of Mojo, Sophie helps leaders and professionals communicate their value and build authentic personal brands that drive opportunity. From running writing retreats in the Yorkshire Dales to chairing Smart Works Newcastle – a charity transforming unemployed women’s lives through interview clothing and coaching – Sophie’s journey proves that visibility isn’t about showing off, it’s about showing up.

She shares her insights on building a brand with purpose, why consistent communication can set you apart, and how life’s toughest decisions – including starting her first business and navigating divorce while raising her daughter – shaped her success. Sophie also reveals how she balances entrepreneurship, motherhood, and mentorship with intention and grace, always guided by her belief in taking action and connecting with purpose.

In this episode:

• Building confidence and visibility through storytelling
• Why personal branding is about communication, not ego
• How Smart Works Newcastle empowers women through confidence and coaching
• Making life-changing decisions with courage and intention
• The power of consistency – and why one LinkedIn post a week can change everything
• Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and self-belief
• Superpower: connecting with purpose and authenticity

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant Ngozi Weller and Wayne Bennett join the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing honesty, courage, and vision to a powerful conversation about racial equity, authentic leadership, and creating real change in Manchester and beyond.

Their partnership began on a train journey – a chance meeting that sparked a movement. Wayne, a visionary entrepreneur, and Ngozi, a fearless strategist and advocate, combined their complementary strengths to co-found The Racial Equity Group (REG) within Pro Manchester. What started as a shared conversation has evolved into RegConnect – a groundbreaking event that’s redefining how inclusion, business, and opportunity intersect.

Driven by the sobering reality that while Manchester’s ethnic minority population exceeds 18%, representation in leadership sits at just 5%, Ngozi and Wayne are confronting inequity head-on. Their work is about turning awareness into action – bringing corporate leaders and underrepresented professionals into the same room to connect, collaborate, and create lasting impact.

In this episode:

• How a train journey sparked a movement for racial equity in Manchester
• Building the Racial Equity Group and RegConnect: collaboration over confrontation
• The reality of representation: 18% of the population, 5% of leadership
• Why courage, not comfort, drives meaningful inclusion
• Turning diversity into business impact – and the data that proves it
• How authenticity builds movements that last
• The legacy Wayne and Ngozi are creating for the next generation

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant Emma Green joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing creativity, courage, and a passion for storytelling that’s transforming communities across the North and beyond. As Communications Lead for Peel Waters, Emma combines her love of connection and communication to shape places where people truly belong.

From a film studies degree to leading communications for one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, Emma’s story proves that career paths don’t have to be linear to be impactful. What started as a fascination with Media City evolved into working for the very organization that created it – a full-circle moment powered by curiosity, authenticity, and the willingness to raise her hand and challenge convention.

With genuine warmth and insight, Emma shares how she’s turned her superpower for connection into tangible impact – from linking local independents with major waterfront developments to turning complex planning projects into national stories. Her mantra, inspired by her late aunt – “There’s value in every experience” – shapes both her career and her approach to life, reminding us that every moment has purpose.

Emma also opens up about the importance of community, crediting the Northern PoWEr Women network for providing support and opportunity during challenging times like the pandemic. Her story is proof that powerful storytelling, when rooted in authenticity and connection, can reshape not just brands or places, but people’s lives.

In this episode:

• From film studies to regeneration: finding purpose through storytelling
• How curiosity and connection created a career she never planned
• Communicating complex projects in ways that engage and inspire
• The power of challenging authority and speaking truth to power
• Why there’s “value in every experience” – personally and professionally
• How authentic communication builds thriving communities

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫

The brilliant Holly Ellis joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing honesty, resilience, and a fierce commitment to breaking barriers in science. Known to her growing online community as The Scouse Scientist, Holly is redefining what it means to belong in STEM while balancing the realities of motherhood, identity, and advocacy.

From Liverpool to Oxford University, Holly’s story is one of challenging perceptions and proving that background and accent should never be barriers to opportunity. She opens up about navigating motherhood after a traumatic birth, her experience with postnatal depression, and why caring for her daughter Ada tested her in ways academia never could.

With trademark candor, Holly tackles accent bias head-on, sharing how her Liverpool voice has become both her superpower and a source of prejudice. She reflects on once believing Oxford “wasn’t for people like me,” and how stepping into those spaces gave her the confidence to show others that they can belong too.

What began as a handful of social media videos has grown into a movement, as Holly uses her platforms to make science accessible and inclusive for everyone. Now signed with a talent agency, her ambition is to take STEM into mainstream media – showing the next generation that scientists can come from anywhere, sound like anyone, and look like everyone.

In this episode:

• From Liverpool to Oxford: proving she belonged in elite spaces
• Navigating motherhood and postnatal depression with honesty
• Breaking down accent bias and why it still matters
• Making STEM accessible through social media and beyond
• Turning trolls into proof of why her work matters
• The dream of hosting a science TV show that changes perceptions

Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