Culture Leaders with Dr. Jessica Kriegel – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, Jessica is joined by Ron Alvesteffer, the President and CEO of Service Express.  Ron doesn’t just talk about people-first culture, he operationalizes it. He’s built an entire growth engine around employee goals, clarity, and care, with a “why” that’s fundamentally based in service and support. He shares how to scale culture through intentional leadership, why accountability is a form of love, and how he balances relentless growth with human connection. Ron also opens up about his own transformation as a leader, from over-indexing on performance to realizing that investing in people was the key to unlocking results. And the hard stuff, too: turnover, remote work, and how to lead through moments when things break. During his 25+ years of ongoing leadership at Service Express, Ron has helped the company leverage double-digit annual revenue growth, expand its international footprint, create a unique performance-driven culture, and more. He is most proud of the strong company culture Service Express fosters through its Core Value to cultivate a culture of growth that empowers our people to achieve their personal, professional and financial goals. This shared goal has helped create opportunities for employee achievement and led to outstanding individual and company success.    Ron is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and World 50, a private community for CEOs and C-level executives at globally respected organizations to discover better ideas, share valuable experiences and build relationships that make a lasting impact. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronalvesteffer/ https://serviceexpress.com/about-us/leadership/ron-alvesteffer/ Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners About Ron Alvesteffer

This week, Jessica is joined by Raúl Valentin, the Chief Human Resources Officer at ABM Industries. Raúl explains how his belief in fairness drives his leadership–everything from recruiting policies to acquisition strategy to the way ABM integrates AI into HR operations. He opens up about his early life as the son of a single mother, why he almost went to law school, and how that background fuels his commitment to give every employee a fair shot — even if that doesn’t always mean treating everyone the same. They also discuss what it really takes to scale culture across a workforce of more than 100,000 hourly team members across the world, why humility and collaboration are at the heart of ABM’s identity, and how Raúl is navigating the evolving conversation around DEI without getting lost in political labels. Plus, the tactics of leadership — like what makes an acquisition succeed, how physical workspaces shape behavior, and why AI can’t replace the human side of HR, even if it’s helping us do our jobs better and faster. About Raúl Valentin Raúl joined ABM in 2019 and serves as the people leader and advocate for more than 100,000 dedicated team members across the US and the UK. Raúl is dedicated to cultivating a stronger community by growing and developing our people and fostering an inclusive culture where everyone is seen, heard, and valued. Raúl has held key HR leadership roles at Coty, Comcast, and Frito-Lay, with more than 30 years of human resources and management experience. He serves on the board of Quanta Services, Inc., a leading provider of comprehensive infrastructure solutions for the electric and gas utility, renewable energy, communications, pipeline and energy industries in the United States. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rauljvalentin https://investor.abm.com/management/raul-valentin Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

Jim McCann, Founder and CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS, shares his story as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and thought leader who turned a single flower shop into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. In this conversation, Jim discusses the importance of community connections in business, and his efforts to adapt his business to the age of AI, and the lessons he learned while writing his self-help book, Lodestar. What is Your Why? Jim explains how his ever-changing why has now become multi-generational; looking forward to the future of his business in a changing work landscape. Investing in Employees Jim talks about the benefits of investing in employees personally and professionally, whether to help them in their current jobs or equipping them for another. Adapting to AI Jim shares some of the lessons he learned from working with Microsoft about helping businesses and workers thrive in the coming age of artificial intelligence. Relationships and Self-Help Jim discusses how writing the Celebrations Pulse newsletter built a community during the pandemic, and how it led to writing his self-help book, Lodestar. Adapting to AI Jim shares some of the lessons he learned from working with Microsoft about helping businesses and workers thrive in the coming age of artificial intelligence. About Jim McCann Jim McCann is an entrepreneur, public speaker and author whose passion is helping people deliver smiles. McCann's belief in the universal need for social connections and interaction led to his founding of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, which he has grown into the world's leading florist and gift shop and Celebrations.com, the leading website for expert party planning content and advice. McCann's willingness to embrace new technologies that help people connect and express themselves, such as 800 phone numbers, the Internet, mobile commerce and social networking, often long before others, has enabled him to stay at the forefront of consumer and social trends. In addition to his roles as Founder and CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and Chairman of Smile Farms, Jim also serves as Chairman of Worth Media Group, which celebrates organizations and leaders who are using their influence and success to have a positive impact on society.  Jim also serves on a variety of other private and not-for-profit boards and is Vice-Chairman, Lead Independent Director for International Game Technology PLC. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim1800flowers/ https://www.1800flowers.com/  Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

