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.

What does it mean to be a "Next-Gen Disruptor" in HR?

Find out in this special episode of "Future of HR" podcast where I'm introducing our new series called "Next-Gen Disruptors!”

This series focuses on next-gen HR leaders who are making a difference in their organizations with their innovative approaches to talent and their impressive results.

Today, we are fortunate to have three next-gen HR leaders sharing the great work they are doing in talent acquisition and learning & development. Here's what you'll learn in this episode:

• "How Agile Transformed Talent Acquisition at Pacific Life" - with Jennifer Van Iersel, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, Pacific Life

• "How Keeping L&D Simple, Fun, and Relevant Drives Frontline Engagement" - with Joshua Remerowski, VP Learning & Development, SRS Distribution

• "How Providence Recruited 5K+ Boomerang Hires in Two Years" - with Peter Price, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition Brand and Marketing at Providence Health System

Connecting with Jennifer, Joshua, or Peter:

Connect with Peter Price on LinkedIn

Connect with Joshua Remerowski on LinkedIn

Connect with Jennifer Van Iersel 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.

How can you create a more employee centric culture?

Why do companies that invest in employee experience consistently outperform their competitors?

My guest on this episode is Stephan Meier, Professor at Columbia Business School & author of 'The Employee Advantage: How Putting Workers First Help Business Thrive'.

During our conversation Stephan and I discuss:

• Why employees care about more than just money when it comes to their jobs—the same way customers care about more than just price.
• How investing in employee experience drives innovation, reduces costs, and significantly boosts retention.
• Why designing "just right" challenges that stretch but don't overwhelm employees is crucial for engagement.
• How strategic choices around generative AI can enhance rather than diminish human contribution and engagement.

Connecting with Stephan:

Connect with Stephan Meier on LinkedIn

Learn more about the “The Employee Advantage: How Putting Workers First Help Business Thrive”

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.

How can skills power internal mobility and personalized development?

When it comes to recoding your culture, why is it important to measure both the “what” and the “how?”

My guests on this episode are Lucrecia Borgonovo, Chief Talent and Organizational Effectiveness Officer, Mastercard & Michael Lennartz, Executive Vice President, Total Rewards, Mastercard

During our conversation Lucrecia, Michael, and I discuss:

• The steps Mastercard took to evolve their culture and refresh their "Mastercard Way."
• How "The Mastercard Way" aligns the company’s strategic objectives to with employee behaviors.
• Why the "Mastercard Way" framework uses the power of three and measures on the “what” and the “how.”
• Why skills are the new currency for career progression at Mastercard.
• How Mastercard’s AI-driven talent marketplace is transforming internal mobility and personalized development.

Connecting with Lucrecia and Michael:

Connect with Lucrecia on LinkedIn

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Episode Sponsors:

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.