In this bonus Q&A with Mariana, she shares:

1. Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so far
2. A trend that she is following in Talent Development right now
3. The biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development today
4. Books that have made a big impact on her life
5. One piece of career advice she has for you

Once upon a time there was a young woman who wanted to make a difference. In her home town in Brazil, they are born with the joy of life, but they have to work really hard to distinguish themselves from others. So she did. With a MBA in Marketing and Postgraduate in Behavioral Neuroscience, my her career can be defined by one sentence: what do people want? From Marketing to HR, she went through different companies, from different sectors always searching for ways to answer her curiosity about people's behaviors. She is dedicated to learn more about how she can impact people's lives by improving their work experience, and of course elevating the business performance.

Connect with Andy Storch:

Website

LinkedIn

Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank Conference

Connect with Mariana Machado:

LinkedIn

In today's episode, we have a fascinating conversation with Mariana Machado, a people and culture expert who has navigated a dynamic career path from marketing in Brazil to HR leadership at IHG.

Mariana shares her remarkable journey of moving from Brazil to France, overcoming language barriers, and adapting to a new work culture.

Together, Andy and Mariana delve into:

• The cultural differences in work ethics between Brazil, France, and other countries
• The challenges of implementing a talent agenda in an international setting
• The importance of connecting talent strategy to HR and company strategy, and the concept of "owning your career."
• Valuable insights and tips on how to thrive in an international organization despite cultural differences.

Once upon a time there was a young woman who wanted to make a difference. In her home town in Brazil, they are born with the joy of life, but they have to work really hard to distinguish themselves from others. So she did. With a MBA in Marketing and Postgraduate in Behavioral Neuroscience, my her career can be defined by one sentence: what do people want? From Marketing to HR, she went through different companies, from different sectors always searching for ways to answer her curiosity about people's behaviors. She is dedicated to learn more about how she can impact people's lives by improving their work experience, and of course elevating the business performance.

Connect with Andy Storch:

Website

LinkedIn

Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank Conference

Connect with Mariana Machado:

LinkedIn

In this bonus Q&A with Ryan, he shares:

1. His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so far
2. A trend that he is following in Talent Development right now
3. The biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development today
4. Books that have made a big impact on his life
5. One piece of career advice he has for you

Ryan began his career with Amica in 2009 as an Associate Claims Adjuster and spent his first five years in Hartford, CT. Ryan also worked as a Sr. Claims Adjuster and as a Claims Supervisor in this location. In 2015, Ryan joined the Training and Development team as a Training Supervisor before transferring to the Claims Executive Department (CED) where he spent two years working on the Claims Compliance team. In 2018, Ryan was promoted to Associate Claims Examiner in the Claims Executive Dept. Ryan is currently the Director of Talent Development in Human Resources at Amica Mutual Insurance Co.

Ryan holds several certifications including, AIC, AINS, AIM, AIC-M, API, and SHRM-CP. Outside of work, Ryan is a passionate fan and participant of CrossFit, and enjoys spending time with his wife, Crystal and dog, Bruno.

Connect with Andy Storch:

Website

LinkedIn

Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank Conference

Connect with Ryan Caldarone:

LinkedIn

In this episode, we delve deep into the intricacies of Amica's dynamic leadership development program, exploring how it's designed to cultivate a diverse and inclusive group of future leaders. Ryan shares his journey from an associate claims adjuster to spearheading talent development, emphasizing the critical balance between task-oriented leadership and the need for reflection and brainstorming.

We'll discuss:

• How Amica's training calendar is constantly evolving, especially during National Career Development Month
• The unique pathways developed for leading self, projects, and others.
• How the program's success is rooted in effective communication, community engagement, and meticulous competency mapping.
• The expanding career mentoring program and the challenges of balancing development with day-to-day responsibilities.

Join us as we unpack the elements that make Amica's leadership development program a model of internal talent cultivation and hear Ryan's insights on creating a culture of continuous learning.

Ryan began his career with Amica in 2009 as an Associate Claims Adjuster and spent his first five years in Hartford, CT. Ryan also worked as a Sr. Claims Adjuster and as a Claims Supervisor in this location. In 2015, Ryan joined the Training and Development team as a Training Supervisor before transferring to the Claims Executive Department (CED) where he spent two years working on the Claims Compliance team. In 2018, Ryan was promoted to Associate Claims Examiner in the Claims Executive Dept. Ryan is currently the Director of Talent Development in Human Resources at Amica Mutual Insurance Co.

Ryan holds several certifications including, AIC, AINS, AIM, AIC-M, API, and SHRM-CP. Outside of work, Ryan is a passionate fan and participant of CrossFit, and enjoys spending time with his wife, Crystal and dog, Bruno.

