Episode Summary
What does it take to build an AI-native HR culture?
In this episode of HR Voices, host Emily Fenech sits down with Kate Kemp, Chief People Officer at Restaurant365 the platform powering operations for major brands like McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s.
With past HR leadership roles at DocuSign and Airbnb, Kate brings a wealth of experience in people strategy at high-growth tech companies.
Kate shares how she’s preparing her teams for 2026 and beyond, emphasizing AI adoption, continuous learning, and a culture of curiosity over fear.
From implementing department-specific AI champions to launching hackathons that encourage cross-functional collaboration, Kate’s approach blends empowerment, experimentation, and empathy.
Whether you're just starting to explore AI or leading transformation at scale, this episode offers practical strategies for fostering a resilient, forward-thinking HR function.
Timestamps
[00:45] – Meet Kate Kemp and her journey from Airbnb and DocuSign to Restaurant365
[02:45] – Why embracing rapid change is the new HR superpower
[04:42] – Building a growth mindset culture amid AI disruption
[06:37] – Gamifying AI learning: empowering teams to pitch tools and test ideas
[08:22] – Transforming recruiters into AI-savvy innovators
[10:40] – The Champions Council: Scaling AI adoption across departments
[12:45] – Designing “always-on” AI learning to avoid one-off training pitfalls
[14:43] – Advice for HR leaders feeling behind on AI: start small, stay curious
Takeaways
Foster a growth mindset by modeling curiosity and optimism around change
Create AI champions to decentralize innovation and build internal expertise
Encourage experimentation by inviting teams to test tools and pitch use cases
Gamify learning to make AI adoption engaging, not overwhelming
Build cross-functional alignment through collaborative forums and open dialogue
Normalize the learning curve—no one’s “behind” if they’re paying attention and staying open
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