Nick Green, Co-Founder and CEO of Thrive Market, shares how the drive to make healthier eating more accessible has shaped the company from the very beginning; from operationalizing its core values to hiring talent whose purpose aligns with the mission. He explains how mission-driven thinking includes setting long-term sustainability goals, finding “non-zero-sum” ways to make an impact, and sharing stories to build loyalty in customers who share Thrive Market’s core values. What is Your Why? Nick explains how Thrive Market’s mission is deeply personal, rooted to a lack of affordable, healthy food options in the area where he grew up. Hiring for Purpose Fit Nick discusses the importance of purpose-fit when hiring for a fast-paced, mission-driven company, and how he looks for talent that match Thrive Market’s vision. Co-Founding Thrive Market Nick shares the origins of Thrive Market, including how a shared passion for health helped him and his co-founders to weather earlier failures. Profits, Sustainability, and Long-Term Thinking Nick explains how the mission has guided Thrive Market over ten years, including long-term goals that have ended up increasing both sustainability and profits. Generational Shifts and Operationalizing Values Nick discusses how Thrive Market keeps its values at the forefront of the company’s culture, and how younger workers seem to place more emphasis on meaningful work that matches their values. About Nick Green Nick Green is Co-Founder & CEO of Thrive Market, a membership-based online market that makes healthy, sustainable living easy and accessible for everyone. Since launching in 2014, Thrive Market has grown to more than 1 million paying members and become a touchstone example of a mission-driven company at scale. LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasgreen/ Thrive Market: https://thrivemarket.com/ Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

Dr. Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President and the Global Innovation Officer at Cisco, shares his story as a key player in global digitization and the future of technology education. He discusses the power of shared vulnerability to build trust across organizations and cultures, the importance of core values in business, and Cisco’s role in bringing people across the globe into the digital age. What is Your Why? Guy explains how his 'why' is aligned with Cisco's mission to power an inclusive future; it’s a job that doesn’t keep him up at night, but instead gets him up in the morning.  The Role of Culture in Global Digital Transformation Guy describes how he navigates culture–how people see the world–when working with industries, governments, academics, and countries across the globe. The Power of Shared Vulnerability in Leadership Guy discusses how trust is built through consistent, reliable interactions over time. Cisco builds inclusive ecosystems through partnerships. Core Values in Business Guy explains how Cisco’s core values make it a predictable entity in the face of unexpected events, including geopolitical turmoil.  The Future of Work Guy posits the world of work will continue to change rapidly, with the introduction of AI, quantum computing, and other technologies, and how Cisco’s Networking Academy fits into the picture of education in the new era. About Guy Diedrich Dr. Guy Diedrich is a Senior Vice President and the Global Innovation Officer at Cisco, where he is responsible for its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) and Networking Academy programs. In this role, Dr. Diedrich collaborates closely with government and industry leadership around the world to drive mass-scale digitization initiatives that help increase GDP, create millions of next-generation jobs, and develop sustainable innovation ecosystems. CDA operates in 50 countries and has more than 1500 active or completed digitization projects since its inception in 2015. Cisco’s Networking Academy operates in 190 countries and has trained more than 20.5 million students in networking and cybersecurity skills over the past 26 years. Dr. Diedrich continues to grow and evolve the programs into new markets, and build trust with government, industry and academic stakeholders. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-diedrich-4b4a3041/ Cisco: https://www.cisco.com/ Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

Carmen Amara, Chief People Officer at Yelp, shares her journey into HR, emphasizing the importance of finding purpose in work and creating a people-first culture. She discusses the power of storytelling, Yelp's shift to remote work, and the role of empathy in leadership, and she debunks myths about HR--particularly the misconception that one must choose between profit and people. What is Your Why? Carmen discusses her desire to make an impact, and how she found a purpose in HR: helping businesses solve complex problems using people, while helping people broaden their skills and develop careers. Yelp's Culture of Belonging Carmen talks about the importance of people-first company culture, and how she was drawn to Yelp's mission, values, and culture of inclusion. Embracing Remote Work Culture Carmen explains Yelp's data-driven decision to stay remote-first after the pandemic, and how listening to employees has been foundational to the company's decision-making. Empathy in Leadership Carmen discusses how empathy in leadership is now more important than ever as the lines between work and life can sometimes blur. Navigating AI in the Workplace Carmen explains how AI can enhance human work rather than replace it, as well as how Yelp is maintaining the integrity of first-party reviews. About Carmen Amara Carmen joined Yelp in 2022 to lead People Operations. She is an accomplished human resources executive with over 20 years experience helping employees and global organizations succeed. Prior to Yelp, Carmen served as Vice President of Global People Operations & Development at eBay. She was also a Human Resources Director at Home Depot where she provided strategic direction for a variety of operational and corporate functions. Carmen holds a B.A. in Spanish and International Relations from Colby College, an MBA in International Business from Bentley University, and is certified in Executive Coaching through Columbia University. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenamara/ Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/ Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

