What happens when a labor and employment lawyer decides she doesn’t just want to fix workplace problems... she wants to prevent them?

In this episode of Elevate, host Joy Fajardo sits down with Ashley Wenger, Senior Vice President of Employee Experience, Education and Workforce Relations at Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, with more than 55,000 employees across multiple states.

Ashley shares how her career evolved from responding to workplace crises to proactively building cultures where people feel heard, supported, and connected to purpose.

She opens up about how Sanford rebuilt its employee listening strategy after a decade without formal surveying, creating psychological safety through high reliability practices, and why internal communication must function as an ecosystem, not a single channel.

Ashley also shares powerful advice for women in leadership: you don’t have to copy anyone else’s style. You get to build your own.

This conversation is thoughtful, practical, and deeply human, especially for anyone navigating employee experience, internal communications, or leadership in complex environments like healthcare.

If you care about retention, belonging, meaningful work, and preparing your workforce for what’s next (including AI), this episode is for you.

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Want to understand how your own employee experience stacks up?
Book Your FREE Personalized EX Assessment

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

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Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero

What does it really mean to lead with empathy, accountability, and purpose?

In this episode, host Joy Fajardo sits down with Manuelita Cherizard, Chief Human Resources Officer at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), for an inspiring and deeply thoughtful conversation about leadership, mentorship, and building workplaces where people truly thrive.

With 20+ years of experience across private, public, and nonprofit sectors, Manuelita shares how her curiosity and love of business led her intentionally into HR.

She opens up about the mentors who shaped her leadership journey, the power of honest feedback, and why advocacy is one of the greatest gifts a leader can give.

Manuelita also shares why HR must speak the language of business, how curiosity fuels career growth, and what it takes to truly align people strategy with organizational mission.

If you’re passionate about employee experience and leadership development, this episode is full of practical insight and grounded wisdom from someone who is living it every day.

Tune in and get ready to elevate the way you think about HR leadership.

__________________________

Want to understand how your own employee experience stacks up?
Book Your FREE Personalized EX Assessment

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

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Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero

What if one of the hardest moments of your career turned out to be the thing that shaped your life’s work?

In this episode, host Joy Fajardo sits down with Dr. Mary Hayes, Research Director for People and Performance at ADP, for an honest, deeply human conversation about work, leadership, and what it really means to help people thrive.

Dr. Hayes shares the personal turning point that set her on her path and how that moment sparked a lifelong commitment to understanding how people experience work, stress, growth, and belonging.

From her journey through educational psychology to leading global research on employee engagement and AI sentiment, Mary brings a rare blend of data-driven insight and real-world empathy.

Mary also shares what she’s seeing next in the world of work, from wellbeing and financial stress to the responsibility leaders have to communicate honestly, even when they don’t have all the answers.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders, Internal Comms professionals, HR teams, and anyone who cares about building workplaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

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Explore Dr. Hayes’ latest research here: https://www.adpresearch.com/today-at-work/

Want to understand how your own employee experience stacks up?
Book Your FREE Personalized EX Assessment

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

=============================

Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero

How do you lead and grow a 10,000+ person organization while keeping people at the center?

In this episode of Elevate, Mihae Ahn and Amanda Downey dive into leadership, growth, and the human side of talent.

Amanda shares lessons learned from leading OSL Retail Services through rapid expansion and change. She also discusses empowering teams, fostering communication, navigating COVID-19, and embracing AI to enhance, not replace, the human connection in recruiting.

A thoughtful conversation on how curiosity, innovation, and empathy can help leaders build thriving, people-first organizations.

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

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Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero

From the military to a career dedicated to supporting veterans, Lisa D. Duckworth’s journey is all about resilience, connection, and growth.

In this episode of Elevate, Lisa sits down with Mihae Ahn to share her path from military service to becoming a local veteran employment representative in Utah, where she helps fellow veterans find meaningful careers and opportunities.

She opens up about the challenges of transitioning into civilian life, navigating uncertainty, and embracing her identity as a veteran to create impact.

