Advertise on podcast: Empowering Workplaces

AI can speed up your work, but it can't make your people decisions for you. In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, Sanja Licina, PhD, President of Employee Experience at QuestionPro, talks with Marcela Mury, Senior People Analyst at Wise, about how HR teams can use AI with confidence while still thinking for themselves. You'll hear why having access to data isn't the same as knowing how to use it, how to spot when AI is getting it wrong, what managers can do to help their teams learn, and why curiosity may be the most important skill in HR right now. Guest: Marcela Mury is a Senior People Analyst at WISE with a background in Industrial Engineering, project management, and HR consultancy. Active as both a practitioner and educator, she is the co-founder of People Analytics Tropical and is passionate about data literacy, ethical decision-making, and humanizing workplace analytics. Useful links: Marcela Mury on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcela-mury-49a74b13b/ Sanja Licina, PhD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjalicina Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com/

Loneliness at work isn't about how many people you sit near. It's the gap between the connection someone wants and what they actually feel, and it's quietly draining engagement, retention, and productivity across even the most "connected" teams. In this episode, Sanja Licina, PhD sits down with talent management leader Megan Bickle to unpack why proximity doesn't equal belonging, why managers and remote workers are among the loneliest, and what the data actually says about the business cost of disconnection. More importantly, they get practical. Megan and Sanja break down concrete, mostly free moves at three levels: what organizations can build into their culture and listening strategy, what managers can do in a single one-on-one, and what any individual can start this week. If you own employee experience, engagement, or people strategy, this one gives you a playbook, not just a diagnosis. Useful links: Megan Bickle on LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganbickle/ Sanja Licina, PhD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjalicina/ Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com/ Book a demo: https://info.questionpro.com/employee-listening

In this episode, Sanja talks with Dr. Alexis Fink, an experienced industrial-organizational psychologist who has shaped workforce strategy across global giants including Meta, Microsoft, and Intel. Dr. Alexis shares stories from her career bridging the gap between corporate strategy, daily execution, and human talent. She discusses what it takes to use data to ensure the entire ecosystem thrives , and how organizations can drive business success while simultaneously improving the personal lives of their teams. The conversation explores how people analytics teams can better align with business strategy by partnering with finance, sales, and operations, the importance of understanding different human experiences to build true empathy, and the ways AI can be leveraged to reduce repetitive drudgery and unconstrain teams. Dr. Fink also reflects on the necessity of cultivating a multidimensional identity to build resilience and combat burnout in today's demanding environments. Guest: Dr. Alexis Fink is a leader defined by her profound empathy and lifelong commitment to ensuring that the human remains at the heart of human resources. With an extensive background in organizational transformation and people analytics, she has led initiatives at companies like Meta, Microsoft, Intel, and BASF. Today, in her post-corporate season, she advises startups, teaches, and consults to help create workplaces where everyone truly belongs. Useful links: Dr. Alexis Fink on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisfink Sanja Licina, PhD on LinkedIn: https://ar.linkedin.com/in/sanjalicina Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com/ Check out the AI playbook recently published by the Stanford Digital Economy Lab: https://digitaleconomy.stanford.edu/publication/enterprise-ai-playbook/

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, Sanja sits down with Aoife O’Brien, founder of Happier at Work and author of the book Thriving Talent. Drawing on her twenty-year corporate career and a Master’s in Organizational Behavior, Aoife discusses how leaders can move away from "old school" command-and-control styles toward environments where people truly flourish.

What does it really mean to create a psychologically safe workplace and can you actually measure it? In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, host Sanja Licina, PhD sits down with Dr. Serena Huang, AI leader, people analytics expert, and author of The Inclusion Equation. Together, they explore the intersection of data, AI, and human behavior, unpacking how organizations can move beyond good intentions and start building environments where people feel safe to speak up, contribute, and challenge the status quo. Serena shares insights from her experience leading AI and analytics at companies like PayPal, GE, and Kraft Heinz, including the surprising moment when an algorithm predicted her own resignation. The conversation dives into responsible AI, bias in hiring technologies, and why psychological safety is far more nuanced than most organizations realize. If you care about leadership, culture, and the future of work, this episode offers both practical frameworks and thought-provoking perspectives on turning data into meaningful change.

