Talk Talent To Me

Episode Summary Ilona explains what it takes to transform talent acquisition at a 300,000-person organization. From consolidating a sprawling, decentralized TA function into a unified operating model to simplifying a bloated tech stack and driving global process adoption, Ilona shares how her team moved from fragmentation to focus. The conversation explores the difference between operational busy-ness and strategic impact, why process discipline must come before innovation, and how talent leaders can elevate their influence with the C-suite by telling a smarter story with data. Ilona also reflects on career growth, embracing discomfort, and the power of saying yes to unexpected opportunities. Key Takeaways 1. Decentralization Creates Duplication PepsiCo's TA teams were spread across dozens of reporting lines globally, leading to inconsistent processes, unclear ownership, and change fatigue. Consolidation created clarity, agility, and shared priorities. 2. Process Before AI You can't layer automation or AI onto chaos. The team prioritized process adherence, data quality, and recruiter capability building before pursuing more advanced innovation. 3. Simplify the Tech Stack Replacing multiple point solutions with a unified ATS ecosystem reduced complexity and enabled cleaner reporting, better adoption, and stronger governance. 4. Operational Metrics Aren't Enough Time-to-fill and offer acceptance rates matter, but executives want insight. Strategic scorecards now combine performance data with external market intelligence and competitive context. 5. Capability Building Is Strategic Work Interviewing skills, recruitment strategy conversations, offer management, and stakeholder alignment are foundational competencies that elevate TA's business impact. 6. Change Management Requires Intentionality Regular pulse checks, global town halls, leadership alignment, and engagement committees helped stabilize morale and improve adoption during transformation. 7. Career Growth Requires Discomfort Ilona's advice: say yes to unclear opportunities, embrace uncertainty, and get comfortable being uncomfortable.   Links Ilona Kremer on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production

📝 Episode Summary  Camye Mackey, EVP and Chief People, Diversity & Inclusion Officer for the Atlanta Hawks, joins Rob to talk about building culture inside one of the most community-connected brands in sports. From embedding inclusion into both workforce strategy and marketplace impact, to designing a "Talent Blueprint" that future-proofs the organization, Camye shares how HR can operate as a true business partner. The conversation explores generational diversity, AI adoption, workforce skill gaps, and why DEI remains a business imperative, not a buzzword. If you're thinking about how to architect a modern people strategy that reflects your community and scales with change, this episode offers a practical and inspiring roadmap. 🔑 Key Takeaways *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-68791fb4-0948-800f-aae1-bb7ab84fb569-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-84" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> DEI Is a Business Imperative: Camye reframes diversity and inclusion as drivers of innovation and performance, not political talking points. Diverse perspectives fuel better decisions and stronger outcomes. Culture Must Be Lived, Not Framed: The Hawks operationalize values through behaviors (SMILE: Southern hospitality, Make a moment, Individuals matter, Listen & learn, Empowerment), turning principles into daily practice. HR Must Lead on Technology: AI and digital tools aren't side projects. HR is central to training, adoption, policy shifts, and workforce readiness. Workforce Planning Is Strategic: The "Talent Blueprint" approach connects business strategy to job design, compensation, competency development, and skill gap analysis. Generational Diversity Is Real: With five generations in the workplace, people strategy must flex to meet different needs and expectations. Curiosity Is Career Leverage: Camye's advice: stay close to the business, ask questions, be relentlessly curious, and position yourself as a solution partner.   🔗 Links Camye Mackey on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production  

