In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, host Julio Zelaya sits down with Dr. Marikay Forst , a distinguished alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer program with over 25 years of experience in learning and development, human resources, and organizational behavior. Dr. Forst shares her academic journey, including her decision to join the Penn CLO program after gaining substantial professional experience. The central theme of discussion is the role of organizational practices in enc...
May 29, 2025•36 min
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, hosted by Julio Zelaya , we meet Dr. Milana Hogan , the Chief Talent Officer at Sullivan and Cromwell, LLP. Dr. Hogan is an alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer (CLO) program at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a doctorate in work-based learning and development. The episode focuses on the role of grit and growth mindset in the success of women lawyers in big law firms. Dr. Hogan shares her groundbreaking research findings, which r...
Apr 28, 2025•43 min
In this episode of The Practitioner Scholar , host Jess Jones welcomes Dr. Carla Thomas, a former WNBA athlete turned leadership consultant and educator. Dr. Thomas shares her journey from professional sports to academia, exploring how empathy shapes workplace culture and enhances collaboration. She discusses the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership and the ways organizations can create environments that support growth, trust, and engagement. Drawing from her research and exper...
Feb 26, 2025•25 min
In this episode of The Practitioner Scholar, a Penn Chief Learning Officer podcast, hosts Maria Luisa Underwood and Lisa-Marie Aird interview Dr. Douglas Clayton, a visionary in corporate learning and culture transformation. Dr. Clayton, founder and CEO of Leadership Filmworks LLC, shares his journey through the Penn CLO program and how it shaped his unique approach to leadership development using filmmaking. He discusses the importance of storytelling in corporate learning and introduces his ev...
Jan 21, 2025•36 min
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar, host Julio Zelaya sits down with Dr. Janet Duliga, a distinguished executive and alumna of the Penn CLO Executive Program. Dr. Duliga, currently the Chief Corporate Officer at Prada Group, shares her extensive journey through law, psychology, and human resources, emphasizing her passion for organizational learning and leadership. They delve into Dr. Duliga's groundbreaking research on workplace fun, revealing that while management-sponsored events are...
Dec 04, 2024•44 min
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, hosted by Lisa-Marie Aird, Dr. Mark Kaestner, an alum of the Penn Chief Learning Officer program and VP at Ball Corporation, shares his insights on authentic leadership. He discusses his journey through the Penn CLO program, the essence of leadership authenticity, and strategies for building trust with teams. Dr. Kaestner highlights key elements such as open communication, consistency, active listening, and empathy as foundational for authenti...
Oct 24, 2024•26 min
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar, host Becca Clanton interviews Dr. Peg Klein , a distinguished alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer (CLO) program. Dr. Klein shares her unique journey from growing up near a Naval base to becoming a Navy officer and eventually an ethical leadership scholar. She discusses the impact of her early exposure to the military and aviation on her career, and the pivotal moment when she discovered her 'superpower'—a strong moral compass that guided her lea...
Sep 25, 2024•17 min
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, host Jess Jones interviews Dr. John 'Coach' Havlick, a retired Navy SEAL Captain, Hall of Fame swimmer, and Penn CLO graduate. They discuss Dr. Havlick's storied career, from college swimming and coaching at the Naval Academy to leading elite SEAL units and his subsequent career in consulting and academia. Dr. Havlick shares insights from his book 'The Leadership Killer' and his Ph.D. research on stress management in elite performers, providin...
Aug 21, 2024•28 min
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar, hosted by Lisa-Marie Aird, we welcome Dr. Lilian Ajayi Ore, a distinguished digital marketing strategist, top LinkedIn influencer, and humanitarian. Dr. Ajayi Ore, an alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer (CLO) program, shares her journey and insights from her extensive career in global diplomacy, corporate industry, consulting, and academia. The discussion centers around the importance of having a strategic digital presence for executives and eme...
Jul 17, 2024•28 min
In this enlightening episode of the Practitioner Scholar, Lisa-Marie Aird welcomes Dr. Raj Ramachardran, a trailblazer in leadership consulting and an alum of the Penn CLO program's first cohort. Amidst shared laughs and candid stories, they delve into pivotal leadership concepts for the modern age, examining both the challenges and transformative strategies essential for today's executives. Raj shares his personal journey from being legally blind to becoming a renowned consultant, igniting a pa...
Jun 09, 2024•39 min
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar, hosted by Melissa Monti, Dr. Ann Schulte, a Penn CLO program alumna and current Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Chief Learning Officer at Procter & Gamble, discusses the integration of AI in talent development and the importance of an always Beta mindset for continuous workplace innovation.
May 07, 2024•37 min
In this episode of 'Practitioner Scholar', host Lisa-Marie Aird dives into the realm of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) with Maria Luisa Garcia Underwood, a seasoned leader in education and organizational development. Maria, who serves as the CEO of M. Ideas Consulting Services and is also a current CLO student at Penn, shares her journey into DEIB, inspired by her personal experiences as an Afro-Cuban immigrant. The discussion spans Maria's deep-rooted passion for DEIB, her s...
Apr 05, 2024•59 min
In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar, Penn Chief Learning Officer podcast, host Melissa Monti talks with Dr. Kandi Wiens, a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the new book, 'Burnout Immunity.' Dr. Wiens, a graduate of the Penn CLO program, shares her experiences juggling work, school, and family life, leading to a life-threatening wake-up call due to stress. Discussing her research on burnout, emotional intelligence, and organizational resilience, Wiens explores...
Mar 06, 2024•41 min
In the inaugural episode of the Practitioner-Scholar, The Penn Chief Learning Officer Podcast, host Melissa Monti talks extensively with Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning and Talent Officer for BDO, a global consulting firm. Dr. Keating shares his challenging personal learning journey, having dropped out of formal schooling at 15 and subsequently recognizing the power of learning. They discuss Dr. Keating's detailed insights on effective and strategic learning in the business sector. Dr. Keating...
Feb 06, 2024•40 min
Introducing "The Practitioner-Scholar: The PennCLO Podcast," where we blend academic know-how with real-world practicality. In this series we dive into the strategies and success stories shaping organizational learning and leadership. From dissecting practitioner-scholar approaches to featuring standout individuals from our student and alumni circles, we bring you insights that matter. Whether you're a curious learner, an emerging leader, or a seasoned executive, this is your hub for intellectua...
Jan 30, 2024•51 sec
