The Hennessy Report

On this episode of The Hennessy Report podcast, Dave speaks with Robin DiAngelo, author of "White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism." Michael Eric Dyson wrote the forward to Robin's latest book, stating it was a "vital, necessary, and beautiful book." Robin has been a tenured professor at Westfield State University, received her PhD in Multicultural Education from U...

Dave is joined by Denise Vargas, Executive Director of El Hogar Projects – Honduras. After a long corporate career, starting in HR, Denise returned to her roots in Honduras to pursue a sense of true purpose through impactful work. Founded 41 years ago, El Hogar Projects provides education and boarding for children in the most vulnerable conditions through a curriculum of entrepreneurship and self-...

Rosemary Sheehan has been with Mass General Brigham, formerly Partners Healthcare, for 21 years. In this episode, she talks with Dave about the overwhelming onset of the COVID-19 pandemic for essential employees at each of their hospitals, and their resolution to work as one by sharing resources and communicating safety protocols. Rosemary shares HR's role in supporting employees so they can bette...

Dave was joined by the CPO of Toast, Annie Drapeau, in this episode of The Hennessy Report. Annie describes her unique career path to HR as a gravitational pull and how her very first management experience changed her understanding of the function. She describes the pivot Toast took at the onset of the pandemic and the dire predictions they had for the restaurant industry - their main client. Anni...

In the second podcast recorded live from the 2020 virtual NEHRA Annual Conference, Dave was joined by Jason O. Harris. Jason spent over 7 years in the US Air Force Reserve. In his civilian life, he transferred those skills to American Airlines as a commercial pilot and to public speaking as an inspirational speaker and consultant on the concept of "No Fail Trust." Jason discusses the expectation o...

Dave was joined live by Kelly Primus at the recently remote NEHRA Annual Conference. Kelly is the CEO & President for Leading Women, an organization focused on closing the leadership gender gap. Kelly discusses the 10 gender dynamics they have identified that create barriers for women, the impact of COVID on women in the workplace (865,000 having left their jobs in one month alone), and Leading Wo...

Dave recently spoke with Anthony Williams, the CHRO at Akamai Technologies, leading global HR strategy across 40+ offices. Anthony had previously worked at Akamai as the VP of Global Talent Acquisition and Diversity. Anthony approaches everything from a global, cultural perspective, something he shares he developed through years living and working abroad. He also discusses one of his biggest accom...

Dave is joined by Lorraine Vargas Townsend, CPO at Mendix and self-proclaimed advocate for the underdog on this episode of The Hennessy Report. Lorraine is such an honest, educated, passionate powerhouse of a speaker. She focuses on how we can better HR, moving it away from policing people, support greater inclusion, finding allies to fight the system, and how those in positions of power ought to...

Dave is joined by Toni Canada, CHRO of the AMA, to discuss their response to COVID-19 as they pursue their goal to improve the health of the nation. Toni discusses the implementation of "pulse surveys" to determine employee morale and makes predictions for the future of work and the new normal for the medical industry.

Dave was joined on Danielle Stanton's turf for this episode as CHRO at SNHU, where their bread and butter is in virtual connection. Danielle brings SNHU's expertise in remote work and learning as she shares their response to COVID-19, predictions for the future of work and workspace, and the university's goal to make education accessible and affordable. Danielle is so eloquent in her descriptions...

CHRO, past Senate candidate, and autobiographical author of "A Chance in the World," Steve Pemberton has led an inspiring life of extremes. He shares deeply personal memories and mindsets, from mentors to the future strategies of D&I. Workhuman's mission fits Steve's personal view of "HR as the people who take care of people" as the company provides the technology for moments that matter. Steve is...

As so many are disproportionately effected by the global pandemic, employees and workplaces are being forced to adopt and adapt to a new normal. Dawn's mantra - diversity is about all of us - reminds us that the actions we take influence those around us in ways we may overlook. Dawn discusses defining diversity and laying out a holistic framework for Liberty Mutual once she joined as Chief Diversi...

