The Hennessy Report

Hosted by David Hennessy

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112

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May 2026

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Podcast by David Hennessy

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May 7, 202646 min

Episode 112 — Robert Buckley — Enveda Biosciences

On this episode of The Hennessy Report, Dave Hennessy is joined by Robert Buckley, Chief People Architect at Enveda Biosciences, alongside colleague Jill Thompson, for a conversation on modern HR leadership, people strategy, and building high-performing cultures. Key topics include: • Principle-based leadership vs. policy-driven HR • Coaching-style management and developing stronger people leaders • Using data and analytics to improve HR decision-making • The impact of microlearning and continuous leadership development • Building a people-first culture in fast-growing organizations • Executive career decision-making with Howard Seidel in Coach’s Corner A practical, forward-thinking discussion for HR leaders navigating leadership development, employee experience, and organizational growth.

March 24, 202647 min

Episode 111 — Mike Gutner — Toast, Inc.

What does it look like to run HR like a business unit? On this episode, Dave is joined by colleague Omar Saldana and Mike Gutner, CPO at Toast, who has the answer. In this episode, Mike shares how Toast scaled from 2,000 to nearly 7,000 employees across multiple countries; and what that demands from a people function. He covers belonging as a retention driver, AI in HR, future-proofing leadership, and what he's learned as a first-time CPO. Plus, Keystone's Amy Twiggs joins for Coach's Corner on leading teams through change. Tune in for the full conversation. The Hennessy Report is brought to you from Keystone Partners by Careerminds.

February 20, 202646 min

Episode 110 — Brian Stolz — Element Biosciences

Brian Stolz has cracked the code — literally and figuratively — on what it takes to build thriving teams in biotech. Episode 110 of The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners features Brian Stolz, Chief People Officer at Element Biosciences, joined by Keystone Partners West Coast Market Leader Charlene Hutchins. Brian shares how growing up in Tokyo shaped his global perspective, his philosophy on building high-performing teams through diversity of thought, and how Element Bio's culture is rooted in respect, authenticity, and collaboration. He also dives into how AI is transforming HR and talent management, why the bio life sciences industry is poised for a major turnaround, and what he sees driving investment in the sector heading into 2026. Plus, Keystone's Vicky Rayel closes out the episode with practical career development advice in Coach's Corner.

January 12, 202649 min

Episode 109 — Brannigan Thompson — Voya Financial

Brannigan Thompson, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Voya Financial, joins host Dave Hennessy to discuss Voya's strategic shift and what it means for talent strategy. Brannigan shares how his experience living and working in the Netherlands early in his career shaped his leadership approach, and how Voya is now designing its organization for the future rather than around current talent. Key topics: - Designing structure and success profiles for where the business will be in 3-5 years - Implementing AI agents in HR, including interview scheduling and development planning - Voya's four cultural pillars: customer obsession, AI and automation, performance, and quality fundamentals - Why Voya helps employees discover their individual purpose—even when they choose to leave - The importance of continuous performance feedback and measurable KPIs Plus: Keystone's Coach's Corner with Shawna Simcik on the difference between kind and nice leadership.

December 19, 202542 min

Episode 108 — Ted Harding — Apnimed

Dave is joined by Apnimed CHRO Ted Harding, who shares strategies for leading HR through commercialization, building highly engaged virtual teams, and maintaining culture during rapid organizational transformation on the 108th episode of The Hennessy Report podcast. Ted speaks about navigating the shift from clinical-stage biotech to commercial operations. He also shares how to preserve culture while scaling from 60 to potentially 200+ employees, proven tactics for virtual team engagement, and strategies for integrating new commercial talent. Some highlights from the episode: Virtual Team Engagement: How Apnimed maintains one of the most connected cultures despite being fully virtual—including twice-weekly all-company meetings, strategic in-person gatherings, and relationship-building practices that work Commercialization Talent Strategy: Building entirely new skill sets for market access, payer relations, and sales while finding "culture adds" who evolve your organization without disrupting core values Leading Through Change: Managing reductions in force while living company values, evolving culture like a child through different life stages, and preparing teams for transformation Early Career Lessons: Why taking the harder path builds unique skills, the critical importance of building relationships before influence, and learning humility as an HR leader The episode concludes with Keystone's Coach's Corner featuring Walt Morgan, demonstrating the "pause, paraphrase, pause" technique for developing a coaching mindset that drives collaboration, empowerment, and higher retention.

