The Hennessy Report

On this episode of The Hennessy Report, Dave Hennessy is joined by Robert Buckley, Chief People Architect at Enveda Biosciences, alongside colleague Jill Thompson, for a conversation on modern HR leadership, people strategy, and building high-performing cultures. Key topics include: • Principle-based leadership vs. policy-driven HR • Coaching-style management and developing stronger people leaders...

What does it look like to run HR like a business unit? On this episode, Dave is joined by colleague Omar Saldana and Mike Gutner, CPO at Toast, who has the answer. In this episode, Mike shares how Toast scaled from 2,000 to nearly 7,000 employees across multiple countries; and what that demands from a people function. He covers belonging as a retention driver, AI in HR, future-proofing leadership,...

Brian Stolz has cracked the code — literally and figuratively — on what it takes to build thriving teams in biotech. Episode 110 of The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners features Brian Stolz, Chief People Officer at Element Biosciences, joined by Keystone Partners West Coast Market Leader Charlene Hutchins. Brian shares how growing up in Tokyo shaped his global perspective, his philosophy on bu...

Brannigan Thompson, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Voya Financial, joins host Dave Hennessy to discuss Voya's strategic shift and what it means for talent strategy. Brannigan shares how his experience living and working in the Netherlands early in his career shaped his leadership approach, and how Voya is now designing its organization for the future rather than around current talent. Ke...

Dave is joined by Apnimed CHRO Ted Harding, who shares strategies for leading HR through commercialization, building highly engaged virtual teams, and maintaining culture during rapid organizational transformation on the 108th episode of The Hennessy Report podcast. Ted speaks about navigating the shift from clinical-stage biotech to commercial operations. He also shares how to preserve culture wh...

Join Dave on The Hennessy Report as he interviews Liz Vieira, VP of Human Resources at Reebok, about navigating major organizational transformation and rebuilding HR infrastructure from the ground up. In this episode, Liz shares practical insights on: - HR Transformation: How she rebuilt Reebok's entire HR infrastructure in seven months following a major ownership transition - Change Management: S...

Dave Hennessy is joined by Charu Manocha, CHRO at SmartEquine, on this episode of The Hennessy Report Podcast, by Keystone Partners. Charu shares how she built workforce agility during major organizational change. Key insights: HR rotations that develop business-savvy leaders Team performance models that actually work Managing multi-generational workforce expectations Leading talent assessment dur...

On this episode of #TheHennessyReport David Hennessy is joined by Janine Taylor, CHRO of Advocates. From learning to "listen first" as a young HR professional to leading 2,700 employees who serve 40,000 individuals with disabilities and life challenges - Janine's journey shows why supporting the supporters matters. 🔥 Key Takeaways: ✅ Early wage access over 401k focus - Creating benefits that mee...

🎙️ Marianne Monte on Authentic Leadership & Building Inclusive Cultures Dave is joined by Marianne Monte, CPO at Shawmut Design and Construction, on the 104th episode of The Hennessy Report. She shares her journey from coming out in the early 90s to leading a $2 billion construction firm. 🔥 Key Takeaways: * The "F-you fund" every HR pro needs * How bringing your whole self to work transforms lead...

From Legal Eagle to Culture Champion: The Planet Group's HR Revolution In this lively episode, Dave Hennessy chats with Marni Helfand about her fascinating journey from courtroom litigator (inspired by her dad's dinner table practice arguments!) to leading both legal and HR at Planet Group. WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER: - How Planet Group placed a staggering 80,000 people in jobs while expanding globally...

Building a Relationship-Centered Banking Culture Episode #102 of The Hennessy Report features Maria Harris, EVP & CHRO at Rockland Trust speaking with host Dave Hennessy. Maria explains how focusing on a culture "Where Each Relationship Matters" drives both customer experience and employee engagement across 2,000 employees and over 100 locations. STANDOUT STORIES: - Taking artwork off the wall for...

EVERY MANAGER INTERACTION IS A MAKE-OR-BREAK MOMENT Boston Beer's CPO reveals why those quick hallway chats and casual feedback sessions matter more than you think. Episode #101 of The Hennessy Report features Carolyn O'Boyle, CPO at The Boston Beer Company speaking with host Dave Hennessy and Keystone Partners' colleague Brenda Stanton. Carolyn shares how she's transforming manager-employee inter...