Dave and Graham Walters, CPO at DraftKings, hit this episode out of the park! Graham talks about his wild ride to HR, from working in compensation to brewing up a craft beer company with his friends called Castle Island from his garage to the roller-coaster of ups and downs since he started at DraftKings. We've probably all heard about DraftKings and their fantasy sports league, but many aren't fu...

Tracie may be a heavy HR hitter these days — 2019 HR Hero Award winner, co-founder of DisruptHR - Manchester, NH, and generally revered speaker — but it wasn’t always this way. Her origin story is a relatable one, working behind the scenes with no interest in rocking the boat until she had to choose to overcome a fear of public speaking in order to ensure an employee’s story was accurately represe...

Dave joined Dena Upton at Drift HQ in "the most beautiful room to record the podcast yet!" The two connected at a Build event, where Boston teens participate in a Shark Tank mock-up and of which Drift is a sponsor, taking a stance to support STEM. Dena's energy matches Drift's hyper-growth mentality. She is focused on building a living culture and constantly learning from new recruits. Work isn't...

Our guest this week is based in Melbourne, Australia. Due to the recent fires spreading across the country, we ask that you consider taking a moment to support in any way that you can. If you don't know where to begin, our guest, Siobhan, recommends the Australian Red Cross and the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (links below). Thank you. https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-...

The final episode of our four part series from the NEHRA Conference! Tim spoke to Dave the day after his keynote speech, discussing some of his most provocative outlooks and insights into the HR function. Tim had his 15 minutes of fame after a blog post he wrote on workplace hugging got picked up by the CEO of LinkedIn, Jeff Weiner. Since then, Tim's posted to his personal blog every day for eight...

The third keynote speaker in our series from the NEHRA Conference back in September, Margaret Spence is a nationally recognized, Florida-based HR leader looking to transform the C-Suite. In her own words, Margaret focuses on closing the diversity gap for women and men by working within the "tiny space between making a difference and accepting the status quo." Margaret is an eloquent speaker who is...

Dave is joined by Emma Woodthorpe, CHRO of Mercury Systems, a technology company supporting the defense and, recently, aerospace industries that has doubled in size twice in the last three years. Emma's team is proud to have integrated nine acquisitions into one company culture. Emma speaks about her leap of faith moving from the UK to the Wild West days of Silicon Valley, developing a work-life b...

The second podcast recorded live from NEHRA's annual conference stars Doreen Nichols and, as always, host Dave Hennessy. Doreen is the VP of Talent, Culture, and Organizational Development at Eversource Energy where their mission is to keep the lights on, and the gas and water flowing. She leads her team with the knowledge that having engaged employees correlates to happy customers. Doreen goes in...

Part one in a series from NEHRA's annual conference, 2019! Dave hosted NEHRA's HR Live event, where he spoke with Cynthia Ring, CPO at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and new Chair of the NEHRA Board. Cynthia talks on the importance of HR to business success, hiring for fit while mirroring the populations Harvard Pilgrim Health Care serves, and her bid to change the way HR responds to the question, "w...

Dave sits down with Susan, CHRO of Foundation Medicine, at her office space in Cambridge before they break ground on their upcoming Seaport location. Just in the last year, Foundation Medicine has grown from 900 to nearly 1,600 employees. Susan spoke about the impetus that led her to HR, her stellar track record for finding and developing talent, and the drive she and her team have to support the...

Dave recorded with Katie at Brightcove, just around the corner from our Boston office! She discusses taking risks early in your career, finding a thirst for working in global environments, refreshing Brightcove's values and her team's practice of "drinking their own champagne." Katie also helps Dave (and any curious listeners) understand what a video platforming company entails and how they utiliz...

Dave was thrilled to speak with Kim Scott, author and co-founder of Radical Candor. Kim has had a fascinating career trajectory, going from Princeton to Russia, Harvard, the federal government, and the tech. world before branching off to share her managerial insights and philosophies built from her experiences.

Celebrating Essex Partners' 20th anniversary, Dave sits down with colleagues Ralph Roberto, President of Keystone Partners and Founder of Essex, and Howard Seidel, Senior Partner and Leader of Essex. The three discuss the changing landscapes in executive coaching while sharing stories and advice they've learned over the past 20 years.