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

In this episode of the All Onboard podcast, host Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Tenia Davis, Chief Human Resources Officer at NORC at the University of Chicago. Tenia shares her insights from over two decades of experience in HR leadership, highlighting the importance of building scalable onboarding processes that support growth and employee engagement.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The role of HR in facilitating onboarding transitions
• How to support new managers in their onboarding efforts
• The importance of setting clear performance expectations early
• Utilizing feedback and data to improve the employee experience
• Building a culture of engagement that lasts beyond the first 90 days
• Aligning onboarding programs with organizational goals and growth
• The importance of integrating DEI initiatives into the onboarding process

With valuable advice on leadership involvement, feedback culture, and performance expectations, this episode is packed with actionable insights for HR professionals looking to improve their onboarding strategies.

Tune in to learn how Tenia and her team at NORC are shaping a people-first culture and building a strong foundation for employee success.

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

In this episode of All Onboard, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Molly Mintz, Employee Onboarding Manager at Dynatrace. Molly shares her journey from being a recent grad in the Professional Development Program (PDP) to leading onboarding initiatives for both new graduates and experienced hires. She talks about the unique challenges of transitioning from the classroom to the corporate world and how Dynatrace helps new hires find their footing, whether they’re just starting their careers or seasoned professionals.

Molly also reflects on the importance of continuous improvement in onboarding programs, ensuring that every new hire feels connected and prepared for success.

Tune in to hear Molly’s insights on:

• Balancing structure and flexibility in onboarding programs
• Addressing the unique challenges of remote and hybrid onboarding
• Fostering connections and engagement across different employee groups

Whether you're crafting onboarding programs for recent grads or seasoned professionals, this episode is packed with practical tips and strategies to elevate your approach!

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

In this episode of All Onboard, we sit down with Donna Howard, Chief Human Resources Officer at PhyNet Dermatology, to discuss how the company is reshaping the onboarding and orientation process for long-term impact. Donna shares her journey from insurance to HR, diving into how her experiences have fueled her passion for creating onboarding programs that go beyond the basics. She explains the difference between onboarding and orientation, and why integrating company culture, values, and leadership buy-in is crucial for employee retention and engagement.

Donna takes us through PhyNet’s approach to redefining onboarding, including how they focus on pre-hire connection, personalized orientation programs, and fostering a culture of accountability and respect. Learn how PhyNet’s values-based orientation strategy not only strengthens employee loyalty but also significantly reduces turnover rates.

Tune in to explore:

• The power of a strong orientation process for retention
• How PhyNet integrates values into onboarding for a lasting impact
• Real-life examples of the importance of leadership in shaping company culture

If you're curious about the role of values in orientation, or how to make new hires feel connected from day one, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

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, we sit down with Eileen Page, Global Head of Talent, Brand Strategy, Communications, and DEIB at Feedzai, to uncover the secrets behind Feedzai’s innovative global onboarding strategy. With a career spanning over 30 years, Eileen shares how Feedzai integrates DEIB, employer branding, and internal communications to create a seamless and inclusive onboarding program across 18 countries.

Eileen explains how Feedzai’s onboarding journey begins from the moment a candidate visits their website and continues through a 90-day process designed to ensure every new hire feels connected, whether they’re in an office or working remotely.

Key Takeaways:

• Unified Messaging: Learn how Feedzai aligns internal communications with employer branding to create a consistent employee experience from recruitment to onboarding.
• Global Inclusivity: Discover how DEIB principles are embedded into every step of the onboarding process, ensuring cultural sensitivity and inclusion across 18 countries.
• Remote Onboarding Success: Explore how Feedzai maintains employee engagement in a flex remote environment through virtual lunches, onboarding buddies, and personalized experiences.
• Creating Cohesion Across Teams: Eileen shares how Feedzai’s onboarding journey blends company culture and communication, making sure new hires feel part of the team from day one.

Tune in to discover Feedzai’s winning formula for global onboarding and learn practical tips on how to incorporate DEIB, employer branding, and culture into your own onboarding strategy.

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

Welcome to Episode 12 of the “All Onboard” podcast, hosted by Cleary CEO Thomas Kunjappu. In this episode, we explore SAP’s innovative approach to onboarding at scale, with Melissa Best, the Global Onboarding Lead at SAP. Discover how SAP transformed its onboarding process into a seamless, scalable, and engaging journey for new hires across 156 locations worldwide.

Melissa shares how SAP shifted its onboarding strategy from a tactical, operational function into a holistic learning-based experience. She dives into the company’s focus on integrating new hires into SAP’s global culture while ensuring that they feel connected and empowered from their first week through their first year. Melissa’s insights highlight the importance of creating a cohesive onboarding experience that can be applied across different geographies and employee types.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How SAP transformed its new hire onboarding experience to foster deeper connections across a global workforce.
• Best practices for improving employee retention through meaningful onboarding experiences.
• Overcoming challenges in scaling an onboarding process for remote employees across multiple regions.
• Integrating career path development into the onboarding journey.
• And more...

Melissa’s expertise in employee onboarding and scaling processes is a must-listen for anyone looking to streamline their employee onboarding programs. Whether you're a large enterprise or a fast-growing startup, this episode offers actionable takeaways to help you create a world-class employee onboarding experience.

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