In Episode 22, Brendan sits down with Lorna Utley, a leader whose career spans more than two decades at General Motors—including serving as Head of HR during some of the company’s most pivotal years. Lorna shares what it was like to work at one of the largest companies in the world during its heyday, where she helped shape workplace culture, policy, and people strategy for hundreds of thousands of employees.

She also reflects on her decade of leadership at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, where she served on the board before becoming CEO, leading major initiatives that strengthened the organization and the community.

This conversation blends insider stories from Detroit’s auto industry, powerful lessons on leadership, her passion for golf, and deeply personal insights on marriage and family—Lorna and her husband Jud have been married for 49 years, and her advice is some of the most heartfelt we’ve heard on the show.

In this episode, we cover:

• What it was really like to lead HR at GM during its most influential era
• How workplace policies evolved and the role Lorna played in shaping them
• Her journey from GM to leading Goodwill Greater Detroit
• Insights on leadership, culture, and developing people
• Her love for golf—including favorite courses around the world
• Her wisdom on marriage, relationships, and building a strong family life

🎙 The Enthusiastic Life Podcast

Hosted by Brendan Walsh
Produced by Ryan Dewan, Wave Media

📲 Instagram → @enthusiasticlifepod
 📲 Facebook → Enthusiastic Life Podcast

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all major platforms.