Back to All Episodes
The HR Revolution: Data, Storytelling, and Breaking the Old Playbook
About this episode
Transcript
About this episode
In this episode of Future Proof HR, Craig Haydamack, CHRO at USIC, joins Thomas Kunjappu to break down the power of HR analytics in shaping workforce strategies and influencing executive decision-making.
With a background spanning finance, IT, and HR, Craig shares how HR professionals can leverage data, tell compelling stories, and align HR initiatives with business goals. He explains how HR teams can move beyond gut feelings and use metrics, benchmarks, and financial storytelling to prove the business impact of their work.
Craig also discusses the evolution of HR analytics, how AI is accelerating data-driven HR, and why HR leaders need to speak the language of the C-suite to drive real change.
Topics Discussed:
Craig’s career journey from finance and IT to CHRO
How HR analytics can drive strategic decision-making
The role of data storytelling in securing executive buy-in
Why HR teams should adopt financial and operational mindsets
The importance of external benchmarks in workforce planning
How AI and automation are transforming HR analytics
Listen in to learn how HR leaders can harness data to shape the future of work and make HR a true business driver.
Additional Resources:

Subscribe for the latest updates and insights on future-proofing HR.
About the guest

Craig Haydamack
Craig Haydamack is a seasoned HR executive with over 19 years of experience leading human resources strategy, talent management, and operational excellence for global organizations. As Chief Human Resources Officer at USIC, he drives HR strategy, talent acquisition, and workforce optimization to support the company’s business goals and long-term growth.
Previously, Craig served as SVP & CHRO at Milliken & Company, where he led global HR operations, talent development, and organizational health initiatives. Prior to that, he spent nearly a decade at Intel Corporation, overseeing global talent acquisition, HR transformation, and business operations. His background also includes leadership roles in IT operations and financial services, giving him a unique blend of HR, business, and strategic planning expertise.
Craig Haydamack is a seasoned HR executive with over 19 years of experience leading human resources strategy, talent management, and operational excellence for global organizations. As Chief Human Resources Officer at USIC, he drives HR strategy, talent acquisition, and workforce optimization to support the company’s business goals and long-term growth.
Previously, Craig served as SVP & CHRO at Milliken & Company, where he led global HR operations, talent development, and organizational health initiatives. Prior to that, he spent nearly a decade at Intel Corporation, overseeing global talent acquisition, HR transformation, and business operations. His background also includes leadership roles in IT operations and financial services, giving him a unique blend of HR, business, and strategic planning expertise.
Future Proof HR Podcast

Future-Proof from Day One: Vulnerability, Vision, and Leading HR Through Transformation
Listen to the Episode

The New Shape of HR: AI, Shared Services, and the Human Element
Listen to the Episode

The Plus-Shaped Leader: Leading at the Intersection of Law, Business, and HR
Listen to the Episode

Beyond Survival Mode: How HR Brought Wellness + AI to Manufacturing
Listen to the Episode

HR in the Age of AI: Leadership, Talent, and the New Rules of Work
Listen to the Episode

AI That Elevates People: Building Strategy, Guardrails, and Momentum
Listen to the Episode

The Strategic Pivot: Navigating HR Layoffs, Brand Perception, and the AI Frontier
Listen to the Episode

Trust Is the Strategy: Transparency During Reorgs, M&A, and AI Shifts
Listen to the Episode

Revenue, Risk, and Remote Truth: Future-Proofing Talent Acquisition
Listen to the Episode

The 24-Month Head Start: Rethinking People, CX, and Capacity with AI
Listen to the Episode

Human First, AI Powered: How One Company Scaled Without Replacing People
Listen to the Episode

People + Strategy: Coaching the System, Not Just the Leaders
Listen to the Episode

Beyond the Seat at the Table: Claiming Authority through Cost Savings and Psychological Trust
Listen to the Episode

Human Connection Is the Product: Why This HR Leader Won’t Let AI Touch the Core
Listen to the Episode

Judgment Over Tools: Leading HR Through the AI Noise
Listen to the Episode

From Service to Predictive: How HR Leads AI as Business Strategy
Listen to the Episode

Future-Proofing HR in a High-Risk Industry: Lessons from the Power Grid
Listen to the Episode

Future-Proof HR Isn’t About Tools: Learning, Judgment, and Communication
Listen to the Episode

People First, AI Forward: Rethinking HR for a Faster, Smarter Future
Listen to the Episode

Learning, Thinking, Adapting: The Human Skills That Keep HR Evolving
Listen to the Episode

The Business Athletes: How HR Leaders Bring AI to Life Without the Hype
Listen to the Episode

