What happens when employees stop feeling supported at work? When growth slows down, motivation fades, and good people quietly walk away? It’s not always loud or obvious—but the impact is real. Teams lose momentum, creativity dries up, and progress stalls. That’s why having strong people-focused leadership matters more than ever. Today’s most influential CHROs do far more than handle HR tasks—they shape the experience of work itself. They create environments where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. From designing learning programs to streamlining everyday tools, these leaders help companies stay human — even as they scale.
And when people feel their best, they give their best—driving the business forward in powerful, lasting ways.
One such leader making a meaningful difference is Emily Venizelos, Global Chief Talent Officer at 72andSunny. She began as the agency’s first HR Generalist and grew with the company—taking on global responsibilities, launching new offices, and building a culture grounded in care and possibility. Over more than a decade, she’s helped shape policies, benefits, and programs that support employees personally and professionally.
Her approach has led to real results. In 2024, 72andSunny achieved 30% year-over-year revenue growth and reached an industry-leading 85% retention rate. The return of 26 “boomerang” employees also speaks volumes—proof that people want to return to the culture she’s helped build. From partnerships like BoonHealth to launching an Employee Hardship Fund and earning Fair Pay Certification, every move Emily Venizelos makes is rooted in care, growth, and innovation.
“On my team, our mission statement for all of our employees is that their entire person is supported and fulfilled, and that they learn and develop skills that they will have for the rest of their lives”, Emily Venizelos shares.
From HR Generalist to Global Talent Leader
Emily Venizelos began her journey at 72andSunny as the company’s first HR Generalist, where she gained hands-on experience across all areas of HR, including payroll, benefits, workers’ compensation, employee relations, and onboarding freelancers. As the company expanded, her role evolved alongside it. She collaborated with leadership, took on broader global responsibilities, helped open new offices, and evolved internal services to meet the needs of a growing organization.
With a strong focus on innovative talent development, she introduced new policies, programs, and benefits designed to support employees and drive growth. Her dedication to learning and continuous improvement led her to take on bigger challenges over time. After more than 11 years of growing with the company, she stepped into the role of Global Chief Talent Officer—a position that reflects her deep experience and passion for the people and culture at 72andSunny.
“When you lead from a place with endless possibilities, it allows us to experiment, trial, and do amazing things.”
Where People Thrive, Business Grows
At 72andSunny, the talent philosophy is built around supporting employees in every area of their lives. The goal is to help people learn, grow, and build skills they can use long into the future, while also offering some of the most thoughtful and progressive benefits in the industry. Since the company’s success depends on the creativity and energy of its people, making sure they feel happy, fulfilled, and supported isn’t just a priority — it’s a strategy.
When employees thrive, the business thrives too—making this people-first approach a key part of the company’s overall strategy.
Talent, Trust, and Transformation
Emily Venizelos encourages the team at 72andSunny to constantly explore new ideas and push for innovation. She believes in looking at what others are experimenting with and asking how the company can adapt or improve to better support its people. By leading with a mindset of endless possibilities, she creates space for the team to try, test, and build meaningful initiatives. Her vision is for 72andSunny to keep evolving—through its programs, approaches, and offerings—so that employees continue to feel inspired, grow in their roles, and see the company as a place where they can truly thrive and succeed.
“Being a learner allows us to push and expect to play/experiment/try/fail. When the company you work for has those expectations at its core, it allows for innovation from every area and every level.”
Smart Talent, Smarter Tools
One of Emily Venizelos’s top priorities is making sure that employees across 72andSunny’s global offices have access to scalable learning and development opportunities. As the company continues to grow, she focuses on helping every team member understand the company’s culture and values so they can thrive within it. She’s exploring AI solutions that boost efficiency and enhance the employee experience, ensuring that technology serves both people and performance.
Coaching with Care
The partnership between 72andSunny and BoonHealth has played a key role in strengthening the company’s global benefits offerings. Through this collaboration, employees gain access to scalable coaching led by certified professionals, helping them grow personally and professionally. The coaching covers areas such as building confidence, managing time effectively, handling leadership challenges, and setting healthy boundaries. BoonHealth also provides grief counseling and holistic support services, reinforcing 72andSunny’s deep commitment to well-being. This partnership continues to be a valuable part of 72andSunny’s efforts to care for and empower its people.
From One Office to Four
Founded in 2004, the company has expanded its global presence over the years and, as of 2025, operates from four creative hubs across the world—Los Angeles, New York, Amsterdam, and Sydney.
Its steady growth is deeply rooted in a strong set of core values that guide its people, culture, and approach to work:
- Be a learner, not an expert: Encouraging curiosity and continuous growth over rigid expertise.
- Have a bias for action: Taking initiative and making things happen rather than waiting for the perfect moment.
