Workforce Navigator Podcast: Season 1 Collection

Exploring the powerful connection between personal fulfillment and driving corporate success.

Disrupting traditional recruitment norms with innovative strategies for talent acquisition and retention.

Guidance for HR professionals on discovering their purpose and direction in their career journey.

Leveraging HR science as an empowerment tool for Chief People Officers to drive advocacy and organizational growth.

How organizational culture directly impacts financial performance and sustainable business growth.

Addressing missed opportunities at the critical intersection of empathy and accountability in leadership.

The three essential hallmarks for building and maintaining high-performance leadership teams in today's business environment.

How CHROs can effectively collaborate with legal teams to drive organizational growth and mitigate risks.

Exploring the evolving role of today's Chief Human Resources Officer in driving organizational transformation.

Kristen Diggs, Chief Human Resources Officer for the San Diego Youth Service Organization, explores the connection between nonprofit and for-profit sectors in human resources. Drawing from her extensive experience, she highlights valuable lessons that for-profit companies can learn from nonprofits. She also highlights the importance of collaboration, mission-driven work, and staff mentorship, all of which contribute to enhancing employee engagement and retention. By integrating these strategies, for-profits can create more motivated and purpose-driven teams.

Ed Cohen, Chief People Officer at SprintRay Inc., shares his expertise in driving hyper-growth through cultural transformation. He highlights the "Three C’s" framework: Culture, Competency, and Contribution, emphasizing its importance in creating a supportive, performance-driven workplace. Drawing from his success and expertise, he emphasizes aligning behavior with organizational culture to achieve sustainable growth and improve employee satisfaction.

Kristin Orlowski, SVP and Chief People Officer at Caliber Scientific Inc., brings a wealth of experience in building high-performing teams across diverse industries. She highlights the critical role of fostering a vibrant and intentional company culture, positioning it as a powerful growth strategy that hinges on strong leadership alignment. Kristin delves into strategies for hiring candidates who align with organizational values, ensuring a strong culture fit that drives long-term success. She also discusses the complexities of managing global teams and the transformative impact of leveraging employee feedback to nurture and sustain a thriving workplace culture.

Tony Chimera, Chief Talent Officer at Westfield Specialty Insurance, delves into the transformative role of HR in shaping business strategy. Drawing from his experience in entrepreneurial environments, he emphasizes aligning HR initiatives with business goals to drive meaningful impact rather than being seen as regulatory barriers. Tony advocates for fostering curiosity, supporting talent retention, and cultivating a culture of long-term growth. He highlights the power of listening and reciprocal relationships as essential tools for HR leaders to create lasting organizational success.

Asanka Abeysinghe, CTO of WSO2, discusses the crucial link between technology, HR, and corporate culture. He explains how a strong relationship between these elements fosters a thriving company culture, driving business success. Asanka emphasizes viewing employees as valuable assets and highlights the role of transparency, communication, and purpose alignment in building a cohesive workforce. He also explores how culture impacts retention, attraction, and overall business growth.

Carmen Perez Seda, Director of Talent at One Workplace, shares unique strategies to enhance company culture, retention, and success. She explores the transformative role of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), like the Working Parents ERG, in fostering belonging and employee well-being. Carmen discusses holistic approaches, including childcare initiatives, that support inclusivity and development. These efforts not only improve employee satisfaction but also strengthen leadership pipelines.

Dawn Anderson, CHRO at Butler Snow LLP, emphasizes integrating legal expertise into HR functions to enhance compliance and business operations. She provides insights into navigating organizational complexities, particularly within the precedent-bound legal industry. Highlighting the importance of challenging the status quo, Dawn discusses the role of change management, tailored communication, and employee advocacy in driving success. She also explores efficient recruitment, AI advancements, and the value of networking in modern HR.

Genil Washington, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Druva, shares her expertise on building sustainable talent pipelines. Drawing from her broad industry experience, she emphasizes viewing talent as long-term assets and rethinking hiring to include acquisition, engagement, and retention as key elements. Genil advocates for moving beyond traditional models by creating environments that attract, nurture, and retain top talent. She also highlights the role of data, innovative onboarding, and ongoing development in crafting high-performing, stable teams.