Co-Creating AI-Ready, Truly Human Workplaces: HR as Strategic Partner, Connector, and Humanist
Listen to the Episode

AI in the Middle, Humans in the Lead: Inside a Lean, Analytics-Driven, Disaster-Tested HR Function
Listen to the Episode

Led by Curiosity: From Accidental HR to Building the Company’s GPT
Listen to the Episode

Future of HR and AI: The Mindset and Skills You Need Now
Listen to the Episode

Reinventing HR: Courage, Curiosity, and the AI-Ready Workforce
Listen to the Episode

Human at the Core: How HR and AI Drive Care, Culture, and Change
Listen to the Episode

Spreadsheets, Stories, and Strategy: What Moves HR Forward with AI
Listen to the Episode

HR’s New Era: Leading with Data, Empathy, and AI
Listen to the Episode

Stay Curious, Get Creative, Build What’s Next: The Future Proof HR Mindset
Listen to the Episode

More Human Than Ever: How HR Can Redefine Work Through Adaptability and AI
Listen to the Episode

How HR Evolved: From Paperwork to Partnership
Listen to the Episode

Building an AI-First Culture: Embedding AI in the Rhythm of Work
Listen to the Episode

Beyond Automation: How HR Balances Speed, Trust, and the Human Touch
Listen to the Episode

The Wild West of HR Tech: Compliance, AI, and Employee Trust
Listen to the Episode

AI at Work: 7 Takeaways from OpenAI’s ChatGPT Study for HR Leaders
Listen to the Episode

Small Sessions, Big Shift: How L&D Scales AI Habits
Listen to the Episode

The People-First Pivot: From Post-Merger Chaos to a Great Place to Work
Listen to the Episode

From Chaos to Strategy: How HR Shapes Adaptive, AI-Ready Organizations
Listen to the Episode

HR in the Shadows: The Struggles and Future No One Talks About
Listen to the Episode

The Divide Is Real: Why Some HR Teams Embrace AI Change and Others Stay Stuck
Listen to the Episode

HR’s AI Reality Check: Risk, Fear, and the Case for Human Judgment
Listen to the Episode

The Adaptability Imperative: Redesigning Work and Leading Through AI Disruption
Listen to the Episode

The AI Anxiety Antidote: How HR Can Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity
Listen to the Episode

Breaking The Fear Barrier: How HR Can Lead the AI Revolution
Listen to the Episode

HR Across Decades and Industries: Building Trust, Leveraging AI, and Leading Tomorrow’s Workforce
Listen to the Episode

Distrupt The Process, Not The People: Building Human-Centered HR with AI
Listen to the Episode

HR Under Pressure: What Small Teams Can Teach Us About the Future
Listen to the Episode

Full Contact HR: Driving Growth, Owning Outcomes, Leading Change
Listen to the Episode

Crack the Hatch, Bring a Chair, Know the Numbers: HR That Wins
Listen to the Episode

Next-Gen HR: Data-Led, Human-Centered, Future-Ready
Listen to the Episode

From HR to Business Powerhouse: Scaling for What’s Next
Listen to the Episode

Building a Future-Ready HR: Leadership, Strategy, and People Impact
Listen to the Episode

Driving HR Forward: Leadership, Strategy, and the Future of Work
Listen to the Episode
Future Proof HR Podcast

Future-Proof from Day One: Vulnerability, Vision, and Leading HR Through Transformation
Listen to the Episode

The New Shape of HR: AI, Shared Services, and the Human Element
Listen to the Episode

The Plus-Shaped Leader: Leading at the Intersection of Law, Business, and HR
Listen to the Episode

Beyond Survival Mode: How HR Brought Wellness + AI to Manufacturing
Listen to the Episode

HR in the Age of AI: Leadership, Talent, and the New Rules of Work
Listen to the Episode

AI That Elevates People: Building Strategy, Guardrails, and Momentum
Listen to the Episode

The Strategic Pivot: Navigating HR Layoffs, Brand Perception, and the AI Frontier
Listen to the Episode

Trust Is the Strategy: Transparency During Reorgs, M&A, and AI Shifts
Listen to the Episode

Revenue, Risk, and Remote Truth: Future-Proofing Talent Acquisition
Listen to the Episode

The 24-Month Head Start: Rethinking People, CX, and Capacity with AI
Listen to the Episode

Human First, AI Powered: How One Company Scaled Without Replacing People
Listen to the Episode

People + Strategy: Coaching the System, Not Just the Leaders
Listen to the Episode

Beyond the Seat at the Table: Claiming Authority through Cost Savings and Psychological Trust
Listen to the Episode

