Inspired: Leadership, Culture and the Evolving Workplace: Recent Episodes
Jaime Klein
Co-hosts Jaime Klein (founder and president of Inspire HR) and Keri Schoenbrun lead curated conversation about leadership, culture and the changing world of work. They are joined by other business leaders to discuss stories, policies and decisions that define workplace culture today. We hope these stories become your stories, helping you manage talent initiatives in a way that is proactive and informed.
Host Jamie Klein sits down with talent leader and HR executive Jaison Williams to explore why AI isn't delivering the ROI many organizations expected. They discuss how leaders can move beyond the hype by redesigning work, building accountability, and turning productivity gains into real business results.
Jaime Klein sits down with Rich Ives, SVP, Business Insurance Claim, Travelers and Jessica Kearney, VP, Public Policy, Travelers Institute to discuss the often-overlooked connection between mental health, leadership, and organizational success. Together, they dig into the data and explore the concept of whole-person well-being, the role managers play in fostering supportive workplaces, and why investing in mental health is both a people strategy and a business strategy.
Host Jaime Klein sits down with Sara Birmingham, Chief People Officer at Shutterstock, to discuss what modern leadership requires in a rapidly changing workplace. Their conversation explores empathy, authenticity, navigating competing priorities, and using AI to enhance human potential, all while embracing Sara's belief that agility is the new stability.
Host Jaime Klein speaks with Renee Ross about how AI is reshaping coaching and talent development. Renee explores why the future of leadership development lies in blending AI-driven insights with human connection to create more personalized, scalable support for employees.
Host Jaime Klein sits down with Senior Talent and Strategy Executive, Elaine Mason for a candid conversation on how HR can thrive in an AI-driven, adaptive workplace. Together, they unpack how leaders can balance technology with humanity, strengthen workforce well-being, and position HR as a strategic force in shaping the future of work.
In this episode, Jaime Klein welcomes Jyoti Ra, Chief Talent Officer at NewYork-Presbyterian, to discuss the future of healthcare and talent through the lens of AI. Together, they discuiss how intentional leadership fosters cultures of care, expands opportunities for employees, and enhances patient outcomes.
Host Jaime Klein welcomes Amy Bouque, Head of HR at Kelly, to share critical skills HR leaders need today—from financial savvy and tech enablement to building psychological safety and belonging. Tune in for actionable insights on leading with empathy, embracing AI, and prioritizing well-being.
Dr. Indirampal Harad, Head of HR at Universal, joins host Jaime Klein to discuss the evolution of HR, leading with heart, digital fluency, and the culture behind one of the most exciting theme park launches to date—Epic Universe.
In this episode, host Jaime Klein sits down with Nick Benaquista, SVP of People and Capability at Mastercard, who gives us an insider perspective on leading HR transformation during periods of massive growth —from $15B to $25B and a workforce that more than doubled.
Jaime Klein sits down with Ian O’Keefe of ikona Analytics to discuiss how AI is helping HR leaders boost ROI and streamline everything from onboarding to succession planning.
Lift Our Voices, founded by Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky, advocates for workplace safety and inclusion by challenging harmful policies like non-disclosure agreements and forced arbitration. This conversation led by host Jaime Klein, introduces the LOV Where You Work Survey and Index to help companies assess and improve their practices on harassment and discrimination—learn more at Lift Our Voices.
As Goldman Sachs Value Accelerator Operating Advisor, Carmen O'Shea is optimizing talent strategies across many companies at once—and in some of the most dynamic industries. We’ll get her take on common HR trends among portfolio companies, challenges that are universal across industries, the value of the employee experience (it’s not just about the customer experience), and more.
Kerrie Peraino, Chief People Officer at Verily and former VP of People Operations at Google, joins host Jaime Klein to share her insights on human sustainability, AI risks, and leadership development.
Tanisa Williams, is the head of human resources for the Americas at The Economist. Throughout her career, Tanisa has focused on building workplaces that foster inclusion and wellness. Join Jaime and Tanisa as they discuss proven strategies to improve employee well-being and the HR leader’s role, tips for employee communications in turbulent times, AI, and more.
Hear Jaime Klein and guest speaker, Tyler Benjamin discuss trailblazing an industry, keeping the team aligned and thoughtful engagement through major market pivots. Tune in to hear what it’s like to lead at companies that are widely viewed as a bellwether's for company culture.
Shenan Reed is renowned for her human-centric leadership style. In this session of Inspired Leadership, Jaime Klein is checking in with Shenan about takeaways from her first hundred days in her role as General Motors Global Chief Media Officer.