Steve Pruett, Executive Chairman of Cox Media Group, shares his remarkable journey from a humble upbringing to leading one of the largest media organizations in the United States. With insights drawn from his book The Gain Principle, Steve reflects on personal and professional growth, the power of radical inclusion, and the hard-won lessons from navigating corporate culture. He also opens up about the profound impact of losing his two sons and how their legacy continues to inspire his work and life. This conversation delves into the moments that shaped Steve's leadership style, his perspective on authenticity in corporate America, and his drive to "make things happen." What Is Your Why? Steve shares how his purpose evolved from a relentless drive to "make things happen" into a mission to lift the veil for others, offering insight into leadership dynamics and decision-making processes. Radical Inclusion and Corporate Transparency Steve discusses his early belief in radical inclusion, its successes, and challenges, particularly within the confines of corporate America. The Gain Principle: A Framework for Growth Steve explains his four-part growth cycle—Go, Assess, Identify, and Next—and how this structured approach has guided his personal and professional life. Leadership Lessons from Life and Loss Steve reflects on the life lessons his late sons taught him, his journey through grief, and how their influence continues to shape his leadership and legacy. Navigating Corporate Culture and Transparency From his experience leading through economic downturns and mergers, Steve emphasizes the importance of including employees in decision-making processes and maintaining transparency. Building Purpose and Resilience Steve shares actionable strategies for personal and organizational growth, from leveraging AI and technology to making bold, purpose-driven decisions in life and work. Acknowledging the Past to Build the Future Steve shares how his upbringing with entrepreneurial grandparents and union-worker parents shaped his work ethic and leadership philosophy. The Future of Work and Leadership From navigating industry headwinds to empowering employees, Steve discusses his vision for creating sustainable and inclusive workplaces. About Steve Pruett Steve Pruett is the Executive Chairman of Cox Media Group, leading a portfolio of radio and television stations across the United States. With decades of experience in media and corporate leadership, Steve is known for his forward-thinking approach and people-first leadership style. His book The Gain Principle outlines his framework for personal and professional growth, offering insights for individuals at every stage of their careers. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenjpruett/ Cox Media Group: www.coxmediagroup.com Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

Josh Bersin, industry analyst and founder of The Josh Bersin Company, joins Dr. Jessica Kriegel to dive into the evolving role of HR and its influence on business performance. With 25 years of expertise, Josh shares why HR professionals are essential to organizational success and how companies can transition HR from a cost center to a strategic partner. This insightful conversation covers the changing workforce dynamics, the gig economy, and the impact of AI on future business models. Tune in to hear Josh’s thoughts on building inclusive cultures, fostering leadership, and the importance of thoughtful growth. Josh’s Why: Josh explains how he stumbled into the HR industry, discovering a passion for supporting HR professionals and helping them thrive within organizations. HR as a Strategic Partner: Josh emphasizes the evolution of HR's role from recruitment-focused to becoming a central driver of business outcomes, particularly in larger organizations. The Value of Trust in Leadership: Jessica and Josh discuss how CEOs often assume they understand HR, but the most successful leaders trust and learn from their HR partners. Workplace Dynamics and the Gig Economy: Josh reflects on the shift in employee expectations, the rise of gig work, and how companies must rethink value propositions to attract and retain talent. Remote Work and Reimagining Office Culture: Josh offers insights into the remote work debate, noting that collaboration and creativity often thrive best in person, while flexible work remains key for employee well-being. Leadership and Personal Growth: Drawing from his own experiences, Josh underscores the importance of understanding business challenges firsthand to become a more effective leader and consultant. The Evolution of Company Culture: Josh describes culture as the unwritten rules that shape behaviors and performance, highlighting that clear cultural values attract the right employees and sustain high performance. Growth vs. Profit Focus: Josh critiques the pressures on companies to prioritize growth over profitability, exploring the impact on employees, customers, and long-term sustainability. Galileo: A New Learning Platform Josh introduces Galileo, a revolutionary platform built with 25 years of research, designed to empower consultants, vendors, and businesses through generative AI-powered insights. Josh Bersin Website: joshbersin.com/ Podcast: The Josh Bersin Company Podcast – Featuring Josh's thoughts and real-world case studies on HR, leadership, and business. Dr. Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: Jessica Kriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners: culturepartners.com

