Welcome to “People Leader Accelerator Podcast”! On this show, we dive deep with business and HR leaders to uncover what really works when it comes to building high-performing organizations, navigating leadership challenges, and making better management decisions. Whether you’re the first People leader at a startup or a seasoned executive at a company with scale, you’ll find practical insights you can apply right away.
If one of our discussions sparked something for you, hit ’subscribe,’ leave a quick review, and share this episode with that one colleague who really needs to hear it. You know who I’m talking about. ;)
And, if you’re looking for hands-on support - from developing your leaders, to creating a high-performance culture, to hiring the right people - visit us at www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/hr4hr. We’d love to help.
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Episode 4: The Power of Business Alignment in HR Career Success - with Melanie Naranjo
Season 1 · Episode 4
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • Duration 48:42
Welcome to this episode of the People Leader Accelerator Podcast, where we sit down with industry leaders to uncover the real-life insights, strategies, and challenges that shape world-class organizations.
Our guest today is Melanie Naranjo, Chief People Officer at Ethena, joining hosts Andrew Bartlow and Jess Yuen for a candid conversation about the real skills, mindset shifts, and strategies needed to accelerate a people leader’s impact at the executive table.
In this episode, we explore Melanie’s career journey from her start in HR to her transition into leading people teams at high-growth startups. Melanie shares honest insights about the challenges of stepping into a Chief People Officer role, including what it takes to earn trust, develop true business acumen, and move beyond the traditional boundaries of HR.
We talk openly about how people leaders can build authentic partnerships with CEOs and other executives, what it means to align work with the priorities that drive organizational success, and how to navigate the discomfort of not knowing all the answers. Melanie also discusses the importance of agency, proactive self-development, and balancing employee advocacy with commercial realities.
We also discuss:
The backstory of Melanie’s move to Ethena and her leap from VP to CPO
Why great HR leaders learn to speak the language of business and finance
How to listen for what your CEO and leadership team truly care about
Lessons on earning respect and influence as the youngest or only diverse voice at the table
The power of asking for direct feedback, and building your own learning opportunities
How to balance empathy for employees with business priorities
Real talk about “bringing your whole self to work” - and when that doesn’t feel right
Melanie’s approach to challenging conversations and dissenting opinions, including leading with kindness and curiosity
Practical advice on finding role models, diversifying your learning sources, and staying open to being wrong
Whether you’re a first-time people leader or a seasoned executive, this episode offers honest reflections and tangible tools for deepening your impact and navigating the real challenges of C-suite HR leadership.
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
Episode 3: How Executive Search Is Evolving For HR Leaders In Startups & Scaleups - with Brad Warga and Ben Dewar
Season 1 · Episode 2
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • Duration 52:48
In this episode, host Jess Yuen and co-founder Andrew Bartlow are joined by executive search experts Brad Warga (Heidrick & Struggles) and Ben Dewar (NU Advisory Partners) for an in-depth conversation about executive search in human resources within tech companies.
Brad and Ben share their extensive insights into hiring Chief People Officers and senior HR talent, covering changes in candidate profiles, evolving business needs, and what today’s market truly values in HR leaders.
Key Topics & Discussion Highlights:
Meet Brad Warga and Ben Dewar, seasoned executive search professionals with unique perspectives on late-stage enterprise and early-stage venture-backed HR hiring.
How the talent market for HR executives is evolving, especially for Chief People Officers in tech and private equity.
The growing demand for HR leaders who combine business acumen with functional depth and how candidate requirements have shifted post-pandemic.
Insights on how companies are tackling the AI talent war, including strategies for recruiting the elusive “$100 million AI engineer.”
The realities behind HR job titles - Head of People, VP, Chief People Officer - and what actually matters when it comes to level and impact.
Trends in compensation and equity for senior HR roles, how executive search firms guide clients through sticker shock, and the importance of data in negotiations.
The rising expectation for in-office work and the impact of location requirements on the talent pool.
Practical advice for HR professionals hoping to accelerate their careers, including where to develop the business skills that modern leaders need.
How to get on the radar of top executive search firms, and why cultivating long-term relationships with recruiters benefits your career in the long run.
