What does a people-first culture actually feel like, especially inside a transformation that’s as complex as a company itself?

Heidi Rothbard, VP of People and Culture at Blue Skies, shares how intentionally designed systems keep teams connected and supported as they grow. Her approach treats structure not as bureaucracy but as the backbone of belonging - showing that growth and connection can coexist.

She brings that to life through small, lasting practices: walking new hires through the org chart with personal stories, keeping a “blue book” that makes names and connections memorable, and creating a safe-space role that gives people a place to turn without judgment. These aren’t HR programs; they’re the mechanics that make a people-first culture work in practice.

Heidi also shares the long game of recruiting - keeping doors open for great people even when timing doesn’t align, building trusted relationships that endure between projects, and recognizing when a standout contractor becomes part of the family.

As the firm’s first non-billable hire, Heidi helped Blue Skies grow beyond one region while preserving what mattered most: authenticity, creativity, and a deep bias for relationships over lone heroics.

If you’re leading a transformation or building a large program that depends on people staying connected through change, this episode offers a clear playbook: story-driven onboarding, relationship-first recruiting, and structures that make care sustainable.

🎧 Listen now to hear how small structural choices make culture something people can actually feel.

📄 Bonus: Read Heidi’s article “What Makes a Good Management Consultant” : http://bit.ly/4nw8lt9

A production of Blue Skies Consulting

Executive Producer: Justin Nolte
Hosted by Kenis Folk
Content and Episode Planning by Giraud Jackson
Audio Engineering and Editing by Brandon Friedel

Connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/blueskiesconsulting

Remember, behind every transformation, there’s a story worth telling.