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. 💫

The brilliant Emma Preston and Maxwell Crowson join the We Are PoWEr Podcast – bringing honesty, courage, and compassion to a powerful conversation about what real inclusion looks and feels like in everyday life. As part of Manchester Airports Group, Emma and Max are helping shape a culture where colleagues and travelers alike can breathe, belong, and be their authentic selves.

From the security queue to the departure gate, they show how inclusion isn’t about grand gestures – it’s built through small, consistent actions. A smile, a pronoun badge, a leader who listens – all signals that turn workplaces from promises of belonging into lived experiences of safety and respect.

Emma shares her remarkable journey from darkness to light, opening up about surviving two suicide attempts and the turning point that began when someone simply said, “let me help.” Her story of resilience and self-acceptance – learning to stop being the “best transgender woman” and start being the best Emma – is both powerful and deeply human.

Max brings his perspective as a dad through adoption, exploring how confidence at work and home allows his son to face tough questions with pride. Together, they reflect on the courage it takes to bring your full self to work, to challenge bias, and to choose employers and leaders who truly see you.

Through their work with Fly with Pride, Emma and Max are turning policy into practice – offering guidance, allyship, and visibility that goes beyond parades and posters. Their message is simple but profound: inclusion doesn’t start with a strategy, it starts with people showing up.

In this episode:
From survival to self-acceptance: Emma’s journey to living authentically
Parenting, pride, and identity: Max’s experience as an adoptive dad
What inclusion really feels like day to day
Why small signals create big impact at work and in travel
Turning equity from posters into practice through Fly with Pride
How leaders can listen, learn, and make space for others to thrive

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. 💫