In this episode of the EVOLVE Talent & HR Show, Anna Morgan sits down with Maggie Brady, a seasoned HR and talent leader, for a candid conversation about building high-performing HR functions, breaking down silos, developing people leaders, and creating stronger connections inside and outside of work.
Maggie shares lessons from her career across consulting, GE, startups, private equity, and multiple HR functions, including why HR teams must understand how their different roles work together to deliver meaningful outcomes for the business. Anna and Maggie unpack the challenges that arise when teams operate in silos, the resistance that can come with changing long-standing ways of working, and why leaders have a responsibility to help people see the bigger picture.
They also explore the importance of intentional community, investing in conferences and professional development, and creating opportunities for people to learn from one another beyond the traditional workplace. Maggie shares how she evaluates conference investments through the lens of business value and ROI, while Anna discusses how better preparation, connection, and follow-through can turn an event into a meaningful professional experience.
The conversation takes a more personal turn as Maggie reflects on her participation in the She Is Atlanta documentary project, the importance of paying attention to the nudges that invite us into something new, and her decision to fall in love with her life. Together, Anna and Maggie talk about authenticity, leadership, legacy, motherhood, career choices, and the courage to show up as yourself.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why high-performing HR functions require collaboration across roles and specialties
How HR leaders can break down silos and create stronger team alignment
Why leaders need to help their teams understand the bigger picture
The challenges that come with changing established HR operating models
Why people management is one of the hardest parts of leadership
How organizations can better support individual contributors transitioning into people leadership
Why intentional community is essential to professional growth and innovation
How to evaluate conferences and professional development opportunities through ROI
Why authenticity and vulnerability can create stronger leadership and connection
What it means to intentionally build a career and life that aligns with what matters most
(Maggie Brady is an experienced HR and talent leader with a career spanning consulting, GE, technology startups, private equity, HR business partnership, talent, and leadership development. She shares practical and personal lessons on building high-performing HR teams, developing leaders, investing in community, embracing authenticity, and intentionally creating a life and career aligned with what matters most.)
If this episode resonated, subscribe, share it with a fellow HR or Talent leader, and leave a review to help more people-first leaders discover the show.
Join the EVOLVE 2027 Waitlist:
https://link.evolve-conference.com/widget/form/qAdMlQRQIeVYVWw7349y
Interested in collaborating or sponsoring EVOLVE experiences?
Book an EVOLVE partnership call:
https://link.evolve-conference.com/widget/form/Z62948iqsNWpiOpdZwtJ
If this episode resonated, subscribe, share it with a fellow HR or Talent leader, and leave a review to help more people-first leaders discover the show.
Powered by the WRKdefined Podcast Network.


