The Accidental Advocate: How Jenn Thompson Is Revolutionizing Hiring At VF Corp Driven By Purpose podcast

The Accidental Advocate: How Jenn Thompson Is Revolutionizing Hiring at VF Corp

7d ago 25:41

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In this episode of Driven by Purpose, we sit down with Jenn Thompson—Senior HR Manager at VF Corp (Vans, The North Face, Dickies, Timberland)—who's become an “accidental advocate” for hiring people with disabilities. What began as a practical HR decision turned into a powerful movement. Jenn shares how she built an inclusive culture that not only improves lives, but outperforms traditional workforces. With 15% of her staff identifying as having a disability, Jenn reveals the real business impact of inclusive hiring and why this model is the future of work.

We dive into:

▫️ How job trials replaced interviews

▫️ Why her warehouse team includes employees with autism, deafness, and more

▫️ The business advantage of hiring people with disabilities

▫️ Cultural transformation through inclusion

▫️ Jenn’s journey from HR pro to purpose-driven champion

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27 episodes