How HR Leaders Change the World

Cecilia Crossley
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Explore how the work of HR Leaders is creating positive social change, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals - goals which the world's companies are increasingly understanding the urgency of achieving, and investing in the action required. If you'd like clear, actionable ideas for how you can use the power of your role to effect change in your company, you're in the right place. I'm the founder of social enterprise Uplifting People, we provide services to HR Leaders, and through this work I realised that HR professionals and social entrepreneurs are working in the same areas, albeit in different ways. So we created this podcast to share knowledge, on steps we can take through the work of HR. In my opinion, if you're an HR professional, you are also a change maker. And this podcast will provide you with examples of how. By sharing the successes of some of the world's most inspiring HR Leaders, you can frame your work in the context of positive change, implement brilliant ideas, and feel absolutely wonderful about doing so!

  1. 15 HR AGO

    Episode 234: High Tech and Deeply Human - The Future of HR: Floor van Griensven, Chief People Officer at Trivium Packaging

    Floor joined Trivium Packaging with a mission transform HR from the ground up. After 17 years at Heineken, and the merger of two companies forming Trivium, Floor set out to unify the business through purpose, values and people-centric leadership.  Describing the future of HR as high tech and deeply human, Floor discusses rising techno stress, including the fear of not keeping up and the fear of replacement, meaning HR must get closer to finance and IT to preserve the deeply human side of business. Floor shares her passion for pay equity and transparency, drawing on her background as an employment lawyer, and gives an example of a "Beautiful People at Trivium" campaign, real employees' stories, bottom up, within D&I work. Her wish for you: Never stop expanding HR talent and enthusiasm - the business impact speaks for itself. Elevate Wellbeing to a Strategic Priority Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode. In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives. As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential. Learn more: How Geoff can help you elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk   Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?     Our book of the month for April is Start with Why by Simon Sinek – a powerful exploration of what separates truly inspiring leaders from the rest.   Simon challenges the conventional focus on what we do or how we do it, and instead argues that great leaders and organisations start with why – their purpose, cause, or belief. Through his Golden Circle framework, he demonstrates how the most inspiring leaders think, act and communicate from the inside out.   Drawing on examples from Apple, Martin Luther King Jr, and the Wright Brothers, Sinek shows that people don't buy what you do – they buy why you do it. When organisations are clear about their purpose, they attract employees and customers who share their beliefs, creating cultures of trust and belonging where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. This isn't just about messaging; it's about building sustainable success through authentic, purpose-driven leadership.   Whether you're looking to inspire your team, build deeper trust with clients, or create a culture where innovation thrives, Start with Why offers a compelling framework for leading with intention.   Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

    29 min

  2. 14 APR

    Episode 233: Human-Centred HR - Leading with Kindness in the Age of AI: Donovan Mattole, CHRO at Langan

    Donovan's environmental passion drives him - growing up on an organic regenerative farm off-grid in Northern California shaped his career. As well as leading people strategy for engineers and environmental consultants, he serves on boards such as the Mattole Restoration Council – roles that align with Langan's sustainability work and their 80% Gen Z/millennial workforce, who highly value Langan's approach to citizenship.  Donovan discusses the opportunity for AI to free HR business partners from transactional work to focus on coaching, culture, and employee experience. He shares examples of living corporate values, not just posting them, such as Women at Langan's 10th anniversary – with a summit open to clients, suppliers, competitors (and all genders) - maximising value and impact across Langan's value chain.   His wish for HR: lead with kindness, empathy and heart. Be the employee advocate, not just the business partner.  References: - The Farm is Here by Jeff Tkach  Elevating wellbeing to a strategic priority: Geoff McDonald's work Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode. Geoff is a global advocate, campaigner and consultant passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces. As former Global VP of Human Resources at Unilever, Geoff brings practical experience helping organisations elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority in the C-suite. In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives. As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential. Learn more about Geoff McDonald's work: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk   Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?     Our book of the month for April is Start with Why by Simon Sinek – a powerful exploration of what separates truly inspiring leaders from the rest.   Simon challenges the conventional focus on what we do or how we do it, and instead argues that great leaders and organisations start with why – their purpose, cause, or belief. Through his Golden Circle framework, he demonstrates how the most inspiring leaders think, act and communicate from the inside out.   Drawing on examples from Apple, Martin Luther King Jr, and the Wright Brothers, Sinek shows that people don't buy what you do – they buy why you do it. When organisations are clear about their purpose, they attract employees and customers who share their beliefs, creating cultures of trust and belonging where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. This isn't just about messaging; it's about building sustainable success through authentic, purpose-driven leadership.   Whether you're looking to inspire your team, build deeper trust with clients, or create a culture where innovation thrives, Start with Why offers a compelling framework for leading with intention.   Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

