The Talent Transformation Podcast

What does it take to attract, develop and mobilize talent in one of the world’s most complex and dynamic industries?In this episode of The Talent Transformation Podcast, Dimitri Boylan speaks with Daniela Bacher, Business Unit Manager for People and Culture Development, Employer Branding and Recruiting at STRABAG, about how the global construction group is responding to workforce shortages, demographic change and evolving talent expectations. From recruiting apprentices and building stronger career pathways for blue-collar workers to using employer branding, international hiring and strategic workforce planning, this conversation explores how STRABAG is shaping a more agile, future-ready workforce across 50 countries.Topics include:Using social media, employer branding and local campaigns to reach emerging talentReducing early dropout rates by giving candidates a realistic view of construction workExpanding talent pipelines through international recruitment and refugee hiringStrengthening retention by reconnecting with former employees and building alumni relationshipsUsing major projects, innovation and sustainability goals to engage candidatesImproving strategic workforce planning across regions, divisions and project timelinesIncreasing internal mobility by making opportunities more visible across the organizationConnecting skills, competencies and training to future workforce needs

What does it take to build a workforce strategy for an economy where talent shortages, demographic shifts and technological change are all converging?In this episode of The Talent Transformation Podcast, Dimitri Boylan speaks with Stephanie Ferguson Melhorn, Executive Director of Workforce and International Labor Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about the labor market challenges shaping the future of work in the United States. From regional workforce shortages and declining labor force participation to childcare access, second-chance hiring, apprenticeships and AI readiness, this conversation explores how policy, business and education can work together to expand access to opportunity and strengthen America’s talent pipeline.Topics include:Understanding why national labor market averages often hide regional and industry-specific shortagesExpanding workforce participation through childcare policy and support for working familiesTapping into underutilized talent pools, including justice-impacted individualsUsing tax credits, grants and workforce legislation to support hiring, training and reskillingStrengthening pathways into trades, apprenticeships and short-term credential programsImproving workforce data to better connect education, skills and employment outcomesPreparing students and incumbent workers for the impact of AI and automationBuilding stronger links between employers, policymakers and education systems to address short- and long-term talent gaps

What does it take to transform talent practices in a system built on decades of tradition?In this episode of The Talent Transformation Podcast, Dimitri Boylan speaks with Louisiana State Civil Service Director Byron Decoteau Jr. and Chief Operating Officer Nicole Tucker about SHIFT (Shaping How We Invest in Future Talent), a statewide initiative to modernize how talent is identified, assessed and developed. From removing degree requirements and rethinking qualifications to driving cultural change across government agencies, this conversation explores what it takes to build a more accessible, skills-based workforce at scale.Topics include:Expanding access to talent by removing unnecessary barriers to employmentShifting from degree-based requirements to skills-based eligibilityUsing competencies as the foundation for hiring, development and mobilityBuilding buy-in for change across hiring managers and government agenciesDesigning talent strategies that are tailored to current and future workforce needs

What does it mean to modernize hiring when your mandate is human rights, democracy, and the rule of law?In this episode of The Talent Transformation Podcast, Dimitri Boylan speaks with Jean-Etienne Kautzmann, Head of Recruitment and Employment Management at the Council of Europe, about how recruitment can remain agile, ethical and deeply mission-aligned — even within a highly scrutinized, constitutional civil service. From navigating demographic shifts to implementing AI with accountability, this conversation explores how to lead talent transformation in environments where credibility and trust are everything.Topics include:Ethical guardrails for AI in mission-driven hiringWorkforce planning in the face of generational changeHiring for adaptability and learning agilityHow centralized systems support speed and transparencyWhy recruitment is foundational to institutional trustPlease enjoy!

What does it take to modernize talent acquisition across 30+ countries without losing what makes each team work?In this episode of The Talent Transformation Podcast, Avature CEO Dimitri Boylan speaks with Karen Beaman, Global Vice President of Talent Acquisition, about how Transcom evolved from a highly decentralized TA model to a global, tech-enabled strategy built for scale and nuance. From rebuilding workflows to rethinking change management, Beaman shares what it really takes to transform at speed while keeping people and purpose at the center.Topics include:Balancing global consistency with local flexibilityWhy automating legacy processes won't drive real changeHow clear success metrics create buy-inThe role of real-time data in continuous improvementMaking change stick through trust, dialogue, and early winsEnjoy listening!

What does it take to modernize talent acquisition when the talent you need is scarce, highly specialized, and in constant demand?In this episode of The Talent Transformation Podcast, Dimitri Boylan speaks with Ateesh Roye of MANTECH about reframing recruiting as a strategic supply chain — one that starts long before a requisition is opened and continues well beyond the hire. Drawing on experience across federal contracting, commercial enterprise, and RPO, Ateesh explains how owning employer brand, data, and engagement at the top of the funnel fundamentally reshapes outcomes across the entire talent lifecycle.Topics include:Why TA leaders must translate hiring outcomes into business impactHow brand and community engagement drive results long before applicationsWhy employer brand is a system, not a campaignThe power of data-driven funnel management over averages

Ahead of the 2026 season, BWT Alpine Formula One Team driver Pierre Gasly joined Dimitri Boylan on The Talent Transformation Podcast to discuss the evolving role of data in Formula One, the balance between instinct and information, and how drivers adapt to increasingly complex environments.In both racing and business, success comes from prioritizing the right inputs rather than just consuming more data. Gasly shares how drivers navigate millions of data points and why the real skill lies in knowing what to act on.Don’t miss this exclusive conversation.

In this episode of The Talent Transformation Podcast, Dimitri Boylan speaks with Tosh Onishi, former Head of Talent Acquisition APJ at Okta, about the growing intersection of talent acquisition and cybersecurity. As AI accelerates both innovation and risk, Tosh shares how hiring processes are being exploited in new ways and why TA teams must rethink how they assess identity, trust and authenticity.Drawing on his experience in cybersecurity and global hiring, Tosh outlines how candidate fraud has evolved from isolated incidents to sophisticated, AI-enabled threats, and what organizations can do to stay ahead without compromising the candidate experience.Topics include:Why candidate fraud is becoming a critical risk in the age of AIHow remote hiring has expanded both access and vulnerabilityThe role of TA in verifying identity—not just assessing talentWhy partnerships between TA and security are now essentialHow recruiters can surface insights that others in the hiring process missEnjoy the episode!