Inside Enterprise HR & Talent Strategy with Toshiba CHRO Jason Desentz (Live @ Unleash 2026)

What this episode covers

Live from UNLEASH America 2026 in Las Vegas, Adam Posner sits down with Jason Desentz, CHRO of Toshiba Americas, for a candid, practical conversation on what it really takes to lead HR and talent at scale. Jason oversees a 6,000-employee workforce across the Americas, along with a 50-person HR organization spanning talent, employee health & safety, security, and facilities. With over two decades in automotive (Ford, Chrysler, Goodyear) and as a consultant, he brings a deeply operational, business-first lens to HR leadership. At the core of Jason’s philosophy is a simple but often missing truth: HR only works when it understands the business. He explains why talent acquisition should sit within HR—but only if HR leaders can challenge hiring managers, calibrate expectations, and translate business needs into realistic hiring strategies. The conversation dives deep into how enterprise hiring actually happens: * Why intake and role calibration are the most overlooked (and most critical) steps in recruiting * How workforce planning and succession strategy should start long before a role opens * The reality of niche hiring—from blimp operators to highly specialized engineers—and why networks still outperform tools * The growing importance of “talent intelligence,” including tracking retention risk and succession pipelines in real time Jason also shares how Toshiba structures HR between “centers of excellence” (designing process) and field HR (executing in the business), and why rotating talent across both builds stronger, more credible HR leaders. On the technology front, he cuts through the noise: AI won’t replace recruiters, but it will eliminate manual work and elevate the importance of human judgment. The biggest wins today? Better candidate matching and automated scheduling—freeing recruiters to focus on conversations, not coordination. The discussion also touches on: * The rise of fraudulent candidates and AI-assisted interviewing—and how enterprise companies are adapting * Why adaptability is the single most important trait in recruiters today * The shift in candidate expectations, especially among younger generations who value flexibility, purpose, and lifestyle benefits over traditional perks * The harsh reality of today’s employer-driven market—and what candidates must do to stand out Jason closes with a simple framework that applies far beyond HR: **Listen. Learn. Lead.** Learn more & Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-desentz/

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