What's Up At Work?

Is building a truly great workplace about perks and policies? Or about showing up and listening to the people who make the work happen?Meet Cindy Torres Essell, Chief People Officer at Heinen’s, the family-owned grocery company serving communities across Northeast Ohio. Cindy’s path to leadership didn’t follow a straight line, but each chapter shaped how she leads today: with curiosity, empathy, and a deep respect for her frontline teams.In this episode, Cindy shares how she works to connect corporate offices and stores under one associate-first culture. From spending days in the warehouse and production facilities to rethinking schedules so parents can be there when their kids get off the bus, she shows that culture doesn’t happen in a conference room, it happens by meeting people where they are.She and host Sam Clyde Schroeder talk about what it means to learn the business from the inside out, why flexibility matters more than ever, and how stepping into a new challenge at Heinen’s became the most meaningful experience of her career.Tune in to hear how Cindy is helping Heinen’s strengthen community, empower associates, and continue a tradition of care from store floor to leadership table. 01:00 Introductions02:00 Cindy’s background and path to HR04:00 The Heinen’s offer08:00 The First 90 Days09:00 Creating unity across departments12:00 Improving flexibility for associates15:00 Avoiding burnout  21:00 Performance management and providing feedback  27:00 Becoming the Board Chair of Jumpstart30:00 HR Hot Seat; Staying true to yourself, Heinen’s must-haves, diving in

Meet Austin Merk, President of Universal Oil, a nearly 150-year-old, 100% employee-owned organization. Universal Oil is a distributor of fuels and industrial lubricants serving customers across construction, manufacturing, and transportation, right here in Cleveland.In this episode, Austin shares what it looks like when a new leader takes the helm of a long-standing company and starts shaping its culture for the future. His story shows that building a great workplace doesn’t have to be complicated; small, intentional steps that bring people together and make work enjoyable can spark real lasting change.He joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to talk about how an ownership mindset drives employee engagement, why food is the great equalizer (yes, that includes company cook-offs!), and how bold moves, from tattoos to grand proposals, reflect a culture of trust and taking risks.Tune in to hear how Austin is helping Universal Oil keep its roots strong while fueling a new era of leadership and culture.Timestamps01:00 Introductions01:30 Austin’s background and original life path03:00 Proposing at a Cleveland Guardians game05:00 The benefits and consequences of risk-taking06:00 Advocating for yourself, “Closed mouths don’t get fed”07:00 Leading a 150-year-old company, and ‘We’ve always done it this way”09:30 People-first culture and ESOP definition and benefits12:30 Bringing people together and creating culture13:40 Using food as a culture builder and equalizer, company cookoffs and employee engagement16:30 Making small, intentional changes and listening to employees19:20 Growing in confidence as a young leader, being patient21:00 The ability to ask dumb questions, wear it on your sleeve23:00 I didn’t come this far to only come this far, the job is never done24:30 Being a first-time NorthCoast 99 Top Workplace winner 27:30 Building out HR and engaging within the company 30:00 HR Hot Seat: Big Blue Nation, tattoos, bread puddingERC: yourerc.comUniversal Oil: universaloil.com

What if your DEI work came with a revenue target, developed your next leaders, and grew the business at the same time?Kevin Clayton, Executive Vice President & Chief Impact and Equity Officer at the Cleveland Cavaliers, joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to show how DEI has become a core business strategy. Kevin breaks down equity as fixing systems like feedback, hiring, promotions, and compensation so people can do their best work. He shares how the Cavs tie impact to revenue scorecards, develop a leadership bench through the IDEAL Team, and steady culture after a tough playoff exit.We also dig into player-led community impact (including a scholarship partnership with Donovan Mitchell’s foundation and Huntington Bank), supplier diversity that gives back, the data behind theme nights, and why the right retail strategy moves real merchandise and fan engagement.Timestamps00:00 Intros & why “diversity as a lens” beats “diversity as a program”01:00 Kevin’s path from P&G sales to people & culture03:05 Defining terms: diversity, inclusion → belonging; equity as system-leveling05:10 The systems view: feedback, hiring, promotions, pay, and why people aren’t the “problem”06:20 “Leverage diversity as a business strategy”: tying impact to growth and KPIs08:05 Examples: supplier diversity, demographic retail strategy, authentic theme nights10:00 What the data showed (and why Pride/Women’s/Heritage nights lift merch & engagement)12:00 Culture during losing seasons: the 90-day assessment and launching the IDEAL Team16:10 Retention gaps for women/POC → EmpowHer TMRG and external leadership opportunities18:20 Renaming HR to People & Culture: signals, scope, and shared ownership of culture20:00 Leading through a playoff exit: grief, recovery rituals, and end-of-season recognition24:00 Player voice to impact: passion mapping, foundations, and a SPIDACARES x Huntington x Cavs scholarship26:00 HR Hot Seat highlights: leading from the front and the rear; everyday acts of courageLinks:ERC: https://www.yourerc.comCleveland Cavaliers: https://www.nba.com/cavaliers

