On this episode, we’re joined by Shashank Shekhar, Founder and CEO of InstaMortgage, a category-defining fintech company in the mortgage industry. Shashank shares his remarkable journey from arriving in the US with no network or software background to building a thriving, award-winning business during a financial crisis. He opens up about hiring missteps, how to build a high-performance culture without micromanagement, and the future of work with AI-driven teams.



He also discusses the importance of values-based leadership, the dangers of hiring based on brand names alone, and how founders can stay resilient through failures.

Key Takeaways:

(05:25) Why culture outranks everything, even skill.

(09:40) Walking the talk when building company culture.

(10:33) Why great leaders balance empathy and high standards.

(15:17) The “success syndrome” and learning from failure.

(18:41) What leaders must know about the AI knowledge gap.

(23:15) Why productivity metrics must evolve in the age of AI.

(28:36) Shashank’s hiring philosophy: culture fit over credentials.

(30:23) Favorite interview question that exposes character.

(38:43) A strong tech stack limits hiring risk and speeds onboarding.

Resources Mentioned:

Shashank Shekhar

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisshashank/

InstaMortgage | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/instamortgage1/

InstaMorgage | Website

https://instamortgage.com/

Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. 

Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  

To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. 

#TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

We’re joined by Monique Manso, Chief Revenue Officer of Essence Ventures. Monique shares her journey through corporate media, her return to Essence, and how purpose and performance drive her leadership today. She explains how hiring for care, not just capability, shapes her team, and why transparency and human connection are at the heart of every role she fills.

We also dive into how brands must act with intention to authentically serve today’s multicultural audiences, and why Monique believes this isn’t a DEI issue — it’s a business one.

Key Takeaways:

(06:03) Custom content and experiential platforms are central to modern media growth.

(10:08) Leaders create lasting impact when they focus on community and purpose.

(13:03) Companies that ignore multicultural consumers risk becoming irrelevant.

(23:42) Finding diverse talent requires expanding your network and mindset.

(26:46) Hiring for passion and care is just as important as skills and experience.

(33:07) Great hires often come from those who bring both energy and a problem-solving mindset.

(40:33) Learning to prioritize is essential when demands always outpace time.

Resources Mentioned:

Monique Manso

https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquemanso/

Essence Ventures | Website

https://www.essence.com/essence-ventures-1/

New Voices Foundation | Website

https://newvoicesfoundation.org/

Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. 

Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  

To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. 

#TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

On this episode, we’re joined by Catherine Mitchell, Senior Vice President of InnovAge and a seasoned healthcare operator with a passion for building teams that lead with empathy, adaptability, and purpose. Catherine shares how her early personal experiences shaped her leadership style, and why hiring for story and transferable skills often leads to better outcomes.



Catherine and Oz discuss how to build resilient healthcare cultures, the importance of non-linear thinking in hiring, and how AI may reshape how we evaluate talent. Catherine also opens up about common hiring mistakes — including the danger of overvaluing referrals — and what she looks for in candidates beyond the résumé.

Key Takeaways:

(03:03) Caring for a chronically ill parent shaped Catherine’s leadership lens.

(04:45) Why healthcare complexity makes empathy essential.

(10:22) Emotional intelligence and curiosity are highly transferable.

(13:14) AI can help uncover non-linear hiring potential.

(21:51) Look for the story, not just the résumé.

(26:43) Strong hires can explain what they’ve learned from failure.

(30:14) Great leaders mentor for the long term.

(32:51) Job-hopping may signal deeper decision-making issues.

(35:10) Culture fit goes both ways during interviews.

(38:18) Catherine’s top advice: Be brave, take the risk.

Resources Mentioned:

Catherine Mitchell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-mitchell-319a0b10/

InnovAge | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/myinnovage/

InnovAge | Website

https://www.innovage.com/

Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. 

Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  

To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. 

#TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

On this episode, Oz Rashid talks with Jose Siade, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of TechWisp, and former SVP of Product at LPL Financial. Jose unpacks what it really means to build product-market fit, shares battle-tested lessons from running product in traditional and emerging markets, and explains why hiring for motivation, not just qualifications, leads to lasting team impact.

From structuring MVPs to navigating startup constraints, this conversation is packed with valuable insights for product leaders, founders, and hiring managers looking to scale with intention.



Key Takeaways:

(02:25) Supporting independent professionals requires understanding their unique business and technology needs.

(05:13) Collaboration between product, development, and sales teams drives innovation and organizational success.

(11:58) Achieving the right fit between solutions and market needs is crucial for sustainability.

(17:12) Measuring meaningful outcomes and gathering actionable feedback are essential for growth.

(23:03) Operational and process optimization skills are valuable in today’s changing work environment.

(29:52) Understanding what motivates individuals can boost engagement and team performance.

(31:40) Positive experiences during hiring and interviews influence perceptions of organizations and opportunities.

(47:17) Balancing hard work with enjoyment and reflection leads to a more fulfilling career journey.

Resources Mentioned:

Jose Siade

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josesiade/

TechWisp | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/techwisp/

TechWisp | Website

https://techwisp.ai/

Built By Prime | Website

https://www.builtbyprime.com/

Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. 

Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  

To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com.

#TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrends

On this episode, host Oz Rashid talks to Ari Murray, Chief Growth Officer of Sharma Brands and Creator of Go-to-Millions and Workweek. Ari shares how an unconventional journey shaped her unique lens on hiring, growth, and personal branding. She explains what makes a candidate stand out (hint: it’s not the résumé), why energy and curiosity matter more than polish, and how one cold email changed everything. From building a newsletter read by tens of thousands to helping scale D2C brands behind the scenes, Ari offers specific advice for anyone trying to build momentum in their career.

Key Takeaways:

(05:42) Ari flunked out of college and dropped out of law school before finding e-commerce.

(09:36) Success in D2C requires deep focus on measurable performance, especially in channels like Meta and Shopify.

(11:53) Not all ROI is trackable, so model what matters.

(13:22) Go-to-Millions started as a side project and now reaches over 55K subscribers.

(18:02) When hiring, Ari looks for energy, prep, and people she’d want beside her.

(20:48) Her favorite interview started with a research-packed cold email.

(26:35) Simple, dense résumés with clear tech stacks always stand out.

(32:48) Her advice to her younger self: take risks, jump jobs early, and learn fast.

Resources Mentioned:

Ari Murray

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arimurray/

Sharma Brands | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharmabrands/

Sharma Brands | Website

https://sharmabrands.com/

Go-to-Millions | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/go-to-millions/

Go-to-Millions | Website

https://gotomillions.co/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=GTM

Workweek | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/workweek-media/

Workweek | Website

https://workweek.com/

Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. 

Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  

To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com.  

#TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring #GigEconomy #AIinHR #WorkforceTrend

On this episode, we’re joined by Victoria Pelletier, Vice President of Enterprise Transformation at Kyndryl, who stepped into a COO role at 24 and never looked back. A former child actor, TEDx speaker, and branding expert, Victoria shares how her journey from “Iron Maiden” to “whole-human leader” reshaped how she hires, leads, and shows up authentically. From building resilient teams to embracing emotional intelligence, her insights offer a powerful blueprint for anyone hiring or leading in today’s workplace.

Key Takeaways:

(01:27) Early grit and leadership propelled Victoria to COO at age 24.

(06:50) Confidence can be mistaken for competence, especially for young leaders.

(10:19) Building an authentic personal brand opens doors and opportunities.

(15:54) Trusted leaders and growth mindsets are vital for organizational transformation.

(16:57) Vulnerability and authenticity improve leadership and team culture.

(25:09) Even experienced performers get nervous when speaking as their authentic selves.

(29:33) Hiring for diversity, fit, and learning agility strengthens teams.

(35:21) Learning agility matters more than rehearsed answers in interviews.

Resources Mentioned:

Victoria Pelletier

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriapelletier/

Victoria Pelletier’s | Website

http://www.victoria-pelletier.com/

Kyndryl

https://www.linkedin.com/company/kyndryl/

Embracing healthy resilience: Victoria Pelletier at TEDxMiami

https://youtu.be/xFpknOCFMOg?feature=shared

“The Power of Whole Human Leadership” by Victoria Pelletier

https://victoria-pelletier.com/the-power-of-whole-human-leadership/

Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. 

Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  

To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. 

#TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring

As Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer of ADT, Tim Rains brings a blend of urgency, discipline, and mission-driven leadership to the table. He and Oz discuss how a strong culture of accountability drives better hires, why structured interviews uncover top candidates, and how mentorship programs and cross-functional experience shape long-term success. Tim also shares lessons from his time at Microsoft, Amazon, and T-Mobile, including how mentorship circles and leadership principles helped shape his approach to team building and cybersecurity leadership.

Key Takeaways:

(02:03) Prioritize enterprise cybersecurity and product security to protect data and systems.

(08:45) Urgency is critical for cybersecurity and incident response success.

(11:30) Concise, written communication improves clarity and decision-making.

(16:45) Mentor circles allow professionals to learn from peers as well as mentors.

(19:09) Career advancement strategies include a broad skill set or becoming a trusted expert.

(28:12) Prioritize cultural fit and organizational alignment.

(38:15) Cybersecurity professionals who balance technical expertise with business acumen stand out in the field.

(41:42) Focus on discipline, rather than fear, to support long-term career success.

Resources Mentioned:

Tim Rains

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timrains/

ADT | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/adt/

ADT | Website

https://www.adt.com/

Thank you for listening to “Hire Learning with Oz Rashid.” Don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. 

Connect with our host, Oz Rashid, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrashid.  

To learn more about MSH, visit https://www.talentmsh.com. 