Monica Anderton, CHRO of the North America Packaging and Paper Division at DS Smith, discusses HR challenges in the manufacturing sector, focusing on retention and recruitment amid labor shortages. She highlights strategies for building a resilient workforce, such as fostering a "sticky culture" and implementing inclusive leadership programs. Monica explains that creative recruitment, including hiring bilingual interpreters, helps address talent shortages. She also emphasizes the importance of aligning HR practices with business goals to boost productivity.

Bindi Davé, Deputy CISO at DigiCert, discusses the critical link between cybersecurity, HR, and company culture. She shares her unique journey from cybersecurity to yoga instruction, emphasizing the value of a supportive work environment. Bindi highlights strategies for building high-performance teams and attracting top talent. She emphasizes how HR and leadership can work together to foster a positive and productive workplace.

Rachel Bozeman, Director Talent Acquisition at Consumer Cellular, Inc, discusses critical barriers to creating and sustaining high-performance teams. She shares insights from her experiences in big tech, manufacturing, and retail, highlighting the importance of transparent communication with hiring managers. Rachel addresses the impact of evolving candidate expectations and the value of a genuine team culture. She urges companies to invest in meaningful hiring strategies to overcome roadblocks and drive performance.

Michael Weinberger explores how personal passions, like baking, can positively impact workplace relationships. He underscores the benefits of sharing unique skills to boost team morale. Michael also reflects on transitioning from operations into HR, drawing on real-world challenges. Through this lens, he reveals how empathy and practical insights help foster stronger employee connections.

Jonathan Doulas, Corporate General Counsel at Pacific American Fish Company (PAFCO), delves into his unorthodox route toward overseeing HR. He shares lessons from entrepreneurial ventures and legal experiences that shaped his hands-on approach. He explains why HR should be recognized as a crucial contributor to business expansion. He also underscores the evolving executive mindset required to support HR’s full scope.

Garry Ridge, Founder of The Learning Moment, explains why culture underpins organizational achievement. He shares how his experience at WD-40 shaped his belief in people-first leadership, emphasizing the power of humility and consistent values. He reveals how leaders can remove fear and micromanagement to invigorate their teams. Finally, he unveils how open communication and continuous feedback boost morale and results.

Elizabeth Stevens, VP of Human Resources at Westcliff University, reveals how HR can move beyond support functions to become powerful drivers of success. She highlights the critical nature of culture, hiring the right people, and aligning with executive teams. She underlines the need for proactivity in addressing changes, whether it’s AI or shifting organizational goals. She believes that HR leaders should guide their companies to see people strategies as vital business imperatives.

Jessica Zucker, Senior Vice President at Eastridge Workforce Solutions, reveals how culture and empowerment drive successful talent strategies. She discusses building engaged teams to reach business objectives while staying rooted in servant leadership. Jessica shares personal anecdotes that highlight fostering professional growth from recruitment to ongoing management. Through real examples, she showcases how Eastridge stands out as an industry secret for companies demanding quality hires.

James Krouse, Chief Marketing Officer at Eastridge Workforce Solutions, details the industry’s shift from role-filling to solution-driven partnerships. He recounts fixing simple obstacles that slashed turnover and costs. James introduces the “Let’s Get to Work” mindset. The episode reveals how strategic staffing elevates bottom-line results.

Michael Wong, Chief Executive Officer at Genea, recounts transforming a near-insolvent firm into a smart-building innovator. He explains why selecting the right market, recruiting high-performance teams, and elevating HR to strategy level fuel sustainable growth. Wong details culture surveys, prescriptive onboarding, and remote-first hiring as keys to scale.

Christine, Vice President of Global Human Resources and Head of HR at Genea, reveals why a strong command of core business fundamentals reshaped her HR vision. She explores the shift from administrative tasks to a proactive, business-aligned role. She recounts earning trust step by step and winning a seat at the strategic table. She underscores HR’s power to drive bigger organizational impact.

Rodrigo Alcaine, Chief Executive Officer at Eastridge, shares why culture is a long-term commitment that shapes every aspect of business. He explains how intentional leadership and daily alignment of values drive high performance. Culture is not a quick fix, but a foundation for growth. Consistency and accountability from the top set the standard for the entire organization.

