In this insightful episode, we sit down with Mark Hamberlin (see his bio below), the first Chief People Officer to appear on "The Corporate Couch" podcast. As the executive responsible for human resources strategy and operations at Clark Construction Group, Mark shares his expertise in attracting, retaining, and engaging top talent to drive business success. With decades of experience spanning roles at Danaher, Cisco Systems, Coach Leather, and Hallmark Cards, Mark offers a unique perspective on the evolving role of the Chief People Officer in the modern workforce. We dive into how he aligns talent management, company culture, and business strategy to foster the growth and development of high-performing teams. Listeners will gain valuable insights on:

• The critical intersection of human resources, organizational behavior, and corporate strategy

Whether you're a seasoned HR professional, a business leader focused on talent management, or simply interested in the evolution of the modern workplace, you will enjoy this conversation with Mark!

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at [email protected].   

Mark's bio: Mark Hamberlin ​(LinkedIn) provides executive direction for Clark Construction Group’s human

resources strategy and operations.​ Mark is responsible for aligning talent, culture, and organization in order to attract, retain, develop, and engage the best talent for Clark. His role also encompasses talent acquisition and management, training and development, organization development, employee engagement, total rewards, and employee policies. Before joining Clark, Mark served as vice president of global talent acquisition for Danaher, a global science and technology company. Mark’s career has also included human resources and finance leadership roles at Cisco Systems, Coach Leather, and Hallmark Cards. With decades of human resources experience, Mark is instrumental in fostering a strong alignment between business strategy, talent management, and company culture. He is also focused on driving the growth and development of the Clark team.

Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in French, with minors in business and psychology, and a master’s degree in organizational behavior from Brigham Young University.

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at [email protected].   

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Ken Bramble (see his bio below), an employee benefits consultant turned mental health advocate whose raw honesty about his personal struggles has resonated with audiences nationwide. Ken opens up about his journey wrestling with imposter syndrome while building a successful 25-year career in the employee benefits space. He candidly shares how anxiety crept into his life as he balanced the mounting pressures of career advancement, family responsibilities, and community service. Drawing from his book "Reflections at the Crossroads: A Journey from Ambition to Authenticity," Ken explores the tension between his faith and material desires, and what it truly cost him to compare himself to the"cool kids club" members. As someone who has witnessed firsthand the evolution of workplace wellness over two decades, Ken brings unique insights into how companies can better support their employees' mental health—a mission that has become deeply personal for him. Through vulnerable storytelling and practical wisdom, Ken challenges us to examine our own crossroads moments and the choices that shape not just our careers, but our very identities. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, questioning your path, or leading a team through mental health challenges (especially as a male), Ken's authentic perspective offers both comfort and clarity for the journey ahead. You will learn from Ken's journey and transparency with struggles.

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at [email protected].   

Ken's bio: Ken Bramble​ (LinkedIn) is a believer, father, husband, employee benefits consultant, and mental health champion. His first book, Reflections at the Crossroads: A Journey of Ambition of Authenticity, is an insightful exploration of life's pivotal moments and the choices that shape our destinies. The book takes you down a path of a father’s challenges with anxiety brought on by the responsibilities of career, family, finance, and community service.

In this illuminating episode, Jeff sits down with marketing legend and bestselling author Seth Godin to discuss his new book "This is Strategy" and explore the evolving landscape of college, work, and decision-making.

• Seth reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, from his college days to founding successful ventures

Godin challenges listeners to have meaningful conversations about strategy and offers a fresh perspective on navigating the complexities of modern work life. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of work, this episode provides valuable insights to help shape your strategic thinking.

Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion with one of the most influential voices in marketing and business strategy!

You will enjoy this conversation with Andrew Marquardt (see his bio below) the general counsel, co-founder, and CEO of Advantage Tech. Andrew and I discuss the life-changing events in his early teen years that changed his life, how his legal career led him to start an IT company (it also included a legal decision that went against Microsoft), how he never thought he could become an attorney (and his grit to make it happen), the "Oh Sh**" moments he had when he started his company, his advice to people who want to create their own company, the power of emotional intelligence, why he believes in the dignity of work, how the painting company he founded in college was the only reason he landed his first job after graduation, what he thinks of non-compete agreements, the changes in the IT industry the last three decades, and standing of the shoulders of his ancestors (including his trailblazing mom who went to law school after her divorce and becoming the first woman president of the Kansas Bar Association). You will learn about Andrew's career journey and his insight. Enjoy!

