HR Unlocked with Lisa Oakley

How do you build a people strategy that supports one of New Zealand's most recognised global brands while staying true to its purpose?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Faye Restall, Chief People Officer at Les Mills International, to explore leadership, organisational culture, global people strategy, and how HR can create real commercial value.

Leading the People & Culture function for a business that reaches thousands of employees, over 100,000 instructors and 25,000 gym partners worldwide, Faye shares practical insights into building high-performing teams, developing exceptional managers, navigating AI, and keeping people connected to purpose in a rapidly changing world.

From leadership capability and employee engagement to business strategy, organisational development, AI adoption, and the future of work, this conversation explores how modern HR leaders can simplify complexity while helping organisations thrive. Faye discusses why management excellence matters just as much as leadership, how curiosity and continuous improvement create better outcomes, and why People & Culture should always be aligned to commercial priorities.

The conversation also explores how Les Mills has maintained a strong culture while expanding globally, the importance of balancing consistency with entrepreneurial thinking, and why creating meaningful employee experiences starts with understanding what the business is trying to achieve.

What You'll Learn

• How Les Mills maintains culture across a global organisation

• Why People & Culture strategy should align with business strategy

• The importance of management excellence alongside leadership capability

• Practical ways AI is improving HR and employee experience

• How curiosity drives innovation and continuous improvement

• Why simplicity often creates better People & Culture outcomes

• The role purpose plays in employee engagement and performance

• How to balance consistency with entrepreneurial thinking

• Why communication is critical to successful capability development

• How HR can become a genuine commercial partner to the business

Key Takeaways

• Great People & Culture starts with understanding the business

• Strong managers create stronger employee experiences

• Purpose attracts people, but great leadership helps them stay

• HR delivers the most value when it solves business problems

• AI should support real organisational challenges, not create more complexity

• Curiosity and continuous improvement drive innovation

• Simple, practical people strategies are often the most effective

• Culture becomes a competitive advantage when people understand both what they do and why it matters

About Faye Restall

Faye Restall is Chief People Officer at Les Mills International, where she leads the global People & Culture strategy for one of the world's leading fitness brands.

With executive leadership experience across organisations including PwC, Optus and Westpac, Faye specialises in organisational development, leadership capability, employee engagement, business transformation, and global people strategy.

She partners with executive leaders to build high-performing teams, strengthen management capability, and support continued global growth while preserving the purpose and culture that have made Les Mills an internationally recognised brand.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations navigate rapid technological change, evolving workforce expectations, and increasingly global ways of working, HR has become far more than a support function.

This episode demonstrates how People & Culture leaders can create measurable business value by aligning people strategy with commercial priorities, building capable managers, embracing AI thoughtfully, and keeping people connected to purpose. Whether you're an HR professional, business owner, executive leader, or people manager, this conversation offers practical insights into creating organisations where culture, leadership, and performance work together.

Resources & Links

• Les Mills International: https://www.lesmills.com
• Connect with Faye Restall on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/faye-restall-a17b6612/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you build a workplace where people don't just stay, but grow, return, and recommend it to others?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Khush Sethi, Head of Talent & Culture at ClearPoint, to explore leadership, organisational culture, talent management, and the future of People & Culture.

Drawing on more than 15 years of experience, Khush shares practical insights into creating exceptional employee experiences, developing leaders, fostering psychological safety, and balancing technology with genuine human connection.

From co-creating organisational values and embracing AI to building curiosity, resilience, and authentic leadership, this conversation offers practical lessons for leaders looking to create cultures where both people and businesses thrive.

What You'll Learn

• Why talent management is about the entire employee lifecycle

• How organisational values should guide everyday decisions

• The importance of curiosity, psychological safety, and continuous learning

• How AI can enhance, rather than replace, human connection

• Why leadership development is an ongoing journey

• How co-creating culture strengthens engagement and trust

• The difference between being kind and simply being nice as a leader

Key Takeaways

• Strong cultures are built through everyday behaviours, not words on a wall

• Great leaders lead with curiosity, empathy, and authenticity

• AI is most valuable when it supports, rather than replaces, human connection

• Leadership is about creating environments where people can learn, grow, and contribute

• Trust, communication, and shared ownership are the foundations of high-performing organisations

About Khush Sethi

Khush Sethi is Head of Talent & Culture at ClearPoint, leading People & Culture across Australasia and the United Kingdom. Passionate about creating meaningful employee experiences, she specialises in organisational culture, leadership development, talent strategy, and building workplaces where people feel connected, valued, and empowered to do their best work.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations navigate AI, changing workforce expectations, and increasingly complex leadership challenges, creating cultures built on trust, learning, and authentic human connection has never been more important. This episode offers practical insights for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners looking to build resilient, high-performing organisations.