Lisa’s story is a reminder that career paths are rarely linear. Rather, they’re built on small goals, intentional choices, and the courage to keep moving forward. Along the way, she highlights the power of sharing experiences, building community, and finding joy in helping others thrive.

Whether you’re a veteran, a career-changer, or simply someone seeking purpose in your work, this conversation offers inspiration and practical wisdom on progress, perseverance, and personal growth.

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

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Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero

What happens when storytelling becomes more than a skill and turns into a superpower for connection?

In this episode of Elevate, Mihae Ahn sits down with Betsy Sikma, a corporate communications leader whose passion for storytelling has shaped her career and the workplace cultures she’s built.

Betsy shares how stories became her anchor during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they continue to foster trust, resilience, and belonging across global teams. From navigating change to finding purpose, from mentorship moments to building community, this conversation is packed with heartfelt insights and hard-won wisdom.

Whether you’re leading through change or simply trying to create more human moments at work, Betsy’s journey is a reminder that connection is at the heart of great communication and great leadership.

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

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Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero

In this episode of Elevate, Mihae Ahn sits down with Kerri Warner, Head of Employee Communications, Culture & Engagement at PayPal, to talk all things employee experience, from sparking global connection to leading with compassion.

Kerri shares her winding journey into internal communications, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and how she’s helping shape a workplace where people feel appreciated, included, and inspired to show up as their best selves.

They dive into what it takes to pull off a global Employee Appreciation Week, how to engage a diverse workforce across time zones, and why influence doesn’t always come from authority; it comes from trust, empathy, and listening deeply.

Kerri also gets real about imposter syndrome, personal growth, and how every experience (even the tough ones) can help you grow into the kind of leader who lifts others up.

 If you’ve ever wondered how to create a workplace culture that truly connects people, this conversation will leave you both inspired and equipped. 

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

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Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero

In this episode of Elevate, Mihae Ahn sits down with Lara Pagano, a meteorologist turned Senior Employee Experience Analyst at the National Weather Service, to talk about the people side of the workplace.

Lara shares how her journey began with Hurricane Bob sparking a love for meteorology, and how that path eventually led her to focus on employee experience and building healthier workplace cultures. Along the way, she reflects on her proudest moments, the mentors who shaped her career, and why supporting employees in both their professional and personal lives makes all the difference.

Together, Mihae and Lara explore the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and reducing pain points across the employee journey, all while creating a culture where people feel connected, supported, and able to thrive.

If you’re curious about how one leader brings both science and heart to improving the way we work, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

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Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero

In this episode of Elevate, Mihae Ahn sits down with Camille Wright to explore her journey into HR, the importance of servant leadership, and the significance of employee experience.

Camille’s journey into HR wasn’t a straight line. It was shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a deep passion for people. Along the way, she’s learned that leadership isn’t about being in front, but about giving, guiding, and creating space for others to thrive.

Together, Mihae and Camille dive into the big themes shaping today’s workplaces: why employee experience is more than just perks, how mental health initiatives can transform high-pressure environments, and what it really takes to connect teams spread across different places and cultures.

Camille also shares her thoughts on work-life harmony, the unexpected mentors that shaped her path, and the role AI could play in building more responsive, supportive HR practices.

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with empathy while keeping an eye on the future of work, this conversation is full of insights (and heart) you won’t want to miss.

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

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Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero

In this episode of Elevate, Mihae Ahn sits down with Brittany Reardon to explore what it really means to create an employee experience that lasts.

Brittany shares how her background in organizational psychology shapes the way she thinks about work, well-being, and engagement. She reminds us that employee experience isn’t just about making people “happy,” it’s about creating the conditions for people to thrive and do their best work.

From the challenges of hybrid work to the power of in-person connection, Brittany offers honest reflections and practical strategies for building engaged teams. Along the way, she dives into why proactive health management matters, how to measure engagement in meaningful ways, and what the future of employee experience looks like on a global scale.

If you care about creating workplaces where people feel connected, supported, and motivated, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

STAY CONNECTED!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linezero/
Website: https://www.linezero.com/resources/podcast

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Music: Ramaramaray by Aiyo | Get Up on That Horse by spring gang
Via Epidemic Sound

© 2026 LineZero