Listen in as Erica Keswin, shares insights from her mostrecent book, "The Retention Revolution," on building company cultures that attract and retain top talent with Inspire HR CEO, Jaime Klein.
Join Ian O’Keefe, HR Venture Advisor for SemperVirens Venture Capital, Amy Lui Abel, PhD, Author and former LHH Global Talent Partner, and Rafael Perez, Inspire HR Expert, HR Business Partner, with Jaime Klein, Inspire Human Resources for a conversation on the risks of AI in Human Resources.
We don’t know what’s coming, but we know it’s going to be game-changing. That’s why we have to understand the possibilities, strategize, and build flexible plans now. Join us to hear from the experts: * Top opportunities and risks of AI that HR leaders need to be aware of * De-risking measures you can implement today * How to prepare your data to get the most from AI * Having honest communications with employees amidst uncertainty
Hear Krupa (Desai) Vankayala, VP of People and HR at Sapphire Ventures discuss aligning business strategy with HR strategy, HR trends affecting leaders at high-growth companies, life-long learning, and more.
Omar A. Brown, Senior Vice President, People & Culture Officer, Big Ten Conference joins Jaime Klein (she, her), CEO of Inspire Human Resources to share his experiences working to promote an inclusive culture in a highly visible industry: college sports. We’ll talk about managing through major culture shifts, increasing diversity at the top, and making the case for DEIB beyond dollars-and-cents.
What HR leaders need to know about shifting talent strategies in a volatile environment, building a team to thrive in the future of work, navigating a tight labor market and more.
What you’ll hear:
- Talent strategies to get the highest returns despite market volatility
- HR strategies to retain and develop leaders to get the strongest results
- Building an elastic talent resource to seize opportunities in a tight labor market
- How to create collaborative cultures and boost performance in Hybrid 2.0
Join Jaime Klein, CEO and our guest panelists: Ariel Speicher, Head of HR, Point 72, Annette Krassner, CEO, Glocap Search, and Monica Bright-Hill, Inspire HR Expert, HR Business Partner
FanDuel Chief People Officer Tricia Alcamo joins Inspire HR CEO Jaime Klein to discuss the moments that caused significant changes in trends in talent management and how her personal leadership style has adapted to meet this exciting moment in HR’s evolution.
Join our next LinkedIn Live here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspire-human-resources/
Being a great leader is complex. And the transformation in HR, sped up by the recent birth of hybrid workspaces and a focus on employee well-being, makes leading in these turbulent times even more complex. So we’re welcoming two executives from an industry that is no stranger to transformation. Meredith Kopit Levien is the Chief Executive Officer and Jacqueline Welch is the Executive Vice President + Chief Human Resources Officer at New York Times. We’ll talk about their experiences leading in journalism as the digital revolution continues to transform their industry, plus get their input on keeping employees engaged, what’s in store for people management in the near future, and more.
Catch the next episode of Inspired Leadership live on the Inspired LinkedIn page.
Sometimes we’re too focused on the idea that better bonuses equals reliable retention. But bonuses alone won’t keep an employee in their job, let alone engaged, healthy, and productive in their job. You can retain and engage your top talent by building a culture that prioritizes employee well-being across-the-board. But what does that look like?
As soon as we heard rumblings of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus on HR was heightened. HR leaders shifted into hyperdrive as they moved to the top of the list on their CEO’s speed dial. Finally, HR had earned a seat at the table for strategic business discussions. But is it permanent? We’re connecting with Tecla Palli-Sandler, EVP, Chief People Officer at Capgemini to get her thoughts on what this means for HR leaders. Featuring: Tecla Palli-Sandler, EVP, Chief People Officer at Capgemini
HR has transformed and there’s no returning to “the way we were.” Jaime Klein and Felicia Gorcyca will discuss some of the most impactful ways the industry has transformed, and what HR leaders should prioritize to keep pace in the new world of work.
Catch the next episode of Inspired Leadership live on the Inspired LinkedIn page.
We can’t rely on yesterday’s tools for today’s talent acquisition and onboarding needs - especially given the whiplash climate of talent shortage, hiring freezes, and resignations. It’s time to evaluate what works today and into the future, so you can be competitive moving forward. Join us as we welcome talent acquisition experts to discuss: * What is a talent-centric recruitment model (and what’s in it for you)? * Workforce planning with an agile approach * New techniques in onboarding
Read More at https://www.inspirehumanresources.com/live-series
This session is tailored to HR and business leaders at high-growth companies, private equity, and venture capital firms. A panel of HR experts approaches key HR trends and challenges through the lens of high-growth leadership.
