Welcome to the HR Empowerment Podcast. Join our team of industry experts today as they share strategies, insights and regulatory updates that are designed to keep you ahead of the curve.
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Aurora Training Advantage Podcasts
Grit explores what it takes to create, build, and scale world-class organizations. It features weekly episodes highlighting the leaders who are pushing their companies to make a difference. This series is hosted by Joubin Mirzadegan, go to market operating partner at Kleiner Perkins, a venture capital firm investing in history-making founders.
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Recruiting Is a Project, Not Just a Job Opening
31:33
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31:33Recruiting isn’t just about filling a seat, it’s about managing a process. Wendy Sellers and Donna Beckett dive into why upfront planning, clear evaluation tools, and attention to soft skills lead to better hires. Plus, hear the hiring misstep Donna sees time and time again.By Aurora Training Advantage
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The Travel Giant Built on Billions of Reviews | Steve Kaufer on TripAdvisor
1:12:56
1:12:56
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1:12:56How did Tripadvisor become every traveler’s starting point? Steve Kaufer joins Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit to break down how Tripadvisor became the internet’s trusted travel companion, built on over a billion reviews and decades of trust. He also shares why early personalization fell short and how AI is finally doing what travel agents once did by un…
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Wendy Sellers talks with Dr. Benjamin Ritter about how to take initiative and show leadership—even if you're not the one in charge. Learn why leadership is more about mindset and action than job titles, and how you can start influencing others today.By Aurora Training Advantage
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The Expert Network Behind Handshake AI’s Model Training w/ Garrett Lord & Mamoon Hamid
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1:02:00
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1:02:00Guests: Garrett Lord, co-founder and CEO of Handshake; and Mamoon Hamid, partner at Kleiner Perkins. Handshake set out to democratize career opportunity. In the process, it unlocked something more: a high-trust expert network built on verified talent and earned trust. This week on Grit, Garrett Lord shares how what began as a platform for student j…
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Future-Proofing HR: Navigating 2025’s Workforce with Darcie Gregoire
32:31
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32:31Wendy Sellers and Darcie Gregoire dive into the future of HR, highlighting how leaders can prepare for workforce changes in 2025. They discuss innovative engagement tactics and the importance of agility in a post-pandemic world.By Aurora Training Advantage
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How Plaid Turned a Failed $5.3B Deal with Visa into Momentum | Zach Perret (Plaid)
1:04:28
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1:04:28Zach Perret saw a fintech explosion coming—and built the rails before it arrived. On this week’s Grit, the Plaid co-founder and CEO retraces his path from building tools for developers to linking the world’s largest banks, and how a failed $5.3B acquisition by Visa became a launchpad. He unpacks the pressure of operating in a tightly regulated indu…
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Breaking Barriers: Jeff Arseneaux on Championing Disability Inclusion
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33:07In this inspiring episode, host Wendy Sellers talks with Jeff Arseneaux—author, speaker, and disability inclusion consultant—about the importance of embracing disability in the workplace. Drawing from his 49 years of lived experience with cerebral palsy, Jeff shares personal stories and practical advice for creating inclusive, supportive environmen…
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Episode 250: AI Special Featuring Sierra, Harvey, Windsurf & More
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54:05Six leaders from across tech — from SaaS and semis to law and logistics — come together for our 250th episode milestone in this very special AI recap, where we unpack how new advances are transforming the way industries function, and how work gets done. Featuring: • Bret Taylor (Sierra Co-founder) • Winston Weinberg (Harvey Co-founder and CEO) • Ma…
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AI and the Extended Workforce: A New Era with Colleen Tiner
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34:26In this episode, host Wendy Sellers is joined by Colleen Tiner, Chief Product Officer at Beeline, to explore how AI is transforming the management of the extended workforce. Colleen shares her perspective on the evolving role of AI in optimizing talent strategies beyond traditional employment models. Together, they uncover common challenges busines…
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How Imprint Is Reinventing Credit Cards for Modern Brands | Daragh Murphy
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55:56Daragh Murphy is giving brands their own credit-card platform—no legacy bank required. On this week’s Grit, the Imprint co-founder and CEO traces the leap from being a junior lawyer to closing nine-figure card deals. He breaks down the hidden economics of credit-card loyalty, the discipline of treating capital “like the last dollar,” and how AI wil…
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Leading with Reputation: A Strategic Edge for Emerging Leaders
