Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom

Presence Over Perfection: Navigating Mental Health and the Modern Workplace Is your workplace truly "family-centric," or is that just a line in the handbook? In this episode of Hire Expectations , we are joined by Nadine, Kerri, and Kelly for a deep, unfiltered conversation about the intersection of leadership, parenting, and mental health. We move past the surface-level "work-life balance" talk a...

International Women’s Day Special: Real Pathways for Women to Rise in Business In this special International Women’s Day episode of Hire Expectations , we sit down with three accomplished local leaders for an honest and insightful conversation about what it really takes for women to grow, lead, and create lasting impact in business. Joined by April-Dawn Blackwell , Gina Delle Rose-Ash, and Zoya Al...

In this powerful episode of Hire Expectations , we sit down with Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward to talk about the growing rise of harassment, intimidation, and toxic behaviour in public life and why it’s becoming a serious barrier to leadership. During the pandemic, abuse toward elected officials escalated dramatically. What began as heated disagreement crossed the line into threats, hostilit...

This special Year in Review episode brings together the moments, insights, and conversations that made us pause, rethink, and grow. Throughout the year, we sat down with leaders, coaches, and experts who challenged how we approach work, leadership, money, mental health, and personal growth. In this recap, we revisit the themes that mattered most. The ones that didn’t just sound good in the moment,...

This episode of Hire Expectations dives into a topic that does not get nearly enough attention. Men’s mental health. In honour of Men’s Mental Health Month, Nelson Borges joins us to talk about why safe spaces, real connection, and honest conversations matter more than ever. He breaks down the barriers that keep men silent and explains how peer support and community connection can completely chang...

🎙️ Passion vs. Opportunity: What Really Drives Career Success? What matters more for career success… passion or opportunity ? In this episode of Hire Expectations , we unpack one of the biggest career debates in today’s evolving job market . Join Kelly and Kerri as they explore how career development has changed and why the path to professional growth isn’t as linear as it once was. From recruitme...

What if you could become your own banker?   In this episode of  Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom , we sit down with Rick Goldring — former Mayor of Burlington and financial advisor at Ascendant Financial. Rick shares his unique perspective on leadership, resilience, and the Infinite Banking Concept, a strategy that empowers individuals and business leaders to take back contro...

Neurodiversity in the Workforce: Building Inclusive Workplaces that Thrive In this episode of Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom , we’re joined by Carolyn and Jordan from the Centre for Diverse Learners for a powerful conversation about neurodiversity in the workplace. They share what inspired the organization's recent rebrand—from a focus on disability to a celebration of diverse strengths—a...

In this episode of Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom , we sit down with Shaheryar Mian, a visionary executive, director on the Burlington Chamber of Commerce board, and the kind of leader who turns ideas into action. Shaheryar shares how he has navigated a career across finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, and authorship, all while staying deeply rooted in community, purpose, and people-fi...

In this episode of Hire Expectations: Beyond the Boardroom, we’re joined by Tracey Newell — a seven-time board member, leadership champion, and passionate advocate for women in leadership. Tracey dives deep into the challenges women face on their journey to the boardroom, including imposter syndrome, lack of access to mentorship, and navigating a corporate world still catching up with the need for...

In this episode of Hire Expectations , the VPWS ladies dive into the transformative power of feedback and how it shapes leadership, communication, and corporate culture . Special guest Moatassem Moatez , founder and CEO of MYCourier Inc. , joins the conversation to share his entrepreneurial lens on using feedback as a tool for performance improvement , employee engagement , and business growth . F...

In this episode of Hire Expectations, we sit down with Kristyn Livermore of West End Hypnosis to explore the powerful connection between mindset and career success. Whether you’re actively job hunting or feeling stuck in your current role, this conversation dives into how hypnosis can help you overcome mental barriers, manage stress, and build lasting confidence. Kristyn demystifies common misconc...

