Many organizations are adopting AI tools at record speed. Few are stepping back to ask whether they are meaningfully transforming how work gets done.

In this episode of Data-Driven Leadership, Jess Carter sits down with Sindhu Venkata, Vice President of Technical Delivery at Resultant, to discuss what intentional AI leadership looks like.

Sindhu introduces the idea of the "AI speed trap" — the cycle of moving faster, producing more, and slowly eroding quality, trust, and critical thinking along the way. She explains why AI failure is rarely a technology problem; it's a leadership problem.

This episode is especially relevant for executives, data leaders, and operators navigating AI adoption across their teams.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The difference between operational AI and transformational AI

• Why the AI speed trap creates fatigue and poor outputs

• How leaders can adopt AI without losing critical thinking

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Sindhu Venkata

(08:02) The AI speed trap and work slop

(17:57) AI licenses vs. transformational strategy

(23:57) Trust erosion and AI hallucinations

(27:55) Leading AI adoption with intention

Sindhu's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sindhuvenkata/

Data can point to the right answer, but negotiation determines whether it happens.

In this episode of Data Driven Leadership, Jess Carter sits down with Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow, Clinical Associate Professor of Business Law and Management at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. They discuss why negotiation is a core leadership skill that transforms the way you approach tough conversations.

Charlotte explains why effective leaders do not rely on one negotiation style. They prepare, assess the moment, and pivot when the strategy no longer serves the goal. This episode is especially relevant for leaders navigating complex tradeoffs, limited options, or tense conversations where outcomes and relationships both matter.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to recognize the negotiation style that works best for you

• Strategies for building and maintaining strong professional relationships

• The importance of mentorship in leadership development

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Charlotte Westerhaus-Renfrow

(09:08) How to select a mentor

(11:52) Negotiation styles and strategies

(23:19) When you're overwhelmed, do this

(26:28) Know your alternatives in a negotiation

(28:24) Leveraging AI for better communication

(31:56) Building and maintaining professional relationships

Charlotte's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottewesterhaus/

Self-assessment: https://hubs.ly/Q042Ty6d0

How can leaders make better data-driven decisions?

Jess Carter shares some of her recent reflections on leadership, from improving workflows within the organization to navigating AI. She talks about how leaders can stay hands-on, spot problems before they turn into bigger issues that impact the business, and earn their team's trust.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The questions leaders need to ask to identify problems in the organization

• Tips for democratizing decision-making

• How a personal philosophy around AI leads to more confident decisions

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction to the episode

(01:05) A methodology for spotting problems you might otherwise miss

(04:40) Showing up and building trust with your team

(06:26) Democratizing problem-solving

(08:23) How to start figuring out your AI philosophy

Jess's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaccarter/

"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast." This saying rings true when it comes to AI adoption in today's fast-paced world. While everyone seems to be rushing toward the next big AI breakthrough, the reality is that hasty decisions often lead to costly mistakes.

In this episode of Data-Driven Leadership, Jess Carter sits down with Patrick McQuillan, global head of AI and data governance at a Fortune 500 company to discuss how leaders can adopt AI thoughtfully and sustainably. Patrick shares his expertise on balancing rapid innovation with long-term success, the critical role of AI governance, and how organizations can avoid common pitfalls in their AI journey.

Tune in to learn how a strategic, measured approach to AI can drive lasting impact for both businesses and their customers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How AI governance reduces failure rates and protects trust

• Why data foundations matter more than new models

• What leaders should ask before they fund or scale AI

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Patrick McQuillan

(05:50) Guidance for early AI adopters on pace and expectations

(12:41) When AI governance becomes a leadership priority

(15:28) The likelihood of public AI failures

(20:10) Long-term AI adoption

(26:36) AI in higher education and job readiness

(31:10) Responsible use of GenAI tools in the workplace

Patrick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjmcquillan/

2025 was a breakthrough year for AI adoption, with new tools enabling seamless integration between business and technical teams. Organizations leveraged AI to improve operations, enhance decision-making, and unlock growth opportunities, though not without challenges.

In this episode, Jess Carter sits down with Michael Schwarz, Senior Vice President of Professional Services at Resultant, to reflect on the key lessons from 2025. They discuss the successes and hurdles organizations encountered in their AI journeys and share actionable insights for leaders heading into 2026. Michael also offers his predictions for 2026 and how businesses can leverage AI to lead in the next phase of digital transformation.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How 2025 accelerated AI adoption across industries

• The balance between power and responsibility in using AI

• Key priorities for leaders to focus on in 2026, especially within industries like healthcare

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction to the episode with Michael Schwarz

(06:08) Reflections on 2025 with fast-moving technology

(11:31) What leaders need to know about the future of AI

(18:07) Predictions for 2026

(25:10) Where to focus AI investment for growth (31:15) Improving patient experience for 2026

Michael's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwarzmike/

With the right data foundation, hospitals can better support medical staff and improve patient outcomes.

Tony Pastorino, commercial health strategy lead at Resultant, joins Jess Carter to discuss how data-driven insights are transforming hospital efficiency. Tony shares his experiences from overseeing information systems at IU Health. He also highlights the critical role of predictive analytics in improving patient flow and streamlining daily operations.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How predictive models can improve staffing and resource allocation

• The challenges of managing complex healthcare data

• How hospitals can use their existing data to make clearer, more confident operational decisions

Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Tony Pastorino

(02:06) Breaking down the complexity of healthcare data

(05:12) How hospitals are building data lakes

(10:02) Predictive analytics in health care

(16:45) Improving the patient experience in hospital systems (21:00) Predictive analytics for nurse staffing and burnout

(24:56) Using AI to create more distraction-free patient interactions

(26:40) How hospitals can start using data today

(29:28) The future of data-driven health care

Tony's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonypastorino/

What can we learn from the leaders shaping the future of tech, health care, and cybersecurity?

In this solo episode, Jess Carter reflects on recent conversations with industry leaders across various fields. Each discussion reveals how mission, people, and structure drive key leadership decisions and strategies. Jess invites listeners to pause and consider their own leadership: How clear is your mission? What support do your teams need? And do your systems align with the way you want to work?

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why a clear mission makes data easier to work with

• The way you support people changes data outcomes

• A simple way to check if your systems help or get in the way

Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Jess Carter

(00:51) Why data-driven leadership starts with mission

(03:57) Keeping people at the center of data decisions

(07:36) How structure and culture build sustainability

In today's fast-paced world, organizations can't rely on static, long-term plans. Strategies must continuously evolve to stay relevant.

In this episode, Resultant EVP of Professional Services Mike Hughes shares his insights on leading through rapid change. He discusses how to maintain organizational health, align culture with strategy, and foster clarity and accountability across teams. Mike also offers advice on balancing priorities and keeping teams focused, no matter the challenges.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to assess the health of an organization

• Ways to strengthen culture through clarity and alignment

• What great consultants do differently to add value

Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Mike Hughes

(02:17) Staying passionate throughout a career in consulting

(06:17) How client expectations are shifting

(10:44) Defining and measuring organizational health (13:52) The link between culture and results

(17:52) How to manage priorities and implement change

(22:07) Where leaders should start to improve organizational health

Mike's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hughes-15038b/

AI is everywhere, but it can't succeed without the judgment, creativity, and collaboration of real data science.

In this episode, Jess Carter sits down with Alexa Myers, senior data science manager at Resultant, for a conversation about building successful data science teams. They discuss how isolation can hinder even the most skilled data scientists, and what happens when organizations pursue outcomes without the right structure in place.

Alexa shares field-tested lessons on what works, where teams struggle, and why communication matters as much as technical skill. As AI takes center stage, this conversation highlights the kind of leadership and teamwork needed to make data science and the AI it supports truly effective.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What happens when AI is used without science

• Best practices for building strong data science teams

• How to talk about data science with executives and stakeholders

Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Alexa Myers (02:09) What data science is and why it's still misunderstood (05:07) The impact of AI in data science (10:12) What to consider when building a data science department (15:01) How to communicate effectively with stakeholders (18:24) Why human insight still matters (22:15) Mentorship and lessons from multi-generational teams (26:19) The next wave of AI and fixing broken AI solutions

Study Finds AI Models Suffer 'Brain Rot' from Clickbait and Junk Data: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQKafFME7he/?igsh=MWQ3azRjNzAyNDBpbQ%3D%3D&img_index=1

Alexa's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-myers-b29099135/

Organizations are racing toward digital and AI transformation, but the same problem keeps showing up: people aren't ready.

In this replay episode, Jess Carter revisits her conversation with Allison Grayson, Senior Director of Organizational Change Management at Resultant. They explore the fundamentals that ensure change is well implemented in an organization. Allison explains why strategy and technology fall short without sponsorship, communication, and culture. She also emphasizes the importance of early-stage planning and continuous feedback to ensure lasting success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to make your "case for change" clear and compelling

• The impact of leadership buy-in on the overall success of change initiatives

• The value of continuous feedback loops during change

Things to listen for: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Allison Grayson (03:26) Defining Organizational Change Management (OCM) in simple terms (08:59) How to avoid overwhelming teams with too much change (15:17) Early budgeting and planning for OCM (17:09) Building a clear and compelling "case for change" (18:31) Why training and emails don't lead to adoption (20:39) Turning resistance and fear into engagement (27:00) How executive alignment supports transformation

Allison's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-grayson/