What does it take to be a transformational CFO today? Former Citigroup Divisional CFO Roman Labutin shares how the role is evolving—blending data-driven decisions with people-first leadership, cross-cultural trust, and strategic partnerships with HR on comp, succession, and org design.
How can CFOs and CPOs drive better results—together? Robert Bendetti shares how finance-HR collaboration transforms workforce planning and performance. From incentive compensation to cross-functional strategy, learn how data, transparency, and aligned leadership fuel high-performing teams.
Is AI expertise more valuable than industry experience? Andrea Iorio explores how AI is reshaping hiring, leadership, and talent development. Learn why AI literacy matters, how to balance human and technical skills, and what it takes to future-proof your workforce in an AI-driven world.
How can online communities turn connection into capital? Maayan, TikTok superstar with over 1 billion views, shares how authentic engagement, content strategy, and social platforms drive loyalty, innovation, and sustainable business growth—proving you can build wealth from the ground up.
How can companies scale globally without losing local relevance? Hasan Kazmi of Visa shares how global strategy meets local execution—balancing trust, adaptability, and empowered teams to drive growth across diverse markets while staying connected to regional needs.
How is AI redefining leadership and the future of work? Enrique Rubio, founder of Hacking HR, explores how AI is reshaping workforce dynamics, leadership roles, and digital transformation. Learn what skills leaders need now and how to harness AI for innovation and strategic impact.
How can leaders build trust and courage across their teams? Angela Cheng-Cimini shares how psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and assumed trust empower employees to speak up, navigate hard conversations, and thrive in environments where openness and accountability go hand in hand.
What really happens to culture after a company is acquired? Bobby Kingsbury of MCM Capital Partners reveals what most leaders overlook during post-acquisition transitions—and how to re-engage leadership, motivate teams, and turn cultural disruption into long-term growth.
How can leaders build a workplace where people feel truly valued? Ophira Melamed, CEO of Nitrofix, shares strategies grounded in transparency, purpose, and respect. Learn how to boost morale, prevent burnout, and drive engagement through trust, clarity, and mission-aligned leadership.
How can companies achieve operational excellence in a hybrid world? BuzzFeed’s CPO Chandler Bondan shares how to lead with clarity, boost engagement, and build culture while leveraging HR strategy and AI to drive efficiency in today’s dynamic workplace.
In this episode, Valentina Agudelo Vargas, CEO of Salva Health and winner of TechCrunch Disrupt, discusses her journey of scaling a health tech startup while managing distributed teams. She shares valuable insights on the challenges of maintaining a unified culture, fostering communication across different cities, and overcoming the complexities of managing diverse teams. As a leader, Valentina emphasizes the importance of team alignment, executive coaching, and establishing clear communication ...
Stan Garber and Alex Yakubovich success comes from identifying real customer pain points and building solutions around them, like with Scout RFP and LevelPath. They emphasize the importance of a customer-centric approach and maintaining shared values in business partnerships. Their journey highlights the power of problem-solving, adaptability, and staying focused on providing value while scaling businesses. Take 5 seconds and sign up for my free newsletter:https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter....
In this episode, William Tincup emphasized the importance of fostering AI literacy across teams by encouraging exploration of AI tools like ChatGPT through weekly “AI show and tell” meetings. He also highlighted incentivizing innovation, such as competitions, to solve business problems with AI. Tincup stressed the need for organizations to prioritize AI adoption based on business needs and continuously evaluate its potential in automating or enhancing processes. Take 5 seconds and sign up for my...
In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Felicia Shakiba dives into one of today’s most pressing challenges: the critical shortage of cybersecurity talent in government agencies. With over 30,000 vacancies at the Department of Defense and a global gap of 4 million skilled cybersecurity professionals, the stakes are higher than ever. Felicia is joined by Katie Roberts, Founder and CEO of RPR Strategies, who brings deep experience from both public and private sector HR to discuss solutions. Take 5 seconds...
In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Felicia Shakiba sits down with Amir Moghadam to explore the intricate world of lingerie manufacturing and the leadership required to drive innovation in one of the most complex segments of the fashion industry. Amir shares how his team navigates diverse perspectives, leverages cutting-edge technology, and fosters a culture of collaboration to engineer products that achieve the elusive ‘perfect fit.’ Take 5 seconds and sign up for my free newsletter:https://www.cp...
In this episode, Women Leadership in the New Year, Jan Rutherford, founder of Crucible Expeditions and co-host of The Leadership Podcast, shares insights from his experiences leading leadership expeditions with veterans and executives, including a powerful reflection on an all-women’s expedition. Jan explores how self-awareness, personal responsibility, and team dynamics play out differently across genders and the unique strengths women bring to leadership roles. Take 5 seconds and sign up for m...
