AI, People Ops & Keeping the Human Touch in HR featuring Njon Sanders
About Your Host & Guest
Jay Polaki is the Founder and CEO of HR Geckos, bringing 25+ years of global experience transforming HR functions across diverse industries. Jay's mission is to automate HR processes while keeping the human touch — focusing on what matters most: people. A regular contributor to HR Brew, Forbes, and HRD, Jay hosts the HR Bytes podcast and leads the development of HRGeckoBot, HR Geckos' AI copilot for HR operations. Her goal? Make HR as agile as a gecko. 🦎
Njon Sanders is a seasoned People Operations leader with 15 years of progressive HR experience spanning talent management, DEI, Total Rewards, HRIS migrations, and benefits programs. From foundational roles in onboarding and compensation to strategic leadership as Head of People at Elroy Air, Njon has built inclusive, high-performance workplaces at organizations including Pilot.comand Elroy Air. He is passionate about the intersection of people-first strategy and practical HR innovation.
Episode Overview
In this episode, Jay and Njon dig into the real, day-to-day impact of AI and automation on the HR function — and why the best use of these tools is to give HR professionals more time for human connection, not less. They explore ATS blind spots, the fear factor around AI adoption, how to start small with LLMs, and why systemic DEI work still matters now more than ever.
What We Cover
- 🌀 Njon's non-traditional, spiral path from finance into people ops
- 🤖 How to use AI and LLMs as a strategic thought partner in HR
- ⏱️ Is prompt engineering actually saving HR teams time?
- 🤝 Keeping the "H" in HR while embracing automation
- 🔍 The hidden dangers of ATS over-automation in recruiting
- ⚠️ Why AI fear is leaving HR professionals behind — and how to close the gap
- 🧠 Practical advice for reskilling and staying relevant in the AI era
- 📚 Book recommendations, community builders, and a motivating playlist pick
Njon's Recommendations
🌟 Community Connection:
Timeka Green — Heyyy HR — A must-follow for anyone new to HR or looking to level up on certifications, leave administration, DEI, and company culture topics — all in a highly approachable format.
📚 HR Book Recommendation:
DEI Deconstructed and Reconstructing DEI — both by Lily Zheng. A powerful two-book series that breaks down systemic DEI into practical, actionable components and addresses how to navigate today's political pushback with integrity and purpose.
🎵 HR Playlist Pick for Gecko's Grooves:
Velha Infância by Tribalistas (Brazil) — Njon's go-to motivation track when self-doubt creeps in. The rhythm and repetition pull you forward. 🎶 Listen on Spotify
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