At Aeris, innovation isn’t just about the technology we build — it’s about empowering the people who use it. As AI becomes a foundational part of our workplace, we sat down with Tracey Felter, our Chief HRO, to talk about her career journey, the opportunities and challenges AI brings, and how Aeris is preparing employees to thrive in a fast-changing future.
From Human Development to HR Leadership
Tracey’s career began with a passion for understanding people and workplace dynamics.
“I majored in human and community development with a minor in psychology, and loved industrial-organizational psychology courses,” she explains. “One of my professors encouraged me to pursue HR. After graduating from the University of Illinois, I earned my master’s in HR from the University of Minnesota.”
Her career took off through Honeywell’s rotational program, moving across the U.S. in different functions before becoming HR leader for MSNBC / NBC News, iHeartRadio and Fyllo/Semasio -That same passion for people and leadership is what drives her work at Aeris today.
What Excites Tracey About AI
“AI is truly the current chapter, not the next chapter,” Tracey says. “It changes how quickly and strategically we work, removing mundane tasks so we can focus on higher-level problem solving. It impacts our product, how our customers use it, and how we structure career paths going forward.”
She predicts a shift toward skills-based, horizontal career models where employees act as “architects” for their function, leading AI agents, rather than climbing traditional vertical hierarchies.
Addressing Concerns About AI Adoption
Some employees worry that AI could lead to workforce reductions, but AI doesn’t necessarily have to be a cost-cutting measure. The goal is to increase productivity, doing more with the same resources. Some roles may evolve, but that creates opportunities for higher-value positions, like architecting and building agents.
However, she notes a hard truth:
“Ignoring AI isn’t really an option. The ones leaning into it now are positioning themselves for success.”
How Aeris is Tackling the AI Upskilling Challenge
The rise of AI has created what many call an upskilling crisis — employees across every industry are being asked to work with powerful new tools they may never have encountered before. Aeris believes the future of work depends on universal AI literacy across all functions, not just technical roles.
To meet that challenge, Aeris is developing AI for All, a scalable training model designed to equip every employee with the confidence and skill to work alongside AI.
“We see AI training as a business-critical investment,” Tracey explains. “Our AI for All model ensures employees can thrive in this new era. Organizations everywhere need to rethink learning and development — this is one way to bridge the skills gap.”
Alongside training, Aeris offers Helper AI, an internal tool integrating multiple large language models with workflow automation. For Tracey, this demonstrates how well-trained people + the right tools = accelerated productivity and innovation.
Looking Ahead 1-2 Years
Tracey envisions ongoing evolution, with AI streamlining work while governance ensures responsible use. Every organization needs a governance board for AI — privacy, data security, and ethical use are critical. The technology will keep making our lives easier, but we must guide it correctly.
Closing Thought
Tracey’s perspective reinforces Aeris’s belief that technology and human creativity must work hand in hand. AI isn’t replacing people, it’s enabling them to do more, think bigger, and adapt faster. The future of work at Aeris depends on employees embracing innovation, building new skills, and leading AI solutions in their fields.
By sharing models like AI for All, Aeris hopes to inspire other organizations to invest in broad-based AI upskilling because preparing the workforce for tomorrow’s tools isn’t just a company priority, it’s a global necessity.
This interview kicks off our new series “Voices of Aeris: AI & The Future of Work.”
Stay tuned for conversations with leaders from finance, engineering, product, and sales each sharing their unique perspective on how AI is transforming their roles and our company.
