Wellbeing Ignites Welldoing

Chris Schmelzer has spent more than a decade inside some of the most complex organizational transformations in North America, first at Deloitte and ScottMadden, and now as the founder of The ChangeMindset Co. His new book, The Missing Link, offers a radical reframe of why change programs fail, not because of poor strategy or weak communication, but because of something more fundamental: organizations systematically ignore the biological reality of the human nervous system under pressure.Chris’s central thesis is disarmingly clear. For more than a century, we have designed organizations as if humans were interchangeable units of cognition. But the brain’s primary job is prediction, not execution. When sustained change destroys predictability, the prefrontal cortex, the seat of reasoning, creativity, and empathy, goes offline. Survival circuits take over. And no communication campaign, training program, or culture initiative can reach a nervous system that is signaling danger.The correct sequence, Chris argues, is: Regulation, then Coherence, then Mindset, then Behavior. Most organizations begin at step three or four and wonder why nothing sticks. In this episode, we go deep into the book, the biology, and what it actually looks like to lead change in a way that honors the most fundamental system we have.

Silvia Via has turned lived experience into entrepreneurial innovation. As the founder of multiple mission-led ventures—from ethically sourced coffee to fashion-forward nonprofits—she exemplifies how business can serve as a vehicle for healing, inclusion, and global impact.This conversation explores the role of creativity, recovery, and social enterprise in advancing employee wellbeing, inclusive leadership, and purpose-driven strategy—especially relevant as companies rethink culture in the age of AI and burnout.For executive listeners, Silvia’s work offers insight into:How lived experience can inform regenerative leadershipWhy employee-led social impact drives brand authenticityThe power of storytelling, design, and wellness in building belonging

Jeff Melanson is a rare kind of leader, one who has navigated the worlds of global technology, creative institutions, family enterprises, and civic systems with equal fluency. From serving as President & CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and President of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, to advising multigenerational family enterprises and partnering with one of the world’s leading real-time 3D technology platforms, Jeff’s career reflects a deep understanding of systems, stewardship, and human potential.Across arts, business, technology, and advisory work, Jeff has consistently focused on one central question: how do organizations sustain creativity, performance, and purpose over time? In this episode, we explore leadership as an act of stewardship, the role of creativity in organizational wellbeing, and what it takes to lead complex systems with clarity, care, and long-term vision.

Burnout is often framed as a workload, mindset, or motivation problem. Yet across recovery environments, workplaces, and public institutions, a deeper pattern is emerging: when people are physically depleted, emotional regulation, engagement, and belonging become biologically inaccessible.Marie Gardiner brings seven years of applied experience working at the intersection of cellular health, recovery, and human resilience. This episode explores why physical regulation is the missing foundation beneath many wellbeing strategies—and how restoring the body’s capacity enables deeper engagement, emotional stability, and genuine belonging.

Erin Young serves as the Sustainability Specialist for Breckenridge Grand Vacations, where she helps steward one of Colorado’s most iconic mountain ecosystems. Her work sits at the intersection of environmental resilience, community wellbeing, and place‑based leadership.Outside her sustainability leadership role, Erin is also the author of The CEOwner and an international ski judge, bringing a dynamic perspective rooted in community, sport, and sustainable small‑business leadership.This episode explores how sustainability becomes truly transformative when grounded in local action, community wisdom, and daily micro‑practices that strengthen both people and the planet.

Anna Turrell is one of the world’s most respected voices in sustainability. With a track record that spans multinationals, startups, boards, and policy-shaping coalitions, she brings a systems-thinking approach to some of the most urgent challenges facing our planet—and the organizations operating on it.As former Chief Sustainability Officer at Decathlon, and Group Sustainability Director at Tesco, Anna has led Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) transformation from the inside out. Now, through her work as Founder of Ethos & Edge and as a strategic advisor and board member, she guides companies toward integrated strategies that unite environmental impact with ethical governance and human flourishing.In today’s conversation, we’ll explore what’s next in sustainability, how leaders can move from compliance to courageous action, and why the future of sustainability and workplace wellbeing are fundamentally interlinked.

