About the Panel Discussion

Most organizations are experimenting with AI, but very few have a clear HR-first strategy that changes how work actually gets done. For CHROs, the real opportunity is not simply deploying more tools, but redesigning the HR operating model so AI, automation, and agents are built into core workflows, decisions, and service delivery.

This session will explore how leading HR teams are moving from scattered pilots to a coherent roadmap that unlocks capacity, improves execution, and supports business growth.

Discussion points

How to Set Your HR AI North Star: Align AI priorities to business outcomes, define success metrics, and focus investment where HR can create the most enterprise value.
How to Redesign HR for AI: Rework roles, workflows, and service delivery so AI handles repeatable work and HR teams spend more time on judgment, relationships, and strategic decisions.
How to Scale with Confidence: Build the governance, ownership, and adoption disciplines that turn AI from a pilot program into a trusted operating capability.

Speakers

Jon Couture, Managing Director & Chief HR Officer at Vanguard
Cathy Peterman, Chief People Officer, Tech, Product & Design at Wayfair
DJ Campbell, Chief HR Officer at Sanford Health
Patrick Fagan, Chief Talent / HR Officer at NYC Department of Education
Paul Rubenstein, Chief Evangelist at Visier
[Moderator] Carlo Steenvoorden, EVP HR Workforce Transformation, People Analytics and AI at KPN
[Event Chair] Chris Rainey, CEO & Co-Founder at HR Leaders

This panel is part of the 2026 Global Workforce Transformation Summit built to help HR Leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and control so you can turn AI opportunity and complexity into a competitive advantage.

Panel #1 Watch Here: The CHRO AI Playbook: Strategy, Structure, and Smarter Work
Panel #2 Watch Here: Before AI Can Scale: Fixing the Workforce Data Model Everyone Depends On
Panel #3 Watch Here: The CHRO-CIO Alliance: What the New Partnership Looks Like
Panel #4 Watch Here: From Platform Owner to Transformation Architect: The New Mandate for HR Tech Lead
Panel #5 Watch Here: Redesigning Work for the Human-AI Era: Who Does What, and How Do You Manage Both
Panel #6 Watch Here: Responsible AI in HR: Trust, Governance, and Context
Panel #7 Watch Here: Strategic Workforce Planning in the Age of AI: From Headcount to Capability