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

In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Diana Alvis, VP of HR at Crown Capital MGMT, to discuss what it actually takes to future-proof HR beyond tools, hype, and fear. With more than 20 years of experience across retail, public sector, healthcare, immigration law, and construction, Diana brings a grounded, operator-first perspective on learning, judgment, and using AI responsibly to raise the quality of HR work.

Diana shares how HR fundamentals translate across industries, why continuous learning is the real career advantage, and how AI can remove friction from daily workflows without replacing human judgment. She explains how she uses AI for job descriptions, bilingual communication, research, documentation, training design, and recruiting support, while drawing clear boundaries around confidentiality, governance, and what should never be automated.

Throughout the conversation, Diana breaks down how she enables managers to be more self-sufficient, why communication is the most important skill for both humans and AI, and when live, human-led training matters more than efficiency. She also challenges assumptions about degrees in HR, discusses the balance of responsibility between HR and management, and explains how AI raises the floor rather than replacing roles.

Topics Discussed:

• Why HR skills are transferable across industries
• The importance of a learning mindset in adapting to AI and change
• How AI increases productivity in everyday HR workflows
• Clear governance boundaries and protecting confidential information
• Using AI for job descriptions, bilingual communication, research, and documentation
• Manager enablement and why managers should own people decisions
• Communication is the most critical future-proof skill
• Human-led training versus passive, automated learning
• Why AI raises the floor instead of replacing HR or recruiting roles
• How HR teams can adopt AI at their own pace without fear

If you’re an HR leader, operator, or manager navigating AI adoption while staying grounded in judgment, communication, and human connection, this episode offers practical insight, real-world examples, and a clear philosophy for building an HR function that lasts.

Additional Resources:

• Cleary’s AI-powered HR Chatbot
• Future Proof HR Community
• Connect with Diana Alvis on LinkedIn