Evolving HR with Purpose: From Policy to People-Centered Progress - an Interview with Lisa Coulson, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Principal Financial Group
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the honor of sitting down with Lisa Coulson, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Principal Financial Group, to explore how HR can evolve with purpose—moving from policy to people-centered progress.
Lisa’s leadership journey began with values instilled by her parents—her father, an insurance executive and team sports enthusiast, and her mother, a homemaker who created warmth and community. These early influences shaped Lisa’s love for collaboration, tradition, and working toward shared goals.
Her career path was far from linear. From starting as an underwriter to moving into HR consulting and later rising through the ranks at Principal, Lisa emphasized the importance of raising your hand for opportunities, even when they seem outside your comfort zone. A pivotal moment came when she said yes to a compensation role that leveraged her love for math and opened doors to senior leadership.
Lisa believes evolving HR requires both tec...
Wondering What's Next? Do This Consistently (Part 1 of 3) ...
If you are in a position where you are wondering what's next for you, either what's next in your current role, if you're going to exit… or even if you're going to make a major pivot… it's important to do this first.
Create some white space and to do it consistently, because I'm here to tell you that the answers—you already know them.
I know it's frustrating when you're thinking about what's next. What happens is we (especially strivers) tend to keep ourselves very busy and really distract ourselves from the pain of not knowing. So the first thing to do, if you're pondering “what's next?” is to create consistent white space.
What does that mean?
Ideally, outside or in the morning, just open your windows. Listen to the birds. You know it can be walking… it could be sitting still… but just trying to keep your mind focused on the outside (the plants, the trees, the birds, what have you). Or, if you're sitting inside, it's just listening to the sounds of the outdoors with the windows open, and ...
Understanding the Current Talent Landscape - an Interview with Kimberly Evans, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion, and Social Impact at Northern Trust
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Kimberly Evans, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion, and Social Impact at Northern Trust. Kimberly’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of purpose, the power of people-centered leadership, and the importance of seeking value over validation.
Rooted in humble beginnings, Kim shared how her mother’s example of selflessness and generosity shaped her entire approach to leadership. A defining childhood moment—watching her mother put groceries back at checkout—fueled her lifelong “why”: to succeed so her mom would never have to go without again. That clarity of purpose has guided Kimberly through the financial services industry, where she’s often been the only woman—and sometimes the only person of color—in the room.
Kimberly emphasized that success doesn’t require fitting a mold, but rather leveraging resilience, adaptive capacity, and emotional intel...
Two Smart Strategies to Have More Influence in Your Next Crucial Conversation
If you already have a seat at the table, but you want to have a bigger voice at the table with your peers, your leadership and possibly even your CEO or board members, then there's two simple things that are often left out.
The first one is getting very clear on your desired outcome, why it's meaningful to you, also why it's meaningful to the other person and organization or the company. So be crystal clear on that, on the desired outcome, especially rather than worried about how it might turn out, put instead focus your thoughts on how you would like it to turn out. That'll make it more likely that you're going to guide the conversation in that way. It'll help with your confidence.
The second thing is, be very, very clear on what is important to the other side, the desired outcome of the other side, why it matters to them. Be sure to connect with them on that, acknowledge and validate that first, it's always very important to connect with the other person first, because they will, t...
People First and Profitability - an Interview with Lauren Dunn, Chief People Officer at Wiss
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Lauren Dunn, Chief People Officer at Wiss, about building a people-first culture that drives real profitability. With an open heart and sharp business sense, Lauren shared how empathy, flexibility, and authentic leadership create not only happier teams—but stronger bottom lines.
Lauren’s leadership journey began in male-dominated industries like restaurants and real estate, but she never let that dim her voice. Inspired by her mother’s decades-long career as a teacher, Lauren brings a service mindset to leadership—believing the best leaders know their people, listen deeply, and act with kindness.
At Wiss, Lauren has cultivated a workplace where employees are encouraged to be themselves, speak up, and thrive. From wellness programs and mentorship to flexibility for working parents, she proves that doing right by your people is not a “nice to have”—it’s a business strategy.
Key takeaways from the inte...
