Culture Uncovered

In this engaging discussion, Jenna Eichberg, Chief People Officer at AlertMedia, shares her insights on scaling a mission-driven company focused on employee safety. She recounts the origin story during the Bastrop fires and highlights the importance of simplicity and humanity in their culture. Jenna dives into the significance of weekly Tuesday lunches for connection and the challenges of maintaining culture across global offices. She also offers advice for job applicants on standing out through personal touches. Join for a fascinating look at leadership and culture in a growing organization.

Buy a hoodie, plant trees, build tech, restore ecosystems.Sounds simple, right? That’s the vision behind Tentree and Veritree, two sister companies co-founded by Derrick Emsley. Tentree is the lifestyle brand planting 10 trees for every item purchased, while Veritree is the tech platform that ensures every tree planted is real, verified, and impactful.In this episode, Jena talks with Derrick Emsley, CEO and co-founder, about what it takes to scale a mission-driven company, the power of transparency, and why restoration is about more than the environment. It’s about people, too.What you’ll learn:How Tentree grew from an idea to a brand planting millions of treesHow Veritree uses technology to ensure transparency in reforestation projectsHow culture shifts between a consumer lifestyle brand and a tech startupWhy employees are drawn to mission-driven work that creates real-world impactSimple ways individuals and businesses can get involved in sustainabilitySome Veritree & Tentree highlights:Founded: Tentree in 2012; Veritree launched as a standalone company in 2021 Team Size: 100+ employees across both organizations (and growing) HQ: Vancouver, Canada (global impact projects in Africa, Asia, and beyond) Work Model: Hybrid/remote, mission-driven teams across geographies Culture: Purpose-led, innovative, sustainability-focusedUnique Perks & Impact:Every Tentree purchase plants 10 trees Veritree platform powers verified reforestation for global brandsProjects restore critical ecosystems (mangroves, forests, coastlines)Community impact: jobs, food security, and climate resilienceTo learn more about Veritree & Tentree:Shop Tentree (I love their leggings!)Tentree Careers Page (They are hiring!)Veritree Careers Page (They are hiring!)Tentree on LinkedInVeritree on LinkedInDerrick Emsley on LinkedIn

Want to know what it's like to work for Her Campus Media?Her Campus Media is where Gen Z meets mission—powering content, creator programs, and experiential events that connect top brands with young people across the U.S. In this episode, Jena chats with Brittany Ramsey, Head of People and Culture, about how the company’s remote culture thrives on adaptability, connection, and purpose. From building community to navigating career pivots, this one’s packed with practical advice and real talk.What you’ll learn:Why adaptability is a superpower in mission-driven startupsHow to stand out in a sea of job applications (hint: just ask) What a career pivot from beauty to media can look likeHow Her Campus Media supports mental health and creative energyWho thrives on this fast-paced, Gen Z-obsessed teamSome Her Campus Media highlights:Founded: 2009 by Windsor Hanger Western, Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, and Annie Wang at Harvard Team Size: >100 full-time employees + large freelance/influencer network HQ: Boston, MA (across from Fenway Park) Work Model: Fully remote across the U.S. Culture: Fast-paced, entrepreneurial, collaborative, student-focusedUnique Perks & Programs:“Moments that matter” internal culture eventsQuarterly team meetings and no-work virtual coffee chatsSummer Fridays and two-week winter shutdownWorkshops on resilience, mental health, and burnout preventionTo learn more about Her Campus Media:Careers Page (They are hiring!)Her Campus Media on LinkedInBrittany Ramsey on LinkedIn