She talks with host Sam Clyde Schroeder about simple ways to tell when work is merely uncomfortable versus truly unmanageable, how to design wellness efforts that actually help, what Gen Z needs to thrive, and how to better support working parents.Timestamps00:00 Welcome and why mental health shows up in performance, retention, and leadership01:00 Meet Dr. Lisa Damour and her focus on turning emotion into action03:00 What science says about stress and anxiety, and why that matters for managers05:00 A clear definition of mental health, feelings that fit the moment and healthy coping07:00 Generational differences, setting expectations without dismissing concerns10:00 What good wellness programs look like, real tools that aid recovery11:30 The strength training idea, growth requires stress and planned recovery14:30 Gen Z at work, culture, mentorship, and why in-person time still matters17:00 Helpful stress versus harmful stress, preventing chronic overload and burnout27:00 Working parents, the role of sleep, technology’s upsides and downsides, peer groupsIf this conversation helps you build a healthier workplace, please follow or subscribe to What’s Up at Work? Your feedback helps other leaders find the show.LinksERC: https://www.yourerc.comDr. Lisa Damour: https://drlisadamour.com

In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, host Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Jessica Jung, President of Oswald Companies, to talk about her path to leading one of the country’s top insurance firms. Jessica shares how rolling up your sleeves can model the kind of leadership people want to follow, how to find anyone’s “superpower,” and how leaders can create safe environments where people feel comfortable challenging the process. And don’t miss how she realized that outworking everyone isn’t sustainable (sound familiar?). This episode is part leadership masterclass, part reality check, and all about building a workplace people are drawn to. Timestamps & Topics 00:54 Jessica’s nontraditional career path to business 03:00 Managing people right out of college 05:45 The moment that changed her career trajectory (and her confidence) 10:58 Why “rolling up your sleeves” still matters in leadership 13:25 Advice for those stuck between wanting to grow and needing to keep learning 14:40 The importance of inviting doers and diverse voices into decision-making 16:40 How Oswald helps employees discover and apply their “superpowers” 19:10 What it takes to create a culture where people feel safe speaking up 22:00 Behind Oswald’s big move to a new HQ 25:00 What it means to be an employee-owner 27:30 How to make a less-than-glamorous industry feel magnetic 32:00 Supporting women and underrepresented voices 33:10 HR Hot Seat: Mel Robbins, staying grounded, and how to stop working your life away If you liked this episode, be sure to follow What’s Up at Work? wherever you get your podcasts. And if you’re enjoying the show, leave us a review or share it with a colleague, it helps more listeners discover the conversations we're having with real leaders building better workplaces. 🔗 Learn more about ERC: https://www.yourerc.com 🔗 Visit Oswald Companies: https://www.oswaldcompanies.com

