This is Invested at Work. Listen in.

1. State of the Workplace 2025 With SHRM’s Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.

Today’s workplace realities are rewriting the HR playbook. That’s according to Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., CEO of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, and their 2025 State of the Workplace report.

Johnny shares what the research reveals about employees' expectations and the challenges facing HR decision makers today. Host Rodney Bolden shares findings from Morgan Stanley at Work’s own State of the Workplace study, and together they dive into what’s driving change in recruitment, benefits, employee experience, leadership development, and the growing role of AI in the future of work and in workplace benefits—all topics we’ll explore in more depth on this season of Invested at Work.

2. ESPP Trends With Carver Edison's Aaron Shapiro

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) aren’t just a workplace perk; they’re a wealth-building tool with the potential to change lives. That’s according to Aaron Shapiro, founder and CEO of Carver Edison, a financial technology company focused on improving employee stock ownership programs. The catch? Employees have to be able to afford to participate—and now they can.

Carver Edison and its core technology, Cashless Participation, allows employees to participate in ESPPs without having deductions from their pay. The idea was born out of a challenging conversation Aaron had with his mom. She was a longtime employee at a health insurance company and needed help to make her money grow. Aaron explored her options and realized that by not being able to participate in her company’s ESPP, she had missed out on over a million dollars over the course of 10 years. Aaron knew she wasn’t alone. So, he and his team developed a solution.

Host Rodney Bolden and Aaron discuss the advantage that total rewards leaders and chief human resource officers, or CHROs, have when employees can afford to participate in ESPPs, and how participation has the potential to turn into more engagement, higher retention and greater employee satisfaction, which could also increase enterprise value for shareholders. They discuss how helping unlock equity ownership could help improve someone’s quality of life.

3. AI and the Future of Workplace Benefits With QuantUniversity’s Sri Krishnamurthy

AI literacy in the workplace must evolve into AI fluency—and fast. That’s the message from Sri Krishnamurthy, fintech and data science educator and founder of QuantUniversity.

In this episode of Invested at Work, host Rodney Bolden speaks with Sri about the many forms AI is taking today—and what they mean for the future of workplace benefits. From anticipating employee needs to delivering personalized financial support, AI has the potential to improve benefits uptake and engagement. But concerns around data, privacy and trust remain. Sri shares what companies can do to adopt AI responsibly and help build confidence with their teams.

4. Rebuilding Employee Engagement With Gallup’s Ben Wigert

Employee engagement is at its lowest point in nearly a decade, but the opportunity to reconnect has never been greater. That’s according to Ben Wigert, Director of Research and Strategy, Workplace Management, at Gallup, a global analytics and advisory firm.

Ben shares some of Gallup’s latest data on why employees feel disconnected, what’s driving burnout among managers and how thoughtful benefits, equity compensation and communication can help rebuild engagement, trust and purpose at work.

5. Behind the Bell: Insights on Private Companies and Founders With Carta’s Henry Ward

The best CEOs know how to hold the long-term vision—while building the structure and discipline needed to scale sustainably. That’s according to Henry Ward, Founder and CEO of Carta, a networked enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform for private capital markets.

In this episode, Henry joins host Rodney Bolden to reflect on his founder journey and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. They discuss “founder mode,” how the founder mindset evolves as a company grows, and how to manage the tension between innovation and operational rigor within a company. They also cover why more companies are staying private longer and how private companies are offering meaningful equity and liquidity to retain top talent, from early-stage startup to late-stage growth.

6. Financial Well-Being for Today’s Executives With Morgan Stanley’s Liz Dennis

Executive titles don’t guarantee financial clarity. That’s what Liz Dennis, Managing Director and Head of Global Client Coverage at Morgan Stanley, finds in her work with company leaders.

In this episode of Invested at Work, host Rodney Bolden speaks with Liz about the unique financial challenges facing today’s executives. They discuss some of the blind spots executives might have when it comes to their finances, and how equity compensation, strategic planning and proactive HR support can make a real difference in driving engagement, retention and well-being for this group.

7. Designing Equity Compensation Plans That Drive Engagement With Asana’s Christine Zwerling

Equity compensation can be a powerful tool to engage and motivate employees, but only when they understand its value. With over 25 years of experience in stock plan administration, Christine Zwerling, Head of Stock Administration at Asana, shares insights for HR leaders looking to make equity work harder for their teams.

In this episode of Invested at Work, host Rodney Bolden speaks with Christine about how equity compensation can be a key lever for culture and connection. Christine shares how Asana’s approach ties equity compensation to corporate goals, how employee understanding of equity evolves over time and why clear communication is key to maximizing its value.

They also discuss common misconceptions about equity, the disconnect between how HR and employees perceive its value, and how strong equity plans can support both business performance and employee well-being.

