In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Jamie Rivero, HR Director at MYCO Mechanical, Inc., to explore what disciplined HR leadership looks like in a rapidly changing environment. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, retail, and construction, Jamie shares how HR leaders can navigate AI adoption and major system decisions without losing credibility or trust.

Jamie explains why moving too fast on AI and HR technology often creates more problems than it solves. She unpacks the importance of understanding the business before evaluating tools, pressure-testing vendor claims, and building ROI cases that connect time saved to real business outcomes rather than surface-level efficiency metrics.

The conversation also examines where AI can support HR teams and where human judgment must remain central. Jamie outlines how HR leaders can reduce low-value work with technology while protecting high-stakes decisions like hiring, performance management, and employee relations, offering a grounded view of what it takes to lead HR through ongoing change.

Topics Discussed:

1. Why HR leadership today requires judgment, not just tools
2. Slowing down AI adoption to avoid costly implementation mistakes
3. Evaluating HR technology through a true business lens
4. Building credible ROI cases that executives trust
5. Lessons learned from failed or delayed HR system implementations
6. Negotiating vendor contracts and protecting leverage during implementation
7. Where AI belongs in HR and where humans must stay in the loop
8. Preparing HR teams for continuous change without eroding trust

If you are an HR leader, people strategist, or executive navigating AI, HR technology, and constant change, this episode offers practical insight into how experienced HR leaders make decisions that stand the test of time.

Additional Resources:

1. Cleary’s AI-powered HR Chatbot
2. Future Proof HR Community
3. Connect with Jamie Rivero on LinkedIn

In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Jessica DeLorenzo, Chief Human Resources Officer at Kimball Electronics, to explore how HR leaders can guide AI adoption as a business transformation, not just a technology rollout. Drawing from her non-traditional path into HR and nearly a decade inside a global, low-margin manufacturing organization, Jessica shares how HR can move from reactive service delivery to predictive, value-adding leadership.

Jessica explains why she pushes back on the idea of having an “AI strategy” in isolation, and instead frames AI as an enabler of broader business strategy, from margin expansion and decision-making to workforce capability and meaningful work. She walks through how Kimball approaches AI adoption thoughtfully and selectively, balancing experimentation with governance, cost discipline, and real-world operational complexity.

This episode offers a grounded look at what it takes to lead AI change inside a complex, regulated manufacturing environment, where processes are imperfect, audits are real, and transformation must deliver value without eroding trust.

Topics Discussed:

1. Moving HR from service delivery to predictive, strategic leadership
2. Why AI strategy should be treated as a business strategy
3. Using AI as a teammate, not a replacement
4. Protecting the human in the loop during AI adoption
5. Lowering fear and resistance through play and experimentation
6. Building AI capability responsibly in low-margin organizations
7. Selective licensing, early adopters, and managing AI ROI
8. Safeguarding high-potential talent during experimentation
9. HR’s evolving role as a predictor, advisor, and change partner

If you’re an HR leader, people strategist, or executive navigating AI adoption inside a complex organization, this episode offers practical insight into how HR can lead transformation while keeping humans, trust, and long-term value at the center.

Additional Resources:

1. Cleary’s AI-powered HR Chatbot
2. Future Proof HR Community
3. Connect with Jessica DeLorenzo on LinkedIn

In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Amy Johnston, Head of People and Capability at Orion New Zealand Ltd., to explore what it really takes to future-proof HR inside a high-risk, highly regulated industry undergoing massive transformation. As electricity demand accelerates due to electrification, sustainability goals, and AI-driven data centers, Amy shares how HR plays a critical role in keeping people safe, workforces resilient, and organizations ready for what’s coming next.

Amy explains how Orion is using AI responsibly across People & Culture and operational teams, why HR became a “safe place to play” for AI experimentation, and how governance, privacy, and employee trust shape every deployment. She walks through real-world examples, from tier-zero automation that reduced employee service requests by 50%, to AI-assisted drone inspections that improve safety on the power network.

This episode offers a rare look at HR leadership where mistakes carry real-world consequences, and where future-proofing means balancing innovation, safety, dignity, and long-term workforce planning.

Topics Discussed:

• Why HR can be a safe starting point for AI adoption in high-risk industries
• AI governance, privacy, and employee communication in regulated environments
• Using AI to automate tier-zero HR support and reduce service demand
• Improving safety through AI-assisted inspections and operational workflows
• Workforce challenges driven by electrification and AI-related energy demand
• Retaining institutional knowledge through transition-to-retirement programs
• Treating retirees as paid alumni, coaches, and mentors
• Building diverse talent pipelines through STEM and early-career programs
• Industry-wide collaboration to solve shared workforce shortages
• What it truly means to future-proof HR when the lights have to stay on

If you’re an HR leader, people strategist, or operator working in a regulated, safety-critical, or infrastructure-heavy environment, this episode offers practical insight into how HR can lead through disruption without compromising trust, safety, or human connection.

Additional Resources:

• Future Proof HR Podcast
• Future Proof HR Community
• Connect with Amy Johnston on LinkedIn