Generative AI for Value Creation Program

Advance Your Generative AI and Leadership Strategies

Go beyond the traditional AI applications, focus on creating and implementing innovative value driven solutions. Learn the principles of Generative AI, exploring its role in transforming leadership styles and organizational strategies. You will be learning theoretical foundations with practical hands-on exercises and develop a deep understanding of how generative AI can drive efficiency, innovation, and strategic decision-making within your organization.
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About the Generative AI for Value Creation Program

The Ashland Generative AI for Value Creation Program is designed to move you beyond conventional AI applications to achieve transformational outcomes. This course equips you with the insights to differentiate between tactical, strategic, and transformational leadership, crucial for fostering a culture of collaboration. Gain practical skills to inspire your team to exceed expectations and transform isolated business dynamics into cohesive strategies that propel you ahead in competitive markets. By participating, you will learn to unify your team around a common vision and leverage innovative approaches for lasting success.

Enroll Today!

8 Modules Online ($4,995)

Rolling Admission - Start Anytime
  • Self-paced
  • Workbooks, eBooks & all course materials
  • Interactive discussion boards

Generative AI for Value Creation Curriculum

Explore how Generative AI can enhance organizational innovation and efficiency. This program covers practical applications, strategic integration, and ethical considerations, using hands-on projects and real-world case studies to develop both technical skills and strategic leadership abilities. The curriculum emphasizes continuous learning and adaptation, preparing leaders to effectively implement and manage AI technologies within their organizations. 

Module 1 - The Why of Generative AI

Learn the fundamental purposes and benefits of Generative AI, which surpasses traditional machine learning by generating innovative outputs across various industries.
  • Explore how Generative AI transcends traditional machine learning.
  • Discuss its potential to revolutionize industries with innovative outputs.
  • Examine its role in automating tasks and enhancing decision-making across sectors.

Module 2 - Generative AI Demystified ​​

Gain a clear understanding of Generative AI’s technical foundations, including its algorithms and neural network architectures. 
  • Dive into the technical aspects of Generative AI, including neural networks and algorithms.
  • Highlight its applications in creative industries and operational efficiencies.
  • Explore its transformative impact across various sectors.

Module 3 - Unveiling AI’s Role in Business Valuation ​

Learn about AI's role in predictive analytics and customer personalization, which are crucial for business growth.
  • Discuss AI's role in enhancing business valuation through improved decision-making and operations.
  • Examine AI’s application in risk assessments and customer insights.
  • Look at real-world examples of AI driving business growth and valuation.

Module 4 - AI-Enhanced Digital Customer Experience

Address the technical challenges and organizational adaptations required to leverage these advanced technologies effectively.
  • Understand how quantum computing enhances Generative AI applications.
  • Discuss the challenges and solutions in adapting organizations to new AI technologies.
  • Learn about the role of AI in improving operational efficiency and customer interactions.

Module 5 - AI’s Ethical and Regulatory Challenges

Utilize case studies and compliance strategies to foster an ethical AI deployment in your organization.
  • Navigate concerns of bias, transparency, and fairness in AI systems.
  • Explore ethical AI auditing and compliance strategies.
  • Learn from case studies addressing AI’s ethical challenges.

Module 6 - Championing AI-Drive Transformation

Highlight the importance of cross-functional teams and sharing AI success stories to inspire and lead change.
  • Discuss overcoming resistance and fostering a culture receptive to AI.
  • Build cross-functional teams to effectively deploy AI solutions.
  • Showcase AI success stories to inspire and motivate.

Module 7 - Crafting an AI Strategy for Value Creation

Develop a strategic AI roadmap that aligns with your organization’s goals, balancing immediate benefits with long-term value creation.​
  • Balance short-term wins with long-term value in AI initiatives.
  • Position your organization for market leadership through strategic AI use.
  • Explore steps for integrating AI to maximize business impact.

Module 8 - Leadership in Healthcare and Generative AI

 Discuss how to mobilize teams effectively, navigate implementation challenges, and evolve leadership skills in the AI-driven landscape.​
  • Turn insights into actionable plans that impact organizational strategy and operations.
  • Mobilize teams for successful AI implementation.
  • Discuss evolving leadership skills to navigate AI challenges effectively.

