Speaking

I give talks about what happens when organizations try to adopt technology faster than they can actually change.

The through-line in most of my talks: technology adoption is less about the technology and more about how organizations work—how decisions get made, how people collaborate, and what happens when new tools require new ways of doing things.

Here are the topics I speak on most often:

Why AI Pilots Fail to Scale Most organizations implement technology first, then expect people to adapt. That sequence creates predictable problems. This talk explores what it looks like to design organizational change and technology adoption together—and how to make the case for investing in the organizational work.

Human-AI Collaboration Beyond the productivity pitch: what changes when AI becomes a real thinking partner for teams and institutions? This talk is about developing organizational capabilities for thinking differently, not just thinking faster.

Government Modernization in Risk-Averse Environments Twenty years at State taught me that government agencies struggle with technology adoption for specific reasons—most of which have nothing to do with procurement. This is a practical talk: how to pilot AI within compliance frameworks, build momentum when leadership changes frequently, and make the case for investment without overpromising.

Building Transformation Capacity That Lasts Most transformation efforts depend too much on a single champion. This talk is about building organizational capability so the work continues regardless of who's in charge.

I do keynotes (30-60 minutes), panel discussions, and workshops (half-day or full-day). Past speaking includes the Asana Work Innovation Summit, USC Center on Public Diplomacy, and the World Economic Forum.

For inquiries, use the contact page. It helps to share what kind of event you're planning, who'll be in the room, and which topic area interests you most. I generally respond within 48 hours.