Culture Leaders with Dr. Jessica Kriegel

This week, Jessica is joined by Raúl Valentin, the Chief Human Resources Officer at ABM Industries. Raúl explains how his belief in fairness drives his leadership–everything from recruiting policies to acquisition strategy to the way ABM integrates AI into HR operations. He opens up about his early life as the son of a single mother, why he almost went to law school, and how that background fuels...

Denny’s’ Kelli Valade on Feeding the Soul and Making People Feel Seen This week, Jessica is joined by Kelli Valade, CEO of Denny’s. They discuss how Kelli’s career in restaurants–which started when she was 16 years old–was shaped by leaders who cared for her, how it continues to be shaped by colleagues and employees, and the responsibility  she feels as a leader to see, care for, and understand th...

This week, Jessica is joined by Dr. Don Wood, CEO of the Inspired Performance Institute and creator of a program to help people reset and reprocess trauma–which he understands as a neurological glitch that impacts health and decision-making, and therefore performance and leadership. Don explains why anxiety, addiction and even autoimmune diseases are often symptoms of unresolved trauma, and how hi...

This week, Jessica is joined by Monique Robertson-Gunter, Chief Experience Officer at Wellby Financial Monique explains how Wellby reshaped its culture to hit ambitious goals–starting with the key results, and developing a culture of feedback, listening and continuous improvement to achieve them. She also talks about her role as Chief Experience Officer–combining culture and brand to create experi...

This week Jessica is joined by Frank Vella, the CEO of Constant Contact. In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss Frank’s philosophy of being in the people business, from emphasizing the role of first-line managers to keeping the employee experience in mind while talking with investors. They discuss scaling culture across a company, aligning AI innovation with people-first values, and why it's...

In today's episode, John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica to talk about leadership in uncertain times, the importance of avoiding the 'action trap' that can stifle innovation, and the keys to finding real alignment across the corporate chain: empathy, accountability, and an understanding of the Culture Equation. John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joh...

Pete Stavros, Co-Head of Global Private Equity at KKR, joins Jessica to talk about his work fostering shared employee ownership: reshaping companies so employees have a direct stake in the business itself. They dive deep on what is required to change the beliefs about leaders around shared ownership, the importance of empathy in leadership, and how employee ownership cuts through the thorniest pro...

Karalee Close, Accenture’s Global Lead for the Talent & Organization practice joins Jessica to talk about all things artificial intelligence; starting with her belief that AI, like all technology, can be harnessed for human flourishing. They discuss the web of relationships between AI, employees, and corporate structures, the evolution of change management practices, and the growing need for human...

Doug Merritt, Chairman, CEO, and President of Aviatrix, joins Jessica to discuss his process-centered philosophy in life and business, which focuses on daily learning and consistent feedback to achieve long-term results. Plus, how he developed his company’s culture to survive a digital transformation from on-site to cloud-based software service, and how lessons from his upbringing shaped an approa...

Jim McCann, Founder and CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS, shares his story as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and thought leader who turned a single flower shop into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. In this conversation, Jim discusses the importance of community connections in business, and his efforts to adapt his business to the age of AI, and the lessons he learned while writing his self-help book, Lode...

Nick Green, Co-Founder and CEO of Thrive Market, shares how the drive to make healthier eating more accessible has shaped the company from the very beginning; from operationalizing its core values to hiring talent whose purpose aligns with the mission. He explains how mission-driven thinking includes setting long-term sustainability goals, finding “non-zero-sum” ways to make an impact, and sharing...

Dr. Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President and the Global Innovation Officer at Cisco, shares his story as a key player in global digitization and the future of technology education. He discusses the power of shared vulnerability to build trust across organizations and cultures, the importance of core values in business, and Cisco’s role in bringing people across the globe into the digital age. What...

Carmen Amara, Chief People Officer at Yelp, shares her journey into HR, emphasizing the importance of finding purpose in work and creating a people-first culture. She discusses the power of storytelling, Yelp's shift to remote work, and the role of empathy in leadership, and she debunks myths about HR--particularly the misconception that one must choose between profit and people. What is Your Why?...

