**LIVE from the Transform Conference in Las Vegas**

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Sarika Lamont, Chief People Officer at Vidyard, to explore what it looks like to build a transparent, adaptable, and people-first culture inside a fast-moving AI company.

Recorded live from the Transform conference, Sarika shares Vidyard’s evolution from a startup founded by two engineers from the University of Waterloo into a globally distributed AI and video-enabled go-to-market platform. She also opens up about her unconventional career path from management consulting into HR leadership, how relationships shaped every major career move she’s made, and why authenticity matters deeply in both recruiting and leadership.

They also discuss how Vidyard approaches remote culture-building, why honesty and “talent repellence” are critical in hiring, and how AI is forcing organizations to completely rethink performance management, compensation, and the future of work.

What you’ll learn:

• What Vidyard does and how it uses AI and video to support sales, marketing, and customer engagement
• How Sarika Lamont transitioned from federal consulting into HR and tech leadership
• Why every major career opportunity Sarika has landed came through relationships and referrals
• How Vidyard has maintained startup energy after 15 years in business
• What remote culture-building looks like at a globally distributed company
• Why transparency and authenticity matter during the hiring process
• The importance of “talent repellence” alongside talent attraction
• How Vidyard supports employee wellbeing and encourages real time off
• Why Gen Z is reshaping leadership, performance management, and compensation
• How AI is changing the future of work — and the types of employees who thrive in that environment
• What types of roles Vidyard is actively hiring for

Vidyard Highlights:

• Headquarters: Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
• Team Size: ~120 employees
• Industry: AI / Video Technology / Go-To-Market Software
• Founded: Approximately 15 years ago
• Workforce Style: Remote-first and globally distributed
• Employee Nickname: “Vidyardians”
• Culture: Collaborative, transparent, adaptable, community-oriented, startup-minded
• Major Hiring Areas: Go-to-market teams, engineering, AI-focused roles, digital customer success, AI automation

Unique Perks & Programs:

• Flexible PTO policy with strong encouragement to actually take time off
• Company-wide holiday shutdown between Christmas and New Year’s
• Charitable donation matching program
• Ability to donate unused professional development funds to charities
• Tree planting initiatives tied to employee work anniversaries
• Strong emphasis on employee authenticity and transparency
• Remote-first culture intentionally designed around collaboration and connection
• Leadership philosophy centered on adaptability, resilience, and continuous learning
• Heavy investment in AI-forward tools, systems, and workforce development
• Deep commitment to supporting the Canadian tech ecosystem and emerging founders

To learn more about Vidyard:

Careers Page (They're hiring!)
LinkedIn Page
Sarika's LinkedIn

**LIVE from the Transform Conference in Las Vegas**

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Jason Desentz, CHRO of Toshiba Americas, to unpack what it actually looks like to lead culture and transformation inside a 150-year-old global brand.

Jason shares why he returned to the CHRO seat after running his own consulting firm, what drew him to Toshiba during a major transformation phase, and how the company is balancing large-scale innovation with a people-first culture.

They also dive into what “think global, act local” looks like at Toshiba, how the organization is preparing employees for an AI-driven future, and why visibility, curiosity, and business acumen are becoming critical skills for modern HR leaders and job seekers alike.

What you’ll learn:

• What Toshiba actually does beyond consumer electronics
• How Toshiba evolved into a diversified global innovation company
• Why Jason Desentz joined Toshiba during a major transformation period
• What “create together” means inside Toshiba’s culture
• How Toshiba approaches employee engagement and long-term retention
• Why business acumen is essential for modern HR leaders
• How Toshiba is preparing employees to become AI-ready
• Why volunteering for projects accelerates career growth
• What types of employees thrive at Toshiba
• How job seekers can stand out when applying to large organizations

Toshiba Highlights:

• Founded: 1875
• Global Workforce: 100,000+ employees
• U.S. Workforce: ~6,000 employees
• Americas Headquarters: Houston, Texas
• Other U.S. Hubs: Irvine & San Jose, California + Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Industry: Technology, Manufacturing, Energy, Infrastructure & Electronics
• Known For: Consumer electronics, semiconductors, batteries, point-of-sale systems, motors & drives, quantum technology, and more
• Culture: Innovative, collaborative, community-oriented, people-first, globally connected

Unique Perks & Programs:

• Strong employee appreciation culture and milestone celebrations
• Family-inclusive events and employee recognition programs
• Mobile mammogram and preventative healthcare initiatives
• Financial wellness and earned wage access programs
• Toshiba University for structured employee learning and development
• AI-readiness training and hands-on AI experimentation workshops
• Cross-functional project opportunities for career development
• Community volunteering and charitable engagement initiatives
• High leadership visibility and approachable executive teams

To learn more about Toshiba:

Careers Page (They’re hiring!)
LinkedIn Page
Jason's LinkedIn

**LIVE from the Transform Conference in Las Vegas**

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Natalie Breece, Chief People Officer at ThredUp, to unpack what it actually looks like to grow a career inside a company that prioritizes learning, mobility, and trust.

