People and Strategy

In this episode of People + Strategy, Mo Fathelbab sits down with two HR leaders in

healthcare: Jennifer Strauel, chief people officer at Adelante Healthcare in Arizona,

and Jonathan Walker, CHRO at Equitas Health in Ohio. They share firsthand

examples of how they are using AIto analyze workforce data and standardize HR

communications while navigating economic uncertainty, workforce shortages, and

rising operational pressures.

Drawing on their experiences leading AI adoption, Strauel and Walker offer guidance

on building a culture of experimentation, establishing responsible-use guardrails,

...

What if one of the most people-first industries in the worldis also one of the best places to see how AI should, and shouldn’t, be used in HR? In this episode of People + Strategy, Mo Fathelbab sits down with two leaders running HR at top hotel companies to explore how they integrate AI without losing the personal touch guests expect. Hear examples of AI in action from Aka Ali-Kerr, director of HR for Andaz West Hollywood and Unscripted Durham and Gregory Curtis, corporate director of HR and strategy at Avion Hospitality — a portfolio which includes The Windsor Court hote...

In this special episode, we’re recapping highlights from the SHRM Executive Network’s 2026 Visionaries Summit in Indianapolis. Hear directly from industry leaders, chief people officers, and senior HR leaders about their biggest takeaways from the event, what’s top of mind for them right now, and the ideas they’re bringing back to their organizations. 

Couldn’t make it to Visionaries this year? Tune in for insights from the leaders who were there, and learn more about the SHRM Executive Network. 

For more information about the Visionaries Summit, visit: https://www.shrm.org/executive-network/networking-e...

What if the best candidate isn’t the one with the strongest resume, but the one who can actually demonstrate the skills the job requires? 

In this episode of People + Strategy, Mo Fathelbab sits down with Namrata Kamdar, co-founder and COO, and Abhishek Shah, founder and CEO of Testlify, to explore how organizations can rethink hiring around skills, evidence, and job-relevant assessments. Kamdar and Shah discuss how AI-powered assessments and structured evaluation can help organizations reduce hiring friction, improve the candidate experience, and make more consistent hiring decisions. They also explore how assessment data can extend beyond rec...

In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Natalie Nixon, CEO and founder of Figure 8 Thinking, and author of The Creativity Leap, to explore how leaders can harness creativity and intuition to drive business results. She emphasizes that amplifying human capabilities is critical in navigating an era of AI. Nixon also shares practical techniques, including question storming and doodle sprints, to help leaders make creativity an everyday leadership practice. 

Drawing on her experience advising executive leadership teams, Nixon reveals a common yet costly mistake: organizations chase innovation before developing the creative capabilities needed to...

How do top organizations solve their toughest leadership challenges when full-time resources are scarce? Some companies are relying on fractional c-suite leaders, seasoned executives who have opted to lend their expertise to companies on a contract basis rather than work full-time for one company.  

In a special recording with a live audience for SHRM’s podcast, People + Strategy, fractional HR leaders share their insights on how they approach HR from a fractional perspective and their view on what longevity looks like for the HR profession.  

Attendees will learn how fractional HR leaders are shaping the future...

What does it take for HR leaders to earn a seat in the boardroom? For executives looking to make the move, understanding how to stand out as a board-ready candidate is critical in an increasingly competitive landscape. 

In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Debra Boggs, CEO of D&S Executive Career Management, to explore the path from HR to the boardroom. Boggs shares how HR leaders can define their unique value, build a network that opens doors, increase executive visibility, and position themselves for corporate board opportunities. She also offers guidance for...

What does it take for organizations to turn AI investments into measurable business results? As companies navigate rapid technological change, HR leaders are increasingly using AI to drive efficiency, improve decision-making, and create more strategic impact across the enterprise. These findings can be used to provide HR’s value-add across the c-suite — from conversations with the CFO to the CEO. 

In a special recording with a live audience for SHRM’s podcast, People + Strategy, HR leaders from global organizations share how they are approaching AI adoption, measuring ROI, and balancing innovation with human-centered leadership.  

