Sirva Soundbites

Send us Fan Mail

When budgets tighten, intercultural training is often the first thing on the chopping block. In this episode of Sirva Soundbites, host Brenda Bellon sits down with Suzie Chapman, Staff Vice President, Global Mobility at FM, to find out why FM chose the opposite path.

Suzie shares the training failure early in her career that changed how she thinks about cultural fluency, makes the case against cutting intercultural support to save costs, and explains why repatriation deserves just as much preparation as the outbound move. She also walks through how FM is applying these lessons as it scales into India.

In this episode:

• Suzie's early-career training failure in Singapore, and what it taught her about cultural fluency
• Why cutting intercultural training to save money is a false economy
• The hidden risk of repatriation, and why "coming home" isn't the easy part
• How FM is using ambassador programs and cultural exchange to support its India expansion

Your guest:
Suzie Chapman is Staff Vice President, Global Mobility at FM. With over two decades in the relocation industry, she has led FM's transformation to a more employee-centered, holistic mobility program.

Your host:
Brenda Bellon is Global Director, Intercultural at Sirva, where she leads conversations on the people, policies and practices shaping the future of global mobility.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe and share it with a colleague thinking through their own mobility policy. Questions or topics you'd like us to cover? Email [email protected].

Get in touch with us: [email protected]  

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Sirva Soundbites, Judee Duran speaks with Katherine Lu, Global Head of Employee Mobility at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, on a topic that's transforming how global mobility professionals position themselves within their organizations: Mobility Value Matters.

For too long, mobility has been viewed primarily as a cost center - a necessary expense for moving employees around the world. But what if we could shift that narrative? What if we could demonstrate that mobility isn't just about managing costs, but about delivering real, measurable value to the business?

Katherine shares how her team reframes conversations with leaders, uses curiosity to unlock new possibilities, and positions mobility as a core driver of workforce strategy.

Katherine Lu 

Katherine Lu is the Global Head of Employee Mobility at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, where she leads the strategic design and execution of global mobility programs supporting HPE's workforce transformation initiatives. With a robust background spanning finance and tax across multiple sectors, Katherine brings a uniquely integrated perspective to workforce mobility. Prior to HPE, she served as Tax Manager at KPMG, leveraging her technical expertise to advise multinational clients on complex tax and mobility matters. Her early career included finance roles at Halliburton and marketing at New Era Life Insurance Company, providing her with cross-functional business acumen. Katherine holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Accounting from the University of Houston, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Judee Duran, Director of Global Advisory Services at Sirva, brings over 15 years of Global Mobility experience across retail, finance, and tech industries. She specializes in workforce strategy optimization through data-driven insights, having scaled mobility programs from foundational to strategic levels. Notable achievements include securing bespoke immigration legislation in Canada for expedited international talent hiring. A frequent conference speaker on AI and workforce strategy, Judee holds degrees from University of Toronto and UBC, plus ICCRC certification. Her expertise spans global immigration, talent planning, compliance navigation, and integrating AI into workforce strategies to drive organizational success.

Get in touch with us: [email protected]  

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Sirva Soundbites, host Girlie Velasquez sits down with Nidia Knight, CHRO, Medical Services at International SOS, to explore what it truly takes for women to lead in global mobility. From navigating international assignments across five continents to embracing risk, reinvention, and wellbeing, Nidia shares the pivotal decisions, cultural lessons, and personal principles that shaped her rise to global leadership.

What makes this conversation exceptional is how refreshingly human it is. Nidia opens up about the power of staying curious, the courage it takes to ask for help, and the importance of meeting people where they are, whether across cultures or career stages. She reflects on gratitude as a leadership practice, why rest is not a luxury but a necessity, and how taking bold risks even when the path isn't clear, defines growth. She also speaks about knowing when to change course and why making space for leisure is just as important as any boardroom decision.

Whether you're an HR leader, mobility professional, or an aspiring global executive, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the most effective leaders don't just build strategy, they build themselves.