Resources

• Connect with Khush Sethi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/khushsethi/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do organisations create workplaces where people can thrive while still delivering strong business outcomes?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Danielle Scott, Manager People & Sustainability at AoFrio, to explore leadership, resilience, employee wellbeing, and the changing role of People & Culture.

Drawing on her experience across operations, customer experience, and people leadership, Danielle shares practical insights into building authentic workplace cultures, supporting leaders through change, developing capability, and helping employees bring their whole selves to work.

From psychological safety and financial wellbeing to AI, sustainability, and leadership development, this conversation explores what modern organisations need to do to create resilient, high-performing teams.

What You'll Learn

• Why empathy and trust are essential leadership capabilities

• How authentic workplaces improve engagement and performance

• The importance of resilience and wellbeing for People & Culture leaders

• Why capability building matters more than ever in an AI-enabled workplace

• How to support technical experts as they transition into leadership

• The connection between sustainability, purpose, and employee engagement

• Why organisations are increasingly hiring for potential rather than experience

Key Takeaways

• Great leadership starts with self-awareness, empathy, and trust

• Employee wellbeing and business performance go hand in hand

• Capability and learning agility are becoming more valuable than technical expertise alone

• Strong cultures are built by creating space for people to learn, grow, and bring their authentic selves to work

• AI will change how we work, but human leadership remains essential

About Danielle Scott

Danielle Scott is Manager People & Sustainability at AoFrio, where she leads people strategy, sustainability initiatives, leadership development, and organisational capability. Passionate about creating authentic, people-first workplaces, Danielle focuses on building resilient teams and helping organisations navigate change with empathy and purpose.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations navigate AI, changing workforce expectations, and increasing pressure on leaders, creating workplaces where people feel supported, connected, and able to grow has never been more important. This episode offers practical insights for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners looking to build resilient cultures that balance people, performance, and purpose.

Connect

• Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellescottnz/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when organisations genuinely listen to their people and act on what they hear?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Maria Coupland, General Manager People & Culture at Finance Now, to explore employee experience, leadership, culture, and the commercial realities of building high-performing workplaces.

Drawing on experience across multiple industries and countries, Maria shares practical insights into creating meaningful employee experiences, building trust through action, and partnering with leaders to drive business outcomes through people.

From leadership development and culture champions to employee engagement, recognition, and commercial HR, this conversation explores how organisations can create workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and motivated to contribute.

What You'll Learn

• How employee experience drives engagement and retention

• Why listening to employees is only valuable if you act on the feedback

• How Culture Champions can strengthen workplace culture

• The role recognition plays in engagement and performance

• Why leadership development should be continuous, not event-based

• How HR can build credibility through commercial thinking

• What it means to be a true business partner

Key Takeaways

• Great employee experiences start with listening and follow-through

• Trust is built through consistency and action

• Leadership development works best when leaders learn together

• HR creates the most value when it's connected to business outcomes

• Small changes can have a significant impact on engagement and culture

About Maria Coupland

Maria Coupland is General Manager People & Culture at Finance Now. With experience across multiple sectors and countries, she is passionate about creating workplaces where people can thrive while delivering strong business outcomes through practical, people-focused leadership.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations compete for talent and navigate ongoing change, employee experience has become a critical driver of performance, retention, and culture. This episode provides practical insights for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners looking to create workplaces where people genuinely want to stay and contribute.

Resources

• Maria Coupland | LinkedIn

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How do organisations successfully transform while bringing their people with them?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Bernadette Kelly, Chief People, Corporate & Operations Officer at TVNZ, to explore organisational transformation, leadership, change management, and the evolving role of People & Culture.

Drawing on her experience leading large-scale transformation across one of New Zealand's most recognised media organisations, Bernadette shares practical insights into building change capability, supporting leaders, communicating through uncertainty, and helping people adapt in an environment of constant disruption.

From digital transformation and organisational change to AI, trust, leadership, and workforce capability, this conversation explores what it really takes to create meaningful, sustainable change.

What You'll Learn

• Why successful transformation starts with people, not technology

• The importance of dedicated change management and communication capability

• How leaders can build trust during periods of uncertainty

• Why organisational change should happen with people, not to them

• How to communicate effectively throughout large-scale transformation

• The leadership skills needed to navigate continuous change

• Why AI should enhance human capability, not replace it

Key Takeaways

• Organisational transformation succeeds when people understand the purpose behind the change

• Trust, transparency, and communication are the foundations of successful change management

• Leaders need support too, especially when navigating uncertainty

• Technology enables transformation, but people determine its success

• Building change capability is a strategic investment, not an afterthought

About Bernadette Kelly

Bernadette Kelly is Chief People, Corporate & Operations Officer at TVNZ, where she leads People & Culture, Legal, Corporate Affairs, Health & Safety, and Operational Services. She has extensive experience leading large-scale organisational transformation, developing leadership capability, and helping organisations navigate change while balancing commercial performance with people outcomes.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations face accelerating technological change, evolving workforce expectations, and increasing business disruption, leaders need practical strategies to help their people adapt with confidence. This episode offers valuable insights for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners looking to lead organisational change, strengthen leadership capability, and build resilient, future-ready workplaces.

