Insurance changes, community impact, and why empathy still wins.
In this episode, Melanie Zakrzewski, Payroll and Benefits Supervisor at Kendall Hunt Publishing and Westmark Enterprises, joins us live from isolved Connect in Chicago to break down what happens when HR leads with people first. From overhauling a 15-year healthcare plan to building bikes for local kids, Melanie shares how culture shows up in the small moments—and how empathy transforms HR from a function into a force.
We dig into managing benefits communication, involving spouses in the process, and navigating fear and uncertainty during change. Plus, Melanie explains why “smile files” matter more than you think, and what advice she’d give to any HR pro just starting out.
Timestamps:
00:00 — Meet Melanie Zakrzewski from Kendall Hunt and Westmark
02:18 — Switching insurance providers after 15 years
03:59 — Communicating change with empathy and clarity
06:06 — Good Works Committee: culture beyond the office
07:41 — Building goodwill and community trust
09:35 — Why empathy is the most underrated HR skill
13:18 — “Being a people hero means…”
14:45 — Smile files and the power of small recognition
This conversation was recorded live at isolved Connect in Chicago.
The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more.
You can learn more about isolved here: https://www.isolvedhcm.com/
Connect with the guest:
-
Melanie Zakzerwski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-zakrzewski/
-
Website: http://www.kendallhunt.com/
Connect with Us:
-
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
-
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
Connect with us on social:
-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/
-
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined
-
Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/
Powered by the WRKdefined Podcast Network.
Sponsors
