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Thomas Kunjappu

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Future Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastDistrupt The Process, Not The People: Building Human-Centered HR with AIIn this episode, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Heather Hiddleston, Chief Human Resources Officer at Athletic Brewing Company, to talk about how small HR teams can lead meaningful innovation with AI—without losing the human touch. With a background spanning Apple, Constellation Brands, and Stone Brewing, Heather shares how transparency, empowerment, and strategic experimentation are helping Athletic Brewing build a more modern, values-driven workplace.Topics Discussed:Why HR should automate process work to refocus on people's workWhat “nice-to-have” moments AI can finally make possibleHow to drive AI adoption across a diverse, distributed workforceCreating two-way conver...2025-06-1037 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastHR Under Pressure: What Small Teams Can Teach Us About the FutureIn this episode, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Michael Salamey, an HR leader with deep experience in tech, employee engagement, and workforce analytics, to talk about the realities of running lean HR teams in today’s AI-driven world. Drawing on his experience leading small HR teams across industries, Michael shares why smaller often means sharper—and how embracing limitations can build better HR leaders.Topics Discussed:The hidden strengths of small, scrappy HR teamsHow collapsing roles creates broader, deeper skill setsWhy most tech evaluations get silently deprioritizedThe paradox of AI adoption in under-resourced orgsTactical ways small team...2025-05-0752 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastFull Contact HR: Driving Growth, Owning Outcomes, Leading ChangeIn this episode, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Dennis Richter, Chief People Officer at Fullscript, to talk about how HR can evolve from a back-office function to a business-critical partner. With a background that spans the Army, global operations, and high-growth tech, Dennis shares how his philosophy of accountability, business fluency, and people-first leadership is helping reshape the HR function.Topics Discussed:Why defining accountability clearly can unlock real ownershipThe hidden cost of “people tax”—and how to reduce itWhy HR teams should think of themselves as revenue-affectingHow to bring execs and managers along for cu...2025-04-2148 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastCrack the Hatch, Bring a Chair, Know the Numbers: HR That WinsIn this episode, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with L. David Kingsley (LDK), Chief People Officer at Illumio, to talk about what it really takes for HR to operate like a business partner—not a back-office function. Drawing on experience from Accenture to the Navy Reserve to scaling global orgs, LDK breaks down how HR teams can earn their place at the table through authenticity, numeracy, and a relentless focus on enabling the business.Topics Discussed:Why HR needs to think like consultants—and act like ownersThe “value continuum” from necessary evil to trusted advisorWhat makes a...2025-04-0851 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastNext-Gen HR: Data-Led, Human-Centered, Future-ReadyIn this episode of Future Proof HR, Thomas Kunjappu chats with Amy Boque, Chief People Officer at Kelly, about what it really takes to modernize HR. Amy walks us through the transformation she led at Kelly—shifting the perception of HR from an administrative support team to a strategic business function.With a background in manufacturing and a no-nonsense approach to process improvement, Amy shares how she empowered her team to simplify workflows, embrace discomfort, and get scrappy—before any big tech investments were even on the table.She also discusses the evolving expectations of empl...2025-03-2737 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastThe HR Revolution: Data, Storytelling, and Breaking the Old PlaybookIn this episode of Future Proof HR, Craig Haydamack, CHRO at USIC, joins Thomas Kunjappu to break down the power of HR analytics in shaping workforce strategies and influencing executive decision-making.With a background spanning finance, IT, and HR, Craig shares how HR professionals can leverage data, tell compelling stories, and align HR initiatives with business goals. He explains how HR teams can move beyond gut feelings and use metrics, benchmarks, and financial storytelling to prove the business impact of their work.Craig also discusses the evolution of HR analytics, how AI is accelerating data-driven...2025-03-1850 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastFrom HR to Business Powerhouse: Scaling for What’s NextIn this episode of Future Proof HR, Angela Briggs-Paige, Chief Human Resources Officer at Acelero, shares how she stepped into the company as its first-ever CHRO and led a bold HR transformation. Faced with a legacy HR structure focused on compliance and administration, Angela set out to modernize processes, restructure teams, and rebrand HR as a strategic driver of business outcomes.Angela breaks down her first 90 days, where she focused on listening, auditing HR operations, and identifying