HR Fresh Take

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” or so the song goes. For HR professionals, the holiday season is also one of the trickiest stretches on the calendar. Each season, organizations have to recognize a wide range of religious and secular traditions, and the choices they make send a clear message about who feels included at work. If they get it right, they build trust and belonging. If they get it wrong, they risk alienating employees, damaging morale, and even facing legal exposure.As this season approaches, we’re bringing back a conversation from the HR Fresh Take archives that matters as much now as when it first aired. My co-host for this episode, Kayla Blanks and I, sit down with Nina Boe, Senior Workplace Program Associate at Tanenbaum, to discuss the dilemmas organizations face when accommodating different beliefs. That covers holiday parties, time off, and decorations, along with what respectful inclusion looks like all year round.Whether you’re planning this year’s celebration or rethinking your approach to religious diversity, this episode offers practical guidance for creating a workplace where everyone feels seen.More about Tanenbaum…Tanenbaum is a secular and non-sectarian non-profit that promotes justice and builds respect for religious difference by transforming individuals and institutions to reduce prejudice, hatred, and violence. More about Nina Boe… Nina Boe (she/her/hers) is a Senior Workplace Program Associate at the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding. Prior to this role, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer in North Macedonia working with Romani non-profit organizations. Nina earned her Master of Public Administration and BAs in Political Science and East European Studies from the University of Washington. Her academic, professional, and personal areas of interest have long included linguistic, cultural, and religious diversity across the world. In her spare time, Nina enjoys learning new languages and exploring New York City.Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

Season 5 of HR Fresh Take starts here! Dr. Jo welcomes Alexandra Dailerian, VP of Impact & Inclusion at Comcast and a board member of the Pennsylvania Conference for Women, and Alyssa Schaber, Senior Manager on Comcast's Impact & Inclusion team. Together they take a fresh look at how culture gets built inside organizations.Alexandra and Alyssa walk through Comcast's Team Up program and its three pillars: Serve, Give, and Grow. They also explain how a strong HR partnership model turns volunteerism into part of the company's DNA.We'll also preview the 2026 Pennsylvania Conference for Women, held Thursday, November 5, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Philly SHRM is a community partner of this event where over 9000 women will receive a year's worth of fresh perspectives, practical ideas, meaningful connections, and lasting momentum. A return that extends far beyond one day.You can follow the Pennsylvania Conference for Women on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @conferencesforwomen and @pennwomenBusiness, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

What does "modern HR" actually mean once you strip away the buzzwords? In this final installment of The Future of HR Beyond Tech, host Dr. Jo gathers five HR leaders on the ground at the Philadelphia SHRM Symposium for a candid roundtable on what it really takes to lead people well right now.The conversation moves from AI and automation to something more fundamental: relationship building, empathy, and psychological safety. The panel digs into why HR has to trade administrative, reactive habits for strategic, proactive ones — connecting people metrics to business outcomes leaders actually care about (think retention, ramp time, and hiring velocity, not just cost-per-hire). They talk candidly about the profession's current uncertainty and attrition, what to look for when bringing new talent into HR, and why the best HR departments are built by people who are, above all, humans first.Plus, don't miss the closing lightning round, where the panel reveals what they'd be doing in another universe — from running a Cajun restaurant to chasing volcanoes.Guests:Melissa Atkins — Founder, Philly HR Group (HR consulting & employment law)Dr. Kayla LaBarge — Senior Consultant, Equilibria Leadership ConsultingKaela Blanks — JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Practitioner and Inclusive Culture StrategistStephanie Manzelli — Chief People Officer, EmployincErica Kaufman — President, Evolve Leader KineticsBusiness, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

Data informs. People transform. That's the future of HR.In Part 3 of HR Fresh Take’s special series, The Future of HR: Beyond Tech, recorded live at the 2026 Philly SHRM Symposium, host Dr. Jo continues the conversation with her guests,  Samantha Bussard, Chief Talent Officer at Compass Business Solutions, Kristi Straw, Founder of Lighthouse Leadership Consultants, and Jennifer McSherry, Senior Vice President and Client Advisor with Lockton Companies, to explore how HR is changing in a rapidly evolving workplace. From AI and data to trust, empathy, and experiential leadership, we discuss people-centered leadership, business impact, data-informed decisions, and the power skills HR professionals need to create workplaces where people can thrive.Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

