The Talent Development Hot Seat podcast - The #1 podcast for Learning and Development (L&D), HR, Career Development, Organizational Development, and Leadership Development professionals

In this episode, Mitchell shares powerful insights on fostering psychological safety for LGBTQ individuals within organizations, advocating for universal benefits that support the entire LGBTQ community, and the vital role of empathy in DEI efforts. We'll explore Mitchell's personal journey, from growing up in a conservative town in Missouri to becoming a leading DEI voice, and how living authentically in Barcelona has shaped his perspective on equity and inclusion.Join us as Mitchell discusses:The current state of DEIThe importance of a global approach to diversity Challenges of integrating DEI into talent development. The impact of leadership ego on organizational changeThe concept of confident humilityThe significance of creating inclusive learning programs. Mitchell Kenyon Davis, M.S. & M.A. is a culture transformation and DEI executive coach & strategic partner. He leads global culture & DEI programs in house at Autodesk and consults with other organizations in the tech, finance, automotive, hospitality and public sectors.His master's degrees focused on International Development & Healthcare, and Emotional Intelligence, Coaching & Leadership Development. He's a certified coach by the International Coaching Federation with over 400 hours of executive coaching experience. He's also certified in the Intercultural Development Index, design thinking, Prosci Change Management, Birkman Coaching, Harvard Management and Mentorship, Situational Leadership, and Speaking with Impact.With 11 years additional experience leading international teams in sales, corporate social responsibility, and entrepreneurial operations, he brings unique business insights to the work he does now. He lives between Barcelona and Berlin and has nationalities from the United States and Spain, although he likes to call himself a citizen of the world. Mitchell is a proud gay man and leverages his own personal journey to empathetically build bridges across differences. His passion and talent for breaking down barriers to new learning opportunities creates conscious human connection.Connect with Andy Storch:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Mitchell Kenyon Davis:LinkedIn

In this bonus Q&A with Jennifer, she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youJennifer is passionate about helping others be their best. For almost 25 years leaders at all levels have appreciated her candor & humor coupled with practical strategies for the care & feeding of other humans (you know, leadership). Jennifer pulls from a range of leadership concepts to create experiences to help teams deliver on their goals. It’s been said Jennifer is allergic to inauthenticity. Jennifer earned a BS in Apparel Merchandising from Indiana University. That’s right, the very common leadership development educational background of apparel and retail planning.Jennifer started her career with Target Corporation after attending in-person interviews. In January. In Minneapolis. During her tenure with Target she was asked to join the training team in support of the business analyst training program. It was in that role that she realized she is at her best when she is “business adjacent”- meaning enabling the people and teams delivering the profit. In 2012 she returned to Indiana and joined Roche Diagnostics.Over the next 8 years in leadership development and organizational development roles, Jennifer created a new leader program called Jumpstart, built a college grad new hire rotational program from scratch, and dove head first into the roll out of the Leadership Circle Profile 360 from The Full Circle Group. In mid-2020 Jennifer joined the leadership development team at Elevance Health (formerly known as Anthem) to help shape a reimagined leadership development portfolio. Over the last 18 months Jennifer has focused almost solely on the creation of two new high potential development programs, one for manager level leaders and one for those on an executive track.She is also a big believer in the concepts around Strengths Finder from Gallup (Communication, Individualization, Woo, Activator, Significance) and Multipliers from The Wiseman Group (Idea Guy!).She also was named Most Improved Handwriting in 1988 from Klondike Elementary School. Coming to work is a welcome respite for Jennifer who spends her personal time meeting the demands of an opinionated almost 7 year old daughter, Davis, & super needy dog, Holly. Occasionally Jennifer manages to convince herself to jump on her Peloton bike, but usually rewatching The West Wing wins out.Connect with Andy Storch:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Jennifer Butler:LinkedIn

