Ep163: The Power Of The Welcome: Nicole Purcell On Women, Intuition & Creative Leadership

During National Women’s History Month, Leader Generation welcomes Nicole Purcell for a conversation about creative leadership. While so many conversations right now are focused on AI, this episode shifts the spotlight to something just as powerful: hospitality, intuition and the kind of human-centered thinking that makes teams thrive and people feel seen.

Nicole shares how her career journey shaped her leadership style and how she built The Clios into a bigger, more connected brand by listening closely, trusting her vision and creating space for others to grow. She talks openly about resilience, communication and what it really means to lead with both strength and heart. You’ll also hear how creativity shows up far beyond design—in problem-solving, team building and making great decisions under pressure.

If you’re leading a team, growing in your career or just looking for a fresh perspective on what strong leadership can look like, this episode is worth your time. It’s an inspiring listen for anyone who wants to build with more intention, lead with more empathy and stay connected to the human side of work.

Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 

About Nicole Purcell:

Nicole Purcell is CEO of the Clios, a global awards platform celebrating creative excellence in advertising. With a bold, culture-forward approach to business, creativity, and leadership, she has reinvented the Clios, transforming it from a traditional awards show into a dynamic, year-round ecosystem that inspires, celebrates, and connects creators and brands across industries and continents.

About Tessa Burg:

Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].