Nine To Thrive Hr

Tom McCarty, CEO of OrgChart, recently visited the podcast to speak about the growing importance of strategic workforce planning. We discussed the need for continuous iterations when scenario planning and the importance of having a strong baseline of HR data, but we didn’t get to discuss one area that all HR leaders are considering when planning for the future: AI. In this podcast, we will discuss how leading HR teams are shaping their workforce to incorporate AI.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindy Koetzle speaks with OrgChart CEO Tom McCarty about why strategic workforce planning is more important than ever as organizations face rapid growth, transformation, and the growing influence of AI. The conversation explores how leaders can better prepare for the future by defining a clear long-term vision, understanding their current organizational structure and talent landscape, and continuously monitoring progress through scenario planning and agile decision-making. They also discuss the limits of spreadsheet-based planning and the value of visual, real-time workforce data in helping HR leaders move beyond administrative tasks and into more strategic, human-centered conversations that support both business goals and employee success.

The workplace is shifting again and HR is caught in the middle. In this episode, we explore isolved’s HR’s New Balancing Act: 7 Trends to Watch in 2026 report and what it reveals about today’s talent market, the rise of AI in HR and the growing importance of trust and clarity. From rethinking hiring and upskilling to simplifying benefits and protecting employee data, this conversation breaks down how HR leaders can balance business needs with employee expectations and turn change into a strategic advantage in 2026.

After surveying over 1,000 HR leaders, AbsenceSoft's 2026 State of Leave and Accommodations report revealed that the nature of leave and accommodations requests has fundamentally shifted in ways most compliance professionals aren't prepared for. For the third year running, caseloads continue climbing, but it's not just the volume that's changed. The types of requests employees are making, the tools HR teams are using to manage them, and the compliance risks lurking in seemingly helpful shortcuts are creating a perfect storm. If you're still managing your programs the way you did three years ago, or if you think AI is just a future concern, this conversation will change how you think about risk, resources, and what it takes to stay compliant in 2026.

Host Cindi Koetzle welcomes David Ly, CEO and Founder of Iveda, for a practical conversation on how AI is moving from buzzword to business-critical tool in HR, learning, and operations. Drawing on more than two decades in AI-powered video and vision technology, David explains why AI is suddenly “everywhere” now—affordable computing power, accessible interfaces, and off-the-shelf solutions—despite having been in the background of our lives for years in tools like streaming recommendations and automated data organization. He and Cindi explore how AI can transform onboarding and training by using video, computer vision, and augmented reality to capture best practices from tenured employees, provide real-time guidance to new hires, and act as a “force multiplier” for coaches and trainers. They also tackle employee concerns about job loss, reframing AI as a shift in roles rather than a replacement for humans, and discuss how better training, fewer errors, and faster support ultimately improve customer experience a

Host Cindi Koetzle welcomes Robert Hargrove—author and founder of the Harvard Leadership Research Project, Masterful Coaching. Hargrove offers a window into his current experiences of HR practitioners existing in organizations' pre strategic business partner model. A bold reminder to continue the work of capability building to prepare, partner and perform alongside the business to elevate strategic HR roles into trusted, collaborative and valuable players. After Hargrove shares his observations of underutilized HR professionals, they talk change management, crafting a shared vision and building alignment—the latter demanding far more time, intention, and relationship-building. If you are interested in learning more about the Strategic Human Resource Business Partner model certification course, check us out at hci.org

On this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle chats with Kerry Hecht, Founder and CEO of 10K Humans, to explore the powerful intersection of market research and HR. Drawing on decades in an empathy-driven research field and her experience as a small-business owner, Kerry explains how customer insights translate into people strategies: attracting the right candidates, strengthening engagement, and retaining talent. The conversation unpacks why validated feedback loops matter, how employee engagement correlates with customer satisfaction, and what to do about common pitfalls—stakeholder bias, “respondent fatigue,” and the gap between stated values and lived experience. Kerry highlights the rise of personalization at scale through data and technology, and offers practical ways HR can borrow from research playbooks—continuous listening, iterative refinement, and persona development (including AI-assisted personas) to bring workforce data to life. Whether you’re designing programs, influencing senior st

What can HR learn from a company with 350,000 independent agents and 8,000 employees spread across 100+ countries? In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle sits down with Tanya Reu-Narvaez, Chief People Officer at Anywhere Real Estate—the umbrella behind brands including Century 21, Coldwell Banker, and Sotheby’s International Realty. Tanya shares how the organization moved from 92% in-office to a remote-first model and, counterintuitively, became more connected. She unpacks the practices that broke down brand silos—enterprise learning, cross-company teaming, ERGs with 20% active participation, “Focus Fridays,” and a common culture codified as The Anywhere Way—and how those choices drove retention to a five-year high. The conversation also explores reimagined onboarding via the new People Hub and practical wins with GenAI (think job descriptions in minutes), plus what’s next: “Next-Level HR,” a shift to People Enablement, human-centric leadership, and skills-based talent strategies. It’s a fie

Payroll fraud is evolving and small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are in the crossfire. In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, Steve Lenderman, Head of Fraud Prevention, unpacks the rising threat of payroll fraud and why SMBs are often the easiest targets. With schemes averaging $2,800 in losses per month and going undetected for over a year, the stakes are higher than ever.

