Sandra Loughlin is the Chief Learning Scientist at EPAM Systems and one of the leading voices on skills, talent data, and learning science. In this episode of The Edge of Work, Sandra unpacks why so many skills and AI initiatives fall short, what organizations misunderstand about learning and behavior change, and why HR is at an inflection point.

During the conversation, they explore the realities of building skills-based organizations, the role of tasks and context in workforce decisions, and how AI is reshaping talent, L&D, and strategic workforce planning. Sandra also shares why training alone rarely drives change, what real learning requires, and how organizations can make better people decisions by treating skills as a data problem rather than a buzzword.

Links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandraloughlin/

Note: This is a replay of a previous popular episode

David Burkus is a Leadership and Teamwork expert, keynote speaker, and author of Best Team Ever. During this conversation, David shares key insights from his book Best Team Ever on what makes teams thrive in today’s workplace. We explore the science behind high-performing teams, the critical role of psychological safety, and why work is increasingly about collaboration. Plus, David breaks down practical strategies for leading cross-functional teams, building social capital, and fostering a culture where everyone contributes their best.

Links

• Website: https://davidburkus.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidburkus/

Note: This is a replay of a previous popular episode

The Edge of Work has been exploring the role of the manager as well as the emphasis on manager development throughout its three seasons.

During this episode, Al breaks down the role of the people manager in today’s world of work. During this episode, Al will cover:

• Why the manager is back in the spotlight
• The challenges that managers face in today’s workplace
• How to Reimagine The Role of the Manager
• Some best practices for developing managers fit to lead in today’s workplace

Links:

• https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/stop-wasting-your-most-precious-resource-middle-managers
• Kameko Leung and Aspiring Managers: https://podcasts.apple.com/cz/podcast/the-changing-landscape-of-talent-development/id1378433981?i=1000626064591&l=cs
• HBR Article: https://hbr.org/2023/11/reimagine-your-managerial-pipeline

Note: This is a replay of a previous popular episode

Conor Grennan is the Dean of Students at NYU Stern and the Co-Founder and CEO of AI Mindset, an AI consulting firm. In this episode, Conor shares his insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace, leadership, and talent development.

With a unique perspective from both academia and the corporate world, he discusses why AI adoption is more about mindset than technical skill, the role of HR and talent leaders in AI transformation, and how leaders can navigate this shift.

Links

• Website: https://www.ai-mindset.ai/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conorgrennan/

Note: This episode is a recording of a live virtual webinar.

As 2025 comes to a close, Al Dea is joined by Kyle Forrest (Principal, Deloitte Consulting), Ana Maria Sencovici (Chief Talent Officer, Royal Caribbean Group), and Brian Elliott (CEO, Work Forward) for a special end-of-year conversation on The Edge of Work. Together, they reflect on a year defined by uncertainty, AI-driven change, and growing tension in the workplace. Moving beyond hype, they explore what leaders got wrong, what’s beginning to shift, and why the future of work depends less on efficiency and more on redesigning work, rebuilding trust, and leading with clarity and hope in an AI-enabled world.

Links

• Kyle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleforrest/
• Ana Maria’s LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asencovici/
• Brian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belliott/
• Brian’s Newsletter: https://theworkforward.substack.com/
• Kyle’s Podcast: https://action.deloitte.com/topic/184/capital-h-podcast?rcrand=1

In this solo episode, Al Dea reflects on the biggest themes he has been exploring throughout the fall as leaders continue navigating rapid workplace and technology change. He shares what he has learned from helping organizations adopt AI more effectively, the mindset shifts required to rethink how work gets done, and why thinking before doing matters when it comes to using artificial intelligence tools in our work. He also discusses lessons from moderating a panel on influence and impact and highlights the four human skills that will matter most in an AI-powered world.

Links

• Al Dea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/
• The Edge of Work Live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OdBSLzC-R4mLhVNnRK5dcw

Lucrecia Borgonovo is the Chief Talent and Organizational Effectiveness Officer at Mastercard, where she leads a global team focused on building a future-ready workforce. In this episode, Lucrecia shares how Mastercard evolved its culture through The Mastercard Way, a framework designed to connect 35,000 employees across 80 countries through shared behaviors and values. She discusses how the company embeds culture into leadership, performance, and talent systems, ensuring that principles like agility, candor, and inclusion come to life every day. Lucrecia also explores how artificial intelligence, continuous learning, and systemic thinking are shaping the future of talent and leadership at Mastercard.

Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucrecia-borgonovo-44225310/

Natalie Tincher is the General Manager of Talent, Skills and Performance Management at Delta Air Lines and has led Delta’s ambitious journey to build a companywide skills strategy from the ground up. In this episode, Natalie shares how Delta developed its “Talent Hub” to empower employees to own their growth, foster internal mobility, and create clearer career paths across the organization.

She also discusses the challenges of change management, the importance of keeping things simple when transforming HR processes, and the role of AI in shaping the future of skills-based talent management.

Links

• Natalie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-d-katz/
• Skills Strategy Discussion Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12994338/