The Employee Help Desk with Susan Mahaffee

Episode 19: Building Legacy and Protecting Your Future with Maura Dowd Sniegoski

This episode is part of a special series tied to Susan Mahaffee’s bestselling book, When People Rise: HR Secrets for Small Business Growth, Success, and Legacy (now available on Amazon). The book features 21 experts sharing stories and practical tools to help leaders build stronger, people-centered workplaces. This series highlights each co-author’s perspective and how their insights can be applied in real-world situations. In this episode, Susan is joined by Maura Sniegoski, CEO of Sniegoski Life Group, to discuss the importance of legacy planning for business owners, leaders, and families. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience, Maura shares why proactive planning is one of the greatest acts of leadership and care. Together, they explore life insurance, business continuity planning, and protecting the people who depend on you—both at home and at work. Maura also introduces her LEGACY framework, offering practical guidance for organizing important documents, preparing for unexpected events, and creating long-term security for loved ones and businesses alike. This conversation is a reminder that protecting your future isn’t just about finances—it’s about creating peace of mind and lasting impact for the people who matter most. About Maura Sniegoski: Maura Sniegoski is the CEO of Sniegoski Life Group, where she helps individuals, families, and business owners build financial security through personalized planning solutions. Passionate about empowering women in leadership and insurance, Maura combines expertise, empathy, and practical guidance to help clients make confident decisions about their future. Outside of work, she enjoys baking with her husband and three children, cheering at sporting events, and dreaming about her next trip back to New York for the food. Notable Quotes: "Leadership means protecting the people who depend on you." "Small actions today can create lasting security tomorrow." "Legacy planning is an act of care, not fear." How to get in touch with Maura Sniegoski: Website – https://www.sniegoskilifegroup.com [https://www.sniegoskilifegroup.com] Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/maura.sniegoski/ [https://www.instagram.com/maura.sniegoski/] LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/maura-dowd-sniegoski-6338778 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/maura-dowd-sniegoski-6338778] Company LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/sniegoski-life-group [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sniegoski-life-group] Links & Resources: If you enjoyed this episode, follow, leave a review, and share it with another leader navigating the people side of work. Apply to be a guest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform] Learn more: https://peoplerisellc.com [https://peoplerisellc.com] Book a consultation: https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise [https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise] Book updates: https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates [https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates]

Episode 18: Unlocking HR as a Strategic Business Partner with Jaime Damkroger

This episode is part of a special series tied to Susan Mahaffee’s bestselling book, When People Rise: HR Secrets for Small Business Growth, Success, and Legacy (now available on Amazon). The book features 21 experts sharing stories and practical tools to help leaders build stronger, people-centered workplaces. This series highlights each co-author’s perspective—focusing on how their insights can be applied in real-world situations. In this episode, Susan is joined by Jaime Damkroger, MBA, PHR—founder of Talent Matters and a trusted advisor to growing businesses navigating people challenges and organizational change. With experience across manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare, Jaime shares how HR can move beyond compliance and reactive tasks to become a true strategic business partner. Together, they explore the importance of bringing HR into conversations early, building trust between leaders and HR teams, and creating practical, human-centered solutions that actually fit the business. Jaime also introduces her MEET framework—a simple but powerful approach for improving collaboration, strengthening workplace relationships, and bridging the gap between business goals and people decisions. This conversation offers actionable insights for leaders and HR professionals looking to create stronger alignment, improve communication, and use HR as a real driver of business success. About Jaime Damkroger: Jaime Damkroger, MBA, PHR, is the founder of Talent Matters, where she helps business owners and leaders turn people challenges into business progress. Drawing from experience in large, complex organizations, Jaime specializes in translating proven people practices into practical, right-sized solutions for small and growing businesses. Her work focuses on leadership effectiveness, organizational design, talent development, and building trust between HR and business leaders. Born and raised in Nebraska, Jaime holds an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Notable Quotes: "HR works best when it’s part of the conversation early." "People decisions are business decisions." "The best solutions are practical, collaborative, and human-centered." How to get in touch with Jaime Damkroger: Website – https://alltalentmatters.com/meet [https://alltalentmatters.com/meet] LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimedamkroger/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimedamkroger/] Links & Resources: If you enjoyed this episode, follow, leave a review, and share it with another leader navigating the people side of work. Apply to be a guest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform] Learn more: https://peoplerisellc.com [https://peoplerisellc.com] Book a consultation: https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise [https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise] Book updates: https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates [https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates]

