Want to know how a regional bank is winning the talent war? Don't miss this conversation with Josh Varone, SVP of Centreville Bank, who's team is revolutionizing their employer brand through innovative people-first strategies.

Key takeaways from our discussion:

- Fostering a workplace culture that attracts top talent as an employer of choice
- Developing managers into inspiring leaders
- Creating meaningful connections across multiple locations

Plus, we're excited to announce our upcoming 100th episode featuring HR legends and THR alumni Beth Grous and Tracy Burns! 🎉

The Hennessy Report brings you authentic conversations with HR leaders who are shaping the future of work, in cooperation with NEHRA. 

Join our community of forward-thinking HR professionals: https://www.keystonepartners.com/all-resources/#subscribe

The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners 

Episode 97 — Josh Varone — Centreville Bank

On the 98th episode of The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners, Dave is joined by Gary Ware, founder and corporate facilitator of "Breakthrough Play," author of "Playful Rebellion," and frequent Keynote speaker.  

His mission? To help creative professionals in sales and marketing use the power of play to be more creative, confident, and develop deeper relationships with their team and clients.

Are you struggling with workplace stress and declining creativity? Listen in to discover how strategic play can revolutionize your organization's performance.

In this episode you will learn about: 

The science of play and productivity
MAP Framework for workplace transformation
Evidence-based strategies for reducing stress
Real success stories from transformed organizations

Learn why leading companies are embracing purposeful play to boost innovation, enhance team collaboration, and drive sustainable growth.

Episode 98 — Gary Ware — Breakthrough Play

Is your organization still sitting on the AI sidelines while 80% of employees are already using it?

On this episode of The Hennessy Report by Keystone Partners, Dave is joined by Bucky Dodd, a pioneering voice in the AI and learning development space who's helping HR leaders navigate the AI revolution without losing sight of what matters most - people.

WHY LISTEN:
* Learn the "people-first" approach to AI adoption
* Discover what's actually working in corporate learning
* Avoid costly AI implementation mistakes
* See how HR leaders are managing AI risks

KEY INSIGHTS:
* Latest shifts in AI adoption
* Real performance evaluation successes
* Knowledge management breakthroughs
* Practical implementation strategies

From performance evaluations to knowledge management, learn how leading HR teams are thoughtfully integrating AI to enhance human potential rather than replace it.

Whether you're an AI skeptic or enthusiast, Bucky's practical, people-first approach will help you chart a course through the AI revolution that's already transforming our workplaces.

Episode 99 — Bucky Dodd — ClearKinetic

7 Years & 100 Episodes: A Milestone HR Leadership Conversation 

The Hennessy Report celebrates its 100th episode by bringing back its first two guests - Dave is joined by Tracy Burns (CEO of NERA) and Beth Grous (CPO at Generate Biomedicines) - for an insightful discussion on how HR has evolved and where it's heading.

Key Highlights:
* How HR has transformed from an administrative function to a strategic business driver
* The evolution of workplace transparency, with younger generations expecting more open dialogue about compensation and company decisions
* The future of work: Breaking down traditional hierarchical structures and embracing skills-based organizational design
* The critical importance of leading with empathy in today's workplace

"I hope if we're sitting here 10 years from now, we'll be looking around saying 'wow, people got really innovative and creative about how they build organizational structures to drive a differentiated set of outcomes.'" - Beth Grous

Looking Ahead: Tracy and Beth both emphasized the need to "fix work" by creating more flexible, human-centric organizational structures that better support both business objectives and employee wellbeing.

In memory of Paul McKinlay. 

Celebrating Episode 100 — Tracy Burns & Beth Grous

EVERY MANAGER INTERACTION IS A MAKE-OR-BREAK MOMENT

Boston Beer's CPO reveals why those quick hallway chats and casual feedback sessions matter more than you think.

Episode #101 of The Hennessy Report features Carolyn O'Boyle, CPO at The Boston Beer Company speaking with host Dave Hennessy and Keystone Partners' colleague Brenda Stanton. 

Carolyn shares how she's transforming manager-employee interactions at the makers of Sam Adams, Truly, and Twisted Tea. Why? Because she's tired of seeing promotions announced via text and performance reviews done in airport lounges.

Learn how The Boston Beer Company is:
- Training managers to nail the moments that matter
- Replacing outdated retention strategies with real engagement
- Moving talent across the business (not just up)
- Managing burnout before it starts

The Hennessy Report - Where HR leaders learn from HR leaders.