In this captivating episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Felicia Shakiba interviews Niels Juul, the founding member of Von Dutch and CEO of No Fat Ego Productions. Dive into Niels’ extraordinary journey, from his beginnings in Copenhagen's advertising scene to shaping a globally iconic fashion brand. Explore the Von Dutch success story and the pivotal role of authenticity in its rise. Niels shares valuable business insights on leadership communication, the challenges of brand misalignment, and how to mainta...
In this eye-opening episode, Marie Kare, Head of Creative at Global Business Brand at Reddit, bravely shares her personal journey through perimenopause and the profound impact it has had on her career dynamics. Marie delves into the challenges and changes she faced, offering practical advice on navigating perimenopause and career challenges with resilience. Take 5 seconds and sign up for my free newsletter:https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter. You’ll get a short email from me with exclusive in...
In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Felicia Shakiba sits down with Ashaki Rucker, SVP of Human Resources at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises & Latin America and Board Member at Amerant Bank. With an extensive career leading HR at Time Warner, and The Walt Disney Studios, Ashaki shares her deep insights into HR leadership to soften silos in the fast-paced media and entertainment industry. Take 5 seconds and sign up for my free newsletter:https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter. You’ll get a sho...
Even if you don’t recognize Anil Joshi by name, his insights on startup success have undoubtedly shaped how many founders navigate the tumultuous waters of entrepreneurship. As the founder of Unicorn India Ventures, Anil dives deep into the realities of startup life, revealing that only a small percentage of founders actually remain as CEOs through critical milestones, with only 25% making it to an IPO. Take 5 seconds and sign up for my free newsletter:https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter. You...
In this CPO PLAYBOOK episode, we sit down with Grant Halloran, CEO of Planful, to explore the vital role of workplace culture in achieving organizational success. Grant passionately discusses how a strong culture, built and sustained with intention, can keep performance high even through tough times. He shares the key actions Planful has taken, such as recruiting leaders who are aligned with the company’s vision, creating a culture book to guide employee behavior, and embedding values into every...
Today we’re diving into something that might not be discussed as usual—though it’s still a growing concern! We’re talking about teacher turnover in early education, and how it’s bothering preschools and daycares everywhere. In this episode, Jen Shpall, Director of Piper Preschool, explains why turnover rates are so high in early childhood education. Spoiler alert: it’s not just the low pay or lack of union support—it’s also the burnout that is not taken care of somehow. Take 5 seconds and sign u...
You’ve heard plenty about mergers and acquisitions, but do you understand the pivotal role of cultural management in driving their success? In this CPO PLAYBOOK episode, we welcome Jochen Werne, CEO of Experian DACH, who shares insights from his experience leading acquisitions during the COVID pandemic. Drawing from a McKinsey article by Ignacio Fantaguzzi and Christopher Handscomb, Jochen emphasizes how M&A deals with strong cultural management significantly outperform others. Take 5 second...
When it comes to navigating the complexities of today’s talent landscape, one pressing question arises: how can companies effectively implement total reward strategies? In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, we delve into the intricacies of total reward strategies with John Radford, founder of Radford Surveys. As we explore the challenges of pay equity and pay transparency, John sheds light on the growing trend where new hires often command higher salaries than existing employees, showing pay gaps. Ta...
When you hear "Chief People Officer," you might not think of the intricate dance of leadership alignment and company growth, but that's exactly the journey Pat Walsh undertook at Potbelly Sandwich Works. In this episode, we welcome Pat, who shares how he helped transform Potbelly's mission, vision, and values to lay a robust foundation for the company’s ambitious growth plans. Take 5 seconds and sign up for my free newsletter:https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter. You’ll get a short email from ...
What does it take to lead successful global expansion? Naveen Kumar, CEO of Nityo Corporation, shares how he navigated cultural complexity, resource management, and internal alignment to scale a global enterprise across diverse markets.
What happens when top talent turns toxic? Robert Gardner, CEO of Rebalance Earth, explores how even high performers can damage team dynamics—and shares strategies for early detection, setting clear expectations, and protecting culture without compromising performance.
How can people analytics drive real impact in your organization? Bryce Hoover, former Head of People Analytics at Tesla, shares why purpose, structure, and direct alignment with HR leadership are key to building a data-driven culture that empowers leaders and drives strategic success.
How can effective succession planning boost performance and investor returns? Alim Dhanji and Michael Rossi share how they executed a smooth leadership transition at Adidas Canada—highlighting strategies that preserve culture, ensure continuity, and elevate long-term value.
How can leadership development fuel retention and growth? Jill Waite, CPO at Portillo’s, shares how the Ignite Program builds internal talent, strengthens core leadership skills, and preserves company culture—driving higher engagement and supporting Portillo’s expansion beyond Chicago.