Dr. Jessica Kriegel interviews Scott Wine, former CEO of Polaris and CNH Industrial, as they explore his leadership journey, rooted in faith, discipline, and a commitment to integrity. Scott shares his insights on building adaptable, customer-focused cultures, lessons learned from his Naval service, and the importance of critical thinking in leadership. With anecdotes from his time leading Polaris into the Fortune 500 and transforming the culture of 42,000 employees at CNH, Scott’s leadership advice is invaluable for anyone aiming to lead with purpose and accountability. Tune in to hear how Scott’s disciplined approach and faith-based values have guided his remarkable career. What Is Your Why: Scott Wine shares how his core values of faith, integrity, and family have driven him throughout his career, citing a guiding principle from his time at the Naval Academy. Faith and Leadership: Scott discusses the role faith plays in his leadership style and how religious values can inform ethical business practices, even when discussing topics that may seem uncomfortable in today's workplace. Integrity in Decision-Making: Scott emphasizes the importance of integrity, recounting how it has led him to leave two jobs rather than compromise his values. He discusses how leaders must set the tone for integrity in their organizations. Customer-Centric Cultures: Scott highlights his experience transforming CNH Industrial's culture from inward-focused to customer-driven, reducing bureaucracy, and empowering employees to make impactful decisions. The Role of Discipline: Scott credits discipline, both personally and professionally, as essential to his success. He shares how his rigorous routine helps him balance work demands and personal commitments, including coaching youth football while leading Polaris. Critical Thinking and Leadership: Scott explains how critical thinking and the ability to anticipate challenges have been key to his success, particularly in managing rapid changes like the rise of AI and the evolving demands of leadership in today's fast-paced business world. Challenges in Leadership: Scott discusses the unique pressures faced by CEOs in publicly traded companies, balancing quarterly results with long-term strategy. He reflects on how focusing on the customer above all else drives sustainable success. Private Equity and the Future: Looking ahead, Scott discusses his interest in private equity, where longer investment cycles and a focus on ownership culture can drive meaningful and lasting business transformations. Personal Reflections and Legacy: Scott shares personal stories about his family life and the critical role his wife, Jill, has played in his success, as well as how they’ve supported each other through the ups and downs of his career. About Scott Wine: Scott Wine is the former CEO of Polaris, where he led the company into the Fortune 500, and CNH Industrial, where he oversaw a cultural transformation. A Naval Academy graduate, Scott has been a driving force in both manufacturing and customer-centric leadership. He continues to shape industries with his strategic insights and leadership expertise. LinkedIn: Scott Wine Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

Scott Syphax joins Dr. Jessica Kriegel to reflect on his dynamic career as the former CEO of the Nehemiah Corporation and current strategic advisor to Fortune 500 executives. Scott shares his unique blend of strategy and emotional intelligence, often serving as an "unlicensed therapist" to some of the most powerful leaders across industries. In this conversation, Scott opens up about his purpose in helping others rediscover their own magic, the challenges of leadership in sectors like healthcare and financial services, and how he aligns the personal with the professional for maximum impact. Dive in to learn how Scott crafts strategies that transcend business and touch the human spirit. Finding Your Why: Scott Syphax explains his purpose of helping people rediscover what’s special about them and use it as a foundation to pursue their dreams. Leadership as Therapy: Dr. Jessica Kriegel explores Scott’s reputation as an advisor who not only builds strategies but helps CEOs and senior leaders align their personal and professional lives. Blurring the Lines: Scott discusses the inseparability of personal and professional strategies, especially when advising older generations in legacy industries like healthcare and financial services. The Boardroom Disconnect: Scott shares how he helps corporate boards understand their roles and overcome cultural disconnects with management, especially in high-pressure industries. Healthcare and Financial Services: Scott identifies these as key sectors where he spends most of his time advising leaders on both organizational and personal strategies. Building Inclusive Leadership Pipelines: Scott reflects on founding the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program and the importance of creating pathways for diverse, high-potential leaders to enter the C-suite. CEO Therapy: Scott elaborates on how he serves as a safe space for high-level executives to unburden themselves and navigate imposter syndrome, while helping them develop robust strategies for leading their companies. Empowering (and Powering) Leaders: Scott emphasizes the importance of vulnerability for CEOs, reframing it not as a weakness but as a way to gain more power and make impactful decisions. Personal and Professional Alignment: Scott shares a personal story about how his mentorship helped Jessica Kriegel make a life-changing decision that aligned her career with her personal values. The Secret to Success: Scott reveals the most important lesson that has driven his success: balancing theoretical knowledge with real-life experience, a skill he first honed in the nightlife industry before entering the corporate world. Scott Syphax is a dynamic strategist and the founder of Syphax Strategic, where he advises boards, CEOs, and senior management teams across sectors. He also founded the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program, which has helped hundreds of high-potential leaders reach the C-suite. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-syphax Website: Syphax Strategic: https://syphaxstrategic.com Website: Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program: https://nelpleaders.com Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/