Dave Banyard (President & CEO, MasterBrand): Fighter Jets, Bold Leadership & Lessons from Winston Churchill

Dave Banyard

There’s a side of military leadership most people never see—one built on trust, delegation, and learning through failure. Dave Banyard brings those lessons straight into his position as CEO. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Dave Banyard, President and CEO of MasterBrand, the largest residential cabinet manufacturer … Read more

Competitive Pay: How to Build a Fair Compensation Program

Compensation equity, paychecks being held in the air

Competitive pay isn’t just about numbers—it helps you hire top-tier candidates faster, reduce churn-related expenses, and avoid the hidden costs of disengaged employees. In our conversation with compensation expert Susan Pyles, a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience, we discussed some practical strategies for building a solid compensation program. Defining Competitive Pay Competitive … Read more

DIY Compensation Analysis vs. Hiring an Expert: Which Method Is Right for Your Business?

DIY vs. Expert Compensation

When it comes to compensation analysis, you know it’s not as simple as just updating a spreadsheet or comparing job titles. In our experience, figuring out fair pay today almost always demands more than just a DIY approach. We talked with Susan Pyles, a seasoned compensation expert, who explained why many organizations benefit from outsourcing … Read more

Micki Byrnes (Chief Communications Officer and Senior Advisor, Adcom): Forest Rangers, ‘Good Cop’ & the Garage Test

Micki Byrnes

In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, host Sam Clyde Schroeder sits down with Micki Byrnes, Chief Communications Officer and Senior Advisor at Adcom, and former President and General Manager of WKYC, to talk leadership, reinvention, and the surprising career lessons learned from decades in the media. From her early dreams of being a … Read more

How to Choose the Right Fractional HR Partner

Three doors, representing a choice

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re at a crossroads. Maybe your HR person is going on leave. Maybe they just left. Maybe you’ve never had someone in that seat but things are getting too complex to keep handling on your own. Or maybe you do have HR support, but something feels off: policies are … Read more

Kelly Keefe (President & CEO, ERC): Networking Hacks, Leading with Curiosity & Strangers on the Ski Lift

Kelly Keefe, President & CEO of ERC

Kelly Keefe, President and CEO of ERC, shares the highs and lows of stepping into a new leadership role 30 days before the world shut down. She also shares strategies she’s used to connect more deeply, lead more intentionally, and tap into the power of her peers. You’ll hear about her non-traditional career path from … Read more

Ohio TechCred: How Ohio Employers Can Get Up to $180,000 for Upskilling Employees

Ohio TechCred technical training

If you’ve been planning on upskilling your workforce, or even if you weren’t, now might be a better time than ever for employers with employees in Ohio. What is TechCred? In simple terms, TechCred provides Ohio employers with Ohio-based employees funding to upskill their teams. Employers can get reimbursed up to $2,000 per credential earned … Read more

Kristin Warzocha (CEO, Greater Cleveland Food Bank): Community Impact, Employee Love & Roller Skates

Kristin Warzocha

Is it possible for a nonprofit to pay above-market wages and still thrive? Kristin Warzocha, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, says yes—and she’s got the results to prove it. In this episode of What’s Up at Work?, Kristin joins host Sam Clyde Schroeder to talk about building an award-winning culture in … Read more

Turn Employee Training into Real Results: A Practical Guide for Leaders

Making Training Stick

Most individuals leave a training session energized, only to walk back into an overflowing inbox, tight deadlines, and routines that pull them right back into old habits. Without a chance to put new ideas to work, they fade fast. That’s why training has to include real‑world practice. In our recent “What’s Up at Work?” podcast, … Read more