People First: Humanity at the Center of Everything with Kacy Wickenhauser
Eps. #175 Tuesday, April 28th, 2026
In this episode of the HR Mixtape, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Kacy Wickenhauser, Chief HR Officer at Wolverine Power Cooperative. They discuss the importance of maintaining a human-centered approach in the workplace, especially in the context of conflict and the rise of AI.
Listeners will learn practical strategies for managing workplace conflict, the significance of validating emotions, and how to balance data-driven decision-making with empathy.
• Understand the role of inner dialogue in conflict resolution.
• Learn techniques for validating employee feelings without agreeing with inaccurate information.
• Discover how to approach difficult conversations with empathy and clarity.
• Explore the importance of building trust in union environments.
• Recognize the value of employee engagement data in decision-making.
Hit “Play” to gain valuable insights that can transform your HR practices!
Guest(s): Kacy Wickenhauser, Chief HR Officer at Wolverine Power Cooperative. She leads HR strategy in complex environments, focusing on trust and operational clarity. Kacy has over 20 years of experience in HR and has developed skills in conflict resolution and employee engagement.
Guest(s): Kacy Wickenhauser, Chief HR Officer, Wolverine Power Cooperative
Kacy is a 20-year HR veteran and business leader working in the energy industry.
She oversees the HR, finance, tech, safety, training and apprenticeship divisions.
She’s also a certified career coach, consultant and partner to mid-level, senior and executive leaders.
