The Talent Tango

In this episode, Amir hosts Jonathan Meyrowitz, Vice President of Talent and People at UP.Labs, to discuss the intricacies of hiring CEOs for early stage companies. They delve into topics such as the importance of deal dependency, the balance between hiring for the present versus future needs, and the unique context of venture studio operations at UP.Labs. Jonathan shares his experiences and insights, explaining their approach to finding the right CEO talent, including the importance of curiosity, responsiveness, and alignment with the company's ethos. The episode highlights the nuances and challenges in CEO recruitment, providing valuable takeaways for anyone involved in hiring at the C-level. Highlights: 01:44 Hiring CEOs for Early Stage Companies 02:10 Deal Dependency and CEO Selection 03:03 Hiring for Now vs. Later 08:21 The Importance of Culture and Ethos 09:59 Storytelling in CEO Recruitment 15:12 Best Practices for CEO Hiring Guest: Jonathan Meyrowitz is the Vice President of Talent and People at UP.La

In this episode, we welcome Margaret Gabriel, Head of Talent at CoinFund, to explore the intricacies of the people function within venture capital (VC) firms. We delve into the impact of delaying hiring a people leader, the unique challenges of leadership development within VC environments, and the differences between hiring internal VC staff and portfolio companies. Margaret shares insights from her extensive background in the crypto space and her roles at Gemini and CoinFund, highlighting the importance of proper organizational design and the role of VC talent advisors in supporting startups. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on building high-performing teams and avoiding organizational debt. Highlights 02:16 Margaret's Background and Role 04:49 Challenges of Delaying People Leader Hires 09:43 Impact of Organizational Debt 18:25 Importance of Early People Function Guest: Margaret Gabriel is the Head of Talent at CoinFund, where she leads talent acquisition and strategy for the firm. With extensive exp

In this episode, Amir welcomes Matt Birnbaum, Partner at Pear VC, to discuss the intricacies of structuring equity in early-stage startups. They delve into factors that go into managing an option pool, the importance of setting aside the right amount of equity, and the nuanced calculations behind compensation packages. Matt shares insights from a blog article he authored, which provides a practical calculator to help founders plan equity distribution. They also explore common pitfalls, discuss the balance between attracting crucial hires and maintaining flexibility, and offer advice for having transparent equity conversations with early-stage employees. The episode aims to equip founders and potential candidates with tools and frameworks to make informed decisions about startup equity. Highlights: 02:15 Importance of Structuring Startup Equity 05:51 Equity Spend and Flexibility for Founders 09:45 Balancing Equity for Early Hires 14:19 Presenting Equity Offers to Candidates 20:43 Nuances in Equity Allocation G

In this podcast episode, Erica Waichman, Head of Talent and Community at Canvas Ventures, discusses the intricacies and expectations of a talent role in a venture capital firm. The conversation covers various topics, including Erica's background, the unique challenges of transitioning from agency and in-house recruitment to venture capital, and valuable lessons learned. Erica also shares insights on her day-to-day responsibilities, which involve supporting portfolio companies, managing advisor networks, and defining talent strategies. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the dynamic and multifaceted nature of talent roles in the venture capital space. Highlights: 01:15 Erica's Career Journey and Transition to Venture Capital 03:46 Due Diligence and Networking for a Venture Role 09:48 Day-to-Day Responsibilities in a Venture Talent Role 14:39 Challenges and Lessons Learned in Venture Talent 16:54 Advice for Aspiring Venture Talent Professionals Guest: Erica Waichman is an accomplished Executive with ex

In this podcast episode, Jennifer JR) Rettig, Chief People Officer at Pendo.io, discusses the nuances of leadership hiring, focusing on stakeholder and management expectations, C-suite succession planning, and reducing subjectivity in evaluating leadership qualities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of a tailored approach to leadership based on company size and stage, maintaining an open candidate funnel, and introducing a scientific approach through scoring and rubrics to balance subjectivity. Practical tips on managing expectations and acceptance criteria during the hiring process are also shared. Highlights: 00:45 Defining Successful Leadership 03:16 Stakeholder and Expectation Management 05:40 Balancing Objectivity and Subjectivity in Leadership Hiring 07:21 Incorporating Science into the Hiring Process 10:17 Challenges and Strategies in Executive Searches 16:06 The Project Management Triangle in Recruiting Guest: JR Rettig is the Chief People Officer at Pendo.io, where she leads the company's t

