Better by Great Place To Work

Coats’ David Paja on How to Unlock Workplace Innovation

Coats, a global textile manufacturer with a 270-year legacy, has consistently led the way in innovation. Its thread played a role in Edison’s first lightbulb in 1879 and was used in the Apollo 11 spacesuits that traveled to the moon.
Group CEO David Paja shares how the company achieves such high levels of workplace innovation at Coats facilities, many of which are in remote, underdeveloped areas where working conditions can be inconsistent. Operating in 55 countries, Coats has a built culture of trust, pride and care among its employees, overcoming cultural and geographic barriers. This has also driven tremendous business success.
He also reflects on the impact of lifelong friendships and mentorship, and what he would go back and tell his younger self.
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For a transcript of this episode, visit Coats’ David Paja on How to Unlock Workplace Innovation | Great Place To Work®

Trek's Mark Joslyn how employee feedback & surveys transform culture

Ever wonder how a bicycle company became a $2 billion success story?
Mark Joslyn, VP of HR and IT at Trek, shares how listening to employees and fostering a "do the right thing" culture drives profitability.
From implementing a "personal board of directors" to earning the nickname "Ted Lasso," Mark's insights are both practical and inspiring.
Learn how Trek has risen from No. 94 in 2023 to No. 50 in 2025 on the Fortune 100 Best Companies To Work For List®!
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For a transcript of this episode, visit Trek’s Mark Joslyn on How Feedback and Surveys Transform Culture | Great Place To Work®

Synchrony’s DJ Casto on the power of active listening

How does active listening transform a company? DJ Casto, chief human resources officer at Synchrony shares the leadership secrets behind their culture shift and business wins.
The company is redefining leadership through active listening, vulnerability, and co-creation. Hear real stories and strategies that are transforming workplace culture and driving business success. Tune in to learn why great leadership isn’t optional — it’s essential for the future.
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For a transcript of this episode, visit Synchrony’s DJ Casto on Leadership Behaviors That Drive Business Results | Great Place To Work®

Credit Acceptance’s Wendy Rummler on Supporting Employee Well-Being & Mental Health

Wendy Rummler, chief people officer at Credit Acceptance, shares her personal journey with mental health and how it shaped her leadership approach. After experiencing anxiety and panic attacks during the pandemic, she realized the importance of openly discussing mental health in the workplace.
Her vulnerability sparked deeper conversations across the company, including a powerful moment when she shared her story with 700 sales leaders.
She discusses how Credit Acceptance embraces well-being through its “Unburying Your Dreams” initiative, inspired by Ben Nemtin, and how remote work hasn’t hindered culture. Weekly coffee chats, one-on-one meetings, and virtual roundtables emphasize care beyond work tasks.
This intentional focus on employee experience has led to improved trust scores and a dramatic rise in stock value—from $9 in 2001 to over $600.
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For a transcript of this episode, visit Credit Acceptance’s Wendy Rummler on Supporting Employee Well-Being | Great Place To Work®

ServiceNow’s Jayney Howson on the power of AI in workplace learning

The future of workplace learning is changing. Instead of focusing on "what" to learn, the focus is now on "how" to learn.
Jayney Howson, SVP of global learning and development at ServiceNow, says effective learning should be predictive, personalized, and available exactly when you need it — just like what happens when you watch Netflix. This is all possible thanks to AI.
Howson talks about personalized learning powered by AI, equal opportunities for growth, psychologically safe environments for taking risks, and how AI helps create equal opportunities for all.
She also opens up about her personal journey with stage two Hodgkin's lymphoma and how it has shaped her leadership style, emphasizing the importance of wellness and being comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Tune in to learn how to create a high-trust workplace where employees can thrive, innovate, and grow.
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For a transcript of this episode, visit Service Now’s Jayney Howson on the Power of AI in Workplace Learning | Great Place To Work®

