Embark on a journey to the heart of nonprofit innovation with Stacy Lowry, CFO of Waterford Country School, who masterfully bridges the gap between finance and human resources. Learn how progressive HR strategies, such as employee referral programs and bonus vacation systems, aren't just buzzwords but are critical components in the retention of a passionate workforce. Stacy's candid sharing of the recent revamp of their employee handbook to address employee burnout is a testament to the...

Dr. Khalilah Olokunola, Sr. Advisor, Talentnova, known to many as KO, joins us to share her pivotal role in reimagining human resources for justice-impacted individuals. Her transformative journey from event and set design to spearheading HR innovation demonstrates a steadfast commitment to championing marginalized talent. Through her collaboration with True Colors and establishment of the Disrupt You onboarding program, KO illustrates how HR can serve as a catalyst for genuinely inclusive, p...

HR virtuoso Sally Loftis from Loftis Partners shares the "Secret Sauce" of fair compensation and the evolving landscape of pay equity. Our enriching conversation transitions from understanding the nuances of pay equity, pay parity, and pay transparency to the societal shifts in discussing compensation. We dissect what fair compensation really means in today's workforce, emphasizing the importance of living wages and the implications of thriving wages in a post-pandemic era. As we ...

Have you ever found yourself stifling a yawn during yet another monotonous meeting, wondering if there's more to the workday than just deadlines and dreary tasks? Our latest guest, Jeff Harry of Rediscover Your Play, brings a whirlwind of energy as he champions injecting play into the workplace, transforming it into a hub of creativity and fulfillment. This episode is not your typical business talk; it's an exploration of how integrating play can nurture mental health and skyrocket employee e...

In this episode guest Rebecca Hawkins joins Dana to discuss the culture of the Regenerative Workplace. What is a Regenerative workplace you may ask? It is an organizational culture that recognizes and meets the core needs of their employees as human beings. People have been studying human needs and how they translate to the workplace for a while now. You've probably heard of Maslow's needs hierarchy of needs or McGregor's theory X and theory Y. Maybe you are familiar with more recent takes fr...

Join your host Dana Dowdell and guest Fletcher Wimbush as they dive into the mission vision and values of talent acquisition. If you think talent acquisition is a painful process, you are not alone. Fletcher share's through his experience, a secret to becoming good at talent acquisition is learning from those painful moments. Imagine a recruitment strategy so compelling, it not only attracts the best candidates but also aligns with their deepest aspirations. We delve into the powerful draw of...

Discover how the very foundation of your work life is shifting in an enlightening discussion with Stela Lupushor and Dr. Solange Charas, leaders in reshaping the workforce. Our conversation peels back the layers of the employee experience, revealing its critical impact not just on personal well-being but on a company's financial performance as well. Delve into how the management of human capital can no longer be seen as a mere good practice, but rather as a driver of significant value. Stela ...

Facing the loss of a loved one is a harrowing journey that doesn't pause at the office door, a truth Kate Mollison knows all too well. After her world was shaken by personal tragedy, she encountered the chill of an unsympathetic workplace. Our conversation with Kate uncovers the deep need for workplaces to weave compassion into their fabric, something she passionately advocates for through her initiative "On Tuesdays, We Wear Black." As she shares her story, we explore the stark reality of gr...

Unlock the potential within your business by embracing the untapped talent of individuals with disabilities and some resources that may help along the way. Listen in as Alicia Kucharczyk from the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services and Dana discuss the transformative power of Vocational Rehabilitation (VocRehab) on this episode of Quirky HR. Alicia brings a wealth of knowledge, sharing how VocRehab’s counseling, job training, and tailored programs not only empower th...

This week we are joined by Major Kevin Kane of the Connecticut Army National Guard and Director of Enterprise Systems at Wesleyan University. We discuss bridging the gap between military service and civilian employment, sometimes simultaneously. In this episode Major Kane shares how to look beyond a service members battle hardened resume, to the soft skills underneath, and the potential benefits to employers. Transitioning from the battlefield to the business fie...

