Yes, clean energy can move this fast!

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Andi Summers, VP of People and Culture at Palmetto, to explore how this fast-growing clean energy company is transforming residential solar while building a lean, high-performing culture.

Founded in 2009, Palmetto has evolved from a solar installer into a technology-driven platform helping homeowners access and manage clean energy solutions. Andi shares what it takes to scale in climate tech from hiring adaptable, ownership-minded talent to moving quickly without losing cultural alignment.

What you’ll learn:

• How Palmetto is modernizing the residential solar industry
• What a fast-moving, “athletic” culture looks like in practice
• Why ownership and intentional hiring drive performance

Palmetto Highlights:

• Founded: 2009
• Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
• Team Size: ~400 employees
• Industry: Clean Energy / Climate Tech
• Culture: Lean, innovative, ownership-driven, fast-moving

Unique Perks:

• Flat medical premiums
• 401(k) match
• Professional development fund
• Internal “Lift Network” for voluntary cross-functional projects
• Strong parental leave & infertility support
• Pet benefits

To learn more about Palmetto:

• Careers Page (They’re hiring!)
• LinkedIn Page
• Andi's LinkedIn Profile

Cut, stick, and create your way!  Everyone’s a crafter at heart!

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Miranda Oliver, VP of People and Culture at Cricut, to go behind the scenes of a company that’s turning DIY dreams into reality. They discuss how Cricut combines creativity, purpose, and people-first culture to build a workplace where employees can act like owners, speak up, and leave their mark.

Miranda shares how Cricut evolved from a small craft supply company in the 1960s to a global leader in electronic cutting machines, software, and materials. She opens up about quirky cultural mantras like putting the “stinky fish on the table,” the emphasis on collaboration across teams, and how the company fosters growth through internal mobility, mentorship, and unique employee perks.

What you’ll learn:

• How Cricut became a platform for DIY, home decor, personalized gifts, and small business empowerment
• Why hiring for curiosity, humility, and cultural fit is at the heart of their people strategy
• How ownership, candor, and creativity show up in day-to-day work
• Unique perks and benefits that make employees love working at Cricut
• Opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and internal mobility

Cricut highlights:

• Founded: 1960s (as Provo Craft and Novelty); modern Cricut established in early 2010s
• Team Size: ~700 employees
• Headquarters: South Jordan, Utah
• Work Model: Global, collaborative, and creative
• Culture: Creative, candid, people-first, ownership-driven

Unique Perks:

• 401(k) match up to 6%
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision
• Fertility & family-building support (via Wyn)
• Mentorship program with senior leaders
• Internal mobility across functions
• Heavily discounted employee product sales
• Pet insurance
• Halloween as the company’s biggest annual celebration

To learn more about Cricut:

• Careers Page (They’re hiring!)
• LinkedIn Page
• Miranda's LinkedIn Profile

Swag, swag, and more swag! Everyone loves swag!

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Michael Martocci, Founder and CEO of SwagUp, to talk about building a people-first company from the ground up and protecting that culture as the business scales, goes remote, and navigates acquisition.

Michael shares the lessons he learned starting SwagUp at 21, how the company grew largely through word of mouth into a global swag and logistics platform, and why he prioritizes autonomy, trust, and responsibility over hierarchy, titles, or rigid processes.

They dive into what culture looks like in practice at SwagUp, from hiring for curiosity and deep accomplishment to giving people real ownership early in their careers. Michael also opens up about navigating growth and change while staying true to the company’s core belief that great people, when supported properly, do their best work.

What you’ll learn:

• What SwagUp does and how it simplifies global swag creation and distribution
• How the company grew through referrals and organic demand
• Why SwagUp hires for character, curiosity, and problem-solving over resumes
• How autonomy and trust show up in day-to-day work
• What it takes to maintain culture through rapid growth and acquisition

SwagUp highlights:

• Founded: 2017
• Team Size: 100–125 employees
• Headquarters: Piscataway, NJ
• Work Model: Distributed across the US and globally
• Culture: High trust, people-first, curious, fast-moving, ownership-driven

To learn more about SwagUp:

Careers Page (They're hiring!)

LinkedIn Page

Michael's LinkedIn Profile

If “no surprise medical bills, ever” sounds like a dream perk, Stack Overflow might be your next favorite place to work.

In this episode, Jena chats with Stack Overflow’s Chief People & Culture Officer, Debbie Shotwell, about building an inclusive, mission-driven, fully remote culture where experimentation is encouraged and growth is real. They dig into how a beloved public Q&A platform for developers evolved into a global business with enterprise products, ads, and AI partnerships, plus how Stack Overflow navigates change with radical transparency.

