Future of HR

The "Best of 2025" episode features fourteen don't miss moments from HR executives and thought leaders who…So, who can you expect to learn from on this episode?Monique Herena, Chief Colleague Experience Officer, American ExpressWanda Wallace, Managing Partner, Leadership Forum & Darren Overfield, EVP, Coaching & Consulting at Kaiser Leadership SolutionsRiina Hellström, Founder, Agile HR CommunityDave Ulrich, Partner at The RBL GroupMarcia Avedon, 3X CHRO, Board Director, Human Capital Expert, and Executive CoachLisa Chang, EVP & Chief People Officer, The Coca-Cola CompanyChristina Norris-Watts, Head of Assessment & People Practices, Johnson & JohnsonAnita Graham, EVP & CHRO, LabcorpChristy Pambianchi, CHRO, Caterpillar Inc.Ani Huang, Senior EVP, CHRO Association & Anthony Nyberg, Director, Center for Executive Succession at University of South CarolinaBrandon Sammut, Chief People & AI Transformation Officer, ZapierTina Gupta, SVP, Talent Management, New York Life InsuranceBrian Miller, Chief Talent and D&I Officer, Levi Strauss & CoJennifer Wilson & Brad Warga, Partners and Global Co-Heads of the Human Resources Officers Practice at Heidrick & StrugglesEpisode Sponsor:Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

My guests on this special holiday episode are Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, Bill Baker, lead author and co-contributors to “Lives Lost and Leadership Found.”During our conversation, Ian, Lori, Bill and I discuss the following: The inspiration behind the book "Lives Lost and Leadership Found" and how personal loss can serve as a foundation for personal growth.The neuroscience behind grief: how loss rewires your brain and why that matters for leaders.What research reveals about the role of intentionality in healing after loss and becoming a stronger leader.The power of storytelling and reflection—why writing about a special someone can be transformativeConnecting with Ian, Lori, and Bill: Learn more or buy Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons From Special SomebodiesConnect with Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, and Bill BakerEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

What differentiates the best HR leaders from the rest? Why isn’t enough to “know the business, you must love the businessMy guest on this episode is Marc Effron, President, Talent Strategy Group.During our conversation, Marc and I discuss the following: Marc’s career journey and what led him to co-author One Page Talent ManagementThe unforgettable advice that Marshall Goldsmith gave to MarcThe one question that will help advance your careerWhat differentiates the best HR leaders from the restConnecting with Marc: Connect with Marc Effron on LinkedIn or at Talent Strategy GroupEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can leaders redesign work to boost both engagement and well-being?Why is “fit for purpose” more important than “best practice” when it comes to designing work?My guest in this episode is Rachel Cooke, Founder of Lead Above Noise & Host of the Modern Mentor podcast. During our conversation Rachel and I discuss:Why today’s leaders are under greater pressure than ever before, especially with expanding spans of control and higher expectations.How leaders can increase engagement and embed wellbeing directly into how work actually happensThe importance of asking those closest to the work to redesign the workHow to create custom solutions for your team by seeking “right practices” rather than following industry “best practices.”Connecting with Rachel: Connect with Rachel Cooke on LinkedInLearn more about Rachel and Lead Above NoiseEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How does executive compensation shape company culture, performance and deliver shareholder value?Why should CHROs think of executive compensation as a communication tool?My guests in this episode are Ani Huang, President of Policy and Practice at the CHRO Association and Charlie Tharp, Senior Advisor for Research & Practice at the CHRO Association and the Center On Executive CompensationDuring our conversation Ani, Charlie, and I discuss:Why executive compensation is a strategic communication system that signals culture, priorities, and long-term value.How executive compensation aligns to the business strategy and drives long-term value.Why effective executive compensation starts with developing deep financial and business acumen.What builds fairness and transparency in pay systems.How executive compensation can impact the broader pay philosophy.Connecting with Ani and Charlie: Connect with Ani Huang on LinkedInConnect with Charlie Tharp on LinkedInLearn more about CHRO AssociationEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.