Meet the Mistress of Ceremonies for Running Remote 2025: Mindy Honcoop, a trailblazer in Agile HR and human-centered leadership. With over two decades of experience transforming teams and technology through empathy and innovation, Mindy brings unparalleled insight to the future of distributed work.
From Social Work to Strategic HR: Mindy’s Journey
Mindy Honcoop began her career in social work, where her passion for helping people laid the foundation for a human-centered approach to HR. She rose through roles at Microsoft and Expedia—where she led global HR operations in Switzerland—before shifting to startups and scaling companies. Now, as the founder of Agile in HR, she empowers leaders to build people-first, tech-enabled workplaces that thrive in a distributed world.
Key Takeaways from Mindy’s Philosophy for Remote Work Culture
With remote and hybrid teams on the rise, maintaining company culture is more important—and more challenging—than ever. Mindy advocates for a strategy rooted in intentionality, clarity, and connection. Here’s what that looks like:
- Clarity in Mission & Values – Ensuring alignment across distributed teams.
- Intentional Communication & Touchpoints – Regular check-ins, town halls, and informal virtual gatherings.
- Empowering Managers – Training leaders to reinforce culture in daily interactions.
- Technology as an Enabler – Using AI and automation to enhance—not replace—human connection.
🔥 Don’t-Miss Sessions on Remote Culture:
- Remote OG’s: Hard Teaching from 15+ Years Leading Remote Teams – A panel where seasoned remote leaders share practical lessons on building and sustaining a cohesive culture over time.
- How Hybrid Work Failures Will Sabotage AI Initiatives – With Brett Putter and Karine Olszowy, this session explores how neglecting hybrid work challenges can undermine cultural initiatives and technological investments.
Transforming Remote Onboarding: Mindy’s Framework
Successful remote onboarding goes beyond paperwork—it’s about setting new hires up for long-term success. Here’s what Mindy recommends:
- Preboarding Experiences – Interactive welcome videos and buddy systems.
- Structured Onboarding Plans (Beyond 30-60-90 – How long should it take for someone in this role to become fully functional and how do we measure that and communicate it?) – Ensuring clear expectations and milestones.
- Immersive Learning – Leveraging digital platforms for hands-on training.
- Community Building – Connecting new hires with cross-functional teams early.
- Creating Tailored Onboarding Experiences based on Employee Personas
- Onboarding is not just for external hires – it’s for anyone taking on a new role within the company.
🔥Sessions on Onboarding
For those looking to refine their remote onboarding approach, sessions like The Hidden Bottleneck: Why Remote Teams Struggle to Scale, (And How to Fix It Today) provide insights into overcoming common challenges in rapidly scaling distributed teams—which often include effective onboarding practices.
HR Tech + AI: Tools for a Human-Centered Future
Mindy’s HR tech predictions for 2025 and beyond are grounded in real-world impact:
- AI-powered Knowledge Management – Tools that streamline access to HR policies and procedures.
- Automated Onboarding & Training – Personalized learning experiences for remote employees.
- People Analytics for Distributed Teams – Data-driven insights to measure engagement and productivity.
- AI Chatbots & Self-Service HR – Enhancing employee experience while reducing HR workload.
🔥 Session on the confluence of technology and HR
Workshop: Empowering Your Workforce to Thrive with AI: Building Curious, Adaptable Teams During Rapid Change, which delves into practical strategies for integrating AI into HR functions.
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Your Guide to the Deep Dive Stage: Must-Attend Sessions
As the EMCEE at the Deep Dive Stage, Mindy will be guiding you through the most tactical and transformative content at Running Remote. Top sessions include:
- Enhancing Remote Work Environments: Insights from Jabra’s Workplace Sound Report – Focusing on how noise management and quality audio solutions can boost productivity and well-being.
Tue Apr 29 | 12:50
- Scaling Remote Teams: Building Collaboration, Efficiency, and Growth at Scale – With insights from Sahin Boydas (Head of Türkiye at Gusto) and Andy Tryba (CEO of Ionic Partners), this panel discusses strategies for maintaining cultural cohesion while expanding globally.
Tue Apr 29 | 15:30
- Workshop: A Research-Backed Strategic Framework for Enhancing Remote Work Engagement – Led by Dr. Adora Ikwuemesi, this session provides a data-driven approach to sustaining high engagement in remote teams.
Wed April 30 | 14:40
Expect actionable takeaways, real-world case studies, and candid discussions on the future of remote work.
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Explore Austin Like a Local — Mindy’s Top Picks
Austin is more than the venue—it’s part of the experience. Here are Mindy’s local faves for food, coffee, and downtime:
Best Coffee Spots for Remote Workers
☕ Greater Goods Coffee – Great ambiance and local roasts.
☕ Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden – A laid-back outdoor spot with great vibes.
Where to Eat & Network
🍽️ Terry Black’s BBQ – Iconic Austin barbecue for meat lovers.
🍽️ Veracruz All Natural – Some of the best tacos in town.
🍽️ Loro – A fusion of Asian smokehouse and Texas barbecue, perfect for group dining.
Outdoor & Music Experiences
🎶 The Mohawk – Live music in an intimate setting.
🌳 Zilker Park – A great place to unwind after a full day of sessions.
🚴 Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail – Ideal for a morning run or a relaxing walk.
Mindy looks forward to welcoming everyone to Austin and guiding them through an inspiring Running Remote 2025 experience!
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Join the Global Remote Work Movement
Running Remote 2025 isn’t just a conference—it’s a catalyst for change. You’ll join 350+ leaders from over 30 countries, representing every corner of the remote work revolution.
✅ 30+ sessions packed with real-world strategies
✅ 55+ speakers who’ve done the work
✅ 10+ hours of networking with top founders, HR leaders, and future-of-work pioneers
🎟️ Grab your ticket now and join Mindy in Austin this April: Register Now for Running Remote 2025
