Integrating Empathetic Leadership into Your Strategies, with Jevon Wooden

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Lauren Tropeano about how companies can tap into the humanity of their people in the era of AI. Lauren Tropeano is the Chief People Officer at Docebo. She brings over 20 years of Human Resources expertise to Docebo, having led diverse, multinational teams for several global, high growth tech organizations. Prior to Docebo, Lauren was the Chief People Officer at Skillshare, a leader in creative learning, from 2022 to 2024. She also held several executive roles leading global People teams at tech companies such as DraftKings from 2018 to 2022, and Cogito, Pivotal Software and Dell/EMC prior. In those leadership roles, she led teams and organizations through several periods of rapid growth and transformation. She is also the founder of Destination People, a boutique human resources consulting firm. Lauren received her MBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and B.A. in Organizational Behavior from Boston College. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jevon Wooden integrating empathetic leadership into your strategies. Jevon Wooden is a sought-after speaker, coach, and author specializing in empathetic leadership. A veteran, CEO, and expert in emotional intelligence and DISC, he empowers leaders to build high-performing teams, foster thriving workplace cultures, and achieve sustainable business growth. Jevon's insights have been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc. Magazine, and more.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jeremy Robinson about how executive coaching will impact HR in the future. Jeremy Robinson’s career as a leadership coach and trainer/developer of executive coaches has had breadth and depth since it’s inception. His executive coaching work skyrocketed in the early 2000 as buzz about the benefits of training key talent in emotional intelligence was starting to get loud. Robinson was sought out by several major pharmaceutical and financial service corporations which had just put serious efforts into designing executive coaching initiatives for key talent and high potentials. He migrated success at those companies through his knack at winning an over eighty-percent rate of coaching chemistry meetings with prospective clients. Soon, he became known as an executive coaching generalist who worked with both large and small organizations that had a commitment to empowering female, African-American, Latino and LGBTQ+ leaders. His practice has continued to develop as Jeremy has added a team coaching certification and group coaching work to his executive coaching remit. To date his has coached over 400 executive coaching clients. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jonathan Escobar Marin about his recent book, " LEAD TO BEAT: The Leadership Rhythm That Shapes Tomorrow." Jonathan Escobar Marin has been bridging the nuanced gap between strategy and execution – and between executives and their associates – for the world's leading corporations for over two decades. His distinguished efforts have resulted in an exceptional track record, marked by over 320 successful transformations across more than thirty-two countries. After leaving school at sixteen, he later transformed adversity into advantage, ultimately guiding global boards and C-suites across FMCG, retail, pharmaceutical, and tech sectors, where he has consistently empowered firms to outperform markets and dismantle organizational complacency.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Mindy Vail about creating a supportive environment for organizational change. Mindy Vail has more than two decades of experience in leadership development, change management, education, and public speaking. Working with emerging leaders to veteran executives, her focus is cultivating a growth mindset and fostering resilience. Her new book, The Mindshift Effect: Where Change Management Is Redefined and Leadership Is Defined (April 16, 2024), provides a wellspring of inspiration for leading meaningful organizational change.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with James Davies about how to evolve your style when your team, culture, or market changes. James Davies is the Chief Executive Officer of Kinetic Data, a Minneapolis-based software company focused on empowering organizations to deliver unified digital experiences across complex technology ecosystems. With over a decade at Kinetic, James has helped evolve the company from its workflow roots into a leader in digital experience platforms serving both enterprise and government sectors. Before assuming the CEO role, James served in multiple operational and leadership capacities, shaping the company’s growth strategy, culture, and partner ecosystem. Under his leadership, Kinetic Data reorganized around four key pillars—Growth, Product, Success, and Operations—creating an agile, scalable structure designed to drive collaboration and efficiency. James is known for his transparent and people-first leadership style, often communicating directly with employees through his “Friday Thoughts” updates—open reflections on company direction, lessons learned, and team progress. His approach blends operational discipline with an emphasis on empowerment and trust, traits that have earned him recognition for cultivating both performance and authenticity inside growing tech organizations An advocate for sustainable growth and innovation, James is passionate about bridging the gap between legacy systems and modern experiences—particularly within government and large-scale enterprises. He also champions the “low-code revolution,” believing that empowering small teams to build and adapt workflows quickly is key to organizational agility. A graduate of James Madison University, James credits his alma mater with shaping his collaborative, team-first mindset. Outside of work, he’s known for drawing leadership parallels to his love of restoring classic Toyota Land Cruisers—symbols, to him, of durability, reliability, and purpose-driven engineering. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Josefine Campbell about developing your strengths to create a positive change. Josefine Campbell is a distinguished executive coach, educator, and inspirational speaker who empowers multinational leaders, companies, and employees to unleash their full potential. Through meaningful conversations, she elevates clients' situations by maintaining an open, non-judgmental mindset, sharing data-driven insights that challenge conventional thinking, and emphasizing actionable outcomes that create tangible impact. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Lamell J. McMorris about his book, THE POWER TO PERSIST: 8 Simple Habits To Build Lifelong Resilience. Lamell J. McMorris is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, activist, and changemaker dedicated to advancing equity and revitalizing underserved communities. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, he went on to find phenomenal success as a D.C. policymaker, a consultant in the financial and professional sports arenas, and a civil and human rights advocate. McMorris is the founder and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based company Phase 2 Consulting, which offers strategic insight and external affairs services to some of the nation's leading decision-makers in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, including Fortune 100 companies. He is also founder and managing principal of Greenlining Realty USA, a comprehensive urban redevelopment firm dedicated to neighborhood investment, redevelopment, housing rehabilitation, and home improvement in low-income communities. He holds a BA in Religion and Society from Morehouse College, a MDiv in Social Ethics and Public Policy from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a DLP in Law and Policy from Northeastern University. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Stephanie Van Meter about talent enhancing development and employee engagement within your team. As Chief Operating Officer at Ammunition, Stephanie is a distinguished leader known for fostering teamwork, strengthening communication, and driving organizational growth. Joining Ammunition in 2022, she advanced from Chief of Staff to Chief Operating Officer in 2024, a testament to her leadership and impact across the agency. Her strategic guidance has been instrumental in Ammunition’s recognition by Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies, Inc. 5000, The Financial Times, and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Previously, as Director of Operations, Process, and Development for Barry’s, an international boutique fitness brand, she launched the company’s first learning management system and optimized operational best practices. Stephanie’s passion for people development, operational excellence, and clear communication continues to drive her success and the success of the organizations she leads.  Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Laura Maffucci about G-P's 2025 World at Work Report and the outlook for 2026. Laura Maffucci is G-P’s Head of HR, overseeing the global workforce, talent, and employee experience with a people-first mindset. She values diversity of thought as essential for a healthy workspace. In her 20+ year career in HR, Maffucci has spoken on global and national platforms about compensation, employee well-being and mental health. She’s a staunch advocate for the employee experience and creating a culture of inclusivity. Maffucci is passionate about the future of work, normalizing the value of work everywhere, and enabling employees globally to be their best selves and add value wherever they go and whatever they do. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network!