Are you a Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) or business leader passionate about transforming your organization's people experience and culture? Do you aim to be an effective change agent? Welcome to 'Blu Thread Conversations', the go-to podcast designed for HR leaders actively shaping and creating impact for their organizations.
Crafted for passionate CHROs and HR leaders, ‘Blu Thread Conversations’ offers valuable insight on how your employer brand strategy and Employer Value Proposition (EVP) can drive measurable business impact by elevating employee experience, accelerating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and reducing organizational risk by ensuring a robust pipeline of top talent.
Each episode on 'Blu Thread Conversations' features insightful conversations with top HR, Marketing, and Communications leaders from some of the world's top organizations. Together we will share experiences and learnings from building impactful human-centred people strategies and lessons on how to activate thriving performance-based cultures. As listeners, you'll gain firsthand experiences and helpful lessons from these change agents as they champion Employer Brand & Culture strategies that drive business impact.
'Blu Thread Conversations' aims to empower HR leaders and their C-suite colleagues with the knowledge and tools they need to transition the HR function from an administrative role to a valuable strategic partner that drives meaningful impact across the organization.
Listen to ‘Blu Thread Conversations’ for tangible, real-world examples of creating organizational impact by designing, communicating, and activating winning employer brand strategies and culture initiatives. Our conversations will help provide you with investment direction on the people program that will drive the most meaningful impact and will help you inspire talent across the organization to create a sense of belonging, pride, and connection.
Let’s weave a powerful narrative around the intersection of people, culture, and performance.
Join us at ‘Blu Thread Conversations’.
More on Blu Ivy Group:
Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures.
Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders.
Rebuilding Trust: What to Do After a Reputation Crisis
Season 2 · Episode 7
Friday, September 26, 2025 • Duration 23:07
Blu Thread Conversations Ep.16
When workplace trust is broken, the stakes are high — for leaders, employees, and your organization’s reputation. In this episode of Blu Thread Conversations, Blu Ivy Group founders and global employer brand experts Leandra Harris and Stacy Parker share what leaders must do when their company faces a reputation crisis.
Why this matters: 63% of a company’s market value is tied to reputation 75% of crises are “smoldering” for 12–18 months before they explode Trust is the foundation of culture, leadership credibility, and long-term business performance
You’ll Learn: The “golden hour” after a crisis and why speed + humility matter How CEOs and leadership teams can rebuild credibility with employees and customers Why visibility and listening are more powerful than polished PR What to do when you are the problem as a leader Long-term strategies to prevent reputation risks with employer brand and culture consulting
At Blu Ivy Group, we’ve worked with organizations across the U.S., Canada, and globally to strengthen culture, repair trust, and elevate employer brands that attract and retain top talent. If your organization is searching for an employer brand consulting firm in the USA or Canada, or the most reputable experts in employer branding and culture worldwide, Blu Ivy Group is here to help. 🌐 Learn more: https://www.bluivygroup.com 📩 Contact us: https://bluivygroup.com/contact-us/
S01E07 - The CHRO and People Leaders Crisis: A Call to Action for CEOs
Season 1 · Episode 7
Monday, July 22, 2024 • Duration 36:07
In this episode of Blu Thread Conversations, host James Powell sits down with Stacy Parker, co-founder and Managing Director of Blu Ivy, to discuss the alarming findings of their latest white paper, "The CHRO and People Leaders Crisis: A Call for CEOs to Act."
Dive deep into the critical challenges CHROs and People Leaders face, including burnout, mental health issues, and a significant drop in strategic focus. This episode is a must-listen for CEOs who need to understand the urgent call to action to support their HR leaders and ensure organizational stability and growth.
Key Takeaways
Burnout and Mental Health Crisis:
A staggering 58% of CHROs and People Leaders report burnout, mental health challenges, and exhaustion as their top issues. This crisis is exacerbated by the lack of support and resources, leaving HR leaders struggling to maintain their well-being while supporting others in the organization.
Strategic Focus Eroded:
Many CHROs are spending less than 10% of their time on strategic initiatives due to the constant need to manage crises and operational emergencies. This shift from strategic planning to immediate issue management poses a significant risk to long-term business transformation and readiness for future challenges.
Loneliness and Isolation in Leadership:
CHROs often experience profound loneliness and isolation, unable to share the burdens they carry due to the confidential nature of their work. This isolation contributes to the overall stress and burnout, as they lack a support network within their organizations
Importance of Listening and Support:
The research highlights the power of listening to CHROs and People Leaders. Many HR leaders feel unheard and unsupported, which contributes to their dissatisfaction and burnout. CEOs must prioritize listening to their HR leaders, understanding their challenges, and providing the necessary support to help them thrive.
