Dr. Robert Hess, founder and CEO of the Forum for Shared Governance

Jessica Holst, Principal Consultant at Aligned HR Consulting

In this episode of the Think Factory Podcast, we sit down with Jessica Holst of Aligned HR Consulting for a thoughtful conversation about crisis management, workplace culture, and the evolving role of HR leadership in growing organizations. Jessica shares how her firm specializes in stepping into companies during moments of operational or organizational crisis — from compliance failures and employee relations investigations to leadership breakdowns and sudden separation from professional employer organizations (PEOs). Drawing on more than 25 years of HR experience, she explains how strategic HR leadership goes far beyond policy management and becomes a critical driver of business resilience, employee trust, and long-term organizational success. Throughout the discussion, Jessica offers practical insights into the warning signs companies often ignore before a crisis escalates, the importance of psychological safety in leadership, and why culture is ultimately shaped by the behaviors organizations reward and tolerate. She also reflects on how her early experience in corporate immigration helped shape her people-first approach to HR, compliance, and workforce strategy. The episode explores the growing importance of fractional executives and consultants for startups and scaling businesses, emphasizing that founders do not need to navigate complex HR, finance, and compliance challenges alone. Packed with actionable advice for executives, founders, and business leaders, this conversation highlights how thoughtful HR infrastructure and strong leadership practices can help companies build healthier, more sustainable workplaces from the ground up.

Dr. Robert Hess, founder and CEO of the Forum for Shared Governance

In this episode of the Think Factory Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Bob Hess, founder and CEO of the Forum for Shared Governance, for an insightful discussion about the true meaning of shared governance in healthcare and why it has become one of the most important conversations in organizational leadership today. Dr. Hess explains how shared governance empowers bedside nurses and frontline professionals to have meaningful influence over clinical practice, operational decisions, and the resources that support patient care. Drawing from decades of research and experience, he shares the origins of his groundbreaking Index of Professional Nursing Governance, the first validated instrument designed to measure how authority, decision-making, and professional accountability actually function inside healthcare organizations. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hess explores how authentic shared governance improves nurse retention, job satisfaction, collaboration, and patient outcomes, while also exposing the dangers of organizations treating governance as a marketing slogan rather than a lived operational reality. He discusses the growing global adoption of his accreditation model, the integration of AI-powered dashboards to analyze governance data in real time, and the future of collaborative leadership across healthcare systems worldwide. The episode also dives into the deeply human side of governance, highlighting the importance of trust, transparency, and leadership buy-in when creating organizational structures that truly empower people. Packed with practical insights for healthcare leaders, executives, and professionals across industries, this episode offers a compelling look at how shared decision-making can transform both workplace culture and organizational performance.

Will Francis, Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers, Texas and Louisiana Chapters

In this episode of the Think Factory Podcast, Will Francis, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, shares insights from his journey across frontline social work, government relations, and executive leadership. He reflects on how firsthand exposure to client challenges led him toward advocacy and ultimately into guiding one of the region’s key professional social work associations. Throughout the conversation, he highlights the importance of collaboration across disciplines, communities, and political perspectives, emphasizing that meaningful systems change in behavioral health and social policy only happens when diverse stakeholders come together. Will also explores some of the most pressing issues facing the social work profession today, including workforce reclassification efforts, access to education and professional funding, and the growing role—and limits—of AI in therapeutic spaces. He discusses the balance between innovation and ethical boundaries in mental health care, the ongoing fight for human rights and behavioral health equity, and the importance of self-care in emotionally demanding work. Closing the discussion, he underscores the need for steady, values-driven leadership in uncertain times and shares why staying grounded in community, purpose, and long-term thinking is essential for those working to strengthen both the profession and the systems it serves.

Marc Raad, President, and Stan Carmichael, Director of Special Projects, Significans Automation

This episode of the Think Factory Podcast features Marc Raad, President, and Stan Carmichael, Director of Special Projects, Significans Automation, as they discuss how the company is reshaping automation across the print, packaging, agency, and brand industries. The conversation focuses on how disconnected “islands of automation” can be unified through integration, enabling seamless data flow, reducing manual touchpoints, and eliminating costly errors. Drawing on decades of combined experience in software and manufacturing, Mark and Stan explain how Significans helps organizations connect disparate systems into cohesive, high-performance workflows. The discussion also explores how companies move from fragmented processes to fully mapped, future-state automation strategies tailored to their operations. From identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies to building phased, ROI-driven transformation roadmaps, Significans takes a hands-on approach to improving productivity and scalability. The episode also touches on the evolving role of AI in automation—highlighting its current limitations, emerging capabilities, and its place as a powerful supporting tool within broader digital transformation efforts. Disclaimer [https://www.ogcsolutions.com/legal-disclaimer/]

Jon Congdon, Product Consultant/Co-Owner, Skandacor

In this episode of the Think Factory Podcast features John Congdon, Global Channel Partner Manager at Skandacor, sharing insights on how print embellishment is transforming packaging, direct mail, and branded materials. With over 20 years in the industry and a global footprint, Skandacor is helping print producers move beyond standard CMYK output through technologies like digital foiling, lamination, and 3D effects. John explains how these capabilities create more engaging, tactile, and visually impactful products that capture attention and elevate brand perception in competitive markets. The conversation also explores the strong business case behind embellishment, including rapid ROI, increased profitability, and the shift toward short-run, personalized print. As consumer expectations continue to evolve—driven in part by premium packaging and “unboxing” experiences—print providers have new opportunities to differentiate and add value. John highlights how Skandacor’s accessible, easy-to-use solutions are empowering both small and large producers to unlock new revenue streams and rethink what’s possible in modern print. Disclaimer [https://www.ogcsolutions.com/legal-disclaimer/]