Welcome to the Leading Beyond the Org Chart Podcast by Rise Results, where we bring you real-world strategies to improve employee engagement, boost retention, and accelerate team development - all with a clear focus on driving measurable business outcomes.
Each episode features leaders who’ve successfully navigated these challenges, sharing actionable insights you can implement immediately.
We’ll explore how better people practices lead to better business performance - and how to turn strategic thinking into scalable growth.
How to Balance AI and Empathy in HR with Jamy Conrad
In this episode of Leading Beyond the Org Chart, hosts Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel engage in a deep conversation with Jamy Conrad, an accomplished HR executive with extensive experience across healthcare, technology, and finance sectors. Jamy shares her unique career trajectory, emphasizing her progression from manufacturing to healthcare, then to tech, and ultimately her current role at University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) in Austin, Texas. With a focus on driving people-oriented strategies, Jamy highlights the importance of creating a supportive culture and fostering engagement within organizations.
The episode dives into critical themes such as the integration of AI in HR practices while maintaining the human touch, the significance of mental health advocacy in the workplace, and the essential role of mid-level managers in shaping organizational culture. Jamy shares practical strategies and insights on how to empower leaders to navigate challenging times and enhance their empathetic leadership skills. Her candid reflections on overcoming imposter syndrome and the necessity of active listening provide listeners with actionable takeaways to foster a positive workplace environment.
Chapters:
(00:01) - - Welcome to Leading Beyond the Org Chart
(00:24) - - Introduction of Guest Jamy Conrad
(01:02) - - Jamy's Career Journey Overview
(04:52) - - Acknowledging Healthcare Work During Pandemic
(06:13) - - Integrating AI into HR Practices
(10:00) - - Importance of Mental Health Advocacy
(11:06) - - Strategies for Supporting Employee Wellness
(13:20) - - Fostering Empathy in Leadership
(16:13) - - Techniques for Active Listening
(19:04) - - Gratitude Campaigns in Organizations
(21:17) - - Empowering Mid-Level Managers
(24:46) - - Emerging Trends in HR
(27:09) - - Advice for Younger Self
(30:46) - - Closing Thoughts and Reflections
7 Oct 2026
Building Culture Through Change: Insights from Gina Hartigan of Kantata
In this episode of Leading Beyond the Org Chart, hosts Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel welcome Gina Hartigan, Chief People Officer at Kantata, a leading provider of solutions for professional service organizations. With her extensive experience in culture, engagement, and organizational transformation, Gina shares her insights on the importance of building a unified culture during mergers, fostering employee engagement, and supporting talent retention in a remote-first environment.
Gina discusses her personal journey of stepping away from the corporate world to raise her children and how this experience shaped her leadership style, focusing on empathy, service, and the needs of others. She highlights Kantata's impressive employee tenure of 5.1 years, which far exceeds the industry average, attributing this success to a strong culture of collaboration, transparency, and flexibility. Throughout the episode, Gina emphasizes the need for courageous communication and adaptability in the face of constant change, particularly as organizations navigate the evolving landscape of AI and remote work.
Chapters:
23 Sept 2026
Mike Kohn on Building a People First Culture at Kevel
A tech company's first engagement survey looked strong until Mike Kohn broke it down by gender and found a wide gap between how men and women rated their experience at Kevel. Mike Kohn is Chief People Officer at Kevel, where he has spent more than three years scaling a global team across 17 to 18 countries. He talks with Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel about the infrastructure he built to close that gap, why he trades survey fatigue for a mix of quantitative and qualitative check-ins, and how he supported an employee coming out as transgender.
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Leading Beyond the Org Chart
01:03 Mike's path to a people first career
02:42 The engagement survey and a gender gap in the data
07:58 Cross-group differences and function-level analysis
11:15 Survey cadence, pulse fatigue and quarterly reviews
12:39 Why belonging outweighs compensation
17:07 Supporting an employee coming out as transgender
24:13 The identity button idea and leadership storytelling
28:20 Operating across 17 countries and local traditions
33:16 Balancing rapid growth with a people first focus
37:56 Change management feedback from the survey
40:14 DEI committee, resource groups and a calendar of celebrations
43:00 Advice to his younger self
45:18 What gives Mike hope
You can follow Mike Kohn here:
LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikejkohn (https://linkedin.com/in/mikejkohn)
Learn more about Kevel:
Website - https://kevel.com (https://kevel.com)
9 Sept 2026
Engineering Inclusion: A DEI Journey Ft Jyl Feliciano
In this conversation, Jyl Feliciano, a DEI leader with over 20 years of experience, discusses the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from a compliance-focused initiative to a core aspect of organizational culture.
She emphasizes the importance of embedding DEI into operational processes, leveraging data and AI to enhance employee experiences, and the critical role of executive sponsors and employee resource groups (ERGs) in fostering a sense of belonging. Jyl also reflects on the impact of the George Floyd era on DEI efforts and shares valuable advice for future leaders in the field.
Chapters:
(00:00) - Engineering Mindset in DEI
(03:01) - Evolution of DEI: From Compliance to Culture
(05:54) - The Impact of the George Floyd Era on DEI
(08:51) - Balancing Commercial Aspects with Genuine DEI Efforts
(11:42) - Embedding DEI into Operational Processes
(14:47) - Leveraging AI in DEI Strategies
(18:04) - Developing Effective Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
(20:40) - The Role of Executive Sponsors in ERGs
(23:49) - Creating a Culture of Belonging
(26:41) - Advice for Future Leaders
26 Aug 2026
How to Build a Diverse Team: Lessons from Jonathan Meyrowitz
Hosts Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel interview Jonathan Meyrowitz, UP Labs' head of people, about building diverse teams and fostering agility in leadership.
12 Aug 2026
Building Trust Through Transparency in Organizations Ft Rachel Kohn
Host [Host Name] interviews Rachel Kohn, VP of People Operations at Sendoso, about building trust through transparency and fostering an inclusive culture.
29 Jul 2026
Innovative HR Leadership Ft Josh Salyer
Host [Host Name] interviews Josh Salyer, VP of People at Wasson Enterprise, exploring innovative HR strategies for portfolio companies and fostering strong company culture.
11 Jul 2025
Welcome to Leading Beyond the Org Chart by Rise Results!
Marilyn Nagel and Kim Ellis interview industry experts on strategies to improve employee engagement and build high-performing teams.
Who has been a guest on Leading Beyond the Org Chart
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Jonathan Meyrowitz
Rachel Kohn
Josh Salyer
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