Episode 109 — Brannigan Thompson — Voya Financial
Mon Jan 12 2026
Brannigan Thompson, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Voya Financial, joins host Dave Hennessy to discuss Voya's strategic shift and what it means for talent strategy. Brannigan shares how his experience living and working in the Netherlands early in his career shaped his leadership approach, and how Voya is now designing its organization for the future rather than around current talent.
Key topics:
- Designing structure and success profiles for where the business will be in 3-5 years
- Implementing AI agents in HR, including interview scheduling and development planning
- Voya's four cultural pillars: customer obsession, AI and automation, performance, and quality fundamentals
- Why Voya helps employees discover their individual purpose—even when they choose to leave
- The importance of continuous performance feedback and measurable KPIs
Plus: Keystone's Coach's Corner with Shawna Simcik on the difference between kind and nice leadership.
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Brannigan Thompson, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Voya Financial, joins host Dave Hennessy to discuss Voya's strategic shift and what it means for talent strategy. Brannigan shares how his experience living and working in the Netherlands early in his career shaped his leadership approach, and how Voya is now designing its organization for the future rather than around current talent. Key topics: - Designing structure and success profiles for where the business will be in 3-5 years - Implementing AI agents in HR, including interview scheduling and development planning - Voya's four cultural pillars: customer obsession, AI and automation, performance, and quality fundamentals - Why Voya helps employees discover their individual purpose—even when they choose to leave - The importance of continuous performance feedback and measurable KPIs Plus: Keystone's Coach's Corner with Shawna Simcik on the difference between kind and nice leadership.