HR Leaders

Anoop Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of SeekOut, brings deep expertise in AI and a notable career from academia to tech giant Microsoft. In this discussion, he highlights how AI is revolutionizing recruiting by automating repetitive tasks, allowing human recruiters to focus on strategy and relationships. Gupta emphasizes the need for CHROs to prepare for a future of AI-human collaboration and advocates for proactive experimentation with AI tools. He also explores the evolving role of recruiters as talent advisors and the critical nature of effective talent strategies for organizational success.

Guest Sam Schlimper, Managing Director at Randstad Enterprise, emphasizes how reimagining work around human potential is crucial, especially in the age of AI. She argues that joy and curiosity drive performance, and transformation must start with people rather than processes. AI should enhance creativity, not replace it, and leaders must rethink work norms and emerging talent roles. Sam shares techniques for aligning individual passions with meaningful work, advocating for a culture of continuous learning and unlearning to foster engagement and ethical AI integration.

Mark Lobosco, VP of Talent Solutions at LinkedIn, shares insights from his 17 years at the company. He unveils LinkedIn's AI-powered Hiring Assistant, emphasizing how it transforms recruiting by saving four hours per role and boosting candidate responses by 69%. Mark discusses the importance of AI fluency for recruiters in the coming years and addresses how trust and transparency have been pivotal in building this tool. He also highlights that HR leaders must adapt to evolving skills, with 70% expected to change by 2030.

Bryan Power, Head of People at Nextdoor, has a rich background in HR leadership at Google, Square, and Yahoo. In this discussion, he emphasizes the urgency for HR to lead AI adoption through Project NEIGHBOR, advocating for safe experimentation and collaboration. Bryan tackles the mental health crisis as a workplace injury and the complexities of hybrid work, stressing intentional in-person interactions. He predicts a future where AI personalizes employee experiences and warns against complacency in the face of rapid technological change.

Heidi Barnett, President of Talent Acquisition Solutions at iSolved, has a rich background in marketing and HR tech. She discusses the transformation AI brings to recruiting, emphasizing the shift from sourcing to screening. Resumes are becoming less relevant as skills-based hiring takes precedence. Heidi explains how AI can alleviate recruiter burnout and enhance candidate experiences, likening job ads to performance marketing. Lastly, she underscores the importance of designers focusing on human connections amidst automated processes.

Donnie Upshaw, Chief People Officer at Wingstop, shares insights on transforming hourly workers into leaders, revealing that 70% of GMs originated from those roles. He highlights the importance of the GM position in the company's culture and success. Upshaw discusses innovative learning methods like micro-learning and gamification, and how storytelling fosters connection among over 47,000 employees. He emphasizes community giving and a visible career ladder as keys to growth and engagement within the organization.

In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we speak with Elle Lebourg, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Hilti Group, about transforming TA to hire 55,000 people in six years while protecting culture and experience. Elle explains why classic change models fall short, how authentic communication sustains engagement, and why TA must adopt a product mindset. She shares how Hilti maps candidate journeys, balances global standards with local nuance, and keeps people, not tools, at the center of transformation.🎓 In this episode, Elle discusses:Using raw, authentic communication to build trust in transformationBalancing global standards with local cultural nuance in every marketRunning TA like a product team with journey mapping and key momentsWhy focusing on how people feel sustains change better than old modelsHiring 55,000 people in six years and what it takes to scale TA responsibly🙏‍ Thanks you to our series partner - Greenhouse.Get measurably better at hiring with smarter, more efficient solutions – powered by built-in AI: https://www.greenhouse.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

KeyAnna Schmiedl, Chief Human Experience Officer at Workhuman, dives into the evolving landscape of employee recognition. She discusses the importance of transforming recognition strategies to focus on personalization and immediate acknowledgment. KeyAnna highlights how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human connections in the workplace. Plus, she emphasizes why trust and authenticity are crucial in HR practices. A fun twist includes light banter about HR decor, illustrating the need for creativity even in serious corporate cultures.

Jon Caldwell, SVP & Chief People Officer at Valvoline Inc., discusses leading people strategy during rapid growth. He reveals how Valvoline has doubled its footprint while preserving its strong family culture. With 95% of managers coming from technician backgrounds, Jon emphasizes the importance of internal growth. He also highlights the significance of scalable HR processes and engaging traditions like the 'Oil Olympics' in boosting team spirit. Together, these elements create a data-driven culture that fuels both business expansion and employee success.

Cathy Peterman, Chief People Officer for Tech, Product & Design at Wayfair, shares her unique journey from studying international conflict resolution to leading HR transformations. She discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and why focusing on transferable skills is vital in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. With insights on balancing vulnerability and confidence, Cathy highlights how generative AI reshapes recruitment and employee growth. Her emphasis on resilience, curiosity, and critical thinking prepares leaders for the challenges of the AI-driven future.