Contact Information:
About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast
Episode 2: Practical Strategies For Growing Your HR Career And Professional Network - with Kelli Dragovich
Season 1 · Episode 3
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 • Duration 36:52
Welcome to this episode of the People Leader Accelerator Podcast, where we sit down with industry leaders to uncover the real-life insights, strategies, and challenges that shape world-class organizations.
Our guest today is Kelli Dragovich, a seasoned Chief People Officer and Bay Area native, whose 25-year journey through Silicon Valley’s tech scene includes roles at Yahoo, GitHub, Looker, Pendo, and now, Supio.
Kelli joins us to share her honest perspective on building great cultures, making pivotal career decisions, and how to truly advance as a people leader.
We explore Kelli’s path into HR by design rather than by chance, her intentional approach to both interim and in-house executive roles, and the ways she has learned to identify organizations and leaders that offer the right fit and opportunity.
Kelli offers real-world advice for HR professionals looking to focus their growth, build valuable relationships, and drive impact in their roles.
In this conversation, we dig into:
Kelli’s unique entry into HR and the intentional steps she took to build her career
The reality of moving between interim, advisory, and full-time HR leadership positions
What to look for in a CEO or founder when considering a new executive opportunity
The “trifecta” Kelli uses to evaluate job opportunities: people, product, and competitiveness
Concrete steps for HR professionals to grow their influence, networks, and careers
The challenge and impact of building trust and credibility quickly in a new organization
Kelli’s framework for onboarding successfully as a new people leader
Key advice for getting noticed and adding value - whether you’re early in your career or at a senior level
Why helping others is the most effective way to accelerate your profile and network in HR
Contact Information:
About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast
Episode 1: Welcome to the People Leader Accelerator Podcast
Season 1 · Episode 1
Saturday, October 18, 2025 • Duration 16:43
Welcome to the very first episode of The People Leader Accelerator Podcast!
We’re thrilled to finally bring you this show, a space for honest, practical conversations about what it really takes to lead people and build high-performing organizations in today’s fast-changing world.
In this opening episode, we share why we created the podcast, what you can expect from future episodes, and some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way as people leaders, advisors, and coaches.
We talk about the pivotal moment every growing company reaches, when leaders are asked to “get more strategic,” and what that really means for HR professionals looking to accelerate their careers and increase their impact.
We also discuss:
Why business alignment is at the heart of every great HR strategy
How to move from being reactive to truly driving business performance
The unwritten lessons we’ve learned from working with hundreds of leaders and executives
The real conversations that happen behind closed doors in high-growth environments
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
Welcome to the journey!
Listen, learn, and connect:
🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts (Apple, Spotify, ).
Episode 29: Empowering Technical Leaders Through Effective Coaching Strategies - with Kevin Rice
Season 1 · Episode 29
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 • Duration 41:58
Welcome to another episode of the People Leader Accelerator Podcast, where we explore what it really takes to build high-performing organisations.
Our guest today is Kevin Rice, an executive coach who previously led product and engineering teams through rapid growth at companies like Airbnb.
Drawing on a background that bridges hands-on technical management and leadership coaching, Kevin now partners with heads of product, heads of engineering, and CEOs, helping leaders evolve as their organisations scale. With experience developing people processes in high-growth environments and supporting leaders through changing responsibilities, Kevin brings a unique perspective to supporting both leadership and people teams.
This episode centres on the evolving challenges faced by technical leaders, particularly as their teams expand and the demands of scale intensify. We discuss the tension between technical expertise and people management, how leaders can determine where their time and focus are most valuable, and the critical partnership between HR and technical functions as companies evolve.
