Women are essential in defining the future of AI

As an advisor to executive leadership, Shelly helps organizations move from AI hesitation to responsible execution—aligning leaders around an AI north star, establishing governance and responsible-use frameworks, identifying high-ROI applications, and building the culture and operating rhythms required for enterprise adoption.

She founded Global Women Leading AI (GWLAI) to ensure women have the fluency, confidence, access, and leadership opportunities to succeed in an AI-powered economy. Through education, workforce programming, executive convenings, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, GWLAI is building a global community of women leaders and allies equipped not only to adapt to AI, but to help shape its future.

Shelly is also Founder & CEO of GSD Group, Co-Founder of Atari Hotels, and Co-Founder of DesTechAZ with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Previously, she served for 12 years as Executive Director & CEO of the Arizona Higher Education Loan Authority, issuing more than $1.2 billion in private activity bonds supporting access to higher education. She also serves in board and advisory roles across education, technology, and innovation.

Lonnie has played a leadership role with DesTechAZ, Arizona’s signature technology event, serving as Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives and as an Event Producer. Through DesTechAZ, she has helped connect business and technology leaders with initiatives supporting K–12 STEM education and expanding young people’s exposure to innovation and emerging technologies.

Her broader career includes leadership roles with GSD Group, Atari Hotels, Blue Anvil Marketing, and CBS Radio, where she has developed strategic partnerships, produced major events, and created opportunities for organizations to engage new audiences and communities. Her work increasingly sits at the intersection of technology, education, community, and the rapidly evolving role of AI.

At GWLAI, Lonnie brings deep experience in community building, strategic partnerships, events, and education to helping grow a national network that connects women with the relationships, knowledge, and opportunities they need to participate and lead in an AI-powered economy.

Ken helps organizations scale by combining relationship-driven business development with AI-enabled operating systems. His work focuses on scalable revenue architecture, strategic partnerships, and AI-powered workflows that help companies accelerate growth, strengthen execution, and turn AI from an emerging concept into a practical competitive advantage.

He spent nearly a decade helping shape Lake Nona in Orlando, widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading smart city and innovation districts. That experience informs the systems-level approach he brings to growth strategy today—connecting people, technology, partnerships, infrastructure, and execution to create platforms designed to scale.

As Managing Partner of GSD Group, Ken advises leaders on emerging technology strategy and AI-enabled revenue growth. He has also applied AI-enabled business development systems to generate more than 75% of client engagements for a fractional Chief AI Officer firm. Beyond his business work, Ken supports humanitarian efforts through Revived Soldiers Ukraine, helping facilitate life-saving care for wounded soldiers.

As Co-Founder and President of Longitude73, Jim helped build and lead a national digital platform serving thousands of communities across the United States. Over more than two decades, he oversaw strategy, partnerships, product, marketing, and operations while developing long-term relationships with some of the country’s leading nonprofit and media organizations.

Jim was also an early adopter of artificial intelligence within Longitude73, incorporating AI into the company’s content, technology, and operating workflows to improve efficiency, expand capabilities, and help a longstanding digital business adapt to a rapidly changing media environment. That hands-on experience informs his belief that AI’s greatest value comes when organizations move beyond experimentation and integrate it into how people actually work.

Jim began his career in nonprofit development with Save the Children and later led a 14-year partnership with AARP focused on strengthening the organization’s presence and impact in local communities nationwide. At GWLAI, he brings together that nonprofit foundation with decades of experience in technology, organizational growth, strategic partnerships, and AI-enabled innovation.