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at [email protected].   

Andrews's bio: Andrew Marquardt​ (LinkedIn) has been an attorney for over 30 years. His experience includes litigating employment lawsuits representing plaintiffs and defendants. These cases included non-compete litigation, tort and contract claims, and discrimination suits. In addition to driving the claims through trial, most disputes were resolved through mediation and arbitration.​ Mr. Marquardt is also the co-founder, CEO, and General Counsel of Advantage Tech​ (Website), an IT and professional services firm founded in 1997. Advantage Tech places on average 400 contract and full-time employees each year, which translates to several thousand placements over the past 27 years. During that time, Mr. Marquardt has hired and terminated hundreds of employees and has drafted and overseen the implementation of hundreds of employment agreements. Significant employment issues frequently materialize when dealing with a contingent workforce. Dozens of issues arise relating to any number of clauses. However, the one clause that has created the most consternation with the courts has been the non-compete clause in employment agreements.

Please enjoy this conversation with Jenna Washnieski (see her bio below). Jenna has great energy and we discussed how she was born to be a leader, how a letter she wrote to herself at seventeen predicted her career, why she journals (she has a closet full of them representing the last 20 years), what it's like to be the youngest executive at your company, the beauty of trying different things in your career, why self-awareness is the number one leadership trait, how listening to your intuition helps your career, the importance of having a positive affective presence as a leader, how she incorporates her yoga teaching into helping her leadership coaching clients, creating new roles for yourself without leaving your current company, and why you should be open to exploring your options. She also reveals that her love of dancing led her to work in the cabaret industry :-) You will love Jenna and will learn from her career journey!

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at [email protected].  

You will learn and laugh while listening to my conversation with Heidi Lehmann (see her bio below). We talk about how she compares art to creating a startup company ("Making the Strange Familiar and the Familiar Strange), selling her first company to AOL for $105 million, why she uses the "3 Es" (Entrepreneurship, Energy, and Enthusiasm) to make career decisions, her goal to make Kansas City an innovation destination via blockchain (she co-founded the KC Futures DAO), co-producing the BET (later acquired by Viacom/CBS) series "Queen Boss" (8-episode series that strives to find the best and brightest African-American female entrepreneurs and have them compete for the business opportunity of a lifetime.), explain blockchain technology to the average person, why female (especially African- American) entrepreneurs have a hard to obtaining funding for their startup (females entrepreneurs only receive 2% of all venture capital funding), and how she likes her martinis :-) We also have a few celebrity references when she was in the entertainment industry in her first job post-college. The list includes Gus Van Sant, Melissa Etheridge, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Bethenny Frankel (she was also a "seat warmer" at the Oscars one year). Please enjoy my conversation with Heidi!

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at [email protected].   

Heidi's bio: Heidi E. Lehmann (LinkedIn) is a seasoned investor, board member, and five-time startup founder leading high-impact global tech deals. As Strategic Director at Ligo Partners, a Miami and New York-based family office, she collaborates with Family Offices worldwide to source investments in cutting-edge startups, venture funds, and real estate, contributing to $455M deployed across 80 companies since 2022. With over 20 years of experience, Heidi has co-founded and scaled venture-backed companies like Kenzen (industrial IoT, $30M raised) and Third Screen Media (mobile ad tech, acquired by AOL for $105M). She advises startup CEOs and holds board and advisory roles with Workplace Healing, Glasswing VC, and Gaingels Syndicate. Heidi co-founded the KC Future’s DAO, driving innovation in Kansas City through blockchain technology, and serves as a Business Advisor to Critical Materials Crossroads, a coalition of investors, innovators, and legislators focused on the energy transition. She also co-produced the media franchise "Queen Boss" (acquired by Viacom/CBS). Featured in Forbes, WSJ, NYT, and more, Heidi is a sought-after speaker and panelist at top conferences like SXSW, Mobile World Congress, and the National NGLCC Conference.

