Business Over Breakfast

Many organizations see the potential of AI but find it difficult to move from isolated pilots to meaningful, scalable performance improvements. This session cuts through the hype and explores what actually drives successful human–AI collaboration. Professor Bill Schmidt uncovers the core principles behind high‑impact human–AI teaming and discusses real‑world experiences—what’s working, what’s not, and where the biggest opportunities lie for transforming operations through AI.

Strategy used to be built through long planning cycles. Today, the cost of planning often exceeds the cost of experimentation. In a rapidly changing world, leaders must test direction before fully committing to it- and, once committed, continue testing to avoid missing critical pivots along the way. In this session, Scott Sanchez explores how to rapidly experiment your business strategy using human-centered methods such as empathy, prototyping, and iteration—amplified by AI. With AI as a collaborator, you can pressure-test assumptions, explore alternative strategic paths, and gain faster insight into whether you’re headed in the right direction. The result is greater clarity, confidence, and courage in the choices you make.

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You weren’t promoted to be liked or to keep the peace. You were promoted to navigate conflict, align commitment, and secure buy‑in—even when it feels uncomfortable. This session with Dr. Natasha Ganem reframes leadership as the ability to create clarity in ambiguity and to generate productive tension where avoidance has taken hold. We cover the real costs of conflict avoidance, understand how “being nice” can undermine performance, and learn practical frameworks to step confidently into the hard conversations that define effective leadership.

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While most organizations focus on innovation, few master adoption — the leadership skill that determines whether new ideas actually take hold. In this session, Berkley Baker draws on his CFOSS® framework (Core, Financial, Operational, Strategic, and Social Value) to share how leaders can identify adoption barriers, align value across teams, and turn innovation potential into measurable results.

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In today’s competitive landscape, delivering value isn’t enough. Your customers need to clearly see and feel that value in every interaction. Ira L. Gleser, Founder of Amplify Marketing Communications, former Industry Advisor at Microsoft, and former VP of Industry Communications at The Coca-Cola Company, introduces a practical approach to turning customer relationships into true growth partnerships. He will explore how to communicate the value you create, gain deeper insight into your customers’ goals, and uncover mutually beneficial opportunities to grow together.

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Are you ready to make 2026 your best year ever? If so, Jamie Turner, recognized author, Emory lecturer, and CNN contributor, will show you how to use the Four Ms (Mindset, Mentoring, Management, and Marketing) to create a roadmap for success. Put last year behind you and embrace 2026 with an open mind and an open heart with on eof our most popular Business Over Breakfast speakers!

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AI is transforming how we work—but it’s also introducing risks that leaders can’t afford to ignore. As adoption accelerates, the challenge isn’t just using AI well; it’s using it responsibly. Savneet Singh, Learning Experience Architect and Tech Ethicist at Google and Visiting Instructor at Emory University, will break down how to spot bias in AI tools, establish accountability when systems fail, and protect your organization from “Shadow AI.” She’ll also share the key questions to ask vendors, practical guidance for using AI-generated content ethically, and why treating AI as a first-draft partner is essential for preserving your brand’s voice.

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A.I. Technologies are rapidly becoming a standard part of the business world. Dr. Ifeoma Ajunwa, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law at Emory Law School and Founding Director of the A.I. and Future of Work Program shares what you should know about the ethical and legal issues around A.I technologies such as generative A.I. and agentic A.I, used for business and work.

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Fandom is no longer confined to sports and entertainment — it now shapes every product and institution with cultural meaning. Todd Harris, CEO of Resurgens Gaming, and Mike Lewis, Professor at Emory’s Goizueta Business School, explore how demographic shifts, technology, and marketing are creating a new era of fandom — one that’s interactive, immersive, and identity-driven — and what it all means for brands and sponsorship in spaces like gaming and beyond.

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Pricing is more than a financial decision—it’s a strategic one. In this session, Professor Saloni Vastani explores the hidden risks and unintended consequences of offering products or services for “free.” Drawing on research and real-world examples, she reveals how organizations can identify overlooked monetization opportunities, introduce price increases with minimal customer churn, and use pricing as a powerful lever for value and growth.