In this podcast episode, Carolyn Carpaneti, a Talent Partner at Peterson Partners, discusses the complex subject of replacing a startup founder with a new CEO. The conversation covers the emotional and practical challenges founders face, the importance of recognizing different skill sets for company growth, and the criteria for successful leadership transitions. Carolyn also explains the types of companies Peterson Partners invests in, emphasizing the role of supportive investor relationships and transparent communication within teams during such transitions. She provides valuable advice for both founders and prospective CEOs on navigating these delicate changes. Highlights: 01:56 Challenges of Replacing a Founder 03:29 Emotional Impact on Founders 10:05 Transitioning from Founder to CEO 14:36 The Role of the New CEO 23:17 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Guest: Carolyn Carpeneti is a Talent Partner at Peterson Partners, where she leverages her extensive experience in venture capital and private equity

In this episode of the podcast, Amir is joined by Jesse Sacks, the Head of Talent and People at Starshot Ventures. Jesse shares his experiences and insights on the operational aspects of managing talent, including reporting structures, building effective processes, navigating employment contracts, and legal alignments. He also provides valuable advice on achieving operational efficiency, understanding equity, and integrating deeper into the business to drive significant impact. This episode offers practical guidance for both emerging companies and professionals in the talent and people sector. Highlights: 01:33 Early Stage Startups and Talent Reporting Structure 03:21 Balancing Structure and Process in Talent Management 04:51 Operational Efficiency in Early Stage Companies 06:42 Understanding the Business for Talent Leaders 09:56 The Role of Chief People Officers 12:42 Legal Aspects in Talent Management 16:31 Equity in Startups: A Deep Dive Guest: Jesse Sacks is the Head of Talent and People at Starshot Ventu

In this episode, the host interviews Jen Kodner, a Talent Partner at Threshold Ventures and DFJ Growth, to discuss best practices and challenges in leadership hiring for startups. They explore the importance of finding the right leadership fit for different growth phases, professionalizing key functions, and balancing the hands-on approach required at early stages. Jen shares insights on the dynamics of player-coach roles, setting appropriate expectations for new hires, and the intricacies of delegating responsibilities from founders to new leaders. The conversation provides valuable advice for founders and those involved in talent acquisition at growing startups. Highlights: 02:56 Challenges in Leadership Hiring for Startups 03:54 Professionalizing Functions in Early-Stage Companies 04:45 The Role of Sales Leaders in Startups 06:31 Navigating Founder Expectations and Leadership Roles 17:29 Traits of Successful Leadership Hires Guests: Jen Kodner is the Talent Partner at Threshold Ventures and DFJ Growth, whe

In this episode, Amir talks with Nathan Fabian, Managing Director and Head of Talent at WestCap, about the essential qualities of great leaders. They explore the complexities of hiring leadership, assessing unique attributes, and balancing speed with thoroughness in the recruitment process. Nathan shares WestCap's approach, focusing on five key attributes—principles, curiosity, decisiveness, team management, and vision—that predict leadership success. They also discuss culture fit, leveraging networks, and building and retaining a diverse, high-performing leadership team. Highlights: 01:48 Defining Leadership and Key Attributes 03:12 The Five Archetypes of Founders 05:37 Assessing Leadership Attributes 12:37 Balancing Speed and Thoroughness in Hiring 16:39 Onboarding and Integrating New Leaders 18:57 Hiring for Now vs. Future Potential 21:13 Focusing on Strengths vs. Weaknesses Nathan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanfabian/ ----- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Talent Tang

In this episode, Amanda Poole, Vice President of Talent at DVx Ventures, discusses the intricacies of handling early-stage talent acquisition. Amanda explains the importance of being a strategic doer, asking the right questions before accepting a job, and understanding talent budgets. She also shares insights on the nuances of hiring at startups, balancing multiple roles, and managing tech debt in the talent function. The conversation delves into making impactful decisions with limited resources, leveraging technical terms for better communication, and the challenges of creating manageable processes in high-paced environments. Highlights: 01:36 Challenges of Early Stage Talent Acquisition 04:06 Balancing Execution and Strategy 06:05 Adopting Technical and Project Management Terms 07:34 Managing Technical Debt in Talent Acquisition 10:41 Creating and Managing Talent Budgets 12:19 Questions to Ask Before Joining a Startup 16:43 Planning for Future Growth in Startups 21:42 Advice for Founders on Hiring Talent Gu

