Her Story
About Kate
Kate Stewart is an AI-native People Operations leader and systems architect who specializes in using technology, automation, and human-centered design to build scalable, efficient workplace systems. With approximately 10 years of experience in People Operations within the technology sector, she has developed expertise across HRIS, onboarding and offboarding, employee experience, internal mobility, immigration, workflow design, and operational transformation. In her current role as Staff People Operations AI & Automations Lead at Horizon3.ai, she leads the development and deployment of AI agents and automation systems that enable lean People teams to operate more efficiently.
Throughout her career, Kate has taken a product-oriented approach to People Operations, transforming ambiguous and complex challenges into structured workflows, reliable systems, and measurable operating models. At Lattice, she led initiatives involving AI-powered HR support, custom GPT automation, People Analytics, job architecture, intake and triage systems, and cross-functional operational improvements. Her work has produced measurable results, including reductions in manual documentation and HR ticket volume, improved workflow efficiency, and greater access to actionable people data. She is particularly passionate about helping organizations adopt AI thoughtfully—using technology to eliminate repetitive work while preserving the human judgment and empathy required in People Operations.
Kate's career reflects a strong commitment to curiosity, continuous learning, and practical innovation. Her professional journey began in retail before transitioning into Human Resources, and she holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Utah Valley University. She is a SHRM-CP, Google Project Management certified, a member of Women Defining AI, and an early member of the AI for HR Community. Beyond her professional work, Kate has volunteered as a victim advocate with the American Fork Police Department, reflecting her longstanding interest in supporting people through challenging situations. She continues to approach her work with an open mind and a builder's mentality, believing that the best systems are those that make work clearer, more human, and easier to navigate.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kate
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to curiosity, continuous learning, strong mentorship, and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone. I’m always looking to understand how things work, how they can improve, and how technology can better support people. The guidance of mentors and colleagues has helped me grow, adapt to change, and approach challenges with an open mind. Ultimately, I believe my success comes from staying curious, embracing new opportunities, and building meaningful relationships along the way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to build relationships beyond my immediate team and intentionally develop a strong professional network. I’ve found tremendous value in connecting with experienced women in leadership who can offer perspective, mentorship, and guidance. These relationships have taught me that career growth isn’t just about performing well—it’s also about building connections with people who challenge your thinking, advocate for your potential, and help you recognize opportunities you may not see for yourself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to build a strong circle of mentors, allies, and advocates, both inside and outside your organization. Stay curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to meet every expectation before pursuing an opportunity—trust your abilities, speak up, and give yourself permission to aim higher.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
AI presents an incredible opportunity to automate repetitive work, improve decision-making, and give people more time to focus on creativity, judgment, and meaningful human connection. At the same time, as technology takes over administrative tasks, the increasing focus on complex work could contribute to burnout. For women in AI and technology, this is also an important opportunity to build strong networks, find allies, increase representation, and help shape how these technologies are implemented.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most are curiosity, empathy, openness, connection, and continuous growth. I believe strong systems should make people’s lives easier, not simply make organizations more efficient, and that meaningful leadership starts with understanding how people can best be supported. I also value balance and recognize the importance of stepping away from technology, spending time in nature, and making space to recharge so I can continue doing meaningful work.
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