How can you build your brand on LinkedIn while being true to who you are?

Why should you be transparent about performance expectations with new hires?

My guest on this episode is Melanie Naranjo, Chief People Officer at Ethena

During our conversation Melanie and I discuss:

• What it’s like to lead HR at an HR tech company and why Melanie recommends the experience to other HR professionals.
• How she built her personal brand on LinkedIn to over 60,000+ followers by being authentic and real.
• Melanie’s advice on how to effectively partner with your CEO to drive the business forward.
• How being transparent about high-performance expectations—and consequences for poor performance—creates a culture of clarity and trust.
• How learning in public promotes accountability and builds network and community.

Connecting with Melanie:

Connect with Melanie Naranjo on LinkedIn

Check out Melanie who is a frequent guest on Ethena’s podcast, “We’re Not Recording” hosted by CEO of Ethena, Roxanne Petraeus.

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 create a people strategy that aligns to and drives your business strategy?

What is a People P&L and why does your organization need one?

My guest on this episode is Anita Graham, EVP & CHRO for Labcorp.

During our conversation Anita and I discuss:

• Why taking initiative matters for your career and how early-career professionals can develop this skill.
• Why you should be intentional with your career choices but remain open to unexpected opportunities.
• How to build an aligned and high-performing HR leadership team.
• Why you need a 'People P&L' and the impact it can have on your business.
• Why you should think about your HR strategy in 3-5 year timeframes.

Connecting with Anita:

Connect with Anita Graham on LinkedIn

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 find your “green zone” and stay grounded during times of stress?

Why does leadership quality matter — especially during transformations?

My guest on this episode is Dianne Armstrong, President, Armstrong Performance Consulting

During our conversation Dianne and I discuss:

• Why leadership gaps matter and how overlooking poor leadership can cost organizations dearly.
• Why leadership development can be a significant driver of business transformation.
• What "green zone leadership" is and how leaders can stay grounded during times of organizational chaos.
• How chronic stress affects the brain, decision-making, and leadership behavior—and what leaders can do about it.
• The practical strategies HR leaders and executives can use to shift out of the "red zone" and into the "green zone."

Connecting with Dianne:

Connect with Dianne Armstrong on LinkedIn

Learn more about Armstrong Performance Consulting

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 does it mean to be a business leader with HR expertise?

How can you reinforce and shape a people-first culture at scale?

My guest on this episode is Tim Hourigan, recently retired Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Home Depot.

During our conversation Tim and I discuss:

• How a curiosity for the “people side” of the business changed the course of Tim’s career
• Why HR leaders should strive to be “business professionals with HR expertise,” not the other way around
• How Home Depot’s iconic value wheel guides the company’s people-first culture
• The power of storytelling to build and reinforce company culture
• Why he believes as HR evolves in the future, we should not forget the “human” in human resources

Learn more about Home Depot’s Culture:

Learn more about Home Depot’s values, inverted pyramid, and three-legged stool

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 is AI redefining the way we learn?

Why are simulations a powerful tool to close skill gaps?

My guest on this episode is John Sangimino, Associate Director, Learning Design Center of Excellence at McKinsey & Company

During our conversation John and I discuss:

• The three essential truths of learning design—and why all learning is experiential
• The behavioral science behind why people don’t always apply new skills after training
• Why behavior change is the true measure and outcome of impactful learning
• How AI is impacting cognitive skills, judgment, and career capital
• The power of simulation-based learning—from VR scenarios to structured feedback exercises—as a way to close skill gaps
• How to design useful and high-impact simulations that build key skills

Connecting with John:

Connect with John Sangimino on LinkedIn

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 HR lead transformations that stick?

Why are “soft skills” the new “power skills”?

My guest on this episode is Laura Cushing, Chief People Experience Officer, Pacific Life

During our conversation Laura and I discuss:

• Why HR leaders need to be “comfortable, being uncomfortable” and how it can accelerate your career.
• How HR can play a critical role in defining the “from/to” of organizational transformation and drive business performance.
• How HR can utilize strategic workforce planning to create value and impact.
• Why she calls influence and other so-called “soft skills” true “power skills” that will define the future of work—especially in the age of AI.

Connecting with Laura:

Connect with Laura Cushing on LinkedIn

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 will digital coaching impact the future of work?

How can HR leaders leverage digital coaching to accelerate development?

My guest on this episode is Anna Tavis, Department Chair, NYU, Human Capital Management & co-author, The Digital Coaching Revolution

During our conversation Anna and I discuss:

• How the four essential pillars of modern coaching—personalization, democratization, access, and scale have all accelerated through digital technology.
• Why coaching is evolving from an executive-only perk to an organization-wide resource powered by AI.
• Why AI coaching tools complement rather than replace managers, helping them better support their teams.
• Why organizations will start using coaching data for powerful insights that outperform traditional employee surveys.
• How L&D must shift from centralized approaches to personalized, in-the-moment learning experiences.

Connecting with Anna:

Connect with Anna Tavis on LinkedIn

Learn more about the NYC Coaching & Technology Summit 2025 (July 7 & 8)

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 focusing on health and capabilities drive productivity?

What can Ted Lasso teach us about the Future of HR?

My guest on this episode is Jason LaRue, National Managing Partner, Talent & Culture at KPMG US.

During our conversation Jason and I discuss:

• How embracing the initial learning curve—what Jason calls the "hockey stick" effect—helps leaders succeed in unfamiliar roles.
• How health and capability drives productivity and how organizations can make this a competitive advantage.
• How your "talent supply chain" creates organizational agility and growth opportunities.
• How to position wellness initiatives as business drivers rather than "nice to haves."
• Why KPMG is centering its talent strategy around skills rather than jobs to enable greater internal mobility.

Connecting with Jason:

Connect with Jason LaRue on LinkedIn

Episode Sponsor:

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

Elevate 2025 - Learn more about this once a year, 3-week virtual program focused on taking your strategic capabilities and business impact to the next level with 16 interactive sessions led by 18 HR thought 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.