Roundtable discussions aimed towards growing long-lasting relationships with other influential leaders across the US
Research-driven thought leadership on people experience design and strategy tailored, tailored towards the workforce of 2022
Best practice collaboration to equip your organization with people-improving factors to succeed this year
We'll keep things fairly informal, but will make sure to cover the following:
Introductions and a brief spotlight on Derek Johnson, a leading AI expert and the CEO at Ekow, to kick off the conversation.
Group roundtable discussion focused on where leaders are drawing the line between what AI can act on alone and what still needs a human sign-off, and why that line keeps moving.
Q&A and best practice collaboration on what peers have put in place to catch AI mistakes before customers do, and what they would do differently if starting over.
Derek is the CEO and founder of Ekow Solutions Group, where he helps business leaders navigate AI with clarity and build human-centric solutions that drive measurable outcomes. A Georgia Tech-trained engineer with an MBA, he brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of AI, data analytics, and cloud transformation, including advising Fortune 500 organizations like Delta Air Lines, AT&T, and Cox Enterprises.
He’s known for building AI practices from the ground up, shaping responsible and practical adoption frameworks, and partnering with platforms like Snowflake to extend advanced analytics into real-world business impact. A TEDx speaker and passionate mentor, Derek also invests heavily in education and nonprofit work, supporting workforce development initiatives that expand opportunity and help people thrive alongside emerging technology.
Monika brings over 25 years of experience in delivering innovative solutions to tech companies. She has focused on business and technology management across entrepreneurial ventures, Fortune 500 companies, and consulting firms. With deep expertise in management consulting, information management, process optimization, and customer relationship management, Monika has held leadership roles at Ernst & Young, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, OnStar, and Daugherty Business Solutions.
At her previous employer, Monika had P&L responsibility for the Atlanta Business Office, overseeing Sales Solutioning, Delivery, Recruiting, and Operations for a team of over 200 consultants. During her four-year tenure, the company doubled in size, created a team-based culture, won 12 awards, and increased employee morale to its highest levels. While at the Big 4, Monika was a Senior Leader driving growth and innovation for technology and telecom clients, including Sprint, Global One, AstroLink, OnStar, and many others. She was a WIT Women of the year award winner in 2024 and is a finalist for the ATP Leadership awards. This year, she has been nominated to TAG Board of Directors.
Ronnie has over 25 years of experience in the IT field and started his career as an IT manager at AT&T. He went on later to lead the web services department at NPI Communications, the largest real estate publisher at the time. Ronnie then consulted for IBM’s National e-Business practice as a Senior Software Architect and Consultant, before co-founding Softensity with a number of partners.
Ronnie holds a B.Sc. Industrial Management from Georgia Tech and an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University. His current role at Softensity is Chief Customer Officer, enabling clients to do more with less, to innovate and to walk paths no one has traversed before. In his off time, Ronnie enjoys baking, cooking, astronomy and music.
Softensity is dedicated to building lasting partnerships through a people-first approach, providing 24-hour global development and support with best-in-class IT professionals. Our unwavering commitment to ethical standards, transparency, and passion drives us to prioritize relationships over margins, ensuring client success and fostering a supportive community for our employees. Let's build better software together by being your true partner, exceeding expectations, and understanding your industry and work culture.
We deliver high-end IT teams as a service to both startups and enterprise clients nationwide. Our global network of IT talent ensures that we bring innovative and effective solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. By leveraging our extensive expertise and industry knowledge, we help businesses achieve their goals through cutting-edge technology and customized IT solutions. Whether you're looking to enhance your digital presence, streamline your operations, or develop new products, Softensity is your trusted partner for all your IT needs.