Nidia Knight is the CHRO for Medical Services at International SOS, the world’s leading medical and security services company. With over 20 years of global human capital experience, she has led teams across Portugal, UAE, China, Australia, Germany and Singapore, building deep expertise in international HR and cross-cultural leadership. Nidia oversees the global people strategy for Medical Services and leads a total employee population of 6,500, including 1,000 international assignees. She manages a large global team of HR and Global Mobility professionals, with Global Mobility sitting directly under her remit. Her team supports the recruitment and deployment of employees and medical experts in some of the world’s most remote and complex environments. As a member of the Executive Committee, Nidia drives strategic HR and global mobility initiatives aligned with business priorities. She is passionate about transformation and innovation, particularly in applying artificial intelligence to enhance workforce agility, employee experience and data-driven decision-making. Leading with empathy and a strong focus on employee engagement is central to her leadership approach. Widely recognised for her strategic acumen, operational excellence and commitment to mentoring emerging talent, Nidia continues to elevate the Global Mobility and HR profession across APAC and beyond through thought leadership and a future-focused approach to people and culture.

Girlie Velasquez, is the Director of Global Account Management at Sirva, overseeing a portfolio of 10+ global and regional clients as the single point of accountability for implementation, service delivery, billing, and client success. She drives seamless account launches through strong cross‑functional collaboration, process mapping, and financial alignment, while maintaining proactive relationship management and strategic consultation. Girlie strengthens commercial performance through financial reviews, billing optimisation, reconciliation audits, and service expansion. She also represents Sirva across APAC and the Middle East and trains teams supporting complex strategic accounts.

Speakers

Host: Girlie Velasquez, Director Global Account Management

Guest: Nidia Knight, CHRO, Medical Services, International SOS

Get in touch with us: [email protected]  

Send us Fan Mail

As organizations navigate AI-driven transformation, geopolitical shifts, and changing workforce expectations, global mobility leaders face critical new challenges. In this episode, Kate Rothwell and Hannah Richardson unpack the trends shaping 2026: why only 1 in 5 AI investments show measurable ROI, how talent intelligence platforms are enabling internal-first mobility, and what it takes to prove mobility's strategic value.

Discover practical plays including: building mobility EVPs to combat culture dissonance, creating AI governance frameworks, integrating HRIS with mobility data for ROI tracking, and supporting the shift from traditional assignments to short-term gigs and rotations. Whether you're managing rehiring initiatives, embedding wellbeing guidance, or partnering with global talent teams, this episode delivers actionable strategies for 2026 and beyond.

Hannah Richardson is currently the Senior Vice President of Sirva's Global Strategic Services. Hannah is responsible for a portfolio of multi-national client engagements, strategic partnership, and business alignment to help drive the client agenda. With over 20 years of experience in talent mobility, Hannah has a deep understanding of the macro trends shaping the industry and understands strategic client requirements. 

Kate Rothwell has been an accomplished global mobility professional for more than 25 years. She joined Sirva in 2011, bringing extensive experience in account management, operations, and leadership from her roles in global mobility teams and as a service partner.

Since last year, Kate has served as Director of Global Advisory Services at Sirva, where she leads strategic consulting initiatives across mobility program optimization and transformation.

Chapters

• 3:07 - The AI Messy Middle Meets Mobility 
• 19:07 - Wellbeing & Culture — Risks for Mobile Talent 
• 23: 46 - The Shift to Internal-First Mobility 
• 34:22 - How to Support Internal Talent Marketplace
• 36:25 - Mobility ROI & Data Integration 
• 44:33 - Practical Plays for 2026

Speakers: 

Hannah Richardson, SVP Global Strategic Services

Kate Rothwell, Director Global Advisory Services

Get in touch with us: [email protected]  

Send us Fan Mail

In this insightful episode, host Judee Duran (Director of Global Advisory Services at Sirva) sits down with Sadhana Bhide, Strategic Workforce Planning expert at Pearson, to explore how organizations can future-proof their workforce. They discuss the evolving role of HR, the integration of AI, and the importance of human-centered skills in a rapidly changing global landscape. From data-driven planning to fostering a culture of continuous learning, this episode is a must-listen for HR and mobility leaders navigating transformation.