    31 min

  3. 7 APR

    Episode 232: Mental Health - From Individual to Workplace Culture Revolution: Geoff McDonald, Mental Health Campaigner

    Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, Geoff McDonald discusses how he helps leadership and HR create workplaces where everyone can ask for help without stigma. Advocating that current wellbeing efforts focus too much on individuals, Geoff notes that burnout levels aren't decreasing despite efforts, and sets out the case for moving to organisation wide wellbeing through culture change. Mental Health Awareness Week commences on 11th May 2026; this year's theme is Action. Geoff's call to action for you: start with your own mental health. Only when you care about yourself can you lead the workplace culture revolution.  Elevating wellbeing to a strategic priority: Geoff McDonald's work Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode. Geoff is a global advocate, campaigner and consultant passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces. As former Global VP of Human Resources at Unilever, Geoff brings practical experience helping organisations elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority in the C-suite. In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives. As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential. Learn more about Geoff McDonald's work: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk   Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?   Our book of the month for April is Start with Why by Simon Sinek – a powerful exploration of what separates truly inspiring leaders from the rest.   Simon challenges the conventional focus on what we do or how we do it, and instead argues that great leaders and organisations start with why – their purpose, cause, or belief. Through his Golden Circle framework, he demonstrates how the most inspiring leaders think, act and communicate from the inside out.   Drawing on examples from Apple, Martin Luther King Jr, and the Wright Brothers, Sinek shows that people don't buy what you do – they buy why you do it. When organisations are clear about their purpose, they attract employees and customers who share their beliefs, creating cultures of trust and belonging where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. This isn't just about messaging; it's about building sustainable success through authentic, purpose-driven leadership.   Whether you're looking to inspire your team, build deeper trust with clients, or create a culture where innovation thrives, Start with Why offers a compelling framework for leading with intention.   Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

    36 min

  4. 31 MAR

    Episode 231: HR - Architects of Workforce Reinvention: Aly Sparks, Global CHRO at LHH

    Aly challenges HR to step up: it's time to stop being a support function and become architects of workforce reinvention. With 92 million jobs expected to be obsolete by 2030, yet 170 million new roles predicted to emerge, this isn't about job loss or creation in isolation - it's about connecting talent acquisition, skills strategy, internal mobility and leadership development as one system.   Her personal passion centres on young people entering the workforce. As a mother of four at career-entry age, Aly worries that automation is eliminating entry-level roles that once served as gateways to learning how organisations work. She challenges HR leaders to think creatively about apprenticeships and developmental internships - not just for social responsibility, but because stripping away these entry points threatens the future talent pipeline.   LHH's purpose is 'building a beautiful working world'; and Aly means it. She sees HR as stewards of culture, ensuring access to opportunities and development is woven into how the organisation works, not treated as a side project.   Her wish for all HR professionals: remember that we are called human resources, and the human part comes first. HR must stay at the table with business leaders, ensuring that in the rush for efficiency and quarterly results, people remain at the centre of transformation.    References: - The Future of Jobs Report 2025 | World Economic Forum   Elevating wellbeing to a strategic priority: Geoff McDonald's work Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode. Geoff is a global advocate, campaigner and consultant passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces. As former Global VP of Human Resources at Unilever, Geoff brings practical experience helping organisations elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority in the C-suite. In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives. As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential. Learn more about Geoff McDonald's work: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk   Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?     Our book of the month for March is Don't Fix Women by Joy Burnford – a bold call to rethink how we approach gender equality in the workplace. Joy challenges the narrative that women need to adapt or be "fixed" to succeed. Instead, she shines a light on the systemic barriers and cultural norms that need to change. Drawing on extensive research including the landmark Why Women Leave study, she demonstrates that the barriers women face aren't about women at all – they're about how work is structured, managed and experienced. With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, if you're thinking about root causes, want compelling data points for your business cases, and ideas for practical steps you can take, Don't Fix Women is the book to read. It's a timely read as we approach International Women's Day too. Grab your copy – perhaps an International Women's Day gift for yourself or a colleague. Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

    32 min

  5. 24 MAR

    Episode 230: HR's Power to Influence: Lucia Bucci, CHRO Employer Services International at ADP