In this episode, Cecelia McElearney, Head of People at Instabase, talks about the importance of recruiting champions and the role of partnerships in talent acquisition. She explains that recruiting is a team effort requiring collaboration across the organization. Cecelia shares insights on ownership in HR processes, emphasizing clear communication and transparency. She discusses project management, stakeholder management, and empowering HR and recruiting teams. This episode offers valuable strategies for building successful relationships to attract and retain top talent. Highlights: 01:48 The Importance of Recruiting Champions 03:48 Managing People Processes and Ownership 07:44 Project Planning and Execution 13:36 Empowering Teams and Building Relationships 19:12 Communication and Succession Planning Guest: Cecelia McElearney | Head of People | Instabase: Currently serving as the Head of People at Instabase, Cecelia brings a wealth of expertise in shaping dynamic and inclusive work cultures. With prior r

n this episode, Amir interviews Dana Dillard, Director of Recruiting and Talent at Collective Health. They dive into the unique challenges of recruiting in large companies versus startups. Dana sheds light on common misconceptions about recruiters' roles in big tech firms like Apple, Amazon, and Meta, and highlights the skills needed to excel in different environments. She also offers strategic advice on tailoring resumes, dealing with interview biases, and navigating career transitions between large corporations and smaller startups. Highlights: - 02:15 Challenges of Recruiting at Large vs. Small Companies - 03:34 Strategies for Recruiting Without a Big Brand - 05:33 Skills and Processes  - 15:03 Advice for Transitioning Between Company Sizes - 18:40 Customizing Resumes for Different Audiences Guest: Dana Dillard is a seasoned global talent acquisition leader with extensive experience in financial services and technology industries. She excels in designing and executing talent strategies that support busin

In this podcast episode, Amir interviews Kulwinder Verma Scott, the Global VP of Talent Acquisition at The Trade Desk. They discuss the importance of moving beyond the traditional talent acquisition process to focus more on business impact. Kulwinder emphasizes the need to understand the company’s story, ask insightful questions, and build partnerships with hiring managers. They also cover how the Talent Acquisition (TA) team can overcome the perception of being merely process-oriented and be viewed as valuable business partners and solution providers. Key takeaways include peer learning, proactive engagement, and the importance of a strong relationship with the people team. The conversation aims to shift the old stigma of TA as a process function towards a consultative, business-centric role. Highlights 01:48 The Importance of Process in Talent Acquisition 03:05 Balancing Process and Business Impact 06:53 Building Strong Relationships with Hiring Managers 13:45 Collaboration with the People Team 16:24 Handli

In this podcast episode, Michelle Pal, Manager of People and Culture at Tonal, discusses her career shift from Talent Acquisition (TA) to Human Resources (HR). The conversation highlights the challenges and adjustments in expanding her role, from acquiring talent to managing broader HR functions. Michelle shares her experience, including stakeholder engagement changes, prioritization of tasks, and the significance of data-driven strategies. She also offers insights on maintaining organization, building relationships, and learning to handle increased responsibilities. This episode is a valuable resource for anyone considering or navigating the transition from TA to HR. Highlights 04:17 Transitioning from TA to HR 05:58 Stakeholder Engagement and Long-term Planning 08:06 Managing Broader HR Responsibilities 11:01 Prioritization and Organization in HR 18:23 Building and Maintaining Relationships in HR Guest: Michelle Pal has expertise in various HR functions, including talent acquisition, employee relations,

In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Carla Foster, the VP of Global Talent Acquisition at DataStax, to explore how talent acquisition leaders can add more value and better align with the needs of their organizations. Carla shares her insights on moving beyond mere process management to truly understanding the business functions they support, ensuring candidate quality, and building trusted relationships with hiring managers. She emphasizes the importance of communication, adapting to the team's cadence, and the strategic use of 'uncomfortable nos' in decision-making. The conversation also touches on the challenges of aligning talent acquisition practices with engineering and other departmental processes, the significance of visibility into recruitment activities, and the impact of showcasing value through metrics and direct involvement of hiring managers in the recruitment process. Carla advocates for openness and collaboration and for leveraging her extensive experience to navigate the complexiti