Connect with Andy Storch:

Website

LinkedIn

Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank Conference

Connect with Ryan Caldarone:

LinkedIn

In this solo episode, we'll explore:

• The essence of effective goal setting and the importance of aligning them with your personal values and purpose.
• Actionable strategies for goal attainment.
• Setting SMART goals and making detailed plans to embracing a growth mindset and harnessing the power of accountability.

Whether you're aiming to write a book, excel in your career, or embrace a healthier lifestyle, these steps will help you move forward with clarity and determination. Tune in as we unlock the secrets to transforming aspirations into reality and learn how to leverage accountability for unwavering commitment and success.

Connect with Andy Storch:

Website

LinkedIn

Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank Conference

In this very special 500th episode, your host, Andy Storch, takes you on a reflective journey through the most impactful moments and episodes in the podcast’s history. We'll revisit key discussions on Agile Project Management in L&D, retaining talent during the great resignation, digital learning, and more. Andy shares his personal insights into the joys and challenges of podcasting, the importance of continuous learning, and the integral role of AI in talent development.

Connect with Andy Storch:

Website

LinkedIn

Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank Conference

In this bonus Q&A with Dwayne, he shares:

1. His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so far
2. A trend that he is following in Talent Development right now
3. The biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development today
4. Books that have made a big impact on his life
5. One piece of career advice he has for you

With a background in learning, brand and program management, Dwayne is passionate about designing & facilitating premium experiences for classrooms, conference rooms and communities.He has had the privilege of working with some renowned brands and measure personal success more by how much he is living into my core values: connection, entrepreneurship, creativity, verve & fun.

Currently, Dwayne serves as the Head of Global Learning & Development at On, leading initiatives to help the Oniverse elevate itself, build high-performing teams, and confidently guide On's culture and business into the future. His team's portfolio includes onboarding and leadership development, among several other culture-steeped learning programs.

Previously, at Zalando, Dwayne led learning and development efforts within a startup team, supporting rapid team scaling and cross-functional collaboration. His journey includes roles at Apple, where he led a consumer training program and was a regional business trainer, and at Adidas, where Dwayne managed brand flagship projects and strategic collaboration initiatives.

Dwayne shares, "Each experience on my career journey has deepened my commitment to my core values of connection, entrepreneurship, creativity, verve, and fun — which in turn impacts my approach to leadership and development."

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dwayne enjoys:

• 5K Photo Tours: Exploring nearly 60 countries, he’s found snapping shots while jogging a great way to discover new places.
• Language Immersion: Spending 12 weeks in Spain and Argentina, and currently immersed in German ("Wunderbar").
• The Breakfast of Champions: Cold Pizza + Hot Coffee (#IYKYK).

Connect with Andy Storch:

Website

LinkedIn

Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank Conference

Connect with Dwayne Britton:

LinkedIn

Website

We're thrilled to have Dwayne Britton, the head of global learning and development at "On," an innovative athletic shoe and performance sportswear company based in Switzerland. Dwayne brings a fascinating and diverse background, from performing on cruise ships to working with renowned brands like Apple and Adidas.

In this episode, Dwayne shares:

• The unique culture and learning philosophy at "on," which emphasizes autonomy, entrepreneurship, agency, and inclusion.
• The company's flagship learning program, Spark, and their "school of leaders" initiative, designed to foster communication, trust, and psychological safety in leaders at all levels.
• His career journey, his passion for DEI, leadership development, and the importance of creating a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace.
• The challenge of maintaining a cohesive culture while scaling and the philosophy of employees owning their career development.

With a background in learning, brand and program management, Dwayne is passionate about designing & facilitating premium experiences for classrooms, conference rooms and communities.He has had the privilege of working with some renowned brands and measure personal success more by how much he is living into my core values: connection, entrepreneurship, creativity, verve & fun.

Currently, Dwayne serves as the Head of Global Learning & Development at On, leading initiatives to help the Oniverse elevate itself, build high-performing teams, and confidently guide On's culture and business into the future. His team's portfolio includes onboarding and leadership development, among several other culture-steeped learning programs.

Previously, at Zalando, Dwayne led learning and development efforts within a startup team, supporting rapid team scaling and cross-functional collaboration. His journey includes roles at Apple, where he led a consumer training program and was a regional business trainer, and at Adidas, where Dwayne managed brand flagship projects and strategic collaboration initiatives.

Dwayne shares, "Each experience on my career journey has deepened my commitment to my core values of connection, entrepreneurship, creativity, verve, and fun — which in turn impacts my approach to leadership and development."

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dwayne enjoys:

• 5K Photo Tours: Exploring nearly 60 countries, he’s found snapping shots while jogging a great way to discover new places.
• Language Immersion: Spending 12 weeks in Spain and Argentina, and currently immersed in German ("Wunderbar").
• The Breakfast of Champions: Cold Pizza + Hot Coffee (#IYKYK).

Connect with Andy Storch:

Website

LinkedIn

Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!

Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank Conference

Connect with Dwayne Britton:

LinkedIn

Website