️ In this episode of What the HR!, hosts Becky Lauseng and Lena Scullard are joined by Kristin Dean, Chief People & Administrative Officer at Huntress, for an inspiring conversation on intentional leadership and career acceleration. Kristin Dean leads the company’s global People organization. She partners closely with the executive leadership team to align talent and culture to the operations strategy as the company continues its rapid growth. Prior to joining Huntress, Kristin served as Chief People Officer at Arctic Wolf, where she spent nearly eight years helping transform the organization from approximately 150 employees into a global cybersecurity leader with more than 3,500 employees. During her tenure, the company grew from roughly $20 million to more than $600 million in annual recurring revenue.    Guest: Kristin Dean - Kristin Dean | LinkedIn Email: [email protected] Website: onthedailywithkristindean.com (executive coaching information) Instagram: onthedaily_withkd Hosts: Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/ Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/   INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  ©MMXXVI TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Jenny Cotie Kangas rebuilt her life from zero after a 2020 injury erased her memory, and built a methodology out of what worked. Now she runs Whiterock Road, a Builder Coach practice for applied AI, where she builds systems alongside clients and teaches them to build the next one. From what if to how. Guest: Jenny (JCK) Cotie Kangas - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcotie/ Hosts: Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/ Jay Olson | Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  ©MMXXVI TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Nicole is the Director of Human Resources at Bauer Design Build, where she leads people strategy with a focus on building people-first workplaces that align culture with business growth. Her work sits at the intersection of culture, operational reality, and mental health, creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and safe to speak up. With experience in highly structured industries and a pivot into construction, she brings a practical, real-world perspective on what actually builds trust in tough, traditional environments, and why presence matters more than programs. Nicole is also a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and passionate mental health advocate who has trained over 40% of her organization in recognizing, responding to, and supporting coworkers in distress. She believes mental health belongs not just in benefits conversations, but as a leadership and operational priority that directly impacts culture, retention, and employee well-being. Beyond HR, Nicole is a proud mom of two (who may or may not cringe at her cheering from the sidelines), the wife of a first responder, a lover of books, sparkles, pastries, and coffee.   Guest: Nicole Van Heel | Director of Human Resources for Bauer Design BuildLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-van-heel/   Contact info: Email: [email protected]   Host: Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/   INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Scott Mason—The Myth Slayer—is a 2x TEDx speaker, executive coach, attorney, author, and former senior New York City government and nonprofit executive. A graduate of Columbia Law School, Scott spent more than two decades leading complex, high-impact initiatives across government, legal, nonprofit, and mission-driven organizations. This included serving as second-in-command of New York City’s central administrative court and as General Counsel and head of operations for the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelters. Today, Scott translates Greek myths into practical leadership tools that help professionals name hidden patterns, lead with greater courage, and build stronger, healthier organizations. He has spoken for SHRM chapters, bar associations, nonprofits, leadership summits, and professional audiences across the country. Guest: Scott Mason: The Myth Slayer | Executive Coach for Next Chapter Leaders |2x TEDx Speaker | Name Your Toxic Myth — Then Write a Hero Story | I Want Your Future to Be EPIC Website: https://www.MyFreedomRocks.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themythslayer/ Hosts: Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/   INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Laura King has had over 30,000 career conversations across two decades as an executive recruiter. She's sat with leaders at every level: the ones hitting their stride, the ones grinding without traction, and the ones doing everything right on paper and still falling short. She learned that the gap between potential and performance almost always comes down to the system around people, not the people themselves. Every transformation — especially now, with AI reshaping how work gets done — has to pass through the human layer. How people make decisions. How they take ownership. How they work together under pressure. Most organizations want to make that transition. They just haven't been given the tools to redesign it. That insight is the foundation of UNLOK. As Co-Founder & CEO, Laura translates what she observed in 30,000 conversations into a working methodology that diagnoses the operating environment and gives organizations a path forward. She's done listening. Now she's unlocking what organizations are actually capable of. Guest: Laura King: Executive Recruiter | Author & Speaker https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraking1/   Hosts: Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/   INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Nikki Peters is the Founder and CEO of Studio 9 to 5, a national workplace wellness company transforming how organizations support employee health, energy, and performance. With 20 years of experience in the corporate wellness sector, Studio 9 to 5 has partnered with companies across healthcare, government, finance, and commercial real estate to deliver programs that improve engagement, resilience, and workplace culture. Guest: Nikki Peters: Founder & CEO of Studio 9 to 5 Wellness https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkipeters/   Hosts: Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/   INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Amy Jacobson is an EI and human