In this episode of HR Salon, Andrew welcomes Laura Azzarella, President of the Buffalo Niagara HR Association and a passionate advocate for the ethical and practical use of AI in HR. With over 15 years of experience implementing HR tech, Laura brings both excitement and caution to the conversation: how do we use these tools to empower people, not replace them?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why AI can’t be trusted blindly—and how “trust but verify” should become standard HR policy.
• How to use AI to amplify productivity, not automate away connection or confidentiality.
• Why tomorrow’s best organizations will hire for soft skills like resilience, curiosity, and empathy—and build the technical skills later.

This episode dives into the delicate balance between innovation and ethics, showing why the future of HR isn’t about choosing between technology and humanity—it’s about making them work better together.

Check out her content on Substack: https://substack.com/@appliedhr

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In this episode of HR.Salon, Andrew sits down with Alyssa Wrobel, Recruiting and Onboarding Specialist at Quality Vision International, to unpack what it really takes to hire and retain great people in 2026. From navigating layoffs and shifting candidate priorities to mastering the art of consistent employer branding, Alyssa shares practical insights from the frontlines of recruiting in a market that’s equal parts cautious and competitive.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why candidates crave growth and stability—and how to design roles that actually deliver both.
• How to use hiring tools without losing your human judgment, and the one story that proves data is never the full picture.
• The secret to standing out at job fairs and online: market your company like you’re recruiting future fans, not just employees.

As recruiters and HR teams adapt to a shrinking pipeline and changing workforce values, the winners will be those who stay creative, curious, and connected to what people truly want from work. It’s not just about filling roles—it’s about telling the right story, to the right people, at the right time.

In this episode of HR.Salon, Andrew reconnects with Melanie Russo, Workforce Innovation Partner at the Greater Rochester Chamber, for a powerful conversation about how communities can build the workforce of tomorrow. They explore what it means to truly prepare for growth in the New York Smart I-Corridor—a new semiconductor tech hub linking Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse—and why collaboration, creativity, and compassion will define the next era of work.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How public and private partnerships are reshaping workforce development to meet the demands of high-tech industries.
• Why businesses must adapt their hiring and retention strategies for the next generation of workers—and how to start doing it now.
• What it looks like when employers genuinely invest in their communities: from mentorship and education to addressing barriers like transportation, training, and poverty.

Melanie reminds us that workforce innovation is about people, not programs—and that success depends on shared effort and shared outcomes. Whether you’re an employer, educator, or community leader, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how collaboration can turn regional opportunity into lasting prosperity.

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