Human HR: Curiosity, Mission, and Mental Health in High-Growth Workplaces with William West

CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE!What does it look like for HR to stay human when the workplace keeps changing?In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with William West, a people and HR leader whose career has spanned nonprofits, food, chocolate, high-growth tech, remote work, acquisitions, layoffs, and AI-driven workplace change.William’s path into HR started somewhat unexpectedly. After studying psychology and nonprofit leadership, he joined FareStart in Seattle and found himself leading HR at just 23 years old. Instead of pretending to have every answer, he leaned on curiosity, humility, and transparency — even spending time chopping carrots alongside culinary staff to better understand the work and build trust.From there, William moved through mission-driven organizations including Theo Chocolate, Tableau, Recharge, and now Wrapbook, where he supports a fully remote workforce across the U.S. and Canada.In this episode, Jessi and William discuss:How William accidentally became an HR leader at 23Why curiosity and humility can build trust faster than pretending to know everythingWhat HR learns by getting closer to the actual workWhy HR cannot become robotic, even when compliance mattersHow mission can show up in nonprofits, food companies, and high-growth techWhat it was like to experience Tableau’s acquisition by SalesforceHow to handle layoffs in a more human wayThe mental health challenges of remote work, burnout, and blurred boundariesHow AI is creating new stress and uncertainty for employeesWhy storytelling helps reduce stigma around therapy and workplace mental healthWhat William would say to HR leaders who do not believe workplace suicide prevention mattersThis episode is for HR leaders, people leaders, founders, managers, tech executives, and anyone who believes work gets better when leaders stay curious, grounded, and human.Because HR is not just policy.It is people.CONNECT WITH WILLIAMLinkedInWrapbook