Delta Air Lines' Allison Ausband on people-first culture & business success

Delta Air Lines has been making headlines in recent years—and not just for ranking high in customer service and passenger satisfaction. In this episode of Better by Great Place To Work, we explore the incredible transformation at Delta, especially its meteoric rise on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list from No. 94 to No. 15 in just one year.
Allison Ausband, Delta's executive vice president & chief people officer, takes listeners on a journey through the evolution of Delta’s people-first culture, its ripple effects on business success, and the actionable strategies that can inspire organizations of any size to prioritize their people.
Ausband began her career as a flight attendant and now leads the charge in creating a workplace where employees feel valued, heard, and supported. “If our people know they matter,” she says, “they’ll serve our customers extremely well — and that drives business success.”
Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and save 20% off registration for the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2026 | Great Place To Work®
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For a transcript of this episode, visit Delta’s Allison Ausband on People-First Culture and Business Success | Great Place To Work®
Read more about Delta’s rise: How Delta Air Lines Soared to No. 15 on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For List | Great Place To Work®

Marriott’s Ty Breland on workplace flexibility

In this episode, we dive into Marriott International's journey of resilience and reinvention over the past few years.
Ty Breland, EVP and CHRO of Marriott — a 27-time Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® winner — shares insights on how workplace flexibility and a redefined leadership mindset have driven significant business success. This evolution has led to higher engagement scores, lower turnover, and increased revenue, benefiting associates, the company, and customers alike.
You’ll learn how Marriott's innovative job sharing and scheduling approach has created a more engaged and committed workforce.
Ty also shares advice for HR colleagues on the importance of having a seat at the table, balancing work and life, and staying present.
Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work®
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For a transcript of this episode, visit Marriott’s Ty Breland on Workplace Flexibility | Great Place To Work®
Fortune article: People-first culture is vital to Marriott’s 25-year run as one of the 100 Best Companies | Fortune
Download Marriott’s report for an in-depth look on how it transformed the associate experience.

The Wonderful Company’s Stephen Howe on creating a great place to live and work

If you’ve had Fiji water, Wonderful pistachios, or Halo mandarins, then you’ve been enjoying some of the products made by The Wonderful Company!  We learn how the powerful story of how it has transformed the rural community of Lost Hills, California, into a thriving place to live and work for its employees.
We sit down with Stephen Howe, EVP of human resources and chief financial officer, to explore the incredible impact The Wonderful Company is making on its employees and communities, and the innovative employee programs that bring meaning and purpose to the lives of the hourly, frontline workforce.
Tune in to hear why The Wonderful Company earned its spot as one of the Fortune 100 Best Workplaces to Work For® in 2024!
Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work®
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For a transcript of this episode, visit The Wonderful Company’s Stephen Howe on Creating a Great Place to Live and Work | Great Place To Work®

Edward Jones' Suzan McDaniel on creating social connections in a hybrid world

Hybrid work offers employees flexibility, but it requires intentional effort to maintain in-person connections.
Suzan McDaniel, CHRO at Edward Jones, shares practical tips for creating a rewarding in-office experience, effectively managing a hybrid workforce, using personas for better communication, and supporting employee well-being.
Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work®
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For a transcript of this episode, visit Edward Jones’ Suzan McDaniel on Creating Social Connections in a Hybrid World | Great Place To Work®

Penn Mutual's Liz Heitner on performance management that actually works

Only 2% of CHROs think their performance management system truly inspires employees to improve.
Liz Heitner, CHRO at Penn Mutual, understands why and shares how to change that. We dive into how Penn Mutual leaders have transformed their approach, resulting in a performance success program that actually works – and employees enjoy.
She candidly shared lessons learned, how to manage imposter syndrome, and what she’s learning from Tik Tok.
Don’t miss the company culture event of the year! Enter the code "Better" and get $200 off the Great Place To Work For All Summit: For All Summit 2025 | Great Place To Work®
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For a transcript of this episode, visit Penn Mutual's Liz Heitner on Effective Performance Management | Great Place To Work®