Episode SummaryWhat can an engineer-turned-submarine-officer teach us about the future of HR? In this episode of Built by People, host Dave D’Angelo sits down with Cary Sparrow, Founder and CEO of WageScape, to explore a career path that defies convention—and unlocks powerful leadership lessons. From leading teams on nuclear-powered submarines to building cutting-edge HR technology, Cary brings a unique lens to workforce innovation, people leadership, and navigating change.

Cary shares pivotal moments from his journey, including a confidence-boosting lesson from his early Navy days, and a career-defining conversation that helped one of his team members pivot into a general management role. He also dives into the entrepreneurial leap from corporate HR to launching WageScape, the mindset shift required for startup leadership, and why data—not process or technology—is often the biggest bottleneck in HR transformation.

Plus, Cary offers candid advice to HR leaders on embracing AI’s accelerating impact on the world of work—and why staying passive isn’t an option.

Key Timestamps

• [00:10] – Cary’s unconventional journey from submarines to HR tech

• [02:11] – A mentor’s advice that shaped Cary’s career confidence

• [03:40] – Helping others grow: a story of transformational feedback

• [04:34] – Lessons from entrepreneurship: Why speed beats perfection

• [06:23] – What pushed Cary to leave corporate life and build WageScape

• [07:15] – Why messy data—not process—is HR’s biggest challenge

• [09:04] – Cary’s evolving leadership legacy: from systems to people

• [10:31] – Urgent advice for HR leaders on navigating AI disruption

Takeaways

• Build confidence early and trust your potential—even before you see the full picture

• Act fast and iterate: Speed is essential when launching a business

• Look beyond your current role—many career paths are broader than they seem

• Data quality is often the hidden obstacle in HR transformation

• Leadership impact is measured in people, not just performance

• Understanding AI’s implications is now a must for every HR professional

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Episode Summary
What does it take to go from entry-level HR roles to leading the function at the C-suite level—and beyond? In this episode of Built by People, host Dave D’Angelo sits down with Andrew Bartlow, a veteran HR executive with over 30 years of experience, including leadership roles at GE, Pepsi, and Wells Fargo. Now an advisor, author, and mentor, Andrew shares his journey from startup HR lead at age 22 to CHRO of a public company, and how each role shaped his approach to strategic people leadership.

Andrew offers candid insights into career-defining moments—like surviving the dot-com bust, navigating a merger during the mortgage crisis, and taking a company public. He also shares his framework for building a broad HR foundation, why discomfort is a key ingredient in career growth, and how he's now helping today’s HR leaders thrive in a post-growth-at-all-costs era.

Whether you're an HR leader planning your next move or a founder looking to build people-first teams, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom and hard-earned perspective.

Key Timestamps

• [00:52] – Andrew’s 30+ year career journey and early formative experiences

• [03:08] – Career highlights and the importance of high-caliber training vs. startup grit

• [04:23] – Navigating the Wachovia-Wells Fargo merger and surviving the 2007 crisis

• [06:49] – How Andrew prepared to become a CHRO and advice for aspiring HR leaders

• [08:14] – The legacy Andrew hopes to leave by mentoring the next generation of HR professionals

• [09:49] – Final advice: how to intentionally grow and push your learning edge

Takeaways

• Build a broad foundation to prepare for executive roles by gaining experience across key HR functions

• Stretch yourself early by working in both structured organizations and resource-constrained startups

• Learn through discomfort—growth often happens when you’re out of your comfort zone

• Lead strategically by truly understanding business needs—not just using HR buzzwords

• Support the next wave by mentoring and sharing real-world leadership lessons with others

Our Sponsor
Previ is an employer network that provides private pricing for employees. Joining the Previ network allows employees to save on necessities they already pay for, such as cell phone service and insurance. Previ saves the average employee $2,200/year. ⁠Join at no cost to the company.⁠

Episode SummaryWhat does it take to lead HR with adaptability, resilience, and impact in today’s fast-changing world of work?

In this episode of Built By People, host Dave D’Angelo welcomes Damond Fauconier, Chief Human Resources Officer at a leading credit union, for an insightful conversation on his multifaceted journey through the HR field—from training and development to navigating union negotiations and executive politics. Damond shares how an unexpected layoff early in his career became a defining moment, pushing him to embrace curiosity and adopt a broader, more strategic view of HR.

Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at how Damond handled complex organizational dynamics, built trust with leadership, and positioned HR as a business-critical function. He also shares his vision for empowering future people leaders—and why curiosity might be your most important leadership tool.

Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned HR pro, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on career resilience, navigating change, and leading with intention.

Key Timestamps

• [00:42] – Damond’s early career path and shift from training to generalist HR

• [03:50] – Career-defining moment: learning from being part of a layoff

• [04:32] – Transitioning from mission-driven nonprofits to bottom-line-focused business

• [06:19] – How curiosity became Damond’s key to adapting and thriving

• [08:14] – Managing executive conflict and navigating board-level politics

• [10:09] – The legacy Damond hopes to leave as an HR leader

• [11:13] – Parting advice to the HR community: stay curious, be a steward

Takeaways

• Embrace unexpected change as a chance to widen your scope and strengthen your skill set

• Lead with curiosity to better understand your business and anticipate future challenges

• Understand the politics of leadership and how HR can act as a bridge

• Develop your own relationships across all levels—including the board

• See yourself as a steward, not just a function—HR drives culture, clarity, and growth

• Empower others to lead, especially people managers who shape day-to-day experiences

Our Sponsor
Previ is an employer network that provides private pricing for employees. Joining the Previ network allows employees to save on necessities they already pay for, such as cell phone service and insurance. Previ saves the average employee $2,200/year. ⁠Join at no cost to the company.⁠