Unscripted with Versique

Kristin Gaarder was the very first CHRO of Calabrio, a customer experience intelligence company. As a leader, Kristin’s philosophy lies in providing accountability for her team to take a vision they have, break down barriers, and deliver it with excellence. Kristin has navigated the variances in HR while practicing business in over 40 countries around the world.  Kristin is a member of Chief, a network dedicated to  supporting women executive leaders. She uses her unique experiences to encourage a path of growth through building and strengthening human connection. “If you consider what’s happening in the world, this special and unique time won’t be here again. So we have such an opportunity to make change and to redefine work culture.” Connect with KristinConnect with Versique

People grow exponentially when they’re given an opportunity that stretches them to just the right amount. And they just fly. – Molly WeissNot everyone takes as unique of a path to HR leadership as Molly Weiss. She studied theater history and sang in a band before pursuing post-grad HR and Business from the University of Minnesota. Molly is now a leading industry veteran with 20 years of experience, serving as CHRO of Adolfson & Peterson Construction. From a young age, Molly learned that work should contribute to the world in a way that is tangible. Years later, Molly followed a call to become an ordained Episcopal Priest—a journey supported by her colleagues and leaders at the time—which shaped her to become a leader with renewed depth of understanding and empathy. Molly teaches us there’s power in saying, “I don’t know” and asking for help. “Long ago I got over the need to be the smartest person in the room,” says Molly. “In fact, I would prefer it if I weren’t. Because that means that everybody around me has so much richness to bring to the table."Connect with Molly Connect with VersiqueConnect with Versique

"People work hard for money, but they'll give their life for meaning." -Tony SorensenYou can tell a lot about a person by asking them the question, "What is one event that has shaped who you are today?" Tony Sorensen, Founder & President of Versique Search & Consulting, uses this question to vet potential employees and create a culture of meaning and growth at his company. Through challenges as an entrepreneur building a company from the ground up, Tony's vision is one based on being one of the team, creating long-term careers for his team members, and holding fast to Versique's core values including "winning through service & trust." In this episode, Tony shares the vision and passion that started it all, and his excitement for the future.Connect with Tony SorensenConnect with VersiqueConnect with Versique

"As you build an experience in success or failure, you have more confidence when it comes to an even bigger opportunity or bigger risk...and you can recover and thrive." -Shawn Moren, Executive Advisory/Partner (CHRO Sector), GartnerShawn was the head of HR at Regis Salons when COVID-19 hit, ravishing the nation and service industry. Regis quickly worked to diligently flesh out a safety and operations plan to ride the turbulent months that followed. No stranger to challenges, Shawn recalled a question her father posed to her at a tennis match when she was younger, "Do you want to hit home runs or do you want to hit base hits? You cannot hit home runs without strikeouts, that's just a part of life." Focusing on connectivity with others, Shawn found success in instilling an environment of meaningful work and values among her team members.  Connect with ShawnConnect with VersiqueConnect with Versique

"To be a leader I needed to get inspired and become a student of culture." -Kendall Harrell, Chief People Officer for Caribou CoffeeKendall began with a desire for orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. Lifetime Fitness became instrumental in his HR career, where he started as a personal trainer and quickly moved into the human resource department, thanks to an incredible mentor who encouraged him along the way. "Who are you going to bring with you?" is a motto Kendall learned from his father, applying this to his leadership style to help other people achieve what they aspire to. At Caribou Coffee, Kendall found connection to a brand with work that he enjoys — "I've always wanted to make sure that I could get to the point in my career where I felt like all of me can come to work." In this episode, Kendall shares more about finding his path, sitting in a coffee shop of inspiration. Connect with KendallConnect with VersiqueConnect with Versique