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Bea Bouras on Making AI Part of Every HR Workflow
About this episode
Transcript
In this episode of the Future Proof HR podcast, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Bea Bouras, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Newity, to talk about what it takes to make AI part of daily HR work, not just a product or engineering initiative.
Bea shares how Newity moved from early AI experimentation to a broader push for adoption across the workforce. She explains why leadership buy-in, curiosity, tool access, and cross-functional learning all matter when an organization wants AI to become part of how people actually work.
The conversation also looks at the HR function itself. Bea talks about using AI to connect HR data across systems, prepare for performance and recruiting conversations, improve decision-making, and automate work that keeps HR teams away from higher-value human interactions.
Her message for HR leaders is direct: sitting out AI adoption is not a neutral choice. If HR wants to lead change, support the business, and future-proof the function, HR professionals need enough fluency to redesign workflows, guide new tools, and use AI as part of their own development.
Topics Discussed:
How Bea's experience as a small business owner shaped her approach to HR
Why HR decisions need to tie back to business impact
How Newity's work with small businesses influenced its need for a dynamic organization
Why AI adoption at Newity moved from product use cases to workforce-wide enablement
How executive buy-in changed the pace of AI adoption
Why curiosity matters more than simply giving everyone an AI license
How Newity is using internal programs like "What Else Can AI Do?" to spark adoption
How HR can use AI to connect performance, payroll, hiring, and knowledge-base data
Why AI can help HR professionals prepare for better human conversations
What HR should automate and what should remain relationship-led
Why AI fluency may become a key expectation for HR talent
How customized AI tools could reshape internal workflows across the business
If you are an HR leader trying to move your organization from AI interest to real adoption, this episode offers a practical look at the culture, leadership, and workflow changes that help AI become useful in day-to-day work.
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About the guest
Bea Bouras
Bea Bouras serves as the SVP of Human Resources at NEWITY, a Chicago‑based fintech dedicated to empowering small businesses by connecting entrepreneurs with essential capital. With more than a decade of HR leadership experience and an Executive Master’s in Human Capital Management from Cornell University, Bea brings a strategic, people‑first approach to building high‑performing organizations.
Believing that organizational excellence and technological advancement must evolve together, Bea champions NEWITY’s commitment to fostering a culture of AI enablement and innovation. This includes leading initiatives that spark dialogue, build awareness, and inspire curiosity around AI tools in the workplace.
Bea Bouras serves as the SVP of Human Resources at NEWITY, a Chicago‑based fintech dedicated to empowering small businesses by connecting entrepreneurs with essential capital. With more than a decade of HR leadership experience and an Executive Master’s in Human Capital Management from Cornell University, Bea brings a strategic, people‑first approach to building high‑performing organizations.
Believing that organizational excellence and technological advancement must evolve together, Bea champions NEWITY’s commitment to fostering a culture of AI enablement and innovation. This includes leading initiatives that spark dialogue, build awareness, and inspire curiosity around AI tools in the workplace.
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The leading podcast for the future of HR
The leading podcast for the future of HR
The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Apply below to be considered as a guest on the show.
The future of HR is being shaped by real operators doing the work.
If you’ve led change, navigated challenges, or learned valuable lessons in people operations, we’d love to hear your perspective.
Apply below to be considered as a guest on the show.