Don Robertson is Northwestern Mutual’s chief human resources officer. He says his career in HR “just kind of happened,” but he also acknowledges how his background in finance, business and sales helped make him a great fit. In this episode of People and Strategy, Robertson speaks with host Tony Lee on topics that include his business-forward approach to HR, how Northwestern Mutual’s identity as a purpose-driven organization drives their recruiting, and the expanding role of the CHRO.

This episode of People and Strategy is sponsored by BambooHR.

Episode transcript

Chris Rackow was both a special agent in the FBI and a Navy SEAL. Today, he’s vice president for global security and resilience services at Google, as well as and president of the board of directors for the International Security Management Association (ISMA). In this episode of People and Strategy, Rackow speaks with host Tony Lee on the growing role of CHROs in corporate security, overlooked methods to prevent phishing and ransomware attacks and how the rapid expansion of remote work is impacting security and safety.

This episode is sponsored by Mystery.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

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Tawanda Starms’ career in HR began when she learned that the chief people officer of Taco Bell needed an executive assistant. Today, she’s vice president of talent and culture at Chipotle Mexican Grill, overseeing a wide range of talent strategies, from recruiting to talent development to company culture, DE&I and organizational design. In this episode of People and Strategy, Starms speaks with host Tony Lee on topics including what she loves about the restaurant industry, her perspective on fostering employee engagement and the effectiveness of holistic, multi-armed talent recruitment strategies. 

This episode is sponsored by Cornerstone.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

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SHRM CHRO Jim Link started his HR career writing the company newsletter and responding to union grievances before advancing to HR leadership roles at organizations including Porsche and Randstad. In this episode of People and Strategy, he speaks with host Tony Lee about identifying solutions to talent shortages, the relationship between compensation and employee engagement and how to think about HR roles at both larger and smaller organizations.

This episode of People and Strategy is sponsored by UKG.

Episode transcript

Successful leaders acknowledge while they can’t prevent adverse events (e.g. a global pandemic), what persists is leaders’ ability to choose how they and their organizations respond to those difficult situations by enacting meaningful change. In this episode of People and Strategy, host Tony Lee speaks with Ian Ziskin, president of the EXec EXcel Group and co-founder of the Business inSITE Group, about how leaders can achieve transformational change at their own organizations.

Ziskin is the author of The Secret Sauce for Leading Transformational Change.

This episode is sponsored by Greenhouse.

Episode transcript

Beth Benevenia is the leader of HR in the Global Manufacturing and Commercial Division of LIXIL, a global enterprise and manufacturer of water and housing products with 60,000 employees in more than 150 countries.

She speaks with host Tony Lee about how organizations can make returning to the office appealing for employees, the role of culture in attracting and retaining talent during The Great Resignation and developing an adaptive leadership style at a global organization.

This episode of People + Strategy is sponsored by ADP.

Learn more about the SHRM Executive Network.

Melissa Thompson is the Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Ford Motor Company.

In this interview with host Tony Lee, Thompson discusses how to attract and retain talent in today's competitive market and the role culture plays in talent acquisition.

This episode of People and Strategy is sponsored by ADP.

Cordell Carter, Esq., is Founding Executive Director of the Project on Belonging and Executive Director of the Socrates Program, both at the Aspen Institute. He is also a commissioner of The President's Commission on White House Fellowships.

In this interview with Tony Lee, Vice President of Content at SHRM, Carter dives deep into how societies and organizational cultures must cultivate thriving and belonging in the context of HR and business. (length 21:42)

This episode of People+Strategy is sponsored by ADP.

Stephanie Rawitt, an attorney at Clark Hill PLC, discusses the Supreme Court ruling that stayed the OSHA’s Vaccination and Testing Emergency Standard (OSHA ETS). The ETS is on hold pending the review of the merits of the issue before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit or further action by the Biden Administration.

In this interview with Tony Lee, Vice President of Content at SHRM, Rawitt examines the options leaders have to keep employees and customers safe. (length 22:46)

Jeff Lindeman, SHRM-SCP, is the CHRO and Vice President, Organizational Development at WD-40 Company.

In this interview with Tony Lee, Vice President of Content at SHRM, Lindeman describes the unique WD-40 culture and its reliance on company values and belonging. (length 20:15)