What you’ll learn:

• Stack Overflow’s public Q&A platform for developers, Stack Exchange network, enterprise tools, ads, and AI data deals with Microsoft, Google, AWS.
• From 2008 garage startup to $200M business serving devs in 118 countries.
• Fully remote for 320 Stackers across engineering, product, sales, marketing, and people teams.
• Welcoming culture with buddies, ERGs, flexibility, and safe experimentation (no one’s an expert in AI).
• Internal mobility via marketplace, Stack Overflow Academy, and 12-18% promotion rates.
• Transparent leadership post-restructuring, with growth and selective hiring ahead.

Stack Overflow highlights:

Founded: 2008

Team size: 320 employees worldwide

Ownership: Acquired by Prosus in 2021; operates independently

Work model: Fully remote, global team

Culture: Mission-driven, welcoming, flexible, inclusive, experimental, transparent

Unique Perks & programs:

• 100% company-paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision) + HRA covering all deductibles
• 16 weeks paid parental leave for all; 4-week sabbaticals after 5/9 years
• Monthly Learn, Share, Grow Days + $2,500 annual development budget
• Nine ERGs, monthly AMAs, inclusion/engagement surveys with action
• Internal “marketplace” for cross-team projects and boomerang opportunities

To learn more about The Stack Overflow:

• Careers Page (They're hiring!)
• Linkedin Page
• Debbie's Profile

Unlimited PTO sucks if you aren't REALLY allowed to take it. 

At this company, it's different.

Raft is building the foundation for AI-driven autonomous operations, and Jena Dunay sits down with Kaitlyn Lavin, Manager of People and Culture, to pull back the curtain.

They talk about the company’s journey from a small, scrappy team to 325+ employees, the culture that drives innovation, and how Rafters thrive in an environment built on transparency, ownership, and continuous growth.

What you’ll learn:

• How Raft supports national security organizations with cutting-edge autonomous technology
• What makes Raft’s culture unique and why employees love being “Rafters”
• Perks like flexible “Take As You Need” PTO and education budgets tailored to individual growth
• Career frameworks and internal mobility that empower employees to shape their path
• How the company keeps its culture strong across multiple hubs and remote teams

Raft highlights:

Founded: 2019
Team Size: 325+ Rafters
HQ: Tysons, Virginia
Work Model: Hybrid/remote, with hubs across the US
Culture: Curious, innovative, transparent, and people-first

Perks & programs:

• Personalized learning and development budgets
• Internal mobility across roles and programs
• Tri-weekly all-hands with live Q&A
• Engagement initiatives that connect employees across locations

To learn more about Raft:

• Careers Page (They're hiring!)
• Linkedin Page
• Kaitlyn's Profile

Yes, pensions still exist. And yes, you need to check out this company that still offers them!

In this episode, Jena chats with Globe Life's Chief Talent Officer, Rebecca Zorn, about living the company’s mission to Make Tomorrow Better, empowering tenacious team players, and strategic hiring.

What you'll learn:

• How Globe Life operates and evolves as a 125-year old company
• The service-oriented, collaborative, empowerment-driven culture that rewards tenacity and continuous improvement
• Why internal mobility thrives - with Rebecca's sharing her own unconventional path
• Details on the pension (vests after 5 years for lifetime income at 65), plus 401(k) match and more
• Leadership programs like Accelerate, Activate, Ignite (with SMU) and mentoring
• All of the upcoming hiring initiatives!

Globe Life highlights:

Founded: 1900

HQ: McKinney, TX

Team Size: ~4,000 employees + 16,500 independent agents

Work Model: Employees in 43 states; remote, hybrid, or on-site by role

Culture Values: Service-oriented, collaborative, empowerment-driven, accountable, integrity-focused, tenacious

Unique Perks & programs:

• Active pension plan 
• 401(k) 
• Employee life insurance
• Traditional health benefits
• Subsidized fitness memberships via WellHub
• Leadership development: Accelerate (new leaders), Activate (high-potentials), Ignite (senior leaders with Southern Methodist University courses)
• Skills-based internal mobility and emerging leader pipeline in development

To learn more about Globe Life:

Careers Page (They're hiring!)

LinkedIn Page

Rebecca's LinkedIn Profile

If your idea of a great job includes loud sales pods, laughter, C-suite connections, and a built-in winter break, you’ll want to hear this one.

The Millennium Alliance designs intimate, five-star events where buyers and sellers actually sit down together behind closed doors. Jena chats with VP of HR, Victoria Albuquerque, about the company’s 12-year journey from three events to dozens each year, the “team sport” mindset that drives performance, and why they’re gearing up to double in size.