📝 Episode Summary Tim shares how he built (and scrapped) a multimillion-dollar AI interview scheduling bot, why we should rethink HR's "pecking order," and lessons from the front lines of automation. The conversation dives into digital assistants, digital workers, and why HR and IT must now operate as true partners. Tim also challenges the idea that transactional HR work is a necessary career stepping stone, arguing instead for a smarter, more strategic entry path into the profession.  🔑 Key Takeaways Shared Services Is Strategic: The most frequent HR touchpoint for employees sits in operations, exactly where AI can drive real differentiation. Not Every AI Bet Pays Off: Tim shares a candid story of a failed, high-investment interview scheduling build and the lessons learned about build vs. buy. 80% Isn't Good Enough in High-Stakes Workflows: In areas like recruiting, partial automation can create more risk than value. Digital Workers Are Coming: HR and IT must think about AI agents like employees, onboarding, training, performance management included. Entry-Level HR Needs Rethinking: Transactional work shouldn't be the default gateway to the profession in an AI-augmented world. Tim Young on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "6c2fc763-3ffc-45be-9b4e-e35d7fbfa078" data-testid= "conversation-turn-68" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Dr. Ekta Vyas, CHRO at Keck Medicine of USC, joins Rob to unpack what it really takes to lead transformation inside complex healthcare systems. Drawing on her background as a psychologist, scholar-practitioner, and longtime healthcare HR leader, Dr. Vyas shares how emotional intelligence, strategic business alignment, and disciplined measurement turn HR from a transactional function into a true enterprise driver. From integrating newly acquired hospitals to redesigning HR operating models and elevating employee experience, she explains why most transformations fail and what leaders must do differently. One hot take included: being "a people person" is not a qualification for HR. 📌 Key Takeaways Strategic HR Requires Business Acumen: Dr. Vyas rejects the notion that being "a people person" is enough for success in HR. Strategic thinking and business alignment are essential. Transformation Is Emotional: Change isn't just structural, it's deeply emotional. Leaders must manage resistance by understanding how change impacts people's daily work lives. EQ Is Core to Change Management: Dr. Vyas uses emotional intelligence to lead through transformation, from listening tours to transparent communication with staff. Academic + Industry Fusion: Her dual role as CHRO and adjunct faculty keeps her grounded in both current research and practical application, a powerful combination. Measurement Matters: The Keck HR transformation tracked over 7,400 cases, implemented ServiceNow, and used metrics to improve efficiency, service, and employee experience. Today's HR Is Tomorrow's Infrastructure: To support enterprise growth (including M&A), HR must evolve from a transactional function to a strategic enabler. Lifelong Learning Drives Effective Leadership: Whether through teaching or leading, Dr. Vyas emphasizes the need to stay curious and continually develop. Dr. Ekta Vyas on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production  

Monica Marquez has held big titles at Google, EY, and Goldman Sachs, but now she's teaching companies how to ditch their outdated playbooks and embrace a new way of working with AI. In this episode, Monica and Rob unpack why the people team, not IT, needs to lead AI transformation, how to automate without losing the human touch, and what it really means to "unlearn" your way to better work. She shares how her team at Flipwork is helping organizations build adaptive, human-centered workflows and why leaders must create safe spaces for experimentation. Also discussed: how to turn prompting into repeatable agents, the problem with "work slop," and why the best AI onboarding might come from a Clippy-inspired bot named Flippy. 📌 Key Takeaways AI transformation must be people-led, not tech-led Unlearning is the new competitive edge in a world moving faster than ever "Work slop" is real, and AI isn't to blameHigh-value work starts when you stop doing what AI can do faster The best use of AI is treating it like an intern, not an oracle Prompting is table stakes. Turning prompts into agents is the real differentiator Empowering people to automate their own workflows requires safe space and structure People teams must guide AI adoption to protect ROI and increase tool adoption AI should amplify your "authentic intelligence," not replace it A modern talent strategy must account for psychological safety, rapid experimentation, and clear permission to try new things   🔗 Links ¡Ay, Ay, Ay, AI! Newsletter Monica Marquez on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production    

Tony Castellanos has seen recruiting from every angle: Google, Square, various startups, and now as Head of Compensation & Talent at Nextdoor. In this episode, Tony breaks down how his team is using AI to rethink recruiter training, eliminating the "practice on candidates" problem by simulating real conversations with virtual personas. He and Rob also dive into community-led recruiting, why values alignment trumps pedigree, and how automation should empower recruiters to be more human. Also on the mic: the death of the "Apply Now" mentality, the future of AI interview agents, and why Nextdoor's most beloved teammate might be a benefits bot named Ben.   🔑 Key Takeaways: AI-driven training gives recruiters reps without risking candidate experience Recruiter excellence starts with values alignment and relationship building Referrals aren't just about "who do you know", they're part of a broader community activation strategy Recruiters should act like talent strategists, not inbox managers Tools like CodeSignal enable voice-to-voice interview simulations with real-time feedback Giving AI agents names and personalities makes adoption more natural and team-friendly 🔗 Links Tony Castellanos on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production