Human Connection Is the Product: Why This HR Leader Won’t Let AI Touch the Core
Listen to the Episode

Judgment Over Tools: Leading HR Through the AI Noise
Listen to the Episode

From Service to Predictive: How HR Leads AI as Business Strategy
Listen to the Episode

Future-Proofing HR in a High-Risk Industry: Lessons from the Power Grid
Listen to the Episode

Future-Proof HR Isn’t About Tools: Learning, Judgment, and Communication
Listen to the Episode

People First, AI Forward: Rethinking HR for a Faster, Smarter Future
Listen to the Episode

Learning, Thinking, Adapting: The Human Skills That Keep HR Evolving
Listen to the Episode

The Business Athletes: How HR Leaders Bring AI to Life Without the Hype
Listen to the Episode

Co-Creating AI-Ready, Truly Human Workplaces: HR as Strategic Partner, Connector, and Humanist
Listen to the Episode

AI in the Middle, Humans in the Lead: Inside a Lean, Analytics-Driven, Disaster-Tested HR Function
Listen to the Episode

Led by Curiosity: From Accidental HR to Building the Company’s GPT
Listen to the Episode

Future of HR and AI: The Mindset and Skills You Need Now
Listen to the Episode

Reinventing HR: Courage, Curiosity, and the AI-Ready Workforce
Listen to the Episode

Human at the Core: How HR and AI Drive Care, Culture, and Change
Listen to the Episode

Spreadsheets, Stories, and Strategy: What Moves HR Forward with AI
Listen to the Episode

HR’s New Era: Leading with Data, Empathy, and AI
Listen to the Episode

Stay Curious, Get Creative, Build What’s Next: The Future Proof HR Mindset
Listen to the Episode

More Human Than Ever: How HR Can Redefine Work Through Adaptability and AI
Listen to the Episode

How HR Evolved: From Paperwork to Partnership
Listen to the Episode

Building an AI-First Culture: Embedding AI in the Rhythm of Work
Listen to the Episode

Beyond Automation: How HR Balances Speed, Trust, and the Human Touch
Listen to the Episode

The Wild West of HR Tech: Compliance, AI, and Employee Trust
Listen to the Episode

AI at Work: 7 Takeaways from OpenAI’s ChatGPT Study for HR Leaders
Listen to the Episode

Small Sessions, Big Shift: How L&D Scales AI Habits
Listen to the Episode

The People-First Pivot: From Post-Merger Chaos to a Great Place to Work
Listen to the Episode

From Chaos to Strategy: How HR Shapes Adaptive, AI-Ready Organizations
Listen to the Episode

HR in the Shadows: The Struggles and Future No One Talks About
Listen to the Episode

The Divide Is Real: Why Some HR Teams Embrace AI Change and Others Stay Stuck
Listen to the Episode

HR’s AI Reality Check: Risk, Fear, and the Case for Human Judgment
Listen to the Episode

The Adaptability Imperative: Redesigning Work and Leading Through AI Disruption
Listen to the Episode

The AI Anxiety Antidote: How HR Can Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity
Listen to the Episode

Breaking The Fear Barrier: How HR Can Lead the AI Revolution
Listen to the Episode

HR Across Decades and Industries: Building Trust, Leveraging AI, and Leading Tomorrow’s Workforce
Listen to the Episode

Distrupt The Process, Not The People: Building Human-Centered HR with AI
Listen to the Episode

HR Under Pressure: What Small Teams Can Teach Us About the Future
Listen to the Episode

Full Contact HR: Driving Growth, Owning Outcomes, Leading Change
Listen to the Episode

Crack the Hatch, Bring a Chair, Know the Numbers: HR That Wins
Listen to the Episode

Next-Gen HR: Data-Led, Human-Centered, Future-Ready
Listen to the Episode

From HR to Business Powerhouse: Scaling for What’s Next
Listen to the Episode

Building a Future-Ready HR: Leadership, Strategy, and People Impact
Listen to the Episode

Driving HR Forward: Leadership, Strategy, and the Future of Work
Listen to the Episode
Future Proof HR Podcast

Future-Proof from Day One: Vulnerability, Vision, and Leading HR Through Transformation
Listen to the Episode

The New Shape of HR: AI, Shared Services, and the Human Element
Listen to the Episode

The Plus-Shaped Leader: Leading at the Intersection of Law, Business, and HR
Listen to the Episode

Beyond Survival Mode: How HR Brought Wellness + AI to Manufacturing
Listen to the Episode

HR in the Age of AI: Leadership, Talent, and the New Rules of Work
Listen to the Episode

AI That Elevates People: Building Strategy, Guardrails, and Momentum
Listen to the Episode

