In this episode, we dive into the inspiring and dynamic career journey of Liz Purcell, currently the Global Workplace Delivery Manager at Equinix. From pulling weekly all-nighters at university to leading global teams, Liz's path is one of passion, persistence and bold moves.
Liz's love for design was sparked by her aunt and stepmother, both interior designers. Surrounded by creative minds, she pursued a BA (Hons) in Interior Architecture, graduating with First Class Honours. A natural team player with a sporty streak, Liz balanced academic excellence with half marathons to find calm and clarity.
At 19, she left home and worked in bars, where a chance meeting with an architect opened doors to real-world projects. Hustling hard, she mailed out CVs and landed a pivotal opportunity with Watermark Architects, marking the beginning of her professional career.
Drawn to Australia's thriving design scene, Liz brought her infectious energy and work ethic to firms like Hamilton Thompson and APP Corporation, managing major projects and clients, including top airlines and Morgan Stanley. Despite navigating long hours and unsupportive environments, she kept rising.
At 30, driven by curiosity and courage, Liz moved to London without a job. She quickly found her footing at CBRE, where she landed the Microsoft account and later Google, overseeing high-impact workplace projects across Europe.
After a decade in workplace strategy and delivery, Liz transitioned into a global leadership role at Equinix in December 2024, embracing the challenge of managing a small international team. Now six months into the role, she reflects on growth, grit, and the vision to expand her team in the months ahead.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating a global career path, thriving in high-pressure environments, or wondering what's possible when you mix hard work with a little serendipity.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
See you next time,
Steve
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This podcast is sponsored by Fidgens providing project and cost management services for real estate clients.
And finally, connect with me on LinkedIn where I share my thoughts on industry insights and updates.
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Guest: Liz Purcell
You can follow Liz on LinkedIn here.
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