Future of HR

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  “Why Business Acumen is the Capability You Control” Rose Velez-Smith, CHRO, DoubleVerify 18.08.2026 31Min.

  How can you build business acumen without owning a P&L? Why is developing your business acumen within your control?My guest on this episode is Rose Velez-Smith, CHRO, DoubleVerifyDuring our conversation Rose and I discuss:Why stepping out of HR to be in the business can be the single best thing you do for your career. How to start every executive conversation with business priorities first, then ask what talent outcomes are needed to enable them.Why talent doesn't exist separate from business strategy.How to choose your next role by evaluating who you'll become because of it.Why AI reshapes work rather than replacing it, and why in the future we will design jobs around judgment, creativity, and relationships.Connecting with Rose Velez-Smith Connect with Rose Velez-Smith on LinkedInEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Why Verizon Made Its HR Business Partners a Center of Excellence” Christina Schelling, SVP, Human Resources, Verizon 11.08.2026 39Min.

  How can you create an HR Business Partner Center of Excellence?Why does HR need to shift from owning programs to owning business outcomes?My guest on this episode is Christina Schelling, SVP, Human Resources, VerizonDuring our conversation Christina and I discuss:Why naming the HRBP group a Center of Excellence gives partners community, shared goals, and focused development.How the HR business partner role is evolving to be more strategic.How Verizon defined HRBP success with four shared metrics aligned to their strategy.Why HRBPs don't need to be experts in everything, and how COE partners make them stronger.How Verizon partnered with their HR tech vendors co-create innovative AI talent solutions.Connecting with Christina SchellingConnect with Christina Schelling on LinkedInEpisode Sponsor:Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  [Greatest Hits] “The 7 Rules of Power” with Jeffrey Pfeffer, Professor Stanford University and Author of 16 books including the “7 Rules of Power 04.08.2026 32Min.

  Why is the single biggest barrier to having power…ourselves?How can you, as an HR professional step into your power?My guest on this episode is Jeffrey Pfeffer, Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University and Author of 16 books including his latest one the “7 Rules of Power”:During our conversation Jeffrey and I discuss:Why he believes the single biggest barrier to having power is ourselvesWhy it is important that we own and tell our story, not let others tell it for usWhy he believes that being authentic and/or modest is terrible leadership advice Why networking is a super power and how to do it wellWhy he believes HR needs to raise the bar and step into their powerHis advice on how to deal with difficult leaders in positions of powerConnecting with Jeffrey PfefferConnect with Jeffrey Pfeffer on LinkedInLearn more about the Jeffrey’s books, research, podcast and moreEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Data Storytelling: How HR Turns Insight Into Influence” Morgan Depenbusch, Data Storytelling & Influence Expert 28.07.2026 38Min.

  How can you turn HR data into insights that drive decisions?Why do leaders make decisions based on their experience and instinct, not just data? My guest on this episode is Morgan Depenbusch, Data Storytelling & Influence ExpertDuring our conversation Morgan and I discuss:How to tell what data is interesting from what data is decision relevantWhy one reason to say no can beat twenty reasons to say yesWhy you should see yourself as the guide and the leader as the heroHow to surface a leader's real objection before the meeting and name it firstWhy AI gives HR more dashboards and signals but not more influenceConnecting with Morgan: Connect with Morgan Depenbusch on LinkedInLearn more about Morgan’s HR Data Storytelling and Influence PlaybookEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Everyone Knows Meetings Suck. Can We Actually Fix Them?” Steven Rogelberg, author of “The Surprising Science of Meetings” and “Glad We Met: The Art & Science of 1:1 Meetings” 21.07.2026 48Min.

  How can HR transform meetings into a competitive advantage?Why is the one-on-one the one meeting that leaders should never cancel?My guest on this episode is Steven Rogelberg, author of “The Surprising Science of Meetings” and “Glad We Met: The Art & Science of 1:1 Meetings” During our conversation Steven and I discuss:Why a world without meetings is worse than a world with themWhy the person who called the meeting is usually the only one who thinks it went well.Why measurement is the missing piece as engagement surveys almost never ask about meetings.Why framing your agenda as questions to be answered clarifies who to invite, what success looks like, and whether you even need to meet.Why the one-on-one belongs to the employee, not the managerConnecting with Steven Rogelberg: Connect with Steven Rogelberg on LinkedInLearn more about Steven, his books, and work to make meetings matterEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “What Private Equity Knows About Talent That Most Companies Miss”, David Cohen, Partner, Human Capital at Kelso 14.07.2026 37Min.