Honored to have the co-author of one of my favorite books "The Go-Giver" Bob Burg (see his bio below) as our guest on this episode. We chat about his early career, how he became a public speaker, how a "drive-by" mentor changed his sales philosophy and became a key part of the book, a summary of the five laws of stratospheric success, why no one cares about your quota or product, how focusing on adding value to others leads to success, why givers attract, learning systems to be successful, and why your first question for a business endeavor should not be "will it make money?". You will enjoy my conversation with the legendary Bob Burg!

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at [email protected].   

Bob is an advocate, supporter, and defender of the Free Enterprise system, believing that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they serve. He is also an unapologetic animal fanatic and serves as part of a South Florida rescue, foster, and adoption organization.

In our first conversation with someone born in the Netherlands, you will learn and laugh listening to Michel Koopman  (see his bio below). We chat about his great career and discuss why senior leaders (especially C-Suite executives)  should approach their careers like athletes, how being process-driven accelerates start-up business growth, how being transparent while being mindful is a great communication approach, why top performers are hesitant to pursue their development, his first paid internship in Hong Kong (it involves waking up the next morning in a taxi after a business dinner :-), how a major surgery at 34-years old changed his career path, why he worked for free, the difficulty he had landing a job post-college (and his major decision to go to the United States for college), and common misconceptions of people of Dutch descent.  Please enjoy my conversation with Michel!

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at [email protected].   

Michels's bio: Michel​ Koopman (LinkedIn) is CxO Coaching’s Chief Executive Coach and Founder. He is a senior operator and entrepreneur with a mix of small business and corporate successes in a global capacity. At this stage, he is most passionate about maximizing the business success and potential of others. He and his team dedicate their time as growth advisors and executive coaches to high-performing business executives.​ His current and past roles include Founder and CEO at 2Swell, Co-Founding Partner at Bond Growth, CCO at Banyan Medical, CEO at getAbstract, Inc, Executive Chairman & President at ARMS Medical, Managing Director at Citrix Systems, plus a number of other prior roles, board and advisory positions. He is a servant leader focused on growing companies by delivering new go-to-market strategies and elevating teams to perform at their full potential.​ Michel is a passionate business writer, a Forbes Business Council Member, and has published over 80 articles in premier media outlets including Forbes, The Washington Post, Strategy Magazine, Fast Company, The Miami Herald, and more. He is married and a proud father of two, with a love for nature, snowboarding, motorcycles, and fine watches. While he grew up in the Netherlands, he currently lives in Florida and North Carolina and is an avid traveler.

A fun and insightful conversation with Jamie Crosbie (see her bio below)! Jamie and I talk about the life/leadership lessons from her legendary mom, knowing that she wanted to start a company at an early age, her first public speech at 15 years old in front of 500 people, her first professional job leading a group of accounting clerks (and her story of regularly falling asleep at her desk :-), how to interview salespeople, why a positive mindset is so important, why failure is the path to growth, her preparation process for her upcoming Ted Talk, how having a career strategy prepared her to create her own company, and why you should be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Please enjoy my conversation with Jamie!

Today's episode is brought to you by ExecHQ (Website), a C-suite fractional firm providing elite executives for your business. If you’re having challenges taking your business to the next level, want to augment your leadership team, or prepare your company for increased growth, profitability, and an eventual successful exit, ExecHQ has seasoned executives from every C-suite position, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs and industry dynamics. To learn more about ExecHQ, email Jeff Pelaccio at [email protected].   

Jamie's bio:  An accomplished senior executive with more than two decades of success across sales, sales leadership, talent acquisition, and management, Jamie Crosbie ​(Website) is an inspiring and powerful trainer and speaker. Jamie understands the complex interplay of strategic scale growth, lead generation, client communication, market analysis, strategic sales, and business development; because she

Jamie is the author of Journey to the Top: How to Reach Your Peak Performance Life, The