Read more: https://www.inspirehumanresources.com/live_series/hr-at-high-growth-companies-continued
This session is tailored to HR and business leaders at high-growth companies, private equity, and venture capital firms. A panel of HR experts approaches key HR trends and challenges through the lens of high-growth leadership.
Read more: https://www.inspirehumanresources.com/live_series/hr-at-high-growth-companies-continued
Everyday HR challenges have an extra layer of complexity for high-growth companies. From scaling culture to always being on the lookout for mergers and acquisitions, onboarding hundreds of people at a time, change management, and more, high-growth companies have specialized needs.
Read more: https://www.inspirehumanresources.com/live_series/hr-opportunities-challenges-at-high-growth-companies
Everyday HR challenges have an extra layer of complexity for high-growth companies. From scaling culture to always being on the lookout for mergers and acquisitions, onboarding hundreds of people at a time, change management, and more, high-growth companies have specialized needs.
Read more: https://www.inspirehumanresources.com/live_series/hr-opportunities-challenges-at-high-growth-companies
Join Inspire HR for a panel featuring compensation, benefits, and financial wellness experts as we discuss designing total rewards packages that promote equity, retention, and recruitment.
Read more: https://inspirehumanresources.com/
New Strategies for Retaining + Engaging Top Talent
How do you retain employees in a job market where close to 40% of U.S. workers are looking to change jobs this year?
Join Inspire Human Resources as we tackle this question in a panel discussion with top experts who wrestle with this question every day. We’ll cover topics like:
How to create + communicate a compelling employee value proposition.
Growing retention mindsets in managers and supervisors.
Navigating the complexities of return-to-office decisions.
Read more at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/video-redesigning-future-of-work/
Retention is top of mind for every company today, and rightfully so. Close to 40% of U.S. workers are looking to change jobs in 2022, Fidelity Investments reported early this year. That’s not good news, considering the market is already flooded with job opportunities. Just last year, the number of open job postings in the U.S. rose by 33%. That means stiff competition for the best talent. More than ever, companies have to retain and engage their best people.
Read more here: https://inspirehumanresources.com/retention-employee-engagement-strategies/
Managing through talent shortages and LOAs is becoming increasingly challenging. Close to 70% of companies report that they are experiencing a talent shortage and difficulty hiring for their open roles. And this isn’t just a pandemic problem. Korn Ferry predicts that by 2030, more than 85 million jobs could go unfilled because there are not enough skilled people to fill them—adding up to $8.5 trillion in unrealized revenue globally. HR and change management experts join CEO Jaime Klein to discuss how companies can maintain productivity in this challenging environment of widespread talent shortages.
Read full show notes here: https://inspirehumanresources.com/managing-through-talent-shortages-loas/
Public companies have been put on notice several times in just the last five years—most recently when Nasdaq’s rule went into effect this summer that requires it’s companies to have at least one woman and at least one individual from an under-represented community on their boards. The message is clear: board diversity is a requirement.
We welcomed experts in private equity, board diversity, and HR leadership to discuss inclusive leadership, tactics for building robust and diverse talent pipelines, the power of diversity in leadership (beyond the regulations requiring it), and more.
Read full show notes here: https://inspirehumanresources.com/cultivating-diverse-corporate-boards-leadership-teams/
Your company’s culture is your greatest asset to weather the perfect storm created by: a prolonged pandemic, the “great resignation,” and ongoing uncertainty around return to office timelines.
Inspire welcomes HR, organizational psychology, and workplace culture leaders to explore evaluating and strengthening company cultures following 19 months (and counting) of uncertainty.
Read the full show notes here: https://inspirehumanresources.com/strengthening-company-culture-through-the-pandemic-beyond/
As return to office dates shift later—often into 2022—it has become clear that the #1 criteria for a return to office or hybrid work plan is flexibility.
But there’s so much more, too: from pay differentials based on geography, challenges hybrid work causes for diversity, equity, inclusion + belonging, how employers can manage employees who refuse to receive a covid vaccine, and more.
Read full show notes here: https://inspirehumanresources.com/hybrid-workplaces-from-compliance-to-culture/
As you’re planning for the next phase of work and creating policies for a hybrid environment, it’s critical to lead inclusively—incorporating feedback from throughout the organization, promoting mental health, recognizing the varying impact of the pandemic on diverse members of the workforce and more. It’s a lot. And this environment is new for all of us.
