Welcome to our Transform Ambassador Spotlight Series, where we recognize inspiring individuals, such as Transform Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter Ambassador Spotlight Liliana Gibbs, who drive local impact as part of our global people-first leadership community. Through the Transform Ambassadorship Program, these leaders are championing innovation, strengthening connections, and shaping the future of people + work, in their local communities and across our global network.
About Our Transform Ambassador Liliana Gibbs
Liliana is a recognized AI leader with exceptional HR mastery, bringing over two decades of progressive experience in different industries. Combining multiple AI certifications with extensive HR credentials, including SHRM-CP, CCMP, and ODCP, she drives organizational transformation through innovative technology-powered strategies. Having worked across several countries, Liliana values diverse cultural perspectives and believes companies’ biggest asset is their people. She excels in talent acquisition, succession planning, and leveraging cutting-edge solutions to create inclusive workplace cultures. A native Spanish speaker, she champions servant leadership while maximizing human capital through transformational approaches.
Ambassador Journey
Transform: What are your experiences and motivations for becoming a Transform Ambassador?
Liliana: My motivation to become a Transform Ambassador stems from a deep belief in the power of community-driven learning. Throughout my career, I’ve discovered that the most meaningful transformations happen when professionals come together to share real-world insights and challenge conventional thinking.
What excites me most about this opportunity is the chance to help HR professionals embrace AI and emerging technologies with confidence rather than fear. I’ve seen too many talented professionals feel overwhelmed by rapid technological changes, and I want to be part of the solution that makes these transitions smoother and more accessible.
As an ambassador, I’m committed to fostering authentic conversations about both successes and failures in HR transformation. I believe in creating safe spaces where professionals can ask tough questions, share vulnerabilities, and learn from each other’s experiences – regardless of their technical background or industry.
My vision is to help build a community where innovation meets humanity. I want to contribute practical frameworks that help organizations adopt new tools while never losing sight of the human element that makes great workplaces thrive. Through Transform, I hope to inspire others to see technology as an enabler of better employee experiences, not a replacement for genuine human connection.
Ultimately, I see this role as an opportunity to pay forward the knowledge I’ve gained while continuing to learn from the incredible diversity of perspectives within the Transform community.
Leadership + Philosophy
Transform: How do you define great leadership in today’s world of work?
Liliana: Great leadership today requires a fundamental shift from commanding to cultivating. The most effective leaders embrace servant leadership principles – they see their role as removing barriers and empowering others to excel rather than being the central decision-maker. Today’s exceptional leaders demonstrate adaptability without losing core values, technological fluency combined with deep human insight, and the ability to create psychological safety in uncertain times.
Cultural intelligence has become non-negotiable in our global, hybrid work environment. Great leaders recognize that diverse perspectives are essential for innovation and resilience, actively seeking different viewpoints while creating inclusive spaces for meaningful contribution. Most importantly, they understand their success is measured not by personal achievements, but by how many people they’ve helped grow and how effectively they’ve prepared their organizations to thrive in an uncertain future.
Transform: What does “people-first” leadership mean to you personally?
Liliana: To me, “people-first” leadership means genuinely believing that every person brings unique value that technology can amplify, not replace. It’s about making decisions by asking “How does this impact our people?” before considering metrics or processes. I’ve learned that while business strategies may vary, the fundamental human need to feel valued, heard, and empowered remains constant. People-first leadership means creating environments where individuals can bring their authentic selves to work and contribute meaningfully.
Practically, this philosophy drives me to implement solutions that enhance human potential rather than diminish it. When we introduced new HRIS systems, my focus wasn’t just on efficiency gains, but on how these tools could free our people from mundane tasks to engage in more strategic, fulfilling work. People-first leadership means having difficult conversations with empathy, celebrating diverse perspectives as strengths, and always remembering that behind every data point, policy decision, and strategic initiative are real people with families, dreams, and aspirations who deserve to thrive.
“The biggest challenge I see right now is the urgent
need for structured AI governance in HR.”