Host Andy Storch sits down with Jennifer Butler, the director of leadership development at Elevance Health, to delve into the intricacies of creating comprehensive leadership programs. With over 25 years of experience in the field, Jennifer shares her insights on implementing effective leadership development initiatives, including live events, virtual sessions, and small group coaching.Together, they discuss:The structure of various developmental programs at Elevance Health, from manager-focused projects aimed at understanding the company's value chain to executive programs featuring one-on-one coaching and action learning projects. How these initiatives align with the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion mission, ensuring equal opportunities for leaders from diverse backgrounds.The importance of assessing program impact, leveraging assessment tools, and co-creating with partners to tailor leadership programs to business needs.Jennifer’s unique career journey and valuable advice for those looking to thrive in talent development.Jennifer is passionate about helping others be their best. For almost 25 years leaders at all levels have appreciated her candor & humor coupled with practical strategies for the care & feeding of other humans (you know, leadership). Jennifer pulls from a range of leadership concepts to create experiences to help teams deliver on their goals. It’s been said Jennifer is allergic to inauthenticity. Jennifer earned a BS in Apparel Merchandising from Indiana University. That’s right, the very common leadership development educational background of apparel and retail planning.Jennifer started her career with Target Corporation after attending in-person interviews. In January. In Minneapolis. During her tenure with Target she was asked to join the training team in support of the business analyst training program. It was in that role that she realized she is at her best when she is “business adjacent”- meaning enabling the people and teams delivering the profit. In 2012 she returned to Indiana and joined Roche Diagnostics.Over the next 8 years in leadership development and organizational development roles, Jennifer created a new leader program called Jumpstart, built a college grad new hire rotational program from scratch, and dove head first into the roll out of the Leadership Circle Profile 360 from The Full Circle Group. In mid-2020 Jennifer joined the leadership development team at Elevance Health (formerly known as Anthem) to help shape a reimagined leadership development portfolio. Over the last 18 months Jennifer has focused almost solely on the creation of two new high potential development programs, one for manager level leaders and one for those on an executive track.She is also a big believer in the concepts around Strengths Finder from Gallup (Communication, Individualization, Woo, Activator, Significance) and Multipliers from The Wiseman Group (Idea Guy!).She also was named Most Improved Handwriting in 1988 from Klondike Elementary School. Coming to work is a welcome respite for Jennifer who spends her personal time meeting the demands of an opinionated almost 7 year old daughter, Davis, & super needy dog, Holly. Occasionally Jennifer manages to convince herself to jump on her Peloton bike, but usually rewatching The West Wing wins out.Connect with Andy Storch:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Join us at the Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Jennifer Butler:LinkedIn

In this special episode, we are sharing an interview that JP Elliott did with Andy Storch for the Future of HR podcast and publishing it here.In their discussion, Andy shares:The essential skills of the futureThe transformative power of curiosityThe impact of owning your career and life. Andy's personal journey, resilience, and the motivation behind his book, Own Your Career, Own Your LifeThe conversation also touches on Andy's inspirational battle with cancer, his recent move to Barcelona, and the significance of human connections in the evolving landscape of talent development. JP Elliott is a forward-thinking global human resources executive with extensive experience implementing human capital initiatives that drive business results, improve organizational performance, and elevate company culture.He is a trusted business partner to C-level and senior management teams who can translate business needs into people strategies aligned with the enterprise priorities and P&L targets.Over his career, JP has been fortunate to work across a broad spectrum of industries and organizations, many under going significant business and culture transformations. These experiences have shaped him into a versatile, pragmatic, and global leader who builds strong teams that deliver results.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with JP Elliott:LinkedInWebsite

In this bonus Q&A with Paul, he shares:His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so farA trend that he is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on his lifeOne piece of career advice he has for youPaul Carney helps leaders harness the power of people as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Carter Bank & Trust, a $4B community bank with locations in Virginia and North Carolina. He is an accomplished author and speaker and has more than 30 years of experience in business, IT, and as a human resources professional and career advocate.Paul often explains that he is a business person who manages HR while being a trusted advisor to his business partners. He wrote and published his first book, "Move Your Æ(ash): Know, Grow, and Show Your Career Value" in 2018. Paul has been designated a Certified Artificial Intelligence (AI) Expert™ and Certified Prompt Engineer™ by the Blockchain Council.Paul and Lisa, his wife, live in Oak Ridge, NC, and have achieved their Level 2 Award in Wine. They enjoy spending time with their two adult children, visiting the beach, and stopping at wineries along the way.Connect with Andy Storch:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Paul Carney:LinkedInWebsite