Some employees are eager to get back into the office, while others dread losing the flexibility that was necessary over the last 18 months. So, how can leaders approach the hybrid environment and the next phase of the workplace with an inclusive lens?
Read full show notes here: https://inspirehumanresources.com/inclusion-in-a-hybrid-environment/
With vaccinations up and mask mandates down, every business and HR leader is thinking about what their future workplace will look like: RTO (return to office), work from anywhere, or hybrid. According to McKinsey, 68% of companies do not have concrete plans in place yet and only about 28% of office-workers are back in the office today.
There is no playbook and these decisions have major implications for performance management, enhancing engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion + belonging (DEIB), company culture, retention, and recruitment.
Read full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/return-to-office-work-from-anywhere-or-hybrid-top-considerations/
As various members of the team take on responsibility for diversity, equity, inclusion + belonging (DEIB), many HR leaders are wondering about the role of the C-Suite.
Spoiler alert: DEIB starts at the top. Leaders set the tone, champion organization-wide initiatives, and ensure DEIB is a top level priority. Employees who work for an inclusive leader are 2.5x times more likely to feel a sense of belonging. And a sense of belonging leads to a 56% increase in job performance.
Read full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/inclusive-leadership-the-c-suites-role-in-deib/
Recruiting for diversity is the top priority facing talent professionals and hiring managers today. Considering 67% of job seekers say diversity is a key factor when evaluating job offers, and a sense of belonging reduces turnover risk by up to 50%, DEIB plays a major role in talent acquisition. But, a diversified workforce doesn’t just happen on its own.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/reducing-bias-in-hiring/
Unconscious bias is more complex than many leaders realize. Bias is more than a way of thinking. Biases are survival instincts—even clinically recognizable through an MRI.
What does this behavioral science mean for DEIB champions trying to build inclusive cultures in the workplace?
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/behavior-science-diversity-equity-inclusion-belonging/
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging (DEIB) has become a leading business priority in HR and business circles—and rightfully so.
Employees who feel a sense of belonging, and that their voice is heard, are more than four times more likely to feel empowered to perform at their best—resulting in as much as a 20% increase in profitability for the company. And Pew research reveals that 75% of Americans find it very important or important that a company promotes racial and ethnic diversity in the workplace.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/deib-beyond-the-training-what-to-do-next/
Engaging interim talent is a strategy employed by leading companies like Visa, Wells Fargo, and Hello Fresh to ensure business continuity, import industry-leading practices, boost retention, and to stay flexible in the ever-changing world of work.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/the-dos-donts-of-interim-talent/
The most successful and resilient companies are integrating interim talent as a secret weapon to be able to pivot, adapt, and grow to prepare for the future of work.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/maximizing-the-impact-of-interim-talent-your-secret-weapon/
In this session of Redesigning the Future of Work, we continued our conversation on Mental Health at Work, focusing on how leaders can best address mental health challenges given the diverse needs among their workforce.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/mental-health-at-work-addressing-diverse-challenges-in-the-workplace/
HR and business leaders cannot afford to ignore the mental health challenges facing their employees. Between the coronavirus pandemic creating additional burdens at home and stressing household incomes, and the emotional burden of incessant reminders of racial injustice in our society leaders and employees alike are feeling the strain. Addressing mental health at work is a major challenge for any business—particularly in this climate.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/mental-health-at-work/
Inspire DEI experts Dave Ciliberto, Sandra Garcia, and Rickey Jasper came together again with CEO Jaime Klein to continue the insightful conversation on advancing diversity, equity + inclusion throughout the employee experience that they began in our last session.
See full show notes at:
https://inspirehumanresources.com/advancing-dei-for-the-employee-experience-part-2/
CEO Jaime Klein is joined by three of Inspire’s experts in Diversity, Equity + Inclusion: Dave Ciliberto, Sandra Garcia and Rickey Jasper, to share how business leaders can promote DEI throughout the employee life cycle.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/redesigning-the-future-of-work-advancing-diversity-equity-inclusion-throughout-the-employee-experience/
Jaime Klein welcomes three of Inspire’s DEI Experts, Diane T. Ashley, Brian McComak, and Yon Na, to discuss Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the context of a global pandemic, surging momentum for racial equality, and Pride Month.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/redesigning-the-future-of-work-dei-for-a-modern-workplace/
Jaime Klein, CEO of Inspire Human Resources, leads a discussion among HR and business leaders on how to look forward, not backward in redesigning the future of work. Find more resources at https://inspirehumanresources.com/covid-19
Diversity in the workforce powers innovation—which is more important today than ever. In this episode, we discuss why diversity matters and how to recruit diverse candidates.
