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Speakers

Dr. Shari Simpson Dr. Shari Simpson Senior Manager Thought Leadership | Paylocity

Shari Simpson, EdD, is the host of HR Mixtape and a senior thought leadership leader at Paylocity. With over two decades of experience across training, talent, payroll, and employee relations, she brings curiosity, candor, and real-world perspective to every episode. Shari holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation, along with an MBA, MHRM, and SHRM-SCP certification. 

Kacy Wickenhauser Kacy Wickenhauser Chief HR Officer | Wolverine Power Cooperative

Kacy is a 20-year HR veteran and business leader working in the energy industry. She oversees the HR, finance, tech, safety, training and apprenticeship divisions. She’s also a certified career coach, consultant and partner to mid-level, senior and executive leaders.

Human Resources

People First: Humanity at the Center of Everything

Validating feelings is different than validating inaccurate information.
Podcast
April 28, 2026

In this episode of the HR Mixtape, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Kacy Wickenhauser, Chief HR Officer at Wolverine Power Cooperative. They discuss the importance of maintaining a human-centered approach in the workplace, especially in the context of conflict and the rise of AI. 

Listeners will learn practical strategies for managing workplace conflict, the significance of validating emotions, and how to balance data-driven decision-making with empathy.

Key takeaways:

  • Understand the role of inner dialogue in conflict resolution.
  • Learn techniques for validating employee feelings without agreeing with inaccurate information.
  • Discover how to approach difficult conversations with empathy and clarity.
  • Explore the importance of building trust in union environments.
  • Recognize the value of employee engagement data in decision-making.
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