HR Like a Boss by Willory

Join John on this episode of HR Like a Boss, where he takes the podcast to Stone Mountain, Georgia, for the 2025 SHRM Georgia Conference & Expo! John talks to attendees of the conference, keynote speakers, and people who helped put the conference together about all things HR. Check it out!

Guests in order of appearance -

Amanda Petroff-Smith

Jodie Braner

Stephanie Thompson

Dr. Timothy Williams, Sr.

Luke Goetting

Lisa Hughes

Ron Williams

Kristal Swaby

David Suarez

Adriane Lockwood

John is continuing to take HR Like a Boss on the road and had the amazing opportunity to join this years Maryland SHRM conference to interview a variety of attendees. Hear from each of their unique perspectives about what the purpose of HR is, what they got from the conference, and, of course, what it means to do HR Like a Boss!

Guests in order of appearance -

Andy Nielsen

Stephanie Bidle

Shari Arends

Monica Kennedy

Marjorie Bedjamin

Jennifer Eyler

Taylor Cisneros

Antoinette (Toni) Robinson

Raghad Mohamed

Katherine Fry

Elise Smith

On today's episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John interviews Jennifer Watson, a former Division 1 athlete turned HR leader and coach. They discuss the importance of leadership, the role of HR in bringing out the best in individuals, and the significance of wellness in the workplace. Jennifer shares her insights on the athlete's mindset, the value of individual coaching, and the necessity of feedback for personal and professional growth. The conversation emphasizes the need for HR professionals to be aware of their own wellness and to implement strategies that foster a healthy work environment. Check it out!

ABOUT JENNIFER

Jennifer Watson is a dynamic speaker, executive-performance strategist and wellness- practitioner with a gift for visionary, intuitive coaching. She helps CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigate growth, challenge, and high-stakes transitions with clarity and resilience. A former D1 collegiate track athlete and two-time All-American, she has been featured on the TEDx stage, NBC, FOX Radio, and top summits. With a clinical background in physical therapy and over 25 years of experience in behavioral science, mind-body performance, and leadership development, she guides top-tier professionals in mastering their internal ecosystem for elite results—without burnout. Her work blends neuroscience, performance psychology, intuitive leadership development, and strategic business alignment. She is a catalyst for visionary leaders ready to expand their legacy and impact from the inside out. Whether I’m facilitating a boardroom workshop, keynoting a leadership summit, or advising an executive in transition, she helps people unlock their next-level leadership through embodied strategy, powerful insight, and deeply human performance tools. She integrates science and energetics to elevate mind-body wellness, leadership expansion, and performance optimization through transition, growth, and change.

HR Like a Boss had the pleasure of going back to the Ohio SHRM conference to interview all kinds of amazingly awesome guests. From HR pros, to speakers, to college students, hear each of their perspectives about what the purpose of HR is, what they got from the conference, and, of course, what it means to do HR Like a Boss!

Guests in order of appearance

Jessica Beaver, Jon Antonucci, Tabatha Farmer, Jamie Amis, LeAnn Niederman, Jaclyn Hickman, Ava Heath, McKenna Godley, Sam Hamad, Katherine Allison, Stacey Corbin, Holly Colson, Tina Kramer, Samantha Kelly, Craig Gabel, Heather Malinowski, Katie Brown, Sarah Alessandro.

In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John interviews Kristi Stuetzer, a seasoned HR professional and CHRO. They discuss the evolving role of HR, the importance of ownership in HR leadership, and effective recruiting strategies in manufacturing. Kristi shares insights on visual communication and the significance of building relationships at work, emphasizing that trust and communication are foundational to a successful workplace. The conversation highlights the need for HR professionals to take ownership of their roles and foster a positive work environment.

ABOUT KRISTI

Kristi Stuetzer is an accomplished human resources executive with deep expertise in building people strategies that fuel business growth and operational excellence. As Chief Human Resources Officer, she partners with senior leadership and boards to align talent, culture, and organizational design with business objectives. With a proven track record across manufacturing and multi-state operations, Kristi has led HR transformations that strengthened leadership pipelines, optimized workforce planning, and enhanced employee engagement. She brings particular skill in scaling organizations through periods of rapid growth, private equity ownership, and operational change. Kristi is passionate about cultivating inclusive, high-performance workplaces where employees feel valued and empowered to succeed. Her experience spans talent acquisition, employee relations, organizational development, labor law compliance, and building HR infrastructure from the ground up. As a trusted advisor to CEOs and executive teams, Kristi balances strategic vision with a hands-on approach, ensuring HR initiatives deliver measurable business impact.