October 3, 202537 min

Episode 107 — Liz Vieira — Reebok

Join Dave on The Hennessy Report as he interviews Liz Vieira, VP of Human Resources at Reebok, about navigating major organizational transformation and rebuilding HR infrastructure from the ground up. In this episode, Liz shares practical insights on: - HR Transformation: How she rebuilt Reebok's entire HR infrastructure in seven months following a major ownership transition - Change Management: Strategies for supporting employees through multiple organizational changes and ownership transitions - Leadership Development: Building career development and learning programs that drive employee engagement - Collaboration-Driven HR: Creating a culture where HR partners closely with business leaders and employees at all levels - Career Growth: Lessons from her time at MFS Investment Management and what shaped her as an HR leader Liz also discusses her "boomerang" experience returning to Reebok, the importance of being present in your current role, and how her father's influence shaped her commitment to being a voice for those who feel unheard. The episode concludes with our new segment, Keystone's Coach's Corner featuring Mary Cavanaugh, SVP of Career Management, offering networking advice for HR professionals.

August 26, 202555 min

Episode 106 — Charu Manocha — SmartEquine

Dave Hennessy is joined by Charu Manocha, CHRO at SmartEquine, on this episode of The Hennessy Report Podcast, by Keystone Partners. Charu shares how she built workforce agility during major organizational change. Key insights: HR rotations that develop business-savvy leaders Team performance models that actually work Managing multi-generational workforce expectations Leading talent assessment during "shrink to grow" phases "We had 40 volunteers for our transformation task-force out of 360 employees. That's how you know change management is working." This episode is perfect for CHROs, CPOs, and emerging HR leaders navigating today's complex workforce challenges.

June 25, 202547 min

Episode 105 — Janine Taylor — Advocates

On this episode of #TheHennessyReport David Hennessy is joined by Janine Taylor, CHRO of Advocates. From learning to "listen first" as a young HR professional to leading 2,700 employees who serve 40,000 individuals with disabilities and life challenges - Janine's journey shows why supporting the supporters matters. 🔥 Key Takeaways: ✅ Early wage access over 401k focus - Creating benefits that meet employees' immediate needs ✅ Career pathway success - Two nurse practitioners who started as direct care staff and tripled their income ✅ The respect principle - How treating everyone with dignity during transitions creates "boomerang employees" and reduces lawsuits ✅ Building representative teams - Growing HR diversity to reflect their workforce Janine's approach to understanding her diverse workforce and building systems around their real needs offers practical lessons for creating cultures where mission-driven employees can thrive. 🎙️ Brought to you by Keystone Partners - experts in helping HR and organizations meet business goals through leadership development and career transition. Made in partnership with the Northeast HR Association - and a warm welcome to NEHRA's newest board member, Janine!

June 4, 202538 min

Episode 104 — Marianne Monte — Shawmut Design and Construction

🎙️ Marianne Monte on Authentic Leadership & Building Inclusive Cultures Dave is joined by Marianne Monte, CPO at Shawmut Design and Construction, on the 104th episode of The Hennessy Report. She shares her journey from coming out in the early 90s to leading a $2 billion construction firm. 🔥 Key Takeaways: * The "F-you fund" every HR pro needs * How bringing your whole self to work transforms leadership effectiveness * Succession planning done right: How to promote your replacement (and feel good about it) * Building inclusive culture in a traditionally male-dominated industry Marianne's story reminds us that the courage to be authentic - whether it's coming out at work in the 90s or having difficult conversations with leadership - ultimately makes us better leaders and creates stronger, more inclusive organizations. This episode is perfect listen for HR leaders, construction professionals, and anyone interested in authentic leadership during challenging organizational transformations.

April 29, 202545 min

Episode 103 — Marni Helfand — The Planet Group

From Legal Eagle to Culture Champion: The Planet Group's HR Revolution In this lively episode, Dave Hennessy chats with Marni Helfand about her fascinating journey from courtroom litigator (inspired by her dad's dinner table practice arguments!) to leading both legal and HR at Planet Group. WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER: - How Planet Group placed a staggering 80,000 people in jobs while expanding globally - The secret sauce behind their "One Planet" culture integration (hint: they let everyone BUT executives lead it!) - Why Gen Z wants feedback every two weeks while Boomers clutch their annual reviews - Marni's love for Kim Scott's Radical Candor approach to leadership: "compassion = empathy + action" - The "career lattice" that lets people zigzag between departments based on passion Perfect for HR leaders navigating acquisition integration, generational workplace dynamics, and the tricky balance between legal compliance and people-first strategies.