Culture isn’t something you hand down—it’s something you build together.

In this episode, Robin and Al sit down with Jess Johansson, Chief Human Resources Officer at Canada Goose, for an insightful conversation on shaping company culture in today’s evolving workplace. Jess shares why authenticity, employee voice, and shared ownership are critical to building a strong organizational foundation.

They explore how post-COVID expectations are reshaping HR strategies, the importance of measuring engagement, and how investing in development and flexibility is key to attracting and retaining top talent. Jess also opens up about the lessons learned from career challenges and the long-term mindset required to plant the seeds of culture for future generations.

💡 Key takeaways:

✨ Culture is Co-Created – Building culture with employees ensures alignment and authenticity.

✨ Listen, Then Lead – Trust and engagement grow when leaders truly listen and admit what they don’t know.

✨ Invest in People – Development, flexibility, and diverse offerings drive retention and performance.

✨ Growth Through Challenges – Personal and cultural growth often stem from obstacles and shared experiences.

✨ Think Long-Term – Planting foundational “trees” today creates opportunities for tomorrow’s teams.

A must-listen for HR leaders, founders, and anyone shaping the future of work.

🎧 Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

What makes a startup thrive through rapid growth? According to this week’s guest, it starts with communication, culture, and courageous leadership.

Join us on Success Leaves Clues as Robin and Al sit down with Jenny do Forno, Chief People Officer at TouchBistro, for a powerful conversation on leading people-first organizations, especially during high-growth phases.

Jenny shares lessons from her remarkable career in People & Culture, from learning under great leaders to facing the realities of scaling fast. She speaks candidly about overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing opportunities, and why early investment in HR is critical for startup success. The conversation also unpacks the evolving needs of today’s workforce and how leaders can build a legacy that empowers the next generation.

"Optimize for who you work for." ~ Jenny do Forno

Key takeaways:

✨ Say Yes & Grow – Taking chances and saying yes opens doors to personal and professional growth.

✨ Start With People – Founders should bring in HR early to build aligned, scalable cultures.

✨ Communication Is Everything – Clear, consistent communication is the cornerstone of alignment and trust.

✨ Authentic Leadership Wins – Self-awareness, reflection, and humility are traits of impactful leaders.

Whether you’re scaling a startup or leading a growing team, Jenny’s insights offer a roadmap for building stronger cultures and lasting impact.

🎧 Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

What happens when personal adversity meets professional leadership?

On this episode of the Success Leaves Clues podcast, hosts Robin and Al sit down with Jeff Waldman, founder of ScaleHR, to explore how personal stories and community shape success in the HR world.

Jeff opens up about how his hearing loss became a professional superpower, offering a powerful lens through which he’s navigated adversity and led change. From the power of community in HR to the transformative role of AI, Jeff’s story is both inspiring and deeply practical. He emphasizes the value of aligning with clients who share your values, taking bold risks, and creating space for mentorship and meaningful relationships.

"...start to become more attuned to what other people face.” – Jeff Waldman

Key Takeaways:

✨ Community is essential for learning and growth in HR

✨ Hearing loss and adversity can become leadership superpowers

✨ Aligning values with clients leads to healthier work relationships

✨ AI is reshaping HR operations and talent strategy

✨ Taking risks and owning your personal story empowers career growth

🎧 Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

On this episode of the Success Leaves Clues podcast, hosts Robin and Al sit down with seasoned entrepreneur Clive Kinross, CEO and co-founder of Propel Holdings, for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and legacy.

Clive shares his journey from immigrant entrepreneur to tech leader, emphasizing the challenges faced along the way and the power of perseverance. He discusses the importance of building teams with complementary skills, creating redundancy in business systems, and staying motivated through a competitive spirit. Clive also highlights the role of mentorship and the meaningful impact of surrounding oneself with successful, driven individuals.

"Ultimately, there's no substitute for hard work." ~ Clive Kinross

✨ Resilience is vital—every entrepreneur faces tough days

✨ Surrounding yourself with successful people fosters growth

✨ Redundancy in business systems is a smart safeguard

✨ Mentorship and complementary team skills fuel success

✨ Human connection lies at the heart of lasting impact

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

How do you build strong teams while navigating rapid growth and the rise of AI?

