CultureClub XPowered by CultureMonkey

Where people leaders talk culture

Unfiltered conversations with the CHROs and people leaders running culture at scale: what actually moves engagement, retention, and trust through change.

6 seasons40+ people leaders0 scripted answers
Ian O'KeefeIan O'KeefeFounder and CEO, Ikona AnalyticsIan O'KeefeFounder and CEO, Ikona AnalyticsIan O'Keefe, founder and CEO of Ikona Analytics and former Head of People Analytics at Amazon, on why analytics and AI fail without the right foundations: decisions before dashboards, governance and ownership of the data ecosystem, and the tacit knowledge machines cannot see.Watch episodeJuliette DupréJuliette DupréChief People Officer and Interim COO, OtherSide EntertainmentJuliette DupréChief People Officer and Interim COO, OtherSide EntertainmentScaling isn't about adding people. Juliette Dupre, Chief People Officer at Other Side Entertainment, shares her blueprint for zero to scale: building HR from scratch, why talent density is a ratio not headcount, listening that cut turnover from 20% to 4%, and using AI without losing the human touch.Watch episodeDr. Adam HickmanDr. Adam HickmanVP of Employee Development, Talent Management and HRIS, Partners Federal Credit UnionDr. Adam HickmanVP of Employee Development, Talent Management and HRIS, Partners Federal Credit UnionEngagement data is just a signal. 70% of team engagement comes down to the manager. Dr. Adam Hickman, VP at Partners Federal Credit Union, unpacks why managers are disengaging fastest, why you should develop performance instead of managing it, build capability through reps, and start by listening.Watch episodeJeffrey RobinsonJeffrey RobinsonHuman Capital Advisor, Mentone Avenue LLCJeffrey RobinsonHuman Capital Advisor, Mentone Avenue LLCEngagement is rising, yet your best people still leave. Human Capital Advisor Jeffrey Robinson breaks down why engagement and retention are two different things, why one-size-fits-all engagement accelerates attrition, and how to design for career stage instead of age.Watch episodeCatherine MatticeCatherine MatticeFounder and CEO, Civility PartnersCatherine MatticeFounder and CEO, Civility PartnersCivility Partners CEO Catherine Mattice on treating trust as a strategic KPI. Why trust breaks down through unaddressed behaviors, why engagement is an outcome of culture, how to measure trust through surprise exits and early HR conversations, and how pulse surveys turn culture into performance.Watch episodeCezary MączkaCezary MączkaGroup Chief People & Culture Officer, Wielton GroupCezary MączkaGroup Chief People & Culture Officer, Wielton GroupCezary Mączka, Group Chief People & Culture Officer at Wielton Group, joins CultureClub X to explain why most skills gaps are really trust gaps, and why clarity of goals beats change management. A practical look at building culture across multinational, unionized organizations.Watch episodeAlexis FinkAlexis FinkPeople Analytics Leader, formerly Meta, Microsoft, IntelAlexis FinkPeople Analytics Leader, formerly Meta, Microsoft, IntelAlexis Fink, former VP People Analytics at Meta, Intel and Microsoft: Stanford research shows less than half of AI implementations cut headcount. The real barriers are change management, process redesign, and the employee anxiety leaders keep underestimating.Watch episodeJerrell MooreJerrell MooreExecutive Advisor, former CHRO, Cadence BankJerrell MooreExecutive Advisor, former CHRO, Cadence BankJerrell Moore, Executive Advisor and former CHRO at Cadence Bank, shares how CHROs can build change leadership capability that sticks, from cultural norms and measurement frameworks to the one non-negotiable 90-day action every people leader must take to develop truly change-ready leaders at scale.Watch episodeMaria Rosaria BonifacioMaria Rosaria BonifacioVP and People Head, NokiaMaria Rosaria BonifacioVP and People Head, NokiaMaria Rosaria draws on 18 years of global transformation experience to share how to spot change fatigue early, build leader confidence in ambiguity, measure decision quality over KPIs, and why there is no AI without empathy.Watch episodeSymphone'e LindseySymphone'e LindseyHead of Human Resources - GTM, TwilioSymphone'e LindseyHead of Human