Kelly Byrnes on Culture, Courage, and the Leadership Lessons That Still Matter in the Age of AI

Kelly Byrnes (see her bio below) has built a career helping leaders strengthen organizations from the inside out. As the Founder and CEO of Voyage Consulting Group—and a former Chief Talent Officer, professor, and author—she’s spent decades guiding executives through the intersections of culture, leadership, and change.

In this conversation, Kelly shares:

• The surprising lessons she learned from her improv training in Chicago (and how it helps in the boardroom).

• Why the best leaders still send handwritten notes and how authentic connection drives business success.

• How her early days at Sprint (T-Mobile) shaped her passion for culture and leadership.

• Why companies can’t “buy” culture with perks and technology, it has to be built intentionally.

• Her take on AI’s role in leadership, teaching, and the future of work.

From stories about making cookies for coworkers at 2 a.m. to helping executives uncover what’s really driving (or derailing) performance, Kelly blends warmth, wisdom, and wit. She reminds us that culture isn’t an initiative; it’s the outcome of how people treat each other every day.

 

This episode is brought to you by... Ever wish your company updates could be less "quarterly earnings report" and more "late-night talk show"? At Pelaccio & Partners, we're revolutionizing internal communications with podcasts that employees actually want to listen to. Imagine podcast episodes that make your employees laugh while staying informed. Our founder, Jeff Pelaccio, doesn't just create podcasts; he creates conversations that break through the noise. Whether you're a growing startup or a massive corporation, we turn your company's story into audio gold. Leadership becomes human. Remote teams feel connected. Your message cuts through the clutter. Jeff is happy to share his insights on improving your culture, increasing employee engagement, and retention. You can contact him via LinkedIn or schedule a Zoom call via this link - 15-minute call with Jeff.

 

About Kelly: Kelly Byrnes is the Founder and CEO of Voyage Consulting Group, helping leaders strengthen their organizations through culture and talent strategy. A former Chief Talent Officer and MBA professor at Rockhurst University, she's advised 75+ organizations and coached 200+ executives. Kelly co-founded Culture Matters, hosts the Leadership Book of the Month broadcast, and recently released The Basics of Gen AI: The Essential Guide for Business Leaders and Professionals. Her work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. She was named one of the region's Most Influential Women and inducted into the Kansas City Business Hall of Fame.