Andy Storch sits down with Paul Carney, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Carter Bank & Trust. With over 30 years of experience in business and HR and certifications in AI and blockchain, Paul has an impressive background in leading transformative HR initiatives.Paul shares his journey from tech projects to heading the entire HR operations at Carter Bank, where he built the HR and talent development functions from scratch.We'll explore:How he introduced foundational practices like job descriptions, performance reviews, and leadership development in an environment that previously lacked comprehensive HR structures.The innovative ways he's leveraging AI to revolutionize talent development, offering practical tips and insights for HR professionals eager to embrace new technologies. The successful management development programs and the surprising impact they had on reducing attrition rates and boosting employee engagement.Join us as we navigate the future of HR, discuss the role of AI in learning and development, and get inspired by Paul's actionable strategies to harness innovation, reshape processes, and create high-performing teams.Paul Carney helps leaders harness the power of people as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Carter Bank & Trust, a $4B community bank with locations in Virginia and North Carolina. He is an accomplished author and speaker and has more than 30 years of experience in business, IT, and as a human resources professional and career advocate.Paul often explains that he is a business person who manages HR while being a trusted advisor to his business partners. He wrote and published his first book, "Move Your Æ(ash): Know, Grow, and Show Your Career Value" in 2018. Paul has been designated a Certified Artificial Intelligence (AI) Expert™ and Certified Prompt Engineer™ by the Blockchain Council.Paul and Lisa, his wife, live in Oak Ridge, NC, and have achieved their Level 2 Award in Wine. They enjoy spending time with their two adult children, visiting the beach, and stopping at wineries along the way.Connect with Andy Storch:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Paul Carney:LinkedInWebsite

In this bonus Q&A with JP, he shares:His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so farA trend that he is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on his lifeOne piece of career advice he has for youJP Elliott is a forward-thinking global human resources executive with extensive experience implementing human capital initiatives that drive business results, improve organizational performance, and elevate company culture.He is a trusted business partner to C-level and senior management teams who can translate business needs into people strategies aligned with the enterprise priorities and P&L targets.Over his career, JP has been fortunate to work across a broad spectrum of industries and organizations, many under going significant business and culture transformations. These experiences have shaped him into a versatile, pragmatic, and global leader who builds strong teams that deliver results.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with JP Elliott:LinkedInWebsite

JP Elliott, distinguished HR expert, discusses the power of AI in HR, building relationships, and authentic influence. He shares strategies for enhancing creativity and decision-making. JP's journey from Taco Bell to Chief People Officer and the importance of executive assessments and leadership development programs.

In this bonus Q&A with Sandra, she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youSandra Humbles, Chief Learning Officer at Johnson & Johnson, discovered her passion for science early in life, a passion that guided her academic and professional journey. Pursuing her interests vigorously, Sandra attended university where she specialized in microbiology and virology. Upon graduation, her career path led directly into the healthcare industry, where she began by contributing to groundbreaking work in HIV research. Her early work primarily focused on the development of diagnostic kits that facilitated early HIV detection, thereby playing a critical role in enhancing patient safety and medical response during the initial phases of the AIDS crisis. Sandra's dedication to her field was driven by a deep sense of purpose and gratitude for the opportunity to make a significant difference in people's lives through her scientific contributions.Connect with Andy Storch:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Sandra Humbles:LinkedIn

We're joined by Sandra Humbles, the insightful Chief Learning Officer at Johnson & Johnson. With an impressive 34-year tenure at J&J, Sandra has transitioned from healthcare into roles across sales, marketing, and strategic planning before finding her true calling in learning and development. She brings a rich blend of business acumen and marketing expertise to her current role, where she focuses on unlocking the potential of J&J’s workforce.In this episode, Sandra shares:Her vision of bringing a personalized learning experience, akin to services provided by Amazon and Netflix, to all J&J employees. The company's revolutionary tech stack designed to facilitate this and discusses the shift towards agile methodologies in their learning frameworks to maintain high utilization and engagementThe challenges, including navigating a complex tech landscape and managing numerous learning organizations during the COVID crisis. The strategic importance of simplifying and centralizing J&J’s learning environment and outlines the company’s goals towards transparency in career opportunities, diversity and inclusion, and well-being.Get ready to learn about the transformational changes happening at J&J, the impact of strong leadership, and the power of mentorship and career development in today's hybrid work environment. Let's delve into a thought-provoking discussion that promises to leave you inspired and motivated. Sandra Humbles, Chief Learning Officer at Johnson & Johnson, discovered her passion for science early in life, a passion that guided her academic and professional journey. Pursuing her interests vigorously, Sandra attended university where she specialized in microbiology and virology. Upon graduation, her career path led directly into the healthcare industry, where she began by contributing to groundbreaking work in HIV research. Her early work primarily focused on the development of diagnostic kits that facilitated early HIV detection, thereby playing a critical role in enhancing patient safety and medical response during the initial phases of the AIDS crisis. Sandra's dedication to her field was driven by a deep sense of purpose and gratitude for the opportunity to make a significant difference in people's lives through her scientific contributions.Connect with Andy Storch:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Sandra Humbles:LinkedIn