Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing

In this episode of Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Thyagi DeLanerolle sits down with Anne-Marie Szmyt, a dynamic Human Resources Executive with over two decades of experience in workforce strategy, organizational transformation, and human capital leadership. Currently serving as Vice President of Human Resources & Executive Education at Smith College, Anne-Marie designs and implements workforce strategies that empower teams, foster innovation, and prepare organizations for evolving business challenges.

Recognized for her expertise in talent pipeline development, change management, and Lean continuous improvement initiatives, Anne-Marie has transformed stagnant organizations into highly engaged and thriving cultures. With extensive experience leading through mergers, acquisitions, and complex workforce challenges, she has a proven ability to align human capital strategies with business goals for measurable success.

In this episode, Anne-Marie shares insights on building future-ready organizations, fostering resilience in times of change, and driving human capital innovation.

In this episode of the Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Thyagi DeLanerolle sits down with Dr. Mandy Khaira, a steadfast leader in healthcare transformation and Chief Innovation Officer at Nüva Ventures. With over 20 years of global experience, Dr. Khaira has spearheaded initiatives that deliver equitable, value-based care to underserved populations, generating over $500M in net value and improving care for millions of patients across multiple markets. Dr. Khaira has led large-scale innovations, including implementing technology-enabled solutions for population health management and driving operational excellence. She also developed and executed learning programs that have educated over 10,000 healthcare professionals—including physicians, clinicians, health professionals, and C-suite executives—in value-based care, leadership, and change management. With expertise spanning 30+ U.S. states and international markets (Europe, Asia), she combines strategic leadership with a commitment to reducing health disparities and improving patient outcomes globally.

In this episode, Dr. Khaira shares insights on the future of healthcare, value-based care models, and the role of innovation in creating more equitable and effective healthcare systems.

In this special episode of the Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Adwoa Buahene sits down with Emmanuelle Sansfaçon a dynamic leader with a proven track record of building relationships and driving collaboration across industries. As Director of the Enterprise Advisor Channel at GreenShield, she leads efforts to foster cross-functional partnerships that advance GreenShield’s mission of "Better Health for All."

With over a decade of experience in leadership roles at organizations like Dialogue, the National Bank of Canada, and Medavie Blue Cross, Emmanuelle excels in managing people and nurturing relationships that create meaningful results. Her expertise spans partnership management, team leadership, and delivering innovative client solutions, making her a trusted advisor in the health and wellness sector.

In this episode, we dive into Emmanuelle’s insights on relationship-building, team empowerment, and the role of collaboration in driving organizational success and community wellbeing.

In this special episode of the Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Adwoa Buahene sits down with Dr. Udo Bohdal-Spiegelhoff, a Senior Partner at Deloitte with over 25 years of experience in Human Capital Consulting. Recognized as a transformation expert, Udo has led Deloitte’s Human Capital practice in Germany and contributed globally to the Consulting Executive Team. His expertise spans industries including aviation, manufacturing, life sciences, and financial services, with a passion for humanizing the future of work.

A thought leader in digital transformation, agile change management, and workforce strategy, Udo regularly advises executives and boards on navigating structural changes and developing the capabilities needed for tomorrow’s challenges. He is also a renowned keynote speaker and researcher, offering valuable insights on aligning organizational strategies with evolving workforce trends.

In this episode, we'll explore Udo’s perspectives on the future of work, organizational transformation, and leadership strategies for navigating change and unlocking human potential.

In this special episode of the Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Adwoa Buahene sits down with Michelle Lau Torres, a strategic leader in workforce development, organizational effectiveness, and human-centric leadership. As Chief Learning Officer for the City of Austin, she is responsible for shaping talent development, employee engagement, and inclusion initiatives that foster a thriving workplace.

With nearly two decades of experience in public sector leadership, including roles in Austin Water Utility, Austin Bergstrom International Airport, and the Austin Police Department, Michelle has championed learning, leadership development, and DEIB strategies to create meaningful change.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

1. How to create learning environments that empower employees and elevate workplace culture.
2. The role of human-centric leadership in fostering belonging and professional growth.
3. Lessons from Government and Public Service in designing impactful workforce strategies.

In this special episode of the Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Adwoa Buahene sits down with Teresa Roche, a catalyst for business, leadership, and cultural transformation, who serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for the City of Fort Collins. Known for her ability to see the whole system and engage diverse perspectives, Teresa has spearheaded initiatives such as the City’s Future of Work strategy, talent acquisition and development transformation, and regional efforts to enhance diversity in hiring and retention. With a career spanning public and private sectors, Teresa has partnered with leaders to navigate complexity, balance organizational tensions, and foster cultures of belonging and purpose. Her deep commitment to foresight and adaptive leadership has earned her recognition as one of the top HR practitioners and leadership development experts.

We delve into Teresa’s insights on building adaptive organizations, creating dignified spaces for collaboration, and aligning workplace strategies with societal and organizational goals.

In this special episode of the Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing, Adwoa Buahene sits down with Laura Bartus, an accomplished leader in Learning and Development who serves as the Head of Learning for Humana’s CenterWell Pharmacy organization. Overseeing a team of 28 professionals, Laura is responsible for onboarding, upskilling, reskilling, and leadership development programs for over 12,000 associates. She has spearheaded initiatives like creating a leadership development framework to build future talent pipelines and developed innovative methods for tracking ROI and business impact.

Laura’s diverse career spans roles in education, curriculum design, and organizational effectiveness. She is passionate about aligning learning strategies with business objectives and equipping teams to thrive in dynamic environments.

We will explore Laura’s insights on creating impactful leadership development programs and future-proofing leaders who will lead in the age of AI.

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.