Curiosity at Work
We all know curiosity is important, but how do we actually put it into practice in our professional lives? “Curiosity at Work” explores this question through 30-minute interviews with organizational leaders who share their insights and experiences on cultivating curiosity in the workplace. Join host Dr. Julie Pham as we uncover practical strategies and inspiring stories to help you ignite your own curiosity and drive innovation within your organization. New episodes every week!
Episodes
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Dr. Andrew Robertson, VP and Head of Global Regulatory Policy and Innovation at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, about how curiosity drives innovation in drug development and health policy. Andrew shares how he built a global team to tackle near- and long-term regulatory challenges using cloud-based tools, AI, and patient-centered strategies. With a background in science, law, ...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham sits down with Ed Ewing, Executive Director of Bike Works, to explore how curiosity drives social justice, leadership, and community impact. Ed shares how Bike Works, a nonprofit bike shop in Seattle, reinvests all its revenue into empowering youth and underserved communities. From launching a mobile bike shop during the pandemic to investing in staff wellness and development, Ed...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Melodie Reynolds, founder and CEO of Elate Beauty, about how curiosity fuels innovation in the beauty industry. Melodie shares her journey from making lipstick in her basement to leading a globally recognized sustainable beauty brand. She discusses the challenges of scaling a business, transitioning to a remote team, and fostering a workplace culture where curiosity dr...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Michael Byun, Executive Director of Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS), about how curiosity fuels leadership, social justice, and community advocacy. With over 25 years of experience, Michael shares insights on managing a diverse, multilingual team, balancing urgent community needs with long-term policy work, and fostering a culture of learning in nonprofit o...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Tom Fay, Executive Director and Chief Librarian of The Seattle Public Library. With over 42 years in the field, Tom shares how libraries have evolved into essential community hubs, offering much more than books—including social services, small business support, and digital access. He discusses leading through challenges like book bans and cybersecurity threats while fo...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Jerry Waldron, Interim Construction Management Director at Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). With over 35 years of experience in engineering, infrastructure, and public service, Jerry shares insights on leading large-scale utility projects that impact daily life in Seattle. He discusses the challenges of fostering curiosity in a policy-driven environment, the importance ...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Dr. Amy Morrison, President of Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech), to explore how curiosity shapes leadership in higher education. A first-generation college graduate and passionate advocate for workforce education, Dr. Morrison shares insights on fostering collaboration, navigating generational diversity, and building a learner-focused culture. She discu...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Cynthia Tee, SVP of Engineering at Smartsheet, to explore how curiosity drives leadership and innovation. Cynthia shares her journey from Microsoft to Smartsheet, leading a global, remote-first engineering team of over 530 people. She discusses fostering alignment, navigating mergers, and cultivating curiosity to tackle challenges and build cohesive teams. Tune in to l...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Shannon Drotning, Market President for the West Coast at Providence Health Plan. Shannon shares her inspiring journey from customer service representative to senior leader, emphasizing how curiosity drives her approach to leadership and customer-centered innovation. She discusses how Providence Health Plan delivers on its promise to "Know Me, Care for Me, Ease My Way,"...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham speaks with Harold D. Scoggins, Chief of the Seattle Fire Department, about leading with curiosity in emergency services. With over 35 years of experience, Chief Scoggins shares insights on fostering innovation, managing change in a tradition-rich field, and driving life-saving advancements like overdose response programs. Discover how the Seattle Fire Department balances legacy ...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Rachel Suman, Chief Experience Officer at the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Rachel shares her journey from administrative professional to executive leader and offers insights on empowering administrative professionals to become strategic partners in their organizations. She highlights the power of curiosity in leadership, fostering f...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham chats with Diem Ly, Division Director at the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development. Diem shares her journey from community journalism to public service leadership, emphasizing how curiosity drives inclusive economic growth. She discusses balancing diverse stakeholder needs, creating a feedback culture, and adapting to a post-pandemic landscape. Learn how Diem fosters c...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Ryan Calkins, Port of Seattle Commissioner and advisor at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Ryan shares how curiosity drives his leadership in public service, from fostering innovation through skunkworks programs and connecting scientists with industries at PNNL. He reflects on navigating challenges as an elected official like public scrutiny, balancing competing...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham chats with Phoebe Sade, Executive Officer of BrightSpark Early Learning Services, about how to apply curiosity to a rapidly growing nonprofit that relies primarily on government funding. Phoebe shares insights from leading BrightSpark through adapting communication for a younger, diverse workforce and rethinking coaching models to serve communities while preventing staff burnout....
Michael Greer, CEO of ArtsFund, joins Dr. Julie Pham on the Curiosity at Work podcast to explore how curiosity drives leadership in the arts sector. In his role at ArtsFund, Michael oversees grant-making, capacity building, and advocacy to support over 800 arts organizations across Washington State. He shares how curiosity helps him navigate the challenges of managing a hybrid team, balancing support for grassroots organizations wi...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, host Dr. Julie Pham chats with Britt Provost, a seasoned people and talent executive with over 20 years of experience in global tech. Currently serving as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Siteimprove, Britt is committed to creating progressive career experiences through the efforts of her HR team. Having previously held executive roles at Accolade, Promethean, and Apptio, Britt share...
Lauren Flemister, Assistant Director of Planning and Public Works at Pierce County, brings over 17 years of experience across community and regional planning, architecture, and public affairs. Her impressive career includes leadership roles in the City of Tacoma's Planning and Development Services Department and the City of Seattle’s Office of Planning and Community Development. In the Curiosity at Work podcast, Lauren shared insig...
In this episode of the Curiosity at Work podcast, Dr. Julie Pham sits down with Michael Jacobson, an award-winning national leader in organizational performance management and the Deputy Director at King County’s Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget. During the conversation, Michael shares insights into his extensive work establishing King County’s performance management systems, including the first countywide strategic plan...
In the latest episode of Curiosity at Work, host Dr. Julie Pham welcomes Rico Quirindongo, the Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) for the City of Seattle. Together, they dive into how curiosity shapes the workplace and the dynamic role it plays in city planning. Rico shares insights into the structure of his office, which comprises 50 people, including planners and finance experts, working across di...
In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham chats with Joe Sky-Tucker, CEO of Business Impact Northwest, to explore how curiosity shapes leadership and culture in the nonprofit world. Joe shares stories from his journey—moving from a micromanager to a leader who deeply listens to his team and finds creative ways to say "yes" whenever possible.
Joe talks about the power of promoting from within, trusting people to step into...
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