behaviour specialist, delivering emotional intelligence programs, keynotes & workshops across Australia internationally. She is a twice Wiley-published author of 'Emotional Intelligence: A simple and actionable guide to increasing performance, engagement and ownership', and the new book ‘The Emotional Intelligence Advantage: Mastering change and difficult conversations’. Amy is a sought-after media commentator whose mission is to break down misconceptions around E.I., help people to increase their emotional intelligence and create purpose-driven teams who get results! Guest: Amy Jacobson: Emotional Intelligence Specialist https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-your-y/about/   Hosts: Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/   INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Jeffery Robinson is the Senior Program Director at Build Wealth MN, where he leads financial education, coaching, workforce development, and housing counseling programs that help families build stability and generational wealth. His work is rooted in his personal mantra: “Because Somebody Did It for Me.” A graduate of the University of Minnesota–Morris, Jeffery co-founded Imani, a student organization supporting Black men on a predominantly white campus. Before joining Build Wealth, he spent over 20 years as a Senior Quality Control Mortgage Underwriter, evaluating mortgage-backed securities across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and abroad, experience that gave him a deep understanding of the financial barriers families face. Jeffery first came to Build Wealth as a client seeking support for his own family. Inspired by the transformation he experienced, he became a volunteer, contractor, coach, and ultimately Senior Program Director, now helping thousands move toward financial stability. When he’s not meeting with clients or strengthening programs, you’ll find Jeffery running the trails of Minneapolis and St. Paul, training for his next marathon, both in life and on the pavement. Eric Howell is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, workforce strategist, and innovator with over 15 years of experience advancing economic empowerment and career mobility across diverse communities. As the Senior Innovation & Expansion Director at Build Wealth MN, he oversees the flagship Pathways to Increase Employment & Earnings Potential (PEEP) workforce program and has been instrumental in taking Build Wealth’s Financial Stabilization Program Online curriculum to national scale. Eric leads statewide and national strategies that integrate workforce development, financial wellness, and technology—strengthening talent pipelines and expanding opportunities for individuals and families. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Workforce, Wealth, and Housing Solutions, and Operations at the Urban League Twin Cities, and he is the founder of the Urban Tech Institute, a virtual IT training school supporting learners of African descent. A dynamic national and international speaker and professional actor, Eric engages audiences with powerful insights on leadership, innovation, motivation, and community transformation. Passionate about creating sustainable pathways to success, he champions collaborative solutions that uplift families, strengthen organizations, and drive measurable, lasting change. Guests: Jeffery Robinson | Senior Program Director  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffery-robinson-905643206/ Eric Howell | Innovation and Development Strategist | Career and Organizational Management Consultant | Public Speaker & Facilitator | Educator https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericchowell/ Host: Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Paul DeBettignies, better known online as Minnesota Headhunter, is a Minnesota IT Recruiter who builds IT teams with startups and tech companies, creates recruiting strategies for Fortune 500 clients, author of the Minnesota Headhunter blog, the longest running regional recruiter blog and an Advisor to ToggleGreen. He is a frequent local and national speaker, trainer and subject matter expert on recruiter, HR, career, networking and social media topics. Recent activities include presentations at Twin Cities Startup Week, Google for Entrepreneurs, Michigan Recruiters Conference, University of Minnesota, CHS, MinneBar and ERE and interviews with NPR, WCCO AM (CBS) Radio & TV, KSTP TV (ABC), MSP Business Journal, Minneapolis StarTribune and Dice.com Paul is involved in the Minneapolis and St Paul technology, marketing and social media communities as a sponsor, volunteer and mentor and is the founder of Midwest Recruiting Bootcamp. Guest: Paul DeBettignies | Senior Talent Strategist & Advisor | Speaker | MN tech Scene Advocate | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnheadhunter/ Hosts: Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/ INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

A 6-time award-winning keynote speaker Meredith Breitstein tours the world encouraging leaders to step into their destiny, walk through fear, and SHINE by finding their courage. She specializes in helping teams, and her audiences speak up, stand out, and command a room with their presence. After coaching thousands of leaders she has learned there are 5 steps all of us can take to level UP and start right away. In her most requested Keynote Meredith teaches her 5-step frameworkto reveal how all teams and leaders can S. H. I. N. E. In Meredith's TEDx talk "Don't waste a minute, shine RIGHT NOW" she inspires her audiences to take fast, committed action to show up powerfully so they can SHINE after adversity. She is frequently hired as a Motivational Speaker, Emcee, and a Leadership Trainer for organizations to help leaders and teams standout and SHINE. She loves teaching clients how to level up their courage to power up theirpresence and be SEEN! Guest: Meredith Breitstein | Motivational Keynote Speaker, Master Leadership Trainer, TV Talk Show Host  | https://www.linkedin.com/in/themeredithshow/ Contact info:  o Email: [email protected]  Hosts: Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/ INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected]. Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels. Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member Attend a TCSHRM Event Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.  © MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.