People and Strategy

From leading iconic brands through economic shifts to building a global health company, this conversation is packed with actionable lessons on resilience, innovation, and growth. In this episode, Kat Cole, former president of Cinnabon and now CEO of AG1; strategic advisor; investor, joins us to discuss the impact of personal well-being on professional success and strategies for navigating business...

Explore the challenges and trends shaping HR in 2025. This episode breaks down key insights from SHRM’s CHRO Priorities and Perspectives Report, covering top concerns, economic shifts, and AI’s expanding role in the workplace. SHRM’s CHRO Jim Link and VP of Thought Leadership James Atkinson share strategies to help leaders stay ahead.   People + Strategy, brought to you by The SHRM Executive Netwo...

In this episode, Mai Lan Nguyen, HR leader at Schneider Electric, discusses the value of international insights for HR executives, talent acquisition strategies for tapping underutilized talent, and why giving feedback shows you care. Tune in for expert advice on navigating today’s HR complexities with a global perspective. Episode Transcript -- People + Strategy, brought to you by The SHRM Execut...

In this episode, we talk to Nikki Rappaport, chief people officer at Call Your Mother Deli, a bagel shop chain popular in the Washington, D.C. area, about the power of company values. Rappaport shares what it takes to define meaningful corporate values and how to roll out the plan in a way that truly sticks with employees.  Transcript People + Strategy, brought to you by The SHRM Executive Network...

In this episode, we talk to Sara Daw, co-founder and group CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, about the growing impact of part-time or fractional executives in the C-suite. Daw discusses the benefits of contract roles and shares how fractional C-suite leaders can build psychological ownership.    Episode Transcript   Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate/review...

This week’s People + Strategy podcast examines the impact and consequences of the Trump administration’s efforts to dramatically shrink the size of the federal workforce. SHRM senior labor economist Justin Ladner joins SHRM CHRO Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, to discuss data on the demographics of the federal workforce, how they foresee corporate recruiting strategies shifting, and where the skills of govern...

In this episode, we discuss the latest news on DE&I policies—including the February 5 DOJ memo—and share tips for HR leaders on how to balance keeping your company practices inclusive while remaining legally compliant with the executive orders. Alex Alonso, SHRM’s chief data and analytics officer joins us to talk about the history of DE&I programs, where we’re headed next, and SHRM’s BEAM Framewor...

In this episode, we talk to John Barrand, CHRO for the state of Utah. Barrand shares how he developed a passion for helping people “disagree better” and dispels four common myths about disagreements, including the belief that being a good person means disagreeing less. Episode Transcript For more resources to facilitate healthy conflict, view SHRM’s Civility Toolkit: https://www.shrm.org/topics-to...

Prudence Pitter is a business executive with 26+ years of broad Human Resource leadership expertise across several industries. Currently she is Global Head of HR for two Amazon Web Services business units. In addition to her HR and consulting experience she served as Adjunct Professor of HRM and Organizational Behavior & Leadership for the City University of NY, for 9+ years. She enjoys writing ab...

In this episode, we talk to Tom Tang, Chief People Officer of May Mobility, a startup specializing in autonomous vehicle solutions. Tang shares three key HR insights: how to scale a startup team, how to tackle HR debt, and how to advocate for board-level support.  Episode Transcript Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate/review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more ab...

We’re closing out 2024 by talking about the three big HR trends of the year. In this episode, Dayforce chief people officer Amy Cappellanti-Wolf sits down with us to discuss AI, personalization of HR applications, and the ongoing conversations around employers instituting a return to office. Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate/review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Lear...

In this episode, we talk to Robert Glazer about his latest book, Rethinking Two Week’s Notice. He offers a fresh perspective that will reframe the way you think about employee transitions. Glazer is also the founder of Acceleration Partners, a global partner marketing agency, and the podcast host of Elevate with Robert Glazer. Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate/review...

In this episode, David Reimer, CEO of the ExCo Group shares the 3 big leadership issues he anticipates for 2025: navigating civil discourse at the workplace, redefining what good leadership looks like, and leading with self awareness. He also shares how a spark of curiosity could lead to great things. Episode transcript Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate/review on Spo...

In this episode of People and Strategy, Jill Waite, chief people officer at Portillo’s, talks about the restaurant's leadership program. Waite emphasizes the value of a blended learning approach, the importance of soft skills, and discusses how to retain boomerang employees. Episode transcript Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate/review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Le...

In this episode of People and Strategy, Mike Fromm, CHRO of Shaw Industries, shares insights on building an inclusive culture that prioritizes its people. He highlights Shaw’s five guiding principles: inclusion, empowerment, accountability, authenticity, and support. Discover how implementing guiding principles can help create a workplace where employees feel valued, connected, and empowered. Foll...

In this episode, Terry Reed, senior vice president of talent and leadership development at Comfort Systems, a leading mechanical and electrical firm, shares his insights on addressing the country’s critical shortage in skilled trade workers, plus his strategies for attracting women to the industry, and the need for in-house training programs. Reed also shares his experiences on building workplace...

Anita Martin built her HR career on three pillars: fairness, consistency, and transparency. In this episode, Martin shares her strategy for leading organizational change at the Houston Texans and offers tips on how to achieve employee buy-in, the importance of succession planning, and strategic patience. Episode transcript Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate and review...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the current state of the U.S. labor market—and where it’s headed in 2025—with SHRM senior labor economist Justin Ladner. Discover key insights and potential paths forward for the worker shortage, inflation, and more. Episode transcript Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate and review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more abou...

How does an organization create an “outrageously extraordinary” culture? SharkNinja’s chief people officer Elizabeth Norberg sits down with the president of Gap International, Bob Rothman, to discuss their formula for success. They also share tips for navigating change, building executive alignment, and the role of the HR executive in building company culture. Listen until the end to hear some rap...

In this week’s episode of the People and Strategy podcast, Marjorie Powell, the CHRO at AARP, shares her insights into managing HR at one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the U.S. She also explains how AI is being used to enhance member engagement and how to realize the strategic value of the 50-and-older workforce. Episode transcript Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podc...

In this special episode, we're recording live at the SHRM Executive Network's 2024 Visionaries Summit in Austin, Texas. Tune in for key takeaways from our Executive Network of CHROs. Learn what's top of mind for HR leaders and which insights they plan to bring back to their organizations. Didn't get a chance to attend Visionaries this year? Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network and the 2025...

In this episode, Dawn Zier, former CEO of Nutrisystem and current executive coach, discusses the vital role that organizational culture plays in company turnarounds and in the boardroom. She explains the evolving role of boards of directors in today's workplace and why some boardroom norms have reached their expiration dates. Zier is also the editor of The Directors Roundtable, a regular departmen...

From Starbucks barista to executive, Paul Johnson’s career journey has taken many paths. Today, he is VP of People and Culture and Chief Diversity Officer for the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. In this episode of People and Strategy, Johnson shares his insights on redefining traditional leadership paradigms, the role of continuous learning, and the differences between HR roles in the for-profit and n...

What was your entry point into the workforce? In this episode of People and Strategy, Denny’s SVP of HR and CLO Fasika Melaku discusses how the service industry tends to be that first door to employment. She reflects on her experience as an immigrant, working in the hospitality industry, and creating employee development programs at Denny's. Episode transcript Follow People and Strategy wherever y...

Increasing access to care among underserved populations can advance health equity. In this episode of People and Strategy, Boston Scientific’s vice president of HR and global chief diversity officer Camille Chang Gilmore discusses the medical technology company’s Close the Gap Health Equity Initiative, tying inclusion goals to measurable outcomes, her tips for successful leadership, and more. Epis...