Leading with Humility and Vision: Bob Starr on the Future of Work and Leadership

In this episode of Becoming Better with StartupExperts, Jesse Freese sits down with Bob Starr, VP of Human Resources at Zap Surgical Systems and one of our 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025. Bob reflects on his 20+ year career in HR — from his early days at Atari to leading people operations at innovative medical device companies. He shares lessons learned along the way, including: Why vulnerability can be a powerful leadership tool. The importance of making the right hiring decisions. How stepping outside of HR into other functions can make you a stronger leader. His excitement about the potential of AI in the workplace and the groundbreaking technology Zap is developing to transform cancer treatment and beyond. This conversation is part of our special series highlighting the 25 Leaders to Follow in 2025, where we celebrate the stories, wisdom, and perspectives of standout community members. Tune in to hear Bob’s journey, his insights on leadership, and his advice for the next generation of HR professionals.