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
Release Date: 07/01/2025
Episode 215: Progressive People Practices & the Future of Work - Alex Voakes, CEO, Peak PEO
How HR Leaders Change the World
Alex discusses the progressive people practices that have shaped his leadership and powered Peak PEO’s growth. He shares his unconventional journey from stand-up comedy to international employment, revealing how creativity and adaptability helped him build a business that enables companies to hire talent anywhere in the world and support distributed teams. Alex describes how and why he introduced bold ideas including a four-day work week, emphasising that change begins with passion, conviction and thoughtful experimentation. He encourages HR leaders to take small steps that build...
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Episode 214: The Power of the Collective: HR’s Role – Usha Kakaria-Cayaux, CHRO at Ofi
How HR Leaders Change the World
CHRO at ofi (olam food ingredients), a global food ingredients company, anchored in sustainability, that operates in over 50 countries and sources from 2.8 million farmers across cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices provides to service big food brands and manufacturers with food and beverage ingredients for a diverse range of products ranging from a plant-based latte mix to an almond based snack bar – Usha highlights how meaningful change comes from small, everyday moments – using one-to-one...
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Episode 213: Future Ready: The Intersection of HR & Sustainability, COP30 Special with AXA Climate School
How HR Leaders Change the World
In this special episode ahead of COP30, Cecilia Crossley explores the transformative potential of collaboration between HR and Sustainability functions to drive competitive business alongside social and environmental impact. Cecilia is joined by Antoine Poincaré, CEO of AXA Climate School, with contributions from Jacky Griffiths, Director of ESG People & Culture at Grant Thornton UK; and Helen Redfern, Chief People, Communications & Sustainability Officer at Dowlais Group plc. Antoine shares examples of how climate change is reshaping HR practices, from low-carbon commuting...
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Episode 212: Breaking Cycles, Building Culture: The Human Impact of HR - Alisa DiBeasi, CHRO at Phinia
How HR Leaders Change the World
Drawing on her 34-year career, Alisa explains how HR is uniquely positioned to nurture talent and inspire positive change, from supporting employees through promotions to creating spaces where people feel genuinely heard. Alisa reflects on her lifelong commitment to breaking cycles of disadvantage. From her early experiences in Chicago to supporting scholarships, tuition programs, and social initiatives around the world, she demonstrates how small interventions can transform lives. Alisa emphasises the importance of listening to employees, seeking advice, and continuously evolving...
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Episode 211: Human-Centred Leadership in HR: From Pizza to Purpose at Papa Johns - James Furnell, VP Global People Experience at Papa Johns
How HR Leaders Change the World
James shares how he’s helping lead workplace culture where talent, not background, defines success and provides examples of tools that create career growth pathways, such as ‘Tiger Teams’. Advocating that human-centric approaches make culture thrive, James reflects on the link between organisational culture and personal wellbeing. He shares a moving story about supporting his wife through postnatal depression and how that shaped his own leadership approach. Across business and HR leadership, from transparent hiring to aligning personal purpose with organisational goals, James...
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Episode 210: Breaking Barriers: How Inclusive HR Drives Organisational Success – Sian Keane, Chief People Officer, Gymshark
How HR Leaders Change the World
Sian shares her journey from growing up in Australia with Sri Lankan heritage to leading global people functions. Sian reflects on finding confidence in her identity, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for underrepresented talent, alongside her volunteer work with the Fashion Minority Alliance. Sian explores the evolving role of HR in a world shaped by AI, emphasising inclusive learning, psychological safety, and adapting to different learning styles. Sian also shares her commitment to fairness and education, showing how organisational practices can build trust, align with values,...
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Episode 210: Breaking Barriers: How Inclusive HR Drives Organisational Success – Sian Keane, Chief People Officer, Gymshark
How HR Leaders Change the World
Sian shares her journey from growing up in Australia with Sri Lankan heritage to leading global people functions. Sian reflects on finding confidence in her identity, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for underrepresented talent, alongside her volunteer work with the Fashion Minority Alliance. Sian explores the evolving role of HR in a world shaped by AI, emphasising inclusive learning, psychological safety, and adapting to different learning styles. Sian also shares her commitment to fairness and education, showing how organisational practices can build trust, align with values,...
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Episode 209: How HR Can Lead with Humanity in the Age of AI – Jarina Kurt-Jauch, Chief People & Culture Officer, Publicis Groupe Switzerland
How HR Leaders Change the World
Jarina shares her approach to creating inclusive workplaces where people feel safe and supported, with transparency and courageous leadership at the heart of company culture. Jarina reflects on the future of work in a technology-driven world, emphasising the importance of human qualities including empathy, creativity, and connection alongside AI. Highlighting an example of how equity and wellbeing can be embedded in people strategy, Jarina discusses Publicis Group’s Working with Cancer initiative, which provides job security, personalised support and community for employees affected by...
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Episode 208: Why Being in HR is a Gift: Luke McClaran, Chief People Officer, Vitality
How HR Leaders Change the World
Episode 208: Why Being in HR is a Gift - Luke McClaran, Chief People Officer, Vitality Luke introduces how Vitality’s shared-value insurance model provides a unique platform for HR innovation. Their business purpose, to make people healthier and enhance their lives, drives both customer and employee experience, shaping Vitality’s ambition to create the healthiest, high-performing workforce. Luke shares how Vitality equips managers to support employee wellbeing in a changing world of work. People practices are designed to meet wellbeing needs, while an AI enablement function...
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Episode 207: Harnessing HR for People, Equity and Change: Nadia Strone, Chief People Officer at Euromonitor International
How HR Leaders Change the World
Nadia explores how aligning personal values with organisational purpose can transform engagement, drive impact, and create meaningful work. Nadia shares her experience supporting organisations through change, showing how connecting people to purpose shifts mindsets from ‘I have to’ to ‘I want to’. Nadia highlights the role of technology and AI in augmenting human capability, freeing people to focus on deeper, more meaningful work, and explains how access to education underpins both her own values and Euromonitor’s social responsibility agenda. Nadia outlines her...
info_outlineCecilia 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 Leaders Change the World – Live!, a highly interactive and inspiring HR conference. Cecilia shares how the event fosters candid dialogue, practical takeaways and fresh energy among people leaders.
Cecilia offers a heartfelt thank you to listeners for their support and shares a special early bird offer for this year’s conference. With an iconic venue, headline guests including renowned CHROs and cultural changemakers like Bob Geldof KBE, and the promise of connection, learning and inspiration, the conference is is set to be the biggest and boldest yet. Early bird tickets are available now with £100 off, only until 30th July and there are only 50 early bird places… Don’t miss out! Enter the code EARLYBIRD (capital letters) – head to https://www.upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world-live-25 to grab your place today – we’re looking forward to welcoming you!