In this episode of Leading Beyond the Org Chart, hosts Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel engage in a deep conversation with Jamy Conrad, an accomplished HR executive with extensive experience across healthcare, technology, and finance sectors. Jamy shares her unique career trajectory, emphasizing her progression from manufacturing to healthcare, then to tech, and ultimately her current role at University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) in Austin, Texas. With a focus on driving people-oriented strategies, Jamy highlights the importance of creating a supportive culture and fostering engagement within organizations.

The episode dives into critical themes such as the integration of AI in HR practices while maintaining the human touch, the significance of mental health advocacy in the workplace, and the essential role of mid-level managers in shaping organizational culture. Jamy shares practical strategies and insights on how to empower leaders to navigate challenging times and enhance their empathetic leadership skills. Her candid reflections on overcoming imposter syndrome and the necessity of active listening provide listeners with actionable takeaways to foster a positive workplace environment.

Chapters:

• (00:01) - - Welcome to Leading Beyond the Org Chart
• (00:24) - - Introduction of Guest Jamy Conrad
• (01:02) - - Jamy's Career Journey Overview
• (04:52) - - Acknowledging Healthcare Work During Pandemic
• (06:13) - - Integrating AI into HR Practices
• (10:00) - - Importance of Mental Health Advocacy
• (11:06) - - Strategies for Supporting Employee Wellness
• (13:20) - - Fostering Empathy in Leadership
• (16:13) - - Techniques for Active Listening
• (19:04) - - Gratitude Campaigns in Organizations
• (21:17) - - Empowering Mid-Level Managers
• (24:46) - - Emerging Trends in HR
• (27:09) - - Advice for Younger Self
• (30:46) - - Closing Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode of Leading Beyond the Org Chart, hosts Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel welcome Gina Hartigan, Chief People Officer at Kantata, a leading provider of solutions for professional service organizations. With her extensive experience in culture, engagement, and organizational transformation, Gina shares her insights on the importance of building a unified culture during mergers, fostering employee engagement, and supporting talent retention in a remote-first environment.

Gina discusses her personal journey of stepping away from the corporate world to raise her children and how this experience shaped her leadership style, focusing on empathy, service, and the needs of others. She highlights Kantata's impressive employee tenure of 5.1 years, which far exceeds the industry average, attributing this success to a strong culture of collaboration, transparency, and flexibility. Throughout the episode, Gina emphasizes the need for courageous communication and adaptability in the face of constant change, particularly as organizations navigate the evolving landscape of AI and remote work.

Chapters:

A tech company's first engagement survey looked strong until Mike Kohn broke it down by gender and found a wide gap between how men and women rated their experience at Kevel. Mike Kohn is Chief People Officer at Kevel, where he has spent more than three years scaling a global team across 17 to 18 countries. He talks with Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel about the infrastructure he built to close that gap, why he trades survey fatigue for a mix of quantitative and qualitative check-ins, and how he supported an employee coming out as transgender.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Leading Beyond the Org Chart

01:03 Mike's path to a people first career

02:42 The engagement survey and a gender gap in the data

07:58 Cross-group differences and function-level analysis

11:15 Survey cadence, pulse fatigue and quarterly reviews

12:39 Why belonging outweighs compensation

17:07 Supporting an employee coming out as transgender

24:13 The identity button idea and leadership storytelling

28:20 Operating across 17 countries and local traditions

33:16 Balancing rapid growth with a people first focus

37:56 Change management feedback from the survey

40:14 DEI committee, resource groups and a calendar of celebrations

43:00 Advice to his younger self

45:18 What gives Mike hope

You can follow Mike Kohn here:

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikejkohn

Learn more about Kevel:

Website - https://kevel.com

In this conversation, Jyl Feliciano, a DEI leader with over 20 years of experience, discusses the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from a compliance-focused initiative to a core aspect of organizational culture.