There’s a side of military leadership most people never see—one built on trust, delegation, and learning through failure. Dave Banyard brings those lessons straight into his position as CEO. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Dave Banyard, President and CEO of MasterBrand, the largest residential cabinet manufacturer in North America. Before running a multi-billion-dollar company, Dave flew F/A-18 fighter jets for the U.S. Navy, and he brings a refreshingly candid take on leadership, decision-making, and culture from the cockpit to the factory floor. Hear how Dave translates military lessons into business leadership, builds trust across thousands of employees, and empowers his employees to make bold decisions. You’ll get his thoughts on delegation, transparency, coaching, and why being a CEO is a lot like building a jigsaw puzzle while finding all of the pieces. Timestamps 00:50 Dave’s path from fighter pilot to CEO 03:00 Motivating 18-year-olds to clean toilets and why presence matters in leadership 07:50 “No ranks in the air”: Decentralized decision-making and trust under pressure 09:30 Translating military purpose into company culture at MasterBrand 11:00 Why every process can be examined and designed for a better outcome 13:40 How manufacturing and military environments are more similar than you’d think 15:30 Breaking the habit of “delegating up” and teaching decision ownership 20:00 Transparency, failure, and why dancing around problems kills progress 22:30 Why every CEO needs a coach (and how Dave uses his) 25:00 The Churchill-inspired communication strategy Dave uses with his team 29:30 Becoming a public company: Dave’s take on leadership through transition 33:00 Redefining career paths with experiences over titles If you liked what you heard, be sure to subscribe to What’s Up at Work? and leave a quick review, it helps others find us and keeps these conversations going. New episodes come out regularly with insights from real leaders making an impact in their workplaces. 🔗 Learn more about ERC: www.yourerc.com 🔗 Visit MasterBrand: www.masterbrand.com

Kelly Keefe, President and CEO of ERC, shares the highs and lows of stepping into a new leadership role 30 days before the world shut down. She also shares strategies she’s used to connect more deeply, lead more intentionally, and tap into the power of her peers. You’ll hear about her non-traditional career path from Deloitte consultant to part-time HR volunteer to leading ERC, and how she navigated the organization through the worst of the pandemic. Kelly also shares why she believes data-driven decision-making is the secret sauce behind building better workplaces. During the conversation, she dives into lessons learned from her kids, explains how she structures her week to stay confident walking into any room, and gives insight into creating safe spaces for CEOs to swap stories (even tough ones like handling layoffs with dignity). Timestamps: 1:00 Career path and non-traditional entry into HR: Kelly’s journey from Deloitte to eight hours a week at ERC, eventually growing into a full-time leadership role. 3:00 Taking the CEO role just before COVID: stepping into a new leadership role in January 2020 and managing ERC’s shifting business model. 6:00 Shifting from reactive to proactive leadership: what “recovering” looked like by 2022 and why moving past return-to-office debates was important. 8:00 Building a professional network as a business strategy: why Kelly dedicates roughly 30 percent of her role to networking, and how she balances travel-heavy relationship-building with a leadership team she trusts. 11:00 Walking into any room with confidence: Kelly’s Sunday calendar prep ritual, scouting attire, looking up LinkedIn profiles, and her “look people in the eye” mantra her dad instilled. 13:00 Creating CEO peer groups and tackling layoffs: why it’s lonely at the top, how peer conversations help shape messaging for employees impacted by cuts, and why it’s important for leaders to have sounding boards. 17:00 Data-driven decision-making at ERC: how Kelly uses NorthCoast 99 survey data, compensation benchmarks, and ERC engagement scores to guide everything from mental health days to compensation philosophy. 20:00 Learning from the next generation: how Kelly’s son Connor runs a $2.7 million student-led venture at the University of Dayton, and why CEOs should listen to what young people are doing in business. 22:00 Trusted advisors outside the workplace: the value of gut checks with fellow CEOs, how to keep feedback confidential, and why “control what you can control” is important. 24:00 HR Hot Seat rapid-fire: pick-up-the-phone lessons; mom’s advice to “be stubborn enough to make it work”; core value of “facts over noise”; what drives Kelly crazy (left-lane slowpokes); and the wisest thing her kids have said. If Kelly’s perspective on leading through uncertainty, creating intentional peer spaces, or using data to build better cultures resonated, please subscribe to What’s Up at Work? and leave a review. It helps us reach more HR and business leaders who are looking for real-world strategies to improve their workplaces.

