Meet Tom Williams, a purpose-driven leader who believes the strongest organizations are built through clear strategy, engaged people, and leadership that puts people first.

Meet Dalithia Smith, a people-first leader who believes confidence, continuous learning, and strategic thinking are the keys to helping organizations thrive through change. As Chief Human Resources Officer at Oatey, Dalithia leads people strategy for an organization focused on growth, innovation, and long-term success. Her work centers on helping employees develop the confidence, judgment, and capabilities needed to navigate an increasingly complex workplace shaped by emerging technologies, evolving business models, and constant change. Dalithia’s leadership journey extends beyond the corporate world. In addition to leading HR at Oatey, she recently earned her PhD from Case Western Reserve University and serves as an instructor, combining real-world executive experience with evidence-based research. Her unique perspective allows her to bridge the gap between academic insights and practical business leadership. Leading people strategy in today's environment requires far more than managing policies and procedures. Dalithia shares how understanding business strategy, building trust across all levels of an organization, and creating psychologically safe workplaces help organizations develop resilient teams that can adapt and perform through uncertainty. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Dalithia joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to discuss responsible AI adoption, the importance of critical thinking and human judgment, and why organizations must invest in employee development as technology continues to evolve. She also shares insights on the evolving role of HR as a strategic business partner, including the importance of strong CEO-CHRO relationships, evidence-based decision making, employee engagement, and building cultures where transparency and trust drive long-term success. Tune in to hear Dalithia’s perspective on leadership, lifelong learning, organizational culture, AI, mentorship, and why developing people remains one of the most important investments any organization can make. Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:30 – Introduction & Why Confidence Matters in Today's Workplace 03:45 – Building Confidence Through Business-Aligned HR Strategy 06:00 – AI, Critical Thinking & Human Judgment 09:00 – Oatey's AI Council  12:30 – The CEO-CHRO Relationship 16:00 – Trust & Organizational Culture 20:00 – The Warning Sign of a Failing Culture 22:15 – Lifelong Learning, Earning a PhD  27:00 – Mentorship and Creating Opportunities for Others 31:00 – Why Northeast Ohio Leaders Stand Out 32:45 – HR Hot Seat & Rapid Fire Questions

Meet Dr. James Voos, the leader behind one of the most expansive sports medicine programs in the country, connecting professional sports, healthcare innovation, youth athletics, research, and community wellness across Northeast Ohio. As Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at University Hospitals and Head Team Physician for the Cleveland Browns, Dr. Voos oversees a growing network that now supports more than 80 local high schools, professional sports organizations, and thousands of student athletes throughout the region. His work extends far beyond the sidelines, helping build systems that improve athlete safety, increase access to healthcare, and create opportunities for the next generation of medical professionals. Dr. Voos’ path to Cleveland is as unique as the program he’s built. Growing up on a farm in Kansas, training at the world-renowned Hospital for Special Surgery, and later running a private orthopedic practice gave him experience not only in medicine, but also in leadership, entrepreneurship, and the business side of healthcare. Leading a sports medicine program at this scale requires far more than treating injuries. Dr. Voos shares how building strong community relationships, investing in personalized care, and developing a culture-focused team have helped University Hospitals grow from supporting four local schools to more than 80 across Northeast Ohio. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Dr. Voos joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to discuss building healthcare partnerships that impact entire communities, creating pipeline opportunities for future physicians, and using innovation to improve athlete safety at every level of sports. He also shares insights into the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center, where University Hospitals partners with emerging companies to develop and test new technologies in sports medicine, from athlete safety tools to startup investments that are now gaining national attention. Tune in to hear Dr. Voos’ perspective on leadership, mentorship, culture-building, innovation, and why investing in people and community has been central to building a world-class program in Northeast Ohio. Timestamps & Topics 00:30 – Introduction & Dr. James Voos’ Role 03:00 – From Kansas to Cleveland 05:30 – Building the Browns & UH Sports Medicine Program 09:45 – Growing Partnerships with 80+ High Schools 15:30 – Sports Innovation, Startups & Shark Tank 20:45 – Mentorship & Building the Healthcare Pipeline 25:15 – HR Hot Seat & Rapid Fire Questions 27:45 – The Uncrustables Sports Medicine Story 30:35 – The “Sports Coat” Invention 33:25 – What He’s Most Proud Of in Cleveland