inefficiencies. She also shares how her team reduced hiring time from 88 days to 29 days, filled hundreds of open roles, and...2025-02-2543 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastBuilding a Future-Ready HR: Leadership, Strategy, and People ImpactIn this episode of Future Proof HR, Thomas Kunjappu chats with Quentin Misenheimer, Chief People Officer at Garlock Flexibles, to explore his journey from military service to corporate HR leadership. Quentin reflects on how HR has evolved from an administrative function to a trusted business partner, highlighting his early experiences managing a night shift and learning how HR can shape organizational success.Quentin shares insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of trust, flexibility, and being proactive. He also discusses how COVID reshaped work dynamics, driving a need for balance between flexibility and collaboration. Quentin's vision of HR...2025-01-3039 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastDriving HR Forward: Leadership, Strategy, and the Future of WorkWelcome to the third episode of Future Proof HR, where we explore the trends, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of HR leadership and workforce transformation. This week, we’re joined by David Dart, Chief People Officer at Caliber, as we dive into how HR leaders can drive impact across industries and adapt to a rapidly changing HR environment.In this episode, we’ll discuss:How HR leaders can align with business strategy to deliver meaningful outcomes.The evolving expectations for HR in the post-pandemic workforce.Innovative approaches to training and workforce enablement at scal...2024-12-1249 minAll OnboardAll OnboardCohorts, Culture, and Connection: Inside Consumer Credit Union's Onboarding EvolutionIn this episode of All Onboard, we talk with Shawn Premer, Chief Human Resources Officer at Consumers Credit Union, about the journey of transforming their onboarding process into a cornerstone of their culture. Over her 13 years at Consumers, Shawn has led the company’s growth from 100 employees to over 430, all while maintaining a strong focus on employee connection, values, and retention.Learn how Shawn’s approach to onboarding has evolved to meet the demands of a growing workforce and discover strategies that can inspire your own programs, including:Why hiring in cohorts creates stronger relationships and team...2024-12-0640 minAll OnboardAll OnboardMission-Driven Onboarding: Aligning People, Purpose, and Process at Trinity ChurchIn this episode of All Onboard, we dive into the transformative power of mission-driven onboarding with Dr. Waajida Small, Chief Human Resources Officer at Trinity Church NYC. With over 15 years of HR expertise, Waajida shares how Trinity reimagined its onboarding process to align people, purpose, and organizational goals.Discover actionable insights for building an onboarding strategy that drives engagement and retention, including:The role of mission in creating meaningful onboarding experiences.The importance of cross-departmental collaboration.Extending onboarding beyond the first day for lasting impact.Leveraging employee feedback to transform onboarding processes.Enhancing connection through buddy...2024-11-2639 minAll OnboardAll OnboardCrafting a Warm Welcome: Sandy Spring Bank's Thoughtful OnboardingIn this episode of All Onboard, Thomas Kunjappu chats with Gary Fernandes, the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Sandy Spring Bank. With over 30 years of HR experience across industries like healthcare and banking, Gary knows a thing or two about creating onboarding programs that leave a lasting impression.Together, they explore how Sandy Spring Bank ensures new hires feel genuinely welcomed and supported from day one. From aligning expectations to building emotional connections, Gary shares thoughtful insights and real stories that highlight what it takes to make onboarding meaningful.Topics...2024-11-1535 minAll OnboardAll OnboardEngineering Strategic Onboarding: Inside Zebra Technologies’ HR TransformationIn this episode of the All Onboard podcast, host Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Jeff Schmitz, Chief People Officer at Zebra Technologies. With a background that bridges engineering, product management, marketing, and HR, Jeff shares his unique perspective on transforming HR from a service function to a strategic powerhouse.Discover how Zebra Technologies is redefining the onboarding experience, prioritizing employee engagement from day one, and ensuring a seamless transition for new hires. Jeff dives into the importance of structure, efficiency, and employee-centric processes in building a successful HR strategy that aligns with Zebra’s goals....2024-11-0741 minAll OnboardAll OnboardCulture, Connection, and Cohesion: Mews’ Top-Tier Approach to OnboardingIn this episode of All Onboard, host Thomas Kunjappu welcomes Naomi Trickey, Chief People Officer at Mews, to discuss how onboarding can be transformed into a meaningful and culture-building experience, especially within a globally connected, remote-first company. Naomi shares Mews’ approach to making onboarding feel both personal and purposeful, setting new hires up for success from the beginning.Key insights include:Hospitality in Onboarding: How Mews uses a hospitality-first mindset to create a warm, memorable