Resources - GTM, TwilioSymphone'e Lindsey, Head of HR, GTM at Twilio, shares her playbook for rebuilding conditional trust during AI rollouts, covering integration pauses, manager enablement, skepticism as a strategic asset, and how pulse surveys surface hidden AI risks before they become attrition.Watch episodeJennifer LoveJennifer LoveChief Member at Chief, former SVP of Global Talent ManagementJennifer LoveChief Member at Chief, former SVP of Global Talent ManagementJennifer Love and Kelly Timpane break down how organizations can adopt AI without eroding trust, showing how CHROs can reduce employee anxiety, equip managers, build governance, and use pulse surveys to sustain engagement, psychological safety, and performance during AI rollout.Watch episodeKelly TimpaneKelly TimpaneIndependent HR Executive and Advisor, former SVP Global People OperationsKelly TimpaneIndependent HR Executive and Advisor, former SVP Global People OperationsJennifer Love and Kelly Timpane break down how organizations can adopt AI without eroding trust, showing how CHROs can reduce employee anxiety, equip managers, build governance, and use pulse surveys to sustain engagement, psychological safety, and performance during AI rollout.Watch episodeDaniela HerreraDaniela HerreraDEI Consultant, Trainer and SpeakerDaniela HerreraDEI Consultant, Trainer and SpeakerDani Herrera, award-winning bilingual DEI consultant, trainer, and speaker joins us to break down how to read culture erosion before it surfaces in engagement scores, why DEI must be embedded rather than delegated, and how to rebuild trust after an organizational misstep.Watch episodeJackson LynchJackson LynchFour-time CHRO, Talent SherpaJackson LynchFour-time CHRO, Talent SherpaTasks get automated, roles get redesigned, conflating the two is where organizations lose people. Jackson Lynch, four-time CHRO and founder of Talent Sherpa, delivers a systems-design playbook for CHROs to redesign work alongside AI while protecting culture, engagement, and development pathways.Watch episodeNadia VatalidisNadia VatalidisHead of People, DoistNadia VatalidisHead of People, DoistMost AI reskilling programs don’t fail because of tools. They fail because organizations skip psychological safety and behavior change. In this CultureClub X episode, Nadia Vatalidis explains why mindset, leadership behavior, and feedback loops determine whether learning actually sticks.Watch episodeJamy ConradJamy ConradDirector of People, UFCUJamy ConradDirector of People, UFCUMost orgs treat change management as a project. Jamy Conrad treats it as a capability. In S06 E02 of CultureClub X, she shares how coaching skill, scenario planning, and real-time feedback work for CHROs navigating uncertainty in 2026.Watch episodeShari ChernackShari ChernackChief People Officer, Isaacson, MillerShari ChernackChief People Officer, Isaacson, MillerShari Chernack, CPO at Isaacson, Miller, explains why most upskilling programs fail engagement, and presents the Learning & Performance Flywheel, her framework for CHROs connecting real-time listening directly to development decisions in 2026.Watch episodeDebra CoreyDebra CoreyFounder of Step It Up HRDebra CoreyFounder of Step It Up HRWhat helps employees feel supported during change? In this episode of CultureClub X, Debra Corey breaks down the leadership behaviors that build stability, trust, awareness, and stronger employee experience during transformation.Watch episodeChris ManningChris ManningHR & Workforce Transformation Consultant, Experience HRChris ManningHR & Workforce Transformation Consultant, Experience HRIn this episode, Chris Manning explains why transformation fails when organizations prioritize outcomes over lived experience. He shares how empathy, behavior-led design, and pragmatic change drive adoption, and why progress and co-creation matter more than rigid processes.Watch episodeLauri RomanoLauri RomanoFormer Director of Learning and Development, Bausch HealthLauri RomanoFormer Director of Learning and Development, Bausch HealthIn this episode, Lauri Romano unpacks how leaders can guide teams through uncertainty, balance speed with sustainability, and build psychological safety. She shares why empathy, adaptability, and purpose are core