People + Work Lens
Transform: What trend, challenge, or idea in the workplace are you thinking about a lot right now?
Liliana: The biggest challenge I see right now is the urgent need for structured AI governance in HR. While many organizations are eager to adopt AI tools for recruitment, performance management, and employee experience, most lack the essential framework to guide these implementations responsibly. Without clear governance around data privacy, bias mitigation, decision transparency, and ethical use cases, companies risk undermining the very trust and inclusion they’re trying to build.
Every organization should either have a comprehensive AI governance strategy in place or be actively developing one. This isn’t just about compliance – it’s about ensuring that as we integrate AI into our people practices, we’re doing so in ways that enhance human potential while protecting employee rights and maintaining the integrity of our HR decisions.
Transform: How are you personally evolving as a leader in this moment?
Liliana: I’m learning to lead with more questions than answers, especially when it comes to AI implementation. My previous leadership style was built on having deep expertise and providing clear direction, but the pace of technological change means I’m often navigating uncharted territory alongside my team. This has pushed me to become more vulnerable as a leader – admitting when I don’t know something and creating space for collective learning rather than expecting myself to be the expert on everything.
The most significant shift has been learning to balance moving fast with moving thoughtfully. While there’s pressure to adopt AI tools quickly, I’m evolving into someone who consistently asks “What are the human implications?” before jumping into implementation. This means having harder conversations about bias, job displacement fears, and ethical considerations – topics that aren’t always comfortable but are essential for responsible leadership. I’m also discovering that my multicultural perspective is more valuable than ever in this global, technology-driven workplace. I’m evolving from someone who simply appreciates diversity to someone who actively leverages different cultural approaches to technology adoption and change management. Each perspective offers unique insights that make our solutions stronger and more inclusive.
Challenges + Curiosity
Transform: What’s a people-related belief or system you’d like to see completely reimagined?
Liliana: I’d love to see us completely reimagine the belief that human skills and AI capabilities are in competition with each other. Right now, too many organizations approach AI implementation with a scarcity mindset – either people do the work or technology does it. This creates unnecessary fear and resistance that slows down both technological adoption and human development.
Instead, I envision a system where we measure and develop what I call “collaborative intelligence” – how effectively humans and AI work together to achieve outcomes neither could reach alone. Rather than asking “Can AI do this job?” we should be asking “How can AI amplify this person’s unique strengths?” This shift requires completely rethinking job design, performance metrics, and development programs to focus on human-AI collaboration rather than replacement scenarios.
When we stop seeing technology as a threat to human value and start designing systems that intentionally amplify human potential, we create workplaces where people are excited about technological advances because they know it makes them more capable, not more vulnerable.
Quick Takes
Transform: What is one quote or mantra that inspires you?
Liliana: The future belongs to organizations that can harness technology to amplify human potential, not replace it.
Transform: What is a book, podcast, or tool you can recommend?
Liliana: “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck
“People-first leadership means having difficult conversations with
empathy and celebrating diverse perspectives as strengths.”
Final Thoughts
Transform: What would you say to someone considering joining Transform as a member or ambassador?
Liliana: If you’re tired of professional communities that feel more like echo chambers than learning environments, Transform is different. This isn’t a place where people just share polished success stories – it’s where real practitioners have honest conversations about what’s actually working, what isn’t, and what they’re figuring out along the way.
What sets Transform apart is the genuine commitment to practical application and global perspectives. You’ll connect with HR professionals from diverse industries and regions who understand both the excitement and challenges of our rapidly evolving field. Whether you’re tackling talent acquisition, organizational change, or employee experience initiatives, there’s immense value in learning from others who are doing this work right now.
For potential ambassadors, this role offers the chance to shape how our profession evolves globally. You’re not just joining a community; you’re helping build the infrastructure that supports HR professionals through transformation. If you believe in the power of shared learning and authentic connection, Transform gives you a platform to make that vision a reality.
Calling all global changemakers and community builders! If you are interested in making an impact in your area of the world, learn how you can be part of the Transform Global Community.