Kelly Burlage, Chief Human Resources Officer, Lineage

In this episode of the Think Factory Podcast, Kelly Burlage, Chief Human Resources Officer at Lineage, discusses her career journey in HR, the evolution of talent management, and how organizations can prepare for a workforce increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Kelly shares how her experience during COVID became a pivotal moment in her career, motivating her to expand her knowledge across HR functions and pursue a leadership role where she could have greater ownership over major decisions. She also discusses how her approach to talent has evolved, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and understanding how AI can augment rather than replace human capabilities. Kelly explains why she believes leadership potential can be identified through qualities such as followership, ownership, humility, the ability to navigate ambiguity, and giving others credit for their contributions. She also explores how AI is changing recruiting and workforce planning, while emphasizing that human judgment should remain central to decisions involving people and careers. Looking ahead, Kelly expects organizations to move away from rigid job descriptions toward skills- and capabilities-based models, while managers and leaders become even more important for building trust, exercising judgment, and providing accountability. She encourages HR leaders to take the lead in shaping how AI is integrated into their organizations rather than allowing technology to dictate the future of work.