Key Takeaways: 

• Strategic workforce planning starts with knowing your current talent landscape and aligning it with future business needs.
• Human-centered skills remain essential and must be developed alongside technical capabilities.
• AI and technology should be integrated intentionally, treated like new team members, and supported with proper onboarding and training.
• A culture of continuous learning is critical to keep pace with change and support internal mobility.
• Global Mobility is a strategic lever for talent and maximizing ROI, enabling organizations to respond to change, optimize resources, and enhance employee experience.

Sadhana Bhide, is the Strategic Workforce Planning SME at Pearson, where she partners with organizations to design, implement, and embed comprehensive SWP strategies.

As an experienced HR business partner and leader, Sadhana has spearheaded enterprise-wide workforce transformation across banking (Barclays), wholesale distribution (Rexel Groupe), and broadcast news (ITN). She specializes in architecting HR strategies that align with business objectives, digital transformation, and organizational change, with particular expertise in workforce career transition, upskilling, and career mobility initiatives.

A published author, Sadhana contributed a research case study to the SAGE Handbook of Mentoring (2017). She holds an MA in HR Management from the University of Westminster and a BSc in Genetics from Queen Mary, London University.

Judee Duran, Director of Global Advisory Services at Sirva, brings over 15 years of Global Mobility experience across retail, finance, and tech industries. She specializes in workforce strategy optimization through data-driven insights, having scaled mobility programs from foundational to strategic levels. Notable achievements include securing bespoke immigration legislation in Canada for expedited international talent hiring. A frequent conference speaker on AI and workforce strategy, Judee holds degrees from University of Toronto and UBC, plus ICCRC certification. Her expertise spans global immigration, talent planning, compliance navigation, and integrating AI into workforce strategies to drive organizational success.

Get in touch with us: [email protected]  

Send us Fan Mail

Join host Judee Duran and guest, KPMG's Rajiv Thadani (30 years mobility veteran) as they dive deep into the complex intersection of global mobility and tax compliance.

What You'll Learn:

• Managing different client types in tax compliance
• Why the "digital nomad" dream isn't as simple as working from a beach in Cancun
• Critical differences between personal income tax risk and permanent establishment (PE) risk
• Real-world case studies of post-pandemic mobility challenges and costly mistakes
• Strategic collaboration approaches between mobility, tax, and immigration teams

Perfect for HR leaders, mobility professionals, tax specialists, and anyone managing global workforce strategies in today's complex regulatory environment.

Rajiv Thadani, Principal at KPMG LLP Global Mobility Services, brings over 30 years of experience in international tax and HR services for globally mobile employees. Based in KPMG's Bay Area office since 2001, he specializes in individual income tax consulting, cross-border payroll compliance, and assignment policy advisory for high-technology clients. Having worked across Belgium, UK, and India, Rajiv understands global mobility challenges firsthand. As an industry thought leader, he regularly presents at conferences including National Foreign Trade Council and BAMM, earning KPMG's "Instructor Excellence" award and recognition as a Top 100 Service Provider. An outspoken equity ally, he co-chairs KPMG's Asian Pacific Islander Network, mentors colleagues, and leads the US-India Corridor initiative while promoting organizational diversity and inclusion.

Judee Duran, Director of Global Advisory Services at Sirva, brings over 15 years of Global Mobility experience across retail, finance, and tech industries. She specializes in workforce strategy optimization through data-driven insights, having scaled mobility programs from foundational to strategic levels. Notable achievements include securing bespoke immigration legislation in Canada for expedited international talent hiring. A frequent conference speaker on AI and workforce strategy, Judee holds degrees from University of Toronto and UBC, plus ICCRC certification. Her expertise spans global immigration, talent planning, compliance navigation, and integrating AI into workforce strategies to drive organizational success.

