In this From the Vault episode of Success Leaves Clues, hosts Robin and Al sit down with Jenny do Forno, Chief People Officer at TouchBistro, to explore how curiosity, courage, and authenticity define modern leadership.
Jenny shares her inspiring journey from executive search to startup builder to venture advisor, offering hard-won lessons from 25 years of helping founders scale with purpose. As someone who’s helped launch companies from napkin sketches to successful exits, she reveals what makes great leaders, why culture must be built early, and how authenticity and communication can transform a business from the inside out.
Together, they unpack the emotional highs and lows of startup life, how to lead through uncertainty, and the importance of saying “yes” to growth even when you’re not fully ready.
You’ll hear about:
- Curiosity as a compass: How following her questions, not a plan, shaped Jenny’s 25-year career in people and culture.
- The courage to say yes: Why leaning into challenge matters more than waiting until you’re “ready.”
- The founder’s formula: What separates successful startup teams from the rest and how self-awareness plays a vital role.
- The human side of scaling: Why alignment, communication, and connection are every company’s secret weapons.
- Hiring with intention: How early people strategy can accelerate growth and prevent culture debt.
- Ego vs. conviction: How great founders balance strong beliefs with humility and collaboration.
- Authentic leadership: Why clarity is kindness and being yourself is the real competitive advantage.
- The future of workplace wellness: How benefits, belonging, and flexibility will shape the next era of people strategy.
- Mentorship and legacy: How sharing wisdom and lifting others creates lasting ripple effects in leadership.
We talk about:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 03:00 The accidental path into people and culture
- 06:00 Learning to say yes and leading with curiosity
- 09:00 Lessons from building Nest Wealth from scratch
- 12:00 From venture capital to TouchBistro: redefining success
- 15:00 The patterns that define great founders and teams
- 18:00 Why startups should invest in people and culture early
- 23:00 How HR shapes growth and alignment
- 28:00 The role of communication in scaling companies
- 33:00 Ego, conviction, and collaboration in leadership
- 37:00 Authenticity and the importance of showing up as yourself
- 44:00 Rethinking benefits and wellness for a modern workforce
- 49:00 How strong cultures drive belonging and retention
- 50:00 Legacy and impact: mentoring future founders
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