In this episode of HR, We Have a Problem, Teri Zipper is joined by guest Jennifer Congdon, Chief Human Resources Officer at M Financial Group. Drawing from her extensive experience in tech, aerospace, and manufacturing, Jennifer shares insights on building effective HR strategies and fostering a people-centered culture. She discusses the power of structured change management, continuous improvement, and provides practical advice on leveraging cross-functional relationships and process rigor to drive business success.

Key points covered include:

↪️ Building authentic connections across organizational hierarchies transforms resistance into partnership, creating natural champions for change at every level.

↪️ Strategic stakeholder engagement isn't just about initial buy-in—it's about creating sustainable feedback channels that turn employees into active participants in the change journey.

↪️ Change initiatives must be anchored in measurable business outcomes, with special attention to how complex organizations require tailored approaches for different departments and teams.

↪️ HR's effectiveness stems from being business partners first—immersing in operations, understanding pain points, and shaping people strategies that directly impact company goals.

Special announcement! Fostering a more inclusive and positive culture in a workplace of constant change is hard and messy but not impossible. In our in-depth and collaborative learning program, we break it down. Join Navigating Change with Confidence, a cohort-based immersive program launching in January 2025. Click here to learn more.

Don’t miss this exciting thought leader conversation! Follow the hosts and companies mentioned below:

Sapient Insights Group

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Teri Zipper

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Jennifer Congdon

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M Financial Group

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