welcome.Building Connection Across Borders: The ways Mews strengthens team bonds and reinforces cultural values across a gl...2024-10-3142 minAll OnboardAll OnboardAuthored to Perfection: NORC’s Onboarding Strategy for ExcellenceIn this episode of the All Onboard podcast, host Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Tenia Davis, Chief Human Resources Officer at NORC at the University of Chicago. Tenia shares her insights from over two decades of experience in HR leadership, highlighting the importance of building scalable onboarding processes that support growth and employee engagement.Topics covered in this episode:The role of HR in facilitating onboarding transitionsHow to support new managers in their onboarding effortsThe importance of setting clear performance expectations earlyUtilizing feedback and data to improve the employee experienceBuilding a culture of engagement that lasts...2024-10-1837 minAll OnboardAll OnboardFrom Grads to Pros: Building Strong Onboarding at DynatraceIn this episode of All Onboard, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Molly Mintz, Employee Onboarding Manager at Dynatrace. Molly shares her journey from being a recent grad in the Professional Development Program (PDP) to leading onboarding initiatives for both new graduates and experienced hires. She talks about the unique challenges of transitioning from the classroom to the corporate world and how Dynatrace helps new hires find their footing, whether they’re just starting their careers or seasoned professionals. Molly also reflects on the importance of continuous improvement in onboarding programs, ensuring that every new hire feels connected and...2024-10-1128 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastThe Future of HR: AI Cementing HR’s Seat at the Executive TableWelcome to the second episode of Future Proof HR, where we explore how technology is transforming the HR landscape. In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most pressing topics for HR leaders: How AI can help HR secure its seat at the executive table.In this episode, we’ll discuss:Why now is the time for HR leaders to step up and drive AI innovation within their organizations.The shifting role of HR—how the post-pandemic environment and efficiency demands are changing expectations for HR teams.Key opportunities for AI to transform HR servic...2024-10-0920 minAll OnboardAll OnboardShaping Futures: How PhyNet Redefines Onboarding and OrientationIn this episode of All Onboard, we sit down with Donna Howard, Chief Human Resources Officer at PhyNet Dermatology, to discuss how the company is reshaping the onboarding and orientation process for long-term impact. Donna shares her journey from insurance to HR, diving into how her experiences have fueled her passion for creating onboarding programs that go beyond the basics. She explains the difference between onboarding and orientation, and why integrating company culture, values, and leadership buy-in is crucial for employee retention and engagement.Donna takes us through PhyNet’s approach to redefining onboarding, including how they fo...2024-10-0443 minAll OnboardAll OnboardFeedzai’s Winning Onboarding Formula: DEIB, Branding, and Culture UnitedIn this episode of the All Onboard podcast, we sit down with Eileen Page, Global Head of Talent, Brand Strategy, Communications, and DEIB at Feedzai, to uncover the secrets behind Feedzai’s innovative global onboarding strategy. With a career spanning over 30 years, Eileen shares how Feedzai integrates DEIB, employer branding, and internal communications to create a seamless and inclusive onboarding program across 18 countries.Eileen explains how Feedzai’s onboarding journey begins from the moment a candidate visits their website and continues through a 90-day process designed to ensure every new hire feels connected, whether they’re in an off...2024-09-2736 minFuture Proof HR PodcastFuture Proof HR PodcastThe HR Support Model of TomorrowWelcome to the very first episode of Future Proof HR Podcast! We’re diving into what the future holds for HR teams and how technology is changing the game. Right now, HR teams spend most of their time reacting to repetitive requests and handling day-to-day tasks. But that’s about to change.In this episode, we’ll chat about:Why HR teams feel stuck in reactive mode – and what’s keeping them there.The three-tier HR support model – What’s Tier 0, Tier 1, and Tier 2? And how are they shifting?How AI is goin...2024-09-2412 minAll OnboardAll OnboardBuilding Global Bridges: SAP’s Scalable Onboarding RevolutionWelcome to Episode 12 of the “All Onboard” podcast, hosted by Cleary CEO Thomas Kunjappu. In this episode, we explore SAP’s innovative approach to onboarding at scale, with Melissa Best, the Global Onboarding Lead at SAP. Discover how SAP transformed its onboarding process into a seamless, scalable, and engaging journey for new hires across 156 locations worldwide.Melissa shares how SAP shifted its onboarding strategy from a tactical, operational function into a holistic learning-based experience. She dives into the company’s focus on integrating new hires into SAP’s global culture while ensuring that they feel connected and empowered...2024-09-2047 minAll OnboardAll OnboardSolving Global Onboarding Challenges: New Globe’s ApproachWelcome to Episode 11 of The All Onboard Podcast, hosted by Cleary