Doug Innocenti, Chief Information Security Officer at MoonPay, explains how security enables business growth. He outlines why people development and clear vision matter in hypergrowth. He shares how consistent communication builds trust and delivery. He shows why HR partnership elevates team performance and customer outcomes.

Allen Chilson, Director, Talent Acquisition Vendor Management, Global, at Danaher Corporation, examines why most companies struggle with accurate workforce planning. He explains how confidential business-unit roadmaps often exclude HR and procurement, forcing reactive hiring. Allen argues for integrated 3–5-year workforce blueprints that include contingent labor and procurement.

Eric Chin, Chief Financial Officer at Akido Labs, brings unique insight as both a CFO and former Head of HR. He explains how HR leaders can frame proposals in terms of net savings, ROI, and measurable outcomes to gain CFO support. Eric also outlines strategies for building stronger cases around training, development, and retention by linking them to financial impact. He also highlights timing, proactive planning, and continuous improvement as essential elements for long-term success.

Darlene Hunter, Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Eastridge, demonstrates how culture can become a true competitive advantage. She connects belonging, clear expectations, and development to productivity, retention, and profitability. Darlene explains why leaders must speak the language of EBITDA while practicing empathy and accountability. She closes with a challenge to define, test, and live an authentic culture of care.

Jon Greene, Director of Talent Acquisition at Smart Data, shares how his 15 years of recruiting expertise have shaped a workplace culture driven by collaboration and employee satisfaction. He highlights strategies that achieved a 98% retention rate, emphasizing the value of cultivating relationships within businesses. Jon explores how integrating talent acquisition into organizational structures empowers employees and fuels growth. His insights reveal how curiosity and collaboration create a competitive edge.

Bindi Davé, Deputy CISO at DigiCert, discusses the critical link between cybersecurity, HR, and company culture. She shares her unique journey from cybersecurity to yoga instruction, emphasizing the value of a supportive work environment. Bindi highlights strategies for building high-performance teams and attracting top talent. She emphasizes how HR and leadership can work together to foster a positive and productive workplace.

Ilenia Herrera Lutz, Global Director of Talent Acquisition at Duck Creek Technologies, discusses the critical role of HR in scaling and transforming companies. She highlights HR’s ability to adapt strategies, nurture resilient cultures, and act as a strategic partner during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and digital transformation. Ilenia emphasizes how a strong employee experience drives innovation and attracts top talent while aligning capabilities with company goals. She also explores proactive HR leadership strategies, fostering shared vision among leaders, and evolving HR practices to sustain organizational growth.

Susan Graye, Senior Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Vontier, shares insights into strategic talent acquisition, emphasizing the need to look beyond surface-level evaluations to build strong teams. She explores the role of collaboration, technology, and market data in shaping competitive talent strategies. Susan highlights storytelling’s power in attracting top talent. She reveals how global cohesion and tech-driven insights create compelling hiring experiences.

Mawulom Nenonene, Head of Talent Acquisition at Point, shares his expertise in building predictive models for high-performance teams. He discusses how data-driven recruitment strategies improve candidate qualification, boost team efficiency, and foster diversity. Mawulom highlights the need for standardized yet flexible systems to streamline hiring. He also explores the ‘continuous evolution loop,’ ensuring ongoing refinement through structured feedback.

Nicola Smith, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Visual Concepts, shares key insights on evolving hiring strategies. She emphasizes the balance between AI-driven efficiencies and the human connection essential to recruitment success. Nicola discusses how hybrid work models have reshaped talent acquisition, requiring adaptable approaches. Her leadership philosophy highlights continuous learning and aligning hiring with company culture.

Patrick Gough, CEO and Founder at Poseidon Consulting LLC, dives into his extensive Marine Corps background and explains why formal leadership curricula are indispensable. He describes glaring shortfalls in the corporate world, where tenure often replaces real development. He argues that investing in training fosters higher retention and performance. He concludes by highlighting why leadership can’t be left to chance and must be taught deliberately.

Jason Loomis, Chief Information Security Officer at Freshworks, reveals why culture truly eats strategy for breakfast. He delves into the vital role of a supportive, trust-based environment in cybersecurity success. Jason also details how hiring for talent and mindset outperforms checking boxes for technical skills. Leaders can inspire high-performing teams that drive better results by fostering open communication and genuine collaboration.