radical innovators podcast

Randstad Enterprise
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Join Frank Congiu, EVP of human capital strategy & executive partnerships, on the Radical Innovators series as he dives into insightful conversations with prominent HR leaders from top global organizations. Each episode explores bold ideas, transformative strategies, and the future of workforce innovation alongside the world’s most forward-thinking CHROs. Discover how their insights can inspire your leadership today and tomorrow. Listen to gain the edge you need for your talent strategy.

  1. Jul 18

    Radical Innovators #22 leading with agility: preparing for AI and helping people thrive with PepsiCo’s Becky Schmitt

    In this episode of the Radical Innovator’s podcast, host Frank Congiu sits down with Becky Schmitt, CHRO of PepsiCo. Drawing on her career of holding HR leadership roles at Accenture, Walmart, Cognizant and now PepsiCo, Becky shares valuable insights to help HR professionals navigate today’s increasingly complex talent landscape. This exciting conversation covers everything from how PepsiCo prepares its global workforce for AI-driven change and some uncomfortable truths about AI, to why she sees technology as being like the game Shoots and Ladders. She even reveals her favorite Pepsi products! Tune in to hear invaluable advice and insights, including: navigating career transitions: understanding that past achievements matter less than how you adapt your knowledge to a new company's contextthe evolution of HR: why it’s important to move away from standard to-do lists, and toward building agile, skills-based frameworks that prepare employees for unforeseen challengesAI for frontline workers: how technology like dynamic route engineering and digital twins are being used to make frontline jobs safer and more efficientinnovative HR use cases: a look inside PepsiCo's current tests and rollouts, including AI-driven interview companions, predictive labor analytics and real-time distribution control towersunderstanding the whole person: why companies need to look past rigid job descriptions and find creative ways to tap into employees' holistic skills and personal aptitudes

    Radical Innovators #22 leading with agility: preparing for AI and helping people thrive with PepsiCo’s Becky Schmitt

  2. Jun 18

    Radical Innovators #21 leading with change: empowering talent and driving AI innovation with Vialto’s Lisa Buckingham

    In this episode of the Radical Innovators podcast, host Frank Congiu sits down with Lisa Buckingham, Global Chief People and Culture Officer at Vialto. With a career spanning leadership roles at Thomson Reuters, Lincoln Financial and US Soccer, Lisa brings a wealth of experience in navigating organizational transformation at pace. Together, they unpack the evolving HR landscape, focusing on how to successfully blend cutting-edge AI with organizational agility while maintaining a steadfast people-first strategy. Key topics covered in this conversation include: human-centric innovation: why Lisa’s mantra is "keeping human" in everything HR does, even when implementing AI agents to handle manual processesthe future of work and skills: why intellectual curiosity and a shared responsibility for learning are essential as AI transforms job descriptions and workflowsleadership under pressure: lessons from navigating challenging situations like a financial crisis high-stakes environmentspersonal career journeys: Lisa shares her non-linear path to success, including the pride of finishing her degree at age 34rapid fire fun: discover Lisa’s go-to reset method (hint: it involves country music) and her ultimate walk-on song

    Radical Innovators #21 leading with change: empowering talent and driving AI innovation with Vialto’s Lisa Buckingham

  3. Apr 23

    Radical Innovators #20 leading with wellness: supporting people in the moments that matter with Ally Financial’s Kathie Patterson

    In this episode of the Radical Innovators podcast, host Frank Congiu sits down with Kathie Patterson, CHRO of Ally Financial. During the conversation, Kathie shares her journey from a modest Detroit upbringing to leading HR at a major digital bank, offering deep insights into how Ally Financial maintains a competitive advantage through its people-first culture.  She also discusses how her background as a first-generation college graduate shaped her perspective on economic mobility and the critical role of corporate citizenship in the modern workplace. Other highlights of the discussion include: holistic employee experience: how Ally Financial supports the financial literacy and overall wellness of both its internal workforce and the broader community.moments that matter: the importance of an employer showing up during vulnerable life events, from starting a new job to navigating a loss in the family.internal career mobility: overcoming "manager hoarding" and encouraging employees to continuously learn, grow and move into new roles across the organizationhuman-centered AI: integrating AI tools as a supplement rather than a replacement, ensuring people remain part of the process for judgment and empathetic connection.leading through transformation: addressing "transformation fatigue" and the necessity of maintaining grit, judgment and resilience during rapid technological and market shifts.

    Radical Innovators #20 leading with wellness: supporting people in the moments that matter with Ally Financial’s Kathie Patterson

  4. Apr 16

    Radical Innovators #19 leading with experimentation: fostering innovation & simplicity with Booking Holdings’ Paulo Pisano

    In this episode of the Radical Innovators podcast, host Frank Congiu welcomes Paulo Pisano, EVP and CHRO at Booking Holdings, to discuss his career journey and how his background in operations and finance influences his approach to leadership. Throughout the conversation, Paulo shares his thoughts on the importance of organizational clarity, the role of a leader in consciously shaping culture and the necessity of doing "fewer things better" to drive business outcomes. He also explores the unique challenges of operating a multi-brand tech and travel marketplace and how Booking Holdings is currently embracing experimentation through generative AI. Additional takeaways include: simplicity and prioritization: why HR leaders should be removing low-value activities and "must-dos" from the system to reduce complexityculture as a deliberate choice: leaders are always shaping culture, whether consciously or not; therefore, it’s critical to align cultural levers to support business strategyencouraging innovation through scarcity: creating boundaries and limitations can actually engender more creative and interesting solutions than having unlimited resourcesAI as an engagement tool: how Booking Holdings uses "marketing-style" awareness campaigns and meeting check-ins to drive broad employee engagement and experimentation with generative AIthe evolving CHRO role: why the CHRO will increasingly serve as a "chief simplifier," helping organizations navigate massive global and regulatory complexity

