Live Date: 9 January 2025, 10:00 – 4:30 PM EST (UTC-5)
On-Demand: 13 Jan – 13 June 2025
Place: Zoom; Links Will Be Sent to Registrants 6 January EST.
Cost: $50 or $25 with partial automatic scholarship
ABOUT
ILA’s 2025 AI & Leadership virtual summit will explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping how people teach, train, and develop leaders. This virtual summit will bring together educators, trainers, and industry professionals to discuss practical AI applications, ethical considerations, and innovative strategies to enhance leadership programs. Join us to learn how AI can support leadership development and reshape the future of education and training.
AGENDA OVERVIEW
12 December 2024 - Pre-Conference Session
12:00-1:00 PM EST (UTC-5)
Foundations of Generative AI: LLMs, GPTs, and Beyond – This introductory session provides a foundational overview of Generative AI prior to the summit.
9 January 2025 - All Times EST (UTC-5)
10:00-10:15
Welcome
10:15-11:15
Plenary Panel
11:30-12:45
5 Breakout Sessions
13:00-14:15
5 Breakout Sessions
14:30-15:45
5 Breakout Sessions
16:00-17:00
Keynote & Closing
Scroll down for detailed session information.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Scroll down for details and complete bios.
DETAILED (DRAFT) AGENDA
Pre-Conference
12 December 2024 – 12:00 PM EST (UTC-5)
This introductory session provides a foundational overview of Generative AI, including Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPTs. Participants will learn these technologies’ key concepts, definitions, and practical applications. The session will cover how AI models are trained, how they generate content, and their potential for leadership education. Whether you’re new to AI or seeking a clearer understanding of its mechanisms, this session offers a solid grounding in how Generative AI shapes the future of learning and development.
9 January 2025 - All Times EST (UTC-5)
10:00-10:15
Welcome
Details forthcoming.
10:15-11:15
Plenary Panel: Ethics, Autonomy, and Integrity: Navigating AI’s Role in Leadership Development
This expert panel will explore key paradoxes surrounding AI integration in leadership development, education, and corporate training. Panelists will examine how leaders can balance ethical AI use with the pressure for rapid innovation, and where to draw the line on issues like data privacy, academic integrity, and AI autonomy. Discussions will address the challenges of distinguishing original work from AI-generated content, managing the unintended consequences of AI deployment, and ensuring that critical human-centric skills like empathy and ethical reasoning continue to thrive in an AI-driven environment.
11:30-12:45
Breakout Sessions
Room 1
Ethical AI in Leadership Education
In this session, panelists will discuss ethical issues regarding using AI in the classroom. Conversations will focus on how AI can be used as a learning tool and its limitations. Panelists will also discuss perceptions of AI as a learning tool method of “cheating” and how to plan for effective use of the tool to address those concerns in the design of courses and assignments.
Room 2
Ethics and Organizational Implications
Ethics explores what mindsets and behaviors represent the best of who we are as individuals and in community. The rapid emergence of new technologies challenges us to define within our spheres of influence the way that programmers, vendors, purchasers of technology, and users can treat each other with respect. During this conversation, panelists will reflect on both their experience and emerging understanding of how to harmonize values-in-tension around issues such as privacy, meaningful consent to use of data, accessibility, content of data sets, and safety. They will also present ways we can together shape the ethical norms around the use of AI.
Room 3
Generating Leadership Curriculum and Learning Activities with GenAI
In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore how generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude can be leveraged to design innovative leadership curricula and learning activities. We’ll demonstrate practical ways to integrate AI into the curriculum development process, enhance learning engagement, and create adaptive assignments. Whether you’re new to AI or already experimenting, this session will provide strategies, examples, and insights on how GenAI can transform leadership education for in-person and virtual learning environments.
