When AI Becomes a Mandate
Marketing Manager Antonette DePalma breaks down how tech leaders are turning AI ambition into actual impact.
On June 20, the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MTLC) convened a powerhouse panel of senior leaders for a candid, cross-functional conversation on one of the most pressing challenges facing tech companies today: turning AI from a buzzword into business results.
Hosted at Foley Hoag and generously sponsored by Force Management, JalaSoft, NIX, and MIT Professional Education, the event brought together executives from across marketing, HR, product, and the C-suite to share what’s working, what’s not, and how to lead through the AI mandate.
Key Themes & Takeaways
AI Is No Longer Optional—It’s Existential
Moderator Tuck Rickards (Managing Director, Russell Reynolds Associates) kicked off the discussion by framing AI as both an existential threat and a radical opportunity. Panelists agreed: companies that fail to adopt and scale AI risk falling behind.
Meg Donovan (Chief People Officer, Nexthink) emphasized the need to equip the workforce with digital dexterity and embed AI-readiness into hiring and training.
Allison MacLeod (CMO, Flywire) noted that while AI may displace some roles, it’s also creating new ones—and the key is enabling teams to focus on high-value work.
From Pilot to Scale: The Real Work Begins
Many companies are still in the early stages of AI adoption. Max Ushchenko (Head of Data and Practice, NIX) shared that while 92% of C-level leaders say they want to use AI, only 7–12% of employees feel equipped to do so.
The panel stressed the importance of:
Identifying core business use cases
Measuring impact with clear metrics
Avoiding “AI theater” by focusing on real outcomes
Culture and Change Management Are Critical
AI transformation isn’t just technical—it’s cultural.
Pat Manzo (CEO, Force Management) highlighted the need for a clear, evolving vision that resonates with customers, employees, and investors.
Leaders must act as evangelists, helping teams understand not just the “how” but the “why” behind AI adoption.
Functional Insights: HR, Marketing, and Beyond
Each function is navigating AI differently:
HR is consolidating tools and reimagining workflows to reduce low-value tasks and improve employee experience.
Marketing and Sales are early adopters, using tools like Gong and ChatGPT to optimize messaging, forecasting, and customer engagement.
Tech and Product teams are leading the charge on experimentation and internal enablement, often serving as the bridge between innovation and execution.
Leadership Must Operate at Every Altitude
From 50,000 feet to ground level, leaders must:
Set a bold vision
Make bets on tools and platforms
Track adoption and behavior change
Align cross-functional efforts
As one speaker put it, “You need leaders who can operate at 50,000 feet and half an inch off the ground.”
Practical Advice for Leaders
Each panelist shared one action they’re taking in the next 3–6 months to accelerate AI transformation:
Formalize ownership: Create clear roles and responsibilities for AI initiatives.
Communicate the vision: Reinforce the “why” and “how” across the organization.
Evangelize internally and externally: Help teams and customers see AI as an enabler, not a threat.
Measure what matters: Track ROI, not just activity.
Invest in early wins: Use success stories to build momentum and trust.
Thank You to Our Speakers & Sponsors
A huge thank you to our incredible panelists:
Allison MacLeod, CMO, Flywire
Meg Donovan, Chief People Officer, Nexthink
Ed Keisling, SVP & Chief AI Officer, Progress Software
Pat Manzo, CEO, Force Management
Michael Curry, President, Data Modernization, Rocket Software
Max Ushchenko, Head of Data and Practice, NIX
Tuck Rickards, Managing Director, Russell Reynolds Associates
And to our sponsors for making this event possible: Force Management, JalaSoft, NIX, and MIT Professional Education
Want to continue the conversation? Join us in July for our next MTLC event on AI’s Impact on Product Strategy.