Why yes, I would like to have No Meeting Fridays.(A very fun perk at Nashville-based fintech company Alto.) Alto is shaking up the investing world by making it easier for everyday people to use their IRAs to invest in private assets: think real estate, startups, even fractional art. In this episode, Jena chats with Sarah Light, Alto’s VP of People, about building a fun, ambitious, and evolving workplace culture in a hybrid world.What you’ll learn:What it's like to work at AltoHow Alto balances high performance with deep rest using “No Meeting Fridays” and Quarterly Quiet WeeksWhy Alto employees get a monthly 3-day weekend (even when there’s no national holiday)How to grow your career at a small, mission-driven companyWhy remote work at Alto is flexible, not forcedHow Sarah got her role through a personal connection and what that says about the power of networkingSome Alto highlights:Founded: 2015Team size: 80 employees + tech contractorsHQ: Nashville, TN — with remote team members across the U.S.Perks & Culture:Quarterly $150 stipend for work-from-home support (use it on anything)Quarterly Quiet Weeks + No Meeting Fridays for deep work3-day weekend every month (even when there’s no holiday)HSA contribution match: $75–$125/monthCulture described as ambitious, fun-loving and evolving.To learn more about Alto:Careers Page (They are hiring!)LinkedIn PageSarah’s LinkedIn

Can you thrive in agency life without burning out?At Walker Sands, the answer is yes. In this episode, Jena sits down with Allison Ward, Chief People Officer at Walker Sands, a fast-growing B2B marketing agency that’s rewriting the agency playbook with career reinvention, flexibility, and real culture and not just ping-pong tables. From hybrid structure to intentional coaching and longevity that defies industry norms, this episode is packed with advice for job seekers and career pivoters alike.What you’ll learn:Why longevity is rare in agencies and how Walker Sands beats the oddsHow a Wienermobile job launched Allison’s career (and why PR pros need reinvention)The difference between managers and coaches and how Walker Sands uses that intentionallyHow to identify and grow transferable skills (even from parenting!)Why feedback, flexibility, and “learning by doing” are central to thriving in this agencyTips on getting your resume seen and what not to do with AISome Walker Sands highlights:Founded: 2001Team Size: ~170 employeesLocations: HQ in Chicago + offices in Seattle and Boston, with hybrid/remote staff across the U.S.Perks & Culture: Primarily hybrid, strong remote inclusion, collaborative and feedback-forwardCoaching over managing: every employee has a dedicated coachEmployee-led Find the Fun committee (trivia, scavenger hunts, social hours)5 active ERGs + volunteer opportunitiesFormal mentorship programLearning and development budget + team-specific programmingTo learn more about Walker Sands:Careers Page (They are hiring!)LinkedIn PageAllison's LinkedIn

If you're a creative and really into social marketing. Check this organization out.Meet Movement Strategy, a social-first marketing agency behind some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Amazon, Hulu, and Bravo. In this episode, Culture Uncovered host Jena chats with Colette Gardner, Head of People and Culture, about how Movement builds a deeply people-centered, remote-first culture where authenticity and innovation thrive.What you’ll learn:How a $1,500 “Movement Journey” stipend helps employees grow personally (weaving classes and heritage trips included!)What it’s like to grow from 40 to 150+ employees and acquire another agencyHow Colette transitioned from opera singer to Head of People - and beat imposter syndromeWhat it takes to build an inclusive, anti-ego creative team (plus their real “no assholes” policy)Some Movement Strategy highlights:Founded: 2008 by friends Eric Dieter and Jason MitchellSize: ~150+ (following the acquisition of Newfangled Studios)HQ: Fully remote-first with hubs in NY, LA, Denver, Atlanta, and morePerks & Culture:$1,500 Movement Journey personal growth stipendDE&I woven into hiring, client work, and creative processesRemote culture supported by quarterly meetups, Slack channels, WeWork days, and an annual retreatClear career pathways, “create your own lane” opportunities, and a pod/COE team modelTo learn more about Movement Strategy:Careers Page (They are hiring!)LinkedIn PageColette's LinkedIn

What if your job actually made the world better?That’s the vision behind Benevity - a software company that helps the world’s biggest brands lead with purpose, give back at scale, and build meaningful connection among employees.In this episode, I talk with Janeen Speer, Chief People Officer at Benevity, about how they’re cultivating a mission-driven, high-performance culture without sacrificing flexibility or fun.What you’ll learn:How Benevity is disrupting corporate giving—and why it’s workingWhat “We Are We” means (and how it shows up in how they lead)Why fun is a strategy - and how their employee-led rock concert proves itHow they’re building a gender-equal workplace with co-parenting bonusesWhat kind of employee thrives in their fast-paced, growth-oriented environmentThe one question that reveals if a company might not be the right fit for youSome Benevity highlights:📆 Founded: 2008👥 Team size: 850+ globally🌍 HQ in Calgary with hubs in Toronto, Spain, and British Columbia 🧠 Culture: Purpose-driven, collaborative, curious, and ever-evolving 🎉 Perks:Donation matchingCo-parenting bonuses to encourage shared parental leaveHomecoming: annual employee event + charity rock concertManager Essentials: 5-month leadership development programPeer mentorship & learning programsRemote-flex with vibrant in-person hubsTo learn more about Benevity:Careers Page (They're hiring!)LinkedIn PageJaneen's Profile

