Building Culture Through Connection with Amber Van Allen
humanscape
What if the key to a thriving workplace isn’t another perk, but a person who meets you where you are? In this episode, Shawn and Sarah sit down with Amber Van Allen, Wellness Administrator at the City of Green Bay. With nearly two decades in health and wellness, Amber reveals how meaningful relationships, empathy, and a clear sense of purpose can transform employee wellbeing. From Green Bay’s signature Health 1265 program to on-the-ground strategies for connection, resiliency, and burnout prevention, Amber shares how she’s building trust across departments, one conversation at a time....
info_outline
Setting the Bar for People-First Leadership with Dan Burnett
humanscape
What if your company’s core beliefs weren’t just posters on the wall, but the pulse of every decision, meeting, and leadership moment? Shawn and AJ sit down with Dan Burnett, Director of Talent Development at QPS Employment Group, to explore how beliefs can transform a company from the inside out. From shifting leadership meetings into real-time development labs to building a culture where feedback and celebration are rooted in trust, Dan reveals how QPS “sets the bar” for people-first growth. As an employee-owned company, QPS puts transparency, family spirit, and high-touch...
info_outline
Growing Leaders from Within with Kelsey Brenn
humanscape
How do you scale culture without losing what makes it special? As Chief People Officer at St. Augustine Preparatory Academy, Kelsey shares how she went from managing spreadsheets to shaping culture across a fast-growing, mission-driven school system. This episode dives into how Aug Prep builds leaders from within, prioritizes people-first strategy, and keeps values like courage and love at the center of everything. From hiring with intention to scaling across campuses, Kelsey offers real-world insight for anyone leading in a high-growth, purpose-filled environment. ❤️ And Aug Prep is...
info_outline
Reimagining Senior Living Through People-First Leadership with Kristin Ferge & Gia Mattioli-Tolfa
humanscape
What happens when “Enjoy Life” isn’t just a tagline, but the heartbeat of an entire senior living culture? Shawn and Sarah sit down with Kristin Ferge and Gia Mattioli-Tolfa of Capri Communities to explore how compassion, culture, and creativity are transforming the senior living experience. 💡 From empathy-fueled hiring and thoughtful onboarding to surprise moments of gratitude, Kristin and Gia share how Capri puts people first, residents and staff alike. You’ll hear about their “Four for Five” schedule that’s rewriting the rules of retention, how a stack of CARES cards is...
info_outline
Don't Stop the Culture: Leading by Example at Mueller Communications with Lori Richards & Cass Bergemann
humanscape
In this episode, Shawn and Sarah sit down with the dynamic duo Lori Richards and Cass Bergemann from Mueller Communications, where culture isn’t just talked about, it’s lived every day. If Mueller had a theme song, Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” accurately represents the organization's energy and momentum, and this humanscape conversation delves into how it all comes together. Lori and Cass share how their team brings humanity to the workplace through their Cultural Canvas, values like “clear is kind,” and the powerful demonstration of celebrating parenthood. You'll hear...
info_outline
When Unique Unites: Building Inclusive Teams with Peggy Williams-Smith & Christina Cooper
humanscape
Shawn and Sarah are talking all things culture, care, and community with Peggy Williams-Smith and Christina Cooper from Visit Milwaukee🧀 From handwritten birthday cards to breaking down silos, they’re leading a workplace where uniqueness isn’t just welcomed—it’s celebrated! Tune in for laughs, heart, and a behind-the-scenes look at how Milwaukee’s people-first pros do it all with purpose ✨ Additional Resources: Learn more about Learn more about Key Takeaways: A welcoming culture begins with intentional leadership and personal connection...
info_outline
Serving Culture by the Slice with Wendy Bushell
humanscape
Ever wonder how a company makes 3 million pizzas a week and stays a three-time Great Place to Work?🍕 In this episode, Shawn and Sarah chat with Wendy Bushell, Chief People Officer at Palermo’s, about the secret sauce behind their people-first culture. From visual training for a workforce speaking 8 languages to personalized learning paths and daily free pizza, Wendy shares how passion, innovation, and purpose fuel Palermo’s. Get ready for a flavorful convo on leadership, culture, and making work feel like family. 🎧✨ Additional Resources: Learn more about Learn...
info_outline
Making Mental Health Everyone’s Business with Julie Preder
humanscape
What if we treated mental health like a broken arm—something real, urgent, and worth taking care of? 🧠✨ In this episode, Shawn chats with Julie Preder from Mental Health America Lakeshore about why mental health is health. They dive into why real conversations matter more than surveys, how workplaces can be way better at supporting people (spoiler: it starts with listening👂), and why connection is the real secret sauce for thriving teams. Tune in for a fresh take on culture, compassion, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Additional Resources: ...
info_outline
Building Culture Through Connection with Lynell Meeth
humanscape
Tap shoes, chocolate, and servant leadership? Yes, please! 💃🍫 In this episode, Lynell Meeth from Bank Five Nine joins Shawn and AJ for a vibrant convo about how real culture is built—in the little moments, the shared values, and yes, even in joyful things like tap dancing. Lynell shares how her team brings values like passion and humility to life, creates flexible learning paths that actually stick, and keeps connection strong across branches. It’s a refreshingly human take on leadership, learning, and belonging you won’t want to miss 💡💬 For leaders focused on culture and...
info_outline
Living Your Values to Shape the Future with Tiffany Tardy
humanscape
How do you build an organization where values aren’t just words on a wall but a lived experience? ✨ Shawn and Sarah are joined by Tiffany Tardy, President and CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls, as she shares how PEARLS’ values create a culture of empowerment and impact. Tiffany reflects on the power of personal responsibility, how grace fuels empathy, and why redefining professionalism is crucial for today’s workforce. She also dives into the intergenerational leadership model at PEARLS, the importance of collaboration, and how organizations can create spaces where people show up as their...
info_outlineWhat if the key to a thriving workplace isn’t another perk, but a person who meets you where you are?
In this episode, Shawn and Sarah sit down with Amber Van Allen, Wellness Administrator at the City of Green Bay. With nearly two decades in health and wellness, Amber reveals how meaningful relationships, empathy, and a clear sense of purpose can transform employee wellbeing.
From Green Bay’s signature Health 1265 program to on-the-ground strategies for connection, resiliency, and burnout prevention, Amber shares how she’s building trust across departments, one conversation at a time. Whether she’s walking alongside the mayor or coaching a new hire through the city’s wellness platform, Amber shows what it really means to bring work to life and life to work.
If you care about culture, connection, or building a people-first workplace, this one’s for you.
Additional Resources:
Connect with Amber on LinkedIn
Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
Learn more about PeopleForward Network
Key Takeaways:
- Relationships are the foundation of workplace wellbeing
- Empathy fosters accountability and trust among employees
- Wellness needs to be visible, not just virtual
- Leadership participation drives culture change
- Small moments can lead to lasting wellbeing impact