Capstone Project: Generative AI Implementation Plan

Throughout the program, you’ll be creating your own Generative AI Implementation Plan. This is a tailored roadmap for your Generative AI journey. Customize it with your vision, goals, and insights, using references and expert advice as guidance to complete. ​

Generative AI for Value Creation Faculty

Shawn Jean

Shawn is a thought leader with over 29 years of experience converting technical innovation into practical solutions that deliver measurable results to organizations. With a strong foundation in finance and technology, he can dissect a company’s core valuation metrics and develop, deliver and measure technical solutions that drive those criteria.

​Shawn is the lead in assembling the Instructor team and serves as the Chair for the program. 

Shawn is currently at Amazon as a Global Principal Executive Engagement & Deal Origination Coach working with teams to apply technology to drive valuation, outcomes and consults on some of Amazon’s largest customers. Shawn has been a CFO, CIO and also had the privilege of working at AT&T labs where he focused Artificial Intelligence (AI) and is an initiator on patents in that space.
Shawn has also written about how to identify and close gaps between strategic plans and results as well as how to apply innovation and profit from the accelerating rate of change in today’s business in his best-selling book, Stragile that has been endorsed by Harvard Business School (HBS).
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Shawn is most excited about applying the power of Amazon to develop “Innovation Engines” that drive the core valuation and business models for organizations.

Originally from the New England area, Shawn is a Patriots/Red Sox fan and then left Massachusetts to attend Penn State and help the Nittany Lions baseball team. Long retired from his baseball days, Shawn is now an avid road and mountain biker and enjoys riding through the hills and trails of Bedminster where he lives with his wife, Kathryn, and three children; Ashely, John and Ava (oh and a French Bulldog named Jellybean).

Ryan Lavallee

Ryan Lavallee is a distinguished technology leader who serves as the Vice President of Solution Engineering for Enterprise Manufacturing, Automotive, Energy, and Utilities at Salesforce. Over a notable career spanning over two decades, he has driven growth and revenue in numerous positions, from his early days at GTE Internetworking to his transformative work at Salesforce, where he led the creation of Salesforce’s Industrial Products Enterprise Solution Engineering Team. A seasoned professional, Ryan's leadership skills and commitment to culture, performance, and continuous learning have been instrumental in exceeding targets and building high-performing teams. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Ryan actively mentors emerging leaders, serves on the PreSales Collective Advisory Board, and raises funds for the American Cancer Society.

Craig Legrande

Craig is the founder and CEO of Mainstay, starting the company over 20 years ago to help high technology companies succeed by quantifying and communicating the business value of their solutions. Craig recently authored the best-selling book Competing for Customers with Jeb Dasteel, Chief Customer Officer of Oracle, and Amir Hartman, co-founder of Mainstay. Craig and Amir previously co-authored Ruthless Execution II, which explores how agile businesses thrive in the digital economy.
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Prior to Mainstay, Craig worked at Cisco Systems, leading its sales consulting practice for the automotive industry, and spent nearly a decade at Accenture in management consulting and software development roles. Craig earned an MBA from the Tuck School of Management at Dartmouth College and a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida. Craig is an amateur golfer and triathlete with no plans to go professional.

Su Le

Su Le is a leader in digital transforma on and a global execu ve with an influence on the development of innova ve data/AI pla orms and products. His visionary approach has consistently driven the crea on of solu ons that enhance produc vity and facilitate expansive business growth. Su is a Global Advisory Board Member at SambaNova, helping to accelerate adop on in global markets, most notably the GCC.

A California na ve living in the Middle East, Su brings a global perspec ve to technology integra on. He has spearheaded several transforma ve projects, including the CEO of Amaana.ai, a comprehensive solu on that simplifies market entry into Saudi Arabia, and the NEOM project, where as the Chief Digital Officer, he was instrumental in developing a cu ng-edge city opera ng system (NEOS) and a data architecture that set benchmarks in smart city development.

At Cisco, Su led the crea on of IoT and Edge compute products that substan ally improved opera onal efficiencies and market reach. His strategic leadership in this role was pivotal in realizing a 43% yearover-year growth in sales, underscoring his exper se in turning technological advancements into commercial successes.

