Podcast · Business

People and Strategy

People and Strategy is a podcast from the SHRM Executive Network delivering in-depth conversations with HR executives and people leaders to advance the field of human resources by providing engagement and thought leadership to senior executives. Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network at https:/

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 33 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 6 minNew

Top Takeaways from Visionaries 2026: Live from Indianapolis

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:…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S3 · E1 · 2 Oct 2026 · 29 min
Beyond the Resume: Rethinking How Leaders Assess Talent
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…
S2 · E30 · 21 Sep 2026 · 45 min
Leading With Creativity and Intuition in the Age of AI
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…
3 Sep 2026 · 38 min
Is The Future of Work Fractional?
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…
S2 · E28 · 21 Aug 2026 · 39 min
The Path from HR to the Boardroom
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 HR leaders…
7 Aug 2026 · 49 min
The ROI of AI: How HR Leaders Are Using AI as a Value-Add
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…
S2 · E26 · 24 Jul 2026 · 40 min
Benefits Under Pressure: How HR Leaders Are Rethinking Total Rewards in 2026
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…
S2 · E25 · 10 Jul 2026 · 47 min
Defining Leadership: An Intergenerational Panel of HR Leaders
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…
S2 · E24 · 12 Jun 2026 · 34 min
Before You Quit: What 20 Years at Kellogg Taught This Executive
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…
S2 · E23 · 29 May 2026 · 32 min
A Former Spy Shares HR's Critical Role in Workplace Security
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,…
S2 · E22 · 15 May 2026 · 33 min
Tailoring HR Strategy: A CPO's Role in Fashioning C-Suite Success
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,…
S2 · E21 · 1 May 2026 · 34 min
The New Reality: Legally Compliant I&D for HR
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…
S2 · E20 · 17 Apr 2026 · 27 min
Navigating Uncertainty in the Boardroom
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…
S2 · E20 · 3 Apr 2026 · 31 min
The State of HR Compensation in 2026
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…
S2 · E18 · 20 Mar 2026 · 29 min
The Connection Crisis at Work
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…
S2 · E17 · 6 Mar 2026 · 26 min
Escaping the Action Trap: A New Model for Leadership Results
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…
S2 · E17 · 23 Feb 2026 · 40 min
How HR Delivers Stakeholder Value
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…
S2 · E16 · 6 Feb 2026 · 30 min
Managing HR on Campus: Data, Culture, and Courage at the Executive Table
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.…
S2 · E15 · 23 Jan 2026 · 23 min
Moving HR Up the Value Chain: From Transactional to Inspired
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…
S2 · E14 · 9 Jan 2026 · 30 min
When Work Models Collide: Managing Workforce Fragmentation
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…
S2 · E12 · 12 Dec 2025 · 29 min
The Owner’s Mindset: How HR Leaders Drive Results and Culture
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…
5 Dec 2025 · 21 min
Inside the House: Building Agility in Government HR
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…
S2 · E10 · 24 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
From Comfort to Candor: The New Rules of the Workplace
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…
S2 · E9 · 21 Nov 2025 · 30 min
CHRO Alignment Series: Syncing with the CIO
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…
18 Nov 2025 · 34 min
CHRO Alignment Series: Boardroom Synergy, Featuring Mastercard
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…
S2 · E7 · 7 Nov 2025 · 46 min
CHRO Alignment Series: The CEO Alliance with Mercedes-Benz
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…
S2 · E6 · 31 Oct 2025 · 34 min
CHRO Alignment Series: The CFO Partnership
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 Hadley…
S2 · E5 · 24 Oct 2025 · 27 min
Resilient by Design: Turning Disruption into Opportunity
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,…
S2 · E4 · 22 Oct 2025 · 31 min
The Last All-Human Workforce: Redefining Work in the Age of AI
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. Subscribe…
S2 · E4 · 13 Oct 2025 · 42 min
Purpose Under Pressure: Leadership in the Sandwich Generation
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.…

About People and Strategy

People and Strategy is a English business podcast from SHRM. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: SHRM
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 33 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1451531083

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