Creating a Cohesive Culture for Large Organizations - an Interview with Jen Kirkpatrick, VP Americas Networking Sales at Cisco
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the honor of speaking with Jen Kirkpatrick, VP Americas Networking Sales at Cisco, about creating a cohesive culture for larger organizations. At the core, it’s about finding your voice and leading with heart.
Jen’s leadership journey is rooted in early encouragement from her mother, who instilled a fearless “why not me?” mindset that’s stayed with her throughout her career. From being the only girl playing quarterback with the neighborhood boys to the only woman in executive tech rooms, Jen has built her career by stepping forward—even when she didn’t feel ready.
She shared how her mindset has evolved over time, from doubting her seat at the table to walking confidently into rooms and sitting squarely at the center. Jen emphasized the importance of speaking up, not apologizing for your voice, and realizing that leadership is a journey of continuous learning.
We also explored what it takes to build a cohesive culture in large org...
Own Your Story, Elevate Your Impact and Visibility - an Interview with Erika Irby, Director, GTM Small Medium and Corporate Business, Americas at Microsoft
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Erika Irby, the Director, GTM Small Medium and Corporate Business, Americas at Microsoft, to explore how embracing your personal story can fuel your professional impact. Erika's energy, authenticity, and strategic insight lit up the conversation as we discussed storytelling, visibility, and fearless leadership—especially as women in tech.
Erika’s leadership journey began early—at just 17, she chose to stay behind and start college while her military family moved overseas. That moment, powered by grit and independence, set the tone for her lifelong mantra: "I will figure it out." Erika’s resilience, her trust in the universe, and her ability to turn obstacles into growth moments have shaped an inspiring career across education, tech, and executive leadership.
We also dug into the challenges women face with visibility, self-advocacy, and storytelling—especially in corporate environments. Er...
Evolving Business, Evolving Leadership - an Interview with Melissa DiMuro, Chief People, Culture & Marketing Officer at Limbach
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Melissa DiMuro, the Chief People, Culture & Marketing Officer at Limbach, about leading with resilience during times of change and the importance of evolving alongside the businesses we serve.
Melissa’s journey started in a blue-collar household and was shaped by the strength and grit of her grandmother—a farmer’s daughter who raised twelve siblings and worked multiple jobs just to keep food on the table. That legacy of resilience deeply influenced Melissa’s leadership style and commitment to growth through discomfort.
Though her path wasn’t linear—initially aspiring to be a psychologist—Melissa leaned into her natural strengths and built a career across multiple male-dominated industries including printing, aviation, and construction. Her ability to navigate change and adapt through uncertainty positioned her as a transformational leader who prioritizes systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and ...
Corporate Leader to Thought Leader - an Interview with Sara Connell, Author, TEDx Speaker, Coach and Founder, Thought Leader Academy
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the true pleasure of speaking with Sara Connell, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, coach, and Founder of Thought Leader Academy, about the transformative journey from corporate leader to thought leader. Sara’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of claiming your voice — and using it to create meaningful, lasting impact.
Sara’s career began in the corporate world at a top advertising agency, where she quickly realized that while the training was invaluable, the culture was toxic. It took a mental and physical health crisis for Sara to finally make the leap out of corporate life — a leap inspired by a chance encounter with a life-changing book she discovered in an airport bookstore. That single book inspired her to commit to writing the stories and messages she wished had existed for her, and ultimately to empower other leaders to do the same.
Throughout our conversation, Sara spoke candidly about the mindset shif...
Creating a High Performing Culture for Growth - an Interview with Sandy Ball, Chief People Officer at Aspida
In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Sandy Ball, Chief People Officer at Aspida, about navigating leadership in times of rapid change, standing firm in your values, and leading with authenticity. Sandy’s candor and warmth made this conversation feel like a masterclass in people-centered leadership.
Sandy’s leadership journey is rooted in her natural curiosity about people and what drives them. She credits her early experience working at GE for shaping her people philosophy — recognizing that every individual, no matter their role, wants to feel seen, heard, and valued. This belief has guided her through a career spanning multiple industries and leadership transitions.
We talked about what it means to lead in today’s environment where uncertainty is constant, and the courage it takes to stay aligned with your values when navigating tough organizational dynamics. Sandy spoke openly about the importance of creating psychological safety, bu...
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