The "Best of 2025" episode features fourteen don't miss moments from HR executives and thought leaders who…

So, who can you expect to learn from on this episode?

• Monique Herena, Chief Colleague Experience Officer, American Express
• Wanda Wallace, Managing Partner, Leadership Forum & Darren Overfield, EVP, Coaching & Consulting at Kaiser Leadership Solutions
• Riina Hellström, Founder, Agile HR Community
• Dave Ulrich, Partner at The RBL Group
• Marcia Avedon, 3X CHRO, Board Director, Human Capital Expert, and Executive Coach
• Lisa Chang, EVP & Chief People Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
• Christina Norris-Watts, Head of Assessment & People Practices, Johnson & Johnson
• Anita Graham, EVP & CHRO, Labcorp
• Christy Pambianchi, CHRO, Caterpillar Inc.
• Ani Huang, Senior EVP, CHRO Association & Anthony Nyberg, Director, Center for Executive Succession at University of South Carolina
• Brandon Sammut, Chief People & AI Transformation Officer, Zapier
• Tina Gupta, SVP, Talent Management, New York Life Insurance
• Brian Miller, Chief Talent and D&I Officer, Levi Strauss & Co
• Jennifer Wilson & Brad Warga, Partners and Global Co-Heads of the Human Resources Officers Practice at Heidrick & Struggles

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

My guests on this special holiday episode are Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, Bill Baker, lead author and co-contributors to “Lives Lost and Leadership Found.”

During our conversation, Ian, Lori, Bill and I discuss the following:

• The inspiration behind the book "Lives Lost and Leadership Found" and how personal loss can serve as a foundation for personal growth.
• The neuroscience behind grief: how loss rewires your brain and why that matters for leaders.
• What research reveals about the role of intentionality in healing after loss and becoming a stronger leader.
• The power of storytelling and reflection—why writing about a special someone can be transformative

Connecting with Ian, Lori, and Bill:

Learn more or buy Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons From Special Somebodies

Connect with Ian Ziskin, Lori Heffelfinger, and Bill Baker

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

What differentiates the best HR leaders from the rest?

Why isn’t enough to “know the business, you must love the business

My guest on this episode is Marc Effron, President, Talent Strategy Group.

During our conversation, Marc and I discuss the following:

• Marc’s career journey and what led him to co-author One Page Talent Management
• The unforgettable advice that Marshall Goldsmith gave to Marc
• The one question that will help advance your career
• What differentiates the best HR leaders from the rest

Connecting with Marc:

Connect with Marc Effron on LinkedIn or at Talent Strategy Group

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can leaders redesign work to boost both engagement and well-being?

Why is “fit for purpose” more important than “best practice” when it comes to designing work?

My guest in this episode is Rachel Cooke, Founder of Lead Above Noise & Host of the Modern Mentor podcast.

During our conversation Rachel and I discuss:

• Why today’s leaders are under greater pressure than ever before, especially with expanding spans of control and higher expectations.
• How leaders can increase engagement and embed wellbeing directly into how work actually happens
• The importance of asking those closest to the work to redesign the work
• How to create custom solutions for your team by seeking “right practices” rather than following industry “best practices.”

Connecting with Rachel:

Connect with Rachel Cooke on LinkedIn

Learn more about Rachel and Lead Above Noise

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How does executive compensation shape company culture, performance and deliver shareholder value?

Why should CHROs think of executive compensation as a communication tool?

My guests in this episode are Ani Huang, President of Policy and Practice at the CHRO Association and Charlie Tharp, Senior Advisor for Research & Practice at the CHRO Association and the Center On Executive Compensation

During our conversation Ani, Charlie, and I discuss:

• Why executive compensation is a strategic communication system that signals culture, priorities, and long-term value.
• How executive compensation aligns to the business strategy and drives long-term value.
• Why effective executive compensation starts with developing deep financial and business acumen.
• What builds fairness and transparency in pay systems.
• How executive compensation can impact the broader pay philosophy.

Connecting with Ani and Charlie:

Connect with Ani Huang on LinkedIn

Connect with Charlie Tharp on LinkedIn

Learn more about CHRO Association

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can you build learning into how work gets done?

Why should organizations think of learning as a system, not as a function?

My guest in this episode are Kati Clement-Frazier, Director, School of Leadership at DaVita and Michele Graham, President of Intel and Learn at Amplity

During our conversation Kati, Michele, and I discuss:

• Why learning must be treated as an organizational capability, not a set of programs.
• How psychological safety and reflection accelerate meaningful learning and behavior change.
• Why “flow of work” learning is about team routines, relationships, and work design—not microlearning.
• Why the future of learning requires new metrics and new mindsets.
• Why compliance-driven cultures limit experimentation, agility, and capability building.

Connecting with Kati & Michele:

Connect with Kati Clement-Frazier on LinkedIn

Connect with Michele Graham on LinkedIn

Learn more about The Learning Forum’s CLO LIFT Initiative

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How can organizations balance people, profit, and purpose?

Why do the most effective HR leaders focus on both intention and impact?

My guest in this episode is Michelle Nettles, Global Chief People and Legal Officer at ManpowerGroup

During our conversation Michelle and I discuss:

• How HR leaders can balance people, profit, and purpose to drive performance and impact.
• What it means to be a values-driven leader
• Why organizations should be focusing on capabilities over credentials.
• Why human skills: curiosity, adaptability, empathy, will define the future of work.
• Why outdated work models and ideas will be challenged by the next generation of HR leaders

Connecting with Michelle:

Connect with Michelle Nettles on LinkedIn

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leader

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

How are CEO expectations for CHROs changing?

Why are more CEOs looking for CHROs with non-HR backgrounds?

My guests on this episode are Jennifer Wilson and Brad Warga, Partners and Global Co-Heads of the Human Resources Officers Practice at Heidrick & Struggles

During our conversation Jennifer, Brad and I discuss:

• Why CEOs are rethinking what great HR leadership looks like.
• Why CEOs are prioritizing candidates from strategy, finance, and other non-HR backgrounds.
• The growing expectation for CHROs to lead enterprise-wide AI strategies
• The widening gap between CHROs and their succession-ready direct reports
• Practical and actionable career advice for aspiring CHROs

Connecting with Jennifer and Brad:

Connect with Jennifer Wilson on LinkedIn

Connect with Brad Warga on LinkedIn

Read the Chief People Officer of 2030 report by Heidrick & Struggles

Episode Sponsor:

Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders

HR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.

Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.