Our guest this week is Claire Chandler, the mastermind behind Talent Boost. Claire shares with us how her experiances along her never say never journey have helped her succeed in becoming a successful HR professional and businesswoman. Listen along on this adventure, and hear how she recounts the life-altering moment when someone recognized her potential, and the importance of leaders doing the same. We cover a lot in this episode. Talent is not about merely fostering an "entrepreneurial...

Imagine a world where your HR practices are fine-tuned to prevent burnout and promote leadership accountability. That's precisely what we're exploring on this episode of Quirky HR, with the assistance of the inimitable Stephanie Tishler, powerhouse behind Tishler Coaching Services. Stephanie’s diverse professional journey, her transition from advertising to working at home for the great Oprah Winfrey, makes her the perfect accomplice for this deep dive. We traverse through the dynamic landsca...

Ever wondered what it truly means to have 'executive presence'? Get ready to have all your burning questions answered as we welcome back executive consultant and coach, Liz Tracy, who helps us peel back the layers of this leadership buzzword. She breaks it all down into four essential components, showing us that it's not just about superficial appearances, but a harmonious blend of qualities that enable a leader to exude confidence, credibility, and authority. Our conversation with Liz takes ...

Are you curious about the diverse field of Human Resources? Wondering how it shapes the future work and how you can tread along this exciting career path? Join us as we pick the brains of HR maven and author, Kelsey Beckfield. She shares her intriguing career switch from advertising to HR, and her transition into consultancy. She and your host Dana Dowdell discuss the evolution of HR from transactional to strategic. Kelsie shares how the question, "Did you fire anyone today?" led to her creat...

From navigating through the world of journalism, advertising, and marketing to gracing the sphere of leadership consulting, our guest Sonya Shelton has experienced an astonishing career trajectory. Today, she's not just a renowned executive leadership consultant but also a best-selling author, helping organizations align their business strategy with their culture. This enlightening conversation takes you on her journey, highlighting the profound challenges she faced while maintaining co...

Imagine having the secret ingredients to brew remarkable employee relations and invigorate your workplace! That's exactly what we're discussing in this fascinating session, drawing inspiration from the influential insights of Dan Pink, renowned for his compelling TED Talk on team motivation as well as his many books. We dissect his three fundamentals for engagement: autonomy, mastery, and purpose, underscoring their significance in building constructive employee rapport. Dana challenges us al...

Get ready to be inspired by the journey of Sam Eaton, global business coach and the owner of Mindability Consulting. We talk all about HR consulting, the business side of being an HR founder, and the future she envisions for those in the fractional or consulting HR sphere. Connect with Sam on Linkedin HERE --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthaeaton1450/Learn more about Mindability Consulting HERE --> https://mindabilitybusinesscoaching.com/Connect with us:Email the podcast.Join us on...

September is Suicide Prevention month. Together with our colleague and consultant Brandon, we broach the often-avoided topic of mental health in the workplace and promise to equip you with some real, tangible resources –NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE Dial, #988, for the CRISIS HOTLINE Dial #211, or check out the resources the Department of Labor has to offer at, https://www.dol.gov/general/mental-health-at-work?_ga=In this episode we explore the importance of mental health benefits such ...

Join us again for a conversation between your favorite Quirky host Dana Dowdell goes another round of questioning with employee Brandon Chance of Boss Consulting HR. In this episode Brandon asks Dana some thought provoking questions reflecting on her career in Human Resources as well as other topics. They touch on how to maintain control of professional conversations with employees who want to drive the narrative, having the brain of a goldfish, and how HR is portrayed in pop culture.&n...

Imagine journeying from an English major to an MBA, launching a career at IBM, and traversing the international world of HR. That's exactly the path our guest, Ken Somers, has walked. His wealth of experience, from navigating the 2008-2009 recession to founding his own consulting business, offers an insightful perspective on the shifting landscapes of HR both domestically and internationally. Ken's 'answers for the real world' approach will be a revelation, especially to small businesses look...