In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, host Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Brian Barren, President of Business Operations for the Cleveland Guardians, to talk about what it really takes to lead behind the scenes of a professional sports organization. While fans see what happens on the field, Brian oversees nearly everything else—from revenue growth and fan experience to talent strategy, culture, and community impact. His role offers a rare look at how a major sports franchise operates as both a team and a business. What makes Brian’s perspective especially compelling is the path that brought him there. After more than two decades at Procter & Gamble, he made the leap into Major League Baseball, bringing with him a deep background in strategy, sales, and organizational leadership. He shares how those business fundamentals translated into a completely different industry, and where they didn’t. Brian also reflects on one of the organization’s most defining moments: the transition from the Cleveland Indians to the Cleveland Guardians. He shares how leadership approached the decision, the importance of listening to community insight, and what it took to guide both employees and fans through meaningful change. In this conversation, Sam and Brian discuss how the Guardians approach leadership in a small-market environment, what it takes to build a high-performing culture, how they measure success beyond the scoreboard, and why investing in people and community remains central to long-term growth. Timestamps & Topics 00:35 – Introduction & Brian Barron’s Role with the Guardians 02:15 – From Procter & Gamble to Major League Baseball 04:45 – Leading & Growing a Small-Market Organization 10:00 – The Decision to Change the Team Name 12:45 – Rolling Out the Guardians Rebrand 15:45 – Building a Strong Workplace Culture 19:45 – Compensation Strategy & Team Incentives 25:00 – Why Northeast Ohio Talent Is a Competitive Advantage 26:20 – Community Impact & Youth Baseball Initiatives 27:35 – HR Hot Seat & Rapid Fire Questions 31:25 – Best Game He’s Ever Been Part Of

Meet Lauren Reed, CEO of MHEDA, an international trade association serving the material handling industry and hundreds of member companies across the country. Lauren stepped into the top leadership role in 2025 at a moment when both the industry and the expectations of MHEDA’s member companies were evolving quickly. As CEO, she’s now responsible for helping the organization adapt to those changes while continuing to deliver the practical value that members rely on. Before becoming CEO, Lauren spent much of her career in a highly revenue-driven, for-profit environment. Moving into the top role at a member-based organization requires a different approach to leadership, one that focuses less on traditional business metrics and more on engagement, relevance, and long-term value for the companies MHEDA serves. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Lauren joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to talk about that transition, how associations measure success differently than traditional businesses, and what leaders often underestimate about stepping into the top job. Tune in to hear Lauren’s perspective on keeping teams aligned during times of change, making thoughtful decisions about the future, and why the material handling industry (and yes, even forklifts) has captured her attention for the long haul.

Is building a truly great workplace about perks and policies? Or about showing up and listening to the people who make the work happen?Meet Cindy Torres Essell, Chief People Officer at Heinen’s, the family-owned grocery company serving communities across Northeast Ohio. Cindy’s path to leadership didn’t follow a straight line, but each chapter shaped how she leads today: with curiosity, empathy, and a deep respect for her frontline teams.In this episode, Cindy shares how she works to connect corporate offices and stores under one associate-first culture. From spending days in the warehouse and production facilities to rethinking schedules so parents can be there when their kids get off the bus, she shows that culture doesn’t happen in a conference room, it happens by meeting people where they are.She and host Sam Clyde Schroeder talk about what it means to learn the business from the inside out, why flexibility matters more than ever, and how stepping into a new challenge at Heinen’s became the most meaningful experience of her career.Tune in to hear how Cindy is helping Heinen’s strengthen community, empower associates, and continue a tradition of care from store floor to leadership table. 01:00 Introductions02:00 Cindy’s background and path to HR04:00 The Heinen’s offer08:00 The First 90 Days09:00 Creating unity across departments12:00 Improving flexibility for associates15:00 Avoiding burnout  21:00 Performance management and providing feedback  27:00 Becoming the Board Chair of Jumpstart30:00 HR Hot Seat; Staying true to yourself, Heinen’s must-haves, diving in

