Your Career Journey
Welcome to ‘Your Career Journey,’ the podcast designed to be your compass through the twists and turns of career development.
Whether you're a seasoned professional navigating a career transition, climbing the corporate ladder, looking to return to work after some time away, or just taking your first steps, this show is for you.
Each episode dives into real stories from people who have made their mark. We cover career challenges, triumphs, and everything in between, offering practical insights, inspiration and giving you valuable takeaways for your journey.
Expect candid conversations with industry experts and thought leaders who've embraced the highs, weathered the lows and emerged with wisdom worth sharing.
Join me and let’s explore the multifaceted landscapes of career development, learning, and growth together.
Your Career Journey
From Marketer to CEO: Vanessa Lyons' Powerful Career Journey & Lessons in Leadership
In this episode of Your Career Journey, Emma Graham chats with Vanessa Lyons, CEO of ThinkNewsBrands. We talk about the bold, intentional steps that took her from marketing to the C-suite, and the mindset shifts and personal battles (like cancer) that helped her redefine success along the way.
🎯 Whether you're a marketer ready to grow, a creative feeling stuck, or a corporate leader exploring your next move, this conversation offers deep, real-world career insights you won’t find anywhere else.
💡 Expect to Learn:
🔹 How to shift from Marketing into Executive and CEO roles
🔹 Why international experience matters (China, NZ, USA)
🔹 Lessons from redundancy, industry changes, and leading small businesses
🔹 The value of commercial thinking for creative professionals
🔹 Resilience through personal adversity (cancer, burnout, reinvention)
🔹 What meaningful work looks like in 2025
🔹 Why defining success on your own terms is key
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction & Career Origins
00:27 – Graduate Role at Philips
02:27 – International Experience in China
03:55 – Marketing Leadership in New Zealand
07:05 – Telstra & Redundancy
08:41 – Diverse Industry Transitions
12:21 – Small Business Leadership Lessons
14:52 – Transitioning to CEO Roles
23:03 – What Leadership Really Involves
24:02 – Managing Risk & Mental Load
25:28 – Creating Space to Think
26:23 – Career Reflection After Cancer
33:08 – From Purpose to Meaning
40:10 – What Success Means to You
41:37 – Final Advice for Ambitious Marketers
If you'd like to connect with Vanessa:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessalyons1/
I'm Emma Graham, Career Coach, ex-recruiter, here to help you:
💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you
💡 Confidently communicate your value
💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network
💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move
💡 Navigate the job market effectively
💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint
🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:
Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/
🎁 Free Resources:
📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice
📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide
📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:
https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call
