Up Next @ Work

What do electrical engineering and HR technology have in common? More than you might realize! As we kick off the next season of Up Next @ Work, Jeanne Achille chats with Opal Wagnac, the global head of market positioning and strategy at Darwinbox. No doubt Opal is already familiar to many listeners, as her previous roles include SVP at iSolved and VP at UKG. Opal brings fresh solutions to old problems and has her eye on the new challenges brewing over a very near horizon. You’ll enjoy Opal’s thought leadership as much as we enjoyed speaking with her, and yes, AI is mentioned. Connect with Opal on LinkedIn.

Katie Achille and George LaRocque are back with another episode of Up Next @ WorkTech, and this time, they're talking about everything from the latest M&A wave to hit HR Tech to Microsoft's introduction of "Mico," the so-called Clippy of the modern era. Key Takeaways Humanly, Jack & Jill, Findem and FairNow were out there making moves. Is AI augmenting our work or coming for our jobs? Seems like the jury's still out as Amazon, Meta, and the like lean into layoffs. Reddit is suing everyone, particularly Perplexity —what does that mean? Women leave the workforce in droves in 2025. And the rise of vibe working brings us new AI "assistants" to keep us company.

In this must-listen episode, host Jeanne Achille sits down with Beth White, the dynamic founder of MeBeBot, to explore how AI is transforming the employee experience—and why HR professionals must take the lead in this shift. Beth shares her fascinating journey from decades in HR to leading enterprise retail tech sales, where she learned firsthand how consumer experience principles can and should be applied to the workplace. Episode highlights include: AI isn’t new—but it is different now. Beth reminds us that AI has been around for decades. What’s new is the accessibility and mainstream application of tools like ChatGPT, which demands broader organizational understanding. The power trio: HR, IT, and Finance must collaborate to build AI strategy. HR should not be sidelined—if you’re not invited to the table, invite yourself. Responsible AI matters. With regulation catching up (EU AI Act, U.S. executive orders, state-by-state laws), HR leaders must be proactive in understanding AI governance, fairness, and vendor accountability. Jeanne and Beth also unpack the ethical, operational, and emotional challenges of AI adoption, from the organizational silos stifling innovation to the unexpected grief employees and leaders may experience as work evolves. This episode is packed with wisdom on change management, cross-functional collaboration, and governance frameworks that can help companies implement AI responsibly—and effectively. Follow Beth on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Up Next @ Work, Jeanne talks with Ranya Nehmeh, a senior HR strategist based in Vienna, about her latest book titled “In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work.” Co-authored with Peter Cappelli of the Wharton School, the book delivers a balanced, research-based approach to navigating the complex landscape of remote and hybrid work. Jeanne and Ranya explore when in-office works best, when fully remote is viable, and what’s required to make hybrid work. Episode highlights include: The hidden benefits of being in person The new employee journey, examined in the context of in-office What leaders need to know to navigate these conversations Leaders everywhere are grappling with this post-pandemic dilemma, and this episode provides a helpful framework for rethinking return-to-office conversations. Learn more about Ranya's research and follow her on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Up Next @ Work, host Katie Achille sits down with Joey Price and Tami Nutt of Aspect43 to demystify the role of the HR tech analyst in 2025. What exactly is an analyst today, and how have their responsibilities evolved? Joey and Tami bring their decades of HR practitioner experience to the conversation – discussing how analysts serve as strategic advisors to both HR leaders and tech vendors alike. From decoding buyer sentiment and trends to helping HR teams make more informed business cases, Joey and Tami share what it really means to connect the dots between HR needs and tech innovation. Episode highlights include: The day-to-day life of an analyst (hint: it’s more than just writing reports) What ROI really looks like in 2025 How HR professionals and tech vendors can make the most of conferences like HR Tech Why analyst days are no longer just for the “big guys” in tech Upcoming research from Aspect43 Whether you're an HR leader, tech vendor, or getting ready to kick off the fall conference season, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the critical role analysts play. Connect with Joey and Tami on LinkedIn and follow their work at Aspect43.

In this thought-provoking episode, Katie Achille is joined by Mary Faulkner of IA. The two dive deep into the growing gap between AI excitement at the executive level and the real-world readiness of organizations able to implement it meaningfully. Looking at the first half of 2025, Kate and Mary unpack the disconnect between vision and execution in today's HR tech landscape. Episode highlights include: The myth of the "quick fix" AI Implementation vs. adoption Frontline workforce tech gaps Change management that actually works Decision-making chaos in executive teams The future of AI, hallucinations, and therapy bots Whether you're a tech vendor, HR leader, or just trying to stay afloat in a year of AI overwhelm, this episode delivers clarity and candor you won’t want to miss. Be sure to find Mary on LinkedIn and learn more about IA.

What does it take to develop strong, adaptable leaders in today’s workplace? In this episode of Up Next at Work, host Jeanne Achille welcomes Al Dea, a renowned talent and leadership development consultant and founder of The Edge of Work. Al shares his expert insights on how organizations can effectively develop and grow their leaders, the evolving landscape of talent management, and what it takes to stay ahead in today’s rapidly changing workplace. Episode highlights include: Why leadership development is more critical than ever The common mistakes companies make when growing their talent Actionable strategies to foster leadership at every level Al’s personal take on the future of work and learning If you’re looking to level up your leadership game or enhance your organization’s approach, this episode is for you! As Al shares, "Leadership isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s about impact, influence, and adaptability." Find Al on LinkedIn, and don't miss The Edge of Work.