Meet Austin Merk, President of Universal Oil, a nearly 150-year-old, 100% employee-owned organization. Universal Oil is a distributor of fuels and industrial lubricants serving customers across construction, manufacturing, and transportation, right here in Cleveland.In this episode, Austin shares what it looks like when a new leader takes the helm of a long-standing company and starts shaping its culture for the future. His story shows that building a great workplace doesn’t have to be complicated; small, intentional steps that bring people together and make work enjoyable can spark real lasting change.He joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to talk about how an ownership mindset drives employee engagement, why food is the great equalizer (yes, that includes company cook-offs!), and how bold moves, from tattoos to grand proposals, reflect a culture of trust and taking risks.Tune in to hear how Austin is helping Universal Oil keep its roots strong while fueling a new era of leadership and culture.Timestamps01:00 Introductions01:30 Austin’s background and original life path03:00 Proposing at a Cleveland Guardians game05:00 The benefits and consequences of risk-taking06:00 Advocating for yourself, “Closed mouths don’t get fed”07:00 Leading a 150-year-old company, and ‘We’ve always done it this way”09:30 People-first culture and ESOP definition and benefits12:30 Bringing people together and creating culture13:40 Using food as a culture builder and equalizer, company cookoffs and employee engagement16:30 Making small, intentional changes and listening to employees19:20 Growing in confidence as a young leader, being patient21:00 The ability to ask dumb questions, wear it on your sleeve23:00 I didn’t come this far to only come this far, the job is never done24:30 Being a first-time NorthCoast 99 Top Workplace winner 27:30 Building out HR and engaging within the company 30:00 HR Hot Seat: Big Blue Nation, tattoos, bread puddingERC: yourerc.comUniversal Oil: universaloil.com

What if your DEI work came with a revenue target, developed your next leaders, and grew the business at the same time?Kevin Clayton, Executive Vice President & Chief Impact and Equity Officer at the Cleveland Cavaliers, joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to show how DEI has become a core business strategy. Kevin breaks down equity as fixing systems like feedback, hiring, promotions, and compensation so people can do their best work. He shares how the Cavs tie impact to revenue scorecards, develop a leadership bench through the IDEAL Team, and steady culture after a tough playoff exit.We also dig into player-led community impact (including a scholarship partnership with Donovan Mitchell’s foundation and Huntington Bank), supplier diversity that gives back, the data behind theme nights, and why the right retail strategy moves real merchandise and fan engagement.Timestamps00:00 Intros & why “diversity as a lens” beats “diversity as a program”01:00 Kevin’s path from P&G sales to people & culture03:05 Defining terms: diversity, inclusion → belonging; equity as system-leveling05:10 The systems view: feedback, hiring, promotions, pay, and why people aren’t the “problem”06:20 “Leverage diversity as a business strategy”: tying impact to growth and KPIs08:05 Examples: supplier diversity, demographic retail strategy, authentic theme nights10:00 What the data showed (and why Pride/Women’s/Heritage nights lift merch & engagement)12:00 Culture during losing seasons: the 90-day assessment and launching the IDEAL Team16:10 Retention gaps for women/POC → EmpowHer TMRG and external leadership opportunities18:20 Renaming HR to People & Culture: signals, scope, and shared ownership of culture20:00 Leading through a playoff exit: grief, recovery rituals, and end-of-season recognition24:00 Player voice to impact: passion mapping, foundations, and a SPIDACARES x Huntington x Cavs scholarship26:00 HR Hot Seat highlights: leading from the front and the rear; everyday acts of courageLinks:ERC: https://www.yourerc.comCleveland Cavaliers: https://www.nba.com/cavaliers

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist, bestselling author, and co-host of the Ask Lisa podcast, explains why stress is natural, why recovery matters more than trying to remove stress, and how leaders can spot problems early and respond well.

In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, host Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Jessica Jung, President of Oswald Companies, to talk about her path to leading one of the country’s top insurance firms. Jessica shares how rolling up your sleeves can model the kind of leadership people want to follow, how to find anyone’s “superpower,” and how leaders can create safe environments where people feel comfortable challenging the process. And don’t miss how she realized that outworking everyone isn’t sustainable (sound familiar?). This episode is part leadership masterclass, part reality check, and all about building a workplace people are drawn to. Timestamps & Topics 00:54 Jessica’s nontraditional career path to business 03:00 Managing people right out of college 05:45 The moment that changed her career trajectory (and her confidence) 10:58 Why “rolling up your sleeves” still matters in leadership 13:25 Advice for those stuck between wanting to grow and needing to keep learning 14:40 The importance of inviting doers and diverse voices into decision-making 16:40 How Oswald helps employees discover and apply their “superpowers” 19:10 What it takes to create a culture where people feel safe speaking up 22:00 Behind Oswald’s big move to a new HQ 25:00 What it means to be an employee-owner 27:30 How to make a less-than-glamorous industry feel magnetic 32:00 Supporting women and underrepresented voices 33:10 HR Hot Seat: Mel Robbins, staying grounded, and how to stop working your life away If you liked this episode, be sure to follow What’s Up at Work? wherever you get your podcasts. And if you’re enjoying the show, leave us a review or share it with a colleague, it helps more listeners discover the conversations we're having with real leaders building better workplaces. 🔗 Learn more about ERC: https://www.yourerc.com 🔗 Visit Oswald Companies: https://www.oswaldcompanies.com