Career Growth, Culture and Community: Pain Points of Building Purposeful Work

In this episode, Lauren Lewis visits Say Yes Buffalo and sits down with Collin Gehl, Chief Human Resources Officer, for a conversation about career growth, nonprofit leadership, workforce development, and the importance of helping people see what is possible for themselves. Collin shares his journey from earning an English degree at UB to finding his way into human resources through nonprofit work, organizational leadership, and a passion for helping people grow. His path was anything but traditional, and that is exactly what makes this conversation so relatable. Together, Lauren and Collin discuss: Why career paths are rarely linear The importance of mentorship and professional development Building trust as an HR leader How workplace culture impacts retention and employee satisfaction Why employees need career conversations, not just job descriptions Supporting staff as people first, workers second The importance of leadership development inside organizations How Say Yes Buffalo is helping students from early education through workforce development The impact of apprenticeship programs and career exposure opportunities Collin also talks about how Say Yes Buffalo has grown over the years and the incredible work the organization is doing to support students and families throughout Buffalo and now Niagara Falls. What really stands out in this episode is the focus on people. Whether it is supporting employees, mentoring emerging leaders, or helping students discover career opportunities, the conversation keeps coming back to the same idea: people thrive when someone believes in them and gives them the tools to succeed. If you are navigating your own career path, leading a team, or thinking about workplace culture and employee growth, this episode is packed with insight and perspective. 💼 Connect with Say Yes Buffalo & Collin Gehl Website: sayyesbuffalo.org LinkedIn: Collin Gehl 🤝 Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast Website: staffbuffalo.com More Episodes: staffbuffalo.com/painpoints