AI as Leverage: How a 10-Person Team Operates Like 50
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Good for 1 CAE Credit Hour
Everyones talking about AI, but most companies are stuck in one of two places: running chatbot experiments that never scale, or buying tools that flatline within 90 days because nobody changed how people actually work. Technology isn’t the bottleneck:. Culture and process alignment are. And in a landscape where technology moves faster every month, the teams that get the culture right are the ones that can actually keep up.
In this session, Bear Analytics CEO Joe Colangelo pulls back the curtain on the internal AI skill library his team uses every day: From client-needs intelligence that compounds across every prospect call, to delivery tools that turn raw data into executive-ready client briefs in minutes instead of hours. He will also show how that same leverage philosophy extends to clients, when bespoke intelligence can be tailored to each account and delivered through mechanisms built specifically for how that client operates. No theory. Just the real playbook from a team that built AI into how they run and what their clients touch.
Representing associations of different sizes and missions, today’s leaders are navigating increasingly complex expectations from boards, volunteer leaders, members, staff, and corporate partners. AI is rapidly becoming a core tool but only when directed strategically. This session demonstrates how to use it to enhance connection, not dilute credibility.
What We’ll Explore:
Whether your priority is securing board alignment, strengthening sponsor relationships, or guiding internal teams through change (and most executives are managing all three), this conversation delivers actionable insights:
- Board & Governance Communication – Craft clear, decision-forward messaging that anticipates concerns, frames trade-offs, and builds trust with board members and executive committees.
- High-Stakes Internal Conversations – Use AI to refine tone and positioning for sensitive staff discussions, strategic pivots, and cross-departmental alignment without weakening authority.
- External Influence & Sponsor Alignment – Shape sponsor and partner communication that reflects ROI, mission alignment, and long-term relationship value while preserving your executive voice.
- Authentic Executive Voice in the AI Era – Guide AI outputs so they reflect your leadership style and professional identity rather than generic, flattened language.
Who Is This Session Perfect For?
Association CEOs, executive directors, senior staff leaders, and department heads who regularly communicate with boards, volunteer leadership, sponsors, and key stakeholders and want to strengthen clarity, connection, and influence in moments that matter most.
Speaker
Lori Zoss Kraska, MBA, CFRE
Lori is a Strategic Revenue Architect and Fractional Chief Strategy Officer who helps purpose-driven organizations translate their missions into boardroom-ready language, alignment, and revenue systems that attract long-term corporate partnerships. With 25+ years advising nationally recognized associations and nonprofits, she designs scalable sponsorship strategies, executive messaging frameworks, and board alignment processes that reduce decision friction, strengthen stakeholder confidence, and help leaders convert passion into predictable, sustainable revenue growth. She is the author of The Boardroom Playbook and the Amazon bestselling novel Under Caution.
Moderator, Barbara Armentrout, CAE, BJA Solutions for Associations
Innovative strategist helping associations achieve sustainable growth through non-dues revenue, dynamic business collaborations, and smart technology solutions. Options available that are designed to help small-staff teams.
Hostess, Teri Carden, COO, Insight Guide
Teri Carden is the COO at Insight Guide, helping associations modernize how they engage members and industry partners. Teri is wildly passionate about turning big ideas—especially around AI and innovation—into practical solutions that deliver real value.
