Workforce Navigator

Global talent acquisition leader Aaron Hunerkopf joins Workforce Navigator to discuss AI, employer branding, candidate experience, and how talent acquisition teams can become strategic business partners. In this episode of Workforce Navigator , Rodrigo Alcaine sits down with Aaron Hunerkopf, Head of Global Talent Acquisition at Ingredion, to discuss how talent acquisition is evolving from transact...

Ron Hetrick, Senior Labor Economist at Lightcast and author of The Rising Storm , discusses the demographic forces reshaping the labor market. From declining birth rates and changing worker expectations to immigration's role in labor supply, Ron shares why businesses must stop viewing labor shortages as a cyclical issue and start preparing for a long-term shift in workforce availability.

In this episode of Workforce Navigator, Rodrigo Alcaine sits down with employment attorney and leadership expert Michael Cohen to discuss why empathy, accessibility, and mental health awareness are becoming essential leadership skills in modern workplaces. From breaking away from “back in my day” leadership habits to building cultures rooted in trust and psychological safety, this conversation exp...

Darlene Hunter, Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Eastridge, demonstrates how culture can become a true competitive advantage. She connects belonging, clear expectations, and development to productivity, retention, and profitability. Darlene explains why leaders must speak the language of EBITDA while practicing empathy and accountability. She closes with a challenge to define, test, a...

Eric Chin, Chief Financial Officer at Akido Labs, brings unique insight as both a CFO and former Head of HR. He explains how HR leaders can frame proposals in terms of net savings, ROI, and measurable outcomes to gain CFO support. Eric also outlines strategies for building stronger cases around training, development, and retention by linking them to financial impact. He also emphasizes the importa...

Dan Bovee, Director, Talent Acquisition & Development at Morey, breaks down how to hire, align, and grow high-performance teams. He explains the concept of “right people, right seats” and why culture drives results. Dan details a challenge-and-encourage leadership approach for promoting psychological safety. He connects culture directly to measurable business outcomes.

Allen Chilson, Director, Talent Acquisition Vendor Management, Global, at Danaher Corporation, examines why most companies struggle with accurate workforce planning. He explains how confidential business-unit roadmaps often exclude HR and procurement, forcing reactive hiring. Allen argues for integrated 3–5-year workforce blueprints that include contingent labor and procurement.

Allen Chilson, Director, Talent Acquisition Vendor Management, Global, at Danaher Corporation, examines why most companies struggle with accurate workforce planning. He explains how confidential business-unit roadmaps often exclude HR and procurement, forcing reactive hiring. Allen argues for integrated 3–5-year workforce blueprints that include contingent labor and procurement.

Michael Wong, Chief Executive Officer at Genea, recounts transforming a near-insolvent firm into a smart-building innovator. He explains why selecting the right market, recruiting high-performance teams, and elevating HR to strategy level fuel sustainable growth. Michael details culture surveys, prescriptive onboarding, and remote-first hiring as keys to scale.

Rodrigo Alcaine, Chief Executive Officer at Eastridge, shares why culture is a long-term commitment that shapes every aspect of business. He explains how intentional leadership and daily alignment of values drive high performance. Culture is not a quick fix, but a foundation for growth. Consistency and accountability from the top set the standard for the entire organization.

Jessica Zucker, Senior Vice President of Industrial and Strategic Staffing at Eastridge Workforce Solutions, reveals how culture and empowerment drive successful talent strategies. She discusses building engaged teams to reach business objectives while staying rooted in servant leadership. Jessica shares personal anecdotes that highlight fostering professional growth from recruitment to ongoing ma...

In this video, Elizabeth Stevens shares how she unexpectedly found herself in human resources. She describes her experiences across diverse industries and the importance of flexible thinking in HR. She explains how running a startup shaped her perspective on culture, operations, and people. She emphasizes that HR must adapt to business realities and foster growth.”