7 Years & 100 Episodes: A Milestone HR Leadership Conversation The Hennessy Report celebrates its 100th episode by bringing back its first two guests - Dave is joined by Tracy Burns (CEO of NERA) and Beth Grous (CPO at Generate Biomedicines) - for an insightful discussion on how HR has evolved and where it's heading. Key Highlights: * How HR has transformed from an administrative function to a str...

Is your organization still sitting on the AI sidelines while 80% of employees are already using it? On this episode of The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners, Dave is joined by Bucky Dodd, a pioneering voice in the AI and learning development space who's helping HR leaders navigate the AI revolution without losing sight of what matters most - people. WHY LISTEN: * Learn the "people-first" approa...

On the 98th episode of The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners, Dave is joined by Gary Ware, founder and corporate facilitator of "Breakthrough Play," author of "Playful Rebellion," and frequent Keynote speaker. His mission? To help creative professionals in sales and marketing use the power of play to be more creative, confident, and develop deeper relationships with their team and clients. Are...

Want to know how a regional bank is winning the talent war? Don't miss this conversation with Josh Varone, SVP of Centreville Bank, who's team is revolutionizing their employer brand through innovative people-first strategies. Key takeaways from our discussion: - Fostering a workplace culture that attracts top talent as an employer of choice - Developing managers into inspiring leaders - Creating...

On this episode of The Hennessy Report, Dave is joined by Erik Zotter, the VP of People, Organization, and Communications at Ellab. (Happy 75th anniversary to Ellab!) Erik shares their mission statement, "together we provide confidence in consumer safety" for the denmark-based organization that makes highly precise temperature sensing equipment for biotech, pharma, and even food/beverage manufactu...

On this episode of The Hennessy Report podcast, Dave is joined by Amanda Bailey, the VP for HR at Boston University. With 140 HR liaisons supporting over 10,000 students and staff and programs across 20+ countries, Amanda has a lot to share! She describes how BU's employee engagement begins even before onboarding. It begins at an individual's first interaction with someone within the BU community....

On this episode of The Hennessy Report, Dave is joined by Kim Hazen, CPO at Fulcrum Therapeutics. Kim speaks with Dave about her unique career path from financial services to life sciences, the way employees are treated on their way in and out of biotech, and how they are developed while there, and being a new mom while taking on the role of CHRO at the same time. Kim speaks passionately about mak...

Dave is joined by Nancy Folan, the CHRO at Amundi Asset Management US on this episode of The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners. Nancy shares her journey as a first generation Italian working for a European owned organization, initially taking the opportunity to work as a liaison at the Italian parent company to aid in sourcing talent. Having headed HR for over 20 years, Nancy shares the challen...

Dave is joined by long-time friend, going all the way back to the start of the podcast, Ann Hargraves. Ann is the SVP at TScan Therapeutics and an amazingly eloquent speaker, passionate about the work and mission of TScan that she feels so connected to. As a cancer survivor herself, Ann speaks to the impact she feels working at a company whose mission is focused on life changing therapies for pati...

Dave is joined by Jen Nash, strategist and author of "The Big Power of Tiny Connections: How Small Interactions Spark Awesome Outcomes." This episode of The Hennessy Report was recorded live at NEHRA's annual conference after Jen's appearance as the keynote speaker. Through her research for her book, she has found that "highly engaged workforces are 21% more profitable and 17% more productive" and...

On this holiday edition of The Hennessy Report, Dave is joined by Erin Lovering, the CHRO at Edelman Financial Engines. Erin discusses her start in clinical psychology, juggling strong legacy cultures after a merger, as well as their mission statement: everyone deserves to move their financial lives forward. She believes HR’s job is to get the best out of organizations and the best out of leaders,...

Dave is joined by Keystone colleague Shawna Simcik in this special edition of The Hennessy Report. Shawna and her team from ICC, the company Shawna co-founded with Susan Ruhl, recently joined the Keystone Partners community, bringing some amazing expertise and passion for leadership development. Together we will continue to support organizations and leaders at all levels through defining moments....

Dave is joined by Ajit Vakharia, President and CEO at Flare Education. Dave first met Ajit three years ago, at the start of Flare's creation, and has remained inspired by the mission ever since. Ajit shares that mission of providing high school students, often from generationally poor backgrounds, with work-based learning experiences. Flare is redefining the way internships can and should be done....