In this episode of Becoming Better with StartupExperts, Jesse Freese sits down with Bob Starr, VP of Human Resources at Zap Surgical Systems and one of our 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025.

Bob reflects on his 20+ year career in HR — from his early days at Atari to leading people operations at innovative medical device companies. He shares lessons learned along the way, including:

• Why vulnerability can be a powerful leadership tool.

• The importance of making the right hiring decisions.

• How stepping outside of HR into other functions can make you a stronger leader.

• His excitement about the potential of AI in the workplace and the groundbreaking technology Zap is developing to transform cancer treatment and beyond.

This conversation is part of our special series highlighting the 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025, where we celebrate the stories, wisdom, and perspectives of standout community members.

Tune in to hear Bob’s journey, his insights on leadership, and his advice for the next generation of HR professionals.

Jesse sits down with Emily—recently named one of our “25 Leaders to Follow in ’25” and our VP of Learning & Content—to talk about leading through curiosity, building a culture of learning, and why giving back compounds impact.

In this conversation, Jesse thanks Emily for her outsized contributions to our community and team, spotlighting why she was selected as one of our 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025. Emily reflects on what it means to lead learning-first: creating simple systems that make growth habitual, turning feedback into fuel, and designing content that meets people where they are.

Together they unpack practical ways leaders can nurture engagement—how to scaffold learning so it sticks, invite participation without pressure, and translate insights into everyday behaviors. Emily also shares how service and mentorship shape her approach, and why consistent, small improvements beat big, sporadic initiatives.

In this episode of the Becoming Better Podcast — 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025 series, Jesse sits down with Alan Federman to talk about the values that truly shape great leadership.

Jesse reflects on a recent conversation with his daughter that reminded him of two core values he carries with him in work and in life: curiosity and kindness. Together, Jesse and Alan explore how those values influence the way leaders show up, build relationships, and continue to grow.

Listeners will also catch a lighthearted “easter egg” moment (hint: Watergate 👀) that reminds us leadership is about being authentic, not perfect.

Join us for this thoughtful, human conversation — and celebrate Alan as one of our 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025.

In this final Becoming Better at StartupExperts episode of the year, Jesse sits down with Holly Hatlo, Lead HR Business Partner at Hatch and one of our 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025.

Holly shares her career journey through the startup ecosystem—from early-stage growth at DoorDash to leading people strategy at Hatch—and reflects on the moments that shaped her most as an HR and People Ops leader. She speaks candidly about the power of community, the importance of belonging, and how StartupExperts has influenced not only her professional growth, but how she shows up as a human.

The conversation dives into practical leadership lessons, including embracing “wet paint” work, learning faster through iteration, empowering managers, and why asking better questions matters more than having all the answers. Holly also opens up about her love of reading, book clubs, and the personal connections that make this work meaningful.

A thoughtful, energizing conversation on leadership, humility, curiosity, and what it truly means to grow—together.

In this episode of Becoming Better with StartupExperts, Jesse Freese sits down with Elisabeth Woodfield, one of our Leaders to Follow in 2025, for a thoughtful conversation on modern talent leadership, simplicity, and the evolving role of AI in recruiting.

Elisabeth shares her journey from Goldman Sachs to leading talent teams in high-growth startups, including her upcoming role as Head of Talent at Centrelink. Together, they explore how talent acquisition is shifting from a transactional function to a deeply human, relationship-driven practice.

The conversation dives into the power of simplicity as a leadership principle, how AI can free teams to focus more on meaningful human connection, and why aligning recruiting efforts with business strategy creates better outcomes for candidates, teams, and companies alike.

This episode is part of our Becoming Better short-form conversations, where we spotlight exceptional leaders in the StartupExperts community and share their perspectives, lessons learned, and practical wisdom.

In this episode of Becoming Better with StartupExperts, Jesse sits down with Sarika Lamont, Chief People Officer at ARD and one of our 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025.

Sarika shares her unique, nontraditional path into HR—beginning in sales and marketing at Philip Morris, moving into management consulting, and eventually stepping into senior HR leadership through a deep understanding of business systems, people strategy, and organizational scale.

Together, Jesse and Sarika unpack lessons from building fast-growing organizations, bridging the gap between business and people teams, and gaining credibility as a talent leader without a traditional HR background. She reflects on leading through transformational moments, including today’s rapid AI shift, and how pausing before reacting has reshaped her leadership style.

Sarika also offers candid advice on navigating careers with a “lattice mindset,” the importance of leaning into your strengths, and how choosing fulfillment and impact—rather than titles—ultimately leads to better growth and better leadership.

A thoughtful, energizing conversation with one of the most grounded and strategic CPOs in our community.

In this episode of Becoming Better with StartupExperts – 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025, Jesse Freese sits down with Tanaz Mody Operating Partner at Lerer Hippeau, to explore what it means to build people-first organizations from the ground up.

Tanaz shares lessons from her journey across early-stage startups and venture, offering candid insights on how culture and leadership must evolve as companies grow. She reflects on the importance of self-awareness, clear communication, and setting expectations early — not as corporate formality, but as the foundation of trust and alignment within every team.

From navigating tough leadership decisions to experimenting with AI tools that empower founders, this conversation is a reminder that great organizations are built not on frameworks alone, but on empathy, curiosity, and the courage to learn from every chapter.

🎧 Listen now and discover how Tanaz continues to lead with heart, awareness, and intention.

In this episode of Becoming Better with StartupExperts, Jesse Freese sits down with Maggie Ruvoldt, Chief Human Resources Officer at LEARN Behavioral and one of StartupExperts’ 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025.

With over 30 years of experience in HR, Maggie shares her journey from aspiring social worker to becoming a seasoned people leader who believes that HR sits at the heart of every great business. She opens up about the power of feedback, the importance of courage in difficult moments, and the subtle ways our language shapes how we lead.

Together, Jesse and Maggie explore what it means to stay truly open to learning — even when we think we already are — and how to navigate the evolving intersection between human leadership and AI. Maggie also reflects on the art of building genuine relationships, offering timeless advice: “Treat your network like a bank account — make deposits when you don’t need it.”

It’s a thoughtful, grounded conversation about growth, humility, and the strength that comes from leading with empathy and intention.