In this gripping episode of Empowering Workplaces, host Sanja welcomes Rob Kalwarowsky—an MIT-trained engineer, former NCAA All-American, and author of the bestseller Capitalizing on Chaos: The Executive's Guide to Succeed in Disruption. Rob opens up about his deeply personal journey from high-achieving "performance robot" to surviving a rock-bottom mental health crisis triggered by a toxic work environment. Today, he bridges the gap between raw human experience and cold, hard data to help leaders navigate the unprecedented uncertainty of 2026.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we welcome Clint Kofford, President and Managing Director at LeaderWorks. Clint introduces us to the Family 360, a 360 feedback tool created at LeaderWorks to help leaders understand how they show up at home just as much as they do in the office.He shares his own experience going through the process, the surprising lessons it revealed, and why he believes strong family relationships create a flywheel effect that fuels professional success. This conversation goes beyond leadership strategies, it’s about creating alignment between who you are at work and who you are for the people who matter most. Visit LeaderWorks website and learn more about the Family 360: leaderworks.co

On this episode of Empowering Workplaces, hosts Sanja Licina, PhD, and Guille Santana sit down with Dr. Shonna Waters and Dr. Erin Eatough, co-founders of Fractional Insights, to explore the findings of their report, The Risk of Angst, and explain why unmet needs like security, significance, and growth silently drain employee performance and engagement. You’ll also learn about three dominant work mindsets: Universalists, Transactionalists, and Stewards, and how leaders can shift their cultures to meet diverse expectations. If you care about performance, retention, and designing better workplaces for everyone, this episode offers powerful insight, clear data, and immediate takeaways. Download The Business Risk of Work-Related Angst Study: https://www.fractionalinsights.ai/the-business-risk-of-work-related-angst

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, hosts Sanja Licina, PhD, and Guille Santana sit down with Malvika Jethmalani, founder of Atvis Group and Women Shaping AI. Malvika shares her journey from finance to HR, how data and analytics drive her people strategy work, and what inspired her to launch a movement to ensure women have a seat at the table in the future of AI. Together, we talk about representation, impact, and what practical steps can help close the gender gap in AI today. Join Women Shaping AI here

On this episode of Empowering Workplaces we welcome Lynn Merritt, CHRO at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Lynn shares with us how she’s creating a culture of trust, transparency, and inclusion across a huge network of community-focused healthcare organizations.  With 20+ years in healthcare HR, she shares the ups and downs of piloting initiatives like a four-day workweek pilot, why really listening to employees matters, and how being authentic keeps teams engaged and motivated. Join hosts Sanja Licina, PhD, and Guille Santana for this inspiring conversation full of real talk about making work better and more meaningful. Plus, Lynn’s top tips for HR leaders trying to do the same.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we chat with the founders of SkillsBridge AI: Koushik Gupta, Piyush Mathur, and Akesh Agrawal about their innovative platform that helps companies bridge skill gaps using AI. Learn how organizations can motivate employees to upskill, embrace Gen AI, and create a future-ready workforce. Don’t miss insights on the evolving workplace and how AI is reshaping career growth. An AI tool helped us write this description, and that’s ok!

HR analytics holds exciting potential to drive success for both organizations and employees. But as technological advancements reshape the workplace, the rise of HR analytics has sparked concerns about privacy, ethics, and the risks of a quantified employee agenda. In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, Dr. Salvatore Falletta, a renowned thought leader in HR analytics and strategy, shares his insights on the transformative trends shaping the future of HR. Drawing from his book Creepy Analytics: Avoid Crossing the Line and Establish Ethical HR Analytics for Smarter Workforce Decisions, Dr. Falletta reveals: The “gray areas” of analytics that threaten workplace ethics.A seven-step HR Analytics Cycle to build and scale evidence-based practices.How to create smarter, more ethical workforce decisions without crossing the line.Tune in to learn how to balance data innovation with ethical responsibility for a better workplace.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we welcome Dr. Alison Fragale, renowned psychologist, professor, and author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get to the Success They Deserve. Dr. Fragale shares advice on ways women in particular can achieve professional success. In particular she talks about building confidence, overcoming biases, and embracing your inner “likeable badass.”Some particular topics we discussed were: Practical tips on asking for raises and promotions.Advice for navigating complex office politics and advice for women who feel they must choose between being liked and being respected?What allies—both men and women—can do to support women in their quest for success in the workplace.And much more!This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to feel more empowered and is passionate about empowering women and transforming organizational culture as well.

In this episode of Empowering Workplaces, we’re talking with Eric Stone, speaker and author of “Jumpstart Your Workplace Culture,” to explore the critical elements of employee engagement and high performance. Eric shares insights from his career journey and his book, offering practical strategies for leaders to foster a positive and productive workplace environment.We discuss the importance of strong relationships, clear communication, personal and professional growth, and the role of flexibility in maintaining employee engagement. Eric also addresses the pressing issue of burnout and provides actionable advice on how organizations can support their employees’ well-being while ensuring accountability. Join us for an enlightening conversation that aims to help you create a thriving workplace culture.

We are honored to have Andrea Driessen, a renowned message strategist and TED speaker, join us. Andrea, known for her impactful TEDx talk, “The Profound Power of Gratitude and Living Eulogies,” shares her insights on grace notes—living tributes that show appreciation and love in our daily lives. In the episode we explore how these simple yet profound acts can enhance our personal and professional relationships, fostering a culture of mattering and belonging. Tune in to discover practical tips for crafting your own grace notes and learn how such gestures can create lasting, positive ripple effects in our lives and workplaces.