to future-ready leadership, and how tech and human skills now go hand in hand.Watch episodeElizabeth S. EganElizabeth S. EganDirector of Talent Management, Cerence AIElizabeth S. EganDirector of Talent Management, Cerence AIIn CultureClub X S05 E02, Elizabeth S. Egan discusses shaping lasting culture through shared accountability and manager enablement. Hear practical strategies to empower employees, embed learning into daily work, and scale development across roles for real organizational impact.Watch episodeHeather KaneHeather KaneSr Manager for Employee Engagement, RobertshawHeather KaneSr Manager for Employee Engagement, RobertshawHeather Kane of Robertshaw shares how organizations can bridge global and local workplace cultures, leveraging technology, inclusive communication, and manager-driven initiatives to engage employees meaningfully, making every voice count and fostering connection across diverse teams.Watch episodeTracie SponenbergTracie SponenbergChief People Officer-The granite groupTracie SponenbergChief People Officer-The granite groupIn the 8th episode of this season of CultureClub X powered by CultureMonkey, we have with us Tracie Sponenberg, ChiefWatch episodeMelissa DiMuroMelissa DiMuroMelissa DiMuroMelissa DiMuro, Chief People and Culture Officer at Limbach, discusses managers' role in building trust and psychological safety. In S04 E07 of CultureClub X, she also highlights the importance of leader mental health and frequent pulse checks.Watch episodeTracy DoddTracy DoddChief People Officer - VNS HealthTracy DoddChief People Officer - VNS HealthTracy Dodd of VNS Health shares practical strategies for managers to influence culture, from reading emotional cues to fostering psychological safety, and turning employee feedback into meaningful action that boosts engagement and trust.Watch episodeMichele Lau-TorresMichele Lau-TorresMichele Lau-TorresIn S04 E05 of CultureClub X, Michele Lau-Torres discusses a manager-driven company culture. A 20-year talent development veteran, she stresses that managers must lead team culture, address employee wellness, and prevent burnout by actively listening and supporting their teams.Watch episodeJennifer PaxtonJennifer PaxtonCo-founder of Jamyr and former VP of people at Smile.ioJennifer PaxtonCo-founder of Jamyr and former VP of people at Smile.ioJennifer Paxton joins S04 E04 of CultureClub X to reveal how focusing on employee mental health drives engagement, productivity, and belonging, while offering actionable guidance for HRs and leaders to manage stress, prevent burnout, and build inclusive, supportive workplace cultures.Watch episodeDonna M. BrownDonna M. BrownHead of People & Culture, Electriphi IncDonna M. BrownHead of People & Culture, Electriphi IncIn this episode of CultureClub X, Donna M. Brown shares actionable insights on building adaptive, people-focused cultures for Gen Z, emphasizing flexibility, wellness, DEI, and tech-driven engagement strategies that empower employees, foster belonging, and drive lasting workplace impact.Watch episodeVanesa CotlarVanesa CotlarVP of People and Culture, PolicyMeVanesa CotlarVP of People and Culture, PolicyMeIn this episode of CultureClub X, Vanesa Cotlar, VP of People & Culture at PolicyMe, explores the crucial link between employee experience and retention. From engagement strategies to real-life insights, she reveals how culture directly impacts business outcomes.Watch episodeMelinda HoncoopMelinda HoncoopHead of People Ops, care.comMelinda HoncoopHead of People Ops, care.comIn this episode of CultureClub X powered by CultureMonkey, host Diana Blass chats with HR leader Melinda Honcoop about culture-backed onboarding. They discuss strategies for remote onboarding, 30-60-90 day plans, Gen Z expectations, and how culture directly shapes employee experience and retention.Watch episodeAllison SproulAllison SproulDirector of people, ConnectRNAllison SproulDirector of people, ConnectRNAllison Sproul discusses how a strong, inclusive company culture differentiates organizations in hybrid work, through flexible policies, real-time communication, manager enablement, and creating belonging for all employees.Watch episodeRebecca PriceRebecca PricePartner, Primary Venture PartnersRebecca