    Lucia opens with a powerful reframe: HR sits at a unique intersection, understanding both people and business, translating strategy into everyday behaviour, and discusses how this positioning creates opportunity for both business and social impact. She shares ADP's Ada Lovelace Programme, providing STEM-education and comprehensive training to enter the labour market. With brilliant results such as a 65% workforce participation rate, Lucia is clear this isn't charity - it's smart business building talent pipelines and diverse perspectives. Lucia describes ADP's Break the Ceiling programme, sparked by a photograph of the management team: two women in a sea of male black suits. The programme showed that sponsorship, not just mentorship, drives advancement - Lucia herself benefited from this programme, advancing to her current CHRO role. Her wish for all HR professionals: feel the power to influence. Don't be afraid to challenge the status quo. And in claiming that power, HR leaders really can change the world.   What actually drives progress for women in leadership? Encompass Equality's latest research   Thank you to Encompass Equality for sponsoring this episode.   Encompass is dedicated to creating better workplaces for women and building cultures where everyone benefits.   Powered by industry-leading research into women's lived experiences at work, Encompass turns real insight into targeted interventions that improve how people work together.   Their latest research, conducted with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute, reveals what actually works and how to make change happen in your organisation.   Download your free report from Encompass Equality   👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community      You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.       Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world      And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn         Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?     Our book of the month for March is Don't Fix Women by Joy Burnford – a bold call to rethink how we approach gender equality in the workplace. Joy challenges the narrative that women need to adapt or be "fixed" to succeed. Instead, she shines a light on the systemic barriers and cultural norms that need to change. Drawing on extensive research including the landmark Why Women Leave study, she demonstrates that the barriers women face aren't about women at all – they're about how work is structured, managed and experienced. With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, if you're thinking about root causes, want compelling data points for your business cases, and ideas for practical steps you can take, Don't Fix Women is the book to read. It's a timely read as we approach International Women's Day too. Grab your copy – perhaps an International Women's Day gift for yourself or a colleague. Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

    32 min

  6. 17 MAR

    Episode 229: HR's Performance Mandate: Armand Sohet, Chief Sustainability, HR and Communications Officer at AkzoNobel

    A fun start given the title of this podcast, Armand opens with three disclaimers: he's not changing the world, he doesn't like the word 'change', and HR doesn't have a social mandate. Rather, Armand begins, the CHRO's key responsibility is driving performance and profit for the business.   Armand demonstrates his performance and data-driven approach to HR, sharing the example of leading restructuring at AkzoNobel. Providing span of control as an example metric, Armand discusses his work moving the ratio from 6.6 to 8, delivering €150 million in structural savings whilst increasing both productivity and employee engagement.   Armand shares his passion for encouraging others to achieve what seems unachievable, and he challenges HR leaders to master data and evidence, and to aim for simplicity. Host Cecilia notes, leading a workforce of 32,000 people undoubtedly has societal impacts, and suggests that, in supporting others with such ambitions, perhaps Armand is changing the world, after all.   What actually drives progress for women in leadership? Encompass Equality's latest research   Thank you to Encompass Equality for sponsoring this episode.   Encompass is dedicated to creating better workplaces for women and building cultures where everyone benefits.   Powered by industry-leading research into women's lived experiences at work, Encompass turns real insight into targeted interventions that improve how people work together.   Their latest research, conducted with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute, reveals what actually works and how to make change happen in your organisation.   Download your free report from Encompass Equality   👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community      You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.       Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world      And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn     Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?     Our book of the month for March is Don't Fix Women by Joy Burnford – a bold call to rethink how we approach gender equality in the workplace. Joy challenges the narrative that women need to adapt or be "fixed" to succeed. Instead, she shines a light on the systemic barriers and cultural norms that need to change. Drawing on extensive research including the landmark Why Women Leave study, she demonstrates that the barriers women face aren't about women at all – they're about how work is structured, managed and experienced. With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, if you're thinking about root causes, want compelling data points for your business cases, and ideas for practical steps you can take, Don't Fix Women is the book to read. It's a timely read as we approach International Women's Day too. Grab your copy – perhaps an International Women's Day gift for yourself or a colleague. Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

    32 min

  7. 10 MAR

    Episode 228: HR's Hidden Power in Sustainability: Melanie Hetherington, Chief People Officer at NatWest Cushon