Get in touch with us: [email protected]  

Send us Fan Mail

What if the secret to global employee relocation success isn’t just in the planning—but in the landing? Join Sirva Soundbites host, Kate Rothwell, Renata Pereira and Darren Jackson as they uncover how destination services are transforming international relocations, helping employees thrive abroad and saving companies from costly assignment failures.

Renata Pereira is Director of Direct Delivery Strategic Projects at Sirva. Based in France, Renata plays a pivotal role in driving program delivery resourcing, revenue growth initiatives and  technologies to enhance Relocation and Visa and Immigration services offerings within the Direct Delivery organization. 

Darren Jackson is Director of Direct Delivery Services at Sirva. Darren leads the strategic and operational delivery of relocation services across Europe. With a proven track record in global mobility and regional leadership, he oversees a network of offices and teams dedicated to providing seamless, client-focused relocation experiences.

Get in touch with us: [email protected]  

Send us Fan Mail

In honor of mental health awareness month, we have invited Dannielle Haig, Founder of DH Consulting to shed light on mental health in the workplace. In this episode, you will hear more about the different challenges prevalent in the workplace, identifying the signs and symptoms and some coping mechanisms to help you work through some of those big emotions. 

Dannielle Haig is a leading Business Psychologist, international speaker, and executive performance coach. Currently in the final year of her PhD, she is qualified in Clinical Psychology, Business Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Coaching. A female business owner and entrepreneur, Dannielle is trusted by some of the world’s biggest companies and works globally with senior leaders — from prime ministers to premiership footballers — helping them build resilience, lead with impact, and perform at their peak.

Luc Innocent began his mobility career as a household goods coordinator more than 22 years ago. He joined Sirva in 2011 as Global Account Manager. Luc has since held Director level positions in implementation and global account management, including his most recent promotion to Vice President of Global Account Management. 

Get in touch with us: [email protected]  

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, join Sirva Soundbites host, Luc Innocent and Global Supply Chain Director, Mark Cooledge as they talk about where ESG is at in the current landscape and how different industries can better realize their ESG goals. Find out how talent mobility can support ESG objectives and how working with accredited suppliers can help you better build your ESG program. 

Key Takeaways:

• How to include ESG into your employee relocation program 
• Using AI to create better measurement frameworks and more accurately calculate carbon emissions 
• How to use results from data to create better policies to measure carbon reduction goals  

Mark Cooledge joined Sirva in 2000 and has extensive experience in global operations, intercultural training services, account management and supply chain. He currently leads Sirva’s third party sourcing, contracting, risk & compliance, diversity and environmental initiatives as well as administers Sirva’s supply chain technology platform.

Luc Innocent began his mobility career as a household goods coordinator more than 22 years ago. He joined Sirva in 2011 as Global Account Manager. Luc has since held Director level positions in implementation and global account management, including his most recent promotion to Vice President of Global Account Management. 

Sirva Soundbites provides the insights, tools and best practices to help talent mobility and human resources professionals navigate through the evolving global talent mobility landscape more confidently and effectively. 

Get in touch with us: [email protected]

Get in touch with us: [email protected]  

Send us Fan Mail

Women are shattering glass ceilings and redefining what it means to be a leader. 

In this episode, we have invited Group Chief Sales & Marketing Officer and Managing Director at TÜV SÜD to share more about her personal career trajectory and life experiences. 

Join Sirva Soundbites host, Kate Rothwell and Liz Fendt, as they talk about what it takes to be a leader in the modern world, finding your true passion and the importance of maintaining your personal identity outside of work.

Liz Fendt is the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at TÜV SÜD. She has been with the Group since 2001, including 13 years at various locations in Asia. During this time, Liz Fendt built up and managed the marketing and sales management team for the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently, as Chief Marketing Officer, she was responsible for the global marketing of the services group.

Kate Rothwell has been an accomplished global mobility professional for more than 25 years. She joined Sirva in 2011 as Director, Global Account Management, bringing experience in account management, operations, and leadership from her roles in global mobility teams and as a service partner. 

If you have any questions or feedback, we welcome you to drop us a note at [email protected].

Get in touch with us: [email protected]