Nicola Smith, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Visual Concepts, shares key insights on evolving hiring strategies. She emphasizes the balance between AI-driven efficiencies and the human connection essential to recruitment success.  Nicola discusses how hybrid work models have reshaped talent acquisition, requiring adaptable approaches. Her leadership philosophy highlights continuous learni...

Jonathan Doulas, Corporate General Counsel at Pacific American Fish Company (PAFCO), delves into his unorthodox route toward overseeing HR. He shares lessons from entrepreneurial ventures and legal experiences that shaped his hands-on approach. He explains why HR should be recognized as a crucial contributor to business expansion. He also underscores the evolving executive mindset required to supp...

Jason Loomis, Chief Information Security Officer at Freshworks, reveals why culture truly eats strategy for breakfast. He delves into the vital role of a supportive, trust-based environment in cybersecurity success. Jason also details how hiring for talent and mindset outperforms checking boxes for technical skills. Leaders can inspire high-performing teams that drive better results by fostering o...

Patrick Gough, CEO and Founder at Poseidon Consulting LLC, dives into his extensive Marine Corps background and explains why formal leadership curricula are indispensable. He describes glaring shortfalls in the corporate world, where tenure often replaces real development. He argues that investing in training fosters higher retention and performance. He concludes by highlighting why leadership can...

Ilenia Herrera Lutz, Global Director of Talent Acquisition at Duck Creek Technologies, discusses the critical role of HR in scaling and transforming companies. She highlights HR’s ability to adapt strategies, nurture resilient cultures, and act as a strategic partner during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and digital transformation. Ilenia emphasizes how a strong employee experience drives i...

Michael Weinberger, Vice President of Human Resources at Challenge Dairy, discusses merging diverse teams and forging a cohesive company culture. He highlights the vital link between culture and sustainable growth, urging leadership to champion collaboration. Michael also shares strategies to address employee fears around change. He offers insights for maintaining momentum and driving results.

Rachel Bozeman, Director of Talent Acquisition at Consumer Cellular, Inc, discusses critical barriers to creating and sustaining high-performance teams. She shares insights from her experiences in big tech, manufacturing, and retail, highlighting the importance of transparent communication with hiring managers. Rachel addresses the impact of evolving candidate expectations and the value of a genui...

Christine Doane, Vice President of Global Human Resources and Head of HR at Genea, reveals why a strong command of core business fundamentals reshaped her HR vision. She explores the shift from administrative tasks to a proactive, business-aligned role. She recounts earning trust step by step and winning a seat at the strategic table. She underscores HR’s power to drive bigger organizational impac...

Mawulom Nenonene, Head of Talent Acquisition at Point, shares his expertise in building predictive models for high-performance teams. He discusses how data-driven recruitment strategies improve candidate qualification, boost team efficiency, and foster diversity.  Mawulom highlights the need for standardized yet flexible systems to streamline hiring. He also explores the ‘continuous evolution...

Susan Graye, Senior Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Vontier, shares insights into strategic talent acquisition, emphasizing the need to look beyond surface-level evaluations to build strong teams. She explores the role of collaboration, technology, and market data in shaping competitive talent strategies.  Susan highlights storytelling’s power in attracting top talent. She reveals ho...

Stephanie Cramer, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Iron Bow Technologies, explores the nuances of talent acquisition and employee engagement on the Workforce Navigator Podcast. This episode begins with defining success at the organizational level and then strategically working backward to align recruiting and talent management efforts with those goals. She highlights how starting with a “N...

Monica Anderton, CHRO of the North America Packaging and Paper Division at DS Smith, discusses HR challenges in the manufacturing sector, focusing on retention and recruitment amid labor shortages. She highlights strategies for building a resilient workforce, such as fostering a "sticky culture" and implementing inclusive leadership programs.  Monica explains that creative recruitment, includ...

Genil Washington, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Druva, shares her expertise on building sustainable talent pipelines. Drawing from her broad industry experience, she emphasizes viewing talent as long-term assets and rethinking hiring to include acquisition, engagement, and retention as key elements. Genil advocates for moving beyond traditional models by creating environments that attract, nu...