- Embrace change: Staying flexible and open as the company and industry evolve.
- Invite diverse perspectives: Creating space for different voices and ideas to shape better outcomes.
- Be hard on the work and kind to each other: Holding high standards for the work while fostering a respectful and supportive environment.
72andSunny is growing rapidly and expanding its client partnerships. As the CEO often says, “If we aren’t growing, we’re shrinking”—a mindset that continues to drive the team forward with energy and focus.
Using AI and HRIS Tools to Simplify and Strengthen Processes
At 72andSunny, the team uses tools like Culture Amp, Lattice, Syndio, and HRIS systems such as WorkDay to gain deeper insights, gather feedback, and improve data analysis. These tools help the company stay aligned with its core values and support employees more effectively. They are also exploring new AI solutions, including chatbots, to quickly answer common employee questions and provide easy access to company policies—making everyday processes faster and more intuitive.
A Culture of Hope, Grit, and Creative Possibility
The company culture at 72andSunny is built on a foundation of optimism. This mindset influences how the team works, how they approach ideas, and how they treat one another. But this optimism isn’t about blind positivity—it’s not just hoping everything will turn out fine. Instead, it’s about facing challenges head-on, seeing opportunities even in tough situations, and having the determination and flexibility to keep moving forward until success is achieved. At 72andSunny, optimism means believing in the power to overcome obstacles, creating bold, impactful work, and inspiring clients to do the same. It’s a mindset that feels more important than ever in today’s world—offering a sense of hope, purpose, and progress when it’s needed most.
“When you approach problems or challenges with a learning mentality, it allows you to embrace possibilities and be flexible, which allows for surprising and creative solutions you might have never even thought of.”
Empathy, Flexibility, and Growth
Emily Venizelos’s leadership style is grounded in empathy, adaptability, and continuous learning. She believes great leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about staying open, supporting others, and making thoughtful, people-first decisions.
Two key lessons guide how she mentors her teams:
Lesson 1: Be a learner, not an expert
Emily Venizelos believes that staying open to new ideas and fresh approaches makes a leader more adaptable and creative. Being a learner helps in staying flexible, handling challenges with ease, and being kind to oneself during tough situations or setbacks.
Lesson 2: Operate in the grey
Emily Venizelos understands that HR isn’t always black and white. Great people leaders know when to flex the rules with care and empathy. It’s about making thoughtful decisions that fit each unique situation, even if it means going beyond what’s legally required. This approach puts people first and helps build a truly supportive and effective workplace culture.
We have a dedicated ‘Open Letter’ section that features advice from industry leaders. What would your message be to the next generation of talent leaders and CHROs entering the industry today?
In today’s evolving workplace, HR leaders must act as strategic partners to truly support business growth. Here’s what sets them apart:
- A strong HR partner understands the business inside out—its challenges, finances, and opportunities—to offer meaningful support.
- Great leaders embrace trial and error, learning from failure, and know when to innovate, adapt, or change direction.
Employee Retention Reaches Record 85% in 2024
Driven by a strong commitment to its people-first philosophy, 72andSunny has seen tangible results that reflect business success and employee well-being. In recent years, the company has introduced thoughtful policies and benefits that support talent at every stage of life and career.
Some of the key highlights include:
- 30% revenue growth in 2024 YoY: A direct result of aligning strong talent strategy with business outcomes.
- Record-high 85% retention rate in 2024: Reflects a supportive, engaging work environment that keeps talent invested.
- 26 returning “boomerang” employees: Former team members rejoining highlights the lasting strength of company culture.
- 147 employees have used birthing/non-birthing leave since 2012: The policy has evolved five times to meet diverse parenting needs.
- Launched Employee Hardship Fund in 2024: Supports staff during personal crises and federally declared disasters.
- Achieved Fair Pay Certification by Syndio in 2024: Reinforces a commitment to equitable compensation.
- Progressive benefits: Includes support for IVF and egg freezing, 6 weeks of paid reproductive loss leave, and 12 weeks of caregiver leave.
These points highlight how 72andSunny blends people-focused policies with business growth, creating a workplace where talent thrives and results follow.
Emily Venizelos’s 5 Powerful Business Mantras
- People-First Strategy Fuels Growth: Support the whole person—professionally and personally—and business success will follow.
- Be a Learner, Not an Expert: Curiosity, flexibility, and experimentation are more valuable than rigid expertise.
- Lead with Care and Possibility: Empathy, adaptability, and belief in potential create cultures where people thrive.
- Build Tools that Empower People: Smart systems and scalable solutions help talent grow and stay aligned.
- Embrace Change to Stay Human: Continuous innovation and human-centered leadership keep companies resilient and relevant.
