Kristin Milchanowski is the chief AI and quantum officer at BMO and the founding director of the BMO Institute of Applied AI and Quantum. She also teaches artificial intelligence as an associate fellow at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School. Kristen brings over 25 years of experience leading technology and AI initiatives across more than 20 countries, with past leadership roles at EY, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan Chase.

She holds a PhD in decision sciences and a diploma in artificial intelligence from Oxford, an MBA from the University of Colorado, and a BBA from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M.

Check out her new book, Return on Intelligence. https://www.routledge.com/Return-on-Intelligence-A-Strategic-Enterprise-Playbook-for-Scalable-AI-Agents/Milchanowski/p/book/9781041262985

Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinmilchanowski/

Thrivefecta is a podcast from BMO, celebrating women who thrive. Visit https://uswealth.bmo.com/podcasts/ for the full list of episodes. Find the feed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or search for BMO Thrivefecta on your favorite podcast listening app.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at uswealth.bmo.com. 

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Lindsay Consalvo, Kelly Taylor, Jessica Theodore, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host. 

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.

Grené Baranco has over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. She began her career in 1985 at her family’s Pontiac, Buick & GMC dealership in Decatur, Georgia. She now leads as the Dealer Partner and General Manager of Audi Forsyth County — the newest Audi of America franchise, scheduled to open in June 2026. Baranco is a committed advocate for inclusion and industry advancement. She serves on the boards of Meals on Wheels Atlanta (MOWA), the Georgia State University Department of Religious Studies Alumni Board, the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association (GADA), and Common Cause Georgia.

In this episode of Thrivefecta, Grené speaks about the importance of showing up, asking for help when you need it, and showing empathy.

Learn more about Grené and her work work by visiting www.audiforsythcounty.com, following her and her dealership’s Instagram accounts at @grenenicol and @audiforsythco, respectively. Find her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/gren%C3%A9-nicol-baranco-987a8551/

Thrivefecta is a podcast from BMO, celebrating women who thrive. Visit https://uswealth.bmo.com/podcasts/ for the full list of episodes. Find the feed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or search for BMO Thrivefecta on your favorite podcast listening app.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at uswealth.bmo.com.

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Kelly Taylor, Jessica Theodore, Lindsay Consalvo, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host.

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.

Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart is the co-founder and owner of KOVAL, a Chicago-based craft distillery. It's the largest completely independent woman owned craft brand in the United States, focusing on sustainable regenerative agriculture and organic spirits.

In this episode, Sonat talks about the importance of family, the story of the founding of her and her husband’s business and suggests a re-thinking of the idea of “work-life balance.”

If you'd like to learn more, check out koval-distillery.com and follow along on social media @kovaldistillery. KOVAL ships nationwide and exports their spirits across the globe. If you're in the Chicago area, you can visit KOVAL Distillery at their headquarters on the north side of Chicago in Ravenswood on Malt Row. Aside from tours, they offer a tasting room where you can try their organic spirits and cocktails.

Thrivefecta is a podcast from BMO, celebrating women who thrive. Visit https://uswealth.bmo.com/podcasts/ for the full list of episodes. Find the feed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or search for BMO Thrivefecta on your favorite podcast listening app.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at uswealth.bmo.com.

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Kelly Taylor, Jessica Theodore, Lindsay Consalvo, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host.

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.

Melissa Solis is the Chief Executive Officer of Inbenta, a global AI company focused on customer experience. Melissa is a seasoned technology executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience. Prior to Inbenta, Melissa co-founded GIACT with her brother, building the fraud prevention and risk mitigation company from startup to industry leader. In 2020, they successfully sold GIACT to the London Stock Exchange for $610 million. In this episode, Melissa shares her insights on perseverance and resilience and tells us about the impact her mother had on her life and career and the role these and other lessons have had on her understanding of what true success is.

To learn more about Inbenta, visit their website at www.inbenta.com.

Thrivefecta is a podcast from BMO, celebrating women who thrive. Visit https://uswealth.bmo.com/podcasts/ for the full list of episodes. Find the feed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or search for BMO Thrivefecta on your favorite podcast listening app.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at uswealth.bmo.com.

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Kelly Taylor, Jessica Theodore, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host.

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.

Jackie Robles is the president of Anita's Mexican Foods and La Reina, a family-owned food manufacturing company based in San Bernardino, California. A second-generation leader, Jackie runs the business alongside her siblings and is now guiding the third and fourth generations. In this episode, she shares her insights on leading a multi-generational family business, the importance of mentorship, and how she and her family established a "business-first" philosophy to ensure the company's legacy. Jackie also discusses her journey with a financial advisor, the importance of financial literacy for women, and her philosophy of "strategic rest" to fuel performance.

To learn more about Anita's Mexican Foods, visit their website at anitas-snacks.com.

Thrivefecta is a podcast from BMO, celebrating women who thrive. Visit https://uswealth.bmo.com/podcasts/ for the full list of episodes. Find the feed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or search for BMO Thrivefecta on your favorite podcast listening app.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at uswealth.bmo.com.

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Kelly Taylor, Jessica Theodore, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host.

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.

Angie Buonassisi is the founder and leader behind four Canadian businesses, all centered around empowering women to feel and perform their best. She’s the co-founder of 8West Clinic, one of Canada’s top medical aesthetics clinics, she’s the force behind Lontreau, a Canadian-made skincare and supplement brand, and she founded both Joyviva, an e-commerce wellness platform, and Onberry Health, which provides personalized health optimization coaching. She also a competitive cyclist, endurance athlete, MBA holder, and mom of two daughters, all while advocating for women’s health and resilience.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at ⁠uswealth.bmo.com⁠.

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Kelly Taylor, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host.

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.

Nancy Wright is the CEO of Girl Scouts of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. For the past decade, Nancy has been helping shape the next generation—encouraging curiosity, creativity, and authentic leadership. She’s a big believer in asking better questions, cheering others on, and creating the kind of supportive environment where girls can truly thrive. She’s been recognized as a Women of Influence honoree by the Chicago Business Journal, one of iHeartMedia Chicago’s Women Who WIN, and named a Social Impact Hero by Authorities Magazine.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at ⁠uswealth.bmo.com⁠.

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Kelly Taylor, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host.

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.

Today we are joined by Dr. Susana Rivera-Mills, the President of Aurora University. She’s the 14th president at AU and the first Latina to hold that role in the school’s history. She’s a first-generation college graduate herself, followed by more than 25 years working in higher education leadership. She’s passionate about making education accessible, especially for underserved and first-generation students, and she’s built initiatives like the Future Promise Fund to back that up.

The Thrivefecta podcast is part of our celebration of Women’s History Month. Visit ⁠ https://uswealth.bmo.com/podcasts/ for the full list of episodes. Find the feed on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, or search for BMO Thrivefecta on your favorite podcast listening app.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at ⁠uswealth.bmo.com⁠.

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Kelly Taylor, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host.

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.

Christie Tarantino-Dean is a highly respected leader in association management and the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Food Technologists. With over 30 years of experience, she has led major organizations across different industries, helping professionals connect, grow, and advance their fields. Christie is not only a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives, but she was also recently recognized with the Association Forum Samuel Shapiro Award for Chief Staff Executive Achievement—a testament to her incredible contributions to the field.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at ⁠uswealth.bmo.com⁠.

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Kelly Taylor, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host.

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.

Kari Rihm is the president and CEO of Rihm Family Companies, a dealer for Kenworth, the commercial truck manufacturer. This business had been in her husband’s family for 3 generations, since 1932. Taking over the business wasn’t the original plan, but after the sudden passing of her husband, she found herself facing a choice: sell the company or step in and run it.

The Thrivefecta podcast is part of our celebration of Women’s History Month. Visit ⁠ https://uswealth.bmo.com/podcasts/ for the full list of episodes. Find the feed on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠, or search for BMO Thrivefecta on your favorite podcast listening app.

Contact BMO Wealth Management through our website at ⁠uswealth.bmo.com⁠.

Thrivefecta was produced by Evan MacDonald, Kelly Taylor, and Alexa Javors. Music by Scorewizards, Snoiscope and Evan MacDonald. DeDe Cordell is our Host.

Disclosure:

“BMO” refers to BMO Financial Group, a diversified financial services organization and a trade name used by Bank of Montreal its subsidiaries and affiliates including BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.

“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.