Discussion highlights:
Why technical leaders often face distinct scaling challenges as their teams become the largest in the company
The trap of comparing leadership roles to external models rather than identifying what the company uniquely needs
Practical frameworks for leaders to prioritise responsibilities based on position, skills, context, and passion
How high growth in technical functions drives early development of people processes such as levelling and performance rubrics
The value of 360 feedback for surfacing hidden or unspoken development needs
Navigating the “brilliant but difficult” leader dynamic and the importance of coaching readiness
Critical distinctions between coaching for growth and coaching as part of performance management
Setting clear performance expectations as a prerequisite for successful coaching engagements
The importance of engaging coaching proactively during major leadership transitions or team scale
About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast
Episode 28: Bridging Academic Insights and Business Practice - with Brad Harris from HEC Paris
Season 1 · Episode 28
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 • Duration 36:56
In this episode of the People Leader Accelerator Podcast, we welcome Brad Harris, Professor of Management and Human Resources and Associate Dean at HEC Paris.
Brad brings an exceptional blend of academic rigour and deep practical experience, having taught, researched, and consulted across several continents. As a co-author of Scaling for Success and one of the core faculty members in the People Leader Accelerator program, his perspective is especially relevant for executives shaping organisational effectiveness and people strategy.
Brad’s background bridges academic research with on-the-ground leadership, advisory, and program delivery for high-growth companies. His understanding of team dynamics, leadership development, and organisational behaviour equips him to pinpoint the real challenges people leaders encounter, including those intrinsic to scaling teams, driving alignment, and navigating executive decisions.
This episode centres on the realities of building and leading high-performing teams. The discussion dives into what leaders consistently get wrong about teamwork, the critical design elements of effective teams, and the essential (but often misunderstood) balance between clarity, empowerment, and control. Brad and the hosts, Jess Yuen and Andrew Bartlow, unpack the “messy middle” where most organisations and leaders operate and share tangible approaches for aligning people and business priorities.
Listeners will gain actionable insights into diagnosing team effectiveness, optimising goal setting for clarity and alignment, and approaching empowerment in complex environments. Brad’s advice is grounded in research but always tailored to the practical realities of leadership, offering new ways for people leaders to support executives, make better trade-offs, and accelerate their own impact.
Discussion highlights:
Why HEC Paris is a leading business school and how global experience shapes HR and leadership practice
About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast
Episode 19: Leadership Lessons From a Tech Founder Turned Executive Coach - with Adam Weber
Season 1 · Episode 19
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • Duration 36:49
Welcome to another episode of the People Leader Accelerator Podcast.
Our guest today is Adam Weber, a tech founder, executive coach, and former Chief People Officer, who joins us for a thoughtful conversation on executive development, building high-performing teams, and navigating the emotional demands of people leadership. Adam’s career journey spans founding and selling tech startups, leading culture transformation at 15Five as Chief Evangelist, and today, guiding executives and founders through the complexities of leadership and team dynamics.
In this episode, Adam discusses his transition from entrepreneur to coach, the patterns he’s observed across high-growth organizations, and practical strategies for executives aiming to scale their impact while maintaining personal well-being. Drawing on rich experience with executive teams, Adam breaks down the leadership lessons featured in his recent ebook and shares actionable advice for people leaders at every stage.
We discuss:
Adam’s early career explorations, path to tech entrepreneurship, and how coaching transformed his approach to leadership
The common challenges faced by chief people officers and the journey from being a fixer to an organizational architect
Why developing a clear personal and professional vision is critical for executives and how Adam facilitates this process for his clients
Tactics for context switching and staying at the right altitude as a leader, especially in high-pressure executive team environments
The importance of psychological safety and trust on executive teams, and how Adam structures coaching sessions to build these foundations
Setting boundaries and managing the emotional labor that comes with people leadership roles
How to help executives track their energy, prevent burnout, and create sustainable success
The evolving role of HR in shaping culture, leveraging management, and preparing organizations for the future of work
About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast
Episode 18: Building a Strong People Function in an Early-Stage Startup - with Keshar Sheridan
Episode 18
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 • Duration 41:57
Our guest today is Keshar Sheridan, a seasoned people leader with deep experience in the startup and health tech space. Keshar has spent more than a decade building HR foundations at organizations ranging from early-stage startups to high-growth companies like Hired, Oscar Health, Galileo, Headway, Growth Therapy, and now Tulea Health, where she serves as the first and only people leader at an 11-person team.