This episode brings two CEOs from companies working in the sustainability space to have a conversation about their work and its importance related to people’s wellbeing. We will end with a call to action for business leaders to support achieving the ESGs.Wade Smith is the CEO of EnergyPrint, helping organizations turn utility data into actionable insights and measurable ROI. With a purpose-led approach, Wade believes the energy and utilities managed within buildings mirrors the energy cultivated within people—driving integrity, sustainability, and care.Roger Barlow is the CEO of Diversys Software, a sustainability tech company helping organizations transform how they track and optimize recycling and waste compliance. A global tech leader turned entrepreneur, Roger champions data integrity as the foundation of trust—and trust as essential to both culture and wellbeing.In this episode, we’ll explore:✅ What ESGs are and how transparency affects real people’s wellbeing✅ Lessons from building a company culture where wellbeing and integrity are inseparable✅ What leaders can do to turn advance sustainability in ways that really matter to employees

Andres Angelani is a globally recognized tech executive with over two decades of experience leading software engineering innovation across startups and global enterprises. Now CEO of Wizeline, Andres previously held senior leadership roles at Globant, and Speedcast, where he pioneered distributed agile models and built high-performing global teams.At Cognizant Softvision, he played a pivotal role in shaping the digital engineering brand and creating global digital studios. His leadership consistently bridges strategy, technology, and culture—making him a sought-after voice on scaling innovation responsibly.In today’s episode, we’ll discuss why people, not just platforms, are the true drivers of innovation, adaptive teams across geographies, how to create agile models in a global setting, and what it takes to lead digital transformation at scale.

Zach Mercurio, is one of today’s leading voices in meaningful work, purposeful leadership, and positive organizational culture.He’s the author of The Invisible Leader and The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance. Through decades of research, teaching, and consulting with organizations like Marriott, Delta Airlines, the U.S. Army, and the FDA, Zach empowers leaders to create cultures where people feel seen, valued, and essential.Zach will help us explore how mattering — feeling noticed, needed, and important — is a fundamental human need often overlooked in modern work cultures.Specifically, in this episode, we’ll explore:Why mattering is a basic human need and a competitive advantage How purposeful leadership transforms performance and well-beingPractical ways leaders can embed mattering into daily organizational life Why meaning and connection, not perks, are the true retention strategies today

Dave Allman is on a mission to rewire how organizations think about care. As the founder of Wellbeing @ Work (W@W) and Careots, Dave has built platforms that transform vague wellbeing intentions into data-driven strategies that drive real impact on performance, retention, and engagement.This episode explores how Dave’s “Google Maps” approach to wellbeing helps leaders navigate the complexities of emotional, social, physical, and financial wellbeing—empowering them to meet employees where they are and guide them toward a thriving work life.We’ll discuss how moving from check-the-box wellness programs to personalized, scalable wellbeing maps is not only the future of work—it’s a business imperative.🔍 In this episode, we’ll explore:✅Why wellbeing is more than yoga and fruit bowls—it’s organizational performance ✅ How data helps leaders prove they care in ways employees can see and feel ✅ The link between a thriving workforce and reduced turnover, burnout, and disengagement ✅ Why personalized wellbeing journeys help build resilient, high-performing cultures ✅ How Gallup science and smart tech can operationalize care at scale

Dr. Sam Elmi is a rare blend of organizational psychologist and HR strategist with over a decade of experience designing people-first systems inside fast-scaling environments. Most recently, as Director of People Strategy and operations at Nava, a public benefit corporation transforming government services, Sam built a new function from the ground up, anchored in human development, competency frameworks, and inclusion.Throughout his career, from government to healthcare to tech, Sam has redesigned performance systems, developed employee experience programs, and helped leadership teams align around growth, equity, and care.In this conversation, we’ll explore how leaders can turn organizational complexity into human clarity and scale HR in ethical, strategic, and deeply human ways.

Sheeja Rai is an accomplished leader with over two decades of experience across industries such as chemicals, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and IT. As the Global Head of HR for Taste & Wellbeing at Givaudan, Sheeja leads strategic initiatives to drive employee engagement, performance management, and wellbeing for a diverse, global workforce.Her innovative, people-first strategies have earned her recognition as a transformative leader in HR. From pioneering advanced performance management systems to spearheading employee engagement programs, Sheeja combines a strategic focus with a deep commitment to fostering a culture of care.In today’s episode, we’ll explore Sheeja’s journey, her strategies for integrating employee wellbeing into organizational success, and how HR leaders can prepare employees for fulfilling, resilient careers in an ever-changing global landscape.