S01E06 - How Recruitment Marketing Helps Our Healthcare Shortages with Sunnybrook
Season 1 · Episode 6
Monday, May 20, 2024 • Duration 47:54
Join Greg Whitfield and Stacy Parker as they dive into an enlightening conversation with Kristen Winter, EVP of Programs, People, and Leadership at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
Join us on a deep dive into the heart of healthcare leadership as we explore the pivotal role of employer branding in recruitment and retention. Discover how Sunnybrook's commitment to culture, innovation, and community impact has transformed their approach to attracting top talent.
Learn about Sunnybrook’s unique culture of humility, teamwork, and the profound impact they have on patients and their families. Kristen shares insights on building a robust employer brand media strategy and the importance of a people-centric approach in transforming healthcare talent recruitment.
Key Takeaways:
The Importance of Employer Brand Media in Recruitment and Retention
Holistic Recruitment Strategies in Healthcare
The Role of Leadership and Active Listening
Strategic Media Partnerships and Cross Org Collaboration
Resilience and Adaptability in the Healthcare Sector
Whether you're an HR professional, a leader in healthcare, or simply passionate about organizational excellence, this episode is a masterclass in aligning people, culture, and performance for measurable business success.
Chapters:
(02:57) Healthcare industry has gone through a lot of change recently
(03:31) Kristen Winter's WHY
(09:23) Sunnybrook has really risen above in terms of culture
(12:25) Sunnybrook Health need to amplify recruiting during the pandemic
(15:46) Blu Ivy used social media to target healthcare recruitment audience
(17:59) Employer branding is vital for attraction AND retention
(23:16) One of the biggest constraints around recruiting and retaining top talent is budget
S01E05 - Turning EVP insights into Action at Arbor Memorial
Season 1 · Episode 5
Monday, April 22, 2024 • Duration 41:50
In this transformative episode of Blu Thread Conversations, we delve into the heart of organizational culture with Leslie Kobayashi, Vice President of Human Resources at Arbor Memorial.
Leslie discusses the pivotal role of listening to employees, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and the integration of the EVP into every facet of the employee lifecycle. From engaging long-tenured employees to attracting the next generation of talent, Leslie's insights reveal the transformative impact of a well-articulated EVP on engagement, retention, and recruitment.
Key Takeaways:
- Authenticity and employee listening are key to developing an EVP that truly reflects organizational culture.
- Strategic partnerships between HR and marketing can elevate employer branding and internal culture initiatives.
- Recognition and rewards, rooted in the EVP, can significantly boost employee engagement and advocacy.
- An EVP is not just a recruitment tool but a foundational element that should permeate all aspects of the employee experience.
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📋 Episode Chapters
(04:20) Arbor Memorial is a Canadian leader in the bereavement industry
(07:01) Arbor started the process of building an employee value proposition
(08:53) Arbor listened to employees about what their why is
(10:17) The number one reason for Gen Zs to join an organization is social impact
(14:23) You've made employee testimonials a core part of Arbor's culture
(25:01) Having a strategic partnership between HR and marketing can boost your brand
(28:51) Getting executives aligned on employer brand
(31:18) Getting your EVP activated is easy once you've gone through the work
S01E04 - Culture by Design: Building a Magnetic Employer Brand at ATB
Season 1 · Episode 4
Monday, March 25, 2024 • Duration 29:12
Are you striving to create an employer brand that truly stands out? In our latest episode, we sit down with Jackie Whitson, Director, Culture & Employer Brand and Tess McLeod, Associate Director, Culture-to-Brand, from ATB Financial to explore the ins and outs of building a magnetic employer brand.
They share their award-winning strategies, the importance of intentional culture, and the power of employee advocacy. Learn how ATB's approach to employer branding has led to a high-performance culture and a robust pipeline of top talent. Don't miss these invaluable insights – listen now to elevate your organization's employer brand strategy!
📋 Episode Chapters
(02:30) How ATB approaches employer branding
(06:58) ATB brings both brand and HR culture teams together to support employer brand strategy
(10:54) Activating your employer brand with intention
(13:47) How to find internal employee advocates
(15:15) ATB's employee advocate training program to empower its employees to share on social media
(18:30) ATB's advice for other CHRO and employer branding leaders
(19:42) What's next on ATB's employer brand journey
(22:33) How do you ensure your value proposition is lived internally before sharing externally
(24:45) Episode reflection for CHROs
About ATB Financial:
ATB Financial is a leading financial institution that started in Alberta, Canada that has been recognized as a Great Place To Work for the past 8 years. Today, ATB has over 5000 team members serving over 800,000 clients across our personal and business banking areas, ATB wealth management and ATB Capital Markets.
✍️ Episode References
ATB Financial
S01E03 - People First Cultures
Season 1 · Episode 3
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 • Duration 41:39
In today's episode of Blu Thread Conversations, we unravel the fabric of an iconic company on their journey to becoming a people-first organization with Wajax's Chief People Officer, Mark Edgar. With a storied career in HR and a passion for positive change, Mark discusses the transformative power of a strong employer brand and employee value proposition.
