I Hear You

In this episode we discuss the art of balancing personal and professional aspirations with Curtis Johnson.   Curtis is a software engineer with over 25 years of experience in the public and private sectors. He has managed to navigate his personal, professional and civic life. Curtis was appointed by Governor Tim Walz to the Board of Directors of Serve Minnesota (also known as Americorp), is the current President of ERAMN, served on the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties (CAP-RW) board of directors for 3 years.  He also served  seven years on the Roseville Area School Board, including two years as chair and is  currently running for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 40B.   For more information, visit: https://curtisformn.com.

The world of work is changing fast — and artificial intelligence is right at the center of it. In HR especially, what used to be a people-powered function is now being transformed by smart, intuitive AI tools that help us hire better, develop faster, and plan smarter. But with all that opportunity comes big questions: How do we keep the human in Human Resources? What ethical challenges do we need to navigate? And how can HR leaders confidently embrace AI to drive real business impact?"Well — today’s guest is here to help us unpack all of that. I’m excited to welcome Kari Naimon, Founder and CEO of AixHR. With over 20 years of HR leadership under her belt, Kari has lived through the shifts in our profession, but it was the rise of AI that truly lit a fire under her. She founded AixHR with a bold mission: to help HR leaders not just accept AI, but to harness it — to elevate, not eliminate, the way we work.

We are delighted to be joined by Carole Copeland Thomas as we dive into a critical and timely issue: the evolving legal and political landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).On February 13, 16 state attorneys general challenged federal DEI policies under Executive Order 14173—a bold move that raises big questions for organizations and employees alike.So, what does this mean for businesses? How can companies navigate DEI in a rapidly shifting legal environment while staying compliant and committed to inclusion?This is a conversation every leader needs to hear. Tune in now and join the discussion! 🎧Want to connect with Carole- please go to: www.tellcarole.comwww.mssconnect.comwww.msstravelandtours.comRichard Pryor clip: https://youtube.com/shorts/py3gFK0Ondo?si=YE5A270hYwvTosDr

Every day, you’re building your leadership legacy—but what will it be? A true legacy isn’t just about achievements; it’s about how you lead and the foundation you build for others to grow.Join us as we chat with Rhondia Turano, a senior executive with over 25 years of experience in global supply chain transformation, procurement, and operational strategy across multinational corporations. Beyond her corporate success, she co-founded Memories In Writing LLC  (https://www.memoriesinwriting.com) and later launched the Memories In Writing Foundation Inc., a nonprofit helping seniors, veterans, and underserved communities preserve their life stories.Don’t miss this conversation on leadership, legacy, and purpose.  

Welcome Dr. John Boudreau, a leading expert in human capital strategy and the future of work, Dr. Boudreau has helped shape how organizations navigate talent, workforce transformation, and leadership.  Join us as we talk about how to move beyond job titles and focus on how our skills position us for new opportunitiesIf you’re a business leader, HR professional, or anyone passionate about the future of work, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Whether you're navigating organizational change, managing workforce challenges, or adapting to economic shifts, resiliency is the foundation for sustaining success and well-being.  We are joined by Jordan Zweig, Senior Vice President and CHRO of ChampionX with more that 30 years of experience in the industrial, healthcare and energy industries.This conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders and professionals looking to thrive in the face of adversity.

Join me and Maribel Lopez, industry analyst, author, technology influencer and the founder of Lopez Research (https://www.lopezresearch.com/),  as we dive into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in today's workplace. From predictive analytics and automation to AI-driven employee engagement tools, the impact of AI is transforming how we work, collaborate, and lead.

Tune in as we welcome Lakecia Gunter, the Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft’s Global Partner Solutions (GPS) organization. Before joining Microsoft, Lakecia held several leadership roles at Intel Corporation and currently serves as an independent director on the board of IDEX Corporation, where she’s a member of the Compensation and Nomination & Governance Committees. Named to The CRN Women of the Channel list in 2023, Lakecia is recognized for her industry leadership, strategic vision, and channel advocacy. WomenTech Network also honored her as one of the 100 Influential Women in Tech to Watch in 2022. As the host of her own podcast, ROAR with Lakecia Gunter, she shares weekly doses of inspiration, practical insights, and essential tips to empower listeners to reach new heights. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!Link to ROAR on Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roar-with-lakecia-gunter/id1506838846

Join me and Dr. Kalifa Oliver, author of I Think I Love My Job: Secrets to Designing a People-Centered Employer Value Proposition (That You Can Actually Boast About), for an engaging discussion on the employee experience and how organizations can either enhance or detract from it.Kalifa Oliver, Ph.D. is an international experience coach, executive advisor, keynote speaker, author, and expert on building brilliant experiences using people-centered design and analytics. She has consulted for several companies and industries including tech start-ups, non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies to help them reposition their culture and employer value proposition - with a focus on employee experience and people analytics. 

Join Michelle Braden - 2023 Chief Learning Officer of the year as she talks about learning, upskilling and reskilling.  Michelle is former Vice President of Global Talent Development at WEX. With over 25 years of experience in the learning and development- Michelle has an extensive background in IT, Sales and Learning roles with Fortune 100 companies like Xerox, SAP, TELUS.