In this episode, Thomas Kunjappu sits down with L. David Kingsley (LDK), Chief People Officer at Illumio, to talk about what it really takes for HR to operate like a business partner—not a back-office function. Drawing on experience from Accenture to the Navy Reserve to scaling global orgs, LDK breaks down how HR teams can earn their place at the table through authenticity, numeracy, and a relentless focus on enabling the business.

Topics Discussed:

• Why HR needs to think like consultants—and act like owners
• The “value continuum” from necessary evil to trusted advisor
• What makes a people team M&A-ready (or not)
• How AI, belonging, and metrics shape the future of HR
• And more!

If you're leading a people team or want to, this one’s for you.