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.

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)

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.

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)

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.

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)

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. 

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)

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.

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)

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.

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)

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.

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)

In this episode of Elevate, Mihae Ahn sits down with Angela Mendoza to talk about what it really takes to lead people through change.

Angela shares her inspiring journey from customer service to internal communications, reflecting on the lessons she’s learned along the way. From navigating massive organizational changes during COVID — like rolling out a full ERP system to 30,000 people — to finding balance between work and life, her story is full of honesty and insight.

Together, Mihae and Angela explore why listening to employees matters more than ever, how technology (yes, even AI) is shaping the future of internal comms, and why authentic leadership is the key to building trust.

If you’ve ever wondered how to manage change with empathy, or how to create harmony between your personal and professional life, this conversation is for you.

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)

In this episode of Elevate, Mihae Ahn sits down with Regine Nelson to talk about something we all wrestle with: how to manage our time, our energy, and the roles we play at work and at home.

Regine shares her journey into internal communications and how she’s now helping to build an inclusive, connected culture at Couchbase in a remote-first world. Along the way, she opens up about her pursuit of financial independence and how mindfulness helps her stay grounded through it all.

You’ll hear reflections on balancing family and career, practical tips for staying organized, and why grace is one of the most important things we can offer ourselves and each other.

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)

In this episode of Elevate, Mihae Ahn sits down with Tammy Nienaber for a candid and thoughtful conversation about purpose, resilience, and what it really takes to lead through change, especially in complex environments like franchising.

Tammy shares her personal journey and how therapy became a powerful tool in navigating professional highs and lows. From the impact of COVID-19 on communication strategies to the nuances of managing change across different franchise locations, she offers insight grounded in experience and heart.

Together, they explore how technology can connect teams, why purpose is more than a buzzword, and how building genuine relationships can shape a meaningful career. This episode is full of practical wisdom and honest reflections for anyone leading in today’s workplace.

Music: "Ramaramaray" by Aiyo (via Epidemic Sound)