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

Radical Innovators #21 leading with change: empowering talent and driving AI innovation with Vialto Partners’ 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 Partners. 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 processes * the future of work and skills: why intellectual curiosity and a shared responsibility for learning are essential as AI transforms job descriptions and workflows * leadership under pressure: lessons from navigating challenging situations like a financial crisis high-stakes environments * personal career journeys: Lisa shares her non-linear path to success, including the pride of finishing her degree at age 34 * rapid fire fun: discover Lisa’s go-to reset method (hint: it involves country music) and her ultimate walk-on song

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 organization * human-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 #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 complexity * culture as a deliberate choice: leaders are always shaping culture, whether consciously or not; therefore, it’s critical to align cultural levers to support business strategy * encouraging innovation through scarcity: creating boundaries and limitations can actually engender more creative and interesting solutions than having unlimited resources * AI 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 AI * the evolving CHRO role: why the CHRO will increasingly serve as a "chief simplifier," helping organizations navigate massive global and regulatory complexity

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 environment * AI and continuous feedback: how Mondelez utilizes AI to analyze over 210,000 employee survey comments, creating a "flywheel" of continuous improvement * digital transformation: the strategy behind creating a "one-stop shop" for employees to access information 24/7, particularly for manufacturing staff * balancing strategy: Navigating the tension between long-term multi-year strategies and the "tyranny of the urgent" in a decentralized global organization * the 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 #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 research * the power of feedback: how UnitedHealthcare introduced a "behavioral language" to provide objective, actionable feedback to employees * AI 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 support * skills-based culture: how AI helps employees identify their strengths and acquire the specific skills needed to achieve their career goals * humility in learning: why "learners will rule the world" and the importance of being humble enough to learn from anyone in an organization