In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Kathryn Mayer, content specialist at SHRM, to discuss how employee benefits are evolving in 2026. Drawing on her extensive experience reporting on total rewards, Mayer explores how rising healthcare costs, economic uncertainty, and shifting workforce priorities are prompting organizations to rethink their benefits strategies. 

She discusses the shift from a talent-attraction mindset to a cost-management mindset, how employers are balancing employee needs with financial realities, and the strategies organizations are using to manage rising healthcare expenses while maintaining trust and engagement. Mayer also explores emerging trends, including the role of...

HR leaders are reexamining what effective leadership truly means in a rapidly transforming world — particularly as generational differences reshape expectations for how leadership is defined, practiced, and communicated in today’s workplace. This is going to become more important than ever, given the fact that the U.S. labor force demographics are shifting. The fastest-growing segment of the U.S. labor force is expected be workers age 75 and older. Supporting this talent pool and the five generations of the workforce will continue to be a challenge. 

In a special recording with a live audience for SHRM’s podcast...

In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Kris Bahner, senior advisor for Mars Snacking and former chief global corporate affairs officer at Kellanova, to explore the state of employee retention in 2026. Drawing on a 35-year career with two decades with Kellogg and Kellanova, Bahner shares why staying can be a powerful career strategy in an era defined by job hopping. She explains how long-term investments in relationships, trust, and institutional knowledge can accelerate growth and leadership impact. Bahner also reflects on leading through major transformations, including Kellogg’s spinoff in 2023 and the Mars acquisition of Kellanova in...

In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Shawnee Delaney, founder and CEO of Vaillance Group and a decorated former clandestine operations officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Delaney shares why HR leaders are the most underutilized intelligence asset in any organization. She explains her career journey from conducting human intelligence operations in combat zones to building insider threat programs for global corporations like Uber and Merck. Grounded in unique human intelligence expertise, Delaney explores how HR leaders can proactively manage human risk, foster security partnerships, and mitigate insider threats across the employee lifecycle.  

“The Quiet...

In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Jamie Durling, regional Chief People Officer for luxury goods organizations such as Dolce & Gabbana and Moncler. Durling challenges the idea that HR is still earning its seat at the table. Instead, he argues that the opportunity lies in how HR leaders use that seat to orchestrate strategy, operations, and financial performance — especially through the critical CFO partnership. Grounded in both personal reflection and real-world application, he shares how HR can balance creativity with discipline, use data beyond HR to drive productivity, and tailor operations for true revenue success.  

To hear more...

This special episode of the People + Strategy podcast features host Carolynn Johnson, president of SHRM CEO Action, in conversation with Annette Tyman, partner at Seyfarth Shaw and chair of the firm’s People Analytics practice group. Together, they unpack what inclusion and diversity (I&D) compliance really looks like in today’s shifting legal landscape. As scrutiny intensifies and expectations evolve, Tyman provides clarity by moving beyond theory into the real-world decisions CHROs are making every day. She offers a nuanced view of I&D as both a legal and leadership challenge — one that requires balancing compliance and communication without...

In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Dan Wolf, CEO of leadership consulting company Dewar Sloan and editor of the People + Strategy Journal’s Director’s Roundtable, a regular column in the magazine that features a conversation with corporate board directors about workplace issues. Throughout the conversation, Wolf explores what it takes to navigate today’s increasingly complex boardroom dynamics. As uncertainty around rapid social and economic changes redefine the business landscape, Wolf unpacks how effective boards balance consensus with constructive debate. What emerges is the importance of building a “consideration culture” to help organizations better align talent, strategy, and go...

In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Dawn Fay, operational president at Robert Half to unpack what the firm’s 2026 Salary Guide reveals about a cooling yet still competitive HR labor market. As wage growth moderates, Fay explores the growing tension between tighter budgets and rising expectations, where specialized skills in HR tech and analytics still command a premium. She helps to reframe the conversation beyond salary, urging HR and business leaders to rethink total rewards, flexibility, and the importance of “re-recruiting” their own teams to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving talent landscape. 

