VALERIE CAPERS WORKMAN
Chief Talent Engagement Officer at Handshake
Former VP of People at Tesla
Expert on A.I. Leadership & The Future of Work
Valerie's work focuses on how generative A.I. is transforming the workplace, reshaping job roles, and creating new opportunities. She provides insights into thriving in an A.I.-driven world, offering strategies for adapting to the changing landscape while driving innovation and growth.
Valerie Capers Workman
Valerie Capers Workman is the Chief Talent Engagement Officer at Handshake, where she focuses on helping employers define and execute their talent acquisition strategies. She is an established thought leader on the future of work, having grown a global, world-class organization from 50K to 100K employees, and provides expertise and guidance on the imminent impact of Gen-A.I. on the global workforce – all while living her passion for democratizing access to opportunity for everyone, everywhere.
Handshake is the #1 place where early talent find their first job. Handshake’s community includes over 15 million students and young alumni worldwide from 1,500 educational institutions, including four-year colleges, community colleges, boot camps, and 300+ minority-serving institutions. The platform connects up-and-coming talent with 900,000+ employers - from Fortune 500 companies to thousands of public school districts, healthcare systems, nonprofits, and more.
Prior to joining Handshake, Valerie served as the VP of People at Tesla, where she reported directly to the CEO. At Tesla, Valerie became known as "Tesla's Top Diversity Advocate” while leading all people functions and overseeing global growth from 50K to 100K employees.
Valerie is also the author of the Amazon Best Selling book Quantum Progression: The Art and Science of Career Advancement in the Age of A.I. Released in November 2023, her book has received five-star reviews from leaders globally, including Kim Scott, the New York Times best-selling author of Radical Candor who wrote, “This is a fantastic book by Valerie Capers Workman who is a great writer and a wonderful human being!”
Recently appointed to the Huston-Tillotson University Board of Trustees, Valerie has 20 years of executive leadership experience across a variety of sectors including tech, hospitality, audit and advisory and consumer packaged goods. Valerie received a B.S. in Communications from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Valerie is admitted to practice law in New York, Washington, DC and Texas and she is the 2024 Diversity Champion Award recipient bestowed by St. John’s University School of Law.
Valerie is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and Black Women On Boards.
Speech topics
The Future of Work Unleashed: Thriving in the Generative AI Era
Explore how generative AI is transforming the workplace, reshaping job roles, and creating new opportunities. This talk provides insights into thriving in an AI-driven world, offering strategies for adapting to the changing landscape while driving innovation and growth.
AI Leadership: Cultivating Essential Skills for Future Executives
The future of leadership is intertwined with AI. This talk identifies the critical skills that tomorrow's executives will need to lead effectively in an AI-driven world, from data literacy to ethical decision-making.
Quantum Progression: Navigating Career Advancement in the AI Revolution
Based on insights from the book Quantum Progression, this talk provides a roadmap for career advancement in the AI era. Learn how to stay ahead of the curve by embracing AI-driven tools and strategies for personal and professional growth.
Navigating Risks in AI-Driven Enterprises: Governance for the Future
As AI becomes integral to business operations, understanding and managing the associated risks is crucial. This talk focuses on governance frameworks that safeguard enterprises while enabling them to harness AI's full potential responsibly.
Talent Magnetism: Next-Gen Strategies for Competitive Talent Acquisition
Discover the latest strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in a highly competitive market. This session explores innovative approaches to talent acquisition, emphasizing the role of AI in identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Books
Quantum Progression: The Art & Science of Career Advancement in the Age of A.I.
Former VP, People at Tesla, Valerie Capers Workman recounts her career progression while detailing the methods she used to advance in her career in defiance of the archaic rung-by-rung, corporate ladder method of career mobility.