Hr Works: The Podcast For Human Resources

Welcome back to our ‘Deconstructing DEIB” series. DEI is under disruption like never before. The question is, what can HR leaders do about it? What do they tell their teams? That's why the HR Works podcast has rolled out "Deconstructing DEIB," a series designed to cut through the confusion. In this series, we take a deep dive into the often-misunderstood concepts of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), going beyond the buzzwords, exploring the nuances of each element and examining how they intersect to truly impact the employee experience. In the third part of our four-part series, we're Deconstructing Inclusion. Inclusion is more than just representation. It’s about creating a workplace where everyone feels seen, valued, and heard. But how do we get there? This episode of HR Works explores what inclusion truly means in practice. Kristine Santa-Coloma Rohls, Chief People Officer and Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer at Slalom Consulting, shares her invaluable insights.

Karen Guzicki, HCI Faculty Member, shares how her passion for HR is driven by helping professionals solve impactful challenges using effective tools and strategies. In a world where employee engagement is essential, leaders must be authentic, curious, and growth-oriented.

DEI. It’s a hot topic, but it’s also a complex one—and it’s under disruption like never before. We’re seeing a lot of confusion, and frankly, some backsliding when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The question is, what can HR leaders do about it? What do they tell their teams? That’s why the HR Works podcast has rolled out “Deconstructing DEIB,” a series designed to cut through the confusion. In this series, we’ll take a deep dive into the often-misunderstood concepts of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), going beyond the buzzwords, exploring the nuances of each element and examining how they intersect to truly impact the employee experience. In the second episode of our four-part series, we deconstruct equity, which often gets misunderstood. What does it really mean in the workplace? How can HR leaders move beyond good intentions and create a truly level playing field? Jennifer Martinez, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and Partner at Hanson Bridgett joins to dis

Keisha Nakwa, Director of Talent and Culture at KeyBridge Compliance, and Randy Lytes, Assistant Director of Equity & Compliance at Michigan State University, join HR Work Break to share practical insights to tackle recruiting challenges and strengthen compliance frameworks in their organizations.

DEI is under disruption like never before. The question is, what can HR leaders do about it? What do they tell their teams? That's why the HR Works podcast is rolling out "Deconstructing DEIB," a series designed to cut through the confusion. In this series, we'll take a deep dive into the often-misunderstood concepts of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). We're going beyond the buzzwords, exploring the nuances of each element and examining how they intersect to truly impact the employee experience. Through insightful conversations with industry experts and thought leaders, we'll unpack what DEIB really means and uncover practical strategies for creating a truly inclusive workplace so HR can lead the way in building truly inclusive workplaces. In the first episode of our four-part series, we challenge traditional notions of diversity and explore how the focus on the concept can sometimes unintentionally exclude or alienate employees. Cynthia McEwen, Head of DE&I and VP of People at Progyny,

As we embark on a new year, the imperative to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace remains stronger than ever. DEI has evolved from a buzzword to an indispensable strategy for employers who prioritize the work. In this episode of HR Works podcast, Antoine Andrews, Chief Diversity & Social Impact Officer at SurveyMonkey, joins to discuss the core principles of DEI, dispel common misconceptions and explore its transformative power. We’ll also examine the critical role of curiosity and open-mindedness to drive meaningful change in the workplace.

This week’s HR Works podcast is a powerful clip from HR Daily Advisor’s webinar, “How the New Labor Secretary Will shape HR.” Our expert panelists Rachel Ullrich, partner at FordHarrison, and Nicholas Kowalczyk, Vice President, Chief Risk, Compliance, & Privacy Officer at Kelly Services, discussed critical legal and regulatory changes impacting HR leaders in 2025 including independent contractor law, unionization trends, immigration regulations, and more. This conversation is a must-listen and essential for any HR professional seeking the knowledge to navigate these challenges and ensure your organization remains compliant and successful. Listen to the full webinar here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4782498/BD00E1C823944B3C97CCCF473F2448D5?partnerref=DASiteListing

As we navigate the challenges of 2025, building a resilient workforce is crucial. This throwback episode of HR Works podcast emphasizes the enduring value and power of organizational effectiveness. Learn how to build a thriving workforce that can adapt and succeed in any environment. Simon Taylor, a globally recognized organizational leadership thought leader and Head of Organizational Effectiveness at Gap Inc., joins to discuss the importance of maintaining a dedicated workforce strategy built to withstand challenges and ultimately lead to long-term success.

Welcome back to HR Works! In this episode, we continue our conversation with Maureen O’Neill, DEI Officer at Consilio, the global leader in legal enterprise technology solutions and services. Listen in as she discusses the latest DEI trends in the workplace and what HR leaders can expect in the coming year.

In this episode of HR Works, Maureen O’Neill, DEI Officer at Consilio, the global leader in legal enterprise technology solutions and services, joins to discuss the latest DEI trends in the workplace and what HR leaders can expect in the coming year. We’ll also discuss the importance of listening to employees’ unique needs, the challenges of overemphasizing talk over action, and much more.