  How does human capital create value in private equity?What does it take to be a successful HR leader in private equity?My guest on this episode is David Cohen, Partner, Human Capital at KelsoDuring our conversation David and I discuss:Why the role of the human capital partner in private equity is to unlock value through people, not to run HR for the firm itself.What is takes to be successful as a CHRO in a private equity backed company.Why human capital value creation comes down to org design, the right people in the right seats, and senior team performance.How the "bullseye" model helps identify the right senior leader for a PE-backed company.Why breadth of experience matters more than titles in your 20s and 30s.Connecting with David Cohen: Connect with David Cohen on LinkedInEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  The Next Evolution of HR: From Business Partner to Business Builder, JP Elliott, Founder, Future of HR 07.07.2026 18Min.

  In this solo episode, I make the case that being a strategic business partner is no longer enough. I share the shift I believe is coming next, from business partner to business builder, and the three mindset shifts and behaviors that separate the two.Here are a few key takeaways from the episode: Why being a strategic business partner is no longer enough, and what the next evolution of HR asks of us.How the move from business partner to business builder is a mindset, not a job title.Why execution excellence has become the price of admission rather than the proof that HR is strategic and adding value.Why the real AI risk to HR is being bypassed, not being automated.Why making fewer, bigger bets turns HR priorities into business priorities.How choosing one big goal a year that scares you can change the course of your career.
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  [Greatest Hits] “What Works: Organizational Design” with Amy Kates, Organization Design Expert, Consultant, Educator, and Author 30.06.2026 51Min.

  Why is organizational design much more than org charts and who reports to whom?How can HR guide, facilitate and drive effective an organizational design process? My guest on this episode is Amy Kates who is organizational design expert and author of five books on the subject. During our conversation Amy and I discuss: Why the purpose of organizational design is to design human behavior at scale Why matrix organizations are set up for good conflict and how best to manage it The six business problems that leaders seek to solve through organizational designWhy organizational design is not about org charts and who reports to whom The role that HR leaders should play and not play in the organizational design process.Advice for HR leaders who are about to start an organizational design projectConnecting with Amy Kates: Connect with Amy Kates on LinkedInLearn more about Amy’s work at Operating Model & Organization Design LinkedIn pageEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  How Workforce Readiness Becomes Mission Readiness with Kathleen McCarthy, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer, SAIC 22.06.2026 31Min.

  How can workforce readiness become mission readiness?Why is a people strategy not the same thing as a business strategy?My guest on this episode is Kathleen McCarthy, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer, SAICDuring our conversation Kathleen and I discuss the following: Why a people strategy is not a business strategyWhy "progress over perfection" beats waiting for the perfect planHow CHROs are shifting from business partners to enterprise capability buildersWhy workforce readiness is a moving target, not a fixed destinationWhy you can't hire your way out of the readiness gapConnecting with Kathleen: Connect with Kathleen on LinkedInEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Speak With Frameworks: How HR Leaders Win the Room” with Vicky Zhao, Founder, School of Human Intellect and Speaking With Frameworks 16.06.2026 37Min.

  How can you think and communicate like an executive?Why is your strategy only as good as your ability to communicate it?My guest on this episode is Vicky Zhao, Founder, School of Human Intellect and Speaking With Frameworks.During our conversation Vicky and I discuss the following: Why the clearest idea, not the best idea, is the one that wins How the GPS framework (Goal, Problem, Solution) elevates your point of viewWhy the hardest shift is moving from a doer mindset to a leader mindsetWhy you should put the bottom line up front, using the pyramid principleWhy giving yourself permission to contribute is the first step to showing up like an executiveConnecting with Vicky: Connect with Vicky on LinkedInSubscribe to Vicky’s YouTube channel Learn more about Vicky’s course, Speaking With Frameworks Episode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Data Inspired: How Data Can Drive Change” with Sebastian Wernicke, author of “Data Inspired” 09.06.2026 44Min.

