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This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Leaders with Ambition

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by Ambition UK

5.0(5 reviews)

97 episodes

Updated Weekly

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧

Podcast Authority

Beta

FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality61

Social0

YouTube82

Engagement60

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Podcast Overview

Welcome to Leaders with Ambition, the podcast that dives deep into the careers of some of the most successful leaders working in professional services firms. We aim to discover the secrets behind their success, the challenges they face and to find out what traits make a successful leader. About the host: Nicky Acuna Ocana is the Regional Managing Director of Ambition, an international recruitment agency specialising in business services recruitment (Finance, Accounting, BD, Marketing, Insolvency, Restructuring and Corporate Finance) in professional services firms.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

8/2/2021

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🇺🇸 Charts #3

Outreach generated

Apple 142

Spotify 827

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Podcast Authority

Beta

FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality61

Social0

YouTube82

Engagement60

Learn more

Excellent Areas

Good Performance

Growth Opportunities

excellent

Episode Length

40 minutes

Performing excellently!

good

iTunes Tags

6.5/10

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needs improvement

Publishing Consistency

Every 19 days

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Recent Episodes

July 20, 2026

Ep. 97 Deborah Farone - ''When all things fail, persistence prevails."

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuña Ocaña is joined by Deborah Farone, an award-winning legal industry business development and marketing strategist, former Chief Marketing Officer at two of the world's leading law firms, and author of both Best Practices and Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Lawyers Build Thriving Practices.Deborah shares her fascinating career journey, from aspiring to work in advertising and public relations, to becoming one of the most respected business development and marketing leaders in the legal industry.Throughout the conversation, Deborah reflects on the power of persistence, the value of embracing career pivots, and how a chance experience working with a law firm client ultimately led her into legal marketing. She discusses the evolution of the legal marketing profession, the importance of building integrated business development and marketing functions, and the lessons learned from leading teams at elite global law firms.The discussion explores the critical role of coaching, mentoring, and sponsorship in career development, particularly for women navigating professional services environments. Deborah also shares insights from the research behind her latest book, Breaking Ground, highlighting the different ways successful women lawyers build practices through authenticity, networking, and relationship-building.The episode also examines the future of legal marketing, the growing influence of AI, the challenges facing law firm leaders today, and why continuous learning, curiosity, and strong professional networks are more important than ever.This is an inspiring and practical conversation for anyone interested in legal marketing, leadership, business development, professional growth, and creating opportunities for the next generation of talent.0:00 Welcome and introducing Deborah Ferron2:05 A press kit, two rejections, and her first break3:58 Getting into legal marketing and building it from scratch9:09 Cravath, and the Hermès job that got away13:54 Going solo: taking the consultancy leap15:22 The call from her first client16:26 Training and setting the standard20:19 Coaching, mentors and sponsors23:30 Founding the Legal Marketing Association25:47 Building networks that last29:40 Breaking Ground: the women behind the book33:01 Authentic business development35:18 Women in leadership and the "purple ghetto"39:07 AI and the changing role of marketing41:28 Staying fresh and getting out from behind the desk45:34 What firms are wrestling with now48:37 Final words of wisdom

July 1, 2026

Ep.96 Rhys Calcott - “The career is in your hands; every choice you make has an impact.”

In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuña Ocaña is joined by Rhys Calcott, Associate Director for Business Development and Marketing EMEA at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates.Rhys shares his unconventional and highly intentional career journey into legal marketing, from leaving education early to earn money, to returning to university, travelling the world, and ultimately discovering the legal sector through a chance role in Australia that would shape his future.Throughout the conversation, Rhys reflects on the power of being deliberate in your career choices, the importance of resilience in high-performing environments, and how building strong networks early can accelerate growth and opportunity.He shares insights into his transition from management into leadership, how he builds high-performing teams, and why focusing on outcomes over outputs is critical in a competitive legal landscape.The episode also explores Rhys’s passion for developing future talent, including his role in launching an apprenticeship programme at Skadden, and his belief in creating more accessible pathways into the profession for the next generation.Rhys offers a candid perspective on navigating pressure, embracing AI as both a challenge and an opportunity, and why continuous self-reflection is essential to staying ahead in a fast-evolving industry.This is a practical, honest, and forward-looking conversation for anyone building a career in legal marketing, leadership, or professional services.Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rhys Calcott's Journey02:08 Early Career Choices and Education06:00 Discovering the Legal Marketing World11:00 Intentional Career Moves in Law12:25 Transitioning into Leadership15:39 Coaching and Developing Teams19:17 The Importance of Mentoring and Networking22:31 Starting Networking Early25:25 Embracing AI in Legal Marketing28:47 Creating High-Performing Teams at Skadden29:17 Building a Global BD Function at an Elite Law Firm32:11 The Drive for Continuous Improvement and Innovation34:11 The Importance of Resilience in High-Pressure Environments36:53 Self-Reflection and Learning in Professional Growth39:20 Finding Work-Life Balance in a Demanding Career43:12 Creating Pathways for Future Talent in Law49:23 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in BD Leadership

June 8, 2026

Ep. 95- ''Dave Harvey- “Networking, networking, networking — the earlier you start, the better.”

With over 25 years of experience spanning in-house leadership roles and consultancy, Dave shares a candid perspective on navigating non-linear careers, leading global teams, and building influence within partnership-led organisations.From his early career in economic development during the tech boom to senior leadership roles at firms including Morrison & Foerster, Orrick, and Baker Botts, Dave reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership journey.The conversation explores the realities of scaling teams, managing change, and the growing pressures facing CMOs today — alongside practical insights on networking, resilience, and protecting against burnout in high-performance environments.A standout theme throughout is the power of community. Dave shares how his global CMO roundtables have created trusted peer networks that enable leaders to step back, think strategically, and navigate complexity together.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Leadership Transformation02:59 Dave's Career Journey in Legal Marketing05:46 Navigating Mergers and Building Resilience08:53 Transitioning to Consultancy and Family Considerations11:54 Innovative Marketing Strategies in Law Firms15:02 Managing Global Teams and Cultural Insights20:58 Leadership Challenges in Diverse Environments24:00 The Shift from In-House to Consultancy27:37 The Journey of Publishing a Harvard Case Study 29:35 The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship30:44 Transitioning from Management to Leadership32:48 The Role of Networking in Career Development34:51 Creating Global Networking Opportunities39:12 Managing Stress and Burnout in High-Pressure Roles40:23 Navigating Change and Building Resilience44:45 Challenges Facing Marketing Leaders Today48:28 The Importance of Strategic Thinking50:40 Words of Wisdom for Future Generations

97 total episodes available

Recent guests on Leaders with Ambition

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Julie Chodos

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Allyson Stewart-Allen

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Kerri Vermeylen

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Kathleen Ford

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Gillian Ward

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Alistair Johnson

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Nicola Merritt

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Seema Jones

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Connor Kinnear

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Matt Meadows

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Vanessa Torres

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Stephanie Larivee

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Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Leaders with Ambition?: Welcome to Leaders with Ambition, the podcast that dives deep into the careers of some of the most successful leaders working in professional services firms.

We aim to discover the secrets behind their success, the challenges they face and to find out what traits make a successful leader.

About the host:

Nicky Acuna Ocana is the Regional Managing Director of Ambition, an international recruitment agency specialising in business services recruitment (Finance, Accounting, BD, Marketing, Insolvency, Restructuring and Corporate Finance) in professional services firms.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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