Leaders with Ambition · 2026-04-27 · 44 min
In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuña Ocaña is joined by Allyson Stewart‑Allen, Founder and CEO of International Marketing Partners, for a wide‑ranging and deeply insightful conversation on international careers, professional services leadership, and the realities of global growth. A globally recognised authority on the internationalisation of professional services firms, Allyson brings decades of experience advising leaders across legal, consulting, accounting, and advisory businesses. Originally from Los Angeles and now based in London, Allyson shares how early exposure to international life - including growing up in Munich and studying languages - shaped her worldview and ultimately her career. Allyson reflects on her professional journey from PwC, PA Consulting Group, and Hay Group to founding her own consultancy in the early 1990s. She speaks candidly about recognising early on that traditional corporate environments weren’t where she did her best work - and the courage it took to build something of her own.
Ep.96 Rhys Calcott - “The career is in your hands; every choice you make has an impact.”51 / 100Ep. 95- ''Dave Harvey- “Networking, networking, networking - the earlier you start, the better.”Ep. 94 Julie Chodos- “Feedback is a gift - if people think you can take it, they’ll tell you more.”Ep. 92 Kerri Vermeylen - ''Careers are built through experiences, not perfectly mapped plans.”Ep. 91 Kathleen Ford - ''Networking is a skill that improves with practice.''