In a year when AI is top of mind for executives everywhere, Sarah Tilley stands out as one of HR’s Rising Stars, redefining how people leaders can use technology to make an impact on talent.
As senior vice president of global talent management and acquisition at ServiceNow, Tilley leads an HR transformation that delivers faster hiring, higher-quality candidates and measurable business impact—key advantages driving the Fortune 500 company’s double-digit profit growth. By embedding AI throughout the talent process, she is positioning HR as a central force behind this business success.
Breaking talent records with AI
Tilley oversees a talent function that attracted a company record of more than 1.6 million applicants last year—up from around one million in 2023. She’s also shaping career mobility systems designed around inclusivity and human-centered values, retaining more than 97% of top-performing employees in 2024.
Read more about this Rising Star: Leading the AI-first talent strategy at ServiceNow
Her philosophy is simple but powerful, according to her award nominator: never compromise on hiring for character. Tilley proves that AI is not a replacement for recruiters—it’s a tool to lift the administrative burden and give teams more time to focus on meaningful, strategic work.
According to her team, Tilley’s AI-powered talent acquisition efficiency has saved the company over 18,000 hours annually by automating high-volume tasks. At the same time, the company is enjoying stronger internal mobility, with nearly 30 percent of hires now coming from within—a sign of a thriving culture that promotes the growth of its workforce. Additionally, AI hiring has increased four to five times in just two years, with Tilley highly involved with ServiceNow’s commitment to staying ahead.
Gregory Hessel, HR’s Rising Stars judge and managing director of client development at Korn Ferry, says Tilley is focused on enhancing the full spectrum of the talent cycle—from attracting the right candidates to planning leadership succession. According to Hessel, her “AI-driven work is forward-leaning and provides a true competitive advantage in talent.”
See also: ‘Shaping the future of work’: Introducing HR’s Rising Stars for 2025
Watch the video above to learn more from Tilley.
