In this episode of 'Inspire to Lead,' host Talia Mashiach interviews Rachel Book, the Chief People Officer at CheckAlt. Rachel shares her journey from growing up in Monsey, New York, to working for major corporations like AT&T and transitioning to a smaller, entrepreneurial environment. They discuss the balance and harmony between career and family life, the importance of picking a fulfilling career, and the role of empathy in leadership. Rachel also talks about her approach to HR, performance management, and the necessity of enjoying one's work. With anecdotes from her professional journey and insights into effective life management, Rachel provides a deeply inspiring and practical outlook on ambitious professional life for Jewish women.

00:00 Introduction to Inspire to Lead Podcast

00:29 Meet Rachel Book: From Monsey to Corporate America

02:28 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurial

07:43 Challenges and Rewards of HR in Small Companies

16:51 Rachel's Early Life and Family Background

21:21 Balancing Career and Family Life

27:30 Navigating the Mommy Wars and Societal Expectations

28:42 Balancing Family and Career

30:40 Permission to Enjoy Your Work

32:15 The Role of Women in Society

34:53 Finding the Right Balance

35:31 Communicating with Family

42:16 Support Systems and Letting Go

46:22 Personal Growth and Community Involvement

48:00 Purpose and Superpowers

50:41 Career Highlights and Advice

55:52 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

About Rachel:

Rachel Book joined CheckAlt as Chief People Officer in January 2022, bringing over 20 years of HR and Talent Acquisition experience. She has held leadership roles at Stryker, Fidelity Investments, Bloomberg LP, and AT&T, where she led talent acquisition, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Recognized for her transformational leadership, Rachel uses data-driven strategies to enhance organizational performance, employer brand, employee engagement, and diversity. She has led White House-sponsored initiatives for veteran hiring and developed programs for women returning to the workforce. Rachel is a sought-after advisor, speaker, and has been featured in top publications like Entrepreneur.com, Thrive Global, and CNBC.

Rachel holds a graduate degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Harvard University and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Thomas Edison State University. She resides in Northern New Jersey with her husband and two teenage sons.

https://theorg.com/org/checkalt/org-chart/rachel-book

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