On Friday, August 22, Jenkins MBA alumni returned to NC State University’s Witherspoon Student Center for the inaugural Jenkins MBA Alumni Summit—a day dedicated to professional growth, networking and reconnecting with fellow graduates. The event brought together approximately 100 alumni and students from across graduating classes to share insights and engage in conversations shaping today’s business landscape.

“Our theme today is the impact of artificial intelligence on business and careers,” said Frank Buckless, Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr. Dean of Poole College of Management, during his welcoming remarks. “AI is transforming industries, leadership and the way we work. We have an excellent lineup of speakers and panelists, but I also encourage you to share your insights and perspectives with one another. We are a community full of leaders, innovators and change makers, and the conversations among you will be just as powerful as those on our stage.”

The Explosion of AI

Akshay Kumar, executive vice president of technology for TransUnion, kicked off the morning sessions with a compelling look at AI’s sweeping impact on organizations and processes.

“For the first time in the history of humanity, something has emerged which can actually affect all of us in a very, very, very fundamental way – almost in a way that defines what it means to be human,” Kumar said.

“For the first time in the history of humanity, something has emerged which can actually affect all of us in a very, very, very fundamental way…”

He highlighted the rapid adoption of generative AI, noting that 40% of adults are using ChatGPT – making it one of the fastest technology adoptions of our lifetime. Kumar described the shift from traditional, rules-based programming to data-driven machine learning and generative AI, emphasizing both its promise and its challenges. Data quality, ethical use and the looming threat of “data poisoning” require careful attention. While automation may replace some roles, particularly in content creation and routine programming, Kumar argued that the bigger shift is a fundamental change in the nature of work itself. Adaptability and lifelong learning, he said, will define future success.

Kumar urged organizations to foster cross-domain collaboration, experimentation and outcome-focused thinking. As AI systems become integral to daily decision-making, he stressed the importance of trust, ethics and critical thinking. Teaching people how to think, he concluded, will matter far more than teaching them what to think.

Panels and Breakout Sessions

Throughout the day, attendees learned from panels and breakout discussions on leadership, AI in business and navigating disruption.

“What NC State’s Poole College Jenkins MBA underscores is that learning should never stop as business leaders,” said event attendee Jeannien Engelbrecht (MBA ‘21), client technology strategist senior advisor at Evernorth. “It’s no surprise, today, to witness a collection of inquisitive grads from various professional backgrounds ready to enrich discussions with thought-provoking questions to our distinguished industry and academic speakers.”

Free Agent Mindset

“Lifetime loyalty in business is gone. Everybody’s a free agent.” These words from Chris Hitch, an adjunct lecturer in Poole College’s Department of Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, set the tone for his session on what leaders need to thrive today: awareness, alignment, agency and adaptability.

“Lifetime loyalty in business is gone. Everybody’s a free agent.”

Hitch described careers as fluid, emphasizing that professionals must expect shifting priorities, occasional setbacks and the need for strategic agility. Operational excellence is no longer enough—adaptability and personal agency are crucial.

AI as a Thinking Partner

In “AI for Leaders,” Tucker Mahan, director of emerging tech at MAXX Potential, asked attendees to begin thinking of AI as a coach – not a threat. Despite headlines declaring that AI is causing a job apocalypse, the reality is that AI is amplifying human potential. 

Mahan emphasized that thriving in the AI era requires a mindset shift: curiosity, experimentation and a willingness to be uncomfortable are essential. Mahan highlighted the importance of asking AI the right questions, engaging in real dialogue rather than relying on surface-level prompts, and fostering a culture where sharing both wins and failures accelerates learning. Ultimately, he argued, the real value in an AI-powered workplace comes from human judgment, creativity and the ability to adapt – qualities that, when paired with smart AI adoption, make individuals and organizations truly irreplaceable.

The Future of AI in Business

Bill Rand, McLauchlan Distinguished Professor of Marketing and Analytics and Goodnight Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Analytics at NC State, offered a big-picture view of AI’s role in business and education. Rand traced the evolution of generative AI, explaining how neural networks and transformers are revolutionizing fields from marketing to HR. While AI can automate routine tasks, he said, its greatest potential lies in enabling humans to focus on creativity and strategy.

Rand addressed bias and ethics in AI and highlighted NC State’s commitment to AI literacy, including a new Business AI Certificate program. “AI won’t take your job, but someone who knows how to work with AI will take your job,” he said, underscoring the need for continuous skill-building.

Lessons in Leadership

One of the highlights of the event was a panel discussion around navigating leadership and change in a digital world.

“With five generations in the workforce, knowledge transfer is essential – especially as AI changes how we work,” said Jane Mehringer, global talent attraction lead at ABB. “There’s still a human touch to everything we do, so as leaders we need to bridge generational gaps through both traditional and reverse mentoring to ensure knowledge and innovation flow both ways.”

Mehringer was joined by Om Deshmukh, head of data science, analytics & products at Envestnet, and Kirk Goldman, vice president of business strategy at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. The panel was moderated by Andrew Harris, managing partner at Innovative Solutions Group, and Kalindi Kapadia, information technology manager of data feeds at Mercalis.

Career Conversations and Networking

During a lunch break, attendees had the opportunity to network and meet with members of the Poole Career Center team for Lifelong Career Support conversations, and the summit concluded with a networking social – providing time and space for Jenkins MBA graduates to reconnect and build new professional relationships. 

“It was inspiring to see so many Jenkins MBA alumni and students come together to learn, connect and celebrate our community,” said Jessica Day, who helped plan the event, and is a senior consultant at FountainWorks, mayor of the town of Knightdale and alumna of the Jenkins MBA program. “The energy in the room showed the strength of this network, and I’m excited to build on that momentum as we look ahead to next year’s summit.”