In this special episode of the Love Your People Podcast, Brent Vander Waal, President and CEO of ITA Group, joins host John Duisberg to pull back the curtain on how a 60-year-old agency walks the talk of its own "people first" philosophy.

Brent shares his journey from Controller to CEO and unpacks the tangible strategies ITA Group uses to create a culture of ownership—including the unique "vesting vest" ceremony and a surprise company-wide bonus that reinforced their core values. He also discusses the evolution of HR into a strategic business partner and offers a grounded perspective on balancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Human Intelligence (HI).

💡 Don’t miss future episodes! Join our community at https://www.itagroup.com/insights for insights and tools to grow as a people-first leader.

Resources from this Episode
Connect with Brent on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-vander-waal-3438a59/ 
Learn more about ITA Group: https://www.itagroup.com 

Credits
Theme Music 🎵DPMusic from Pond5.com
Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

Please note: SHRM and HRCI credit codes for episodes beyond two years of their original air date are no longer active. Check our current Love Your People episodes for the latest valid codes.

In this special episode of the Love Your People Podcast, Brent Vander Waal, President and CEO of ITA Group, joins host John Duisberg to pull back the curtain on how a 60-year-old agency walks the talk of its own "people first" philosophy.
Brent shares his journey from Controller to CEO and unpacks the tangible strategies ITA Group uses to create a culture of ownership&mdash;including the unique "vesting vest" ceremony and a surprise company-wide bonus that reinforced their core values. He also discusses the evolution of HR into a strategic business partner and offers a grounded perspective on balancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Human Intelligence (HI).
💡 Don&rsquo;t miss future episodes! Join our community at <a href="https://www.itagroup.com/insights">https://www.itagroup.com/insights</a> for insights and tools to grow as a people-first leader.
Resources from this Episode
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Connect with Brent on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-vander-waal-3438a59/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-vander-waal-3438a59/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Learn more about ITA Group: <a href="https://www.itagroup.com">https://www.itagroup.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Theme Music 🎵<a href="https://www.pond5.com/artist/dpmusic">DPMusic</a> from Pond5.com</li>
<li>Produced by <a href="https://chatwithleaders.com">ChatWithLeadersMedia.com</a></li>
</ul>
Please note: SHRM and HRCI credit codes for episodes beyond two years of their original air date are no longer active. Check our current Love Your People episodes for the latest valid codes.

The Love Your People podcast by ITA Group is for HR professionals, business leaders and culture enthusiasts who believe that thriving organizations start with empowered, engaged people.

Each episode features real stories, practical strategies and expert advice from leaders who are transforming organizations by putting their people first. We explore topics like employee engagement, team building, leadership development and how to create a connected culture. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas to spark joy in your team or proven strategies to boost morale and productivity, this podcast has you covered.

Subscribe now and join the movement of loving your people to transform your workplace—and your business.

The Love Your People podcast by ITA Group is for HR professionals, business leaders and culture enthusiasts who believe that thriving organizations start with empowered, engaged people.
Each episode features real stories, practical strategies and expert advice from leaders who are transforming organizations by putting their people first. We explore topics like employee engagement, team building, leadership development and how to create a connected culture. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas to spark joy in your team or proven strategies to boost morale and productivity, this podcast has you covered.
Subscribe now and join the movement of loving your people to transform your workplace&mdash;and your business.

At the heart of every successful business is a strong culture. Find out how high-achieving people leaders are putting their employees first - and why it makes all the difference.

Love Your People Podcast

Culture, recognition, results: Lessons from our CEO Brent Vander Waal

How can you transform human potential into a genuine competitive advantage? 

In this episode of the Love Your People Podcast, Lars Minns, CHRO of Mercedes-Benz USA, shares his journey of moving the HR function from a back-office support role to a strategic catalyst for business transformation. Lars unpacks the "Reshape, Reskill, Recharge" framework and explores how one of the world's most recognizable brands is navigating massive workforce shifts, including the integration of AI and the move to electric vehicles. 

Whether you're a seasoned HR leader or a business executive, this conversation will leave you inspired to "hack" your benefits and map the moments that truly matter to your people. 

💡 Don’t miss future episodes! Join our community at https://www.itagroup.com/insights for insights and tools to grow as a people-first leader.

Resources from this Episode
Visit https://www.mbusa.com/en/home 
Learn more about SHRM-Atlanta at https://www.shrmatlanta.org/ 

Credits
Theme Music 🎵DPMusic from Pond5.com
Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

Please note: SHRM and HRCI credit codes for episodes beyond two years of their original air date are no longer active. Check our current Love Your People episodes for the latest valid codes.

How can you transform human potential into a genuine competitive advantage?&nbsp;
In this episode of the Love Your People Podcast, Lars Minns, CHRO of Mercedes-Benz USA, shares his journey of moving the HR function from a back-office support role to a strategic catalyst for business transformation. Lars unpacks the "Reshape, Reskill, Recharge" framework and explores how one of the world's most recognizable brands is navigating massive workforce shifts, including the integration of AI and the move to electric vehicles.&nbsp;
Whether you're a seasoned HR leader or a business executive, this conversation will leave you inspired to "hack" your benefits and map the moments that truly matter to your people.&nbsp;
💡 Don&rsquo;t miss future episodes! Join our community at <a href="https://www.itagroup.com/insights">https://www.itagroup.com/insights</a> for insights and tools to grow as a people-first leader.
Resources from this Episode
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Visit <a href="https://www.mbusa.com/en/home">https://www.mbusa.com/en/home</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Learn more about SHRM-Atlanta at <a href="https://www.shrmatlanta.org/">https://www.shrmatlanta.org/</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Theme Music 🎵<a href="https://www.pond5.com/artist/dpmusic">DPMusic</a> from Pond5.com</li>
<li>Produced by <a href="https://chatwithleaders.com">ChatWithLeadersMedia.com</a></li>
</ul>
Please note: SHRM and HRCI credit codes for episodes beyond two years of their original air date are no longer active. Check our current Love Your People episodes for the latest valid codes.