Jaime Klein, CEO of Inspire Human Resources, leads a discussion among HR and business leaders on how to look forward, not backward in redesigning the future of work.
Find more resources at www.InspireHumanResources.com/covid-19
This is the year to turn your performance reviews into a robust retention tool. During this episode, we’re telling you how.
See show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/performance-appraisals-retention-tools
Jaime Klein of Inspire HR and Keri Schoenbrun break down common myths about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the workforce.
See episode notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/ai-impact-workforce/
Practical tips for HR leaders: how to incorporate agile talent and position your company to excel in the future of work.
For show notes, visit https://inspirehumanresources.com/agile-talent-workplace/
Jaime Klein and Keri Schoenbrun dive into a huge topic in our latest episode of Inspired, our podcast for modern HR leaders. They’re talking about how companies can (and should) consider agile talent to keep themselves competitive in the rapidly changing world of work.
Workplace culture requires conscious effort and ongoing attention to make it stick.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/create-workplace-culture-top-talent
Whether you’re building, refining or repairing your company’s culture, don’t overlook this powerful secret weapon.
See full show notes at: https://inspirehumanresources.com/company-culture-attracting-talent/
Jaime Klein and Keri Schoenbrun discuss creating a “culture of opportunity” by moving from career ladder to career jungle gym.
See full show notes at: http://inspirehumanresources.com/career-jungle-gym-culture-opportunity
Creating an either/or debate between eLearning and Instructor-led Training oversimplifies the nature of learning. We discuss when a hybrid model is the way to go.
See full show notes at: http://inspirehumanresources.com/instructor-led-training-or-elearning/
The employee satisfaction generated by the right total rewards (TR) package is invaluable. In this episode, we discuss how to increase your TR team’s capacity by leveraging trusted partners for one-time projects, analytics, and temporary expertise.
See full show notes at: http://inspirehumanresources.com/strengthening-your-total-rewards/
Rather get a tooth pulled than deliver negative feedback to employees? In this episode, we discuss how to make feedback part of your company’s culture.
See full show notes at: http://inspirehumanresources.com/employee-feedback/
Organizations getting it right with working parents seem to have a few things in common. In this episode, find out more on how to tweak your benefits approach to attract and retain this important segment of the labor market.
See full episode notes at: http://inspirehumanresources.com/working-parents
In Episode 6, we boldly declared 2019 the year of alignment, and there is no better place to start than with goal setting. Effective 2019 goal setting will incorporate the lessons of 2018. Jaime Klein of Inspire HR and Keri Schoenbrun discuss how HR and business leaders can examine their goals through the lens of 2019’s four most important filters, all based on "alignment."
- Alignment from the top down
- Alignment with employee development
- Alignment with the diversity and inclusion reality
- Alignment with communications and culture
See full episode notes here: http://inspirehumanresources.com/goal-setting
In this episode, we discuss 2019 HR trends in the workplace: make sure to focus your HR strategy on "alignment" - here are three things to consider when looking ahead to 2019.
In this episode, we chat about the growing gig economy for highly skilled HR talent. Learn more about how companies are supporting flexible leave policies, open positions, project-based work and high growth periods with “fractional HR talent."
In this episode, we discuss the business case for workplace diversity and how to get tactical in reducing bias throughout all stages of the employee lifecycle, starting with recruiting. Unconscious bias may be a part of human nature, but with intentional and measured change, we can begin to reduce its damaging effects.
We discuss initiatives from both NY State and NY City to create more safe and inclusive cultures. Now that New York has mandated some of the strictest legislation in the U.S., we explore how to implement a mandatory anti-sexual harassment training that is interactive and impactful.
A discussion of the #MeToo movement and its impact at work—from box store to boardroom. We look at these issues from 3 perspectives: those accused of harassment, those who felt harassed, and leaders who receive reports of misconduct. In closing, we give leaders practical tips on what to do (and not do) when you get "the call" from an accuser.
The Inspired podcast series tackles today’s trends in our evolving workplace. Co-hosts, Jaime Klein and Keri Schoenbrun welcome you to sit around the table for straight-talk about how to create high-performing cultures that are inclusive and engaged.
Get to know Inspire HR at http://inspirehumanresources.com