She emphasizes the importance of embedding DEI into operational processes, leveraging data and AI to enhance employee experiences, and the critical role of executive sponsors and employee resource groups (ERGs) in fostering a sense of belonging. Jyl also reflects on the impact of the George Floyd era on DEI efforts and shares valuable advice for future leaders in the field.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Engineering Mindset in DEI
• (03:01) - Evolution of DEI: From Compliance to Culture
• (05:54) - The Impact of the George Floyd Era on DEI
• (08:51) - Balancing Commercial Aspects with Genuine DEI Efforts
• (11:42) - Embedding DEI into Operational Processes
• (14:47) - Leveraging AI in DEI Strategies
• (18:04) - Developing Effective Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
• (20:40) - The Role of Executive Sponsors in ERGs
• (23:49) - Creating a Culture of Belonging
• (26:41) - Advice for Future Leaders

In this insightful episode of Leading Beyond the Org Chart, hosts Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel sit down with Jonathan Meyrowitz, the head of people and special operations at UP Labs. With over 15 years of experience spanning from large enterprises like CAA to venture-funded startups, Jonathan shares his journey and the lessons learned along the way. He dives deep into the importance of agility in leadership, especially when transitioning from traditional corporate environments to innovative startup cultures.

Jonathan discusses the critical need for operational insight within HR functions and emphasizes the value of having a seat at the operational table. The conversation explores how effective planning, team dynamics, and diverse thought leadership can drastically enhance organizational outcomes. Jonathan also offers his perspective on the evolving role of AI in talent acquisition and operational efficiency, sharing key tools and strategies that can empower organizations to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Chapters:

• (00:01) - - Introduction to the Podcast
• (00:35) - - Guest Introduction: Jonathan Meyrowitz
• (01:30) - - Transitioning from Enterprise to Startups
• (02:55) - - Balancing Multiple Responsibilities
• (04:30) - - Importance of Team Support
• (05:45) - - HR as an Operations Team
• (09:10) - - Promoting Diversity in Leadership
• (10:45) - - Strategies for Building Diverse Teams
• (12:40) - - Key Qualities for Effective Leaders
• (18:00) - - The Role of AI in Talent and Operations
• (22:30) - - Innovations in Candidate Sourcing
• (26:00) - - Future of AI in Operations
• (30:00) - - Challenges in Evergreen Recruiting
• (32:50) - - Closing Thoughts and Thank You

In this conversation, Rachel Kohn, VP of People Operations at Sendoso, discusses her journey in transforming the company's culture, focusing on employee engagement, trust-building through transparency, and the challenges of navigating mergers and acquisitions. She emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for underrepresented communities and rebranding HR to a People Team to foster a more inclusive environment.

Rachel also shares insights on maintaining cohesion in a remote work setting and offers valuable advice for future leaders on building a personal network.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Cultural Transformation at Sendoso
• (06:14) - Building Trust Through Transparency
• (16:16) - Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions
• (21:23) - Empathy in Cultural Integration
• (22:15) - Creating Opportunities for Underrepresented Communities
• (28:10) - Transforming HR into a People-Centric Team
• (34:47) - Building Cohesion in a Remote Workforce
• (41:26) - Advice for Building a Personal Network

• (00:00) - Introduction to Josh Salyer and His Career Journey
• (01:17) - Transitioning from Manufacturing to Family Office
• (03:39) - Innovative Approaches at Wasson Enterprises
• (08:09) - The Importance of Listening in Company Culture
• (10:05) - Work from Home: Lessons from Amazon
• (12:14) - Generational Perspectives on Work Flexibility
• (15:00) - Defining Culture and Values Early
• (18:07) - Supporting Companies at Various Stages
• (19:42) - PureCycle Technologies: A Case Study
• (22:53) - Strategies for Successful Exits
• (24:51) - Employee Engagement and Retention Challenges
• (32:30) - The Importance of Data in Employee Engagement
• (34:38) - Agility and Lean Strategies in Business
• (38:57) - Innovative Projects in Healthcare
• (41:40) - Lessons from the Past: Embracing Uncertainty

Welcome to Leading Beyond the Org Chart by Rise Results.

In this show, you'll learn real-world strategies to improve employee engagement, boost retention, and build high-performing teams — all with a clear focus on measurable business outcomes.

Your hosts are Marilyn Nagel and Kim Ellis, co-founders of Rise Results.

Marilyn brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience, having served as Chief Diversity Officer at Cisco and a pioneer in culture transformation.

Kim is a nonprofit leader turned CEO, known for forging powerhouse partnerships and helping companies build thriving, people-first cultures.

Whether you're a business leader, HR executive, or team builder, this podcast will help you turn strategic thinking into scalable impact — and lead in ways that go far beyond the org chart.

Learn more about Rise Results at www.rise-results.com.