Success Leaves Clues with Robin Bailey and Al McDonald

Culture isn’t something you hand down—it’s something you build together. In this episode, Robin and Al sit down with  Jess Johannson , Chief Human Resources Officer at Canada Goose, for an insightful conversation on shaping company culture in today’s evolving workplace. Jess shares why authenticity, employee voice, and shared ownership are critical to building a strong organiza...

What makes a startup thrive through rapid growth? According to this week’s guest, it starts with communication, culture, and courageous leadership. Join us on Success Leaves Clues as Robin and Al sit down with  Jenny do Forno , Chief People Officer at TouchBistro , for a powerful conversation on leading people-first organizations, especially during high-growth phases. Jenny shares lesson...

What happens when personal adversity meets professional leadership? On this episode of the Success Leaves Clues podcast, hosts Robin and Al sit down with  Jeff Waldman , founder of  ScaleHR , to explore how personal stories and community shape success in the HR world. Jeff opens up about how his hearing loss became a professional superpower, offering a powerful lens through whi...

On this episode of the  Success Leaves Clues  podcast, hosts Robin and Al sit down with  seasoned entrepreneur Clive Kinross , CEO and co-founder of Propel Holdings , for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and legacy. Clive shares his journey from immigrant entrepreneur to tech leader, emphasizing the challenges faced along the way and the power of perseveranc...

How do you build strong teams while navigating rapid growth and the rise of AI? In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin and Al sit down with  Nora Beatty , VP of People Operations at Cohere , one of Canada’s leading AI companies. Nora shares her inspiring career journey—from her early passion for PeopleOps (inspired by her mom) to leadership roles at Oracle, FreshBooks, and now at...

Success isn’t just about reaching the top—it’s about how you get there. In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin and Al sit down with  Jenn Gebel , Director of Operations at Patlon Aircraft, to explore her remarkable career in the aerospace industry, the lessons learned along the way, and her commitment to fostering a more inclusive future. Jenn shares her experience...

Coaching is no longer just a perk—it’s becoming a must-have for high-performing individuals and forward-thinking organizations. In this episode of  Success Leaves Clues , Robin and Al sit down with  Makenzie Chilton , Director of Coaching at Arcora , to explore the evolving role of coaching in today’s workplace. Makenzie shares how her personal journey led her into the world of coaching...

On this episode of the  Success Leaves Clues  podcast, hosts Robin and Al reconnect with Subhi Alsayed , Founder/CEO of Kulture Rebellion , to talk about his courageous pivot—from launching a gut health beverage brand to licensing his cutting-edge fermentation technology to other producers. Subhi shares hard-won lessons on market fit, focusing on core strengths, and embracing AI to simpl...

On this episode of the  Success Leaves Clues  podcast, Robin and Al sit down with Amanda Mitchell , a seasoned people and culture leader at Clearco, to explore what it means to build strong teams across borders, create meaningful roles, and lead with intention in high-growth environments. Amanda shares her non-traditional path from theology to HR, her experience in the gig economy, and h...

As the world of work continues to evolve, so does the role of leadership and company culture—especially in tech. On this episode of the  Success Leaves Clues  podcast, host Robin and co-host Al sit down with Sara Cooper , Chief People Officer at Jobber , to discuss how the company has navigated growth, hybrid work, and the future of HR. Sara shares valuable insights into Jobber’s transit...

The journey through infertility can be overwhelming—both emotionally and financially. But what if there was a better way to navigate it? In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin and Al sit down with  Jessica Chalk , Founder of MyStoria , to discuss her personal fertility journey and how it inspired her to create a comprehensive care platform for fertility patients. Jessica sha...

Organizational culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation for how decisions are made, teams collaborate, and companies grow. In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, hosts Robin and Al sit down with  Hilton Barbour , a culture and change consultant, to uncover how leaders can build a workplace culture that drives success. Hilton shares insights on aligning culture with strate...