Natalie shares how she went from building the recruiting function to becoming CPO, why saying yes to roles you’re not fully ready for can accelerate your career, and how ThredUp has maintained its culture through massive growth and going public.

They also get into how curiosity drives success at ThredUp, what “think big” looks like in real business decisions, and why initiatives like a four-day work week and internal career mobility aren’t just perks, they’re core to how the company operates.

What you’ll learn:

• What ThredUp actually does and how it became one of the largest online consignment platforms
• How Natalie Breece grew from recruiter to Chief People Officer internally
• Why saying yes to uncomfortable opportunities leads to the biggest career growth
• How ThredUp maintained its culture while transitioning from private to public
• What “think big” looks like in practice (not just as a value)
• What makes someone successful at ThredUp (and what doesn’t)

ThredUp Highlights:

• Founded: 2009
• Team Size: ~2,500 employees
• Headquarters: Oakland, California
• Other Locations: Scottsdale, Arizona + 4 U.S. distribution centers
• Workforce: ~80% distribution center employees
• Industry: Online resale (women’s and kids apparel)
• Culture: Learning-driven, collaborative, curious, growth-focused

Unique Perks & Programs:

• Four-day work week (company-wide, in place for several years)
• Strong internal mobility (many leaders have held 4+ roles internally)
• Career Compass (clear career pathing framework)
• Impact Leadership Institute (internal leadership development)
• BizUp program (cross-functional business learning experience)
• Emphasis on continuous learning, curiosity, and career growth

To learn more about ThredUp:

Careers Page (They’re hiring!)
LinkedIn Page
Natalie's LinkedIn

**LIVE from the Transform Conference in Las Vegas**

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Mary Burke, SVP of HR at Experian, to unpack what it actually looks like to build a high-trust, inclusive culture inside a massive, global organization.

Mary shares why Experian calls its culture a “best kept secret,” how flexibility existed long before it became the norm, and what it takes to create an environment where employees can truly bring their whole selves to work.

They also get into the real drivers behind retention, from industry-leading parental leave to redefining what “family” means in the workplace, and how Experian is using AI to personalize career growth at scale.

What you’ll learn:

• What Experian actually does and how it impacts both consumers and businesses
• Why belonging and inclusion are at the center of their culture
• How flexibility without guilt is practiced (not just promised)
• The real impact of benefits like parental leave on retention and families
• How their AI-powered “My Career” platform helps employees grow internally
• What makes someone successful at Experian (and what doesn’t)

Experian Highlights:

• Team Size: ~22,000 employees globally
• Presence: 30+ countries
• Headquarters: London (North America HQ in Orange County, CA)
• Industry: Data, Technology, and AI
• Culture: Inclusive, flexible, purpose-driven, growth-oriented
• Recognition: Ranked #14 on Great Place to Work’s World’s Best Workplaces

Unique Perks & Programs:

• Generous parental leave:
  • 18–20 weeks (birth parent)
  • 12 weeks (non-birth parent)
• 91% return rate for women after one year post-leave
• 60% of parental leaves taken by men (rare and culture-shifting)
• 10 days bereavement leave for chosen family (not just traditional definitions)
• Flexible work culture with no guilt attached
• AI-powered career platform (“My Career”) for personalized growth and internal mobility
• Strong emphasis on belonging, inclusion, and work-life balance

To learn more about Experian:

• Careers Page (They’re hiring!)
• LinkedIn Page
• Mary’s LinkedIn

**LIVE from the Transform Conference in Las Vegas**

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Brandon Sammut to go behind the scenes of one of the original remote-first companies, long before it was the norm.

From pioneering distributed work across 40+ countries to building a culture rooted in automation, ownership, and transparency, Zapier is redefining how modern teams work in the age of AI.

They also get into what it really means to “build the robot,” why transparency isn’t just a buzzword, and how high-performing teams thrive in a demanding but deeply empowering environment.

What you’ll learn:

• What Zapier does and how it’s bringing AI + automation to everyday work
• What “Don’t be the robot, build the robot” actually looks like in practice
• How a fully remote, globally distributed company operates at scale
• The difference between transparency and oversharing in modern teams
• What it takes to succeed in a high-impact, high-expectation environment

Zapier highlights:

• Founded: ~2010
• Team Size: ~800 employees
• Work Model: Fully remote, globally distributed (42+ countries)
• Industry: AI, Automation, SaaS
• Culture: Builder-first, transparent, high-ownership, outcomes-driven

Unique perks & programs:

• Fully remote and globally distributed work model
• High autonomy with an outcomes-based performance culture
• Strong internal culture of building with AI and automation
• Radical transparency (public Slack channels, shared company updates)
• Hands-on builder mindset embedded in hiring and onboarding
• High-impact roles due to lean teams powered by automation

To learn more about Zapier:

• Careers Page (They’re hiring!)
• LinkedIn Page
• Brandon’s LinkedIn

This company earned a 99% Great Place to Work score (even after a layoff!)

