What does it take to create a unified culture when your team spans 50 countries and includes thousands of employees? Sue Quackenbush, Chief People Officer at Dynatrace, reveals the secret sauce behind their "real vibes, real people" approach that keeps their global workforce connected.

With 33% of Dynatrace's 4,000+ employees working fully remotely and the rest following a hybrid model, Sue explains how they've turned geographical dispersion into a strength. Their innovative Remote Connect Club creates virtual communities for those without nearby offices, while employee resource groups foster belonging regardless of location. Sue's passion for "making a difference" drives her people-first approach that balances flexibility with connection.

The conversation dives into talent attraction and development strategies that have proven successful in the competitive tech sector. When Sue joined Dynatrace nearly three years ago, she discovered they were "consistently inconsistent" in leadership approaches – prompting her to create the comprehensive "Dynatrace Elements of Leadership" framework that now guides development at all levels. She shares why continuous growth opportunities create both stability and innovation, benefiting both employees and the organization.

Perhaps most fascinating is Sue's perspective on balancing data-driven HR with human connection. "Data is critically important and I would say that it is as important as the humanistic elements," she explains, offering insights into how modern people leaders must leverage analytics while preserving the relationships that ultimately drive engagement. As AI reshapes workplace tools and practices, Sue considers both the exciting possibilities and important guardrails needed to maintain what makes work meaningful.

Whether you're navigating hybrid work challenges, building leadership pipelines, or seeking ways to create belonging across borders, this conversation offers practical wisdom from one of tech's most thoughtful people leaders.

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The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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In this episode, Bill Banham talks with Marina Farthouat, the new Vice President, People at Oyster - the global employment platform that enables companies to hire, pay, and care for distributed teams.

Marina brings a refreshing perspective to the HRchat Show about transforming workplace norms through remote and distributed teams. Drawing from her diverse background spanning investment banking to startups, Marina shares why her most connected workplace experiences have consistently been in remote organizations.

"Talent doesn't have a nationality," Marina asserts, challenging traditional location-based hiring approaches. She makes a compelling case for distributed teams as both a talent strategy and a resilience measure. When recent blackouts hit Spain and Portugal, Oyster's globally distributed workforce demonstrated exactly this kind of operational continuity—shifting activities seamlessly to unaffected regions.

What makes Marina's perspective particularly valuable is her holistic view of remote work benefits. Beyond the usual flexibility talking points, she highlights how remote arrangements positively impact families, especially children who no longer lose parents to long commutes. She dismantles the myth that remote workers feel disconnected, explaining how digital platforms actually create more egalitarian access to leadership and information than traditional office environments where proximity matters.

The conversation tackles economic concerns head-on, addressing fears that global hiring simply shifts jobs to lower-cost regions. Marina offers a more nuanced view: global talent acquisition isn't about replacement but expansion and resilience. She emphasizes that startups particularly benefit from access to diverse talent pools while managing burn rates effectively.

By the way, if you enjoy this conversation and want to learn more about Marina’s team and some of the people challenges they tackle, check out episode 338 with Oyster Co-founder Jack Mardack.

Marina leads the company’s people strategy with a focus on building a human-centric, inclusive, and sustainable culture across a global workforce.

She brings a wealth of experience leading People functions in remote organizations, most recently at ClickHouse and Elastic. Marina has developed deep expertise in employee engagement and organizational development, as well as in building strong cultures and scaling global com

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Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.

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Curtis Vincent, CHRO at The Estate Registry, offers a fascinating look at how digital estate management is transforming employee benefits packages and addressing a critical gap in financial wellness programs.

The days of the fireproof lockbox stuffed with important papers are long behind us. As Curtis explains, modern employees lead increasingly complex digital lives with countless online accounts and digital assets that require organization and protection. Legacy Now provides a secure, intuitive platform that not only stores traditional estate planning documents but also preserves family legacies through digital photographs and videos that can be passed down through generations.

What makes digital estate management particularly valuable is its relevance to employees at every career stage. Curtis challenges the notion that estate planning only benefits those approaching retirement. "Almost everybody, regardless of age or net worth, has something worth protecting," he notes. For younger professionals, the platform offers organization around guardianship arrangements, documentation of existing benefits like 401(k)s and insurance policies, and the foundation for building their own legacies. By centralizing important information, these tools alleviate the stress and anxiety that come with managing complex financial lives, allowing employees to focus better at work.

For HR professionals considering implementation, Curtis recommends prioritizing cybersecurity, user support capabilities, and ease of administration. Start by gauging employee interest, arranging demonstrations, educating HR teams about the probate process, and carefully reviewing options. Ready to transform your benefits package with this missing piece of financial security? Connect with Curtis on LinkedIn or visit Estate Registry's website to explore how digital estate management can enhance your employee wellbeing strategy.

Support the show

Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.

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