In this episode, we sit down with Sharthok Chakraborty, a former HR practitioner turned tech executive to explore the evolving world of performance management and the growing role of AI in shaping the future of work. We discuss the inspiration behind founding Klaar, the challenges of building tools that solve real workplace problems, and how empathy and human judgment can be preserved in AI-enabled solutions. From eliminating friction in performance reviews to ensuring insights turn into real action, we dive deep into the opportunities and risks AI presents for people leaders. Sharthok shares his vision for the next five years of performance management, the broader impact of AI in talent management, and what he hopes the future of work will finally get right, without losing what matters most. Whether you’re an HR leader, a tech innovator, or simply curious about the intersection of people and technology, this conversation offers practical insights and forward-looking ideas to help navigate what’s next.

Why are fast-moving teams moving away from full-time hires? In this episode, we speak with Yakov Filippenko, founder of Intch, a platform connecting professionals through intent-based, AI-powered networking. Yakov shares how part-time and project-based work is no longer a fallback option — it’s becoming the smart, strategic choice for startups, lean teams, and even big companies looking to stay flexible. We talk about the shift in mindset post-layoffs, the rise of global talent through nomad visas, and how hiring today is less about résumés and more about solving real business problems. From AI bias in recruitment to the hidden value of “non-traditional” candidates, this episode explores what hiring looks like when we stop playing by outdated rules.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle chats with Dr. Meesha Dogan, CEO of Cardio Diagnostics, to explore how AI and epigenetics are transforming cardiovascular health in the workplace. They discuss the ripple effects of heart disease on productivity, benefits costs, and team dynamics—and how employers can take a proactive role through technology-driven prevention and wellness strategies. With a focus on actionable insights and employee well-being, this episode offers HR leaders new ways to support health and retention across their organizations.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle chats with Carmen Amador, organizational psychologist and community lead at Oyster, about the evolving world of work. They explore the rise of fractional leadership roles, the value of flexibility, and how companies can strategically leverage part-time experts. As a bonus topic, Carmen offers a fresh perspective on women’s well-being and human centered leadership through an informed conversation on women’s menstrual cycles and alignment with work.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle talks with Jessica Wright, Founder and CEO of Wright Workforce Solutions, about redefining what HR looks like for small and growing businesses. Jessica shares her journey from nonprofit leadership to building a thriving minority- and woman-owned firm that offers hands-on HR, payroll, recruiting, and strategy support to small businesses. Together, they explore how businesses can overcome challenges like delegation, resource access, and talent management—while staying mission-driven and prioritizing strategy and growth.

In this episode, host Cindi Koetzle is joined by Sara Taylor, Founder of deepSEE Consulting, to explore our competency around unconscious bias and how it shapes our actions, decisions, and workplace conflicts. Sara breaks down the concept of “filters” and shares practical strategies to recognize and shift them. With timely insights on conflict, communication, and polarization, this conversation offers valuable takeaways for leaders and HR professionals striving to create more inclusive and aware workplaces.

Heidi Barnett, President, Talent Acquisition Solutions at isolved, joins Nine to Thrive HR for a deep dive into the future of hiring and employee experience. Heidi shares how ApplicantPro’s full integration into isolved is helping organizations streamline recruiting, enhance employer branding and create more engaging candidate journeys. She also unpacks the critical balance between AI-powered efficiency and the human elements that make a workplace thrive. Tune in for actionable insights on how HR leaders can attract top talent, improve retention and build people-first cultures in today’s competitive landscape.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle chats with Dr. Steven Stein, renowned clinical psychologist and founder of Multi-Health Systems (MHS). Steve was an early adopter of the power of emotional intelligence and has since been involved in the conversation about the intersection of emotional intelligence and psychological hardiness in the workplace. As they explore hardiness, the level of mental resilience when faced with stress, they discuss the learnable ability to manage emotions and grow through stress — using the "3 Cs" of Challenge, Control, and Commitment — leads to stronger leadership and healthier teams. A fascinating listen for HR practitioners, leaders, and team members looking to build healthy resilience.

As big brands pull back on DEI&B, small and midsize businesses are stepping up. In this episode, Opal Wagnac shares why DEI&B is more than a trend — it’s a business necessity. She explores how SMBs are uniquely positioned to lead with inclusion, close the gender gap, and create workplaces where everyone belongs. From allyship to the bottom-line benefits of belonging, this conversation offers real insights for HR leaders navigating today’s evolving workforce.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle is joined by Seth Turner, Founder and Senior Advisor at AbsenceSoft, to explore the growing complexities of leave and accommodation in the workplace. They break down the biggest insights from our 2025 State of Leave and Accommodations Report, based on a survey of 2,400 employees and HR managers. Leave requests are rising, increased demand for mental health support is a growing factor, and compliance remains a challenge—so what does this mean for HR? We’ll share findings leading to why leave and accommodations requests are increasing, how employers can balance compliance with employee support, and the biggest FMLA mistakes to avoid. Plus, we’ll explore the importance of manager training and how technology can streamline processes while preserving a positive employee experience.

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle welcomes back Dr. Steve Yacovelli, also known as "The Gay Leadership Dude," for a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. With insights backed by data and real-world examples, Steve and Cindi explore the backlash against DEI efforts including potential challenges organizations will face and the unexpected impact of performative allyship. They further the conversation with the business case for inclusive leadership, the shifting generational perspective on workplace belonging and how leaders and allies can continue the drive for meaningful change.