In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin and Al sit down with Nora Beatty, VP of People Operations at Cohere, one of Canada’s leading AI companies. Nora shares her inspiring career journey—from her early passion for PeopleOps (inspired by her mom) to leadership roles at Oracle, FreshBooks, and now at the forefront of innovation in AI.

The conversation explores how AI is reshaping the workforce, the role of PeopleOps in a high-growth startup, and how companies can better support employees in balancing career and family life. Nora also highlights the importance of addressing generational dynamics and being intentional during times of transformation.

Key takeaways:

✨ AI as an Enabler – AI isn’t here to replace employees; it’s here to enhance creativity and capability.

✨ Growth with Purpose – Rapid expansion requires strategic trade-offs and strong people leadership.

✨ Supporting the Whole Employee – Balancing family, career, and mental well-being is a must for long-term success.

✨ Generational Awareness – Understanding workplace dynamics across age groups improves collaboration and leadership.

✨ Timing is Everything – Bringing in PeopleOps at the right moment can shape a company’s future.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders, founders, and PeopleOps professionals navigating the evolving intersection of tech, people, and purpose. 🎙️

🎧 Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Success isn’t just about reaching the top—it’s about how you get there.

In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin and Al sit down with Jenn Gebel, Director of Operations at Patlon Aircraft, to explore her remarkable career in the aerospace industry, the lessons learned along the way, and her commitment to fostering a more inclusive future.

Jenn shares her experiences navigating a male-dominated field, the importance of self-advocacy, and how daily reflection and values-based leadership have shaped her professional growth. From mentorship to meaningful connections, the conversation highlights the personal and professional traits that have helped her thrive—and how she’s paying it forward by championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in aerospace.

"You need to speak up and seize those opportunities." ~ Jenn Gebel

Key takeaways:

✨ Self-Advocacy Matters – Speaking up and owning your path is essential to growth.

✨ Mentorship is Powerful – Guidance and support are key to overcoming challenges.

✨ Reflection Fuels Growth – Daily reflection helps align values and purpose.

✨ Breaking Barriers – Thriving in a male-dominated space requires courage and perseverance.

✨ Legacy & Inclusion – Creating opportunity for future generations is a lasting success.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about leadership, resilience, and paving the way for others.

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

Coaching is no longer just a perk—it’s becoming a must-have for high-performing individuals and forward-thinking organizations.

In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin and Al sit down with Makenzie Chilton, Director of Coaching at Arcora, to explore the evolving role of coaching in today’s workplace. Makenzie shares how her personal journey led her into the world of coaching and why it’s gaining traction across Canada, especially among top performers.

The conversation dives into the difference between proactive and reactive coaching, the power of setting boundaries, and the measurable impact coaching has on both people and performance. Makenzie also highlights how investing in coaching helps create workplaces where employees thrive—benefiting individuals, companies, and communities alike.

"You can't always just say yes." ~ Makenzie Chilton

Key takeaways:

✨ Coaching = Growth – It’s not just about solving problems, but about unlocking potential.

✨ Proactive & Reactive Value – Coaching supports both development and resilience.

✨ Boundaries Matter – Personal traits like boundary-setting are key to sustainable success.

✨ A Strategic Investment – Organizations that invest in coaching signal real commitment to employee growth.

✨ Track the Impact – Data helps demonstrate coaching’s ROI and long-term value.

If you’re curious about how coaching can shape culture, drive performance, and support your people, this episode is a must-listen. 🎙️

Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

On this episode of the Success Leaves Clues podcast, hosts Robin and Al reconnect with Subhi Alsayed, Founder/CEO of Kulture Rebellion, to talk about his courageous pivot—from launching a gut health beverage brand to licensing his cutting-edge fermentation technology to other producers.

Subhi shares hard-won lessons on market fit, focusing on core strengths, and embracing AI to simplify complex processes in the beverage industry. The conversation dives into consumer trends, the rise of health-forward drinks, and the mindset needed to evolve with your business.

💬 "Focus on one area and make sure it's actually needed." ~ Subhi Alsayed

Key Takeaways:

✨ Subhi transitioned from brand-building to licensing tech to simplify scale

✨ Market fit and customer insight are everything

✨ AI is transforming the fermentation process

✨ Gut health beverages are no longer niche—they’re the future

✨ Adaptability and surrounding yourself with smart people are key to growth

🎧 Brought to you by Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group