8. How We Really Feel About AI: Voices From the Workplace

AI is changing the way we work—and fast. But beyond the headlines, how are people really using it in the workplace? And how do they feel about it?

In this special bonus episode of Invested at Work, host Rodney Bolden checks in with guests from across the season to explore how AI is being adopted on the ground—from equity administration to customer service—and the emotions it’s stirring up along the way.

1. Private Market Trends With Norwest Venture Partners’ Teri McFadden

With more than two decades of experience helping lead private companies to exits, Teri McFadden of Norwest Venture Partners has her pulse on the latest private market trends.

Teri sits down with our host Rodney Bolden, Executive Director, Head of Industry Engagement and Learning for Morgan Stanley at Work, to help paint a picture of the current landscape and how employers can effectively manage their staff along the path to liquidity, including some creative levers they can pull to navigate extended exit horizons, what they might be overlooking when preparing for an IPO and more.

2. Building Better Equity Plans With Infinite Equity’s Robyn Shutak

How can you build an equity compensation plan that is easy to understand, empowers your workforce on the path to their goals and supports them throughout their employee life cycle?

With over 20 years of experience working on equity plans, including a stint at the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, Robyn Shutak of Infinite Equity has spent her career helping employers do just that. Robyn joins the Invested at Work podcast to discuss how to build a compelling equity compensation program and the importance of clear and proactive education to get that program in front of employees.

3. Equity Story Hour: Part 1

When employees realize the value of their equity compensation, it can be life-changing—for both themselves and their families.

On this special episode of Invested at Work, recorded live at this year’s Thrive Conference, you’ll hear inspiring stories from several equity plan managers of how they were able to help employees use their company stock to fund their financial goals, including some employees who didn’t know they had these awards in the first place.

4. Equity Story Hour: Part 2

In part two of our Equity Story Hour series, recorded live at our annual Thrive Conference, equity plan managers share the real stories that have shaped their approach to managing equity compensation programs. Listen in for best practices that you can use in your own organization to help support your employees—inside and outside of work.

5. Broad-Based Employee Ownership With KKR’s Pete Stavros

What’s the most important asset a company has? Its people, according to Pete Stavros, Co-Head of Global Private Equity at KKR and Founder of Ownership Works.

Pete knows that helping companies reach their full potential starts with an engaged workforce, and an ownership culture can be a big driver of that. In this candid conversation with host Rodney Bolden, Pete shares stories of how his father’s career as a construction worker impacts his own work today and his focus on building a better model of employee ownership.

1. Employee Wellbeing During Uncertain Times

In his 35+ years as an HR leader, Morgan Stanley Senior Advisor Jeff Brodsky has seen his fair share of economic uncertainty. For the inaugural episode of Invested at Work, Jeff lends his insights on how to provide employees with flexibility, stability, and the support they need when times are tough. From a global pandemic to economic recession, learn how effective communication and strong leadership can help employees when they need it most.

2. Building an Ownership Culture

Equity compensation has always been a great way to align workforce and corporate incentives. Dee Crosby, Executive Director, Learning & Development at Morgan Stanley at Work, breaks down how stock plans and equity compensation can be a recipe for helping employees feel valued, while also providing them with the right incentives for long-term employment.

3. Supporting Employees in Turbulent Times

The only thing constant in life is change. From changing markets to challenging times, employees are always navigating change. When times are tough, it’s not just important to have strong workplace financial benefits, but to communicate them effectively as well. Cheryl Palmerini, Chief Administrative Officer for Global Human Resources for Morgan Stanley, sits down to cover how companies can provide resources to support employees during important periods of their lives, both inside and outside the workplace.

4. Multigenerational Views on Retirement and the Impact of SECURE 2.0

Did you know that for the first time ever, there are five generations of employees in the workforce? This range of demographics means your employees may have vastly different views on retirement. Managing Director for Morgan Stanley at Work, Tom Conlon explains how to address the multigenerational retirement needs of your employees, plus, how SECURE 2.0 may affect their retirement planning.

5. Manage and Adapt: Helping Employees Navigate M&A

A merger, acquisition or spinoff can be an exciting prospect for a growing business. But between new team members, policy updates, and benefits changes, it can also feel daunting to the employees affected by this major change. Kate Winget, Morgan Stanley at Work Chief Revenue Officer, offers her keys to success for getting employees to embrace change and adapt to your company’s next phase.

6. The Next Evolution of Financial Education

Whether they’re maintaining a budget, saving for retirement or preparing for major life events, you want your employees to feel supported in order to succeed. Personalized financial education programs can do just that. Jon Stinson, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley at Work Participant Experience Center of Excellence, explains how to provide your employees with targeted support in the moments that matter to them.