In this episode of HCM Minds at Work, host Christian Gomez sits down with April Smith, vice president of pay and benefits management at Senior Lifestyle, to explore the challenges and opportunities of supporting employees across a complex, 24/7 operation.

April shares how she’s focused on creating a true sense of belonging for employees, whether they’re working overnight shifts, across different communities or in roles that can sometimes feel disconnected. She opens up about a recent challenge with their 401(k) vendor and how finding the right partner became essential to helping employees feel confident in their financial decisions. From workforce management to flexible pay schedules, April highlights why building confidence in pay is more than a benefit — it’s foundational to trust and engagement.

Together, April and Christian discuss how HR leaders can navigate complex work environments, foster stronger employee connections and ensure that pay and benefits empower people, not confuse them. They wrap up with what’s next for Senior Lifestyle and how April continues to reimagine the employee experience.

In this episode of HCM Minds at Work, host Melissa Glennon talks with Stephanie McKinney, chief human resources officer at Steel Partners, about what it takes to support a workforce spread across 15 diverse operating companies, from industrial manufacturing to financial technology and even youth sports. Stephanie shares the journey of implementing ADP® Lyric HCM from the ground up, creating a unified system that streamlines payroll, performance, succession planning and employee communication. The result: better data, more efficiency and stronger decision making at every level of the organization.

Stephanie also reflects on the importance of succession planning across a decentralized business, how Steel Partners is investing in its future talent pipeline and why flexibility and opt-in adoption are key to driving engagement. It’s an inside look at how HR leaders can scale people practices across complex, global environments while keeping employees at the center.

Christian Gomez, vice president of strategy at ADP, sits down with Scott Snyder, senior fellow at the Wharton School, Chief Digital Officer at EVERSANA. Please update for Monday  and author of Goliath’s Revenge, to explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in business. Scott shares lessons from his career spanning startups, corporate innovation and venture capital, explaining how established companies can disrupt from the inside rather than being disrupted.

From building accountable AI frameworks to reimagining HR strategy, Scott highlights how leaders can empower people, use data as a strategic asset and balance small-scale experimentation with transformative, big-picture initiatives. He also offers practical guidance for creating AI fluency, fostering innovation and preparing both leaders and workforces for a future where humans and AI collaborate seamlessly.

Join Tracey Rigdon, Director of HR Operations at Baker College, as she delves into the dynamic world of human resources and higher education. In each episode, Tracey shares her wealth of experience, offering listeners valuable insights into HR operations, recruitment strategies, and the transformative power of technology in the workplace. From innovative payroll solutions to student employment programs, she explores how institutions can navigate the challenges of the modern educational landscape.

Whether you're an HR professional, an educator, or simply curious about the inner workings of higher education, this podcast offers practical advice and inspiration to help you thrive in your own career. Tune in to discover how to streamline operations, foster a positive work environment, and elevate the student experience—because when it comes to HR, the wisdom of the past can ignite success today!

Christian Gomez, vice president of strategy at ADP, sits down with Lyndsey Benson, vice president of human resources at Steve Madden, to discuss how the global fashion brand is elevating its talent brand alongside its iconic retail presence.

Lyndsey shares her 15-year journey from recruiter to HR leader and how she helped transform HR from paper-based processes to a strategic, global function. From unifying teams across borders to replacing annual reviews with meaningful conversations, she highlights how Steve Madden builds a fast-paced yet people-first culture that empowers people worldwide to thrive.

In this episode of HCM Minds at Work, Christian Gomez sits down with Dr. Robert Rustman, vice president of human resources at Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS), to explore how employee engagement can fundamentally reshape culture and business outcomes. Dr. Rustman shares how LRS launched its first engagement survey, branded “Your Voice,” and used the insights to drive meaningful cultural change across the organization.

From navigating the shift from Fortune 20 processes to leading a more agile, people-first HR function, Dr. Rustman offers candid lessons on building trust, empowering leaders and using technology to free HR from tactical work so they can focus on strategy. Whether you’re an HR leader, executive or aspiring changemaker, this conversation highlights how intentional employee engagement can spark transformation and deliver true return on investment (ROI).

Belle Tire, a full-service automotive repair facility with a history extending over a hundred years, has almost 180 retail locations across Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. The company employed just over 3,000 workers, with approximately 90% being frontline retail employees. The company prides itself on exceptional customer service within the retail space, offering automotive services and tire products.

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Dave Nelson, Director of Talent Acquisition, recognized the unsustainable nature of previous hiring practices, Belle Tire's HR team, in collaboration with the talent acquisition and operations teams, embarked on a mission to create a more controlled and strategic staffing process. This initiative aimed at aligning staffing levels closely with the actual business needs, rather than hiring indiscriminately.

Kimberly Coldiron, serving as the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer at American Woodmark, has been instrumental in steering the company towards embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology within its operational strategy. This focuses on her contribution to applying AI practices within the company’s framework and her approach to human resources management that leverages technology to boost organizational performance and employee engagement.

Maintaining American Woodmark’s innovation stride within a rapidly advancing technological landscape, particularly in AI, without diverging from its core manufacturing strengths. Another area of focus was to ensure that the adoption of AI technologies aligned with the Human Resources goals of improving workplace efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Potbelly Sandwich Works, a renowned fast-casual restaurant chain, recognized for its warm, neighborhood atmosphere and delicious sandwiches, operates nearly 400 shops across 18 states in the United States. With a workforce of nearly 6,000 employees, including 5,000 hourly associates and 600 shop operation managers, the company strives to maintain its culture and values while ensuring operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.

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The primary objective was to streamline HR and payroll processes to improve administrative efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance employee satisfaction. Additionally, Potbelly aimed to maintain its strong company culture and values amidst these changes.