In this episode of A Seat at the Table, we dive deep into the world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with Veronica Calderon, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at DeVry University. Calderon shares invaluable insights on how HR leaders can leverage education and training to drive meaningful DEI change, the importance of embedding DEI into an organization’s DNA, and the power of authentic leadership. We also explore the critical role of belonging in a successful DEI strategy and much more.

This week’s episode of HR Works is a powerful clip from HRDA‘s panel session, “The Great Retention: Strategies for Building a Resilient and Engaged Workforce.” Presented as part of our HR Employee Retention & Turnover NOW, listen in to find out where organizations can start to effectively engage and retain employees, including remote employees, practical strategies for building a strong sense of community within the workplace, the role company culture plays in employee retention, and more. Listen to the full webinar here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4698472/A92333EA12FEA15DE2B84DDD80FC0010?partnerref=BHsocial Speakers: Daniela Elazari, Director of Well-Being, Columbia University’s Office of Work/Life Lisa Ryan, Chief Appreciation Strategist at Grategy KristyAnne Thompson Boyd, Employment Attorney & HR Practitio

In the final episode of this three-part series, we dive deep into the critical role of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the legal industry with Katherine “Kat” Mateo, a seasoned litigator at Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP. Kat is a champion for DEIB, and she brings a wealth of experience to the conversation. Tune in as she discusses the firm’s DEI efforts, her advice for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds who want to pursue a legal career, and more.

This episode of HR Works honors our veterans not just for their service, but for the valuable skills they bring to the civilian workforce. Eric Ryan, a Marine Corps veteran and senior director of Military Operations at the University of Phoenix, joins to explore the unique challenges and opportunities faced by veterans transitioning to new careers. Listen in as we discuss some of the biggest challenges veterans face when transitioning from the military to a civilian career, how veterans can effectively translate their military experience and skills into civilian job descriptions, how companies create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for transitioning veterans, best practices for attracting and recruiting veterans, and more.

In this episode of HR Works podcast, we explore the complex issue of employee retention and turnover. I’m excited to have Charlie Anderson, Strategic Director for Talent Management Solutions and George Boone, Director of Organizational Effectiveness and Talent Management at Mitratech. Listen in as our experts discuss strategies to address common challenges, including career planning, goal setting, employee expectations for feedback, tough conversations, and more. If you’re an HR professional looking to discover actionable insights to create a more fulfilling and rewarding workplace this episode for you.

In August, the New York Times published an article about the distrust employees have toward HR professionals, sparking conversation across LinkedIn about the differences between "boots-on-the-ground" HR leaders and HR "influencers." Sarah Deveraux, Co-Founder and Executive Coach at White Pine Leadership Collective and HCI Facilitator, joins HR Work Break to discuss this article, why there's a history of animosity toward HR, and what leaders can do to humanize their HR departments.

Tune in for part two of my conversation with Sarah Devereaux, Co-Founder and Executive Coach at White Pine Leadership Collective & HCI Facilitator! As we continue our conversation about HR burnout, we'll delve into the role culture plays on burnout, how remote work has affected work life balance, and more.

With recent setbacks and growing skepticism, many are wondering if the end of DEI as we know it is imminent. We’ve curated a powerful clip from HR Daily Advisor‘s webinar, “Is It the End of DEI as We Know It?” Listen in as our expert panelists discuss the decline in DEI efforts, their personal perspectives on the issue, the importance of curiosity in fostering meaningful dialogue, and more. Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation that explores the challenges and opportunities facing DEI in the workplace. Listen to the full webinar here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4699198/B037E143BB70131E1B8996E612E24D49 Speakers: Dr. Lisa Coleman, President, Adler University Reggie Willis, Chief Diversity Officer, Ally Financial, Inc. Rachel Bourne, Transformation Director, Cummins Antoine Andrews, Chief Diversity and Social Impact Officer, SurveyMonkey

In the latest episode of HR Works podcast, we wrap up our conversation on the transformative impact of kindness and empathy in workplace leadership with Jamie Graceffa, VP, Learning, Development & Culture at Quanterix. Jamie is also author of Kind Cards, which he created to help HR leaders and organizations develop kindness skills at work. In part three, listen in as we discuss the importance of developing workplace leadership skills, how leaders can balance the need for kindness with the demands of a competitive business environment, and more. Link to Kind cards: https://getkindcards.com/

Forbes found that 98% of HR professionals are burned out, and 97% of felt emotionally fatigued from work over the past year. In the face of these shocking statistics, what can leaders do to better support their HR teams? Sarah Devereaux, Co-Founder and Executive Coach at White Pine Leadership Collective & HCI Facilitator, joins HR Work Break to discuss the particular strain on HR professionals, signs of burnout, and how organizational culture plays a role in this issue.