Radical Innovators #18 leading with principle: supporting leaders and making work better with Mondelez’s Stephanie Lilak

In this episode of the Radical Innovators podcast, host Frank Congiu sits down with Stephanie Lilac, EVP and chief people officer at Mondelez. Stephanie details her extensive career journey, which began with 15 years in supply chain-oriented roles — including a stint as a plant manager — before transitioning into commercial HR leadership for major brands like General Mills, Dunkin' and Bumble. 

The conversation delves into the evolving role of the CHRO and how it has shifted from seeking a seat at the table to balancing high-level strategy with deep operational execution. 

Highlights from the discussion include:

• the power of managers: why managers are the most critical factor in the employee experience and how they can foster a supportive team environment
• AI and continuous feedback: how Mondelez utilizes AI to analyze over 210,000 employee survey comments, creating a "flywheel" of continuous improvement
• digital transformation: the strategy behind creating a "one-stop shop" for employees to access information 24/7, particularly for manufacturing staff
• balancing strategy: Navigating the tension between long-term multi-year strategies and the "tyranny of the urgent" in a decentralized global organization
• the value of mentorship: Stephanie reflects on how a wide range of people, from her family to the experts on her own team, help her stay current with industry trends