Room 4
Unlocking the Power of AI: Prompt Engineering for Leadership Educators and Beyond
In this session, participants will be introduced to the art and science of prompt engineering – an essential skill for crafting effective, context-aware prompts to guide AI models like ChapGPT. Tailored specifically for leadership educators, this session will also explore broader applications for optimizing AI outputs in educational, research, and professional settings. Attendees will learn practical techniques to create precise prompts that enhance AI-driven interactions, foster creative thinking, and generate tailored learning content. Whether you want to improve leadership development programs or enhance AI’s role in education and professional use, this session provides key insights for leveraging AI’s full potential.
Room 5
Integrating AI in Research Activity. Evolving Directions of Research on AI in the Discipline of Leadership
In this session, participants will discuss the potential benefits and challenges of engaging AI in research activity, specifically, the issues of data transparency and transferability, continuity in maintenance, the predictive power of the tool and its boundaries/objectivity, and consideration of engaging with AI as an active partner in the process, while remaining human-centric in the objectives and outcomes. Additionally, participants discuss potential directions in research on AI (the ways to approach integration of AI in business, education etc.).
13:00-14:15
Breakout Sessions
Room 1
AI Policy in Higher Education: Navigating the New Frontier
As AI becomes more integrated into higher education, institutions face new challenges in policy development. This session explores emerging AI policies in areas such as academic integrity, AI-assisted learning, data privacy, and ethical AI use. Presenters will share examples of current policies, discuss the implications for faculty and students, and offer strategies for crafting comprehensive AI guidelines. Whether you are involved in policy-making or navigating AI’s impact on your campus, this session provides critical insights into shaping the future of higher education.
Room 2
AI Policy in Organizations & Industry: Ethical and Practical Guidelines
With AI transforming industries, organizations must develop clear policies to manage its use ethically and effectively. This session focuses on AI policy development in various sectors, exploring how companies address AI ethics, data governance, decision-making, and employee training. Presenters will share best practices for creating AI policies that balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring compliance and ethical use. Ideal for leaders and professionals navigating AI’s integration, this session offers strategies for building robust AI frameworks within organizations.
Room 3
Action Research for Digital Transformation
We invite leaders and organizations to self-author a collaborative inquiry into how we can reframe leadership and digital transformation practices regarding generative AI. This session engages participants to explore how Action Research for Transformations (ART) can guide leadership in digital transformations. Through reflective inquiries such as “How might I be part of the problem and its solution?” and “How are we being called to grow our capacity for learning in complexity?”, participants will examine their roles, deepen collaborative partnerships, and cultivate reflexive leadership. This interactive session is an exercise that frames digital transformations as co-creative, purpose-driven processes, enabling leaders to foster collective accountability and sustainable, thriving organizations in an increasingly complex world.
Room 4
AI-Powered Games & WebApps Showcase: Enhancing Leadership Development
In this session, participants will explore AI-powered games and web applications that enhance leadership development. Starting with an introduction to gamification—distinguishing it from gamifying—we’ll examine how learning occurs in games and the role of storytelling in boosting engagement, with references to games like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Presenters will discuss the differences in learner motivation between higher education and training contexts, highlighting both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The session will also address AI’s future potential for creating personalized, interactive learning experiences. Platforms such as Leadership Skills Lab and EthicsGame will be demonstrated, showcasing how AI-driven simulations support decision-making, ethical reasoning, and skill-building. Attendees will gain insights into how these tools transform leadership education through immersive, practical experiences.
Room 5
AI in Leadership Education: Developing Learners’ Capacity
In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming business and education, leaders must not only understand AI but also harness its potential for growth and become AI literate. A key focus of this session will be on demonstrating strategies that build learners’ capacity to ethically and effectively use generative AI. Participants will explore strategies for integrating AI tools into curricula while fostering ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and responsible AI use, preparing students to navigate and leverage AI technologies.
14:30-15:45
Breakout Sessions
Room 1
AI Tools to Enhance and Extend Learning
This interactive session will showcase innovative strategies that leadership educators are using to engage students through generative AI tools. Panelists will demonstrate 8-10 AI tools, such as ChatPDF, that enhance leadership education, training, and development. Attendees will see practical examples of how these tools are being integrated into the classroom to empower students in their learning, from augmenting research to fostering creative problem-solving. This session offers a hands-on look at how AI can be leveraged to extend learning and engagement in leadership education.
