Up Next @ Work

In this powerful episode of Up Next @ Work, Katie Achille welcomes members of Labor Tech Research Network — a transnational, member-driven community examining the intersection of labor, technology, and social justice. Katie is joined by Steph Jordan (Board Member), Winnie Poster (Director), and Karina Ripley (Lead Organizer) for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the realities of visible and invisible labor reshaping both physical and digital landscapes.

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Whether you're in HR, HR Tech, academia, or simply interested in how the future of work is being built, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about the Labor Tech Research Network at labortechresearchnetwork.org or follow on BlueSky and LinkedIn.

In this thought-provoking episode, Katie Achille is joined by Mary Faulkner of IA. The two dive deep into the growing gap between AI excitement at the executive level and the real-world readiness of organizations able to implement it meaningfully. Looking at the first half of 2025, Kate and Mary unpack the disconnect between vision and execution in today's HR tech landscape.

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Whether you're a tech vendor, HR leader, or just trying to stay afloat in a year of AI overwhelm, this episode delivers clarity and candor you won’t want to miss. Be sure to find Mary on LinkedIn and learn more about IA.

Up Next @ Work is back for season three! In episode one, Kate Achille sits down with Lisa Kaplowitz, co-founder and executive director of the Rutgers Center for Women in Business (CWIB), and Adam Feigenbaum, a seasoned executive and advocate for inclusion who works with CWIB. Together, they explore the evolving role of male allyship in the workplace, offering insights, personal stories, and actionable advice for anyone seeking to be a more effective partner in advancing equity.

This episode serves as a reminder that anyone can be an ally, and small, conscious actions have the power to reshape workplace culture for the better. Connect with Lisa and Adam on LinkedIn and learn more about CWIB.

What does it take to develop strong, adaptable leaders in today’s workplace? In this episode of Up Next at Work, host Jeanne Achille welcomes Al Dea, a renowned talent and leadership development consultant and founder of The Edge of Work. Al shares his expert insights on how organizations can effectively develop and grow their leaders, the evolving landscape of talent management, and what it takes to stay ahead in today’s rapidly changing workplace.

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If you’re looking to level up your leadership game or enhance your organization’s approach, this episode is for you! As Al shares, "Leadership isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s about impact, influence, and adaptability." Find Al on LinkedIn, and don't miss The Edge of Work.

How can recruitment marketing stay effective in a rapidly changing world? Gina Alioto, VP and Head of Marketing at Shaker Recruitment Marketing—and mother of 18-month-old identical twins—joins host Jeanne Achille to share insights from her journey, from consumer marketing to talent acquisition, and how the best recruitment marketing feels effortless to its audience. As a leader at Shaker, a full-service recruitment marketing agency specializing in employer branding, media strategy, and talent engagement, Gina offers a fresh perspective on the evolving industry.

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Tune in for Gina’s expert take on recruitment marketing strategy, flexibility in dynamic environments, and the power of understanding your audience. Connect with Gina on LinkedIn or learn more at Shaker.com.

The rules of HR Tech marketing are being rewritten as companies navigate shifting priorities, faster news cycles, and new technologies like generative AI. In this episode, Michelle Meehan, founder of The Silver Thread, joins host Kate Achille to explore how marketers can keep up by adapting, taking smart risks, and standing out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. With deep experience in talent assessment and purpose-driven branding, Michelle shares why the old playbooks no longer work—and what to do instead.

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Michelle shares her perspective on brands that take risks and push boundaries, emphasizing that marketing is both an art and a science—its impact goes beyond just numbers. Connect with her on LinkedIn and visit The Silver Thread at thesilverthread.com.

In this episode, host Jeanne Achille of The Devon Group joins Julie Pridham of Valimail to explore the growing threats businesses face from phishing, ransomware, and data breaches. Jeanne and Julie discuss how cybercriminals exploit human error to gain access to sensitive information and why organizations must integrate security into their culture and business strategy. Julie shares insights on how businesses can strengthen their defenses, from technical controls like email authentication and password management to fostering a culture of trust and awareness among employees. The two also dive into the risks posed by disgruntled former employees, the importance of HR and IT collaboration, and how companies—regardless of industry—can scale their security measures effectively.

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Whether you're an HR professional, IT leader, or business owner, this episode will equip you with actionable strategies to protect your organization and its people in an increasingly digital world.

To learn more from Julie, connect with her on LinkedIn.

In this thought-provoking episode, Jeanne Achille and Susan LaMotte of exaqueo dive into the profound ways employers and candidates are reshaping the hiring landscape. Together, Jeanne and Susan explore the heightened emotions in the talent market—ranging from excitement to frustration—and how these feelings are redefining candidate experiences. What’s driving this shift? Economic pressures, remote work, and the changing dynamics of employment relationships all play a role.

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Join Jeanne and Susan for a candid discussion about the evolving expectations of employers and employees, the importance of fostering strong workplace relationships, and how to navigate a rapidly changing labor market. Follow Susan on LinkedIn to learn more about her work.

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In this episode, Jeanne Achille and Lydia Wu dive deep into the intersection of HR technology, data-driven decision-making, and the critical role trust plays in successful tech partnerships. Lydia takes us through her journey from corporate HR to HR tech, shedding light on her experiences navigating the complex world of vendor relationships and data analytics. From the early realization that HR tech conversations often miss the mark, to the pivotal role trust plays in buying decisions, this conversation uncovers the untold dynamics of tech selection in enterprise environments. Jeanne and Lydia explore how data can drive impactful changes in workforce management, like reducing turnover and optimizing production lines. Their discussion also delves into the unique challenges faced by both large enterprises and smaller organizations when it comes to selecting the right tech solutions.

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From consulting at big names like Accenture and Deloitte to leading innovation at Panasonic and building HR tech solutions, Lydia Wu has been around the HR industry block a few times and can probably tell you where all the potholes are. 

She is a true HR Swiss Army knife—strategist, translator, connector, and problem-solver extraordinaire. Lydia is passionate about demystifying all things HR and Tech and helping everyone in the HR tech ecosystem find their next “aha!” moment (preferably before their coffee gets cold or watery).

Always keeping things refreshingly real, Lydia is your real-talk bff on all things HR and Tech. Don't miss her insights and engaging stories on her popular channel, Oops, Did I Think That Out Loud? and connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Jeanette Leeds, talent acquisition tech expert and co-host of the High Volume Hiring podcast, joins Jeanne Achille for an insightful conversation on the nuances of recruitment. The former CEO of Hourly by AMS, Jeanette has deep expertise in Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) for high-volume scenarios such as campus recruiting and retail hiring. Drawing on Jeanette's rich background, this episode explores how processes and strategies can adapt across diverse hiring needs while maintaining efficiency and scalability.

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To hear more about Jeanette's work, connect with her on LinkedIn or visit JeanetteLeeds.com. You can also tune in to the High Volume Hiring podcast, part of the WRKdefined network and available on all major platforms, for more valuable insights.