CEO Thomas Kunjappu. In this episode, we explore the complexities of global onboarding with Allison Mairena, VP of People at New Globe. Alison shares her experience leading people operations across diverse cultures, focusing on navigating communication styles, setting expectations, and ensuring a seamless onboarding process across multiple regions, including Sub-Saharan Africa.In this episode, we discuss:Overcoming the challenges of onboarding a multicultural workforceThe importance of tailored communication in global onboardingHow asynchronous communication can enhance remote onboardingSetting expectations during pre-boarding to ensure a...2024-09-1337 minAll OnboardAll OnboardBeyond Onboarding: How City of Hope Keeps New Hires EngagedWelcome to Episode 10 of The All Onboard Podcast, hosted by Cleary CEO Thomas Kunjappu. In this episode, we explore the vital role of talent acquisition in creating an impactful onboarding experience with Matt Craven, Director of Talent Acquisition at City of Hope. Learn how City of Hope goes beyond the basics of onboarding to ensure new hires are not only integrated but also engaged and aligned with the organization’s mission and values from day one.In this episode, we discuss:The critical role of talent acquisition in the onboarding process.Strategies for maintaining candidate engagement fr...2024-08-2936 minAll OnboardAll OnboardScaling Onboarding: From Startups to High-Growth Success with Sahar NaimIn episode 9 of the "All Onboard" podcast, host Thomas Kunjappu welcomes Sahar Naim, an experienced People and Operations leader, to explore the intricacies of scaling onboarding programs in high-growth environments. Drawing from her extensive experience at companies like BetterHelp and Branch Metrics, Sahar shares insights on the critical role of automation, the importance of providing a white-glove onboarding experience, and the unique challenges of transitioning from in-person to remote onboarding. Join us as we discuss:The importance of structured onboarding in high-growth startups and how it supports rapid scale.How automation tools like Zapier can streamline o...2024-08-2233 minAll OnboardAll OnboardTransforming Onboarding For A Unique Non-Profit Model at Coast Mental HealthWelcome to Episode #8 of the All Onboard Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative employee onboarding journey at Coast Mental Health, where Deborah Maynard, the Chief Human Resources Officer, shares her insights on building a world-class onboarding experience. Coast Mental Health's unique non-profit model presents a distinctive set of challenges and opportunities, particularly in how onboarding is related to employee retention, and how they’ve managed to streamline the onboarding process in a complex work environment.Deborah opens up about the employee onboarding challenges that arise when you’re onboarding staff for a 24/7 operation, wher...2024-08-0938 minAll OnboardAll OnboardPicture-Perfect Onboarding: Sean Vader of Shutterstock on Collaborative FrameworksIn this episode of the All Onboard podcast, host Thomas Kunjappu welcomes Sean Vader, Senior Director and HR Business Partner at Shutterstock, to explore the transformative impact of collaborative frameworks in onboarding. Drawing from his extensive experience at organizations like Stripe and L'Oreal, Sean delves into the nuances of onboarding processes tailored to different company sizes and growth stages.Join us as we discuss:The evolution of digital and tool-based onboarding practices.The unique onboarding approaches for C-suite executives and how internal contracts facilitate seamless integration.Real-life examples from Sean’s career, highlight the contrast between on...2024-07-3049 minAll OnboardAll OnboardRevamping Onboarding Programs: Modelez's Sweet Strategy with Sarah SkellernLink to Onboarding Assessment: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-assessmentLink to ROI Calculator: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI--In this episode of "All Onboard," we explore how Sarah Skellern and the Mondelez team successfully overhauled their onboarding program, creating a seamless and engaging onboarding journey. By focusing on employee feedback and utilizing innovative strategies, they tackled significant onboarding challenges and transformed the experience for new hires. Sarah shares insights into the importance of a comprehensive employee onboarding playbook and how digital employee onboarding can streamline the process.One of the key takeaways from...2024-07-1939 minAll OnboardAll OnboardBack to School with Joyce Knight: YES Prep’s Employee Onboarding ProcessIn this episode of the "All Onboard" podcast, host Thomas Kunjappu speaks with Joyce Knight, Director of Talent Strategy at YES Prep Public Schools, about their innovative approaches to employee onboarding. Joyce shares her unique perspective gained from HR roles in education, media, and healthcare, and how these experiences have shaped her strategies at YES Prep. She emphasizes the importance of creating a tailored employee onboarding process that caters to the diverse needs of instructional and non-instructional hires, ensuring each new employee feels welcomed and supported from day one.Joyce delves into the specifics of YES Prep's...2024-07-1027 minAll OnboardAll OnboardThe Employee Onboarding Process Used by the Pros: How Mitchell