Delta Air Lines' Allison Ausband on people-first culture & business success

Delta Air Lines has been making headlines in recent years—and not just for ranking high in customer service and passenger satisfaction. In this episode of Better by Great Place To Work, we explore the incredible transformation at Delta, especially its meteoric rise on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list from No. 94 to No. 15 in just one year. Allison Ausband, Delta's executive vice president & chief people officer, takes listeners on a journey through the evolution of Delta’s people-first culture, its ripple effects on business success, and the actionable strategies that can inspire organizations of any size to prioritize their people. Ausband began her career as a flight attendant and now leads the charge in creating a workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and supported. “If our people know they matter,” she says, “they’ll serve our customers extremely well — and that drives business success.” Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and save 20% off registration for the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2026 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter: Culture Edge Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Delta’s Allison Ausband on People-First Culture and Business Success | Great Place To Work® Read more about Delta’s rise: How Delta Air Lines Soared to No. 15 on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For List | Great Place To Work®

In this episode, we dive into Marriott International's journey of resilience and reinvention over the past few years. Ty Breland, EVP and CHRO of Marriott — a 27-time Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® winner — shares insights on how workplace flexibility and a redefined leadership mindset have driven significant business success. This evolution has led to higher engagement scores, lower turnover, and increased revenue, benefiting associates, the company, and customers alike. You’ll learn how Marriott's innovative job sharing and scheduling approach has created a more engaged and committed workforce. Ty also shares advice for HR colleagues on the importance of having a seat at the table, balancing work and life, and staying present. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Marriott’s Ty Breland on Workplace Flexibility | Great Place To Work® Fortune article: People-first culture is vital to Marriott’s 25-year run as one of the 100 Best Companies | Fortune Download Marriott’s report for an in-depth look on how it transformed the associate experience.

If you’ve had Fiji water, Wonderful pistachios, or Halo mandarins, then you’ve been enjoying some of the products made by The Wonderful Company!  We learn how the powerful story of how it has transformed the rural community of Lost Hills, California, into a thriving place to live and work for its employees. We sit down with Stephen Howe, EVP of human resources and chief financial officer, to explore the incredible impact The Wonderful Company is making on its employees and communities, and the innovative employee programs that bring meaning and purpose to the lives of the hourly, frontline workforce. Tune in to hear why The Wonderful Company earned its spot as one of the Fortune 100 Best Workplaces to Work For® in 2024! Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit The Wonderful Company’s Stephen Howe on Creating a Great Place to Live and Work | Great Place To Work®

Hybrid work offers employees flexibility, but it requires intentional effort to maintain in-person connections. Suzan McDaniel, CHRO at Edward Jones, shares practical tips for creating a rewarding in-office experience, effectively managing a hybrid workforce, using personas for better communication, and supporting employee well-being. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Edward Jones’ Suzan McDaniel on Creating Social Connections in a Hybrid World | Great Place To Work®

Only 2% of CHROs think their performance management system truly inspires employees to improve. Liz Heitner, CHRO at Penn Mutual, understands why and shares how to change that. We dive into how Penn Mutual leaders have transformed their approach, resulting in a performance success program that actually works – and employees enjoy. She candidly shared lessons learned, how to manage imposter syndrome, and what she’s learning from Tik Tok. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Penn Mutual's Liz Heitner on Effective Performance Management | Great Place To Work®

Unlike many workplaces where hourly employees miss out on meaningful work, mental health support, and training compared with their salaried counterparts, CarMax has found ways to fill these gaps. Diane Cafritz, EVP and chief innovation and people officer at CarMax, explains how. Diane also opens up about her personal experience as part of the sandwich generation, balancing the demands of raising children and caring for elderly adults, and how that has shaped her perspective on the importance of flexibility in the workplace. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit CarMax’s Diane Cafritz on Empowering Hourly Workers | Great Place To Work®

Alveda Williams, chief inclusion officer at Dow, talks about how Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are making a big difference at Dow. With 600 chapters around the world, these groups have helped shape company policies and create new products. In the past seven years, participation in ERGs has jumped from 15% to 60%. These groups are now a key part of the company’s success. She also explains why leadership includes influencers and non-managers, and shared some wisdom we can all benefit from — bloom where you’re planted. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Dow's Alveda Williams on How Employee Resource Groups Drive Business Success | Great Place To Work®

Kim Jones, managing director of talent strategy and people experience at PwC, shares insights on the importance of trust in the workplace, the role of middle managers in building a positive culture, and how PwC is using AI to create equal opportunities for all employees. She also opens up about her personal journey to better well-being and the lessons learned from a health scare. Her journey is a powerful reminder that our bodies keep the score, and taking care of ourselves is crucial for sustained success. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit Kim Jones on Improving Workplace Trust | Great Place To Work®

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with journalist, speaker, and podcast host Ellen McGirt to discuss the intricate balance of caregiving and maintaining a career. Ellen shares her personal journey as a member of the sandwich generation, caring for both her family and three vulnerable adults. We explore the emotional and logistical challenges caregivers face and offer practical advice for workplaces to better support their employees. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that aims to normalize caregiving discussions and foster a more supportive work environment. Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. Listen to the Brittany Howard interview: Brittany Howard on the Importance of Belonging | Great Place To Work® For a transcript of this episode, visit Ellen McGirt on Supporting Caregivers at Work | Great Place To Work®

Stepping outside of our comfort zones is where growth begins. As Monique Herena, chief colleague experience officer at American Express, puts it, change is both necessary and challenging. She offers practical strategies for helping leaders navigate change, and what to do with leaders who aren't on board. She also shares how American Express has navigated flexible work, and why it's important for everyone, including individual contributors, to model values and leadership behaviors. Share a time you stepped outside your comfort zone at work with me. E-mail me at [email protected]. Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2024 | Great Place To Work® Subscribe to the Great Place To Work company culture newsletter. Want to join our Great Place To Work community? Learn more about Certification. For a transcript of this episode, visit American Express’ Monique Herena on Embracing Change at Work | Great Place To Work®.