PricePartner, Primary Venture PartnersFrom purpose-driven work to flexible environments, Rebecca Price explains how technology empowers managers and connects employees, helping organizations retain top talent and navigate the challenges of the post-pandemic workforce.Watch episodeKellie WagnerKellie WagnerFounder & CEO, Collective – A DEI LabKellie WagnerFounder & CEO, Collective – A DEI LabKellie Wagner discusses how DEI bridges to a sustainable culture, highlighting leadership ownership, manager accountability, employee advocacy, and continuous listening through pulse surveys to embed equity and inclusion in everyday workplace practices.Watch episodeDiane SmithDiane SmithSenior officer of Culture, W.K. Kellogg FoundationDiane SmithSenior officer of Culture, W.K. Kellogg FoundationDiane Smith shares how Gen-Z thrives when managers drive culture, through diversity, on-demand learning, coaching, and balance, positioning leaders as key amplifiers of engagement and long-term talent retention.Watch episodeHolly DankoHolly DankoChief People Officer, UnisonHolly DankoChief People Officer, UnisonIn this episode, Holly Danko reveals why DEI must be strategic and data-backed, showing how leadership alignment, employee feedback, and authentic culture practices help attract and retain talent in today’s workforce.Watch episodeKarin HurtKarin HurtCEO, Let's Grow LeadersKarin HurtCEO, Let's Grow LeadersFrom reinventing culture to ensuring equal voices, Karin Hurt discusses how hybrid work requires empathetic leadership, safe feedback spaces, and clarity-driven flexibility to strengthen trust and productivity.Watch episodeDiane SanfordDiane SanfordFormer Chief People Officer, On The Border Mexican GrillDiane SanfordFormer Chief People Officer, On The Border Mexican GrillDiane Sanford shares how organizations can thrive in hybrid setups by empowering employees with flexibility, customizing development, fostering cross-team dialogue, and anchoring culture in clarity and genuine connection.Watch episodeBarbie WinterbottomBarbie WinterbottomCEO, Business of HRBarbie WinterbottomCEO, Business of HRIn this episode, Barbie Winterbottom shares how leaders can combat attrition by building safe feedback spaces, valuing transparency, and empowering managers, showing why flexibility and autonomy matter more than rigid policies.Watch episodeShelley SmithShelley SmithFounder & CEO, Premier RapportShelley SmithFounder & CEO, Premier RapportShelley Smith explores how leaders can avoid DEI missteps by building unique cultures, empowering all managers as custodians of engagement, and ensuring employee feedback drives consistent, visible change.Watch episodeMichelle YuMichelle YuFounder & Principal, Aspire TalentMichelle YuFounder & Principal, Aspire TalentIn this episode, Michelle Yu reveals why collaboration and culture, not just pay, are the real keys to retaining talent during the Great Resignation, urging leaders to embrace employee needs, invest in growth, and foster genuine connection.Watch episodeAngela Cheng-CiminiAngela Cheng-CiminiSVP, Talent & CHRO, Harvard Business PublishingAngela Cheng-CiminiSVP, Talent & CHRO, Harvard Business PublishingAngela Cheng-Cimini discusses how to bridge Gen-Z’s expectations with organizational culture, emphasizing professional growth, mental health, transparency, and the pivotal role of mid-level managers in building thriving workplaces.Watch episodeAysha AlawadhiAysha AlawadhiDirector of Culture Transformation, Anthem IncAysha AlawadhiDirector of Culture Transformation, Anthem IncFrom culture as a competitive advantage to the crucial role of hiring, inclusivity, and technology, Aysha Alawadhi unpacks how organizations can implement DEI&B effectively, ensuring trust, balance, and engagement that employees can genuinely connect with.Watch episodeEmily GoodsonEmily GoodsonCEO & founder, Culture SmartEmily GoodsonCEO & founder, Culture SmartKicking off Season 3, Emily Goodson, CEO of Culture Smart, unpacks the real meaning of DEI in today’s workplace, shedding light on equity vs. equality, tackling biases in hiring, and the role of belonging in building inclusive, high-performing cultures.Watch episode
S06 E16: Why People Analytics and AI Fail Without Data Foundations