Resources

Connect with Bernadette Kelly on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadette-kellynz/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when workplaces stop avoiding difficult conversations and start leaning into them?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with HR consultant, facilitator, workplace investigator, and founder of HR Butter, Kate Bacchus.

Drawing on decades of experience across operational industries, leadership development, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution, Kate shares practical insights into human behaviour, communication, resilience, and the growing importance of critical thinking in the workplace.

From workplace mediation to leadership capability and the impact of AI on human connection, this conversation explores the skills leaders and organisations need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

What You'll Learn

• Why difficult conversations are often the key to growth

• How facilitation helps teams navigate conflict and rebuild trust

• What Kate means by "human friction" and why it matters

• The risks of outsourcing too much thinking to technology

• How leaders can build resilience without expecting people to be invincible

• Why curiosity is one of the most important leadership skills

• The role emotions play in workplace culture and performance

Key Takeaways

• Most workplace issues grow when they're avoided

• Human connection and communication remain critical leadership skills

• Curiosity leads to better decisions and stronger relationships

• Resilience is about recovery, not simply enduring pressure

• Organisations perform better when leaders create space for honest conversations

About Kate Bacchus

Kate Bacchus is the founder of HR Butter and an experienced HR consultant, facilitator, workplace investigator, and leadership adviser. With more than 25 years of experience across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, she helps organisations navigate complex people challenges, develop leaders, and build healthier workplace cultures.

Why This Episode Matters

As technology accelerates and workplaces become increasingly complex, the ability to communicate, think critically, navigate conflict, and build meaningful human connections has never been more important. This episode provides practical insights for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners who want to create stronger workplaces and better conversations.

Resources

• Kate Bacchus, CMHRNZ | LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to build a workplace where people genuinely belong and can do their best work?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Evan Bateup, Partner and Chief People & Inclusion Officer at KPMG New Zealand.

Drawing on a non-traditional career journey that spans operations, change, sales, marketing, and people leadership, Evan shares practical insights into leadership, inclusion, culture, and the role HR can play in creating meaningful impact.

From belonging and organisational culture to commercial HR, leadership capability, and the future of work, this conversation explores what it takes to create environments where both people and businesses can thrive.

What You'll Learn

• Why inclusion is about more than diversity metrics

• The role belonging plays in engagement and performance

• How HR can become a true strategic business partner

• Why curiosity is one of the most valuable leadership traits

• The difference between leadership principles and leadership certainty

• How organisations can create environments where people flourish

• Why commercial understanding is critical for modern HR leaders

Key Takeaways

• Great leaders create the conditions for others to succeed

• Belonging drives engagement, performance, and retention

• HR creates the most value when it's deeply connected to the business

• Curiosity and humility are critical leadership skills

• Strong cultures are built through everyday behaviours, not statements on a wall

About Evan Bateup

Evan Bateup is Partner and Chief People & Inclusion Officer at KPMG New Zealand. With experience spanning operations, sales, marketing, change, and people leadership, he is passionate about helping organisations create cultures where people feel valued, included, and empowered to contribute at their best.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations navigate rapid change, evolving workforce expectations, and emerging technologies, leaders need to create workplaces where people feel connected, supported, and able to thrive. This episode provides practical insights for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners looking to build stronger cultures and more inclusive organisations.

Resources

• Evan Bateup | LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do organisations build talent when the skills they need take years to develop?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Kim Milne, Chief People Officer at Elf Group, including AB Equipment and Speirs Finance Group, to explore apprenticeships, leadership, workforce development, and the future of skilled trades in New Zealand.

Drawing on her experience across operations, people leadership, governance, and industry training, Kim shares practical insights into developing talent from the ground up, creating career pathways, and helping technical specialists transition into leadership roles.

From attracting young people into trades and supporting women in operational industries to workforce planning and leadership development, this conversation highlights the importance of investing in people for the long term.

What You'll Learn

• Why apprenticeships remain critical to New Zealand's workforce future

• How organisations can identify potential before technical skills exist

• The leadership challenges faced by technical specialists moving into management

• Why customer skills matter just as much as technical expertise

• How businesses can attract more women into trades and operational roles

• The importance of workforce planning and knowledge transfer

• Why commercial understanding strengthens people leadership

Key Takeaways

• Great talent is built, not simply recruited

• Attitude and potential often matter more than existing skills

• Leadership requires a different skill set than technical expertise

• Investing in apprenticeships creates long-term organisational success

• The future of work still relies heavily on skilled people and human connection

About Kim Milne

Kim Milne is Chief People Officer at Elf Group and serves on the boards of MITO and Christchurch Boys' High School. She is passionate about apprenticeships, workforce development, leadership capability, and creating career opportunities across trades and operational industries.

