People and Strategy

From Starbucks barista to executive, Paul Johnson’s career journey has taken many paths. Today, he is VP of People and Culture and Chief Diversity Officer for the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. In this episode of People and Strategy, Johnson shares his insights on redefining traditional leadership paradigms, the role of continuous learning, and the differences between HR roles in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Note: All views expressed are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Episode transcript

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In this episode, Dawn Zier, former CEO of Nutrisystem and current executive coach, discusses the vital role that organizational culture plays in company turnarounds and in the boardroom. She explains the evolving role of boards of directors in today’s workplace and why some boardroom norms have reached their expiration dates. Zier is also the editor of The Directors Roundtable, a regular department in our quarterly People + Strategy Journal. You can read the most recent Directors Roundtables online:

Creating Board-Management Alignment

How a Board of Directors Should Lead on GenAI

How Boards Navigate the New State of Labor

Episode transcript

Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate and review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

In this special episode, we’re recording live at the SHRM Executive Network’s 2024 Visionaries Summit in Austin, Texas. Tune in for key takeaways from our Executive Network of CHROs. Learn what’s top of mind for HR leaders and which insights they plan to bring back to their organizations.

Didn’t get a chance to attend Visionaries this year? Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network and the 2025 Visionaries Summit.

Episode transcript

Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate and review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

In this week’s episode of the People and Strategy podcast, Marjorie Powell, the CHRO at AARP, shares her insights into managing HR at one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the U.S. She also explains how AI is being used to enhance member engagement and how to realize the strategic value of the 50-and-older workforce.

Episode transcript

Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate and review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

How does an organization create an “outrageously extraordinary” culture? SharkNinja’s chief people officer Elizabeth Norberg sits down with the president of Gap International, Bob Rothman, to discuss their formula for success. They also share tips for navigating change, building executive alignment, and the role of the HR executive in building company culture. Listen until the end to hear some rapid fire questions.

Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate and review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the current state of the U.S. labor market—and where it’s headed in 2025—with SHRM senior labor economist Justin Ladner. Discover key insights and potential paths forward for the worker shortage, inflation, and more.

Episode transcript

Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate and review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

Anita Martin built her HR career on three pillars: fairness, consistency, and transparency. In this episode, Martin shares her strategy for leading organizational change at the Houston Texans and offers tips on how to achieve employee buy-in, the importance of succession planning, and strategic patience.

Episode transcript

Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate and review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

In this episode, Terry Reed, senior vice president of talent and leadership development at Comfort Systems, a leading mechanical and electrical firm, shares his insights on addressing the country’s critical shortage in skilled trade workers, plus his strategies for attracting women to the industry, and the need for in-house training programs. Reed also shares his experiences on building workplace culture and diversity, as well as the impact of technology like AI on the workforce.

Episode transcript

Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate/review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

In this episode of People and Strategy, Mike Fromm, CHRO of Shaw Industries, shares insights on building an inclusive culture that prioritizes its people. He highlights Shaw’s five guiding principles: inclusion, empowerment, accountability, authenticity, and support. Discover how implementing guiding principles can help create a workplace where employees feel valued, connected, and empowered.

Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate/review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

In this episode of People and Strategy, Jill Waite, chief people officer at Portillo’s, talks about the restaurant’s leadership program. Waite emphasizes the value of a blended learning approach, the importance of soft skills, and discusses how to retain boomerang employees.

Episode transcript

Follow People and Strategy wherever you listen to podcasts; rate/review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.