TalentWise

In this episode of TalentWise, we sit down with Greg Reed, Alabama’s first secretary of the Department of Workforce, to explore the future of workforce transformation and what it means for employers, educators and job seekers across the state. Drawing on his extensive experience as a former majority leader of the Alabama Senate and now as Gov. Kay Ivey’s senior advisor on workforce transformation, Secretary Reed shares his perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s workforce landscape. From aligning education and industry needs to building stronger talent pipelines and preparing Alabama for long-term economic growth, this episode provides a unique look at the vision and leadership helping shape Alabama’s workforce for generations to come.

In this episode of TalentWise, we sit down with Lindsay Cline, director of strategic partnerships for the U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base Program, to explore how innovative partnerships are helping shape the future of America’s maritime workforce. From connecting colleges and universities with career opportunities through the BuildGiants initiative to strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors, Lindsay shares how strategic workforce development is supporting one of the nation’s most critical industries. With Alabama playing a key role in building the Navy’s next generation of vessels, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the people, partnerships, and long-term planning required to develop talent at scale. Whether you're interested in workforce development, economic growth, education, or industry collaboration, Lindsay provides valuable insights into what it takes to build sustainable talent pipelines and why these efforts matter now more than ever.

In this episode of TalentWise, Major General Lee Price shares her remarkable journey from joining the U.S. Army as a Private First Class clerk typist in 1975 to becoming a trailblazing Major General after 38 years of service. Entering the military at a time when women made up less than 2% of the workforce and many leadership pathways were still closed to them, Lee broke barriers at every stage of her career while learning what it truly means to lead with courage, resilience, and purpose. Drawing from decades of experience, she offers powerful insights on leadership, diversity and inclusion, and the mindset behind her “Lead Like A Warrior” philosophy. 

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Don Barden, a classically trained behavioral economist and globally recognized authority on leadership and decision-making, whose career spans more than three decades of shaping organizations across the U.S. and around the world. From transforming global firms to redefining how leaders think, decide, and drive impact, Don brings a depth of experience that goes far beyond a traditional résumé. You’ll want to stick around for the full conversation to hear the insights you won’t find anywhere else.

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Colson, president and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association, a longtime partner and champion of one of the state’s most essential industries. With more than 32,000 trucking companies and 130,000 Alabamians moving goods across the state, Mark offers a look at the people who keep communities running every day and the stories behind the wheel. His enthusiasm for elevating trucking as a meaningful, accessible career path comes through, making this a conversation that goes beyond logistics. If you’re curious about the impact and opportunities in this industry, be sure to listen.

Today’s episode features a conversation with Ani Huang, a leading voice at the intersection of executive leadership, compensation strategy and the future of work. As president of policy and practice for the CHRO Association and CEO of the Center on Executive Compensation, Ani is shaping how top organizations navigate complex workforce challenges, from executive pay and governance to the growing influence of AI on human capital strategy. With a front-row seat advising senior executives and policymakers, she brings a rare blend of insight and real-world perspective. If you’re curious how leadership decisions at the top ripple across an entire organization, you’ll want to tune in.

In this episode, we sit down with a dynamic leader whose impact on economic development speaks for itself. With more than two decades of experience shaping urban growth, fostering business expansion, and building powerful public-private partnerships, Cornell Wesley, executive director of Prosper Portland, brings both insight and real-world results to the conversation. During his time leading economic development for the City of Birmingham, his strategic vision helped generate $2 billion in economic impact and $1.2 billion in new investments. Combined with his strong academic foundation from Morehouse College and Mercer University, Cornell’s story is one of leadership, innovation, and measurable success. If you’re curious about what it really takes to drive meaningful economic growth in today’s landscape, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, we sit down with two of our own colleagues from Markstein. Chief Creative Officer Chris Hoke and Brand Director Angela Thomas give a behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful storytelling and bold creative strategies can help organizations tackle one of today’s biggest challenges: attracting and retaining talent. As a creative communications agency focused on transforming the workforce, Markstein has partnered with multiple organizations on impactful workforce initiatives, from campaigns with the Birmingham Police Department to the collaborative Good Jobs effort. Building on conversations from our recent episodes with ReBirth Marketing and the Good Jobs Birmingham team, this discussion explores how branding, messaging, and purpose-driven communication can shape stronger workforce pipelines and why the stories organizations tell matter now more than ever.

Across past episodes of TalentWise, we’ve explored the workforce challenge from every angle: demographers breaking down the data, HR leaders sharing proactive strategies, mental health experts strengthening critical infrastructure, and national apprenticeship advocates building new pathways to opportunity. Now, we’re shifting gears to a part of the economy that keeps everything moving but rarely gets the spotlight: trucking — specifically tank truck transportation. This essential sector powers industries from energy to food supply, yet it faces an urgent need to attract the next generation of drivers. To unpack what’s at stake and what solutions are on the table, we’re joined by Ryan Streblow, President & CEO of National Tank Truck Carriers. His perspective connects national workforce trends to the very real operational challenges on the ground as we discuss how this story fits into the bigger workforce puzzle.

Today’s episode brings the conversation to life with Rashida Reese, president & CEO and Jillian Darling, social media specialist for ReBirth Marketing and Consulting. Rashida and Jillian share how ReBirth cuts through marketing noise by starting where it matters most: deeply understanding clients, honoring their stories, and delivering results that actually move the needle. Drawing on real-world collaborations with organizations like the Birmingham Police Department, the Birmingham Jefferson County Port Authority, and Good Jobs, this episode builds on themes from our previous discussion with Dr. Olivia Cook Howell and Sarah Wilson. It’s a timely, practical, and refreshingly human look at how thoughtful marketing can support meaningful work.