What convinced Matt Dailey to leave private equity and buy a chemical company on a handshake deal—would you take that leap? In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, host Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Matt Dailey, President and CEO of Royal Chemical, to talk about his bold transition from investment banker to manufacturing executive. You’ll hear how Matt targeted acquisition opportunities with disciplined daily outreach, won over a team through humility and trust, and then introduced a data-driven mindset into a 85-year-old chemical business—complete with digital scheduling, real-time dashboards, and an engagement reboot. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Matt’s winding path from PE advisor to CEO 01:00 Why stepping into manufacturing “transcends industry” fundamentals 02:00 The six-month “dating process”: 10 outreaches a day until Royal Chemical 04:00 Winning employee trust on day one (and why that matters) 12:00 Resetting engagement post-COVID with engagement surveys 14:00 Moving from paper-based to digital workflows on the plant floor 19:00 Tangible wins: shortening setup times and reducing rework 22:00 Advice for owners eyeing automation—expect friction, recruit the right champion 29:00 HR Hot Seat rapid-fire: caffeine, curveballs, and “I trust you” moments If you enjoyed Matt’s story and actionable leadership tips, be sure to subscribe to What’s Up at Work? and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps us bring you more conversations with the people shaping Northeast Ohio’s top workplaces. Learn more about ERC’s HR tools and resources at https://www.yourerc.com and explore Royal Chemical’s custom manufacturing solutions at https://www.royalchemical.com.

Is it possible for a nonprofit to pay above-market wages and still thrive? Kristin Warzocha, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, says yes—and she’s got the results to prove it. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Kristin joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to talk about building an award-winning culture in one of Northeast Ohio’s largest nonprofits. She shares how the Food Bank prioritizes competitive pay, builds connections across warehouse and office teams, and brings frontline staff into major strategic decisions. You’ll also hear about creative benefits, honest leadership habits, and how her team is responding to funding cuts with grit and heart. Timestamps 01:45 Kristin’s 24-year journey from volunteer to CEO 05:00 How the Food Bank distributes 54 million pounds of food a year 08:00 What makes the Greater Cleveland Food Bank a NorthCoast 99 winner 10:00 Why they raised their wage floor to $20/hour—and how they did it 12:45 Keeping culture strong across 180 staff and 16,000 volunteers 14:30 How quarterly shutdowns became a communication superpower 17:00 Supporting wellbeing with Calm app access, First Friday happy hours, and more 21:00 A fund for employees facing personal crises—modeled after Progressive 24:00 Leading through food program funding cuts and rising demand 27:30 Behind the scenes of their new Community Resource Center 32:00 Kristin’s advice for any leader: “Just love on your people.” If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to What’s Up at Work? on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review—your support helps other leaders find the show and build better workplaces. Learn more about today’s guests: ERC: https://www.yourerc.com Greater Cleveland Food Bank: https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org

"Leaders create the weather." That simple mindset, along with setting clear leadership expectations, continuous development, and defining the ideal leader can help you bridge the gap between training and real performance. Join host Sam Clyde Schroeder as she sits down with Scott Allen, PhD—a leadership consultant, educator, keynote speaker, and podcast host. In this episode, Scott shares his journey from academia to executive training and coaching, and dives into building effective leadership pipelines, aligning HR strategies, and creating a sustainable leadership development system that delivers measurable ROI. Listeners will hear everything from the challenges with one-off training sessions to real-world projects that drive organizational change, along with candid insights on turning small wins into bigger cultural shifts. Timestamps: 01:00 Scott’s background and his shift from teaching to working with leaders and professionals. 02:00 How Scott’s evolving career shapes his approach to leadership education. 06:00 Discussing conflict resolution, team building, and designing engaging workplace cultures. 07:00 Why sporadic training might not be enough and the need for a continuous leadership development system. 09:00 Aligning recruitment, onboarding, and performance management to boost ROI. 15:00 Measuring leadership growth with 360 feedback and hands-on projects. 19:00 The "leaders create the weather" mantra and its impact on workplace dynamics. 23:00 A rapid-fire HR Hot Seat session covering email habits, corporate buzzwords, and more. 26:00 Unexpected lessons from working with passionate leaders and the power of small wins. If you enjoyed these insights, be sure to subscribe to our channel and leave a review—it helps us continue delivering valuable conversations for HR and business leaders. Learn more about ERC at https://www.yourerc.com and learn more about Scott at https://www.scottjallen.net.