Room 2
Readiness for Leading Organizations in the Age of AI: Choosing the Right Tools
In this show-and-tell session, industry leaders will demonstrate how AI tools can be strategically applied to navigate technological and social disruptions in the modern business landscape. Panelists will showcase practical applications of AI across various sectors and guide participants through decision-making processes for selecting the right AI tools to drive organizational success. Discussions will focus on key factors for assessing AI tools, aligning them with business goals, and preparing organizations to lead effectively in an era of rapid change and innovation.
Room 3
Integrating & Proofing AI in Curriculum Design: Balancing Innovation and Integrity
This session focuses on integrating generative AI tools like ChatGPT into curriculum design while ensuring academic integrity. Presenters will explore strategies for incorporating AI-driven learning activities that foster creativity and critical thinking alongside approaches to develop “AI-proof” assignments. Using examples from leadership education, this workshop will demonstrate how to design authentic assessments that utilize AI’s potential and prevent misuse. Participants will learn practical techniques for leveraging AI in teaching while maintaining rigorous learning outcomes.
Room 4
Journal Publication & Research Symposia Dialogue: Collaborating for a Special Issue on AI in Leadership
This session invites editorial board members to share their symposia process to produce a special issue focused on the intersection of AI and leadership education. Participants will engage in dialogue around potential themes, article contributions, and strategies for collaborative writing. Potential for inclusion: The session aims to create a roadmap for developing and submitting a collective body of work that captures insights from the AI Virtual Summit, which will be published in at least one leading academic journal.
Room 5
AI Course Showcase: Leadership Education in the Age of AI
This session highlights academic, for-credit leadership and executive education courses where AI plays a central role in the curriculum. Presenters will share how they design and teach courses focused on AI, including its applications, ethical considerations, and impact on leadership. Participants will explore how AI is integrated into leadership education through course examples, learning outcomes, and innovative activities. This session offers insights into preparing students for the evolving AI landscape, making it ideal for educators seeking to incorporate AI into their own courses.
16:00-17:00
Keynote & Closing
Details Forthcoming
SPEAKER DETAILS
Dan Jenkins, PhD, Chair, ILA AI & Leadership Virtual Summit; Fellow, International Leadership Association; Ph.D., Professor of Leadership & Organizational Studies, University of Southern Maine
Cal Al-Dhubaib, Head of AI and Data Science, Further
George Anderson, PhD, PgMP, Global Program Director, Office of the CTO, Microsoft; Adjunct Professor, Trevecca Nazarene University
Catharyn Baird, JD, Founder/CEO, EthicsGame, LLC; Professor of Business, Emeritus, Regis University
John Banter, Ed.D., Director of Organizational Effectiveness, Georgia Southern University; Adjunct Faculty Member, Department of Leadership Studies, The Citadel
Erik Bean, Ed.D, Professor, PhD in Global Leadership, Indiana Tech
Tricia Berry, Ph.D., Consultant, Dynamic Trajectories, LLC
Kevin Bottomley, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, PhD in Global Leadership & Department Chair, Doctoral Programs, Indiana Tech
Tashieka Burris-Melville, Faculty and Programme Director for Educational Leadership and Management, Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, University of Technology, Jamaica
Janice (Jan) Cardwell, PhD, CEO, Conceivers Leadership and Learning Group, LLC
Brandon Charpied, DBA, Executive Director of the Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society
Suzanne Clark, President of Pursuit Advisory Partners; Part-Time Faculty Member, Master of Management Program, Trent University
Bradley A. Davis, BRMP, Director of Training and Content Development, International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training; Principal and Founder, Arete Ink LLC
Elizabeth Goryunova, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Chair, Leadership and Organizational Studies, University of Southern Maine
Christine Haskell, Ph.D., Consultant; Adjunct Faculty, Washington State University and the University of Southern California
Emily L. Herman, Ed.D., Lecturer, The University of Texas at Dallas; Professor of Speech & Communication, Collin College
Eric Kaufman, Ph.D., Associate Head, Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education, Virginia Tech
Gaurav Khanna, Senior Manager, Data Science and Digital Journeys, Cisco Systems