In this episode of People + Strategy, we speak about the ROI of workplace connection with ⁠Tracy Brower⁠, vice president of workplace insights at Steelcase and author of Critical Connections. Brower shares research on the rising loneliness level and its impact on employee performance, retention, and wellbeing. She explores the role that HR leaders can play in intentionally designing systems that foster meaningful relationships — from manager development and mentoring to hybrid collaboration strategies. Brower also examines the risks of overreliance on technology, including AI, and makes the case that building authentic human connection is essential for both people and organizational success.

In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Jessica Kriegel, chief strategy officer at Culture Partners and author of Surrender to Lead. Drawing on her life’s deeply personal turning points, Kriegel reflects on how learning to surrender reshaped her approach to leadership, accountability, and organizational change. Through candid stories, she challenges traditional assumptions about transparency and examines why many leaders fall into the “action trap,” mistaking activity for progress. Kriegel makes the case that modern leadership is about shifting beliefs and creating the conditions for people to choose accountability, adapt to change, and perform at their best. 

In this episode of People + Strategy, SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, talks with renowned business scholar and HR thought leader Dave Ulrich about how and why HR has reached a true inflection point. Ulrich reflects upon his decades of experience to explore how AI, workforce burnout, and rising expectations from boards are reshaping what organizations need from HR today. Their discussion dives deep into how HR leaders can move beyond employee experience alone to create measurable stakeholder value. Together, they reflect on the hard truths facing HR, and what it will take for the function to lea...

In this episode of People + Strategy, we talk with Sabrina Minor, VP and chief people officer at George Washington University. Minor shares candid stories about leading HR in a complex, 24/7 campus environment, including how she’s modernizing performance management, succession planning, and workplace flexibility across a five-generation workforce. She also explores how AI and technology can reduce workload, strengthen trust, and inform strategy. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on leadership, influence, and the courage required to drive change in environments built to evolve slowly. 

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In this episode of People + Strategy, we sit down with Drew Holler, former senior vice president of associate experience at Walmart, where he worked for 20 years in operations and supply chain. He’s now the CHRO at the homebuilder Lennar. Holler explains how a focus on process, technology, and first-principles helped Lennar centralize HR, streamline routine work, and redirect teams toward higher-value, “inspired” work. He reflects on how the homebuilder is navigating industry headwinds around affordability and labor supply, while strengthening leadership capabilities to improve retention and readying HR for an AI-enabled future.

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Among SHRM’s 7 HR Trends of 2026 is workforce fragmentation, which is reshaping how organizations structure work, leadership, and culture. In this episode of People + Strategy, Nichole Oocumma, SHRM-SCP, draws on her experience leading HR across healthcare and public-sector organizations to make sense of this reality, exploring how remote, hybrid, and in-person models force difficult tradeoffs — and often create cultural tension. The conversation also examines how generational shifts and increasingly fragmented executive teams are changing the demands on today’s CHROs, requiring clearer messaging, tighter alignment, and more intentional leadership. 

2026 HR Trends: Planning for Business Impact 

D...

In this episode of People + Strategy, John Bernatovicz, founder of Willory, explores what it means to run HR as a true business function. Bernatovicz shares his journey leading payroll and executive search to building a virtual HR consultancy shaped by personal experience and values. He challenges the view of HR as purely administrative, calling on leaders to adopt an owner’s mindset grounded in financial understanding and strategic thinking. Through real-world stories, John illustrates how HR can shape culture while driving measurable business results.  

Related Article: The CHRO of The Future 

In this episode of People + Strategy, Darnell Lee, CHRO for the Chief Administrative Officer, reveals how leading HR for the U.S. House of Representatives means mastering the art of adaptability. With shifting leadership every two years and priorities that can change overnight, Lee has built a culture grounded in agility, excellence, and trust. He shares how competency models, data-driven planning, and curiosity around AI are helping the House modernize its workforce strategy. Hear what it takes to guide organizations through constant change — balancing service, stability, and innovation in one of the most dynamic workplaces in government. 

