Success Leaves Clues: From the Vault - Building People-First Startups and Authentic Leadership with Jenny do Forno, Chief People Officer at TouchBistro

In this From the Vault episode of Success Leaves Clues, hosts Robin and Al sit down with Jenny do Forno, Chief People Officer at TouchBistro, to explore how curiosity, courage, and authenticity define modern leadership. Jenny shares her inspiring journey from executive search to startup builder to venture advisor, offering hard-won lessons from 25 years of helping founders scale with purpose. As someone who’s helped launch companies from napkin sketches to successful exits, she reveals what makes great leaders, why culture must be built early, and how authenticity and communication can transform a business from the inside out. Together, they unpack the emotional highs and lows of startup life, how to lead through uncertainty, and the importance of saying “yes” to growth even when you’re not fully ready. You’ll hear about: Curiosity as a compass: How following her questions, not a plan, shaped Jenny’s 25-year career in people and culture. The courage to say yes: Why leaning into challenge matters more than waiting until you’re “ready.” The founder’s formula: What separates successful startup teams from the rest and how self-awareness plays a vital role. The human side of scaling: Why alignment, communication, and connection are every company’s secret weapons. Hiring with intention: How early people strategy can accelerate growth and prevent culture debt. Ego vs. conviction: How great founders balance strong beliefs with humility and collaboration. Authentic leadership: Why clarity is kindness and being yourself is the real competitive advantage. The future of workplace wellness: How benefits, belonging, and flexibility will shape the next era of people strategy. Mentorship and legacy: How sharing wisdom and lifting others creates lasting ripple effects in leadership. We talk about: 00:00 Introduction   03:00 The accidental path into people and culture 06:00 Learning to say yes and leading with curiosity 09:00 Lessons from building Nest Wealth from scratch 12:00 From venture capital to TouchBistro: redefining success 15:00 The patterns that define great founders and teams 18:00 Why startups should invest in people and culture early 23:00 How HR shapes growth and alignment 28:00 The role of communication in scaling companies 33:00 Ego, conviction, and collaboration in leadership 37:00 Authenticity and the importance of showing up as yourself 44:00 Rethinking benefits and wellness for a modern workforce 49:00 How strong cultures drive belonging and retention 50:00 Legacy and impact: mentoring future founders  Connect with Jenny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennydoforno/  TouchBistro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/touchbistro/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/touchbistro  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/touch_bistro/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TouchBistroiPadPOS/  Website: https://www.touchbistro.com/  Connect with Us LinkedIn: Robin Bailey and Al McDonald   Website: Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group