Episode 17: Reimagining Leadership and Self-Transformation with Laura Reynolds

This episode is part of a special series tied to Susan Mahaffee’s bestselling book, When People Rise: HR Secrets for Small Business Growth, Success, and Legacy (available on Amazon). The book features 21 experts sharing stories and practical tools to help leaders build stronger, people-centered workplaces. This series highlights each co-author’s perspective, focusing on how their insights can be applied in real-world situations. In this episode, Susan is joined by Laura Reynolds: executive coach, endurance athlete, and Founder of Executive Endurance Coaching. With a background in recruiting and leadership consulting for organizations including Meta, ZeroFox, and Johns Hopkins, Laura brings a unique perspective on resilience, mindset, and sustainable performance. Together, they explore what it means to move beyond survival mode and lead with intention. Laura shares how endurance principles from ultramarathons and triathlons apply directly to leadership, personal growth, and navigating change. From overcoming fear and outdated identities to building resilience through small intentional steps, this conversation offers practical insights for leaders navigating transition, burnout, and self-doubt. This episode is a reminder that transformation doesn’t happen overnight—it happens through clarity, consistency, and the courage to evolve. About Laura Reynolds: Laura Reynolds is the Founder and CEO of Executive Endurance Coaching, LLC, where she helps leaders move from survival mode into sustained, intentional performance. With more than 14 years of experience in recruiting, hiring, and talent strategy, Laura has worked with organizations including Meta, ZeroFox, and Johns Hopkins. She is also a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), host of The Grit Files podcast, and a multi-time ultramarathon and triathlon competitor. Through coaching, writing, and speaking, Laura helps people break free from limiting stories and build lives aligned with who they want to become. Notable Quotes: "Clarity beats chaos." "Consistency beats intensity." "You hold the power to decide who you are becoming." How to get in touch with Laura Reynolds: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-leeb-reynolds/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-leeb-reynolds/] Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/executive_endurance_coaching/ [https://www.instagram.com/executive_endurance_coaching/] The Grit Files – https://www.instagram.com/the.gritfiles/ [https://www.instagram.com/the.gritfiles/] Email – LReynolds2124@outlook.com [LReynolds2124@outlook.com] Links & Resources: If you enjoyed this episode, follow, leave a review, and share it with another leader navigating the people side of work. Apply to be a guest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform] Learn more: https://peoplerisellc.com [https://peoplerisellc.com] Book a consultation: https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise [https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise] Book updates: https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates [https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates]

Episode 16: Leading with Curiosity: The Power of Asking Questions with Agnes Geisler

