Shining a Light on HR Excellence: The HR THRIVE Awards

In this episode, Paul Batz is joined by Whitney-Lehr Koening, Publisher at Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal in the Good Leadership podcast studio. Together they reflect on spectacular Good Leadership Breakfast on April 10, 2026, which featured Anne Hed, CEO of HED Cycling Products. Together, they discuss Anne’s leadership journey – lessons learned early not making the swim team, having the courage to support Lance Armstrong long before he was famous, unexpectedly losing her husband and instantly becoming the CEO of a company that was depending on her, and how she and her team are visioning for the future of HED by bringing their technology into other industries. Enjoy. Thank you to Java House (javahouse.com) for sponsoring this podcast episode.

Paul Batz welcomes three current AI Leaders to the Good Leadership Podcast for this episode discussing how best to coach leaders who are stepping into, or have been in, an AI Leadership role. Guests include: Steve Gordon - Global Business Services at MerckDan Mallin - Co-Founder of Equals 3, IBM Watson’s LucyMonte Nuckols - retired CIO, pursuing PhD in AI and TheologyTogether they explore the role of AI Leaders, the impact that AI is having on corporate, and what their coaching advice would be to fellow AI Leaders across industries. 

Paul Batz welcomes Allan Katz, Chief Financial Officer at The Hanley Foundation in West Palm Beach, FL. At the suggestion of Good Leadership Senior Associate Coach, Kim Pheasant, Allan purchased the Healthy Accountability book. While reading, Allan was captivated by the message, and took ten pages of notes! On the podcast, Paul interviews Allan about the concepts that really resonated with him, and what is changing at Hanley Foundation to create a culture of healthy accountability. Get a copy of the book here: goodleadership.com/shopLearn more about the Healthy Accountability Workshops here: https://goodleadership.com/healthy-accountability/

Paul Batz welcomes Angelique Obiri, a Senior Coaching Associate at Good Leadership and founder of Angelique Obiri Coaching. Together, they discuss what makes the Good Leadership coaching model different, Angelique’s personal philosophy for executive coaching, and how recent coaching engagements are not only positively effecting the executive, but the entire organization, for the better. 

In this episode, Paul Batz is joined by Matt Swenson, Director of Corporate Communication at Cargill. Together they reflect on key insights from the February 2026 Good Leadership Breakfast, which featured Steve Grove, CEO and Publisher of The Minnesota Star Tribune. Together, Matt and Paul think back on the key moments from the morning: Steve’s fascinating career journey growing, his candid responses to questions about the viability of local news, and how he and his staff at the “Strib” have navigated unprecedented times for news in Minnesota. Matt Swenson shares powerful insights as a professional in corporate communication about the importance of creating “an oasis of decency” in the workplace that starts with good leaders with good intentions.  Listen and enjoy, and learn more about Steve Grove bypurchasing his book: How I Found Myself in the Midwest.Thank you to Java House (javahouse.com) for sponsoring thispodcast episode.

Paul Batz, Founder and CEO of Good Leadership, welcomes Dan Mallin, entrepreneur and certified EOS Implementer with EOS Worldwide. Together, they discuss the intersections of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and the Pathway to Healthy Accountability.  

Paul Batz, Founder and CEO of Good Leadership, welcomes back Dr. Mark Sannes, Chief Medical Officer at HealthPartners, and Cynthia Whitfield-Story, his Good Leadership Executive Coach to discuss the method for how leaders can artfully plan for, manage, and lead change within organizations. 

Paul Batz and Kevin Sensenig share practical ways to apply the Healthy Accountability book—whether you're an individual contributor, a manager, or a senior executive. Learn how to turn personal ownership and team support into a winning formula. Get tips you can use today to build a culture where people thrive.

Paul Batz, Founder and CEO of Good Leadership, welcomes Gulsah Mattson, Area President at Gallagher, to discuss the vision behind the HR THRIVE Awards and why this recognition is so important for today’s HR leaders. The conversation highlights the award categories and the growing response from the HR community.You can nominate an HR leader here: https://tcbmag.com/26-mn-thrive-awards/

In this episode, Paul Batz, Founder and CEO of Good Leadership, welcomes guest co-host Shawn Moren, Executive Partner at Gartner's CHRO Practice, to introduce the HR THRIVE Awards. These awards are about recognizing exceptional leaders across the HR profession. Together, they explore why this moment calls for celebrating HR, what makes each award category unique, and how these awards reflect a renewed standard of excellence in people leadership.You can nominate an HR leader here: https://tcbmag.com/26-mn-thrive-awards/