Level Up HR

Level Up HR Podcast

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Ep. 1 - Company as Community: How Shared Values Shape Culture and Strategy - with Sarah Diamond

Ep. 1 - Company as Community: How Shared Values Shape Culture and Strategy - with Sarah Diamond

When a workplace becomes a true community, strategy and culture grow stronger.

In the first episode of the English edition of the Level Up HR podcast, host James Weier welcomes Sarah Diamond, Chief People & Culture Officer at BOA, for a conversation on building a thriving workplace from the inside out.

Sarah shares how true transformation at BOA is anchored in lived values, and how connecting those values with both strategy and daily practice helps prevent the unhealthy tensions that can arise when culture and business goals drift apart. She also discusses why stakeholder relationships, built on genuine curiosity and collaboration, empower HR to act as both business partner and community builder.

From hiring to leadership development, you’ll get an inside look at BOA’s collective approach to talent, growth, and culture, and why seeing people as a community, not just employees, makes all the difference. Whether you’re navigating a growth phase or a major transformation, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for HR leaders who want to create lasting impact.


You'll learn:

1. How to ensure values guide both strategy and everyday practice
2. The critical role of stakeholder relationships and collaboration in HR’s business impact
3. How to move from “pushback” to “positive challenge” and co-create change
4. Why community-building is at the heart of sustainable company culture
5. Practical ways to attract, integrate, and engage top talent through authentic connection

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Get in touch with Sarah Diamond on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefpeopleofficerglobal/


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About the host James Weier:
James is Director, US at EGYM Wellpass and President of the Denver chapter of the Level Up HR Community. With 10 years of experience and a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, James brings a collaborative, community‑focused approach to his work. When he’s not elevating employee experience or strengthening HR leadership, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young boys in Colorado’s great outdoors.

Get in touch with James Weier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesweier/

About

In conversations with decision-makers and thought leaders from people, organization, and new ways of work, we explore the topics shaping HR today and defining it for tomorrow, including:

  • How employer branding works and what matters beyond campaigns
  • How talent can be attracted, developed, and retained over the long term
  • What defines a healthy organizational culture and how it is translated into everyday practice
  • How organizations can build resilience and navigate pressure and stress responsibly

The podcast is driven by personal insights, real-world experience, and conversations with leading voices in the HR space - for those who don’t just work in HR, but are actively in shaping its future.

Hosted by

James Weier, Director US at EGYM Wellpass