#TalentAcquisition #HiringStrategy #EnterpriseHiring

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz sits down with Chris Knight—founder of Chris Knight Coaching and a former nonprofit executive turned executive coach—to talk about building better teams, smarter hiring, and how to lead with curiosity.Chris brings 15+ years of leadership experience to the conversation and shares why mental fitness is the key to unlocking high-performance leadership. From his nonprofit days to launching his coaching practice, Chris has worked with leaders through inflection points, burnout, and everything in between.You’ll learn:

• Why the best interviews don’t feel like interviews
• The one question Chris always asks to test manager fit
• How to spot coachability early in the hiring process
• What he looks for (and avoids) when building high-growth teams
• A powerful story of a leader who turned failure into her biggest opportunityWhether you’re a founder, hiring manager, or someone building your own career with intention—this episode is filled with wisdom, heart, and practical tools.

Timestamps:

 00:00 – Intro

 01:42 – How Chris fell into coaching (and knew it was his calling)

 05:10 – Why entrepreneurship is more about the stomach than the heart

 08:04 – What “mental fitness” really means (and why leaders need it)

 11:25 – A powerful coaching turnaround story

 15:40 – The #1 reason coaching doesn’t work

 18:25 – Why executive coaching should hurt your wallet a little

 20:45 – Life in Buffalo and the startup scene there

 24:18 – Chris’ hiring philosophy: adaptability over perfection

 27:10 – The interview question every manager should ask

 30:42 – When hiring goes wrong (and how to recover with grace)

 36:55 – The case for treating hiring like a team sport

 42:30 – Chris’ favorite books + advice for his 20-year-old self

 45:00 – Buffalo vs. Boston vs. SF (and where to get the best wings)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz Rashid sits down with Judith Kaltschmitt, Chief Marketing Officer for Moët Hennessy (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), to explore what it takes to build world-class teams inside one of the most iconic luxury brand portfolios in the world.With over a decade of experience at Procter & Gamble and a passion for brand transformation, Judith shares how she hires for potential over pedigree—and why curiosity, attitude, and strategic thinking matter more than resume bullet points.You’ll learn:

• Why the best interviews don’t feel like interviews
• How she led a global brand turnaround in just 12 months
• Her case for hiring outside of the industry
• What she looks for in a standout candidate
• How Moët Hennessy balances tradition with innovation
• Whether you’re hiring talent or building a career in marketing, luxury, or leadership—this episode is full of actionable insight.

Timestamps:

 00:00 – Intro & welcome

 02:00 – Judith’s role at Moët Hennessy and brand scope

 04:45 – The culture inside a legacy luxury brand

 07:30 – Procter & Gamble: the ultimate marketing school

 10:50 – How to onboard fast in a new company

 13:40 – Leading a brand turnaround in Pakistan

 18:05 – How she thinks about talent and hiring

 20:30 – Why she doesn’t prioritize category experience

 22:15 – Her favorite interview ever (and what made it so effective)

 24:00 – The one interview question she loves to ask

 26:15 – Candidate experience: what makes it stand out

 29:10 – The biggest hiring mistakes (and what she’s learned)

 31:30 – Advice for better interview processes

 34:45 – The best hire she’s ever made

 36:30 – What she’s excited about right now in her role

 39:20 – Gen Z drinking habits and alcohol-free trends

 42:00 – Book recommendation: Thinking, Fast and Slow

 43:50 – Her advice to her 20-year-old self

 46:20 – Lightning round: favorite German cities, food, and sports legends

 49:10 – Final thoughts and wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz sits down with Ira Birns, Executive Vice President and CFO at World Fuel Services—a Fortune 100 company and one of South Florida’s most respected global brands. With nearly 40 years of financial and leadership experience, Ira unpacks what most hiring managers get wrong when building teams—and why ignoring your “must-haves” in favor of “giving someone a chance” can be a costly mistake.

From growing up in New York and starting as a paperboy to leading global finance teams and driving alignment across 1,000+ employees, Ira brings a wealth of perspective, candor, and wisdom to the conversation. Whether you're hiring your first employee or leading a large enterprise team, this episode is filled with practical, high-level takeaways for smarter leadership and sharper hiring.

You’ll learn:

• Why strong hiring starts with discipline and clarity
• How alignment (or lack of it) derails even the most talented teams
• The small moments in interviews that tell you everything
• How Ira builds trust across global teams—and why it matters more than ever

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Meet Ira Birns

03:10 – From New York to South Florida: A CFO’s Journey

07:45 – Career Pivot: How Ira Got into Finance

13:30 – The First Day Doubt: Imposter Syndrome & Executive Growth

18:55 – Paperboy to Public Company CFO: Early Career Lessons

23:20 – Why Alignment is the Key to Scaled Leadership

27:40 – Keeping 1,000 People Aligned: Ira’s Global Communication Strategy

33:25 – Honoring His Mother Through Leadership & Legacy

39:10 – Ira’s Core Hiring Philosophy (And Why It Works)

42:15 – The #1 Hiring Mistake Most Managers Make

46:00 – Favorite Interview Questions That Uncover the Truth

50:00 – How to Spot a Bad Hire Before It’s Too Late

53:10 – Advice to His 20-Year-Old Self

56:20 – Rapid Fire: Yankees, Paper Routes, and Perspective

This a must-listen for hiring managers, CFOs, and anyone tasked with building and scaling high-performance teams!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.