Now playing · S06 E16

Why People Analytics and AI Fail Without Data Foundations

Ian O'Keefe, founder and CEO of Ikona Analytics and former Head of People Analytics at Amazon, on why analytics and AI fail without the right foundations: decisions before dashboards, governance and ownership of the data ecosystem, and the tacit knowledge machines cannot see.

Ian O'KeefeIan O'KeefeFounder and CEO, Ikona Analytics

Every episode

Real playbooks from the people running culture at scale: AI adoption, change leadership, manager effectiveness, and retention.

Why People Analytics and AI Fail Without Data FoundationsS06 E16people analyticsWhy People Analytics and AI Fail Without Data FoundationsIan O'Keefe, founder and CEO of Ikona Analytics and former Head of People Analytics at Amazon, on why analytics and AI fail without the right foundations: decisions before dashboards, governance and ownership of the data ecosystem, and the tacit knowledge machines cannot see.Ian O'KeefeBuilding HR Infrastructure From Zero to ScaleS06 E15hr operationsBuilding HR Infrastructure From Zero to ScaleScaling isn't about adding people. Juliette Dupre, Chief People Officer at Other Side Entertainment, shares her blueprint for zero to scale: building HR from scratch, why talent density is a ratio not headcount, listening that cut turnover from 20% to 4%, and using AI without losing the human touch.Juliette DupréTurning Engagement Data Into Culture ChangeS06 E14managersTurning Engagement Data Into Culture ChangeEngagement data is just a signal. 70% of team engagement comes down to the manager. Dr. Adam Hickman, VP at Partners Federal Credit Union, unpacks why managers are disengaging fastest, why you should develop performance instead of managing it, build capability through reps, and start by listening.Dr. Adam HickmanWhy Engaged Employees Still LeaveS06 E13retentionWhy Engaged Employees Still LeaveEngagement is rising, yet your best people still leave. Human Capital Advisor Jeffrey Robinson breaks down why engagement and retention are two different things, why one-size-fits-all engagement accelerates attrition, and how to design for career stage instead of age.Jeffrey RobinsonTrust as a KPI: The Pulse Survey PlaybookS06 E12trustTrust as a KPI: The Pulse Survey PlaybookCivility Partners CEO Catherine Mattice on treating trust as a strategic KPI. Why trust breaks down through unaddressed behaviors, why engagement is an outcome of culture, how to measure trust through surprise exits and early HR conversations, and how pulse surveys turn culture into performance.Catherine MatticeWhy the Skills Gap Is Really a Trust GapS06 E11cultureWhy the Skills Gap Is Really a Trust GapCezary Mączka, Group Chief People & Culture Officer at Wielton Group, joins CultureClub X to explain why most skills gaps are really trust gaps, and why clarity of goals beats change management. A practical look at building culture across multinational, unionized organizations.Cezary MączkaWhat AI Really Changes About Roles, Risk, and EXS06 E10aiWhat AI Really Changes About Roles, Risk, and EXAlexis Fink, former VP People Analytics at Meta, Intel and Microsoft: Stanford research shows less than half of AI implementations cut headcount. The real barriers are change management, process redesign, and the employee anxiety leaders keep underestimating.Alexis FinkHow CHROs Build Change Leadership That SticksS06 E09changeHow CHROs Build Change Leadership That SticksJerrell Moore, Executive Advisor and former CHRO at Cadence Bank, shares how CHROs can build change leadership capability that sticks, from cultural norms and measurement frameworks to the one non-negotiable 90-day action every people leader must take to develop truly change-ready leaders at scale.Jerrell MooreThe Early Signs of Change Fatigue in TeamsS06 E08changeThe Early Signs of Change Fatigue in TeamsMaria Rosaria draws on 18 years of global transformation experience to share how to spot change fatigue early, build leader confidence in ambiguity, measure decision quality over KPIs, and why there is no AI without empathy.Maria Rosaria Bonifacio
If you're putting new technology on top of old problems, you're gonna amplify old problems. And AI will not only amplify, AI will confidently and eloquently be wrong and incorrect in convincing ways that are hard to look past.
Ian O'KeefeIan O'KeefeFounder and CEO, Ikona Analytics
From S06 E16Why People Analytics and AI Fail Without Data FoundationsWatch episode

The leaders who have joined the club

CHROs, CPOs, and people-analytics leaders sharing what worked, and what did not, inside their own organizations.

Ian O'Keefe

Ian O'Keefe

Founder and CEO, Ikona Analytics

Juliette Dupré

Juliette Dupré

Chief People Officer and Interim COO, OtherSide Entertainment

Dr. Adam Hickman

Dr. Adam Hickman

VP of Employee Development, Talent Management and HRIS, Partners Federal Credit Union

Jeffrey Robinson

Jeffrey Robinson

Human Capital Advisor, Mentone Avenue LLC

Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice

Founder and CEO, Civility Partners

Cezary Mączka

Cezary Mączka

Group Chief People & Culture Officer, Wielton Group

Alexis Fink

Alexis Fink

People Analytics Leader, formerly Meta, Microsoft, Intel

Jerrell Moore

Jerrell Moore

Executive Advisor, former CHRO, Cadence Bank

Maria Rosaria Bonifacio

Maria Rosaria Bonifacio

VP and People Head, Nokia

Symphone'e Lindsey

Symphone'e Lindsey

Head of Human Resources - GTM, Twilio

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