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30:34Charlotte Otter joins Wendy Sellers to discuss how leaders can use reputation as a strategic asset. From visibility challenges to the importance of authentic storytelling, this episode provides actionable insights for HR professionals and aspiring executives navigating today's digital landscape.By Aurora Training Advantage
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GitLab’s CEO on Why the Next Great Developer Might Not Write Code | Bill Staples
1:05:16
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1:05:16Bill Staples has spent 30 years redefining how the world writes, ships, and secures code. On this week’s Grit, the GitLab CEO shares what it takes to lead a public, all-remote DevSecOps company trusted by more than half of the Fortune 100. He breaks down the discipline of managing energy instead of hours, why weekly operating cadences beat quarterl…
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Cultivating Sustainable Energy in Life, Business & Leadership
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32:43
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32:43Join Wendy Sellers and guest Teany Hidalgo for an empowering discussion on overcoming burnout and reclaiming your energy. Learn how to foster resilience and lead with vitality in both your professional and personal lifeBy Aurora Training Advantage
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Stord’s Plan to Take on Amazon’s Logistics Advantage | Sean Henry
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58:23What does it take to build the logistics backbone for the next generation of commerce? Sean Henry, founder and CEO of Stord, joins Kleiner Perkins partner Ilya Fushman and Grit host Joubin Mirzadegan to talk about scaling a national fulfillment network that now moves 50 million packages a year and reaches 15% of U.S. households. They explore how St…
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Family, Focus, and 350M Users: Inside Zoom with Eric Yuan
1:14:47
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1:14:47Eric Yuan turned a simple belief into Zoom, the platform that kept the world moving through a once-in-a-century shutdown and redefined modern work. On this episode of Grit, the Zoom CEO shares why velocity beats size, how a family-first ethos powered his leadership during COVID, and why the coming wave of AI dwarfs the original internet boom. He de…
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Coaching Cultures & Mindful Leadership: A Conversation with Melissa SeveranceMelissa Severance joins host Wendy Sellers to discuss how coaching cultures and mindfulness can reshape leadership and organizational ...
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32:09Melissa Severance joins host Wendy Sellers to discuss how coaching cultures and mindfulness can reshape leadership and organizational success. Learn how strategic HR efforts can lead to higher engagement and lasting impact in today’s evolving workplace.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Climbing the Ladder: Smarter Pay Strategies for Skill Growth
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36:13Wendy Sellers talks with Scott Trumpolt about why every HR leader needs a clear compensation strategy. They dive into how to build career ladders, reward skill growth, and avoid the most common mistakes that derail pay programs.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Bret Taylor’s Journey Leading Salesforce, Sierra & OpenAI
1:29:48
1:29:48
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1:29:48Over the past two decades, Bret Taylor has quietly helped shape the arc of Silicon Valley. From co-creating Google Maps to steering Facebook, Salesforce, and OpenAI, he’s been behind some of the most consequential products in tech. Now, with his new company Sierra, he’s starting from zero—again. In this conversation, Bret opens up about how founder…
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Bridging Generational Gaps: A New Approach to Leadership
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33:51
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33:51Dr. Meghan M. Grace joins Wendy Sellers to unpack how generational dynamics shape workplace culture and leadership. From common misconceptions to the power of reverse mentoring, this conversation offers practical advice for building stronger, cross-generational teams.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Inside Aurora’s Push to Make Autonomous Trucking Real | Chris Urmson
1:30:38
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1:30:38Chris Urmson has spent the last 20 years pushing the limits of autonomous driving—first at Carnegie Mellon’s DARPA Grand Challenge team, then as co-founder of Google’s self-driving car project, now Waymo. On this week’s episode, the Aurora CEO retraces that journey—from building robot cars in the desert to leading a public company pioneering driver…
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From Scaling Cisco to Seeding AI: John T. Chambers on Speed, Strategy, and Reinvention
1:27:08
1:27:08
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1:27:08John Chambers led Cisco through the rise of the internet—transforming it into the world’s most valuable company at its peak. On this week’s Grit, the former Cisco CEO unpacks how he scaled the business from $70M to $50B+, pioneered M&A as a growth strategy with 180 acquisitions, and built what many called the best sales force in tech. Now leading h…
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Designing Mobility and Fitness-for-Duty Programs for an Aging Workforce
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35:25When it comes to fitness-for-duty programs, how do you balance safety, aging, and equity? Wendy Sellers and guest Zoe Ridenour break down practical strategies to design workplace mobility assessments that are fair, effective, and legally sound. Learn how to protect your workforce—and your company—by focusing on ability, not age.…