Think cybersecurity is just an IT issue? Think again. In this eye-opening episode of Hire Expectations , we sit down with Scott and Christina Birmingham of Birmingham Consulting to expose one of the fastest-growing threats to businesses today — insider attacks fueled by cybercriminals offering employees major cash in exchange for sensitive data . We break down: 💥 How and why employees are getting...

The Future of Recruitment with Suky Sodhi 🎙️ Episode Summary In this insightful episode of Hire Expectations , we sit down with Suky Sodhi , a powerhouse in the recruitment and staffing industry, to explore the evolving landscape of hiring, leadership, and AI-driven recruitment practices. Suky shares her expertise on modern interview methods , the importance of diverse leadership , and how allyshi...

How can Burlington businesses attract and retain top talent in today’s evolving workforce? In this episode of Hire Expectations, we sit down with Terry Caddo, President & CEO of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the critical workforce trends shaping local businesses. From talent retention and upskilling to the impact of housing and transportation on workforce availability, this co...

In this episode, the Hire Expectations ladies discuss modern HR practices with a focus on understanding and engaging Gen Z employees. Emily Van Straten from ThinkHR joins us and shares her insights on the misconceptions surrounding Gen Z, the impact of technology on their work habits, and the importance of a life-over-work philosophy. The conversation emphasizes the need for flexibility and custom...

Breaking the Silence: Youth Mental Health, Parenting, and Creating Safe Spaces In this compelling episode of Hire Expectations , we dive into the pressing issue of youth mental health, exploring the challenges faced by parents, educators, and employers in fostering a supportive environment for children and families. Our conversation touches on: Recognizing the Signs: How mood changes and social wi...

Hey 2025!! In our first episode this year, we sit down with Laura Caven, a high-performance coach, to unpack her transformational journey from entrepreneur to coach. Laura shares the pivotal moments that led her to embrace intentional living and effective goal setting, offering listeners actionable strategies to conquer challenges and achieve personal and professional growth. Together, they dive i...

Join us for a mouthwatering episode as we dive into the extraordinary journey of Melinda Paletta, a celebrated culinary expert and entrepreneur. From her roots in a food-focused family to becoming a leader in the hospitality industry, Melinda offers a wealth of insights that will resonate with culinary enthusiasts, industry professionals, and aspiring leaders alike. In this engaging conversation,...

🎙️ Breaking Barriers: Men's Mental Health Matters In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Nelson Borges, founder of Capillary Wave, to discuss his personal journey with anxiety and the importance of addressing men's mental health. Nelson shares his experience of having his first panic attack at 49 and how it led him to create a supportive community for men navigating mental wellness. Together,...

In this insightful episode of Hire Expectations Beyond the Boardroom , Melanie and Kerri are joined by Agnes Tepper, co-founder of Elevated HR and Consulting, to explore the complexities of reorganization and its profound impact on employee morale. Tailored for HR professionals and small business leaders, this episode dives into the importance of strong leadership, clear communication, and effecti...

In this episode of the Hire Expectations Podcast , Melanie and Kelly welcome back Joe Apps to discuss the intersection of AI and employment , focusing on the growing security risks related to managing sensitive employee data . Joe shares expert insights on how candidates can protect their personal information during the hiring process, the importance of password management , and practical strategi...

Navigating Reorganization: How to Maintain Employee Morale During Organizational Change In this episode of the podcast, we dive into the critical topic of maintaining employee morale during times of organizational change and restructuring. Reorganizations often trigger feelings of uncertainty and anxiety among staff, which is why effective leadership must prioritize clear and consistent communicat...

In this episode, the discussion revolves around creating inclusive workplace environments by addressing offensive language and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through effective strategies and training programs. Key Topics Covered: Addressing Offensive Language : The importance of documenting incidents and addressing offensive language professionally, with involvement from HR or le...

In this episode, we explore the evolving world of IT hiring with Joseph Apps, the visionary CEO of JoeApp's Technology Support. Joseph shares his expert knowledge on key industry trends and the critical skills every IT professional needs to stay competitive, including Google and Microsoft management, cloud infrastructure, and preparing for the rise of AI. This episode is packed with actionable adv...