The Great Retention: With Kamber Parker

How do leaders motivate teams and navigate change when technology is transforming the workplace faster than ever? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Mike Simonds, President and CEO at TriNet, to talk about hiring, AI, leadership, and the leaders navigating it all. Mike shares why understanding what motivates people, practicing humility, and staying closely connected to y...

What happens when conversations about pay move out of closed doors and into the public square? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Hannah Williams, co-creator and host of Salary Transparent Street, to talk about the growing movement around pay transparency and why it resonates so strongly with younger generations entering the workforce today. Hannah shares how her platfor...

How do you lead people you don't understand? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Jeremie Kubicek—Author, Speaker, and Co-Founder of GiANT Worldwide—to explore the leadership principles behind his Five Voices Assessment and why it was designed to help leaders become what he calls “people whisperers.” Jeremie shares how many leaders unknowingly operate from fear and scarcit...

Leadership should feel freeing—not constraining. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber talks with Wendy Adams, Owner, Speaker, and Strategic Leadership Coach at Cultivate for Good, about what it means to become a “liberating leader” by freeing your team up to do their best work. Wendy shares the essential qualities of intentional leadership—humility, curiosity, and investing in people—whi...

The future of work isn’t a distant concept—it’s happening right now. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber talks with Sophie Wade, Founder of Flexcel Network, about the shifts leaders need to embrace as technology, talent, and culture evolve together. Sophie explains why flexibility is the *true* path forward, whether hybrid, remote, or reimagined altogether. She also challenges leaders t...

How does tourism impact a city's professional talent? In too many ways to count. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Heath Dillard, President and CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC, to explore how tourism and talent intersect in one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southeast. Heath shares why appealing across generations—from Boomers to Gen Z—requires more than infrastructure;...

What does it take to lead in a moment of massive change for communities and businesses alike? Chambers of commerce sit at that intersection. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber is joined by Sheree Anne Kelly, President and CEO of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, to talk about how today’s leaders can navigate the challenges reshaping local economies. Sheree Anne highlig...

What if we told you that there's a workforce issue with a $600 billion—with a B—impact on our economy? Spoiler alert: there is. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber talks with Jesse Matton, Director of Corporate Social Impact Policies at the National Partnership for Women & Families, about why the care economy may be the most important workplace issue leaders can’t afford to ignore. Jess...

This week’s episode flips the script—our own team is in the hot seat. In this special Q&A edition of The Great Retention, Kamber is joined by GPS’s own Director of Operations, Jade Fountain, to answer the real questions we’ve received from business leaders and team members in 2025. Together, they tackle why hybrid work remains the top choice across generations and why return-to-office mandates are...

Want to build inclusion in your organization that truly lasts? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber is joined by Ken Peterson, Vice President of People Development and Inclusion at ScanSource, to talk about what drives belonging at work. Ken explains why policies, engagement, and even the right content creation are essential for creating inclusive environments. He shares how HR leaders c...

Higher education is evolving—and the next generation is driving the change. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Dr. Larry Miller, President of Greenville Technical College, to unpack how Gen Z is reshaping both the classroom and the workplace. Dr. Miller highlights the strengths younger generations bring to the table, from social media fluency to a mission-focused, values...

The work we do today has the power to shape the world around us—and Greg Hart believes that matters more than ever. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber talks with Greg, President at PSMJ Resources, about the urgent challenges and opportunities facing AEC organizations right now. Greg shares why hiring aggressively at the entry level and investing in apprenticeships is critical for build...

Banking is changing fast—and generational dynamics are at the heart of that shift. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Stacy Brandon, President, Bank of America Upstate South Carolina, to explore how customer expectations and leadership styles are evolving across generations. Stacy discusses balancing the in-person service that Boomers prefer with the digital-first experi...

What do today’s professionals *really* want from work? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Kyle Hagge and Kaila Lopez, co-hosts of Morning Brew’s Per My Last Email, to explore how loyalty, communication, and culture are shifting in real time. They share why younger workers are still committed, but no longer blindly loyal, and why leaders shouldn’t overcomplicate generatio...

This week on The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Marcus Hamaker, CEO of [bu:st], to uncover the keys to building an empowered team in today’s multigenerational workforce. Marcus shares how shifting from merely leading a team to deeply *knowing* your team can transform the way your business thrives. We discuss practical strategies for creating a foundational system that drives talent retenti...

In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Traci Newkirk, President + CEO at Intellectual Capitol and Human Potential Advisors, to dive into how emotional intelligence and self-awareness are reshaping the workforce. As young professionals emerge fully into the workplace, they bring a unique understanding of their strengths and the tools to assess them, thanks to resources like G...

Ready to transform your team culture and set the stage for future success? In this episode of The Great Retention, we chat with Ray Cox, Senior Vice President of Marketing at HIighfill Infrastructure Engineering, who reveals the secrets to building teams where authenticity and well-being are at the forefront. Ray shares strategies that will challenge you to rethink how to communicate growth paths...

How can workplaces become spaces of true belonging? In this episode of The Great Retention, we talk with Dr. Jessica Sharp, Founder of Sharp Brain Consulting, to uncover how neurobiology can guide leaders in building inclusive, equitable cultures where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Dr. Sharp shares why belonging isn’t just a benefit—it’s essential for a resilient, high-performing team. W...

In the latest episode of The Great Retention, we dive into the world of the Savannah Bananas with Emily Cole, Director of Fun and co-owner of the "greatest show in sports!" Emily shares how their fan-first philosophy has created a passionate fan base while transforming how they recruit, lead, and cultivate an upbeat, creative internal culture. From the field to the C-suite, discover the bold strat...

In this episode of The Great Retention, Carl Sobocinski, President of Table 301 Hospitality, shares his powerful approach to leadership in the hospitality industry. Discover how treating your team as your biggest asset and building genuine career paths for them can transform attraction and retention. Carl’s wisdom on meeting team members where they are and ensuring that the customer experience sta...

In this must-listen episode of The Great Retention, Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, newly appointed Dean of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, reveals the game-changing shifts shaping medicine today. From telemedicine’s impact on millions of patients to Pathway Programs that attract and retain tomorrow’s doctors, Dr. Jenkins shares bold strategies for ensuring the next gene...

As election season approaches, the pressure is on—both in the polls and in the workplace. In this timely episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Katy Smith, Executive Director at Greater Good Greenville, to discuss how civic engagement can enhance company culture, even during periods of heightened rhetoric. With just weeks until the election, Katy shares actionable ways employers can...

Join us as we sit down with Population Health Management Leader and Well-Being Strategist, Sam Reid of Cobbs Allen. Sam shares her expertise on how employers can revamp their benefits packages and well-being initiatives to meet the evolving needs of today's employees. In this episode, we deep-dive into: - 3 easy-to-implement strategies for improving your company's benefits and well-being offerings...

This episode tackles the crucial topic of mental health in the modern workplace. We're joined by Tiffney Davidson-Parker, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), for a conversation about: * The impact of mental health on employees and the workplace * Strategies for organizations to support employee mental well-being * Combating the stigma surrounding mental health day...

In this week's episode, we dive into the world of entrepreneurship and talent acquisition with the insightful Sallie Holder, CEO and Founder of The BRIMM. Sallie shares her expertise on the rising entrepreneurial spirit of Gen Z, the importance of using sales strategies to attract young talent, and how companies can foster innovation and growth. Our conversation covers: - The Rise of Gen Z Entrepr...