What you’ll learn:

• What The Millennium Alliance actually does for buyers and sellers at their events
• How the company grew from three events to 40–50 in the US and 10–12 in Europe
• What it’s like to work on a loud, open sales floor with leaders “in the trenches”
• How early-career salespeople build real relationships with Fortune 500 executives
• Why internal mobility, hands-on coaching, and recognition are core to the culture
• How the team is preparing to double headcount in the next 12–18 months

The Millennium Alliance highlights:

Founded: 2014 
Team Size: <200 employees globally
HQ: New York City
Work Model: Primarily in-office with employees across the US and Europe
Culture: Supportive, fun, high-performing, “team sport environment,” ambitious and human

Unique Perks & programs:

• Heavy focus on sales and leadership training and development
• Real internal mobility: entry-level sales to running departments over time
• Daily access to senior executives and decision makers as core to the role
• Co-founders on the sales floor and leaders “in the work” with real-time coaching
• Weekly shoutouts, employee-of-the-month and year-end awards
• Team events, offsites, company outings, volunteer days
• Dedicated employee for culture and engagement
• Wellness initiative: extra 20 minutes at lunch for the gym or personal time
• Company-wide shutdown over end-of-year holidays without using PTO

To learn more about The Millennium Alliance:

• Careers Page (They're hiring!)
• Linkedin Page
• Victoria's Profile

I'm obsessed with this company. 

Truly. 

Not just because of what they do - but how they operate.

Meet Ashby, the all-in-one ATS with CRM, scheduling, surveys, analytics, and onboarding. 

In this episode, Jena Dunay talks with Jim Miller, VP of People and Talent, about their document-first async culture, "frustratingly patient" hiring, and randomized offsite dinners that accidentally became tradition.

What you'll learn:

• How Ashby's async remote model uses documents over meetings and communication norms for Slack, email, and Docs
• The power of "frustratingly patient" hiring focused on quality over speed
• Randomized offsite dinners and company trips that build real connections
• Jim's exact pitch strategy that got him hired at Ashby after being their customer
• Transparent job descriptions that tell candidates why NOT to apply

Ashby Highlights:

Founded: 2018
Team Size: 250+ employees across 28 countries
HQ: San Francisco, California
Work Model: Fully asynchronously remote
Culture: Intentionally transparent, autonomous, impact-focused
Unique Perks & Programs:

• Company-wide offsites (Mexico trip with family option)
• Randomized dinners at offsites
• Professional development budgets for all
• Internal job alerts before public posting
• No time-based hiring quotas, quality first

To learn more about Ashby:

• Careers Page (They're hiring!)
• Linkedin Page
• Jim's Profile

Running a restaurant can feel like a nonstop juggling act.

But what if you had a digital partner taking the paperwork off your plate? 

Meet MarginEdge, the restaurant management platform bringing automation and real-time data to simplify back-of-house operations. In this episode, Jena Dunay talks with Roy Phillips, Co-Founder of MarginEdge, as they dig into the startup’s origin story, culture rooted in hospitality, and vision to make running a restaurant more enjoyable and efficient.

What you’ll learn:

• How MarginEdge solves real restaurant challenges with software automation
• The founding story born from firsthand experience in hospitality
• Building a culture of transparency, ownership, and teamwork
• What Roy looks for in candidates : attitude matters most
• Growth goals and how they keep a connected remote-friendly team energized

MarginEdge highlights:

Founded: 2015, after a chance meeting over coffee
Team Size: 283 employees based across the U.S.
HQ: Arlington, Virginia
Work Model: Remote-friendly with regular in-person gatherings
Culture: Hospitality-driven, transparent, and leadership-focused
Perks: Twice-weekly team lunches, lively office cafe, and company events

To learn more about MarginEdge:

• Careers Page (They're hiring!)
• Linkedin Page
• Roy's Profile

Yes, your company book club can have a Halloween plot twist and your PTO can include random “Take a Breath” days!

Meet LifeSpeak, the wellness-first SaaS company where collaboration isn’t just talk and every remote employee really does have a voice, whether you’re dialing in from Toronto or Minnesota. In this episode, Jena sits down with Amanda Martel, Director of Human Resources, to dig into what it’s like working for a team that makes well-being and connection part of everyday work.

What you’ll learn:

• How LifeSpeak evolved from mental health to a holistic digital wellness platform for organizations and individuals
• The reality of building a collaborative, innovative culture in a remote setup
• Perks like flexible unlimited time off, well-being resources for employees, and company-wide unplug days
• Structure, roles, where the team is growing, and what Amanda looks for in applications

LifeSpeak highlights:

Founded: Over 20 years ago
Team Size: About 130 employees in Canada and the US
HQ: Toronto, hub in Minnesota
Work Model: Remote-first
Culture: Collaborative, innovative, and wellness-focused
Perks: LifeSpeak resources for employees, unlimited flexible time off, “Take a Breath” days, book club and sports chat channels

To learn more about LifeSpeak:

• Careers Page (They're hiring!)
• Linkedin Page
• Amanda's Profile