Steve Pruett, Executive Chairman of Cox Media Group, shares his remarkable journey from a humble upbringing to leading one of the largest media organizations in the United States. With insights drawn from his book The Gain Principle, Steve reflects on personal and professional growth, the power of radical inclusion, and the hard-won lessons from navigating corporate culture. He also opens up about...

Josh Bersin, industry analyst and founder of The Josh Bersin Company, joins Dr. Jessica Kriegel to dive into the evolving role of HR and its influence on business performance. With 25 years of expertise, Josh shares why HR professionals are essential to organizational success and how companies can transition HR from a cost center to a strategic partner. This insightful conversation covers the chan...

Dr. Jessica Kriegel interviews Scott Wine, former CEO of Polaris and CNH Industrial, as they explore his leadership journey, rooted in faith, discipline, and a commitment to integrity. Scott shares his insights on building adaptable, customer-focused cultures, lessons learned from his Naval service, and the importance of critical thinking in leadership. With anecdotes from his time leading Polaris...

Scott Syphax joins Dr. Jessica Kriegel to reflect on his dynamic career as the former CEO of the Nehemiah Corporation and current strategic advisor to Fortune 500 executives. Scott shares his unique blend of strategy and emotional intelligence, often serving as an "unlicensed therapist" to some of the most powerful leaders across industries. In this conversation, Scott opens up about his purpose i...

Dan Streetman joins Dr. Jessica Kriegel to dive deep into leadership, service, and resilience. From his military background to leading one of the top cybersecurity firms, Dan shares his approach to leadership, emphasizing integrity, teamwork, and the importance of a service mindset. He reveals how personal challenges, like guiding visually impaired athletes through marathons and Ironman races, hav...

Dr. Jessica Kriegel has an insightful conversation with Paulo Pisano, Chief Human Resources Officer of Booking Holdings. The discuss his journey as a leader and his perspective on people-centric leadership. Paulo shares his thoughts on the importance of cultural diversity, the balance between people and profit, and the evolving role of HR in modern business. Paulo’s life experiences have shaped hi...

Dr. Jessica Kriegel speaks with Tara Ataya, Chief People and Diversity Officer at Hootsuite, to explore the innovative and people-first strategies that Tara has implemented at Hootsuite to foster a culture of belonging, engagement, and empowerment. Tara shares her approach to navigating the balance between business goals and people-focused leadership, offering insights into the importance of liste...

Dr. Jessica Kriegel talks with Jolen Anderson, BetterUp's Chief People & Community Officer, to delve into her inspiring journey from law school to leading people-centric HR strategies at various large organizations. Jolen shares her evolving purpose, the significance of trust and respect in leadership, and the crucial role of mental health in the workplace. Tune in to discover how Jolen navigates...

In today's episode: HR's focus on both people and profit. SHRM's role as a leader and unifier in the HR profession. Widespread confusion around the "E" in DEI . Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business result...

In this exclusive conversation, Dr. Jessica Kriegel sits down with Johnny C. Taylor, CEO of SHRM, to delve into the complexities of leadership, the evolving landscape of HR, and the bold shifts SHRM is making in the realm of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Taylor shares his insights on the intersection of people and profit, the strategic move from DEI to Inclusion and Diversity (I&D), and...

Dr. Jessica Kriegel talks with Aron Ain, former CEO of Kronos and UKG, to discuss his journey as a leader who has inspired countless individuals through his approach to trust, respect, and people-centric leadership. Aron shares insights on the evolution of his purpose, the importance of over-communicating, and how trust can be the magic glue in both personal and professional relationships. Tune in...

Daniel Lamarre, the visionary leader behind Cirque du Soleil's global success, shares his journey of nurturing one of the most innovative entertainment companies in the world. As President and CEO, Lamarre explores how his blend of creative leadership and business acumen has fostered innovation and led to the creation of some of the most mesmerizing performances seen around the world.   In this ep...