Learn how Wajax is navigating the complexities of employee expectations, technological advancements, and the ever-evolving landscape of work. This candid conversation offers invaluable insights for HR, brand, and communication leaders looking to weave a stronger, more resilient organizational culture.
(00:00) Blue Thread Conversations is podcast designed for transformational leaders reshaping organizations
(02:31) Leandra: Welcome to our third podcast on Blu Thread conversations
(04:50) Mark is a recovering CHRO who joined Wajax in 2011
(06:41) Mark spent three and a half years in consulting before joining Wajax
(10:12) You've spoken about macro trends including changing employee expectations
S01E02 - 2024 Employer Brand & Culture Trends
Season 1 · Episode 2
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 • Duration 57:41
As we kick off 2024, we've asked Blu Ivy Group co-founders Stacy Parker and Leandra Harris to join us to share their expert insights as employer brand and culture leaders for what they see coming in the year ahead.
Together, Stacy and Leandra have expertly weaved and created employer brand and culture strategies for over 200 companies around the world, working with some of the most recognizable brand names in retail, financial services, energy, health, hospitality, and technology as they work towards their vision of creating a world of human-centered and high-performance workplaces.
In this episode of Blu Thread Conversations, hosted by James Powell, you'll learn how CHROs and C-Suite teams can use their employer brand and the EVP as a strategic framework for business impact and dive into the top employer trends and culture trends of the year.
More about Blu Ivy Group
Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures.
Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders.
S01E01 - Mattamy Homes: For those who want to build a better world
Season 1 · Episode 1
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 • Duration 28:27
Welcome to today’s episode of ‘Blu Thread Conversations’ My name is Stacy Parker, co-founder of Blu Ivy Group, and I'll be your host for today's episode.
Today, I’m thrilled to be joined with two exceptional guests from one of North America's top employers, Mattamy Homes. Mattamy Homes in one of the largest privately owned builders and developers in North America and is Canada’s largest residential home builder. Mattamy consistently wins top employer awards including Best Workplace Culture, Best Managed Workplace and Best Employer Brand.
Our first guest is Brent Carey, Vice President of Communications for Mattamy Asset Management, Brent is a dynamic , award winning , corporate storyteller, who has worked to align the way that Mattamy thinks about culture, internal employee experience and performance.
And joining Brent is, Kaitlyn Anderson, Senior Manager, Communication from Mattamy Asset Management,. Kaitlyn is a trailblazer renowned for creating, launching, and activating Mattamy's employer brand.
After more than 15 years of working on global employer brands, my observation is that companies that have the biggest impact and long-term success of the work often is traced to one’s ability to influence and inspire internal stakeholders, at all levels in an organization.
That’s why we wanted to talk with Brent and Kaitlyn. They have been pivotal change agents for the employer brand transformation within Mattamy. I am excited to have them to share their insights, experiences, and ...the secrets behind their success.
More about Blu Ivy Group
Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures.
Values Are Having a Moment — Make Yours Count
Season 2 · Episode 6
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 • Duration 18:24
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Discover shows related to Blu Thread Conversations: The Ultimate Business Podcast for People, Culture, and Employer Brand Strategies, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
The white paper emphasizes the urgent need for CEOs to reassess their relationship with HR leaders. Establishing high-trust cultures, providing more resources, and ensuring open, honest communication are critical steps to prevent the imminent exodus of CHROs, which could destabilize organizational culture and efficiency.
Episode Chapters:
· (02:52) Blu Ivy's latest white paper focuses on leadership engagement and burnout
· (05:01) The importance of listening in leadership research
· (08:54) CHROs have navigated transformation and crisis over the last few years
· (12:44) 58% of respondents say burnout, mental health, exhaustion is top challenge
· (15:47) CHROs reported spending less than 10% of their time on strategy
· (19:35) A significant portion of CHROs are contemplating leaving their roles, research indicates
· (23:21) How has HR leadership evolved in terms of technology and AI integration?
· (28:08) How important is it for CEOs to reassess their partnership with HR in today's landscape
Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures.
Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders.
(34:19) Employee listening for an EVP is far more than recognition
(35:33) Employer brand and EVP measurement success
About Arbor Memorial:
Arbor Memorial Inc. is a Canadian company engaged in providing interment rights, cremations, funerals and associated merchandise and services to thousands of families each year across Canada.
Named as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies in 2023, taking care of people is at the heart of what we do. It’s truly fulfilling, inspiring and a responsibility we never take lightly. The care we show our customers begins with the support and teamwork we show each other.
Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures.
Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders.
Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures.
Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders.
Blu Ivy Group is a global leader in employer branding, organizational culture, and recruitment marketing. We help organizations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors build extraordinary employee experiences, magnetic employer brands and high-performance cultures.
Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders.
Connect with us today and let us help you transform your organization into a workplace that inspires your employees, leaders, customers, and shareholders.