Why This Episode Matters

As New Zealand faces ongoing skills shortages and changing workforce demands, organisations need practical strategies to attract, develop, and retain talent. This episode offers valuable insights for leaders, HR professionals, educators, and business owners committed to building the workforce of the future.

Resources

Kim Milne | LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can HR and business leaders learn from paramedics who make life-and-death decisions every day?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Ross Aitken, Clinical Operations Manager at Northern Rescue, and Mark Quin, Secretary of the New Zealand Ambulance Association.

Together they explore leadership under pressure, resilience, decision-making in high-stakes environments, and what a truly constructive employer-union relationship looks like in practice.

Drawing on decades of experience in emergency services, Ross and Mark share practical insights on staying calm in crisis, valuing highly skilled workforces, and creating partnerships that deliver better outcomes for organisations, employees, and the communities they serve.

What You'll Learn

• How paramedics make decisions in high-pressure situations

• Practical lessons leaders can apply when navigating workplace crises

• Why adaptability and course-correction are critical leadership skills

• The importance of trust in employer-union relationships

• How regular communication prevents conflict and builds partnership

• Why workforce value goes beyond pay alone

• Lessons in resilience, leadership, and emotional regulation

Key Takeaways

• Great leaders stay calm, adaptable, and focused under pressure

• Trust is built through consistent communication and follow-through

• Strong employer-union relationships create better outcomes for everyone

• Workforce retention starts with genuinely valuing people

• Sometimes the most important leadership skill is knowing when to pause and reassess

About Ross Aitken & Mark Quin

Ross Aitken is Clinical Operations Manager at Northern Rescue, leading highly skilled aeromedical and rescue teams across New Zealand's upper North Island.

Mark Quin is Secretary of the New Zealand Ambulance Association, representing ambulance professionals across New Zealand and advocating for workforce wellbeing, capability, and sustainable employment outcomes.

Why This Episode Matters

Whether you're leading a team, managing workplace challenges, or navigating complex stakeholder relationships, this episode offers practical leadership lessons from professionals who operate in some of the highest-pressure environments imaginable.

Resources & Links

• Northern Rescue: https://www.nrhl.co.nz/ 
• New Zealand Ambulance Association: https://www.nzambulance.org.nz/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to scale a New Zealand technology company into a truly global organisation?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Rachael Satherley, Chief People Officer at Serko, to explore the realities of global growth, leadership across cultures, and building organisations that can scale without losing their identity.

Drawing on experience from Expedia Group and now Serko, Rachael shares practical insights from building teams across New Zealand, India, Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. From creating a network of global hubs to navigating different leadership styles and cultural expectations, this conversation offers a candid look at the opportunities and challenges that come with international expansion.

The discussion also explores workforce capability, AI, employee experience design, and why successful growth is ultimately driven by people, leadership, and culture.

What You'll Learn

• How to scale teams across multiple countries while maintaining culture and connection

• The importance of local leadership when expanding into new markets

• How leadership styles differ across New Zealand, India, and the United States

• Why capability building is becoming more important than traditional workforce planning

• How to create alignment without forcing uniformity across global teams

• What employee experience design can teach HR and people leaders

• How AI is influencing learning, leadership, and organisational capability

• Why adaptability and resilience are critical leadership skills in high-growth environments

Key Takeaways

• Successful global expansion starts with strategy, not headcount

• Local leadership is critical for translating strategy into local reality

• Strong cultures are built through shared principles, not identical practices

• Leadership capability becomes increasingly important as organisations scale

• Employee experience improves when solutions are co-created with employees rather than designed for them

• Learning, adaptability, and experimentation are essential in technology-driven organisations

• Growth is easier to sustain when organisations take the time to build strong foundations first

About Rachael Satherley

Rachael Satherley is Chief People Officer at Serko, one of New Zealand's leading travel technology companies.

With more than 20 years of international experience, Rachael has built and scaled teams across New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and India. Prior to joining Serko, she spent 16 years with Expedia Group, helping navigate periods of rapid global growth and organisational expansion.

At Serko, she leads the people strategy behind the company's international growth, focusing on leadership, capability, culture, and building connected global teams.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations increasingly operate across borders, leaders are being challenged to build cultures that work across different markets, time zones, and ways of working.

Whether you're leading growth, building capability, managing distributed teams, or preparing your organisation for the future of work, this episode offers practical lessons from someone who has successfully navigated those challenges firsthand.

Resources & Links

• Serko: https://www.serko.com

• Rachael Satherley (she / her / hers) | LinkedIn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.