VALERIE CAPERS WORKMAN
VALERIE CAPERS WORKMAN
Chief Human Resources Officer for Empower Pharmacy
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 is a globally recognized expert at the intersection of AI, workforce transformation, and leadership strategy, with a career built on helping organizations scale responsibly while driving innovation and impact.
She currently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Empower Pharmacy, a healthcare disruptor revolutionizing access to affordable, high-quality medication solutions through innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution. In this role, she leads the design of AI-powered people strategies that help the company scale its mission while creating career pathways and economic opportunity for its workforce. At Empower, they are proving that healthcare innovation and affordable access to medicine can—and must—go hand in hand.
Throughout her career, Valerie has been drawn to organizations and opportunities where she could help build what doesn’t yet exist. At Tesla, she helped scale the workforce from 50,000 to over 100,000 employees, led global compliance, and launched groundbreaking programs that positioned people as the engine behind innovation. At Handshake, she served as Chief Talent Engagement Officer, advising CEOs, CHROs, and public sector leaders on how to harness AI and digital transformation to shape the future of work.
Across industries, Valerie has remained committed to one core belief: the organizations that will succeed in the next decade are those that can scale not just technology, but human potential.
Valerie's expertise includes:
✔ AI-powered workforce strategy
✔ Global talent acquisition and development
✔ Organizational transformation and scaling for hypergrowth
✔ Governance, compliance, and risk management
✔ Mission-driven leadership and social impact
Valerie is also the author of the best-selling book Quantum Progression: The Art and Science of Career Advancement in the Age of AI, and a sought-after speaker on the national and global stage. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Axios, and CNBC Make It. In 2024 alone, she was honored to present at SXSW, Forbes Power Women’s Summit, SHRM, Transform, UNLEASH World (Paris), and The Future Talent Council (Stockholm).
Valerie serves on the Board of Trustees for Huston-Tillotson University and the Advisory Board for Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She is also admitted to practice law in New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
Valerie's passion is helping organizations not only navigate change—but shape it. She believes the future of work must be inclusive, human-centered, and powered by technology that elevates humanity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.