Leading the Frontline

Legion Technologies

Leading the Frontline features real conversations with leaders in retail, hospitality, and consumer services who are redefining frontline leadership. Hosted by Traci Chernoff and presented by Legion Technologies, the show dives into how top HR and operations leaders engage hourly teams, build high-performance cultures, and stay ahead of workforce trends—without the jargon or fluff. Perfect for ops executives, HR professionals, people leaders, and anyone passionate about empowering the frontline.

  1. Narinder Dhaliwal: Transforming Leadership Through Continuous Learning

    MAR 30

    Narinder Dhaliwal: Transforming Leadership Through Continuous Learning

    Most leaders struggle to truly connect with frontline teams—but what if the secret to sustained performance and engagement is simpler than you think?  Narinder Dhaliwal, Former VP of Global Operations Excellence at Americold, shares game-changing insights from 25+ years managing operations across 13 countries. In this episode, she explores how frontline engagement, continuous learning, and genuine communication can transform both workplace culture and business results. You’ll discover how to build trust and credibility with hourly teams through authentic listening and involvement, why pivoting based on feedback is a hallmark of standout leaders, and simple strategies to make jobs easier for frontline employees without expensive technology.  During her conversation with Traci, Narinder breaks down the critical importance of training, development, and leading with empathy in operations, and explains how these principles help organizations drive long-term success. Why does this all matter? Because ignoring the voice of the frontline can stunt growth, increase turnover, and derail even the best strategies. When leaders prioritize people, embed learning into their culture, and stay adaptable, they unlock hidden potential at every level of the organization.  This episode is packed with actionable advice and powerful stories for anyone committed to leading with impact; whether you’re in manufacturing, logistics, retail, or any industry powered by frontline teams. Ideal for frontline managers, operations leaders, HR professionals, or anyone who wants to foster a thriving, engaged workforce. Narinder’s insights are a reminder that the real magic happens on the frontline and that great leadership makes all the difference.

    28 min
  2. Cathy Hotka: Servant Leadership and Fostering Connection

    JAN 28

    Cathy Hotka: Servant Leadership and Fostering Connection

    In this episode of “Leading the Frontline,” host Traci Chernoff sits down with Cathy Hotka, a renowned retail industry leader. Cathy shares her journey from her early days in retail to her influential role in creating the NRF CIO Council and fostering collaboration among retail leaders. Together, they highlight the importance of listening, knowledge sharing, and servant leadership in shaping the future of frontline work.

    29 min
  3. Nabil Malouli: Leadership Through Innovation and Mentorship

    11/10/2025

    Nabil Malouli: Leadership Through Innovation and Mentorship

    In this episode of Leading the Frontline, Traci sits down with Nabil Malouli, SVP of Global E-commerce at DHL, to explore his inspiring journey from his first hourly job as a waiter to as his current role as a leader in the logistics industry. Discover how Nabil leverages innovation and mentorship to drive success and resilience in a rapidly evolving global market. Tune in to learn about the pivotal role of AI in supply chain management and the importance of continuous personal and professional development. Don't miss this insightful conversation on leadership and growth! Connect with Nabil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabilmalouli/

    34 min
  4. Kevin Ertell: The Best Leaders Are World-Class Followers

    09/22/2025

    Kevin Ertell: The Best Leaders Are World-Class Followers

    What does it take to deliver operational excellence and great customer experiences in today’s changing retail landscape? In this episode of Leading the Frontline, host Traci Chernoff sits down with Kevin Ertell, a seasoned retail executive and former VP of Global Operations at Nike, to discuss leadership lessons, why retail produces great leaders, and evolving with AI. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights and leadership strategies to shape culture, empower teams, and stay ahead of workforce trends.

    38 min

  5. 07/28/2023

    S2E5 - Future Proofing Businesses feat. Mike Robards

    Tune in this month to hear Mike Robards, Growth Account Executive at Legion Technologies, share his insights about how businesses future proof themselves. Connect with Mike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikerobards/ Connect with Traci, Jon, and The Frontline podcast here: https://linktr.ee/thefrontlinepod   Read more about this episode and Legion Technologies at legion.co

    46 min

  6. 06/15/2023

    S2E4 - How Cinemark is Driving Employee Engagement (feat. Christopher Frey)

    Tune in this month to hear how Christopher Frey, Director of Workforce Management at Cinemark, is driving employee engagement through workforce management. As a customer of Legion's, Cinemark is dedicated to driving employee engagement and retention through Intelligent Automation. Connect with Christopher here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-frey-ab6a332/ Connect with Traci, Jon, and The Frontline podcast here: https://linktr.ee/thefrontlinepod   Read more about this episode and Legion Technologies at legion.co

    32 min

  7. 03/30/2023

    S2E3 - How Flexibility and the 4-Day Workweek are Connected

    The UK recently concluded their trial of a four day workweek across a number of organizations, so Jon and Traci explore the intricacies and influence that this kind of flexibility has on the workforce. Read more about the trial here: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-21/four-day-work-week-uk-study-finds-majority-of-employers-shifting Connect with Traci, Jon, and The Frontline podcast here: https://linktr.ee/thefrontlinepod   Read more about this episode and Legion Technologies at legion.co

    33 min
  8. S2E2 - Recapping NRF 2023: Retail's Big Show

    02/16/2023

    S2E2 - Recapping NRF 2023: Retail's Big Show

    Tune in to hear our recap on NRF: Retail's Big Show!   Connect with Traci, Jon, and The Frontline podcast here: https://linktr.ee/thefrontlinepod   Read more about this episode and Legion Technologies at legion.co

    31 min
See All (18)

Trailer

About

Leading the Frontline features real conversations with leaders in retail, hospitality, and consumer services who are redefining frontline leadership. Hosted by Traci Chernoff and presented by Legion Technologies, the show dives into how top HR and operations leaders engage hourly teams, build high-performance cultures, and stay ahead of workforce trends—without the jargon or fluff. Perfect for ops executives, HR professionals, people leaders, and anyone passionate about empowering the frontline.

Information

  • Creator
    Legion Technologies
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Legion Technologies
  • Show Website
    Leading the Frontline