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Building Psychological Safety and Trust Through Coaching
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33:24
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33:24Wendy Sellers welcomes expert coach Georgina Woudstra to discuss how coaching practices help build psychological safety and trust in teams. Georgina explains how coaches can guide teams toward deeper connection and performance by creating spaces where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and collaborate authentically.…
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How Matt Murphy Made Marvell Essential to AI and Cloud
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1:25:07Matt Murphy transformed Marvell from a broad-based chip supplier into a $100B data infrastructure leader—powering the rise of AI, cloud, 5G, and custom silicon. On this week’s Grit, the Marvell CEO shares how he refocused the company’s strategy, led major acquisitions like Inphi ($10B) and Cavium ($6B), and positioned Marvell at the center of the n…
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Empowering the Middle: A New Take on Leadership and Culture
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33:09Wendy Sellers sits down with Cheryl Grace to uncover the untapped potential of middle managers in transforming workplace culture. Learn how shifting leadership perspectives can lead to better employee retention and a more authentic work-life integration.By Aurora Training Advantage
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HubSpot CEO on the Future of SaaS, AI, & Leading Through Change
1:17:15
1:17:15
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1:17:15From a 350-square-foot home in South India to leading HubSpot, a $30B CRM powerhouse, Yamini Rangan’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, Yamini shares how she’s guiding HubSpot through a post-pandemic shift toward product-led growth, the hard-won lessons behind building go-to-market alignment, and why human-centric leadership …
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Agile Performance Management: Driving Growth Through Continuous Feedback
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31:10
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31:10Wendy Sellers and Sarah Katherine Schmidt break down the essentials of agile performance management. Learn how real-time feedback and flexible goal setting can empower your team and elevate performance.By Aurora Training Advantage
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From White House to Wall Street: David Rubenstein
1:11:10
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1:11:10David Rubenstein helped pioneer modern private equity—building The Carlyle Group into a $400B global investment firm from a modest D.C. office and a relentless fundraising streak. But beyond PE, his legacy spans presidential libraries, historic American artifacts, and a lifelong obsession with civic contribution. In this episode, David shares how h…
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Attracting Top Talent: Aligning Culture, Brand, and Strategy
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31:01
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31:01Join host Wendy Sellers, "The HR Lady," as she discusses employer branding and recruiting strategies with Kathleen Steffey, CEO of Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search. Learn how aligning your company's culture and values with your hiring approach can attract and retain the best talent in today's competitive market.…
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No Reset Button: Reinventing Amplitude in a Post-AI World (Spenser Skates)
1:17:16
1:17:16
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1:17:16Amplitude helped define the modern analytics stack, powering digital products with deep behavioral insights. But in a world shifting toward agentic interfaces and vertically integrated AI, even a category leader has to evolve. In this episode, CEO Spenser Skates shares how he’s rethinking AI within the constraints of a 13-year-old codebase, why ana…
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Marijuana in the Workplace and How it Affects HR & Safety
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30:56As marijuana use becomes more common—both medically and recreationally—employers face new challenges in maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. This episode dives into the practical implications for HR and safety teams, from navigating state laws to updating drug policies and handling screenings with care.…
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Flexport’s Third Act: Winning in a Broken Global Trade System
1:43:28
1:43:28
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1:43:28Flexport was a breakout success—reimagining global trade with tech at its core. But when the freight market cooled and efficiency overtook service, things started to unravel. Founder Ryan Petersen stepped aside, handing the CEO role to former Amazon exec Dave Clark. Months later, he was back at the helm. In this episode, Ryan explains what went wro…
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Get Clarification on DEI due to the new stance by the EEOC
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33:29We will discuss the announcements, two new EEOC publications, and 11 Tips on 11 ways to diversify your workforce without engaging in unlawful discriminationBy Aurora Training Advantage
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Brex 3.0: Inside the Radical Turnaround with Pedro Franceschi
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1:35:00
