Talent All-Stars

ZipRecruiter

How exactly do high-performing talent, HR, and recruiting teams operate on a day-to-day basis? We find out through conversations with talent leaders at some of the world's most influential businesses.

  1. The Power of ONE: Hiring Hospitality Heroes at Omni Hotels & Resorts

    FEB 3

    The Power of ONE: Hiring Hospitality Heroes at Omni Hotels & Resorts

    Joy Rothschild leads people strategy for 20,000 employees across 50+ Omni Hotels & Resorts properties, each with its own character and story. But her edge isn't just hiring for a hospitality empire—it's spotting the quiet ones in the corners, the people others overlook, and betting on them before they're ready. In this episode of Talent All Stars, Joy shares her unexpected path into HR, the career-defining moment when a COO stopped her mid-grovel to teach her how to accept a promotion, and why she turned getting fired into a philosophy that now shapes how Omni develops 20,000 careers. You'll hear the origin story of "The Power of One"—a service empowerment program so sticky it survived a rebrand attempt and a pandemic. Joy also breaks down why she'll never let consultants eliminate HR from the hotels, her two-question interview filter, and what "growing the garden" actually looks like at scale. Connect with Joy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-rothschild-9591351/ Explore careers at Omni Hotels & Resorts: https://www.omnihotels.com/careers Connect with us: 💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/ 💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter     Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.

    35 min
  2. Opening Doors and Building Leaders: Inside Crunch Fitness's People Strategy

    JAN 20

    Opening Doors and Building Leaders: Inside Crunch Fitness's People Strategy

    Pamela J. Brown leads talent strategy for 530 Crunch Fitness locations, hiring 500+ personal trainers a year in an intensely competitive market. But her real superpower? Building leaders who build leaders, opening doors for the next generation, and proving that great people strategy drives revenue, not just cost savings. In this episode of Talent All Stars, Pamela shares practical wisdom from 25 years of leading people teams across insurance, financial services, and fitness. She breaks down the exact coaching framework she uses to develop leaders, how she built credibility in a brand-new industry by getting vulnerable, and why leading with service creates opportunities that come back to you in unexpected ways. You'll also hear how Pamela uses AI to audit her own leadership effectiveness, how she distills complex roles into clear hiring criteria (sales, service, science), and what metrics actually matter when you're trying to prove the business impact of your people strategy. You'll learn: How to position yourself so doors open for you (and how to open them for others)The exact coaching questions that build leadership capability in your teamWhy understanding "the language of the business" is critical for HR credibilityHow to choose which technology initiatives to prioritize in 2026The one metric that proves retention drives revenue, not just cost savingsConnect with Pamela: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelabr Follow Multiplying Moves for Pamela’s Thought Leadership: https://lnkd.in/edWard7R Check out Crunch’s website for great career opportunities: https://www.crunch.com/careers Connect with us: 💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/ 💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter     Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.

    28 min
  3. How Cummins Builds an Intentional Culture One Behavior at a Time

    JAN 6

    How Cummins Builds an Intentional Culture One Behavior at a Time

    A great culture doesn’t just happen by accident. Marvin Boakye, Chief Human Resources Officer at Cummins, believes it must be engineered with the same discipline, rigor, and accountability as any complex system. For him, culture is not an abstract idea. It is something leaders design through daily behavior, decisions, and tradeoffs. In this episode of Talent All Stars, Marvin explains how Cummins Inc., the global power leader, builds intentional culture across more than 70,000 employees worldwide. He breaks down the five elements that make culture stick, why leadership behavior carries more weight than values statements, and how Cummins uses real data to understand engagement, performance, and risk. The conversation offers a clear look at how intentional culture becomes a strategic advantage for any talent team. You’ll learn: Why Marvin believes “culture eats strategy for breakfast”Why Cummins treats diversity as one of the biggest strategic advantagesHow vulnerability actually strengthens trust instead of weakening your authorityWhy culture leaders need to stay focused on what they practice, promote, and permitConnect with Marvin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvin-boakye-25a2122 Connect with us: 💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/ 💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter     Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.