    Melanie explores one of HR's key levers for sustainability and social impact: pensions. Discussing how workplace pensions connect directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, she explains how the decisions organisations make about pension providers and investment strategies influence environmental outcomes as well as long-term financial wellbeing for employees. Reflecting on her own journey, growing up in the North East of England as the first in her family to attend university, Melanie shares why social mobility is central to her leadership. From apprenticeships and returnship programmes to widening access into corporate careers, she highlights how HR can actively contribute to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), helping organisations unlock talent while creating meaningful societal change. Melanie encourages HR leaders to recognise the scale of their influence across business systems. By thinking beyond compliance and embedding sustainability and opportunity into everyday people practices, HR can shape organisations that deliver value for business, for people and for the planet too. References:   Career Returners - Consulting | Coaching | Network     What actually drives progress for women in leadership? Encompass Equality's latest research   Thank you to Encompass Equality for sponsoring this episode.   Encompass is dedicated to creating better workplaces for women and building cultures where everyone benefits.   Powered by industry-leading research into women's lived experiences at work, Encompass turns real insight into targeted interventions that improve how people work together.   Their latest research, conducted with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute, reveals what actually works and how to make change happen in your organisation.   Download your free report from Encompass Equality   👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community      You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.       Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world      And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn         Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?     Our book of the month for March is Don't Fix Women by Joy Burnford – a bold call to rethink how we approach gender equality in the workplace. Joy challenges the narrative that women need to adapt or be "fixed" to succeed. Instead, she shines a light on the systemic barriers and cultural norms that need to change. Drawing on extensive research including the landmark Why Women Leave study, she demonstrates that the barriers women face aren't about women at all – they're about how work is structured, managed and experienced. With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, if you're thinking about root causes, want compelling data points for your business cases, and ideas for practical steps you can take, Don't Fix Women is the book to read. It's a timely read as we approach International Women's Day too. Grab your copy – perhaps an International Women's Day gift for yourself or a colleague. Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

    33 min

  8. 3 MAR

    Episode 227: HR Systems Thinking: Nebel Crowhurst, Fractional Chief People Officer & Board Advisor

    Nebel challenges the traditional approach to HR: instead of siloed programmes, she advocates for systems thinking that recognises the impact work has beyond the office - for employees' work-life blend, and for society. Nebel recommends data and employee voice as starting points, to build evidence-based practices that create genuine belonging. Nebel is passionate about the relationship between work and socio-economic background. From her socioeconomic start to becoming a CPO, Nebel knows the barriers first hand. Sharing examples such as supporting people in the criminal justice system into work, Nebel reflects that the foundation of inclusion is trust, built through honest two-way communication and transparency, and that the critical CEO-CPO relationship sets the tone. Looking ahead, Nebel urges HR to step up, look up and look out. To stop being the policy keepers and people police, instead the strategic lever that enables organisations to succeed through their people. When HR truly steps into the space it belongs in, HR don't just change organisations - HR changes society. That's the real power of this profession.   References: Book recommendation: The Multi-Hyphen Method by Emma Gannon   What actually drives progress for women in leadership? Encompass Equality's latest research   Thank you to Encompass Equality for sponsoring this episode.   Encompass is dedicated to creating better workplaces for women and building cultures where everyone benefits.   Powered by industry-leading research into women's lived experiences at work, Encompass turns real insight into targeted interventions that improve how people work together.   Their latest research, conducted with the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Chartered Management Institute, reveals what actually works and how to make change happen in your organisation.   Download your free report from Encompass Equality   👥 Join our free HR Changemakers community      You'll be the first to hear about each podcast episode, about our events, and receive free bonus resources that enhance your influence and impact.       Join us here: upliftingpeople.com/pages/how-hr-leaders-change-the-world      And on Linkedin: Uplifting People | LinkedIn     Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?     Our book of the month for March is Don't Fix Women by Joy Burnford – a bold call to rethink how we approach gender equality in the workplace. Joy challenges the narrative that women need to adapt or be "fixed" to succeed. Instead, she shines a light on the systemic barriers and cultural norms that need to change. Drawing on extensive research including the landmark Why Women Leave study, she demonstrates that the barriers women face aren't about women at all – they're about how work is structured, managed and experienced. With published Gender Action Plans coming in next year, if you're thinking about root causes, want compelling data points for your business cases, and ideas for practical steps you can take, Don't Fix Women is the book to read. It's a timely read as we approach International Women's Day too. Grab your copy – perhaps an International Women's Day gift for yourself or a colleague. Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.

    35 min
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Explore how the work of HR Leaders is creating positive social change, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals - goals which the world's companies are increasingly understanding the urgency of achieving, and investing in the action required. If you'd like clear, actionable ideas for how you can use the power of your role to effect change in your company, you're in the right place. I'm the founder of social enterprise Uplifting People, we provide services to HR Leaders, and through this work I realised that HR professionals and social entrepreneurs are working in the same areas, albeit in different ways. So we created this podcast to share knowledge, on steps we can take through the work of HR. In my opinion, if you're an HR professional, you are also a change maker. And this podcast will provide you with examples of how. By sharing the successes of some of the world's most inspiring HR Leaders, you can frame your work in the context of positive change, implement brilliant ideas, and feel absolutely wonderful about doing so!

Information

  • Creator
    Cecilia Crossley
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    234
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright From Babies with Love Trading Ltd 2024
  • Show Website
    How HR Leaders Change the World

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