Episode 50 - People by Design: Building Culture, Belonging & Business Success with Kassie Chapel

Building from the Inside Out: People, Culture & the Power of Belonging,

What if the most important thing we build isn’t a building at all, but the culture and people behind it?

In this episode of PowerHouse Cool Collabs, Wendy Cohen sits down with Kassie Chapel, Director of People & Culture and Head of HR at LG Group, for a thoughtful conversation about what it really takes to create a workplace where talented people can thrive.

Kassie’s journey has taken her from higher education and the world of design at Savannah College of Art and Design, to nearly a decade abroad, global learning and talent development, and ultimately to LG Group, where she now helps shape the people experience within the fast-moving worlds of development, design and construction.

Together, Wendy and Kassie explore why people and culture are not simply “HR” initiatives, they are business strategies.

Kassie shares powerful insights around recruiting versus retaining great talent, the critical role managers play in the employee experience, creating clarity around career growth and expectations, developing high-performance teams, and recognizing retention signals before great people walk out the door.

They also explore a fascinating idea: people design.

Just as extraordinary spaces are created with intention, so are extraordinary workplaces. The physical environment, leadership, communication, belonging and human experience all work together.

And at the heart of it all? Gratitude.

For Kassie, gratitude begins with mindfulness—being present enough to recognize the people around us, appreciate their talents and passions, and understand the impact we can have on one another every day.

Whether you're a builder, architect, designer, developer, business owner, HR leader or emerging professional, this conversation is a reminder that behind every successful project is something even more important:

People who feel seen, supported, challenged, connected and inspired to grow.