The Strategic Pivot: Navigating HR Layoffs, Brand Perception, and the AI Frontier
Listen to the Episode

Trust Is the Strategy: Transparency During Reorgs, M&A, and AI Shifts
Listen to the Episode

Revenue, Risk, and Remote Truth: Future-Proofing Talent Acquisition
Listen to the Episode

The 24-Month Head Start: Rethinking People, CX, and Capacity with AI
Listen to the Episode

Human First, AI Powered: How One Company Scaled Without Replacing People
Listen to the Episode

People + Strategy: Coaching the System, Not Just the Leaders
Listen to the Episode

Beyond the Seat at the Table: Claiming Authority through Cost Savings and Psychological Trust
Listen to the Episode

Human Connection Is the Product: Why This HR Leader Won’t Let AI Touch the Core
Listen to the Episode

Judgment Over Tools: Leading HR Through the AI Noise
Listen to the Episode

From Service to Predictive: How HR Leads AI as Business Strategy
Listen to the Episode

Future-Proofing HR in a High-Risk Industry: Lessons from the Power Grid
Listen to the Episode

Future-Proof HR Isn’t About Tools: Learning, Judgment, and Communication
Listen to the Episode

People First, AI Forward: Rethinking HR for a Faster, Smarter Future
Listen to the Episode

Learning, Thinking, Adapting: The Human Skills That Keep HR Evolving
Listen to the Episode

The Business Athletes: How HR Leaders Bring AI to Life Without the Hype
Listen to the Episode

Co-Creating AI-Ready, Truly Human Workplaces: HR as Strategic Partner, Connector, and Humanist
Listen to the Episode

AI in the Middle, Humans in the Lead: Inside a Lean, Analytics-Driven, Disaster-Tested HR Function
Listen to the Episode

Led by Curiosity: From Accidental HR to Building the Company’s GPT
Listen to the Episode

Future of HR and AI: The Mindset and Skills You Need Now
Listen to the Episode

Reinventing HR: Courage, Curiosity, and the AI-Ready Workforce
Listen to the Episode

Human at the Core: How HR and AI Drive Care, Culture, and Change
Listen to the Episode

Spreadsheets, Stories, and Strategy: What Moves HR Forward with AI
Listen to the Episode

HR’s New Era: Leading with Data, Empathy, and AI
Listen to the Episode

Stay Curious, Get Creative, Build What’s Next: The Future Proof HR Mindset
Listen to the Episode

More Human Than Ever: How HR Can Redefine Work Through Adaptability and AI
Listen to the Episode

How HR Evolved: From Paperwork to Partnership
Listen to the Episode

Building an AI-First Culture: Embedding AI in the Rhythm of Work
Listen to the Episode

Beyond Automation: How HR Balances Speed, Trust, and the Human Touch
Listen to the Episode

The Wild West of HR Tech: Compliance, AI, and Employee Trust
Listen to the Episode

AI at Work: 7 Takeaways from OpenAI’s ChatGPT Study for HR Leaders
Listen to the Episode

Small Sessions, Big Shift: How L&D Scales AI Habits
Listen to the Episode

The People-First Pivot: From Post-Merger Chaos to a Great Place to Work
Listen to the Episode

From Chaos to Strategy: How HR Shapes Adaptive, AI-Ready Organizations
Listen to the Episode

HR in the Shadows: The Struggles and Future No One Talks About
Listen to the Episode

The Divide Is Real: Why Some HR Teams Embrace AI Change and Others Stay Stuck
Listen to the Episode

HR’s AI Reality Check: Risk, Fear, and the Case for Human Judgment
Listen to the Episode

The Adaptability Imperative: Redesigning Work and Leading Through AI Disruption
Listen to the Episode

The AI Anxiety Antidote: How HR Can Turn Uncertainty Into Opportunity
Listen to the Episode

Breaking The Fear Barrier: How HR Can Lead the AI Revolution
Listen to the Episode

HR Across Decades and Industries: Building Trust, Leveraging AI, and Leading Tomorrow’s Workforce
Listen to the Episode

Distrupt The Process, Not The People: Building Human-Centered HR with AI
Listen to the Episode

HR Under Pressure: What Small Teams Can Teach Us About the Future
Listen to the Episode

Full Contact HR: Driving Growth, Owning Outcomes, Leading Change
Listen to the Episode

Crack the Hatch, Bring a Chair, Know the Numbers: HR That Wins
Listen to the Episode

Next-Gen HR: Data-Led, Human-Centered, Future-Ready
Listen to the Episode

From HR to Business Powerhouse: Scaling for What’s Next
Listen to the Episode

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.