In this special episode of the Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Adwoa Buahene sits down with Cristi Ford a visionary leader in education and learning innovation. As Chief Learning Officer at D2L, she is shaping the future of education by leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic leadership to create impactful, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences.

With a career spanning academic affairs, workforce development, and online education, Cristi has consistently delivered measurable outcomes, from leading innovative programs at NeighborWorks America to developing academic strategies at Davis College and UMGC. Her expertise in creating collaborative, data-driven solutions has empowered learners and organizations alike to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Cristi shares her insights on human-centric learning, fostering inclusion, and the critical role of leadership in transforming education.

In this special episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Adwoa Buahene sits down with Harvey Kanter, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Destination XL Group, to explore leadership, purpose-driven business strategies, and the evolving landscape of retail and workplace culture. With over three decades of experience leading transformational change in retail, fashion, and consumer goods, Harvey has built a reputation for customer-centric innovation, digital transformation, and omnichannel excellence.

As the CEO and President of DXL Group, he has positioned the company as the premier destination for big and tall men’s apparel, driving impressive growth through a strategy that balances brand normalization, people-first leadership, and financial success. Previously, Harvey held executive roles at Blue Nile, Moosejaw, and Potbelly, gaining deep expertise in digital commerce and consumer engagement.

Beyond his leadership in retail, Harvey is a published author of Choosing to Lead: Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable, a book that underscores his philosophy of balancing humility, resilience, and decisive leadership to drive organizational success. This episode delves into his unique leadership approach, exploring how he integrates the three pillars of leadership—strategy, culture, and organizational frameworks—to create meaningful impact for both employees and shareholders.

In this episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, host Adwoa Buahene speaks with Dana Dahar, an expert in emerging technologies and employee experience. As Practice Leader at HFS Research, Dana explores the intersection of AI, human behavior, and workplace transformation.

Dana shares insights on how AI can enhance—not replace—human ingenuity in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, creativity, and ethical AI implementation. She discusses the risks of Gen AI dependency, explaining how over-reliance on AI tools can erode independent thinking and decision-making.

She also highlights the ethical considerations of AI in the workplace, urging organizations to be mindful of bias, transparency, and the psychological impact of integrating AI into workflows. Dana stresses that AI should be a tool to augment employee capabilities, not a substitute for human insight and connection.

Drawing from her research, Dana explores how organizations can foster AI literacy, create AI-free zones for deeper collaboration, and ensure that technology supports—not undermines—employee engagement and wellbeing.

In this episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, host Adwoa Buahene speaks with Sarah Knowles, a global leader in employee wellbeing, culture, and trust. Sarah shares her insights on the evolving role of workplace wellbeing, emphasizing the deep connection between engagement, psychological safety, and inclusion.

Sarah discusses the importance of resiliency in leadership, noting that it is not an innate skill but one that must be cultivated over time. She highlights the role of leaders as influencers, shaping workplace culture through their actions and behaviors. She also underscores the necessity of self-care for leaders, reminding them that prioritizing their own wellbeing is essential for fostering a healthy work environment.

Drawing on her global experience, Sarah explores the cultural nuances of wellbeing programs, stressing the need for localized approaches that respect regional norms while maintaining a unified company vision. She reinforces the idea that wellbeing is a relationship—with food, sleep, colleagues, and the work itself—and that companies must create environments where employees feel valued and supported.

In this episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, host Adwoa Buahene interviews Don Carter, Executive VP of People and Culture at Kiva.org. Don shares insights on the relationship between community involvement and employee wellbeing, emphasizing its role in fostering a sense of purpose. He discusses the challenges of encouraging participation and highlights creative approaches, such as themed campaigns and low-effort volunteering opportunities.

Drawing on his global experience, Don underscores the importance of localizing community efforts and ensuring inclusion and equity in organizational programs. Practical advice for leaders includes leading by example, integrating community activities into team-building events, and offering matching programs to incentivize participation.

The episode concludes with personal reflections from Don, celebrating the unsung heroes of community work and sharing his aspirations for continuous learning. Listeners are encouraged to integrate wellbeing and community engagement into their leadership practices for organizational success.

In this episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, host Adwoa Buahene engages Sophia Dhrolia, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at a national payments company, in a deep exploration of the intersection between data and human connection. Sophia highlights how data-driven strategies, combined with empathy and storytelling, can reshape organizations to foster true equity, inclusion, and wellbeing.

Sophia shares actionable insights on collecting and leveraging data, dismantling systemic barriers, and building trust through authentic leadership. From rethinking talent pipelines to embedding DEI into every layer of an organization, she emphasizes the long-term journey required to create meaningful change. Leaders will leave inspired to balance business priorities with empathy, taking practical steps to enhance inclusion and support employee wellbeing.

In this episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Adwoa Boahene interviews Neil Hunter, Chief Learning Officer at Deloitte, to explore the evolution of learning and development in the workplace. Neil emphasizes the need for personalized, inclusive, and human-centred educational approaches, particularly in the post-pandemic world.

He highlights the power of immersive technologies like VR and XR in enhancing engagement and retention and discusses the potential of generative AI to revolutionize learning plans. However, Neil cautions against losing sight of the human connection and advocates for using AI responsibly to foster equity.

Practical advice for leaders includes modelling lifelong learning, engaging in storytelling, and supporting employees in applying new knowledge. Neil’s reflections underscore the intrinsic link between learning and wellbeing, presenting it as a source of resilience and growth.

In this episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, host Adwoa Boahene sits down with Mark Grimwood, SVP of Sales, Distribution Recruiting, and Global Talent Attraction at Salesforce, to explore the future of recruitment in the age of AI. Mark provides a comprehensive view of how AI has evolved, from predictive analytics to generative capabilities and its growing role in talent acquisition.

While acknowledging AI's efficiency, Mark emphasizes the irreplaceable human touch required for meaningful recruiting. He discusses the ethical use of AI, the importance of upskilling recruiters, and strategies for leveraging AI to foster inclusion and equity.

Leaders will find practical insights on balancing automation with empathy, enhancing recruitment practices with AI, and staying ahead in the evolving talent landscape. Mark also shares personal reflections, including his admiration for teachers and his ongoing journey to maintain balance in a fast-paced world.

In this special episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, guest host Thyagii DeLanerolle interviews Adwoa K. Buahene, exploring her career journey and perspectives on DEI, wellbeing, and AI. Adwoa highlights the mixed progress in DEI, celebrating advancements while addressing gaps in execution and systemic transformation.

The conversation emphasizes the intrinsic link between wellbeing and equity, as organizations thrive when individuals feel authentically included and psychologically safe. Adwoa raises caution about the risks of AI in perpetuating bias but expresses cautious optimism for its potential to advance equity when implemented with care.

Practical takeaways for leaders include questioning processes, embedding retrospectives, and creating intentional systems to foster equitable environments. The episode concludes with personal insights as Adwoa shares her admiration for her late mother’s wisdom and her commitment to giving back.

In this episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, we sit down with Rodney Mano, CHRL, VP & Chief People & Culture Officer at the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Rodney delves into the critical link between mental health and workplace performance, shedding light on how organizations can foster environments prioritizing psychological safety and resilience.

Discover actionable strategies for leaders and teams to thrive in workplaces centred on mental well-being. Whether you're a leader looking to enhance team dynamics or a professional passionate about creating healthier work environments, this episode offers powerful insights to guide your journey.