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1:35:00Guest: Pedro Franceschi Pedro Franceschi is the co-founder and CEO of Brex, a fintech company reshaping how businesses manage their finances. Originally from Brazil, Pedro went from teenage hacker to leading one of the most well-known names in modern financial technology—building a platform trusted by startups and enterprises alike. In this episode…
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Measuring Success: The Impact of Leadership in Change
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7:25How do we know if the change has been successful? We wrap up by discussing the key metrics leaders should use to measure the effectiveness of their coaching and consulting efforts during times of transformation.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Building Resilient Teams During Transformation
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8:35Transformation can be a heavy lift for teams. In this segment, we discuss how leaders can use coaching and consulting to help build resilience, foster collaboration, and ensure that their teams thrive during organizational shifts.By Aurora Training Advantage
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The Power of a Strategic Consulting Approach
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8:22
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8:22Consulting helps leaders gain a fresh perspective on their challenges. This part delves into how strategic consulting can uncover opportunities for growth and guide leaders in making informed decisions during times of change.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Transitions often create uncertainty, but with the right coaching, leaders can find their footing. We explore how coaching can help leaders manage the emotional and strategic aspects of transitions.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Change is inevitable, but it’s the leader's ability to guide through it that makes all the difference. In this segment, we discuss the foundational principles of leading change with clarity and confidence.By Aurora Training Advantage
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From India to Silicon Valley: The Jay Chaudhry & Zscaler Story
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56:44By Kleiner Perkins
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The Unlikely Path to Building a Billion-Dollar Gov Tech Company | Zac Bookman
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1:16:13Guest: Zac Bookman, CEO and Co-Founder of OpenGov Thirteen years after co-founding the government transparency startup OpenGov, Zac Bookman is still finding ways to surprise people. In 2024, Cox Enterprises bought the company for $1.8 billion — but as far as Zac is concerned, “we’re just getting started.” “ I left the vast majority of my net worth …
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Building Your Bench: Practical Succession Planning
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8:20We explore practical succession planning strategies to ensure your organization is prepared for leadership transitions and sustained success.By Aurora Training Advantage
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We discuss the ins and outs of managing FMLA time-off to ensure your organization supports employees while keeping operations on track.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Employee Discipline for Conduct Outside of Work
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8:53We explore the complexities of disciplining employees for off-duty behavior, balancing legal considerations with maintaining workplace integrity.By Aurora Training Advantage
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We dive into the evolving world of recruiting and hiring trends to help you stay ahead in today’s competitive job market.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Essential Job Functions: Ensuring Compliance and Clarity with the ADA
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9:07We break down how defining essential job functions not only meets ADA requirements but also sets clear expectations for your workforce.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Bootstrapped to $12B: Mailchimp’s Ben Chestnut on Life After the Exit
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1:11:11Guest: Ben Chestnut, Former CEO and Co-Founder of Mailchimp If you find yourself selling your startup, then Mailchimp co-founder Ben Chestnut has some important advice for you: Get a dog. When Intuit bought Mailchimp in 2021 for $12 billion, the company asked Ben if he wanted to stay on as CEO, but he chose to “walk off into the sunset” and let the…
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Meet the Man Who’s Making Supersonic Flight Possible Again | Blake Scholl
1:28:45
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1:28:45Guest: Blake Scholl, Founder & CEO of Boom Supersonic “Passion and drive trumps knowledge and experience,” says Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl. Long before he was running Boom — which earlier this year successfully tested the world’s first privately-developed supersonic jet — he was enabling “the world’s most obnoxious spam cannon” at Groupon, or…
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The Future of HR – Trends and Innovations on the Horizon
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8:30Morgan offers her perspective on where HR is headed, touching on emerging trends and how leaders can prepare for the future of work.By Aurora Training Advantage
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Cultivating Culture – Fostering Engagement and Inclusion
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7:35We discuss the elements of a thriving company culture, with Morgan sharing her insights on building environments where employees feel valued and engaged.By Aurora Training Advantage
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