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Lindsay Gonzalez to unpack what it looks like to build a fast-growing, remote-first company at the forefront of AI infrastructure.

From transforming messy, unusable data into something AI can actually work with, to building a 99% employee satisfaction culture, Unstructured is solving one of the biggest blockers in AI adoption while scaling a team that genuinely enjoys working together.

They also get into the real side of startup life, from navigating layoffs and rebuilding trust to maintaining a high-performing culture while doubling headcount.

What you’ll learn:

• What Unstructured does and why data readiness is critical for AI
• What a 99% employee satisfaction culture actually looks like
• How they maintain connection in a remote-first, fast-growing team
• What it takes to succeed in a high-ownership, no-handholding environment
• How to stand out as a candidate and get noticed

Unstructured Highlights:

• Founded: 2022
• Headquarters: Sacramento, California (remote-first, distributed)
• Team Size: ~78 full-time + growing rapidly
• Industry: AI / Data Infrastructure
• Culture: High-trust, ownership-driven, fast-paced, collaborative, human-first

Unique Perks & Programs:

• Remote-first work with flexible setup
• Company and team offsites to build connection
• Generous parental leave (including adoption and surrogacy)
• Strong benefits with increased employer contributions
• Home office setup and internet reimbursements
• Fun, high-engagement Slack culture (games, challenges, team moments)
• Real internal mobility and growth through hands-on work

To learn more about Unstructured:

• Careers Page (They’re hiring!)
• LinkedIn Page
• Lindsay's LinkedIn Profile

The creators you follow have a secret weapon. That’s Smooth Media.

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Jenny Rothenberg, Co-founder and COO of Smooth Media, to talk about what it looks like to build a startup at the center of the fast-growing creator economy.

Jenny shares how Smooth Media was founded by former Morning Brew employees, why they chose to focus on “knowledge creators” instead of traditional influencers, and how a team of just 18 people is helping creators turn their expertise into full-fledged businesses.

They also dive into what makes this industry so different, from working with brands that are new to creator marketing to building a culture rooted in curiosity, ownership, and learning in a space where no one has a playbook.

What you’ll learn:

• What Smooth Media does and how it supports knowledge creators
• Why they focus on creators over influencers in the B2B space
• How they partner with brands new to creator marketing
• What “you go first” ownership looks like in practice
• What it takes to stand out as a candidate in a fast-moving startup

Smooth Media highlights:

• Founded: 2021
• Team Size: 18 employees
• Headquarters: New York City
• Work Model: In-office (Mon–Thurs), remote Fridays
• Culture: Curious, ambitious, collaborative, ownership-driven, learning-focused

Unique Perks & Programs:

• Strong in-office culture designed for learning and collaboration
• Early-career growth through exposure across teams and functions
• High ownership culture (“you go first” mindset)
• Opportunities to work closely with creators and brands
• Involvement in creator-led events and partnerships
• A fast-growing startup environment where you help build the playbook

To learn more about Smooth Media:

Careers Page (They’re hiring!)
Instagram Page
Jenny’s LinkedIn Profile

The platform turning financial advisors into founders.

In this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena Dunay sits down with Rasika Rajagopalan, VP of People, Talent & Places at Savvy Wealth, to talk about what it looks like to build a fast-moving, in-office culture at a fintech company reinventing how financial advisors operate.

Rasika shares how Savvy is empowering advisors to start and scale their own businesses, why the company prioritizes in-person collaboration four days a week, and how a team of around 130 people is building both cutting-edge technology and a deeply connected culture at the same time.

They also get into how Savvy makes decisions quickly through structured writing and weekly reviews, what it means to “invent the future” inside the company, and how they’re investing heavily in learning, from AI bootcamps to leadership summits.

What you’ll learn:

• What Savvy Wealth does and how it’s transforming financial advising
• Why they prioritize in-office collaboration and what it unlocks
• How their writing culture and Weekly Decision Reviews drive speed
• What “inventing the future” looks like in a fintech environment
• How Savvy invests in employee growth and continuous learning

Savvy Wealth highlights:

• Founded: 2021
• Team Size: 130 employees
• Headquarters: New York City
• Work Model: In-office (4 days/week) with strong collaboration focus
• Culture: Curious, ambitious, collaborative, fast-moving, learning-driven

Unique Perks & Programs:

• Strong in-office culture designed for collaboration and connection
• Weekly Decision Reviews (WDR) for fast, transparent decision-making
• Writing-first culture to improve clarity and alignment
• AI bootcamps and leadership development programs
• Regular team events and community-building initiatives
• High transparency, including visibility into company strategy

To learn more about Savvy Wealth:

Careers Page (They’re hiring!)
LinkedIn Page
Rasika’s LinkedIn Profile