design thinking story

Connecting with Questions – A Conversation with Jessica Haaz

Connecting with Questions – A Conversation with Jessica Haaz

In this Talent Tales episode, talent.imperative Founder Nicole Dessain had the honor to interview Jessica Haaz, an attorney who works at a New York State agency.

Jessica is an investigative attorney and former prosecutor who has spent most of her career in the private sector within New York City and State.

Jessica’s superpower is relationship building. She thinks she has honed this superpower because she is curious and likes to learn about people and because she is authentic which makes others feel comfortable talking to her.

A little over a year ago, Jessica launched a personal project called “100 Interesting Conversations”. The initial inspiration came from a conversation with one of her professors years ago who highlighted that sometimes you just need to have conversations with people to learn about their jobs and that by asking them insightful questions you might figure out career options for yourself.

Leading with Care – A Conversation with Lynn DiBonaventura

Leading with Care – A Conversation with Lynn DiBonaventura

In this Talent Tales episode, talent.imperative Founder Nicole Dessain had the honor to interview Lynn DiBonaventura, Director, Learning & Growth, US Business Operations at CSL Behring.

Lynn is an HR talent professional who is also very engrained in the business. She’s spent the last twenty-five years in and out of talent management and talent development on a global scale. Her expertise is in leadership development and talent mobility within organizations.

Lynn’s superpower is being an empathetic leader and really leading an organization and a team forward and doing it through empathy, relationships, and communication.

Narrating Change – A Conversation with Dr. Bruce Pereira

Narrating Change – A Conversation with Dr. Bruce Pereira

In this Talent Tales episode, talent.imperative Founder Nicole Dessain had the honor to interview Dr. Bruce Pereira, Global Learning Design Lead at a Large Professional Services Organization.

Bruce describes himself as a “narrative and systemic archeologist” - someone who uncovers hidden meaning through the power of storytelling. Bruce’s superpower is helping people unearth their unique stories and exploring the systemic impact these stories have on teams and organizations.

Inviting Inclusion – A Conversation with Dr. Valerie Toney Parker & Steve Bynum

Inviting Inclusion – A Conversation with Dr. Valerie Toney Parker & Steve Bynum

In this Talent Tales episode, talent.imperative Founder Nicole Dessain had the honor to interview Dr. Valerie Toney Parker (Chief People Officer) and Steve Bynum (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager) at Chicago Public Media.

Valerie’s superpower is marked by her bi-vocational career as both, a social justice theologian and an HR leader, through the metaphor of wine. Wine brings people to the table, to be in conversation. The text of “not pouring old wine into new wine skins” reminds her of the fact that if we want to change systemic issues, we can’t continue to do so the way we have in the past.

Steve’s superpower is the ability to put people at ease by providing a safe space for shared humanity. He was raised by his grandparents in Memphis and his family had a tremendous influence on shaping who he is today. By moving to Chicago, Steve became part of a global community which he cherishes. Being part of this “diaspora of humanity” helps him, an African American man, to feel supported when faced with inequities.