In this episode of All Onboard, Thomas Kunjappu chats with Gary Fernandes, the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Sandy Spring Bank. With over 30 years of HR experience across industries like healthcare and banking, Gary knows a thing or two about creating onboarding programs that leave a lasting impression.

Together, they explore how Sandy Spring Bank ensures new hires feel genuinely welcomed and supported from day one. From aligning expectations to building emotional connections, Gary shares thoughtful insights and real stories that highlight what it takes to make onboarding meaningful.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Why first impressions matter and how day one can shape an employee’s entire journey.
• The critical role managers play in onboarding and how to set them up for success.
• How small details—like welcome kits and personal touches—can make a big impact.
• The value of listening to employees and using their feedback to improve the process.
• Tips for navigating hybrid and remote onboarding while keeping things fair and engaging.
• Why continuous learning and innovation are key to staying ahead in HR.

This conversation is packed with practical advice, relatable stories, and actionable tips for anyone looking to elevate their onboarding game. Don’t miss it!

Link to Onboarding Assessment: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment
Link to ROI Calculator: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI

In this episode of the All Onboard podcast, host Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Jeff Schmitz, Chief People Officer at Zebra Technologies. With a background that bridges engineering, product management, marketing, and HR, Jeff shares his unique perspective on transforming HR from a service function to a strategic powerhouse.

Discover how Zebra Technologies is redefining the onboarding experience, prioritizing employee engagement from day one, and ensuring a seamless transition for new hires. Jeff dives into the importance of structure, efficiency, and employee-centric processes in building a successful HR strategy that aligns with Zebra’s goals.

Topics covered:

• How Jeff’s diverse career path shapes his approach to HR
• Zebra’s HR transformation journey and the impact on employee experience
• Key strategies for creating a scalable, repeatable onboarding process
• Using data and metrics to improve HR operations
• And more!

Whether you're an HR leader, a manager, or someone passionate about organizational development, this episode offers valuable insights into building a world-class onboarding process.

Link to Onboarding Assessment: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment
Link to ROI Calculator: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI

In this episode of All Onboard, host Thomas Kunjappu welcomes Naomi Trickey, Chief People Officer at Mews, to discuss how onboarding can be transformed into a meaningful and culture-building experience, especially within a globally connected, remote-first company. Naomi shares Mews’ approach to making onboarding feel both personal and purposeful, setting new hires up for success from the beginning.

Key insights include:

• Hospitality in Onboarding: How Mews uses a hospitality-first mindset to create a warm, memorable welcome.
• Building Connection Across Borders: The ways Mews strengthens team bonds and reinforces cultural values across a global workforce.
• Leadership’s Role in Onboarding: How active involvement from leaders supports new hires and demonstrates Mews’ commitment to its values.
• Creating Meaningful Rituals: Engaging workshops and experiences that help new hires build lasting bonds and understand the company's core values.
• Balancing Structure and Flexibility: How Mews ensures a consistent yet adaptable onboarding for employees worldwide.
• Laying the Foundation for Success: How Mews’ onboarding approach makes employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to contribute meaningfully.

Listen in to discover how Mews’ onboarding approach goes beyond orientation to build a foundation for collaboration, cultural alignment, and long-term impact.

Link to Onboarding Assessment: https://gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment/
Link to ROI Calculator: https://www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI