Teams by Intent Ep 3: Workforce Leaders on AI, Talent, and Change

What happens when workforce strategy becomes bigger than hiring?

In Episode 3 of Teams by Intent, host James Krouse takes listeners inside the conversations happening at ProcureCon Contingent Staffing 2026, where workforce leaders from global organizations gathered to discuss the trends reshaping how work gets done.

Through a series of interviews with leaders from organizations including EY, Marsh, and Thales, the episode explores how workforce strategy is evolving beyond traditional recruiting and staffing models. As organizations balance full-time employees, contingent talent, outsourced services, apprenticeships, and AI-enabled workflows, leaders are increasingly focused on one question: what is the right combination of resources needed to achieve business goals?

The discussion examines the growing role of AI in workforce planning, not as a standalone solution, but as one component of a broader business strategy. Leaders share why many organizations are moving cautiously, how they are evaluating where AI creates real value, and why workforce decisions must remain connected to larger organizational objectives.

• *Dustin Talley*, Founder of Direct Collective, on how workforce trends such as skills-based hiring and direct sourcing are moving from theory to measurable business results.
• *Hannah Krydynski*, Global External Workforce Lead at EY, on building workforce strategies that align with broader organizational goals and AI initiatives.
• *Fayez Nathoo*, Global Contingent Workforce Leader at Marsh, on the evolving role of AI, MSPs, and workforce program management.
• *Wendy Williams*, Director of Contingent Labor Programs at Thales Group, on operational excellence, compliance, supplier relationships, and purposeful workforce design.

The episode also explores how workforce programs are becoming more sophisticated and measurable. Concepts such as skills-based hiring, direct sourcing, total talent management, and blended workforce models have moved from theory to practice, with organizations now evaluating results, measuring outcomes, and refining their strategies based on real-world experience.

In the interviews, a consistent theme emerges around how successful workforce strategies are built with intention. Whether organizations are leveraging contingent talent, outsourcing, apprenticeships, technology, or AI, the goal is not simply efficiency. The goal is creating systems that solve business problems, develop talent, and position organizations to adapt to change.

Whether you’re a talent leader, procurement professional, workforce strategist, or executive responsible for navigating an increasingly complex labor market, this episode offers valuable insights into where workforce strategy is heading and how leading organizations are preparing for the future.

Topics Covered:

• How workforce strategy is evolving beyond traditional hiring
• The shift from workforce planning to business strategy
• AI’s emerging role in talent and workforce management
• Direct sourcing, total talent management, and workforce innovation
• Building blended workforce models across employees, contingent talent, outsourcing, and AI

• Measuring the real-world impact of workforce programs • The evolving role of MSPs and workforce partners

• Why operational excellence and compliance still matter • Aligning workforce decisions with business objectives

• Building teams and workforce programs with intention

Teams by Intent is a podcast from YUPRO Placement exploring how forward-thinking organizations are redesigning workforce strategies to build stronger, more adaptable teams. Listen now and join the conversation about what it takes to build great teams by intent, not by chance.