...

In this episode of People + Strategy, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, president and CEO of SHRM sits down with Jackson O. Lynch, founder of The Talent Sherpa to discuss workplace safety. This special episode was recorded at the SHRM Executive Network Visionaries Summit, where the duo discussed the concept of bringing your authentic self to work and why comfort is not the same thing as safety. Tune in for real world examples from the workplace, including why it’s worthwhile to forgo comfort to give employees feedback.  

For more information about the Visionaries Summit, visit https://shrm.org...

This episode is part of the November CHRO alignment series, where we talk to leaders about the executive connection. Today, Paul Theisen, founder of TAG CXO and veteran fractional CIO, unpacks what makes the CHRO–CIO partnership work. Plus, stay tuned for a trivia segment on CIO business trends. Theisen shares why the CIO and the CHRO are both customers and providers to one another — and how shared goals around people, systems, and culture can transform an organization. From AI’s rise to the push for tech fluency in HR, Theisen explains how collaboration and trust turn technology into a true driver of...

This episode is part of the November CHRO alignment series, where we talk to leaders about the executive connection. Today, former Mastercard chief people officer Michael Fraccaro reveals what makes a strong relationship between a CHRO and the board. Drawing on his years leading through transformation,  Fraccaro shares how trust, openness, and regular dialogue help the board understand what’s really happening inside the organization. Plus, a trivia segment on business trends regarding the CHRO-board relationship. Fraccaro reflects on lessons from his time at Mastercard — from navigating generational shifts and AI adoption to embedding decency into leadership — and why the CHRO’s role with the boa...

This episode of People + Strategy is part of the November CHRO alignment series, where we talk to leaders about the executive connection. Today, we’re taking you back in time to the SHRM Executive Network Visionaries Summit, where Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Adam Chamberlain and CHRO Lars Minns shared a behind the scenes look into their leadership partnership. The duo dive into how they’ve aligned a complex organization behind a clear purpose, revealing how empowering teams and nurturing wellbeing can spark unity and strengthen performance. Together, they show that when leaders connect with intention and trust, even high-stakes change can...

This episode of People + Strategy is part of the November CHRO alignment series, where we talk to leaders about the executive connection. Today, SHRM’s CHRO Jim Link and CFO Jane Hadley join us in the studio to unpack what true executive alignment looks like when people and finance leaders work as one. Plus, see how well they know each other through a game segment. Through candid conversation and a few laughs, they reveal how trust, curiosity, and data fluency help bridge dollars and decisions, creating a shared vision for growth. From budget season to incentive planning, Link and Ha...

In this episode of People + Strategy, Felicia Robinson, CHRO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, reflects on how HR can steer organizations through change with clarity and heart. Robinson shares her approach to translating a company’s mission into meaningful employee experiences — from nurturing internal talent to weaving purpose into every role. She explores the balance between data-driven workforce planning and the human side of leadership, emphasizing adaptability, digital fluency, and dignity at work. Robinson invites CHROs to reimagine workforce strategy as a living expression of purpose, resilience, and shared success. 

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In this episode of People + Strategy, Claire MacIntyre, senior VP and chief people officer at Sam’s Club, explores what it means to lead through the rise of AI while keeping people at the center. She shares why today’s leaders may guide the last fully human workforce, and how HR can shape an era of “people-led, tech-powered” work. From reimagining jobs around purpose and creativity to advancing skills-based hiring, MacIntyre challenges CHROs to move beyond scarcity thinking, embrace AI as an enabler, and design workplaces where technology amplifies — not replaces — human potential. 