Joe Lasley, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Leadership and Organizational Studies, University of Southern Maine
Ray Luechtefeld, Associate Professor of Management, University of Central Missouri
Xi Lin, PhD, Associate Professor, East Carolina University
Gary Lloyd, Founder, LeadershipSkillsLab.ai; Head Gardener, Gardeners not Mechanics
Nikolas McGehee, PhD, Senior Data Scientist, Michigan Virtual; Professor, Trevecca Nazarene University
Maureen Metcalf, CEO, Innovative Leadership Institute; Fellow, International Leadership Association
Jimmy Payne, CNP, Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty, U.S. Naval Community College, Carolina University, & William Woods University
Sonya Sharififard, Ph.D., Faculty, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University
Mary Tabata, Ph.D., Principal Coach, Phinishing Strong, LLC
Cal Al-Dhubaib is a globally recognized data scientist, entrepreneur, and innovator in responsible artificial intelligence, specializing in heavily regulated sectors such as healthcare, energy, and defense. He leads AI and Data Science at Further, a privacy-first data, analytics, and AI company supporting over 100 of the Fortune 500. Cal founded and scaled Pandata, known for responsible AI design and development. Under his guidance, Pandata worked with high-profile clients including Cleveland Clinic, Progressive Insurance, and Parker Hannifin, leading to its acquisition by Further in 2024. Cal frequently speaks on topics including AI ethics, change management, data literacy, and the unique challenges of implementing AI solutions in regulated industries. His insights have been featured in noteworthy publications including Forbes, Nasdaq, VentureBeat, and Open Data Science. Cal has been recognized by Crain’s Cleveland as a Notable Immigrant Leader, Entrepreneur, and Technology Executive.
Dr. George Anderson serves as an Adjunct Professor in the EdD program at Trevecca and as a Program Director for Microsoft’s services organization. He is passionate about personal and professional change, including the process of replacing ignorance with knowledge, and the role of GenAI in helping organizations — a person at a time — work more effectively and deliver with greater velocity. He has authored 20+ books spanning personal growth, technology implementation, design-led thinking, project management, and more, and holds Design Thinking credentials from Stanford and PMI alongside an MBA in HR and a PhD in Applied Management and Decision Sciences.
Catharyn Baird, JD, is the Founder/CEO of EthicsGame, LLC and Professor of Business, Emeritus, Regis University, Denver, CO. Baird created the Ethical Lens Inventory™, a typology used by more than 650,000 people to determine their ethical preference and leadership style. Her current research focuses on the ethics of emerging technologies as together we create communities where humans can thrive.
Erik Bean, Ed.D, a full-time professor in Indiana Tech’s Ph.D. in Global Leadership, is adept in academic publishing, leadership education, and media literacy. As Media Literacy Now Michigan Chapter Leader and Journal of Leadership Studies LP section editor, he champions critical media evaluation. His book, Bias Is All Around You, reflects his commitment to uncovering information biases. Dr. Bean’s work at Scale AI focused on programming AI for objectivity, and his research on impartiality was published in the Journal of Media Literacy and Academic Research. In 2024, he addressed AI’s impact on white-collar jobs at the International Leadership Association Conference.
Dr. John Banter is the Director of Organizational Effectiveness at Georgia Southern University and an adjunct faculty member with the Department of Leadership Studies at The Citadel. In his full-time role, Dr. Banter directs the university’s strategic planning efforts, the assessment of employee engagement, measures leadership effectiveness, and develops leadership development programs for Georgia Southern employees. He earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University and holds additional graduate degrees in the fields of Leadership and Homeland Security Management. John is also certified in prompt engineering with ChatGPT and GPT development.
Dr. Tricia Berry is the owner of Dynamic Trajectories LLC and has over 30 years of experience in Higher Education and Healthcare. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a Specialization in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University, a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from Kaplan University, and Bachelors’ degrees in both Occupational Therapy and Psychology from St. Ambrose University. Trish is a member of several professional associations and is the President of the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education.
