How to Build People-First Systems in the Age of AI with Velveth Schmitz

Velveth Schmitz

Velveth Schmitz is the CEO of HireBetter, a strategic talent planning firm that helps founders and CEOs build the right teams to achieve their goals. Her career spans private, public, and nonprofit sectors, including serving twice as Mayor of Rolling Hills Estates, California, and holding multiple executive and advisory positions. Velveth is also a UC Berkeley alum, a mother of two, and a self-proclaimed lifelong learner passionate about community, innovation, and people-centered leadership.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[07:02] What HireBetter does — and how it helps “good people build great companies”
[09:08] The difference between traditional recruiting and strategic talent planning
[12:14] Why employee retention starts from “hello” — and the key role of onboarding
[14:10] How well-documented processes and cross-department collaboration impact culture
[18:34] How Velveth uses AI to improve systems and create more meaningful work
[26:13] The importance of adaptability and learning in an AI-driven world
[32:07] What inspired Velveth to serve in public office and how it shaped her leadership style
[38:07] Her ongoing mission to mentor and empower future leaders

In this episode:

Many leaders focus on growing their businesses through sales, systems, and strategy — but often overlook their most important resource: people. In this episode of the System Simplified podcast, Adi Klevit interviews Velveth Schmitz, CEO of HireBetter, to discuss how intentional talent planning and strong systems work hand-in-hand to build thriving organizations.

Velveth shares how HireBetter partners with clients to align their people strategy with business goals — not just filling roles, but building cohesive, values-driven teams. She explains why onboarding should never be an afterthought and how having clear, documented processes helps new hires integrate seamlessly and stay engaged.

The conversation also dives into the evolving relationship between people and technology. As an early adopter of AI, Velveth believes automation should amplify human creativity — freeing teams to focus on higher-value, people-centric work. She and Adi explore how leaders can embrace AI without losing sight of culture, communication, and community.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:

“We help good people build great companies.”
“Recruitment starts from ‘hello.’ The moment someone interacts with your brand, they should feel your mission and values.”
“If employees understand how their work connects to the bigger picture, engagement and collaboration skyrocket.”
“We can automate repetitive tasks — not to replace people, but to free them up to do their best work.”
“AI is not something to fear. It’s a tool that gives us back time to imagine, create, and connect.”
“You can’t retain top talent without an intentional onboarding process and a healthy culture.”
“Leadership, whether in business or public service, is about empathy, listening, and helping others rise.”
“It’s our job to mentor and recruit the next generation of leaders — people who will carry the work forward.”

Action Steps:

Develop a strategic talent plan that aligns hiring with your growth goals.
Treat onboarding as a continuous process, not a one-time event.
Create and maintain clear, documented processes across departments.
Use AI and automation to enhance efficiency and empower creativity.
Foster a people-first culture where employees feel valued and connected.
Lead with service and empathy, inside and outside your organization.
Mentor emerging leaders to ensure your company and community continue to thrive.

Sponsor for this episode:

This episode is brought to you by Business Success Consulting Group.

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