Martin Onboards Contingent Workforces at ScaleJoin Cleary CEO Thomas Kunjappu as he hosts Dawn Ponico, Chief People Officer at Mitchell Martin Inc., in Episode 4 of the All Onboard Podcast. Discover the strategies and processes used by the pros to onboard contingent workforces effectively and efficiently. Learn about the comprehensive employee onboarding process that ensures compliance, satisfaction, and success for both employees and clients.2024-07-0235 minAll OnboardAll OnboardScaling Personalization and Authentic Impact: Kaylea Bowers on Sprinklr’s Approach to OnboardingIn this episode of the All Onboard podcast, host Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Kaylea Bowers, the cultural onboarding program lead at Sprinklr. Kaylea shares her expertise in creating meaningful work experiences by ensuring new hires feel connected and supported from day one. She discusses Sprinklr's unique approach to balancing individual needs with organizational culture, highlighting the Sprinklr Happier program—a 21-day initiative designed to boost energy, self-awareness, and productivity using neuroscience and peak performance techniques.Kaylea also dives into the intricacies of Sprinklr's onboarding journey, explaining how the company manages to scale pers...2024-06-2438 minAll OnboardAll OnboardData-Driven Onboarding: Yuyan Sun's Blueprint for SuccessIn this episode of "All Onboard," Thomas Kunjappu, CEO of Cleary, interviews Yuyan Sun, the Head of People Analytics at Motiv. Yuyan shares her unique approach to transforming HR metrics into actionable insights, focusing on the concept of Employee Lifetime Value (ELTV). She explains how seeing people operations as a product and employees as customers can drive business growth.The discussion delves into various aspects of the onboarding journey, emphasizing the importance of a data-driven approach to streamline employee onboarding and reduce attrition of employees. Yuyan highlights how an effective onboarding process, including di...2024-06-2344 minAll OnboardAll OnboardEmployee Experience Over Compliance with Stephen Bryant of Siemens HealthineersJoin Thomas Kunjappu on the All Onboard Podcast as he chats with Stephen Bryant, head of employee onboarding at Siemens Healthineers. Stephen shares insights from his 25 years of experience, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing employee experience over compliance. Learn about innovative onboarding strategies, such as using design thinking principles, creating a seamless onboarding journey, and supporting managers with effective onboarding tools. This episode also explores the impact of technology on streamlining the employee onboarding process and offers practical tips for enhancing new hire experiences. Keywords: employee onboarding journey, design thinking in onboarding, streamline employee onboarding...2024-06-2143 minPrincipal Office HoursPrincipal Office HoursBuilding a Well-Balanced Team: How to Identify and Address WeaknessesSummary: In this episode, Dr. Jim interviews Thomas Kunjappu, CEO and founder of Cleary, about getting your people ready to lead. Thomas shares his experience as a startup founder and offers valuable insights on building a well-balanced team. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your weaknesses and intentionally hiring to fill those gaps. Thomas also discusses the misconception that top performers must move into people leadership roles and highlights the value of technical paths for growth. Tune in to learn how to set your team up for success and develop future leaders.Key Takeaways: ...2024-04-2411 minValue DriversValue DriversThomas Kunjappu - founder and CEO of ClearyThomas Kunjappu, founder and CEO of Cleary, discusses how Cleary can help companies improve internal communication and build organization culture.   Show Notes [01:30]  Thomas provided the backstory of the founding of Cleary.  His background has mostly been in product management throughout the career. Typically, when someone is building products, it is built for customers.  In the case of Thomas, the product was initially built for internal customers (at Twitter). The mission of Cleary is to build connected company culture and being the central hub for companies. With the rise of remote and distributed work, the...2023-11-2139 minTalentCulture #WorkTrendsTalentCulture #WorkTrendsCreating & Maintaining a Positive Employee ExperienceIn this episode, we are joined by Thomas Kunjappu, CEO and Co-founder of Cleary. Thomas and Meghan discuss how scaling companies can approach the Employee Experience as it relates to the people, tactics, and resources necessary to ensure employees are engaged and contributing to a positive company culture. 2023-11-1723 minThe SaaS Podcast - SaaS, Startups, Growth Hacking & EntrepreneurshipThe SaaS Podcast - SaaS, Startups, Growth Hacking & Entrepreneurship356: Cleary: Transitioning from Custom-Services to SaaS Product Success - with Thomas KunjappuThomas Kunjappu is the co-founder and CEO of Cleary, an employee experience platform or modern intranet for hybrid teams.Show Notes: https://saasclub.io/356Join Email List: Get weekly SaaS learnings, new podcast episodes, and actionable insights right in your inbox: https://saasclub.io/email/Join Community: SaaS Club is the community for early-stage SaaS founders and entrepreneurs: https://saasclub.co/join2023-05-1856 min