In senior care, turnover can hit 50% a year, but Mozaic Senior Life runs at half that rate. In this episode, Kara Rodriguez, VP & CHRO, reveals how a culture built on belonging, joy, and “hiring for the heart” keeps staff committed, residents happy, and business thriving even through the toughest times.

Guest Information

Kara Rodriguez is the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Mozaic Senior Life, an award-winning senior care organisation in western Connecticut. With over 30 years in HR, Kara has devoted her career to purpose-driven organisations that put people first. At Mozaic, she has helped create a culture that’s halved the industry’s average turnover rate by focusing on belonging, joy, and meaningful work.

Mozaic Senior Life

Episode Outline

1. Competing Beyond Compensation
Kara explains why Mozaic attracts and retains great people despite being a nonprofit that can’t always match the wages of larger healthcare providers. The secret? A culture where employees feel seen, heard, valued — and part of something meaningful.

2. Rituals that Build Belonging
From “Rumor Mill” meetings to a CEO in a hot dog costume, Kara shares the quirky, joyful, and purposeful traditions that keep Mozaic’s culture alive, foster connection, and help staff balance the emotional highs and lows of senior care.

3. Culture as a Business Driver
Kara details how Mozaic’s culture directly impacts resident satisfaction, donor loyalty, and long-term business outcomes — even maintaining full occupancy during the pandemic when others struggled.

Click here for a full transcript of this episode

Host & Show Info

Host Name: Luke Fisher

About the Host: Luke Fisher is the CEO of Mo, a platform that's all about helping teams create workplaces where people genuinely want to be. Luke's on a mission to show that brilliant company culture isn't just a nice-to-have but what makes teams thrive, feel connected, and do brilliant work together. Mo helps organisations around the world turn their values from poster-board promises into real, everyday habits that bring teams closer and give everyone a sense of purpose. It's culture you can actually see and feel in action.

Podcast Website: Culture in Action

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00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction

00:58 Richard Taylor's Background and Role

01:46 Importance of Retention and People Strategy

03:00 Stay and Grow Strategy

03:50 Professional Development and Relational Trust

04:59 Improving Working Conditions

05:32 Technology and AI in Education

05:47 Employer Brand and Career Development

07:58 Monitoring and Measuring Engagement

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15:10 Role of Technology in Shaping Culture

21:32 AI and Future of Education

24:29 AI in Homework Management

25:01 Personalised Learning Journeys

26:18 Building Relational Trust

27:41 Embracing AI in Education

30:49 Future Predictions for AI in the Workplace

39:35 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts

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[00:27] About Energage and Its Purpose

[02:18] Energage's Culture Pyramid Methodology

[06:21] Driving Improvement and Benchmarking

[10:30] What It Takes to Be a Top Workplace

[12:12] The Starting Point for a New Chief People Officer

[16:16] Blind Spots and Misperceptions in Culture Building

[20:25] Key Levers for Driving Cultural Change

[21:28] Equipping Managers for Change

[24:16] Customer Transformation Stories

[26:01] Business Success: Employee Engagement as Equity Value Driver

[27:10] One Piece of Advice for Leaders

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00:00 Introduction to Culture in Action

00:53 Meet Kelly Johnson: A Journey in Hospitality

03:28 Defining Workplace Culture

04:36 Transforming Culture Post-COVID

06:53 Practical Steps for Cultural Transformation

14:32 Overcoming Barriers and Sustaining Change

22:33 Impact on Business Performance

25:54 Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

27:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Welcome to Culture in Action, the podcast where real stories meet real impact. Each episode shines a light on the people and practices driving workplace culture forward, from bold leadership moves to everyday moments that build belonging. Whether you're a people leader, culture champion, or simply curious about what makes teams thrive, this is your space to learn, reflect, and get inspired.