Dr. Kevin Bottomley serves as Assistant Professor of the PhD in Global Leadership and Department Chair for Doctoral programs at Indiana Tech. He has obtained the following AI-related training and certifications: AI Governance, PrivacyOps, AI Ethics, ACUE Empowering Students to Use AI Responsibly, ACUE Writing Effective AI Prompts, ACUE Teaching with AI-Centered and AI-Resistant Learning Experiences, and ACUE Leveraging AI to Develop Course Resources. Additionally, he has worked with doctoral students on dissertation committees in the AI/ML and VLE space. Dr. Bottomley was a panelist at the ILA conference in Vancouver, CA, with the topic AI, Leadership, and Ethics; he has published and presented at other national and international conferences.
Dr. Tashieka Burris-Melville is a Faculty and Programme Director for Educational Leadership and Management in the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies at the University of Technology, Jamaica. She received her doctoral degree in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University. Tashieka is the co-author of Empowering Teams in Higher Education: Strategies for Success and has published several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on team development, leadership, and writing in higher education.
Dr. Janice (Jan) Cardwell is a dynamic force in the field of leadership development. With over four decades of experience across industry sectors, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as CEO of Conceivers Leadership and Learning Group. Dr. Cardwell is passionate about helping leaders thrive in the age of artificial intelligence, and her innovative program, “Navigating Leadership and Learning in the AI Era©,” (where she is known as “AI-Janice”) provides innovative guidance and training. Her distinguished career includes fourteen years as Vice President/Director of the University of Phoenix-Detroit Campus. As Chair of the Board of the National Entrepreneur Association, she trains aspiring entrepreneurs. As a true scholar-practitioner she applies her academic research to real-world challenges, always exploring “What If and What Else” possibilities. Dr. Cardwell holds a PhD in Education and an MBA in Global Management.
Suzanne Clark is intensely curious and passionate about helping organizations and their leaders make meaningful connections—to strategies, outcomes, and each other. She is the President of Pursuit Advisory Partners and a part-time faculty member within the Master of Management program at Trent University, where she teaches graduate courses in leadership, ethics, and organizational behaviour, and explores the relevance of human leadership skills in AI-driven workplaces. A linguist by training, she holds Master’s degrees in Law (University of Toronto) and English (Western University). Complementing her consulting work, Suzanne is a conceptual artist whose relational art practice focuses on themes of belonging and inquiry.
Brandon Charpied is the Executive Director of the Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society (MOBTS) and the International Association for Conflict Management (IACM). He also leads the Collegiate Leadership Competition (CLC), which challenges undergraduate teams across North America in leadership skills through competitive experiential activities. Brandon’s research and practice interests include self-concept, leadership, media richness, and artificial intelligence. He has presented domestically and internationally on AI ethics and classroom AI implementation, and led professional development workshops guiding faculty in creating AI and GPT-based tools tailored to their educational needs. Currently a doctoral candidate (ABD) at the Davis College of Business & Technology at Jacksonville University, Brandon will publish a SAGE Skills module, AI in the Workplace in January 2025.
Bradley A. Davis, BRMP, is the Director of Training and Content Development for the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training and the Principal and Founder of Arete Ink LLC, a development and design firm that helps organizational talent achieve its highest potential. A cross-functional collaborator and instructional project manager, he has worked in the non-profit association space over the last decade, bringing innovation, intentional data management and usage, and content strategy to shape organizations supporting the Military History, Government Service, Education, and Cross-Enterprise Healthcare spaces. Bradley graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a B.A. in History, earning both a Master of Military History and a Certificate in Teaching and Learning from Norwich University. In 2021, he earned the Business Relationship Management Professional credential from the BRM Institute and is a 2024 – 2026 American Society for Association Executive (ASAE) Diversity in Executive Leadership Scholar and serves on the ASAE Professional Development Professionals Advisory Council. He was recently named a 2024 40 Under 40 Awardee by Association Forum.