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In this episode of People + Strategy, Brian Dickens, CHRO of the University of Tennessee System, opens up about the realities of leading while caring for both aging parents and growing children. As part of the sandwich generation, Dickens explores how empathy, flexibility, and purpose-driven leadership can help organizations better support a rapidly expanding caregiving workforce. He offers insights on balancing self-care, family, and professional responsibility while challenging HR leaders to rethink culture and benefits to meet the needs of employees navigating life’s most complex seasons. 

SHRM Report: 2025 Care and Career Report  

Relat...

In this episode of People + Strategy, hear Brad Winn’s hard-won lessons on executive influence and the messy realities of organizational politics. Winn is a professor of leadership and strategy in the Huntsman School of Business, executive MBA director at Utah State University, and senior editor of the People + Strategy Journal. Winn draws upon his time as a member of the Utah House of Representatives to offer insight into how to navigate high-stakes negotiations in both the public and private sector. Listeners will gain tips on how senior HR leaders can go beyond great ideas to move through resistance, bui...

In this episode of People + Strategy, Thomas A. Cole, chair emeritus of the Sidley Austin law firm, reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped his 47-year career. He reveals why true meritocracy depends on character, humility, and what he calls “selfless ambition.” Cole explains how leaders can avoid the trap of building weak benches, why feedback is a gift, and how credentialism can hold organizations back. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of how to grow talent and teams that make better decisions to create inclusive workplaces. 

For more on merit and inclu...

In this episode of People + Strategy, Bob Goodwin, president of Career Club, unpacks why HR leaders must speak the language of CEOs and CFOs to secure influence in the boardroom. Drawing on research, case studies, and his work with executives, Bob reveals how financial fluency, business acumen, and data-driven storytelling can elevate HR from a “soft” function to a strategic driver of growth. Learn how CHROs can bridge the disconnect with the C-Suite to stay indispensable in an era of cost pressures and AI disruption. 

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What does it take to create a thriving, low-ego culture in a global organization with 24,000 employees? Paulo Pisano, CHRO of Booking Holdings and CPO of Booking.com, shares how he connects culture to strategy, leverages customer dashboards and engagement metrics to benchmark success, and drives alignment across international teams. Discover why resisting the influence of the HiPPO (highest paid person’s opinion) is essential for effective decision making and gain practical insights to elevate your own organizational culture. 

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In this episode of People + Strategy, Velisha Haddox shares her journey from commercial litigator to CHRO of the Cook County Government in Illinois, revealing the critical role of consistency, transparency, and executive support in driving change. Hear how Cook County’s HR team reduced attrition, modernized job architecture, and enhanced employee benefits to attract top talent. Discover actionable strategies for turning around HR departments, fostering executive alignment, and becoming an employer of choice, even in complex public sector environments.

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In this episode of People + Strategy, Stephen Childs, CHRO at Panasonic Automotive discusses the importance of embracing risk in the workplace, especially as the HR role continues to grow. Childs shares how he built influence across the C-suite and how volunteering for tough assignments throughout his career accelerated his development. Discover how Panasonic Automotive scaled from 400 to 8,000 employees, navigated major acquisitions, and cultivated a resilient culture — demonstrating business accretive as a result.

Subscribe to People + Strategy podcast to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/nq4...

In this episode of People + Strategy, labor relations expert David Rittof discusses why employees seek union representation and how organizations can respond. Discover the warning signs of union activity, common management mistakes, and the evolving attitudes of Gen Z toward unions. Rittof offers practical advice for CHROs, CEOs, and supervisors on fostering employee involvement and adapting to new workplace realities.

Subscribe to People + Strategy podcast to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/nq47pr

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Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Con...

In this episode of People and Strategy at SHRM25 in San Diego, Thanh Giddarie, director of HR for MIT Health at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discusses how organizations can leverage data to communicate the value of HR. Giddarie shares her journey from marketing to HR, the importance of annual HR reports and trending analyses, and how quantitative and qualitative metrics can demonstrate HR’s value to the C-suite. The conversation also dives into Thanh’s doctoral research on the gender gap in university presidencies. The audience will gain practical insights on leadership pathways for female leaders, how to meas...