Leading Beyond the Org Chart

Mike Kohn on Building a People First Culture at Kevel

Rise Results — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0700

A tech company's first engagement survey looked strong until Mike Kohn broke it down by gender and found a wide gap between how men and women rated their experience at Kevel. Mike Kohn is Chief People Officer at Kevel, where he has spent more than three years scaling a global team across 17 to 18 countries. He talks with Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel about the infrastructure he built to close that gap, why he trades survey fatigue for a mix of quantitative and qualitative check-ins, and how he supported an employee coming out as transgender.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Leading Beyond the Org Chart

01:03 Mike's path to a people first career

02:42 The engagement survey and a gender gap in the data

07:58 Cross-group differences and function-level analysis

11:15 Survey cadence, pulse fatigue and quarterly reviews

12:39 Why belonging outweighs compensation

17:07 Supporting an employee coming out as transgender

24:13 The identity button idea and leadership storytelling

28:20 Operating across 17 countries and local traditions

33:16 Balancing rapid growth with a people first focus

37:56 Change management feedback from the survey

40:14 DEI committee, resource groups and a calendar of celebrations

43:00 Advice to his younger self

45:18 What gives Mike hope

You can follow Mike Kohn here:

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikejkohn

Learn more about Kevel:

Website - https://kevel.com

Engineering Inclusion: A DEI Journey Ft Jyl Feliciano

Rise Results — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0700

In this conversation, Jyl Feliciano, a DEI leader with over 20 years of experience, discusses the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from a compliance-focused initiative to a core aspect of organizational culture.

She emphasizes the importance of embedding DEI into operational processes, leveraging data and AI to enhance employee experiences, and the critical role of executive sponsors and employee resource groups (ERGs) in fostering a sense of belonging. Jyl also reflects on the impact of the George Floyd era on DEI efforts and shares valuable advice for future leaders in the field.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Engineering Mindset in DEI
(03:01) - Evolution of DEI: From Compliance to Culture
(05:54) - The Impact of the George Floyd Era on DEI
(08:51) - Balancing Commercial Aspects with Genuine DEI Efforts
(11:42) - Embedding DEI into Operational Processes
(14:47) - Leveraging AI in DEI Strategies
(18:04) - Developing Effective Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
(20:40) - The Role of Executive Sponsors in ERGs
(23:49) - Creating a Culture of Belonging
(26:41) - Advice for Future Leaders

How to Build a Diverse Team: Lessons from Jonathan Meyrowitz

Rise Results — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:00:00 -0700

In this insightful episode of Leading Beyond the Org Chart, hosts Kim Steppe and Marilyn Nagel sit down with Jonathan Meyrowitz, the head of people and special operations at UP Labs. With over 15 years of experience spanning from large enterprises like CAA to venture-funded startups, Jonathan shares his journey and the lessons learned along the way. He dives deep into the importance of agility in leadership, especially when transitioning from traditional corporate environments to innovative startup cultures.

Jonathan discusses the critical need for operational insight within HR functions and emphasizes the value of having a seat at the operational table. The conversation explores how effective planning, team dynamics, and diverse thought leadership can drastically enhance organizational outcomes. Jonathan also offers his perspective on the evolving role of AI in talent acquisition and operational efficiency, sharing key tools and strategies that can empower organizations to thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Chapters:

(00:01) - - Introduction to the Podcast
(00:35) - - Guest Introduction: Jonathan Meyrowitz
(01:30) - - Transitioning from Enterprise to Startups
(02:55) - - Balancing Multiple Responsibilities
(04:30) - - Importance of Team Support
(05:45) - - HR as an Operations Team
(09:10) - - Promoting Diversity in Leadership
(10:45) - - Strategies for Building Diverse Teams
(12:40) - - Key Qualities for Effective Leaders
(18:00) - - The Role of AI in Talent and Operations
(22:30) - - Innovations in Candidate Sourcing
(26:00) - - Future of AI in Operations
(30:00) - - Challenges in Evergreen Recruiting
(32:50) - - Closing Thoughts and Thank You

Building Trust Through Transparency in Organizations Ft Rachel Kohn

Rise Results — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:00:00 -0700

In this conversation, Rachel Kohn, VP of People Operations at Sendoso, discusses her journey in transforming the company's culture, focusing on employee engagement, trust-building through transparency, and the challenges of navigating mergers and acquisitions. She emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for underrepresented communities and rebranding HR to a People Team to foster a more inclusive environment.

Rachel also shares insights on maintaining cohesion in a remote work setting and offers valuable advice for future leaders on building a personal network.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Cultural Transformation at Sendoso
(06:14) - Building Trust Through Transparency
(16:16) - Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions
(21:23) - Empathy in Cultural Integration
(22:15) - Creating Opportunities for Underrepresented Communities
(28:10) - Transforming HR into a People-Centric Team
(34:47) - Building Cohesion in a Remote Workforce
(41:26) - Advice for Building a Personal Network

Innovative HR Leadership Ft Josh Salyer

Rise Results — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0700

In this podcast episode, Josh Salyer, VP of People at Wasson Enterprise, shares insights from his extensive career in HR leadership, particularly in manufacturing and tech environments. He discusses his transition to a family office, innovative approaches to supporting portfolio companies, and the importance of defining culture and values early in a company's journey. Josh emphasizes the significance of listening to employees, the lessons learned from work-from-home experiences at Amazon, and the need for flexibility in today's workforce. He also highlights the role of data in employee engagement and retention, the importance of doing good in business, and the strategies for successful exits from investments.

(00:00) - Introduction to Josh Salyer and His Career Journey
(01:17) - Transitioning from Manufacturing to Family Office
(03:39) - Innovative Approaches at Wasson Enterprises
(08:09) - The Importance of Listening in Company Culture
(10:05) - Work from Home: Lessons from Amazon
(12:14) - Generational Perspectives on Work Flexibility
(15:00) - Defining Culture and Values Early
(18:07) - Supporting Companies at Various Stages
(19:42) - PureCycle Technologies: A Case Study
(22:53) - Strategies for Successful Exits
(24:51) - Employee Engagement and Retention Challenges
(32:30) - The Importance of Data in Employee Engagement
(34:38) - Agility and Lean Strategies in Business
(38:57) - Innovative Projects in Healthcare
(41:40) - Lessons from the Past: Embracing Uncertainty

Josh Salyer, Wasson Enterprise, HR leadership, work from home, company culture, employee engagement, innovative approaches, PureCycle Technologies, business growth, flexibility

Welcome to Leading Beyond the Org Chart by Rise Results!

Rise Results — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 10:34:16 -0700

Welcome to Leading Beyond the Org Chart by Rise Results.

In this show, you'll learn real-world strategies to improve employee engagement, boost retention, and build high-performing teams — all with a clear focus on measurable business outcomes.

Your hosts are Marilyn Nagel and Kim Ellis, co-founders of Rise Results.

Marilyn brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience, having served as Chief Diversity Officer at Cisco and a pioneer in culture transformation.

Kim is a nonprofit leader turned CEO, known for forging powerhouse partnerships and helping companies build thriving, people-first cultures.

Whether you're a business leader, HR executive, or team builder, this podcast will help you turn strategic thinking into scalable impact — and lead in ways that go far beyond the org chart.

Learn more about Rise Results at www.rise-results.com.