Highs of Innovation

Abby Flynn, HR Leader, Olympia Hospitality

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Abby Flynn, Senior Manager of HR at Olympia Hospitality, a family-owned hotel management company with an impressive portfolio of properties. Their portfolio includes the exceptional Inn by the Sea, which is one of the favorite properties of our family.
What stood out most in our conversation? A simple, but often overlooked truth articulated by Abby, "You cannot deliver a great guest experience without first creating a great employee experience."
Abby shares how Olympia Hospitality navigated the post-COVID talent crisis in an industry known for long hours, limited remote flexibility, and historically lower pay. Rather than retreat, they adapted:
- Reframed hospitality roles around transferable skills
- Rebuilt talent pipelines by recruiting from adjacent industries (including daycares and customer service sectors)
- Increased pay competitiveness
- Focused on flexibility in scheduling
- Strengthened onboarding and training
But the real differentiator isn’t just recruitment, it’s Olympia Hospitality's leadership philosophy.
Abby is deeply committed to a Strengths-based approach to leadership. Instead of obsessing over weaknesses, she focuses on identifying where employees naturally excel and developing those areas from a “6 to a 10,” rather than trying to force a “2 to become an 8.”
Her perspective on leadership is rooted in:
- Servant leadership (“Home Office,” not “Corporate”)
- Self-awareness and receptivity to feedback
- Investing in long-term employee growth
- Recognizing that team members are at the core of business success
We also discussed:
- Why hospitality teaches highly transferable leadership skills
- The importance of adaptability over rigid plans
- The power of ownership culture (if you see the trash, you own it)
- How longevity within an organization reflects leadership health
- Why focusing on strengths unlocks performance at scale
One of my favorite insights from Abby, “We’re in the memory-making business. We are part of people’s stories.” That mindset changes everything.
This episode is a powerful reminder that strategy, service excellence, and performance all begin with how leaders treat their people.
If you care about leadership development, culture, Strengths-based management, or the future of hospitality, then this conversation is worth your time.

Maite Quinn-Richards, President of Resource Recycling

I had the pleasure of speaking with Maite Quinn Richards, President of Resource Recycling and Executive Director of the U.S. Flexible Film Initiative. What stood out most was not just her industry insights, but the remarkable non-linear career journey that brought her there.
From Storytelling to Systems-Building – Maite began her career as a television and documentary producer.  A single idea – following the life of recyclables from curbside to overseas markets and back again – pulled her into the recycling industry.  That curiosity became a career pivot into operations, marketing, and eventually executive leadership.
Scaling Infrastructure, Not Just Narratives – Maite’s career path took her from running recycling companies to helping build some of the largest material recovery facilities (MRFs) in the country, working closely with municipalities, private equity, and infrastructure investors. She witnessed firsthand how global policy shifts (like China’s Green Fence) reshaped U.S. recycling economics — and why domestic infrastructure matters.
Private Equity as an Unexpected Lever for Sustainability – Another pivotal turn was helping launch a private equity fund focused on recycling infrastructure, acquiring and scaling facilities, and, ultimately, building what is now the largest privately held pure-play recycler in the U.S. It’s a powerful example of how capital markets and sustainability intersect.
Listen to this episode for inspiration with Maite's journey and to learn from her insghts.

Melanie Gillis, Strategic HR Leader at CarbonBuilt

In this episode, Melanie Gillis shares what it’s like to step into HR leadership at a fast-growing climate startup that acquired a 50+ year-old, family-owned manufacturing business.  We explore:
Change management in a legacy industrial environment
Why safety must include both physical and psychological safety
Employer branding and why “we’re a family” corporate messaging often does more harm than good
Rethinking performance reviews, feedback, and accountability
Treating employees like adults, and why that mindset matters for engagement and innovation
This conversation is especially relevant for leaders navigating growth, transformation, or cultural change in traditional industries.

Hap Klopp, Founder of The North Face

As the legendary Founder of The North Face, Hap Klopp built one of the most prominent brands in the world.  He championed sustainability and circular economy before those terms were even in use.
Hap shares so many insights and so much wisdom in this podcast.  From demographic trends to common sense in business, this podcast episode is chock full of gems that will help you in business and in life.