In this podcast episode, Lauren Newton, VP of People at Sanity, discusses adopting an agile approach to human resources and talent management. By treating aspects of people operations as experiments, Lauren's team at Sanity seeks to innovate within the traditional HR space, focusing on flexibility and risk-taking to improve outcomes. The conversation covers the importance of defining clear goals for these experiments, the balance between innovation and compliance, and methods for implementing and evaluating new HR initiatives. Lauren emphasizes the significance of stakeholder input and collaboration in driving change and improving employee experiences through targeted projects like automating the onboarding process. Additionally, she highlights strategies for prioritizing work, managing stakeholder relationships, and ensuring team adoption of new processes. The episode offers insights into modern HR practices and the value of a collaborative, experimental approach to enhancing people operations. Highlights 01

In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand speaks with Meg Pittman, VP of People at dbt Labs, about transforming the people and talent function into a role of enablement rather than gatekeeping. They discuss the importance of authentic leadership, the shift from being risk-averse to becoming enablers, and how leaders can empower their teams to make impactful decisions. Meg shares her insights on breaking away from traditional HR strategies focused on mitigation and compliance toward fostering a culture of problem-solving and risk-taking. She illustrates these concepts with personal stories from her career and the innovative steps dbt Labs has taken to redefine its performance management system. The conversation also covers the critical role of vulnerability and creating safe spaces for employees to be authentic, which Meg argues is vital for personal and organizational growth. The episode emphasizes that effective talent and people leadership begin with authenticity and the courage to embrace change and take calcu

In this episode, we dive into the nuances of how founders can effectively hire go-to-market leaders with Atli Thorkelsson, VP of Talent Network at Redpoint Ventures. The conversation covers the challenges founders face in these roles, the timing and dynamics of such hires, and the importance of founder-led sales in the early stages. Atli emphasizes the need for candidates who can execute immediately while having the potential to grow with the company. The discussion also explores the intricacies of hiring outside a founder's skill set, the significance of setting up for holistic success, and the critical aspect of surrounding oneself with knowledgeable people. Atli provides insights into what to look for in candidates, highlighting the importance of long-term thinking, cultural fit, and the ability to scale with the company. The episode is rich in advice for founders on navigating the hiring process, from the initial job definition to engaging with potential candidates for long-term roles. Highlights 00:50 Th

In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand interviews Blake Williams, the Head of Talent at Nuro, a startup focused on enhancing daily life through robotics, notably with their self-driving delivery vehicles. They delve into the challenges and strategies of managing talent transition, particularly in a high-skill environment like Nuro, which specializes in computer vision technologies and robotics. Williams emphasizes the importance of preparing for inevitable departures by ensuring individuals leave as better ambassadors and how Nuro engages in proactive succession planning, involving internships and new graduate programs to maintain a pipeline of talent. Additionally, the conversation touches on Williams' transition from the Marine Corps to the talent acquisition field, reflecting on the valuable, transferable skills veterans bring to the corporate world. The episode concludes with insights into creating a talent-friendly culture and the benefits of intentional hiring and development strategies. Highlights 00:16

This podcast episode features a discussion with Ashley Core, Head of TA at SoFi, focusing on engagement strategies for high performing teams within talent acquisition (TA). They delve into maintaining team engagement during busy periods and downtimes, addressing the impact of layoffs on mental health, and strategies for personal and team productivity. Ashley shares insights from her experience, emphasizing the importance of rest, wellness, and meaningful projects to maintain performance levels. The conversation also covers the challenges of the current hiring landscape and the value of vulnerability and empathy in leadership. Additionally, Ashley and the host discuss the transient nature of the talent industry and strategies for long-term career fulfillment. Highlights 00:45 Defining High Performing Teams and Engagement Strategies 01:39 The Importance of Balance: Performance, Mental Health, and Well-being 02:27 Leadership Lessons: Navigating Highs and Lows in Talent Acquisition 04:51 Maintaining Engagement Du