Mercedes-Benz’s workforce transformation: Reshape. Reskill. Recharge. with Lars Minns

On today’s episode, John Duisberg sits down with Julian Lute, Insights and Innovation Strategist at Great Place to Work. Julian brings over 15 years of experience as an innovative operational leader and global trusted advisor, helping to connect the dots between superior business performance and a best-in-class employee experience.

You’ll learn how to define and create a high-trust culture, the difference between a good workplace and a great one, and why investing in your people is the best strategy for sustainable business success.

With his deep expertise in building high-performing, people-centric cultures, you won’t want to miss this episode with Julian Lute. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform.

💡 Don’t miss future episodes! Join our community at https://www.itagroup.com/insights for insights and tools to grow as a people-first leader.

Resources from this Episode
For additional resources and to learn more, visit https://www.greatplacetowork.com/ 
Follow Great Place to Work on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/great-place-to-work-us/
Follow Julian on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianlute/

Credits
Theme Music 🎵DPMusic from Pond5.com
Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

Please note: SHRM and HRCI credit codes for episodes beyond two years of their original air date are no longer active. Check our current Love Your People episodes for the latest valid codes.

On today&rsquo;s episode, John Duisberg sits down with Julian Lute, Insights and Innovation Strategist at Great Place to Work. Julian brings over 15 years of experience as an innovative operational leader and global trusted advisor, helping to connect the dots between superior business performance and a best-in-class employee experience.
You&rsquo;ll learn how to define and create a high-trust culture, the difference between a good workplace and a great one, and why investing in your people is the best strategy for sustainable business success.
With his deep expertise in building high-performing, people-centric cultures, you won&rsquo;t want to miss this episode with Julian Lute. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform.
💡 Don&rsquo;t miss future episodes! Join our community at <a href="https://www.itagroup.com/insights">https://www.itagroup.com/insights</a> for insights and tools to grow as a people-first leader.
Resources from this Episode
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">For additional resources and to learn more, visit <a href="https://www.greatplacetowork.com/">https://www.greatplacetowork.com/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow Great Place to Work on LinkedIn at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/great-place-to-work-us/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/great-place-to-work-us/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow Julian on LinkedIn at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianlute/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianlute/</a></li>
</ul>
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Theme Music 🎵<a href="https://www.pond5.com/artist/dpmusic">DPMusic</a> from Pond5.com</li>
<li>Produced by <a href="https://chatwithleaders.com">ChatWithLeadersMedia.com</a></li>
</ul>
Please note: SHRM and HRCI credit codes for episodes beyond two years of their original air date are no longer active. Check our current Love Your People episodes for the latest valid codes.

What Great Workplaces Get Right

On today’s episode, John Duisberg sits down with Crystal Hanlon, Senior Vice President of Culture and Values at The Home Depot. Crystal’s own journey is a powerful testament to their culture—she started with the company 40 years ago as a part-time cashier and has risen through the ranks to her current executive role, leading culture for over 450,000 associates.

Crystal shares how The Home Depot successfully scales its iconic, values-based culture by making leadership local and harnessing the power of storytelling. You'll learn tangible strategies for making culture real across a massive, distributed workforce and understand why creating a shared purpose through community impact is a true game-changer.

Tune in for an incredible story of growth and servant leadership.

Resources from this Episode
Visit https://www.homedepot.com/
Follow Crystal on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-hanlon-3221278/ 

Credits
Theme Music 🎵DPMusic from Pond5.com
Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com

Please note: SHRM and HRCI credit codes for episodes beyond two years of their original air date are no longer active. Check our current Love Your People episodes for the latest valid codes.

On today&rsquo;s episode, John Duisberg sits down with Crystal Hanlon, Senior Vice President of Culture and Values at The Home Depot. Crystal&rsquo;s own journey is a powerful testament to their culture&mdash;she started with the company 40 years ago as a part-time cashier and has risen through the ranks to her current executive role, leading culture for over 450,000 associates.
Crystal shares how The Home Depot successfully scales its iconic, values-based culture by making leadership local and harnessing the power of storytelling. You'll learn tangible strategies for making culture real across a massive, distributed workforce and understand why creating a shared purpose through community impact is a true game-changer.
Tune in for an incredible story of growth and servant leadership.
Resources from this Episode
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Visit <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/">https://www.homedepot.com/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow Crystal on LinkedIn at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-hanlon-3221278/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-hanlon-3221278/</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Theme Music 🎵<a href="https://www.pond5.com/artist/dpmusic">DPMusic</a> from Pond5.com</li>
<li>Produced by <a href="https://chatwithleaders.com">ChatWithLeadersMedia.com</a></li>
</ul>
Please note: SHRM and HRCI credit codes for episodes beyond two years of their original air date are no longer active. Check our current Love Your People episodes for the latest valid codes.

Culture, recognition, results: Lessons from our CEO Brent Vander Waal

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