Episode 179. Technology & Human Potential - Leading with Empathy: Khadija Ben Hammada, CHRO, Merck Group
How HR Leaders Change the World
Release Date: 02/11/2025
Episode 204: Why AI Fluency Will Transform HR – Andy Doyle, Chief People Officer at Kantar
How HR Leaders Change the World
With over 30 years of HR experience, Andy reflects on the impact work has on people’s lives beyond the office - shaping families and communities. He shares how creating fulfilling environments and taking bold steps on talent, inclusion and opportunity can leave lasting legacies that extend far beyond any single organisation. Looking ahead, Andy discusses the opportunities and challenges of AI, urging HR to embrace learning, experimentation and even failure, as essential tools to reimagine the world of work. He shares how Kantar has built an authentic community of AI influencers by...
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Episode 203: What if work genuinely enhanced your life? Reframing Wellbeing – Geoff McDonald, Former Global VP HR at Unilever, Wellbeing and Mental Health Advocate
How HR Leaders Change the World
Geoff poses the bold question: what if (like going on a run or eating a healthy meal) work genuinely enhanced your life? Reflecting on the evolution of his thinking around workplace wellbeing, Geoff champions the idea that organisations must create cultures where people feel safe, energised, and able to thrive. He shares how the pandemic sparked wider recognition of HR’s role in wellbeing and how energy - fuelled by health and purpose - should sit at the heart of business strategy. Geoff challenges the current approach to wellbeing, questioning the impact of surface-level initiatives without...
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Episode 202: Belonging, Boldness and the Secret to Transformational Leadership: Alix Bolton, Chief People Officer Europe at Smollan
How HR Leaders Change the World
Alix shares her experience leading people strategy at a global professional services company with 90,000 employees, discussing the challenge and excitement of integrating acquired businesses across Europe with a strong employee value proposition rooted in purpose and belonging. Describing how her passion for responsible business has shaped her career - from tackling food insecurity to championing women’s economic inclusion as Chair of the Women’s Advisory Board in Northeast England, Alix shares her experience on a race equity commission, a powerful reminder that inclusive leadership...
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Episode 201: Be the Challenge: HR Leadership in the Future of Work: Louisa Finlay, Chief People Officer at Kier Group plc
How HR Leaders Change the World
Louisa reflects on shifts in gender imbalance in the construction industry, and shares how her career transition from engineering into HR has enabled her to drive culture transformation, providing practical examples on values-led leadership such as ‘mood mountains’. Louisa explores the future of work, highlighting HR’s role in leading digital change and creating inclusive, trust-based workplaces, advocating for offices as collaborative destinations. With a call to action for HR to ‘be the challenge’ in business, Louisa urges HR leaders to ask bold questions and embrace cognitive...
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Episode 200: Future-Ready Leadership & AI Empowerment - Celebrating 200 Episodes of HR Impact with 5 Trailblazing CHROs
How HR Leaders Change the World
In this landmark 200th episode we bring together five inspiring CHROs to share actionable insights on navigating the future of work. Each leader responds to listener questions with practical strategies that highlight HR’s vital role in driving transformation with empathy, agility, and human-centred leadership: · Dannii Portsmouth of PepsiCo EMEA explores how HR can harness AI by fostering emotional intelligence, ethical judgement, and curiosity; · Elaine Grell at Ogilvy EMEA shares creative ways to embed...
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Episode 199: Human-centred Leadership - from Call Centre to C-Suite: Lisa Hannah, Chief People & Communications Officer at Aldermore Bank plc
How HR Leaders Change the World
Lisa describes her career journey from corporate communications to leading an integrated, purpose-driven strategy and highlights the value of uniting people and communications to turn purpose from words into measurable change. Sharing why Aldermore chooses to call its annual ESG report a “Report to Society,” Lisa describes her personal passion for social mobility, shaped by her own journey from a call centre to the C-suite, and offers practical examples and insights into Aldermore’s work on social mobility. Lisa summarises her vision for HR’s role in the AI-enabled...
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Episode 198: 80% Millennial & GenZ – HR Leadership for the New Majority – Severine Riviere-Gerstner, Chief People Officer at Sportradar
How HR Leaders Change the World
Severine describes herself as an HR professional “by passion and by design”, sharing her impact in enabling consistent transformation - from accelerating talent planning for a workforce that’s 80% Millennial and Gen Z, to evolving culture and embracing AI through innovative learning strategies. Severine summarises Sportradar’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging programme, for 4,000 employees across 80+ nationalities with a balance of global goals and local action, and is candid about industry challenges such as gender representation in both sport and technology. ...
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Episode 197: HR is a Force for Good: The Story behind How HR Leaders Change the World – Live! Cecilia Crossley, Founder, Uplifting People
How HR Leaders Change the World
Cecilia reflects on the growth of How HR Leaders Change the World – from seeing a gap in HR thought leadership to a sell-out conference. Sharing the origins of Uplifting People and her unique perspective shaped by a background outside of HR, Cecilia describes how pivotal global moments such as the pandemic revealed the clear social and environmental impact of HR, inspiring her to shine a spotlight on HR professionals as changemakers. As the movement grew, so did the desire for deeper connection. The community’s call for more than podcast episodes led to the creation of How HR...
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Episode 196: Speaking Truth to Power, Shaping the Future of Work – Gemma Lines, Chief People Officer, MS AUL at MS Amlin
How HR Leaders Change the World
Gemma inspires with bold insights on the future of work, challenging conventional thinking and championing a truly global perspective on equity. Drawing on her experience within a Japanese organisation, she reflects on one-size-fits-all approaches, revealing the power of cultural exchange to unlock innovation and drive progress. Gemma highlights the urgent need to tackle ageism and build intergenerational collaboration as workplaces evolve to meet shifting demographic realities. She shares how weaving equity into the fabric of everyday business (not relying on top-down mandates)...
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Episode 195. Sustaining Thriving Cultures in Turbulent Times – Becky Hewitt OBE, CEO & Co-Owner, Kin&Co
How HR Leaders Change the World
Becky discusses how pressures including polarisation, AI, climate change and geo-politics can push organisations into survival mode, explaining why thriving workplace cultures are vital for business success in today’s complex environment. Becky urges HR leaders to build human-centred cultures that foster resilience, wellbeing, and sustainable impact, introducing Kin&Co’s six-pillar framework for thriving cultures. Emphasising foundations such as purpose, agility and psychological safety, Becky discusses how trust is developed through everyday behaviours and how innovation thrives when...
info_outlineKhadija discusses HR’s role in balancing human potential with technology and how at Merck, ‘precision upskilling’ ensures employees develop both technical and leadership skills to navigate hybrid teams with empathy.
Khadija describes how Merck’s AI-powered platform, My Growth at Merck, personalises learning and provides equitable access to career development, and beyond the workplace, how Merck’s Curiosity Cube and SPARK initiatives inspire young minds and increase diversity in STEM.
Khadija reflects on equity and inclusion stressing the need to close pay gaps, remove bias in hiring, and embed diversity throughout the employee journey. Khadija describes how Merck integrates its values, fostering a culture where diversity fuels innovation, performance, and belonging. HR must lead with empathy - proving that business success and heart-led leadership go hand in hand.