Elizabeth Goryunova, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Leadership and Organizational Studies Department at the University of Southern Maine. Elizabeth is a global leadership scholar and expert practitioner. Her scholarship explores DEI, international management, metacognitive strategies for effective cross-cultural leadership, AI-augmented leadership, and AI-enhanced leadership education. Elizabeth’s academic interests are informed by her professional experience as an international business executive and one of ten U.S. Private Sector Liaison Officers to the World Bank Group and IDB. Elizabeth is a co-founder and past president of the Organization of Women in International Trade (Utah Chapter), Women Empowerment Global Outreach, and a member of the International Women’s Forum. She is a contributor to the Utah Women & Leadership Project, Chair of the Leadership Education Member Community of the International Leadership Association, and a member of Eastern Academy of Management.
Christine Haskell, Ph.D., is a collaborative advisor, educator, and author with nearly three decades of experience in the technology industry. She is an adjunct information management and data science faculty at Washington State University and the University of Southern California. Haskell was pivotal in Microsoft’s pivotal shift to Big Data and Cloud Computing in the early 2000s. In 2010, she played a key role in delivering predictive data solutions, laying the groundwork for the strategy supporting AI. Her research focuses on values-based leadership, data governance and ethics, and data skills as a critical lever enabling organizations’ social circuitry.
Emily Herman is a curious creative! While new-ish to higher education and corporate learning and development, her 16-year career with The Walt Disney Company allowed her to assess challenges and address them with data-driven solutions and compassionate leadership. At Disney, Emily managed large entertainment projects and mentored “Cast Members” across lines of business. Upon relocating to Texas in 2020, she pivoted to teaching business and leadership communication at The University of Texas at Dallas and Collin College, recently curating an Open Educational Resources textbook. Emily’s philosophy is that a leader is always learning!
Dan Jenkins, Ph.D., is Professor of Leadership & Organizational Studies at the University of Southern Maine. He received his doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Florida. Dan is co-author of The Role of Leadership Educators: Transforming Learning and has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on leadership education, training, and development. As an award-winning international speaker and facilitator, Dan has engaged thousands of leadership educators, students, and professionals on topics such as leadership pedagogy, followership, artificial intelligence, and curriculum and course design. Additionally, Dan is a past Chair of the ILA Leadership Education Member Community, Co-Founder of the ILA Leadership Education Academy, Vice-Chair of the Collegiate Leadership Competition, Co-Lead of the Association of Leadership Educators Teaching & Pedagogy/Andragogy Focus Area Network, Associate Editor of the Journal of Leadership Studies, and co-host of The Leadership Educator Podcast.
Dr. Eric Kaufman is a professor and Extension specialist with Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education. He is also the current chair of the International Leadership Association’s Followership Member Community. Dr. Kaufman researches and promotes best practices for collective leadership, with special emphasis on problem solving and team development. His work advances social science in a variety of contexts, with past projects supporting the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Centers for Instructional Leadership, as well as the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Geosciences Opportunities for Leadership in Diversity (GOLD) program.
Gaurav Khanna, Senior Manager, Data Science and Digital Journeys, Cisco Systems, has 25 years of experience in technology and entrepreneurship. During the past five years, he has led efforts to automate business workflows using machine learning and deep learning techniques. His work focuses on using large language models and generative AI to transform how users interact with sales acceleration platforms. Khanna is passionate about demystifying complex subjects and is a frequent speaker on AI/ML topics. He received a BS in physics from Yale and an MS and a PhD in materials science and engineering from Stanford.
“Dr. Joe” Lasley is an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Maine and Founder of Gamenamic Leadership. He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and is a certified leadership coach. He specializes in experiential and transformational learning, using role-playing games, focusing on group dynamics, systems thinking, human development, and game-based learning.”Dr. Joe” Lasley is an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Maine and Founder of Gamenamic Leadership. He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and is a certified leadership coach. He specializes in experiential and transformational learning, using role-playing games, focusing on group dynamics, systems thinking, human development, and game-based learning.
