HR Across Decades and Industries: Building Trust, Leveraging AI, and Leading Tomorrow's Workforce

In this episode, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Donna Beasley, Vice President of Human Resources at Alumus, to talk about how HR can stay relevant, build trust with executives, and thoughtfully embrace AI without losing the human touch.

With decades of experience leading HR strategy across government, healthcare, and the private sector, Donna shares how her “3 Cs” framework- Customer Service, Compliance, and Collaboration helps HR teams drive value, gain executive buy-in, and future-proof the function.

Topics Discussed:

• Why HR must evolve from transactional to strategic business partner
• The "3 C's" framework for building executive trust and implementing programs
• How to lay a solid HR foundation with systematic compliance audits
• Using AI for job descriptions, policy research, and recruiting innovations
• Why being a "people person" isn't enough for modern HR success
• Creating a professional balance between empathy and tough decisions
• How HR can become more ingrained in organizations, not isolated
• Building employee engagement through recognition and connection platforms
• Mentoring the next generation of HR leaders for future challenges
• And more!

If you’re navigating change, scaling your HR team, or wondering how to use AI responsibly without compromising your people-first values, this conversation is for you.

Plus, don’t miss Donna’s recommended classic: “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale—an old-school but timeless guide to achieving success with intention.