In this episode, we dive into the practical realities of being a team of one, what it means to join and scale an HR function at the foundational stage, and how to evaluate companies and CEOs when considering your next leadership opportunity. Jess Yuen and Andrew Bartlow explore with Keshar how early people leaders can set themselves and their organizations up for long-term success, and what it takes to create leverage, influence culture, and build strong leadership relationships from day one.
We discuss:
What HR looks like at a pre-20-person startup, including balancing tactical operations with strategic planning
How to prioritize foundational people programs during the earliest stages of company growth
The signals CEOs give when they value the people function, and why bringing in HR early matters
Frameworks for deciding when and why to hire your first people leader, covering variables like growth rate, cultural aspirations, and industry context
How to assess CEO and organizational fit in the interview process, including why and how to speak with board members or investors
Key questions to ask about business models, go-to-market plans, and long-term company goals—even when answers are still forming
The importance of mentorship, how to cultivate mentoring relationships organically, and why maintenance matters
Strategies for developing trust and alignment with founder-CEOs, especially when feedback and structure may be lacking
About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast
Episode 17: How HR Leaders Use Storytelling to Build Alignment and Momentum - with Robin P. Zander
Episode 17
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 • Duration 41:48
Our guest today is Robin P. Zander, founder of Zander Media, entrepreneur, and long-time contributor to the People Leader Accelerator’s early story and brand. With a diverse background ranging from the arts and business ownership to organizational storytelling, Robin Zander brings a unique perspective on the intersection of narrative, leadership, and HR.
In this episode, we explore how storytelling can shape organizational alignment, drive engagement, and elevate the business impact of people leaders. Together with Andrew Bartlow and Jess Yuen, Robin discusses how leaders can develop authentic stories that foster clarity, build coalitions, and help teams move forward - while remaining true to their core values and aspirations.
We discuss:
Robin’s eclectic career path, from acrobat and café owner to media agency founder
What makes a story memorable and effective, including practical storytelling frameworks such as the four-part structure
The importance of authenticity and when to reveal personal vulnerability as a leader
How people leaders can collaborate with marketing to shape employer brand messaging that is both true and aspirational
Why HR storytelling needs to repel and attract - moving away from corporate “vanilla” to foster real connections
The impact of AI-generated content on organizational storytelling and what still makes stories truly resonate in a human way
Practical approaches for HR leaders to build stronger narratives and practice storytelling in everyday settings
Lessons learned from setbacks, team building, and the ongoing challenges of leadership at any scale
This episode offers concrete tips and relatable examples for people leaders looking to embed storytelling into daily leadership practice, align their teams around shared purpose, and drive culture in a way that endures through change. Robin Zander’s experience underscores the value of practicing storytelling, owning your narrative, and using story as a strategic tool.
About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast
Episode 16: A Non-Traditional Path to People Leadership - with Ryanmae McAvoy-Pepin
Episode 16
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 • Duration 31:50
Our guest today is Ryanmae McAvoy-Pepin, Vice President of People Operations at Blackthorn, a SaaS company specializing in Salesforce-native event management software.
Ryanmae has built a career that crosses industries from veterinary practices to the ski slopes, before settling into the tech sector, where she’s now recognized for her transparency, candor, and practical approach to HR leadership.
In this episode, we dig into Ryanmae’s nontraditional career arc, her philosophy on executive presence, and how she leverages authenticity to drive effective people programs at scale.
We explore how Ryanmae’s drive to keep learning has shaped her career moves, why she initially turned down her recent promotion, and what it takes to build real trust with executive teams and individual employees.
We also discuss how she navigates hard trade-offs around benefits, organizational change, and her commitment to keeping HR genuinely human - especially in high-growth startup environments.
We discuss:
Ryanmae’s path from veterinary practice management and admin work to SaaS people leader
How the People Leader Accelerator and Startup Experts communities supported key career transitions
The value of transparency, healthy debate, and “hot takes” in HR and executive conversations
Strategies for communicating across functions and building deep trust with a CEO and executive peers
Lessons learned from saying “no” to a promotion, battling imposter syndrome, and eventually stepping into top HR leadership
Practical approaches for understanding your business, learning from every function, and driving influence as a strategic people leader
Humanizing HR: how to support employees through difficult moments like healthcare changes, layoffs, and personal challenges
Why quitting can be a positive sign of agency and mutual respect between employees and organizations
About The People Leader Accelerator Podcast
Whether you’re leading an HR function or aspiring to your first C-level role in people leadership, this episode offers practical insights for navigating the current landscape of executive HR talent.