    30 min
  4. The TOP 5 Lessons in Talent Acquisition from 2025

    12/30/2025

    The TOP 5 Lessons in Talent Acquisition from 2025

    In this special Year-End Wrap-Up of Talent All Stars, host Dave Travers reflects on the conversations that shaped the talent landscape in 2025. Through insights from leaders across healthcare, real estate, retail, technology, aviation, gaming, and more, this episode breaks down the five themes that defined how the best teams hired, developed, and retained talent this year. Dave revisits the voices behind these insights, including Yvette Hansen (Baylor Scott and White Health), Danielle Kensinger (Cushman and Wakefield), Jim D’Amico (Caliber), Jane Curran (JLL), Claire MacIntyre (Sam’s Club), Sara Tilley (ServiceNow), Mike Aronson (Johnson Controls), Scott Sell (Mercy), Jennifer Christie (DocuSign), Brian Riley (Riot Games), Tiffany Haley (Vanguard), Raul Valentin (ABM), Greg Muccio (Southwest Airlines), John Heyliger (Lockheed Martin), and Cindi Harper (Intel). Each offers a grounded look at the shifts redefining talent acquisition and HR in real time. Together, these leaders reveal the five biggest takeaways from 2025: How AI and automation created more space for meaningful human interactionWhy adaptability, curiosity, and learning agility have become the new hiring criteriaHow internal mobility and development became essential for competitivenessWhy business fluency is now required for TA credibilityHow proactive workforce planning reshaped partnerships with the businessAcross these themes, the message is clear. The most successful talent teams in 2025 did more than fill roles. They anticipated needs, shaped strategy, influenced executives with data, and created workplaces where employees could grow faster than the market was changing.   Connect with the guests and check their Talent All-Stars episodes below! Yvette Hansen: Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTfGfgaWNwQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvettehansen/   Danielle Kensinger: Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqBMhxa1mUc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-kensinger-262bb744/   Jim D’Amico: Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NdXrFH4UUg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdamico/   Jane Curran: Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei5Jpy4ap_Y LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-curran-1556715/   Claire MacIntyre:  Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q65jlhkNJtg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-macintyre/   Sara Tilley:  Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXr9CepK-As LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahtilley/   Mike Aronson: Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKn6KGKOtLc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikearonson/   Scott Sell:  Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bGYEyoHkP8 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sellscott/   Jennifer Christie:  Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blV7sti27Dk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-christie-5254866/   Brian Riley: Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGRZ1zCh0NA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileybrian/   Tiffany Haley:  Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr0NMDvAZuU LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-haley/   Raul Valentin: Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKWT-PGnT70 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rauljvalentin/   Greg Muccio:  Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bguj_CkicI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-muccio/   John Heyliger:  Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=443vOAbS55o LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stem-workforce-transformation-data/   Cindi Harper:  Talent All-Star Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3EcM9f45pQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindi-harper-75aba0/   Connect with us: 💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/ 💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter     Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.

    28 min
  5. How Octapharma Uses Chess Strategy to Build Plasma Teams

    12/16/2025

    How Octapharma Uses Chess Strategy to Build Plasma Teams

    Octapharma Plasma operates donor centers nationwide, supplying critical plasma used in treatments that impact patients daily. Leading the talent strategy behind this essential work is Monte Garrett, Director of Talent Acquisition. His leadership philosophy is founded on a framework he mastered as a teenager: the strategic discipline of chess. Monte's mentor taught him to approach every business challenge like a position on the chessboard, requiring deep anticipation, measured discipline, and constant adjustment. In this episode of Talent All Stars, Monte shares how this viewpoint shapes their approach to hiring, workforce planning, and managing organizational change. He explains why Talent Acquisition must evolve into a consultative discipline, using data to challenge assumptions and guide the business with authority.   You’ll learn: How chess principles enable Octapharma Plasma to strategically plan hiring needs and respond to industry shifts.Why constant adaptation is essential to avoid stagnation in a dynamic business environment.How Monte teaches recruiters to become data-driven advisors who influence key business decisions.The simple steps interviewers can take to improve candidate comfort and facilitate authentic conversations.Connect with Monte Garrett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/montegarrett/ Connect with us: 💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/ 💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter     Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.

    24 min
  6. How First Student Hires and Retains America’s Safest Bus Drivers

    12/09/2025

    How First Student Hires and Retains America’s Safest Bus Drivers

    First Student is North America’s largest provider of school transportation, moving millions of students every day across the United States and Canada (more than every major airline combined). Leading the people side of this operation is Renee Boydo, Vice President of HR Experience, who guides the teams responsible for hiring, training, and supporting the drivers and staff who keep children safe. In this episode of Talent All Stars, Renee shares how her team strengthens trust and retention through thoughtful use of technology, clear processes, and a consistent focus on people. When “the world’s most precious cargo” is on the line, finding people who want to make a positive impact in their communities is essential. You’ll learn: How First Student hires and supports America’s safest bus driversWhy retention begins on day one of employmentHow AI and technology enhance the human side of hiringWhy consistency and trust drive safety at scaleConnect with First Student: https://firststudentinc.com Connect with Renee Boydo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-boydo Connect with us: 💻 All Episodes: TalentAllStars.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ziprecruiter/ 💼 Dave’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davetravers/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ziprecruiter     Enjoyed this episode? We’d be grateful for a rating or review on your favorite podcast app.

    16 min
5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

How exactly do high-performing talent, HR, and recruiting teams operate on a day-to-day basis? We find out through conversations with talent leaders at some of the world's most influential businesses.