Obsessed with personality tests? (Me too.)SurePeople is flipping the script on assessments by making psychometric insights accessible, ongoing, and practical—built for real work, in real time. In this episode, I chat with Russ Mikowski, CEO of SurePeople, about how they’re democratizing self-awareness, infusing AI into career coaching, and building a small but mighty team that embraces transparency, flexibility, and fun.💡 What you’ll learn:How SurePeople's PRISM assessment is reshaping how companies understand (and apply) personality dataWhy sales is the career skill everyone should master—even if you're not in salesWhat startup leadership looks like in a remote-first, AI-fueled worldHow SurePeople includes families in its culture-building strategyThe difference between “disagree and commit” and healthy dissent in decision-makingHow to get free access to your own AI-powered work coach at SureCoach.ai🌟 Some SurePeople highlights:📆 Founded: 2015 👥 Team size: 15 full-time employees 🌍 Fully remote, globally distributed team (U.S., South America, Europe) ⚙️ Product: PRISM assessment + SureCoach.ai (free personalized AI work coach!) 🧠 Culture: Transparent, collaborative, async-flexible, and values self-awareness 🎉 Perks:No office, no commuteFlexible hours focused on outcomes, not clock-in timeCreative, family-inclusive all-hands meetings (like Zoom trivia nights!)Growth in sales and engineering is expectedTo learn more about SurePeople:SurePeople WebsiteSureCoach.ai (Free AI Work Coach)SurePeople on LinkedInRuss Mikowski on LinkedIn----For job seekers:Become an Irresistible Hire in 10 minutes a week. Subscribe now.Take your resume off your plate by Hiring an RTE Career StrategistFor employers:Interested in having your company featured? Email us at hello@recruittheemployer.comWant to create a world-class offboarding program? Reach out to learn how we can create alums of your organization....not ex-employees.Follow the host, Jena Dunay, on LinkedIn.

Madison Bohannon, VP of People at Chatbooks, shares her insights on building a family-centered workplace culture. She discusses how the company supports working parents and encourages transparent communication. Madison highlights the importance of mandatory time off for mental well-being and the benefits of a supportive environment. She also emphasizes hiring for mindset and fostering internal growth, creating authentic connections among employees. Her passion for preserving family memories adds a personal touch to the mission behind Chatbooks.

Hiring doesn’t have to be broken—and Greenhouse is out to prove it.On this episode of Culture Uncovered, Jena chats with Will Leahy, VP of People at Greenhouse, a tech company redefining how the world hires. From remote culture done right to thoughtful candidate experiences and career pivots that actually work, this episode is full of gold for job seekers and culture builders alike.What you’ll learn:How Greenhouse is more than an applicant tracking system—it's a candidate experience platformWhy clarity is kindness in the hiring processRemote culture tips: team offsites, ERGs (called Arbors), and tools like Donut & BonuslyHow Will’s career pivoted from recruiter to VP (and the one time a plane ride got him a job)The perks of "pleasant persistence" and proximity when job searchingSome Greenhouse highlights: 📍 Founded - 2012 👥 750 employees 🌎 Fully remote with hubs in NYC and Dublin ✈️ Global Passport Program: work from anywhere in the world for up to 60 days 🌱 Company values: Belonging, Purpose, and Entrepreneurship 🔥 Strong performance culture with equitable recognition 🚀 Yes—they are hiring!To learn more about Greenhouse:🔗 Greenhouse Careers Page🔗 Greenhouse on LinkedIn 🔗 Will Leahy on LinkedIn