Dan H.

Remote, OR 97458, USA

Transforming HR with AI: From Insight to Impact

Dan Houston, with an MBA and vast experience at IBM, Chewy, and EY, stands at the frontier of AI and HR innovation. He reinvents HR strategies by integrating AI, striving for decisions that balance speed with wisdom. With over 1,000 hours of AI tool research, a notable project, ZenSense, and a specialization in AI from Wharton under his belt, Dan shifts narratives from AI's hype to its responsible application. Leading Ground State, he empowers small to medium businesses with Fortune 500-level HR…

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Experience

Ground State
Founder | AI for HR Strategy & Innovation
Apr 2023 - Present
- Founded Ground State, a boutique consultancy helping small and mid-sized companies cut through AI hype and build practical HR solutions, fast, clear, and ROI-proven.
- Designed and delivered frameworks that guide HR leaders through AI readiness, adoption, and execution, coupling strategy with skills and product to accelerate outcomes.
- Built custom tools and apps with emerging AI platforms (Cursor, Polymet, etc) to translate AI’s potential into tangible impact across planning, listening, and decision-making.
- Experimented with applied use cases across industries and sectors, including pro bono consulting with nonprofit Second Harvest Northland.
- Created ZenSense (zensense.app), a mindful AI Chrome extension designed to help leaders and creators use AI with intention instead of distraction.
Red Hat
Director of People Analytics
Jun 2022 - Mar 2023
- Directed a global team of 20 across analytics, BI, data science, and product.
- Built an enterprise analytics roadmap that launched 25+ new research and product initiatives, simplifying dashboards and accelerating AI adoption.
- Partnered with Chief Data Officer to establish a company-wide engagement model.
Red Hat
Director of People Analytics
Jun 2022 - Mar 2023
- Directed a global team of 20 across analytics, BI, data science, and product.
- Built an enterprise analytics roadmap that launched 25+ new research and product initiatives, simplifying dashboards and accelerating AI adoption.
- Partnered with Chief Data Officer to establish a company-wide engagement model.
Chewy
Head of Enterprise People Analytics
Jan 2022 - May 2022
- Chewy measures its success by the happiness of the people and pets it serves, serving 20+ Million customers and 21,000+ employees.
- Spearhead and lead Chewy’s first enterprise-wide People Analytics function, driving people, talent, candidate, and DEI insights.
- Hands-on leader for overall data infrastructure, data engineering and data solutions strategy.
- Launched a new Employee Engagement Platform (Glint) across Chewy, capturing engagement across employee experience touchpoints, allowing for real-time feedback.
- Coach, mentor and develop a high-performing team of 20 and established 4 new capability pillars in HR around: Data Enablement, HRBI, People Insights and People Science.
- Promoted within 1 year to Head of People Analytics, expanding scope from 1 BU to 4 BU’s.
Chewy
Head of Enterprise People Analytics
Jan 2022 - May 2022
- Chewy measures its success by the happiness of the people and pets it serves, serving 20+ Million customers and 21,000+ employees.
- Spearhead and lead Chewy’s first enterprise-wide People Analytics function, driving people, talent, candidate, and DEI insights.
- Hands-on leader for overall data infrastructure, data engineering and data solutions strategy.
- Launched a new Employee Engagement Platform (Glint) across Chewy, capturing engagement across employee experience touchpoints, allowing for real-time feedback.
- Coach, mentor and develop a high-performing team of 20 and established 4 new capability pillars in HR around: Data Enablement, HRBI, People Insights and People Science.
- Promoted within 1 year to Head of People Analytics, expanding scope from 1 BU to 4 BU’s.
Chewy
Associate Director, People Analytics
Nov 2020 - Jan 2022
Chewy
Associate Director, People Analytics
Nov 2020 - Jan 2022
Cargill
Global Head of People Analytics
May 2018 - Feb 2020
- Cargill is one of the world's top producers and distributors of agricultural products and employs 155,000+ employees across 70+ countries.
- Led the Global People Analytics and Strategic Workforce Planning teams, influencing strategic direction and delivering actionable insights on data captured for over 200k employees to the Board & ET.
- Pioneered the People Analytics Product Roadmap to enable: digital learning, next-gen talent acquisition, future of work, insight app for real-time people metrics and nudging.
- Directed the implementation of a global HR Data Warehouse on a world-class tech stack.
- Developed a gender parity forecasting tool and led DE&I reporting for the Sr. Leadership and the Board.
- Hired, developed, and coached team of high performing data, analytics and tech professionals.
Cargill
Global Head of People Analytics
May 2018 - Feb 2020
- Cargill is one of the world's top producers and distributors of agricultural products and employs 155,000+ employees across 70+ countries.
- Led the Global People Analytics and Strategic Workforce Planning teams, influencing strategic direction and delivering actionable insights on data captured for over 200k employees to the Board & ET.
- Pioneered the People Analytics Product Roadmap to enable: digital learning, next-gen talent acquisition, future of work, insight app for real-time people metrics and nudging.
- Directed the implementation of a global HR Data Warehouse on a world-class tech stack.
- Developed a gender parity forecasting tool and led DE&I reporting for the Sr. Leadership and the Board.
- Hired, developed, and coached team of high performing data, analytics and tech professionals.
Comcast
Director, Workforce Planning & Analytics
Jul 2016 - May 2018
- Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company, employing over 200K employees and placing value on integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, respect and giving back.
- Advanced and executed on the Workforce Technology strategy, and roadmap.
- Directed team and stores in all aspects of Workforce Planning, including forecasting, scheduling, and staffing.
- Designed, implemented, and managed new advanced analytics and people metrics to develop strategic and operational insights for Xfinity Mobile.
Luxottica Retail
Director, HR Technology & Analytics
Sep 2014 - May 2016
- Luxottica is a leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of premium, luxury and sports eyewear, employing 80K+ employees around the globe.
- Led and developed the HR Technology team, serving as the Global Center of Excellence for HR Systems
- Managed all Talent Management, Learning, Timekeeping, Recruiting and HR Reporting functions
- Led the successful implementation of SAP HRIS and ADP systems for North America, managing a budget of $5 Million and finishing the project $600k under budget
- Led monthly Steering Committee meetings with Executive Council members, Brand GMs and key business leaders
- Liaison to HR, Operations and IT Business Partners for HR Technology/HR Operations initiatives
- Responsible for the output of all HR analytics, including: providing leadership, direction and guidance to the analytics team.
Luxottica Retail
Director, HR Operations
May 2014 - Sep 2014
- Oversee and manage over $1 Billion in annual employee payments
- Responsible for $1 Million in annual cost savings for HR, including the negation of a $800k reduction in ADP vendor fees
- Led business improvement working sessions with all brands Operations and HR leaders to identify over 50 major process improvement areas for the HR Operation & Reporting functions
- Led the successful implementation of Kronos, managing a budget of $2 Million and finishing the project under budget
- Oversee the development of key HR metrics; ensure accurate and meaningful data is reported to leadership on a weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis and in support of overall HR analytics methodology
Ernst & Young
Senior Consultant, People Advisory
May 2012 - Apr 2014
- EY creates long-term value for clients, people and society, and to build trust in the capital markets.
- Led client projects and a variety of HR consulting services to Fortune 100 companies.
- Earned the highest ranking in annual performance appraisal with 14 Project Recognition Awards.
- Co-created global firm offering for Talent Analytics services.
Ernst & Young
Consultant, People Advisory
Apr 2011 - May 2012