Sharing a win! Presented to 200 staff members of United Way of the Midlands

Yesterday I had the chance to speak at United Way of the Midlands during their all-staff training—nearly 200 people in the room—and walked away more energized than when I arrived.

Why?

Because this team isn’t just talking about AI. They’re building a real plan to make it work, starting with an AI Champion Program

Here’s how it’s set up:

• The champions were nominated by leadership

• They span departments and represent different roles and perspectives

• They’re empowered to test, explore, and ask real questions—with support and structure

Their first focus?

Creating an internal AI policy and governance framework rooted in their values and mission.

Then: launching a high-impact quick win that gives the rest of the org something real to point to—not just theory, not just hype.

And they’ve got full executive backing.

What I love about this approach is that it taps into the curiosity already inside the org. Instead of forcing adoption top-down, they’re creating space for the most interested people to lead the way, test the guardrails, and help shape what good looks like for everyone else.

Big thanks to the United Way of the Midlands team for the warm welcome, thoughtful questions, and meaningful conversation around ethics, equity, and implementation.

Proud to be part of this moment.

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