André Martin has been CLO at Nike, Mars, and Target, so when he talks about the cost of disengagement, we listen. In this episode, André joins Rob to talk about his new book Wrong Fit, Right Fit, why work feels broken for so many, and what leaders can do about it. From rewriting job descriptions to rethinking culture as a daily operating system instead of a poster, André lays out a blueprint for restoring energy, engagement, and trust inside modern organizations. Also discussed: why climbing the ladder might take you further from your craft, how companies can stop catfishing candidates, and why your offsite might be a total waste of time. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Work is always happening, which is why companies must intentionally design for recovery and restoration Culture is not a value statement, it's how work actually gets done, shared, and socialized Disengagement is expensive; $9.6 trillion in lost productivity comes from people doing the wrong work in the wrong place Protective narratives are a red flag; rationalizing and blaming are signs of misalignment The best offsites are not packed with content, they are focused on building deep relationships and trust Promotions should not pull people away from their craft; getting better at your job should not always mean managing more people A more honest hiring process that includes how ideas are shared and decisions are made can reduce bad-fit attrition 🔗 Links Wrong Fit, Right Fit: Why How We Work Matters More Than Ever André Martin on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production

Tracy Layney has led HR at iconic brands like Levi's, Old Navy, and Shutterfly, so it's no surprise she's now training the next generation of CHROs at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Tracy joins Rob to unpack why HR's role is more complex (and powerful) than ever before, and how her coursework is helping senior people leaders develop the human capital strategies their companies desperately need. She breaks down the people-side of big moves—like Levi's exit from Russia—and shares the three-pillar framework she teaches for linking business goals to people strategy. Plus: why HR still doesn't speak the language of business, and how she's helping to change that   📌 Key Takeaways Tracy's journey from org strategy consulting to CHRO to professor Why executive HR education is finally getting the attention it deserves A behind-the-scenes look at Booth's program for future CHROs The people-side of major business decisions, like Levi's exit from Russia Why the CHRO role is more complex, and more influential, than ever The three-pillar framework for building a scalable human capital strategy How to tailor people strategy without reinventing the wheel Why HR still doesn't speak the language of business, and how to change it The disconnect between strategic frameworks and HR's day-to-day execution Tracy's take on lifelong learning, fractional work, and what's next in her career   🔗 Links Tracey Layney on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production

Angela Briggs-Paige, Chief People Officer at Acelero Learning, joins Rob to share why HR is not your friend—and that's a good thing. Angela breaks down how she shows up as a business leader first and a people expert always. She shares how she earned her seat at the boardroom table, what it really takes to build employee-led career paths, and why performance reviews need a serious glow-up. Plus: Angela's approach to employee growth (spoiler alert: it involves passports), starting her own fractional CPO business, and never, ever being out-peopled. 📌 Key Takeaways Why HR isn't your friend How to speak "business" instead of "HR" to get heard in leadership rooms The courage it takes to challenge decisions in the boardroom "I will not be out-peopled": Angela's mantra for CPO credibility How Acelero is replacing performance reviews with employee-led "career passports" The mindset shift from "how do we keep people?" to "how do we make staying a meaningful choice?" Why enabling managers as coaches, not judges, is the key to performance development The case for giving employees homework before their 1:1s How expanding her portfolio beyond HR helped Angela grow as a business leader What her fractional CPO venture People Power is teaching her about right-sizing HR strategy for scale   🔗 Links Angela Briggs-Paige on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production

Michelle Brooks, Chief People & Culture Officer at Security Compass, joins Rob to unpack what it really means to lead with "compassionate candor." She shares how feedback norms are shifting for Gen Z, how she built a truly strategic people function without a traditional HR background, and why HR's identity crisis is holding the industry back. Plus, Michelle gives a front-row look at how her team is driving AI adoption across the business—from launching an internal AI council to treating AI like the biggest change management initiative of the decade. This episode is packed with spicy takes, real talk about feedback, and a blueprint for how HR and IT can actually partner to move AI from buzzword to business driver.   📌 Key Takeaways Why Gen Z wants more feedback, and how to deliver it with "compassionate candor" The problem with radical candor and how it's been quietly rebranded Why feedback is often withheld from leaders, and how Michelle invites it in The myth that HR needs permission to have a seat at the table How Michelle's background in sales and recruiting helped her avoid HR "learned helplessness" Why HR still suffers from an identity crisis How Security Compass is treating AI adoption as a company-wide change management initiative The structure and purpose of their internal AI council, governance committee, and AI champions program The growing alliance between HR and IT How to make the business case for leading AI adoption from the people function 🔗 Links Michelle Brooks on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production