Streamlining HR transformation

May, 2025

Meet Mercedes

Meet Mercedes Sullivan, VP of People Transformation at McKinley, a passionate advocate for human-centered HR. She’s using AI to enhance both her personal productivity and professional strategy, bringing efficiency and clarity to the HR function.

How “She Runs on AI”

Personally, Mercedes primarily uses ChatGPT (and occasionally Claude and Perplexity) for a variety of tasks—from trip planning and refining LinkedIn posts to transcribing and translating handwritten notes. She also uses the voice function to coach herself through presentations and help with emotional regulation.

Professionally, she leverages AI tools embedded in HR tech, along with enterprise ChatGPT. It helps her refine communication, brainstorm people strategy ideas (e.g., applying HR frameworks to a blue-collar workforce to drive business outcomes), and challenge strategies by generating counterarguments.

She also uses AI to simplify onboarding designs based on specific criteria, analyze survey results, and conduct market research, such as understanding industry-specific attrition trends.

How AI Changed Her Routine

Before AI, Mercedes spent countless hours creating and editing content, generating ideas, and refining frameworks. It has saved her a significant amount of time and has been especially helpful in learning how to simplify complex concepts.

Now, with the help of AI, she’s able to dedicate more time to big-picture strategy, focus more on writing and learning, and achieve a better work-life balance.

Her Advice to Women

"Start with one tool, see how it fits into your routine, and commit to learning one micro-thing each day. You’ll be amazed at how much time you free up to focus on what really matters.’”

Follow SheRunsOnAI™ for inspiration from women building, thinking, and leading with AI. Let’s ‘Run on AI’, not to run faster but go to places we’ve never been before, together.