In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John interviews keynote speaker Cameron Atlas, who shares his journey from a small town in Australia to becoming a renowned speaker and coach. They discuss the critical role of human resources in aligning personal and organizational purpose, the importance of resilience and adaptability in the workplace, and the transformative experiences that shape one's career. Cameron emphasizes the need for HR professionals to develop a purpose that transcends challenges and to create environments where employees can thrive.
ABOUT CAMERON

Cameron delivers experiential keynotes, blending live music on stage with insights on high performance, leadership, creativity & innovation. His unique approach transforms audiences and empowers them to break through their limits and overcome their greatest challenges. With more than 300 songs written about topics including purpose, resilience, courage, and overcoming adversity, Cameron's music has been heard millions of times across 195 countries and is performed live by Cameron on a grand piano and acoustic guitar during his keynotes. When he's not on stage, Cameron enjoys coaching and training founders, leaders & family offices, helping them build high performing teams. He is also a National Geographic Explorer, TEDx Speaker and a proud uncle to 5 remarkable kids.

HR Like a Boss is back! And to kick off the sixth season, John welcomes fellow podcaster Laurie Ruettimann, a former HR professional turned writer and speaker. They discuss the evolving role of HR, the importance of individual accountability in the workplace, and the value of fostering animals as a metaphor for personal growth and development. Laurie shares her insights on how HR professionals can support themselves and their organizations by creating a culture of self-leadership and accountability. The conversation emphasizes the need for HR to adapt to modern challenges and the importance of professional detachment to avoid burnout. Don't miss this inspiring episode, and stay tuned for this exciting new season of HR Like a Boss!

ABOUT LAURIE RUETTIMANN

Laurie Ruettimann, a distinguished consultant and author with over two decades in leadership and HR, began as an HR leader before evolving into an influential writer and speaker. Recognized by CNN in 2009 as a top US career adviser, her insights have appeared on platforms like NPR, The New Yorker, and The Wall Street Journal. Globally renowned for her keynote addresses on leadership and technology in the workplace, her best-selling book, “Betting On You,” delves into modern HR dynamics. Laurie also shapes future leaders through LinkedIn Learning and sparks discussions on her podcast, Punk Rock HR. She’s a steadfast advocate for enhanced workplace experiences. Her forthcoming book is Corporate Drinker, based on stories and a podcast of the same name. She lives with her husband and cats in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Join us on the final episode of season 5 of the HR Like a Boss podcast! John welcomes Robert Palmer Jr. to discuss the upcoming Ohio SHRM Conference. They explore the purpose of human resources, the importance of networking, and the exciting events planned for the conference, including keynote speakers and social activities. Robert emphasizes the need for HR professionals to be advocates for people and shares insights on how the conference aims to inspire attendees while providing valuable educational opportunities and SHRM recertification credits.

In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John welcomes Mark Chaffey, co-founder and CEO of hackajob. They discuss Mark's journey from England to New York and the importance of creating a positive work culture. Mark shares insights on how hackajob addresses the challenges of tech hiring and the evolving role of AI in recruitment. The conversation emphasizes the significance of relationships in talent acquisition and the need for HR professionals to adapt to technological advancements while maintaining a people-first approach.

In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John is joined by Laura Azzarella, HR leader and Co-Founder of Applied Potential Solutions. They discuss the evolving role of human resources as a strategic partner in organizations. Laura shares her journey from media production to HR, emphasizing the importance of data analytics and technology in HR practices. They explore how HR professionals can leverage data to improve workforce management and the significance of embracing technology to enhance HR functions. Check it out!

ABOUT LAURA

Laura Azzarella is a data-driven HR leader and Co-Founder of Applied Potential Solutions, as well as the President-Elect of the Buffalo Niagara HR Association. With over 15 years of experience in strategic HR leadership, she has built a career transforming businesses through analytics, technology, and forward-thinking solutions. Laura specializes in leveraging technology to drive measurable results. She has led HRIS migrations, payroll and benefits system upgrades (KRONOS & ADP), and the development of HR analytics dashboards across multiple organizations. She believes HR should be more than just a compliance function—it should be a strategic force that drives business success. Her expertise spans leadership development, employee engagement, workforce analytics, and HR technology integration, with a focus on bringing enterprise-level best practices to startups and small businesses.