Laura Rexford, VP of Global Client Success at Korn Ferry

In this episode, Laura Rexford, VP of Global Client Success at Korn Ferry, shares her insights on a number of topics from the changing role of clients success to drive revenue growth to authentic leadership, to importance of curiosity, to how AI is changing the workplace. 

Sara Ajemian - Communications and Brand Leader

Our discussion with communications and branding leaders Sara Ajemian, who has nearly two decades of experience in brand marketing and communications focused on a number of key areas:  
Transformative Technology: Sara emphasized how her career has revolved around helping organizations navigate various tech transformations, from mobile revolutions to AI advancements. Understanding technology's internal use and its communication outward is vital.
Maximizing Tools: We tackled the common issue of underutilized technology. Sara highlighted the importance of training and creating “super users” within organizations to champion new tools and drive adoption.
Strategic Focus: The discussion touched on how critical it is to maintain a clear direction or "North Star" when making technology investments. This ensures alignment with overall business goals and encourages creativity within defined boundaries.
Generative AI: Sara shared her observations on the evolving landscape of AI. While it's a powerful tool, we must remain discerning and not allow it to replace strategic thinking or original thought.
Human Connection: Ultimately, the conversation reminded us that effective communication and understanding team dynamics are essential for building high-performance teams. Balancing technology and human insight is key to driving success.
Listen to this episode and start implementing these strategies to drive innovation.
 

Casey Cheshire, Podcaster Extraordinaire, Founder of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing

In this episode of "Highs of Innovation," we interview Casey Cheshire, a prominent podcaster and expert on podcast creation, as well as the founder of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing. The conversation delves into the state of marketing and the significance of podcasts in building authentic connections.
Casey shares his journey into podcasting, which started as a means for thought leadership while running a marketing agency. He emphasizes that the essence of podcasting lies in connection—not just metrics or view counts. Despite common challenges like pod fading, where most podcasts lose momentum after only a few episodes, Casey argues that with the right goals, podcasts can thrive and extend a brand's reach.
The episode highlights the importance of knowing your audience deeply, cautioning against "disconnected marketing." Casey explains that engaging with customers through meaningful conversations often yields better insights than traditional surveys. He advocates for authentic discussions as a pathway to building trust and fostering relationships.Casey encourages listeners to "start ugly," emphasizing the importance of initiating conversations with customers, whether in-person or via podcasts, to bridge the gap between marketers and their audience.
This insightful discussion provides tips for harnessing the power of podcasts in modern marketing, making it a must-listen for those looking to connect authentically with their audiences.

Michael Leiberman, President of Aeris Protective Packaging, Inc.

Speaking with Michael Leiberman, President of Aeris Protective Packaging Inc. is like attending a master class on innovation.  He founded Aeris Protective Packaging at his living room table.  It has now grown to service some of the world's most prominent brands, as well as entire industries.  You have probably come across their packaging opening up some highly coveted products.Listen to this episode to learn from Michael Leiberman and be inspired by his example. 

Gina Gibbs Foster, Senior VP of Communications

In this episode of Highs of Innovation, our guest is Gina Gibbs Foster, an experienced VP of Corporate Communications.  We explored the pivotal role of effective communication in increasing stakeholder engagement to drive desired business outcomes and culture. Gina shares her insights on how organizations can bridge the gap and build trust with all of their stakeholders through strategic storytelling and holistic engagement strategies.
With 70% of the workforce reportedly disengaged, per Gallup's research, employee engagement is a particularly important topic. Discover how aligning employees with the company’s mission can promote a sense of purpose.  Gina also addresses the importance of recognizing contributions, and the necessity of cutting through communication noise in the workplace. Tune in for valuable takeaways that can help transform your workplace culture and drive meaningful engagement!

Irina Feldman, Global HR Executive, VP Human Resources

In this podcast episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Irina Feldman, an experienced global HR executive who serves as Vice President Human Resources at Metal Processing Group, an Affiliate of the Heico Companies. Irina has a deep understanding of what needs to be done to attract, engage, and retain top talent.  She focuses on employee engagement, and cultivating high-performance cultures across diverse industries. Her expertise in aligning HR initiatives with business goals has helped numerous organizations navigate change and enhance their workforce capabilities. Outside of her professional endeavors, Irina is passionate about mentoring future leaders and advocating for inclusive workplace practices. Join us as we dive into Irina's insights on the evolving landscape of HR and the impact of strong leadership in today’s workplace.