  How can HR use data to drive change?Why is being “data driven” no longer a nice to have, but rather an expectation for HR leadersMy guest on this episode is Sebastian Wernicke, author of “Data Inspired”During our conversation Sebastian and I discuss the following: How the best data work starts by trying to prove yourself wrongWhy HR leaders must become critical consumers of dataHow to start with the business problem, not the available dataWhy data-inspired organizations rest on three foundations: data literacy, a digital mindset, and a data cultureConnecting with Sebastian: Connect with Sebastian on LinkedInLearn more about Sebastian’s new book, Data Inspired Episode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Using AI to Amplify Human Potential & Performance” with Vicki Walia, Chief People and Experience Officer at Prudential Financial 02.06.2026 29Min.

  Why should HR think of themselves as the business instead of supporting the business?How can AI amplify human potential and performance?My guest on this episode is Vicki Walia, Chief People and Experience Officer at Prudential FinancialDuring our conversation Vicki and I discuss the following: Why HR leaders need to see themselves as part of the business, not partners to it.How AI can amplify human potential and performance.How Vicki thinks about the AI "time dividend” and who should get the benefit. Why a high performance culture starts at the individual level. Why clarity, tools, and candid feedback are the three ingredients teams need.Connecting with Vicki: Connect with Vicki on LinkedIn Episode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “The Power of the Pause: How to Reset, Refocus, and Lead Better” with Michael Fraccaro, Former CPO at Mastercard, Senior Advisor at Egon Zehnder, and Board Member. 26.05.2026 33Min.

  How can the power of the pause make you an even more effective HR leader?Why do HR leaders need to have a point of view and the courage to share it?My guest on this episode is Michael Fraccaro, Former CPO at Mastercard, Senior Advisor at Egon ZehnderDuring our conversation Michael and I discuss the following: Why your credibility as a CHRO is built on your understanding of the business, not HRHow the power of the pause transforms decision qualityWhy culture is a leadership behavior, not a program How courage, not technical knowledge is the real differentiator for HR leaders who want to move from good to greatWhy the CHRO pipeline challenge is less about technical skills and more about mindset, grit, and learning agilityConnecting with Michael: Connect with Michael on LinkedIn Episode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “How to Build an AI-Ready Workforce” with Charlene Li, author of “Winning with AI,” speaker, and disruptive leadership expert 19.05.2026 39Min.

  How can you build an AI-Ready workforce?Why is AI a leadership issue and not a technology issue?My guest on this episode is Charlene Li, author of “Winning with AI,” speaker, and disruptive leadership expertDuring our conversation Charlene and I discuss the following: Why AI-first is the wrong frame for most organizations, and how AI-ready puts your people and strategy back at the centerHow AI fluency differs from AI literacyWhy tools, training, and time are the three T's every leader needs to invest inHow to think about agentic AI through four practical questionsWhy automating existing processes is not enough and we use AI to rethink the work itselfConnecting with Charlene: Connect with Charlene on LinkedInLearn more about Charlene and her book, “Winning with AI”Episode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Why Every HR Leader Is in Sales” with Brendan McAdams, B2B Sales Coach & Consultant and author of ‘Sales Craft’ 12.05.2026 33Min.

  How can HR leaders learn to sell without selling?Why should every HR leader think of themselves as a salesperson?My guest on this episode is Brendan McAdams, B2B Sales Coach & Consultant and author of ‘Sales Craft’During our conversation Brendan and I discuss the following: Why every HR leader is already in sales, whether they call it that or notHow sales is really the work of helping someone make a better decision that is right for themWhy status quo is often the strongest competitor to any HR initiative, and what to do about it.How surfacing objections out loud ("killing the deal") builds trust and accelerates real buy-inWhy "if we do this, who loses?" is one of the most useful questions an HR leader can askConnecting with Brendan: Connect with Brendan on LinkedInLearn more about Brendan’s company KiineticsDownload Brendan’s Stakeholder Meeting Prep Worksheet Episode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Executive Assessment: From Black Box to Better Decisions” with Mina Morris, Managing Director and Head of Assessments at Accenture 05.05.2026 35Min.