In our latest episode of “What’s Up at Work?” we talked with Chris Adams, President and CEO of Park Place Technologies. Host Sam Clyde Schroeder dives into Chris’s journey from CFO to CEO and how his data-driven approach is fueling the company’s exponential growth.You’ll hear firsthand insights on scaling culture during rapid expansion, integrating acquisitions, and creating a workplace that attracts and retains top talent—all while balancing remote work and in-office culture.Timestamps & Topics:00:00 – Introduction: Tackling leadership challenges and the importance of people in business growth01:00 – Chris’s evolution from CFO to CEO and the value of financial acumen02:00 – Transitioning operational roles: CFO to COO insights04:00 – Merging sales and operations 06:00 – Scaling a company without losing the unique culture00:08 – Strategies for smooth M&A integration and employee onboarding14:00 – The role of employee recognition and the impact of a well-executed incentive program20:00 – Balancing remote work and in-office collaboration for innovation25:00 – Investing in state-of-the-art headquarters and employee amenities31:00 – HR Hot Seat: Rapid-fire Q&A on leadership, feedback, and work-life balanceIf you enjoyed this episode of What's Up at Work?, be sure to subscribe and leave a review to help more leaders discover these valuable insights.Learn more about ERC at https://www.yourerc.com and Park Place Technologies at https://www.parkplacetechnologies.com.

Is your hiring process losing you top talent before you even make an offer? If you’re still waiting to “see just one more candidate,” you might already be too late. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, host Sam Clyde-Schroeder sits down with Blake Babcock, Vice President of Client Engagement at Staffing Solutions Enterprises, to unpack the realities of today’s hiring landscape. They discuss the biggest hiring mistakes that slow employers down—like waiting too long to make an offer—and how to fix them before losing great candidates. Blake shares tactical advice on how to stand out in a crowded job market, why defining what makes your workplace special is critical, and how to craft job offers that don’t get ignored. Plus, he breaks down the biggest missteps employers make when evaluating candidates and why the best hire might not check every box on your list. Episode Highlights & Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Blake Babcock and his accidental entry into the recruiting industry 02:30 – Are we in a candidate’s or employer’s market? Blake’s take on why hiring remains competitive 04:15 – The #1 mistake employers make when trying to attract talent 05:50 – Why hiring decisions mirror the sales funnel—and what to do about it 07:10 – The toughest roles to fill (and why it’s not about job titles) 09:00 – Compensation, benefits, and what really makes an offer competitive 12:45 – When to use a staffing firm vs. internal hiring teams 16:00 – How to ensure new hires don’t leave within their first 90 days 19:00 – Is AI coming for your job? The reality of automation in recruiting 23:30 – HR Hot Seat: Hired or Fired? Blake weighs in on Zoom cameras, unlimited PTO, and Gen Z lingo Hiring the right people starts with the right strategies. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to What’s Up at Work? and leave a review to help more leaders create thriving workplaces. 🔗 Learn more about ERC: https://www.yourerc.com 🔗 Learn more about Staffing Solutions Enterprises: https://www.staffingsolutionsenterprises.com

Episode Highlights & Timestamps:06:30 - Shaping a culture with core values: why guardrails matter more than lengthy mission statements12:15 - Retention, recruitment, and the power of investing in HR18:45 - Rapid growth: going from 300 to 600 employees in six months—what Josh learned21:25 - NorthCoast 99 recognition: how wellness benefits and employee groups pay off28:15 - Working with an executive coach: Josh’s “metronome” approach to consistent, clear strategy33:40 - Why it’s lonely at the top—and how to stay balanced, curious, and open to feedback36:30 - Rapid-fire “HR Hot Seat”: from Josh’s “cooler” to mandatory returns to the officeLike what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe to What’s Up at Work? and leave us a review. Your support helps us reach more HR and business leaders looking to create workplaces where people and profits thrive.Visit ERC:https://www.yourerc.comLearn about Medical Service Company:https://www.medicalserviceco.com

Episode Highlights & Timestamps:02:00 - Brian’s journey to CEO at Embrace and how embracing curiosity shaped his career08:30 - Happiness vs. fulfillment: why they’re not the same—and why it matters for leaders20:10 - The remote vs. in-office debate: Brian’s unique take on what really works for people25:20 - One hilariously messy “Bring Your Pet to Work” moment (spoiler: it involves a giant dog and Halloween costumes)32:45 - Key insights from Embrace’s engagement surveys and what they reveal about true culture42:10 - Practical advice for leaders: making time to connect, building trust, and showing genuine careEnjoyed this episode? Make sure you subscribe so you never miss real talk with top leaders on What’s Up at Work?. If you found value in Brian’s insights, please leave a review—it helps other leaders discover the podcast and join us on the journey to creating better workplaces.Visit ERC:https://yourerc.comLearn about Embrace Pet Insurance:https://www.embracepetinsurance.com