Dr. Xi Lin is an associate professor at East Carolina University, USA. Her research focuses on seeking best practices, such as meme and emoji, video timeline-anchored comments, games, and artificial intelligence, to enhance student engagement and interaction in online learning environments. More information can be found at http://whoisxilin.weebly.com/
Gary Lloyd is a Change Leadership Expert and author of Gardeners Not Mechanics: How to Cultivate Change at Work. He created leadershipskillslab.ai, a platform designed to help users practice leadership skills such as coaching, feedback, and conflict management in a supportive environment, complemented by Socratic tutorials. Originally developed for Warwick Business School’s mentoring programme, the platform now supports a broader range of leadership skills. With over 20 years of experience leading change in financial services, Gary is dedicated to fostering adaptive leadership to meet the challenges of an AI-driven world.
Dr. Ray Luechtefeld is an Associate Professor of Management at the University of Central Missouri where he teaches Strategy, Organizational Behavior, and Organization Development. His courses speak to the intersection of leadership, teamwork, personal and organizational change, and group learning. His research considers approaches to improve individual and team outcomes through transformational dialogue. Ray’s experience includes nine years at IBM. He received his PhD from Boston College, an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a BSEE from the University of Missouri-Rolla and has several patents involving AI and dialogic learning. He is a National Science Foundation CAREER awardee.Ray Luechtefeld is an Associate Professor of Management at the University of Central Missouri where he teaches Strategy, Organizational Behavior, and Organization Development. His courses speak to the intersection of leadership, teamwork, personal and organizational change, and group learning. His research considers approaches to improve individual and team outcomes through transformational dialogue. Ray’s experience includes nine years at IBM. He received his PhD from Boston College, an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a BSEE from the University of Missouri-Rolla and has several patents involving AI and dialogic learning. He is a National Science Foundation CAREER awardee.
Dr. Nikolas McGehee is a dedicated husband, father of three, and a passionate educator and researcher. With a PhD in STEM education and a specialization in data science, he focuses on leveraging AI and Machine Learning to advance educational practices. His work integrates cutting-edge technology with data-driven decision-making to enhance teaching, learning, and research. Additionally, as a professional MMA athlete and trainer, he prioritizes both physical and mental growth. Dr. McGehee brings a unique perspective to AI leadership, blending academic rigor with practical experience in data science, education, and fitness.
Maureen Metcalf, CEO of the Innovative Leadership Institute, is a renowned executive advisor and visionary founder. She leads a consulting team dedicated to elevating leadership and evolving organizations through structured processes. Recognized as a Fellow at the International Leadership Association, Maureen is also an acclaimed author of an eleven-book series on innovative leadership, including “Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI.” Her work amplifies impact and fosters thriving organizations globally.
Jimmy Payne, CNP, PhD is an adjunct instructor at Carolina University, William Woods University and the Navy Community College. He coaches dissertation learners and is an Ethics and Leadership Instructor, as well as conducting research on the “dark “ side of leadership.
Sonya Sharififard, PhD (she/her) is faculty at Pepperdine University. Her current research explores leadership development and global food systems with an emphasis on ethics in pedagogy. Previously, Dr. Sharififard served as a postdoctoral research fellow and Managing Editor of The Scholarship without Borders Journal at Pepperdine University, Lecturer at California State University, Sacramento, and an AMPLIFY fellow at the Pacific Council on International Policy. Dr. Sharififard has co-authored book chapters in New Horizons in Positive Leadership and Change (Springer 2020) and Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment (Palgrave 2018). She has presented at major international conferences and serves on the review panel of global institutions in North America, Europe, and Asia, including the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the Academy of Management (AOM), and the International Leadership Association (ILA).
Mary Tabata, MBA, PhD is a teaching academic and transformational coach. She holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University and an MBA with a concentration in Leadership and Change Management from Pepperdine University. Her interest in AI and ethics originate from many years working around technology innovation and ethics, including AI in education and its applications to healthcare and human-machine interaction, and AI’s influence on coaching, leadership training, leader development, and AI and spirituality.