HR Fresh Take · 2026-07-14 · 22 min
AI may be the buzzword, but people are still the heartbeat of work. In Part 2 of HR Fresh Take’s special series, The Future of HR: Beyond Tech, recorded live at the Philly SHRM Symposium, host Dr. Jo Vazquez continues the conversation on what modern HR requires in a workplace evolving at rapid speed. This episode looks beyond technology to examine how HR professionals can lead with strategy, empathy, courage, and a people-first mindset. Dr. Jo is joined by Gregory Offner, keynote speaker and author of The Tip Jar Culture; Dr. Anna Thomas, founder of Workplaces That Care; Christopher Reidenauer, CEO of Inspired 2 Results; and Catherine Priem, Senior HR business partner at Baker Tilly and past president of Philly SHRM. Together, they discuss the role of HR in balancing productivity with humanity, using AI responsibly, supporting employee wellbeing, strengthening workplace culture, and helping people grow through meaningful work. Listeners will hear practical perspectives on why modern HR is not defined by tools alone, but by the ability to build trust, steward culture, create space for connection, and advocate for the people who power every organization.
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