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

There’s a side of military leadership most people never see—one built on trust, delegation, and learning through failure. Dave Banyard brings those lessons straight into his position as CEO. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Dave Banyard, President and CEO of MasterBrand, the largest residential cabinet manufacturer in North America. Before running a multi-billion-dollar company, Dave flew F/A-18 fighter jets for the U.S. Navy, and he brings a refreshingly candid take on leadership, decision-making, and culture from the cockpit to the factory floor. Hear how Dave translates military lessons into business leadership, builds trust across thousands of employees, and empowers his employees to make bold decisions. You’ll get his thoughts on delegation, transparency, coaching, and why being a CEO is a lot like building a jigsaw puzzle while finding all of the pieces. Timestamps 00:50 Dave’s path from fighter pilot to CEO 03:00 Motivating 18-year-olds to clean toilets and why presence matters in leadership 07:50 “No ranks in the air”: Decentralized decision-making and trust under pressure 09:30 Translating military purpose into company culture at MasterBrand 11:00 Why every process can be examined and designed for a better outcome 13:40 How manufacturing and military environments are more similar than you’d think 15:30 Breaking the habit of “delegating up” and teaching decision ownership 20:00 Transparency, failure, and why dancing around problems kills progress 22:30 Why every CEO needs a coach (and how Dave uses his) 25:00 The Churchill-inspired communication strategy Dave uses with his team 29:30 Becoming a public company: Dave’s take on leadership through transition 33:00 Redefining career paths with experiences over titles If you liked what you heard, be sure to subscribe to What’s Up at Work? and leave a quick review, it helps others find us and keeps these conversations going. New episodes come out regularly with insights from real leaders making an impact in their workplaces. 🔗 Learn more about ERC: www.yourerc.com 🔗 Visit MasterBrand: www.masterbrand.com

In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, host Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Micki Byrnes, Chief Communications Officer and Senior Advisor at Adcom, and former President and General Manager of WKYC, to talk leadership, reinvention, and the surprising career lessons learned from decades in the media. From her early dreams of being a forest ranger to leading one of Cleveland’s most visible organizations, Micki shares how she navigated career pivots, built a resilient workplace culture, and found new purpose after retirement (for exactly two weeks). You’ll hear her take on self-advocacy, the transition from creative to executive leadership, and why she still brings her lunch every day. Timestamps: 00:55 Micki’s surprising original career path and how she found her way into broadcasting 04:15 A winding road to Cleveland (and why it grew on her)07:00 How creative instincts translated to company leadership 10:10 The moment she was named President of WKYC and what she wishes she’d done differently 12:00 What the “Garage Test” says about your company’s culture 14:30 Supporting employees who are struggling with burnout or misalignment 15:50 How WKYC approached its responsibility as a public service 19:00 Untangling identity from work and navigating post-retirement transitions 23:15 What to ask yourself during any major career shift 25:00 The challenges (and urgency) of legacy media reinventing itself 27:15 Transferable skills and why companies need “an adult in the room” 30:00 Staying relevant when the world (and your feed) is changing fast 31:30 Why Micki joined Adcom and what she hopes to bring to the agency 35:00 Encouragement for anyone who feels stuck but isn’t sure what’s next Enjoying What’s Up at Work? Don’t miss an episode—subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and if you found this conversation helpful or inspiring, leave us a quick review. It helps more leaders like you find the show.

Kelly Keefe, President and CEO of ERC, shares the highs and lows of stepping into a new leadership role 30 days before the world shut down. She also shares strategies she’s used to connect more deeply, lead more intentionally, and tap into the power of her peers. You’ll hear about her non-traditional career path from Deloitte consultant to part-time HR volunteer to leading ERC, and how she navigated the organization through the worst of the pandemic. Kelly also shares why she believes data-driven decision-making is the secret sauce behind building better workplaces. During the conversation, she dives into lessons learned from her kids, explains how she structures her week to stay confident walking into any room, and gives insight into creating safe spaces for CEOs to swap stories (even tough ones like handling layoffs with dignity). Timestamps: 1:00 Career path and non-traditional entry into HR: Kelly’s journey from Deloitte to eight hours a week at ERC, eventually growing into a full-time leadership role. 3:00 Taking the CEO role just before COVID: stepping into a new leadership role in January 2020 and managing ERC’s shifting business model. 6:00 Shifting from reactive to proactive leadership: what “recovering” looked like by 2022 and why moving past return-to-office debates was important. 8:00 Building a professional network as a business strategy: why Kelly dedicates roughly 30 percent of her role to networking, and how she balances travel-heavy relationship-building with a leadership team she trusts. 11:00 Walking into any room with confidence: Kelly’s Sunday calendar prep ritual, scouting attire, looking up LinkedIn profiles, and her “look people in the eye” mantra her dad instilled. 13:00 Creating CEO peer groups and tackling layoffs: why it’s lonely at the top, how peer conversations help shape messaging for employees impacted by cuts, and why it’s important for leaders to have sounding boards. 17:00 Data-driven decision-making at ERC: how Kelly uses NorthCoast 99 survey data, compensation benchmarks, and ERC engagement scores to guide everything from mental health days to compensation philosophy. 20:00 Learning from the next generation: how Kelly’s son Connor runs a $2.7 million student-led venture at the University of Dayton, and why CEOs should listen to what young people are doing in business. 22:00 Trusted advisors outside the workplace: the value of gut checks with fellow CEOs, how to keep feedback confidential, and why “control what you can control” is important. 24:00 HR Hot Seat rapid-fire: pick-up-the-phone lessons; mom’s advice to “be stubborn enough to make it work”; core value of “facts over noise”; what drives Kelly crazy (left-lane slowpokes); and the wisest thing her kids have said. If Kelly’s perspective on leading through uncertainty, creating intentional peer spaces, or using data to build better cultures resonated, please subscribe to What’s Up at Work? and leave a review. It helps us reach more HR and business leaders who are looking for real-world strategies to improve their workplaces.