Episode 101 — Carolyn O'Boyle — The Boston Beer Company

Building a Relationship-Centered Banking Culture

Episode #102 of The Hennessy Report features Maria Harris, EVP & CHRO at Rockland Trust speaking with host Dave Hennessy.

Maria explains how focusing on a culture "Where Each Relationship Matters" drives both customer experience and employee engagement across 2,000 employees and over 100 locations.

STANDOUT STORIES:
- Taking artwork off the wall for customers with ancestral connections
- An employee who personally helped a customer download the mobile banking app during COVID
- How their Hispanic/Latino employee resource group "Unite Us" was formed

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS:
- Valuing potential over past experience when hiring talent
- Operationalizing culture through leadership development programs
- Using data and spreadsheets to understand employee experiences at scale
- Creating career development opportunities through their "Rising Stars" program

The Hennessy Report - Where HR leaders learn from HR leaders.

The Hennessy Report is produced in partnership with NEHRA. 

Episode 102 — Maria Harris — Rockland Trust

From Legal Eagle to Culture Champion: The Planet Group's HR Revolution

In this lively episode, Dave Hennessy chats with Marni Helfand about her fascinating journey from courtroom litigator (inspired by her dad's dinner table practice arguments!) to leading both legal and HR at Planet Group.
WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:

- How Planet Group placed a staggering 80,000 people in jobs while expanding globally
- The secret sauce behind their "One Planet" culture integration (hint: they let everyone BUT executives lead it!)
- Why Gen Z wants feedback every two weeks while Boomers clutch their annual reviews
- Marni's love for Kim Scott's Radical Candor approach to leadership: "compassion = empathy + action"
- The "career lattice" that lets people zigzag between departments based on passion

Perfect for HR leaders navigating acquisition integration, generational workplace dynamics, and the tricky balance between legal compliance and people-first strategies.

Episode 103 — Marni Helfand — The Planet Group

🎙️ Marianne Monte on Authentic Leadership & Building Inclusive Cultures

Dave is joined by Marianne Monte, CPO at Shawmut Design and Construction, on the 104th episode of The Hennessy Report. She shares her journey from coming out in the early 90s to leading a $2 billion construction firm.

🔥 Key Takeaways:
* The "F-you fund" every HR pro needs
* How bringing your whole self to work transforms leadership effectiveness
* Succession planning done right: How to promote your replacement (and feel good about it)
* Building inclusive culture in a traditionally male-dominated industry

Marianne's story reminds us that the courage to be authentic - whether it's coming out at work in the 90s or having difficult conversations with leadership - ultimately makes us better leaders and creates stronger, more inclusive organizations.

This episode is perfect listen for HR leaders, construction professionals, and anyone interested in authentic leadership during challenging organizational transformations.



Episode 104 — Marianne Monte —  Shawmut Design and Construction

On this episode of #TheHennessyReport David Hennessy is joined by Janine Taylor, CHRO of Advocates. 

From learning to "listen first" as a young HR professional to leading 2,700 employees who serve 40,000 individuals with disabilities and life challenges - Janine's journey shows why supporting the supporters matters.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

✅ Early wage access over 401k focus - Creating benefits that meet employees' immediate needs
✅ Career pathway success - Two nurse practitioners who started as direct care staff and tripled their income
✅ The respect principle - How treating everyone with dignity during transitions creates "boomerang employees" and reduces lawsuits
✅ Building representative teams - Growing HR diversity to reflect their workforce

Janine's approach to understanding her diverse workforce and building systems around their real needs offers practical lessons for creating cultures where mission-driven employees can thrive.

🎙️ Brought to you by Keystone Partners - experts in helping HR and organizations meet business goals through leadership development and career transition. Made in partnership with the Northeast HR Association - and a warm welcome to NEHRA's newest board member, Janine! 

Episode 105 — Janine Taylor — Advocates

Dave Hennessy is joined by Charu Manocha, CHRO at SmartEquine, on this episode of The Hennessy Report Podcast, by Keystone Partners.

Charu shares how she built workforce agility during major organizational change.

Key insights:
HR rotations that develop business-savvy leaders
Team performance models that actually work
Managing multi-generational workforce expectations
Leading talent assessment during "shrink to grow" phases

"We had 40 volunteers for our transformation task-force out of 360 employees. That's how you know change management is working."

This episode is perfect for CHROs, CPOs, and emerging HR leaders navigating today's complex workforce challenges.


Episode 103 — Marni Helfand — The Planet Group

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