This episode is part of a special series tied to Susan Mahaffee’s Amazon Best Seller, When People Rise: HR Secrets for Small Business Growth, Success, and Legacy (now available on Amazon). The book features 21 experts sharing stories and practical tools to help leaders build stronger, people-centered workplaces. This series highlights each co-author’s perspective—focusing on how their insights can be applied in real-world situations. In this episode, Susan is joined by Agnes Geisler, HRMP—Executive Director of People and Processes at Mosaic Christian Church. With experience leading teams across multiple locations, Agnes brings a practical perspective on navigating growth and change. Together, they explore the power of asking questions as a leadership skill—and why curiosity is a strategic strength. Agnes shares how asking questions, even without all the answers, builds trust, drives clarity, and strengthens teams. She also introduces simple frameworks for problem-solving, overcoming self-doubt, and leading with humility. From quieting your inner critic to creating environments where people feel safe to speak up, this conversation offers actionable insights for leaders at every level. This episode is a reminder that great leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking better questions. About Agnes Geisler: Agnes M. Geisler, HRMP, is the Executive Director of People and Processes at Mosaic Christian Church in Maryland. She has over a decade of experience leading volunteers and managing organizational change across multiple campuses. Known as a “walking database,” Agnes combines her passion for people with strong systems to support both daily operations and long-term strategy. Notable Quotes: "Asking questions is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of leadership." "Curiosity creates clarity, connection, and growth." "You don’t need all the answers—you need the right questions." How to get in touch with Agnes Geisler: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/agnesmgeisler [https://www.facebook.com/agnesmgeisler] Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/agnesmgeisler [https://www.instagram.com/agnesmgeisler] LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/amgeisler [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amgeisler] Learn more about Mosaic – https://mosaicchristian.org [https://mosaicchristian.org] Links & Resources: If you enjoyed this episode, follow, leave a review, and share it with another leader navigating the people side of work. Apply to be a guest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform] Learn more: https://peoplerisellc.com [https://peoplerisellc.com] Book a consultation: https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise [https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise] Book updates: https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates [https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates]

Episode 15: Building a Meaningful Career on Your Own Terms with Brooke Toomey

This episode continues a special series tied to Susan Mahaffee’s upcoming collaborative book, When People Rise: HR Secrets for Small Business Growth, Success, and Legacy (available April 21, 2026). The book features 21 experts sharing stories and practical tools to help leaders build stronger, people-centered workplaces. This series highlights each co-author’s perspective—focusing on how their insights can be applied in real-world situations and inspire action. In this episode, Susan is joined by Brooke Toomey—career coach, former HR executive, and founder of Her Perfect Career. With over a decade in HR leadership, Brooke brings an insider perspective on how hiring really works—and uses that knowledge to help women navigate career pivots, reenter the workforce, and recover from burnout. Brooke shares her journey of rebuilding her own career after time away from the workforce and redefining success beyond traditional metrics. She emphasizes the importance of clarity, confidence, and relationship-building—offering practical strategies for staying connected, leveraging informal networks, and creating opportunities through meaningful connections. This conversation challenges the idea that success is one-size-fits-all and encourages listeners to build careers that align with their values, lifestyle, and long-term goals. About Brooke Toomey: Brooke Toomey is a career coach, former HR executive, and founder of Her Perfect Career. She helps women navigate career transitions, reenter the workforce, and build sustainable careers that support both income goals and real life. After rebuilding her own six-figure career, Brooke now helps other women do the same—on their own terms. Her work focuses on clarity, confidence, and alignment with personal values. When she’s not coaching, you’ll likely find her traveling, exploring nature, or discovering new foods 🌍✨ Notable Quotes: "Success isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s something you define for yourself." "Clarity creates confidence in every career decision." "Relationships—not résumés—open the right doors." How to get in touch with Brooke Toomey: Website – http://www.herperfectcareer.com/ [http://www.herperfectcareer.com/] Contact – http://www.herperfectcareer.com/contact [http://www.herperfectcareer.com/contact] Email – brooke@herperfectcareer.com [brooke@herperfectcareer.com] Links & Resources: If you enjoyed this episode, follow, leave a review, and share it with another leader navigating the people side of work. Apply to be a guest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdR6kFI-YheR4no1U9bwCXy4S3yVnfZk4kpQCCJT94VTj_XNw/viewform] Learn more: https://peoplerisellc.com [https://peoplerisellc.com] Book a consultation: https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise [https://calendly.com/peoplerise-susan/1-1-with-susan-mahaffee-people-rise] Book updates: https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates [https://peoplerise.myflodesk.com/bookupdates]