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Many organizations talk about wanting to be more agile and more resilient. But what does that really mean? And what skills are needed? This session offers unique opportunity to hear from the dynamic duo, Aimee Gregg, a senior executive practitioner, and Steve Walton, a sought-after faculty member, who help professionals with organizational alignment by:

• Clarifying what agility and resilience mean
• Describing organizational skills to enable agility and resilience
• Apply the ideas in a supply chain context for enhanced understanding 

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In the rapidly emerging phenomenon of social impact markets, this session reveals how companies can capitalize on these new pockets of consumer demand through focused strategy, data-informed implementation, and a clear eye on the future, including how digital technologies are creating new ways for brands to expand. Professor Omar Rodriguez-Vila shares his experience and research-based insights in this engaging session. 

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Periods of volatility and uncertainty often fuel fear and contribute to unhappiness—both personally and professionally. Fortunately, the last two years of social science and positive psychology research offer clear strategies for boosting morale and workplace happiness, which in turn drive stronger business performance and value, even during tough times. In this session from former startup executive, Zen monk, and happiness researcher, Jackson Kerchis, you’ll learn the surprising business case for happiness (everything from to immune health to stock performance).

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Dr. Natasha Ganem provides a blend of cutting-edge organizational psychology and real-world case studies for you to gain practical, evidence-based tools to elevate team performance. Learn how to turn average contributors into standout performers, tackle underperformance with confidence, and create an environment that attracts and retains top talent. This session goes beyond theory—it's a roadmap to building resilient, high-performing teams that drive results.

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As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms the workplace, organizations must move beyond outdated, transactional labor models and embrace relationship excellence to unlock the full potential of human-AI collaboration. Kimberly Evans uncovers how AI is not just a tool, but rather a new kind of workforce participant that reshapes organizational dynamics and demands a rethinking of how people and technology interact. 

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In today’s fast-paced, high-stakes business environment, the ability to present ideas clearly and confidently is a critical leadership skill. In this interactive session, Brandon Smith explores proven strategies to help you communicate with greater clarity, project confidence under pressure, and build credibility with any audience. Whether you're leading a team meeting, pitching to stakeholders, or speaking at a conference, you'll gain practical tools to structure your message, manage nerves, and deliver with presence.

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AI is meant to lighten our load, but is it actually making us work more? In this session, Professor Wei Jiang unpacks new research showing how AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the nature of work. Drawing from nearly two decades of time-use data, she explores how AI is raising productivity and performance pressure—especially in remote jobs. Workers are earning more, but their satisfaction and work-life balance are declining. Join us for a data-backed look at how AI is reshaping work, rewards, and well-being.

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Growth marketing, or performance marketing, isn’t just about running Google and Meta ads. It’s about leading with a growth-oriented mindset and structuring your business plans and analysis around customer behavior and meeting your customers where they are. Kelly Goldston, Chief Digital Officer at Spanx, shares the fundamentals of leading with a start-up mentality, and growth marketing orientation, and how you can apply them to any career. 

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Everyone knows that different customer segments want different things—that’s what makes them different customer segments. But businesses too often forget that truism when they try to grow. Adding more segments to your customer base can cause problems when the preferences, identities, and values of these segments come into conflict. Professor Ryan Hamilton talks about approaching growth from the perspective of managing customer segment relationships and provides some tools and frameworks from his forthcoming book, The Growth Dilemma, to help managers avoid conflict and create sustainable growth.

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Today, we face growing concerns about a potential recession in the United States, driven by a combination of economic indicators and global uncertainties.  During this session, we examine these signals with Professor Tom Smith, using the "6+2" framework of six key economic indicators and the two critical, monetary and fiscal policies.

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Dr. Rajiv Garg believes 2025 will be the year of AI Agents that will pave the path for agentic workflows. AI agents are reshaping business, but there’s a gap between big promises and real adoption. Are they truly transformational, or just the next wave of automation? In this session, Dr. Garg discusses what’s new, what’s working, and what leaders need to know to navigate AI’s opportunities and challenges. From game-changing use cases to the risks of AI decision-making, he explores how businesses can harness AI agents to drive efficiency, innovation, and a smarter future of work.

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