Su is a passionate advocate for the evolving role of so ware development, emphasizing the increasing reliance on AI agents and co-pilots that not only streamline development processes but also demand a higher level of crea vity and innova on from developers. He foresees a shi where developers will increasingly act as crea ve problem solvers and strategic thinkers, leveraging AI to create more intui ve and adap ve pla orms.

​An author and a thought leader, Su’s wri ngs and talks o en explore how technology and AI-driven development tools can drama cally alter the landscape of business strategy and product innova on. His forward-thinking insights are crucial for CEOs and execu ves seeking to harness these technologies to propel their companies into the future of digital business. He sits on the advisory board of Netskope amongst other startups.  

Paul Whitehead

Paul received his PhD in the field of liquid thermodynamics, specifically measurement and modeling of infinite dilution activity coefficients, at the University of Natal in South Africa, and in part at the University of Delaware. He started his career working in an IT department at Rhône-Poulenc Rorer in London, developing software using Microsoft and Oracle technologies, to enable and optimize scientific workflows. After working in Paris for a year, and then moving to New Jersey, Paul started managing informatics projects focused on the development of scientific informatics platforms by combining his technical, scientific and business process knowledge. He then moved to Hoffmann-La Roche in Nutley, New Jersey, where he managed a research informatics group, supporting about 800 scientists in small molecule drug discovery. In 2012, he moved to Shanghai where he built an informatics team focused on supporting Roche’s R&D effort in China, while continuing to actively contribute to global informatics strategy. Since 2018, Paul has led several teams and initiatives at Bristol Myers Squibb’s research center in Princeton NJ, most recently leading the delivery of an instrument digital twin, an innovative solution that has transformed the collection, processing and sharing of raw and analyzed data. Paul has published several papers in the fields of physical chemistry and informatics. He is an avid mountain biker, a recent jiu jitsu student, and has a wife and two sons.

Chris Caponigro

Chris has built two successful careers in the insurance and reinsurance sector. With over 20 years of experience as a reinsurance underwriter, he collaborated with executives globally and significantly enhanced shareholder value by managing a property catastrophe risk portfolio in Bermuda. Over the past eight years, Chris has shifted his focus to raising private capital through innovative structures for firms such as Everest Group and AXIS Capital.
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Chris resides in Bernardsville, NJ, with his lovely wife Patty and their three athletic sons. When not traveling for business, he enjoys spending time with his family, and serving on several non-profit community boards.

Darren Durrett

Darren is an innovative leader with over 25 years of success across diverse functions, including strategic account sales, large deal pursuits, managed services, and business development. He has consistently achieved stellar results at industry-leading companies like AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and Cisco by harmonizing people, processes, technology, and a metrics-driven approach.

With years of experience leading client transformation initiatives, Darren excels at building high- performing teams and leading global projects that drive impactful outcomes. In his most recent role at Cisco, Darren led a business development organization for the US Public Sector, successfully restructuring the end-to-end engagement model to accelerate pipeline growth. His current focus is on the transformative potential of AI in sales, particularly within strategic accounts.

Originally from Birmingham, AL, Darren has lived in Atlanta, GA, for 30 years. He holds a BS in Industrial Distribution from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an MBA from Emory University. Darren is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and trauma-centered care in his community. In his spare time, you’ll find Darren exploring the Atlanta Beltline, dabbling in improv, and enjoying time with his family

Von Leong

A global business leader and tech investor who believes in the power of purpose, people and technology to change the world. Winner of the Advocate of the Year at Women in IT Awards Asia 2021, Von is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Purpose Venture Capital, investing and building sustainable tech businesses to deliver on profit with purpose. All her portfolio companies fully integrate AI and emerging technologies into their businesses revolutionising industries from fashion, healthcare, smart cities to marine restoration. Von also co-chairs the SME Committee at American Chamber of Commerce Singapore and advises AI startups in Silicon Valley, Austin, Singapore and Hong Kong on their global go to market strategies.Former executive and leadership roles including M & A were at AWS Global, IBM Asia Pacific, Singapore Government and AON Greater China. Von is currently based in Singapore and has lived and worked in Boston, Dallas, Hong Kong and Brussels.