Think the Federal Reserve only deals with interest rates? Think again.

In this episode, we sit down with experts from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to reveal little‑known but powerful tools designed to support workforce and economic mobility. Deborah Diamond and Theresa Dunne break down two resources that can help HR professionals rethink talent pipelines, skills‑based hiring, and local economic impact.
Discover how "Eds & Meds" shape Philadelphia’s workforce and why understanding your region’s economic ecosystem is critical for strategic HR planning. A must‑listen for HR and business leaders seeking data‑driven insight.

To learn more about the tools discussed, visit:
PhiladelphiaFed.org/OME
PhiladelphiaFed.org/AnchorEconomy

More about our guests:

Deborah Diamond

As the senior director of engagement and initiatives, Deborah and her team develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders in the Third District to better understand how economic conditions affect residents, workers, and small businesses. She also focuses on the “anchor economy” locally and nationally to understand how universities and hospitals shape local economic opportunity.

Theresa Dunne

Theresa Dunne is a community development research analyst in the Community Development and Regional Outreach Department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Her research interests lie at the intersection of community development and public health. Currently, she works on topics related to digital equity and device access, equitable wealth in the city of Philadelphia, and the broad economic impacts of anchor institutions on regional economies.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

In this courageous and eye-opening episode of HR Fresh Take, host Dr. Jo sits down with survivor, advocate, and author Dr. Jennifer Gardella to explore how domestic violence—often considered a private issue—profoundly impacts the workplace. From emotional trauma to legal and financial barriers, Dr. Gardella shares her personal journey and offers actionable insights for HR professionals and organizational leaders.

Listeners will learn:

• The hidden costs of domestic violence on employee well-being and productivity
• The importance of psychologically safe environments and trauma-informed policies
• What coworkers and leaders can say (and avoid saying) to support survivors
• How organizations can partner with local resources and offer meaningful accommodations

This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to building compassionate, inclusive, and resilient workplaces.

Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive content related to domestic violence. Please listen with care.

If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to your local domestic violence center or call the National Domestic violence hotline at 800-799-SAFE.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

We’re kicking off our 4th season by talking about neurodiversity in the workplace—what it means, why it matters, and how HR leaders can foster truly inclusive environments.

Joining the discussion are Laura Sibbald McAnulty, Executive Director of the Neurodiversity Employment Network (NENPHL); Joseph Riddle, Director of Neurodiversity in the Workplace (NITW), and Alberta Blum, Lead Executive Talent Partner for Radian.

We’ll discuss hiring, team dynamics, accommodations, and the power of universal design as well as how small shifts in culture and communication can benefit everyone.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

In our final installment of our series, HR and Age of AI Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests examine the dual impact of AI on mental health. Highlighting both the benefits and challenges it presents.

We also discussed building cultures of care and the role of AI as a tool to enhance workplace practices.

Special Thanks to our Contributors:

Scott J Prendergast is a Professional Speaker, Certified Coach, Author,
College Professor and Mental Health Advocate based in Philadelphia, PA
and owner of Scotty P Inspiration LLC. A graduate of Temple University,
Scott speaks about the importance of acknowledging mental health in
society, and encourages techniques to overcome the everyday mental
obstacles that hold us back in life.

Danny Goldberg is a Workplace Culture Expert, acclaimed speaker, and award-winning entrepreneur who helps organizations navigate today’s most urgent workplace challenges. With a focus on building future-proof teams that are resilient, adaptable, and free from burnout, Danny empowers leaders to create cultures of engagement, innovation, and connection.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

In the penultimate episode of our series, HR and the Age of AI: Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests discuss the importance of curiosity and adaptability in navigating AI technology.

We also highlight the protection of sensitive data as well as the role of organizational culture in fostering a safe environment for experimentation and growth.

Special Thanks to our Contributors

Kelly Jones is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. For over 25 years, Kelly Jones has held several progressive and strategic human resource and operations assignments. His career has spanned several industries, including financial services, aerospace and hospitality.

Cherise V. Stewart MS, SPHR is a Human Resource Leader with over 15 years of experience designing and implementing people-centered strategies that drive employee engagement and retention initiatives. As VP of Human Resources at Valley Youth House, Cherise leads the HR, Training, and Development function for 400 plus employees who work everyday as a catalyst for youth to achieve their desired futures through genuine relationships that support families, ensure safe places, and build community connections.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

In part 4 of our series, HR and Age of AI - Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests share their perspectives on how AI is transforming HR practices from improving the employee experience to enhancing recruitment processes.

We also discussed the importance of maintaining empathy and humanity in HR especially as AI technology advances, as well as the need for adaptability and agility among HR professionals.

Special Thanks to our Contributors:

Gaetan Giannini - Vice President for Adult and Graduate Education at Alvernia University.

Dana Scarcella is a leadership consultant with more than 20 years experience, specializing in creating high performance cultures. Dana is on a mission to help people achieve their impossible goals and help leaders get extraordinary results.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

In part 3 of our series: HR in the Age of AI - Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests share their diverse perspectives on skills, tools, and relationships HR professionals need to effectively manage and lead in the age of AI.

The conversation also touches upon overcoming the fear of AI with practical advice on low-risk initiatives and personal experimentation.

Special thanks to our contributors:

Blair Corcoran de Castillo - As Opportunity@Work’s Vice President of Policy, Blair leads the organization’s partnerships with the public sector, guiding the strategy to support policy shifts to enable STAR mobility nationally and in regions across the U.S.

Shane Lloyd - As the Chief Diversity Officer at Baker Tilly, Shane leads the firmwide diversity, inclusion, and belonging strategy and advises executive leadership at Baker Tilly. Prior to joining the top 10 professional services firm based in the United States, he worked at Amazon within their Worldwide Consumer and Global DEI teams.

Audrey Mickahail - is Senior Vice President, Private Sector & Membership Experience, at Opportunity@Work. In this role, she is responsible for the organization’s Private Sector business as well as the team that ensures a high quality and consistent customer experience with Opportuniy@Work through its service offerings to help employers, philanthropies, regional consortia, and the public sector enable economic mobility for workers who are Skilled through Alternative Routes (STARs).

Celeste Warren - is Vice President, Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence. As the leader for Merck’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence, she is responsible for working with Merck’s global leaders to advance and embed diversity and inclusion throughout the organization to enhance the employee experience and maximize business performance.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org

In Part 2 of our series, HR and the Age of AI: Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests share their unique perspectives on how AI is transforming HR practices from creating culture to enhancing neurodiversity inclusion.

We also discussed the need for critical thinking and human oversight in AI applications, as well as the legal implications and ethical considerations.

Special thanks to our contributors:

Michael S. Cohen Partner, Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. Michael concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling.

Kevin Davis - Principal, Epic Insurance Brokers and Consultants. His focus is on crafting innovative benefits strategies for his diverse clients. He is also a Board member of the Neurodiversity Employment Network (NEN).

Catherine Preim, Senior Business Partner, Baker Tilly US, a leading advisory CPA firm. She serves as a leader within the Talent Management Business Partner team; she partners with leadership in the Pennsylvania/West Virginia market in the development and execution of their people strategy and advises on various people-related matters

Merrick Rosenberg, CEO, Take Flight Learning, affectionately known as The Bird Guy, is not just an author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur. He is a true visionary! In 1991, he founded Team Builders Plus, one of the first companies in the United States. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for today’s team building industry.

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Return to work, Inclusion, Hybrid work, AI, phillyshrm.org