Great Minds: People and Culture

After returning from her own parental leave to find her team struggling and her career momentum stalled, Allison Whalen knew this wasn't just a personal challenge—it was a systemic issue. That insight led her to launch Parentaly, a company helping employers turn parental leave into a strategic advantage rather than a career disruption. In this […]

For Earth Day, Ren Akinci sat down with Natalie Flores, founder of NourishLA, a community-powered nonprofit tackling food waste, hunger, and local sustainability in Los Angeles. In this episode, Natalie shares how she turned a crisis into a catalyst—launching NourishLA during the pandemic to connect surplus food with families in need. We talk about what […]

If you're constantly running on empty, pushing through stress, or telling yourself you'll “catch up on sleep later”—this episode is for you. This week, Ren Akinci is joined by Ahna de Vena, a Sleep and Performance Specialist who has spent over 20 years helping high-performing leaders and teams rethink their relationship with rest. We explore […]

On this Episode of Great Minds: People & Culture, Ren Akinci speaks with Debbie Dyson, CEO of OneTen, about how the organization is helping employers break away from outdated hiring practices by removing four-year degree requirements and focusing on skills. They talk about what it really takes to drive change inside companies, how to get […]

In this episode of Great Minds, Ren Akinci sits down with Melani (Walker) Dziire, who made the bold decision to leave behind a high-powered executive career to pursue a completely different path. Melani shares what inspired her to take the leap, the biggest obstacles she faced, and how she prepared—both practically and mentally—for such a […]

In this episode of Great Minds, Ren Akinci sits down with Lisette Arsuaga, co-founder of AIMM and Co-CEO of DMI Consulting, to explore how brands can drive meaningful impact through cultural authenticity and inclusive marketing. They discuss AIMM's role in providing guidance and data to help marketers remain competitive, the importance of equity in investment […]

In this episode, our host Ren Akinci speaks with Diana Brooks, founder and CEO of THE 3RD EYE, who, at a young age, was told that women couldn't succeed in her career choice. Taking those words to heart, Diana shifted her path, ultimately finding her place as a trailblazer in the advertising industry. She shares […]

In our latest podcast episode, we speak with Rebecca Minor, MSW, LICSW (she/her/they), a queer clinician, consultant, and educator specializing in the intersection of trauma, gender, and sexuality. As the founder of Prism Therapy Collective and adjunct faculty at Boston University School of Social Work, Rebecca shares insights on developing inclusive policies, addressing privacy concerns, […]

The advertising industry faces an annual turnover rate of 27%, costing companies their talent, creativity, and momentum. On this episode, Ren Akinci speaks to Brad Simms, Founder & CEO of GALE, about how his agency has tackled this challenge with investing $1M dollars in learning, training and development initiatives. From dedicated career coaches to an […]

On this episode, Ren Akinci and Dr. Lori Watson discuss how leaders can effectively respond to societal incidents that impact employees, creating a safe and inclusive workplace. They explore essential strategies for open discussions on race, balancing inclusivity with free speech, and building a lasting commitment to racial equity in organizations. 

On this episode Ren Akinci speaks to Kumi Croom, the first Managing Director at Duncan Channon. Kumi has been a trailblazer in leading the agency's equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, building initiatives to recruit and retain BIPOC talent and creating a culturally conscious approach to their creative work. From launching the EDI Group to establishing […]

In this episode, Ren Akinci speaks with Doug Thornell, the CEO of SKDK, one of the top political advertising and public affairs agencies, about shaping political campaigns and building company culture. As the election year heats up, we discuss the challenges of creating impactful political ads, staying agile, and fostering equity and inclusion within the […]

On today's episode, Ren Akinci is joined by Evin Shutt, the CEO of 72andSunny, as they celebrate a major milestone: 72andSunny 20th anniversary. Evin was the first hired employee at 72andSunny 18 years ago and has been leading the brand as CEO for the past four years. Tune in as Evin shares her journey from […]

In this episode, Ren Akinci is joined by Ben Cicchetti, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at InfoSum and a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Together, they discuss the importance of fostering true LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace and explore how support for LGBTQ+ colleagues must extend beyond Pride Week.

In this episode, Ren Akinci is joined by Geoffrey Goldberg, a Broadway performer and director, and Evan Horowitz, a marketing expert, founders of Movers + Shakers. This agency champions the motto of spreading joy through innovative advertising. Learn how they navigate calculated risks for success, create a joyful work culture, and empower their team in […]

In this episode of Great Minds: People & Culture, Ren Akinci and Mercy for Animals CEO Leah Garcès delve into the world of resilient leadership and the pursuit of joy in advocacy. Join us as we explore strategies for fostering morale, sustainability, and well-being within organizations striving for meaningful change.

This week on Great Minds: People & Culture we're pleased to welcome Brooke Schnittman, MA, BCC, PCC, an esteemed expert in the field of ADHD management and support, renowned for her unwavering dedication to empowering individuals with ADHD to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.

Christine Guilfoyle, President of SeeHer, joins Ren for this episode of Great Minds: People & Culture. In this episode, Christine discusses what it means to have a seat at the table.

On this episode of Great Minds: People and Culture, we speak with Sergii Denysenko, CEO of MGID, Inc., an innovative global pioneer in native advertising. Based in Ukraine, Sergii discusses the challenges of running a 750+ employee business during a time of national crisis.

On this episode of Great Minds: People & Culture we're pleased to welcome Dr. Chanda Macias, who connects, educates, inspires and empowers the next generation of women in the cannabis industry through her multiple roles.

In this episode of Great Minds People & Culture, Ren Akinci is joined by Sarah Engel, a passionate advocate for mentorship. Together, they talk about the significance of mentorship at every career stage. Sarah shares invaluable insights on accessing this crucial experience, even in the absence of a formal program within your company.

In today's episode, Ren Akinci and Rebecca Coleman dive into the crucial yet often overlooked aspect of putting ‘mother' on the resume. Listen in as they explore how women deserve rightful credit for honing indispensable skills while navigating the rewarding journey of motherhood. It's time to reshape the narrative and acknowledge the powerhouse of capabilities […]

In this episode, Ren Akinci is joined by Alex Love of Alex Love Consulting. Alex is an advocate for fair chance hiring practices. But what exactly is fair chance hiring? It's a transformative approach that emphasizes giving individuals with a criminal record a fair opportunity to reintegrate into the workforce. It's about second chances, breaking down […]

In our latest episode, Ren Akinci sits down with Shelly Palmer,  a renowned AI expert, who shares invaluable insights on harnessing AI's power for good, while also shedding light on the burning question: Will AI replace jobs? Discover the secrets of AI with our expert guest and gain the knowledge you need to navigate the […]

Our new episode is an inspiring conversation with Rafat Ali, CEO of a Skift.  Ren and Rafat talk about leading a global team through tough times and how to balance parenthood with a CEO's role. Join us for valuable insights and personal anecdotes in this week's episode of Great Minds People & Culture Podcast.

In this episode, Melissa Swift talks to Ren Akinci about the Work Anxiety Monster, how companies can leverage data to improve the everyday work experience, including the best place to send that engagement survey! And which untapped demographic employers should build a program to help with the labor market shortage.

Despite industry efforts, a recent Wave II of Global DEI Census shows no improvement in inclusion; in fact, 1 in 7 people say they'd consider leaving the advertising industry due to a lack of diversity and inclusion.  Today, we talk to Ruth Mortimer, Global President of Advertising Week (AW), on how AW approaches DEI through […]

In our debut episode, host Ren Akinci speaks with Natasha Bowman, author and a champion for workplace equity, as well as a top voice for mental health. Natasha is Founder and President of Performance ReNEW, a talent management and leadership development firm committed to helping organizations cultivate their most valuable asset: people. https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashabowmanjd https://www.linkedin.com/in/rakinci

Advertising Week is proud to present Great Minds People and Culture, a podcast dedicated to exploring the art of intentional leadership during times of change. The goal of Great Minds People and Culture is to provide our audience with practical strategies, reliable data, and tangible advice as we look to empower leaders seeking to make […]