Kelli and Nolan recap their experience at the recent Sapphire People Leader Retreat focused on the evolving role of CPOs in 2025, covering executive alignment, moral boundaries, burnout prevention, and peer networks. They also share a case of corporate identity theft targeting job candidates, highlighting emerging recruitment security challenges.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: hrheretics@turpentine.co

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

Support HR Heretics Sponsors:

Planful empowers teams just like yours to unlock the secrets of successful workforce planning. Use data-driven insights to develop accurate forecasts, close hiring gaps, and adjust talent acquisition plans collaboratively based on costs today and into the future. ✍️ Go to https://planful.com/heretics to see how you can transform your HR strategy.

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(02:10) The Role of CPO in 2025

(02:20) Corporate Deep Fake Fraud Story

(03:30) How the Deep Fake Was Discovered

(04:00) FBI Involvement & Next Wave of Fraud

(05:10) Pelion VC Domain Fraud Case

(05:50) Value of Raw Conversations at Retreat

(06:10) No One-Size-Fits-All CPO Role

(07:00) Executive Alignment Importance

(08:30) Sussing Out Cultural Fit

(10:10) Moral Boundaries vs. Running Experiments

(12:00) Learning from Radical Ideas at Carta

(12:30) "Care a Little Less" Philosophy

(14:14) Sponsors: Planful | Metaview

(17:14) Avoiding People Leader Burnout

(19:20) Building Your Peer Network

(21:10) Tactical Work vs. Strategic Leadership

(22:20) Wrap

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hrheretics.substack.com

Apologia Church

Justification By Faith & Peace with God

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts