Hi Reader,
When organizations experiment with AI without policies in place, let alone a governance practice, stakeholder trust is super at risk. And we know this is the case at most orgs - everyone is using AI, whether approved or now.
At our recent Social Saturday, six experts from the She Leads AI community discussed why "move fast and break things" doesn’t apply in the social impact sector. The panel got specific about trust, cultural barriers, and the tensions that stall AI adoption before technology even enters the room.
Their insights are captured in our latest (first!) Applied AI Report by She Leads AI Media. Media? I said media. I mean we have a whole event world, a podcast world, white papers, social media, live shows, in person events….that feels like media to me.
ANYWAY, here’s the inaugural issue of Applied AI Report (pondering a better name - AI produced cringe)
What's inside:
- The governance playbook for organizations with zero AI policy—not a template to download.
- Why individual contributors surface AI problems first, not executives
- Specific low-risk pilots that moved skeptics from resistance to curiosity
- You don't have to work in nonprofits for this tension to feel familiar.
Warmly,
Anne and the SLAI Effect team (including Kate Rivera and our helpers at Manus, Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude)
P.S. We're grateful to all of our amazing experts who share at Social Saurday! If you'd like to come talk with your peers about a topic in your Zone of Genius, complete the CREATE Conference speaker application - if you're not in the final line-up, no sweat - we'll be in touch about another opportunity!!
🗓️ Social Saturday - Don't Miss It!
We all have those “game-changing” books on our shelves that we’ve read… but never fully implemented.
Join us for an interactive Social Saturday on February 21st as we welcome Katie Milton Jordan, founder of SimpleEDO.ai and an AI Workflow Strategist who helps civic leaders and entrepreneurs turn big ideas into practical systems — even if you still prefer pen and paper.
In this live AI Action Class, you’ll watch Katie distill the book 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗯𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 in real time using her proprietary method — and see how quickly you can move from reading a concept to having a ready-to-deliver workshop for your team, your community, or your audience.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲:
• A live demonstration of how AI can extract the most actionable pillars from a book
• The shift from passive reading to structured implementation
• A human-centered approach to AI workflows that reduces noise and increases clarity
𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱?
Educators, nonprofit leaders, founders, and anyone who wants their bookshelf to turn into impact instead of inspiration.
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Saturday, Feb 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Live on Zoom
Bring a book you’ve been meaning to implement — and leave with a new way to move from idea to action.
Register for the Social Saturday Zoom link at SheLeadsAI.ai.
📢 Women in AI Making an Impact
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Fabiola Elias-Ramsey is a high-caliber leadership professional specializing in client relations and account management within the e-commerce technology sector. Currently serving as the Director of Account Management at Miva, Inc., she is recognized for her ability to align complex technical solutions with business growth strategies. Her expertise lies in fostering long-term strategic partnerships, driving customer retention, and leading high-performing teams to navigate the evolving landscape of digital commerce and AI-driven consumer experiences. |
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Charlie Lonngren is a results-oriented leader and strategic architect specializing in the intersection of artificial intelligence and organizational development. As a pivotal figure at WOMAiN Inc, Charlie focuses on leveraging AI Strategy to drive social impact and educational equity. With a background that bridges technical innovation and leadership, Charlie is dedicated to building frameworks that empower underrepresented groups through technology, ensuring that the future of AI is both inclusive and mission-driven. |
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Camilla Esser is a high-impact technology executive with a distinguished career in leading digital transformation and operational strategy for global IT organizations. With a specialized focus on the intersection of business value and technical infrastructure, Camilla has successfully steered large-scale enterprise units through complex transitions. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to AI-driven innovation and the modernization of legacy systems, ensuring that technology serves as a robust foundation for organizational agility and sustainable growth. |
🖋️ Our Featured Artist
We are excited to be currently featuring artwork from Beth Huerta. Beth is an editor, educator, and AI artist whose work is shaped by dance, photography, and visual direction. Her self-directed AI practice focuses on visual composition across still and motion, grounded in physical intelligence and photographic judgment. She treats generative tools as a medium for staging scenes and choreographed performance. Follow Beth at https://www.bethhuerta.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/beth.huerta
🎙️ AI Readiness Project
From Panic to Purpose, Navigating "The Great Repurpose"
As autonomous agents and generative tools begin to commoditize traditional skills, the "AI Readiness" conversation is shifting from simple curiosity to a deep exploration of human value. Understanding how to decouple your self-worth from your daily tasks is no longer just a philosophical exercise—it is a survival requirement for the 2026 workforce.
✍️ Our Members' Upcoming Events and Offers!
Ready to be known as a leader in AI, not just someone doing great work behind the scenes? The women landing speaking gigs and building recognized expertise are thinking publicly through podcasts. A podcast lets you explore the ethical questions you're wrestling with, connect with other experts doing interesting work, and establish your voice while AI is still defining itself.
Build your strategy in Podcast Launch Prep Week (Feb 23-27): podfoxmedia.com/launch-prep-week