AI may be the buzzword, but people are still the heartbeat of work.In Part 2 of HR Fresh Take’s special series, The Future of HR: Beyond Tech, recorded live at the Philly SHRM Symposium, host Dr. Jo Vazquez continues the conversation on what modern HR requires in a workplace evolving at rapid speed. This episode looks beyond technology to examine how HR professionals can lead with strategy, empathy, courage, and a people-first mindset.Dr. Jo is joined by Gregory Offner, keynote speaker and author of The Tip Jar Culture; Dr. Anna Thomas, founder of Workplaces That Care; Christopher Reidenauer, CEO of Inspired 2 Results; and Catherine Priem, Senior HR business partner at Baker Tilly and past president of Philly SHRM. Together, they discuss the role of HR in balancing productivity with humanity, using AI responsibly, supporting employee wellbeing, strengthening workplace culture, and helping people grow through meaningful work.Listeners will hear practical perspectives on why modern HR is not defined by tools alone, but by the ability to build trust, steward culture, create space for connection, and advocate for the people who power every organization. Whether you are navigating change, exploring AI adoption, or looking for ways to make your workplace more human-centered, this conversation offers timely insights for HR leaders across the Philadelphia region and beyond.Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

Human resources is no longer just a support function. It is a strategic driver of organizational success. Today's HR leaders are expected to deliver results that balance people, performance, and broader business outcomes.In this special multi-part series, The Future of HR - Beyond Tech, recorded live at the 2026 Philly SHRM Symposium, we'll explore what it really means to practice modern HR in a workplace that's evolving faster than ever. Looking beyond AI and technology, the series offers a candid discussion of how HR professionals can expand their influence, lead with both strategy and humanity, and keep people at the center of every decision.In this first installment of the series, we'll talk with Corey Crapella, owner and Principal Consultant of Core Coaching and Consulting, and Melissa Sherry, owner and Principal Consultant of Workswell Consulting.  We'll discuss people-centered leadership, thoughtful technology adoption, authenticity, and the evolving role of HR as a bridge between employees and business strategy.Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

Menopause and perimenopause are one of the most overlooked workplace issues. What employees are experiencing often gets misread as performance issues, poor attendance, or “burnout,”. For this episode, we’re taking a bit of a detour from our usual format  to bring you a conversation from the Take a Pause with MenoPalz Podcast for which I was honored to be a guest. We’ll discuss how symptoms can affect the mid-career professional and how HR can lead with confidence, credibility, and care.We'll also talk about how to equip managers to have respectful conversations, build accommodation readiness, and create a culture where employees don’t have to suffer in silence. Thank you to MenoPalz founders, Deborah McCarthy and Raquel Riggle, and Mare Krammes, as well as fellow PA SHRM State Council colleague, Angela Hummel for being a part of this joint podcast. Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

Think the Federal Reserve only deals with interest rates? Think again.  In this episode, we sit down with experts from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to reveal little‑known but powerful tools designed to support workforce and economic mobility. Deborah Diamond and Theresa Dunne break down two resources that can help HR professionals rethink talent pipelines, skills‑based hiring, and local economic impact.Discover how "Eds & Meds" shape Philadelphia’s workforce and why understanding your region’s economic ecosystem is critical for strategic HR planning. A must‑listen for HR and business leaders seeking data‑driven insight.To learn more about the tools discussed, visit:PhiladelphiaFed.org/OMEPhiladelphiaFed.org/AnchorEconomyMore about our guests:Deborah DiamondAs the senior director of engagement and initiatives, Deborah and her team develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders in the Third District to better understand how economic conditions affect residents, workers, and small businesses. She also focuses on the “anchor economy” locally and nationally to understand how universities and hospitals shape local economic opportunity.Theresa DunneTheresa Dunne is a community development research analyst in the Community Development and Regional Outreach Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Her research interests lie at the intersection of community development and public health. Currently, she works on topics related to digital equity and device access, equitable wealth in the city of Philadelphia, and the broad economic impacts of anchor institutions on regional economies.Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

In this courageous and eye-opening episode of HR Fresh Take, host Dr. Jo sits down with survivor, advocate, and author Dr. Jennifer Gardella to explore how domestic violence—often considered a private issue—profoundly impacts the workplace. From emotional trauma to legal and financial barriers, Dr. Gardella shares her personal journey and offers actionable insights for HR professionals and organizational leaders.Listeners will learn:The hidden costs of domestic violence on employee well-being and productivityThe importance of psychologically safe environments and trauma-informed policiesWhat coworkers and leaders can say (and avoid saying) to support survivorsHow organizations can partner with local resources and offer meaningful accommodationsThis episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to building compassionate, inclusive, and resilient workplaces. Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive content related to domestic violence. Please listen with care.If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to your local domestic violence center or call the National Domestic violence hotline at 800-799-SAFE. Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

We’re kicking off our 4th season by talking about neurodiversity in the workplace—what it means, why it matters, and how HR leaders can foster truly inclusive environments. Joining the discussion are Laura Sibbald McAnulty, Executive Director of the Neurodiversity Employment Network (NENPHL); Joseph Riddle, Director of Neurodiversity in the Workplace (NITW), and Alberta Blum, Lead Executive Talent Partner for Radian.We’ll discuss hiring, team dynamics, accommodations, and the power of universal design as well as how small shifts in culture and communication can benefit everyone.Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org