How Hershey’s Global Head of TA Is Using AI to Elevate Recruiters

As AI continues to redefine the future of work, many HR professionals have a common fear: that technology will strip away the human element of their jobs. But according to Debra Simmers, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at The Hershey Company, the opposite is true. In her upcoming session at SPARK TALENT 2025, she’ll discuss how AI is not a threat to talent acquisition—it’s the key to making it more human than ever before. 

We sat down with Simmers to bust some myths and get a look at the actionable strategies she’s used to transform Hershey’s TA function.

Busting the AI Myth: It’s a Tool, Not a Replacement

The biggest misconception about AI in talent acquisition is that it’s designed to replace recruiters. This fear, Simmers says, is simply not the reality. The real goal is to free recruiters from the administrative burden that has always defined the role. 

“Talent acquisition has always been a very administratively heavy function,” Simmers says. “What we do with this investment is enable the recruiters to focus on the important things: finding the right candidate, setting them up for success, and building that relationship with the business.” 

By letting AI handle the admin, recruiters can focus on what they do best: building relationships and acting as true business partners.

A Better Experience for Everyone

At Hershey, AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about improving the experience for every person in the process. 

• For Candidates: One of the most significant and surprising improvements has been to the candidate experience. AI has full access to a hiring manager’s calendar, allowing candidates to schedule interviews on their own time, with a simple click. This eliminates the waiting game and puts the power in their hands.
• For Recruiters: AI acts as a smart assistant, reviewing thousands of applications and leads. It then provides a match score based on the skills required for the role, allowing recruiters to instantly identify the top five best-fit candidates and move on to strategic work.
• For Hiring Managers: AI provides a centralized, single source of truth for all candidate information. Hiring managers can see a blinded view of skills, recruiter feedback, and a match score in one place—eliminating the need to search through emails.

The Human Side of Change

Successfully introducing AI isn’t just about the technology; it’s about managing change and meeting your people where they are. Simmer’s advice is to acknowledge that change is physically uncomfortable and to combat fear with information. 

Her action plan for HR leaders is simple: 

• Explain the true capabilities of the technology.
• Bring in real use cases to show how it works.
• Conduct real user acceptance testing to give your team a full picture and reduce their fear.

Beyond the Tech: A Powerful Lesson in People

Simmers’s own career journey highlights the importance of the human element. For over 15 years, she has fostered rescue boxers, a passion that has brought a unique perspective to her professional life. 

“My husband and I rescue dogs that are sometimes in horrific shape. They’ve had horrible lives,” she shares. “And it’s our job to nurture them, make them feel safe, and bring them back to a healthy place.” 

This practice has taught her a powerful lesson she applies to talent acquisition: a bad past doesn’t make a bad individual. Just because a candidate didn’t work out at one company doesn’t mean they’re not a good employee with a strong skill set. Sometimes, it just wasn’t the right environment. 

This simple, empathetic belief informs her broader philosophy: great leaders must be open to all points of view. A key to fostering an inclusive hiring environment is acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers and constantly asking for feedback from your team and the business. 

By letting AI handle the administrative tasks, HR leaders can focus on becoming true business partners who understand the strategic drivers of the company and cultivate a more human, empathetic, and ultimately, more effective talent function.

If you’re interested in hearing even more from Debra Simmers, please join us live in San Antonio at SPARK TALENT 2025, October 7-9, 2025. You’ll also hear from other speakers from ADM, Nutrien, PepsiCo, GE Healthcare, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, and more. Get practical strategies focusing on workplace planning, talent acquisition, and AI-driven processes, with plenty of opportunities for you to connect with the HR community.

This article is presented in partnership with HR Daily Advisor. HR Query is a Q&A series by HR Daily Advisor that focuses on HR professionals' insights on current HR trends and dives into their personal stories, helping HR peers connect with challenges and opportunities.