HR is evolving, and so are the ways businesses approach workplace culture, communication, and employee engagement. On this episode of the  Success Leaves Clues  podcast, hosts Robin and Al sit down with Aamna Coskun , founder and CEO of Pocket HR , to discuss the changing landscape of human resources—especially for startups. Aamna shares her journey of launching Pocket HR and the role of...

As AI reshapes the workplace, the role of HR is evolving faster than ever. On this episode of the  Success Leaves Clues podcast, Robin and Al sit down with Roald Harvey , Senior Director of People at Athenian, to explore the shift from traditional human resources to cognitive resources. Roald shares his insights on how AI is transforming HR functions, its impact on job security, and why embra...

Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about confidence, vulnerability, and the willingness to embrace failure as a stepping stone to growth. In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin and Al sit down with  Laurie Fainer , founder and CEO of Dynamic Alchemy Advisors, for a powerful conversation on leadership and personal growth. Laurie shares why true leaders prioritize ...

Building a successful startup takes more than just a great idea—it requires resilience, the right team, and a strong network of mentors and supporters. In this episode, Robin and Al sit down with Neil Grunberg , a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist, to explore the highs and lows of startup growth and investment. Neil shares insights from his journey, from taking bold career risks to shap...

What separates good leaders from truly great ones? The answer often lies in psychological safety—the foundation of high-performing, innovative teams. In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, hosts Robin and Al sit down with  Fahd Alhattab , keynote speaker and founder of  Unicorn Labs , to explore how leaders can cultivate environments where people feel safe to s...

Success in the tech startup world is rarely an overnight phenomenon. On this episode of the  Success Leaves Clues podcast, Robin and Al sit down with James Wu , CEO of InnerSpace , to uncover the realities of building a thriving business. James shares his journey of growth, the pivotal lessons learned through entrepreneurship, and the role of Canadian values in shaping his company’s culture....

What happens when family wealth meets family dynamics?  Estate planning isn’t just about assets—it’s about navigating relationships, responsibilities, and the unexpected challenges that come with managing a legacy. In this episode, hosts Robin and Al welcome Andrea Love , President and CEO at Legacy Private Trust . The conversation delves into the complexities of estate planning, the role of...

In this episode of  Success Leaves Clues , hosts Robin and Al sit down with Manu Varma , Head of People and Culture at SWTCH Energy , for an inspiring conversation about leveraging business as a force for good. Manu delves into his personal journey, sharing how his upbringing and values shaped his leadership approach. The discussion explores the profound impact of community engagement, the cr...

For this conversation, hosts Robin and Al welcome Caitlin MacGregor , CEO and co-founder of Plum . Caitlin shares her journey of creating Plum, a talent management platform that helps businesses make smarter workforce decisions while helping people build careers that match their unique strengths. Plum democratizes access to predictive data for hiring and employee development. The conversation expl...

In this episode of the  Success Leaves Clues  podcast, hosts Robin and Al sit down with Melanie Scheepers , SVP of People and Culture at Coconut Software, to explore the dynamic world of HR and leadership. Melanie takes us through her inspiring career journey from psychology to HR, shedding light on the evolving role of HR in driving a people-centric workplace culture. The conversation d...

Tune in as hosts Robin and Al sit down with Allison Sandmeyer-Graves , the trailblazing CEO of Canadian Women & Sport . Alison takes us on a compelling journey through her path to sports leadership, sharing candid insights into the triumphs and challenges of advancing gender equity in a traditionally male-dominated field. From breaking down systemic barriers to fostering inclusive environments...

Cybersecurity isn’t just a concern for big corporations—it’s a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. On this episode of the  Success Leaves Clues  podcast, Robin Bailey and Alan McDonald sit down with David Chernitzky , CEO and co-founder of Armour Cybersecurity , to uncover the hidden vulnerabilities many small and medium-sized businesses face. From the rise of ransomware to misconc...

We kick off our fifth season of  Success Leaves Clues  with an inspiring conversation as hosts Robin Bailey and Al McDonald welcome Jocelyne Beaulieu, Head of People and Operations at Koru, who describes herself as " a curious senior leader who is enthusiastic about all things People, Culture, & DEI." Jocelyne shares her unique career journey, diving into the power of curiosity and t...