  How can organizations use executive assessments to make better decisions?Why do you need to build your Executive Assessment fluency to have more impact as an HR leader?My guest on this episode is Mina Morris, Managing Director and Head of Assessments at AccentureDuring our conversation Mina and I discuss the following: Why executive assessment should start with business strategy, not tools, models, or methodologies.How using multiple data sources creates a more complete and accurate view of executive talent.Why executive assessment should be the start of the development conversation, not the end.How executive assessment helps organizations identify “diamonds in the rough” within their leadership pipeline.Why executive assessment without development is just measurement. Connecting with Mina: Connect with Mina on LinkedInEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Chasing a Culture of Greatness” with Bala Sathyanarayanan, EVP and CHRO, Greif Inc.  28.04.2026 38Min.

  How can your culture become a competitive advantage?Why is engagement not just an HR metric, but a driver of business performance?My guest on this episode is Bala Sathyanarayanan, EVP and CHRO, Greif Inc. During our conversation Bala and I discuss the following: Why culture is the operating system that determines whether strategy succeeds or fails.Why engagement is not just an HR metric, but a leading indicator of customer and business performance.How organizations that focus on systems outperform those that focus only on outcomes.Why HR’s credibility depends on its ability to create measurable business value.Why great organizations are never “great,” they are always chasing it.Connecting with Bala: Connect with Bala on LinkedInEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “What We Are Getting Wrong About Burnout” with Guy Winch, psychologist, TED speaker, and author of the new book “Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life” 21.04.2026 35Min.

  How can we reclaim control when it feels like work has hijacked our lives?Why is managing stress becoming more important than reducing it?My guest on this episode is Guy Winch, psychologist, TED speaker, and author of the new book “Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life”During our conversation Guy and I discuss the following: Why burnout continues to rise despite increased investment in wellbeing programs.How work is increasingly “hijacking” people’s time, attention, and relationships.Why high performers are often the most vulnerable to burnout.How a simple end-of-day ritual can train your brain to shift from work mode to personal life.How more open conversations about stress can prevent burnout before it becomes a crisis.Connecting with Guy: Connect with Guy Winch on LinkedIn Learn more about Guy’s book, “Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life.”Episode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Can Work Be Fun?” with Bree Groff, workplace expert and author of “Today was Fun,” and Mary Kate Stimmler, Practitioner Fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in Behavioral Sciences at Stanford 14.04.2026 50Min.

  How can leaders make work both fun and drive high-performance?Why do the high performers find joy in intense work?My guests on this episode are Bree Groff, workplace expert and author of “Today was Fun,” and Mary Kate Stimmler, Practitioner Fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in Behavioral Sciences at StanfordDuring our conversation, Bree, Mary Kate, and I discuss the following: Why the belief that high performance requires pressure and sacrifice is flawedHow leaders can design work that creates energy, not burnoutWhy “fun” at work is about experience, not perksWhy stress undermines creativity and long-term performanceHow small, everyday moments shape culture more than large-scale initiativesConnecting with Bree and Mary Kate presenters: Connect with Bree Groff on LinkedIn Learn more about Bree’s book, “Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously)Connect with Mary Kate Stimmler on LinkedInEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.
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  “Live at the CHRO Summit - Part 2” with Darrell Ford, Rebecca Hinds, and Kevin Cox 07.04.2026 59Min.

  This is Part 2 of our live at the CHRO Association's annual CHRO Summit in Orlando, Florida.I was honored to be invited to the CHRO Association's annual CHRO Summit that brought together more than 300 CHROs and senior HR leaders for strategic conversations truly shaping the future of work. With 25 presenters and panelists on the agenda, I was able to sit down and interview seven of those amazing speakers and bring their insights directly to you across these two episodes (EP 186 & EP 187).In this episode, Part 2 - we’re going to hear from three more incredible leaders:Darrell Ford, Vice Chair of the CHRO Association and Executive Vice President and CHRO at UPSRebecca Hinds, PhD, Head of the Work AI Institute and Thought Leadership at Glean, and author of Your Best Meeting EverKevin Cox, Former CHRO at General Electric and President of LKC Advisory LLCConnecting with CHRO Summit presenters: Connect with Darrell Ford on LinkedIn Connect with Rebecca Hinds on LinkedInConnect with Kevin Cox on LinkedInLearn more about CHRO AssociationEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader’s Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.