    Radical Innovators #19 leading with experimentation: fostering innovation & simplicity with Booking Holdings’ Paulo Pisano

  5. Apr 8

    Radical Innovators #18 leading with principle: supporting leaders and making work better with Mondelez’s Stephanie Lilak

    In this episode of the Radical Innovators podcast, host Frank Congiu sits down with Stephanie Lilac, EVP and chief people officer at Mondelez. Stephanie details her extensive career journey, which began with 15 years in supply chain-oriented roles — including a stint as a plant manager — before transitioning into commercial HR leadership for major brands like General Mills, Dunkin' and Bumble.  The conversation delves into the evolving role of the CHRO and how it has shifted from seeking a seat at the table to balancing high-level strategy with deep operational execution.  Highlights from the discussion include: the power of managers: why managers are the most critical factor in the employee experience and how they can foster a supportive team environmentAI and continuous feedback: how Mondelez utilizes AI to analyze over 210,000 employee survey comments, creating a "flywheel" of continuous improvementdigital transformation: the strategy behind creating a "one-stop shop" for employees to access information 24/7, particularly for manufacturing staffbalancing strategy: Navigating the tension between long-term multi-year strategies and the "tyranny of the urgent" in a decentralized global organizationthe value of mentorship: Stephanie reflects on how a wide range of people, from her family to the experts on her own team, help her stay current with industry trends

    Radical Innovators #18 leading with principle: supporting leaders and making work better with Mondelez’s Stephanie Lilak

  6. Mar 31

    Radical Innovators #17 leading with connection: empowering teams and always learning with UnitedHealthcare’s Stephanie Fehr

    In this episode of the Radical Innovators podcast, host Frank Congiu sits down with Stephanie Fehr, chief people officer at UnitedHealthcare, who discusses her career journey, how her company is using AI and what shapes her leadership style. Stephanie shares her perspective on why leadership is a critical, research-based skill rather than a "soft skill" and how creating the right environment is essential for innovation. The conversation also explores how UnitedHealthcare is navigating AI, particularly by leveraging it to enhance — not replace — human connections and fuel employee development. Key topics discussed in this episode include: leadership as a science: why leadership is the most important skill to develop and how it is rooted in valid, reliable researchthe power of feedback: how UnitedHealthcare introduced a "behavioral language" to provide objective, actionable feedback to employeesAI as an enabler: using AI to lift administrative burdens from doctors and employees, allowing them to focus on unique human skills like empathy and providing supportskills-based culture: how AI helps employees identify their strengths and acquire the specific skills needed to achieve their career goalshumility in learning: why "learners will rule the world" and the importance of being humble enough to learn from anyone in an organization

    Radical Innovators #17 leading with connection: empowering teams and always learning with UnitedHealthcare’s Stephanie Fehr

  7. Mar 27

    Radical Innovators #16 leading with transformation: developing, reskilling and future-proofing with Infosys’ Shaji Mathew

    In this episode of the Radical Innovators podcast, host Frank Congiu sits down with Shaji Mathew, CHRO of Infosys. With more than three decades of experience at the company, Shaji shares his unique journey from software engineer trainee to global HR leader. The conversation explores how Shaji’s background in technology and business operations shapes his vision for HR as a strategic business function. Shaji and Frank also discuss how Infosys is navigating the human-plus-AI paradigm by rearchitecting career paths, reskilling a global workforce and leveraging AI-powered tools to enhance the employee experience and personalize learning and development. Key takeaways: Find out why Shaji believes business acumen is one of the most critical skills for HR professionals.Learn how Infosys categorized its workforce into AI consumers, integrators and creators to design targeted AI training programs.Discover how Infosys uses AI assistants to support employees and provide hyper-personalized learning.Hear why Shaji considers the three pillars for success to be business agility, talent transformation and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

    Radical Innovators #16 leading with transformation: developing, reskilling and future-proofing with Infosys’ Shaji Mathew

  8. Mar 11

    Radical Innovators #15 leading with trust: staying connected, removing barriers and promoting fairness with Cisco’s Kelly Jones

    In this special edition of Radical Innovators, Randstad Enterprise chief executive Mike Smith joins Frank Congiu for an engaging discussion with Kelly Jones, chief people officer at Cisco.  Kelly discusses how her company excels in developing people-first, data-driven strategies that empower talent and allow the business to thrive. Drawing on her impressive 18-year career with Cisco, she shares advice from being at the forefront of driving efficiency, quality, connection and performance for more than 86,000 employees. Other highlights from the conversation include insights on how to: drive the AI transformation, from making sure employees are comfortable and confident in working with AI to leveraging it to build personalized learning experiencesempower Dyslexic Thinking and other forms of neurodiversity and provide an environment that nurtures different ways of thinking leverage purpose to drive retention, including how Cisco has an 80% employee participation rate in its philanthropy programsbuild community and connection despite having a hybrid work environmentrecognize how trust forms the basis of creating a workplace that is real, connected and purpose driven

    Radical Innovators #15 leading with trust: staying connected, removing barriers and promoting fairness with Cisco’s Kelly Jones
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About

Join Frank Congiu, EVP of human capital strategy & executive partnerships, on the Radical Innovators series as he dives into insightful conversations with prominent HR leaders from top global organizations. Each episode explores bold ideas, transformative strategies, and the future of workforce innovation alongside the world’s most forward-thinking CHROs. Discover how their insights can inspire your leadership today and tomorrow. Listen to gain the edge you need for your talent strategy.

Information

  • Creator
    Randstad Enterprise
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 randstad enterprise
  • Show Website
    radical innovators podcast