Human-Centered Leadership Strategies: Building Trust and Psychological Safety with Madeleine Kipperman
Eps. #179 Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Madeline Kipperman, Human Resource Leader at Gorilla Glue, about the importance of leading with humanity in the workplace. They discuss how compassion and transparency can enhance leadership effectiveness, especially in high-pressure environments.
Listeners will learn practical strategies for fostering trust and psychological safety among team members.
• Understand the role of metrics in fostering conversations rather than just evaluating performance.
• Recognize the importance of having difficult conversations with clarity and compassion.
• Learn how to model humane leadership behaviors on the production floor.
• Discover actionable steps to build trust when it is low among team members.
• Identify the key elements that the next generation of employees seek in leadership.
Hit “Play” to gain valuable insights that can transform your HR practices!
Guest(s): Madeline Kipperman is a Human Resource Leader at Gorilla Glue. She specializes in HR strategy, workforce development, and leadership, bringing a frontline perspective to her role. Madeline has a strong commitment to fostering human potential in the workplace.
Guest(s): Madeline Kipperman, Human Resource Leader, Gorilla Glue
Madeleine Kipperman is an accomplished Human Resources leader and workforce development advocate with a deep passion for creating cultures where all people feel valued, seen, and empowered to thrive. With over two decades of experience across manufacturing, logistics, and community engagement, she has built a reputation for driving sustainable retention strategies, strengthening leadership pipelines, and transforming workplaces into spaces of belonging.
Currently serving as an HR Generalist at The Gorilla Glue Company, Madeleine supports a diverse, multi-shift workforce while spearheading initiatives that blend operational excellence with human connection. Her work focuses on leadership development, equitable opportunity, and employee engagement — always with a people-first philosophy.
Beyond the corporate sphere, Madeleine also serves at SCOKI, a workforce and community development initiative that unites employers, educators, and nonprofit partners to create pathways for economic mobility. She is also a mentor, public speaker, and soon-to-be author whose upcoming book shares her journey of overcoming hardship and using purpose as a catalyst for healing, growth, and success. A proud mother, community volunteer, and believer in second chances, Madeleine’s mission is simple yet profound: to help every person see their value — and not just survive, but thrive.
