Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing

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.

In this engaging episode of the "Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing" podcast, host Adwoa K. Buahene welcomes Mike Tweedie, Head of Enterprise Architecture at ONXpress, to delve into the evolving role of leadership in the age of AI. Mike shares his insights on how technology is transforming the workplace, emphasizing the need for leaders to maintain a human-centric approach while integrating AI. Through a thoughtful discussion, Mike explains AI's opportunities to boost productivity and enhance global collaboration alongside potential risks and ethical considerations. Drawing from his extensive experience, he provides practical advice for leaders on creating a balanced and inclusive tech strategy, ensuring their teams can adapt and thrive in a digital age. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on leading with empathy and innovation.

In this inaugural episode of the "Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing" podcast, host Adwoa K. Buahene sits down with Thyagi DeLanerolle, Executive Director of the Employee Wellbeing Council, to explore the critical role of social health in the workplace. Thyagi shares her insights on how fostering strong connections among employees can significantly impact their wellbeing, happiness, and overall performance. Drawing from her personal experiences and the latest research, she discusses the importance of inclusive practices, authentic leadership, and the lessons learned from the pandemic. This episode provides practical advice for leaders looking to create a thriving, connected, and high-performing workplace culture. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for enhancing social health and fostering a sense of belonging in any organization.

Welcome to the Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing podcast, produced by OOt Social Health.

This podcast explores one of the most powerful drivers of organizational success: human-centric leadership.

Now hosted by Thyagi DeLanerolle, Executive Director of the Global Wellbeing Council, each episode takes you on a journey to uncover how putting people first isn’t just good for morale—it’s a business imperative. When people feel connected, supported, and valued, performance and ingenuity soar.

We feature forward-thinking leaders who are transforming their organizations through intentional people practices. These conversations reveal how deeper employee engagement and stronger cultures of belonging fuel innovation, improve retention, and drive real business outcomes.

Our guests share a blend of research-backed insights and practical techniques, covering everything from hiring to retirement, with an unwavering focus on inclusion and equity.

Join us as we ignite the power of wellbeing and transform it into welldoing—creating workplaces where people thrive, and performance follows.