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
Favorite resources and practical recommendations for continuous learning and staying relevant
To access show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast.
If you’re looking for actionable advice on navigating your HR career, building your peer network, and choosing the right organization for your next chapter, don’t miss this candid, practical conversation with Kelli Dragovich.
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
Structuring effective collaboration and information flows between HR, direct managers, and external coaches
Measuring the ROI of executive coaching and the leverage of investing in leadership capability
Five hidden obstacles to scaling teams, including role drift, decision bottlenecks, shared mental models, process avoidance, and tenured employee resistance
Taken together, this discussion offers a practical roadmap for people leaders working alongside technical executives in dynamic, scaling environments. The episode surfaces both the hidden pitfalls and proven tools for accelerating leadership growth, structuring effective partnerships with HR, and ensuring that coaching has a measurable and lasting impact. For those supporting technical talent or navigating rapid organisational change, these insights offer valuable guidance for developing high-performing teams and resilient leadership.
For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast.
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
The origins of Scaling for Success and the development of People Leader Accelerator
Realities of partnership and collaboration between business and academia
Bridging the academic-practice gap: why thoughtful, evidence-based leadership is essential and practical
Common myths about teamwork and the overlooked importance of team design versus “feel-good” factors
Understanding and balancing the “collaboration tax” with collaboration gains in teams
Leadership archetypes: the “prophet” versus the “mule driver” and the dangers of extremes
How complexity and context should determine leadership style and team decision-making
Practical frameworks for increasing team clarity, alignment, and effectiveness
Why effective goal setting requires meaningful trade-offs, not just standard outcomes like “increase revenue”
The two-sided problem of empowerment and the challenges leaders face when letting go
Strategies for HR leaders to align with CEOs and drive purposeful conversations about priorities and personal growth
This conversation offers people leaders a grounded look at what it actually takes to foster effective teams and drive organisational performance. Brad’s practical frameworks and coaching stories clarify how leaders can apply academic insights without overcomplicating their approach - and why clear alignment and the right strategic bets matter most.
For HR executives, founders, and those supporting high-growth businesses, these lessons offer actionable prompts to elevate leadership, influence strategy, and empower teams.
For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast.
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
Adam's recommendations on high-leverage resources and cultivating a leadership mantra for resilience and growth
This episode offers clear-eyed perspective on the realities and rewards of senior people leadership, with practical frameworks to help you support your teams and yourself. If you’re navigating executive team dynamics, culture building, or looking to deepen your capacity as a leader, you’ll find valuable takeaways in our conversation with Adam.
For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast.
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
Why documentation matters as a solo HR leader, and how to build leverage for yourself and future team members
Practical productivity tools Keshar uses to stay effective and efficient as a team of one
This conversation is full of actionable insights for people leaders at early-stage companies, or anyone considering how to assess fit and make an impact as the first HR hire. Keshar shares concrete advice on building relationships, structuring your work, and trusting your own expertise—even when the playbook is still being written.
For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast.
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast.
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
Ryanmae’s favorite HR learning resources, including Smart Brevity and the power of community networks
This episode is filled with candid reflections, practical advice, and actionable takeaways for people leaders in startups and growing organizations. If you’re curious about accelerating your own HR career, advocating for yourself, or building relationships that drive impact, you’ll find real-world lessons you can use right away.
For show notes and bonus resources, visit www.PeopleLeaderAccelerator.com/podcast.
Our goal with this podcast is simple: to help people leaders navigate the messy, complex, and deeply rewarding work of leading teams and organizations with more clarity, confidence, and community.
Whether you’re the first HR hire at a startup or an experienced executive at a company with scale, you’ll find actionable insights you can use right away.
We can’t wait to share these conversations with you.
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