Speaking Topics
What I Talk About
Each session is tailored to your audience, blending practical insights with interactive engagement. No slideware monologues - real conversations about real AI applications.
Cut through the hype to understand what AI actually does well and where it falls short. Honest assessments that help teams make informed decisions.
Lessons learned from deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot to thousands of users. Real challenges, real solutions, and what I wish I knew from the start.
How to create communities of practice that drive sustainable adoption. Transform early adopters into advocates who lift the entire organization.
Executive-friendly overview of AI capabilities and strategic implications. What leaders need to know without the technical jargon.
Designing AI implementations that reduce friction, not create it. Keeping people at the center of every technology decision.
Authentic metrics for AI success beyond productivity hype. How to track real value and communicate it effectively.
Upcoming Engagements
Where I'm Speaking Next
National Catholic Education & AI Conference
Pre-Conference Workshop
AI for the Rest of Us: Building Practical AI Literacy Without a Computer Science Degree — a 60–90 minute hands-on workshop.
Conference Session
The Storytelling Gap: Why AI Adoption Fails When We Lead with Features Instead of People — a 20-minute talk with discussion.
Portland, Oregon · June 2026
Joining educators and institutional leaders to explore how AI can serve Catholic education communities with practical, people-first approaches.
Recent Engagements
Where I've Spoken
University of Portland · Shiley School of Engineering
Graduating Capstone Workshop
Hands-on AI skills session for graduating engineers across mechanical, computer science, and other disciplines.
AI as a Career Skill
Prompting, grounding, and agentic thinking — with four live demonstrations using real engineering workflows.
Interactive Format
Students built prompts, grounded AI in real-world constraints, and created custom agents using Copilot Agent Builder.
University of Portland · School of Business
Co-Presented with University CIO
A 60-minute conversational lecture with University of Portland CIO Greg Pitter on applied AI in professional spheres.
Enterprise AI Adoption Strategy
Explored how applied AI fits into professional careers — from enterprise adoption strategy to institutional technology leadership.
Conversational Format
An interactive dialogue designed to give business students real-world perspective on AI from both a practitioner and institutional leader.
What Others Say
Trusted by Industry Leaders
" A rare ability to bridge technical depth with business priorities. "
Terrance Gillespie
Sr. Specialist, AI Business Solutions, Microsoft
" Instrumental in moving teams from experimentation to production pilots. "
Flo Ye
Sr. Cloud Solution Architect, M365 Copilot, Microsoft
" Consistently creates an environment where others feel supported in learning, experimenting, and engaging with AI in meaningful ways. "
Andrew Wilson
Principal Agentforce Solutions Engineer, Salesforce
" I find agents frustrating but your talk about framing the queries helped a lot. So, suddenly I was trying out a host of different queries to see what Copilot could do for me. In short: I am glad you came! "
Andrew Nuxoll
Professor, University of Portland
Why Book Chris?
Speaking That Connects
Real-World AI Experience
I don't just talk about AI theory - I've deployed it, trained thousands of users, and learned from both successes and failures.Flexible Format
From intimate 1:1 coaching sessions to keynotes for hundreds of attendees - the message adapts to your format and audience size. Half-day and full-day workshops available for teams ready to build real AI skills together.
Accessible Expertise
Complex AI concepts translated into language any audience understands. Technical depth when needed, strategic clarity always.
Proven Track Record
Led an enterprise Copilot rollout at Huron to thousands of people, connecting communities of users, champions, and leaders to foster genuine adoption.
Interactive Engagement
Sessions that spark conversation, not passive listening. Attendees leave with questions answered and ideas to implement.
What You Get
Every engagement is crafted to deliver lasting value, not just a memorable hour.
Customized Content
Each session is tailored to your audience, industry, and specific challenges. No generic decks - content built for your context.
Interactive Sessions
Hands-on demonstrations and live Q&A that keep audiences engaged. Learning happens through participation, not passive observation.
Practical Takeaways
Attendees leave with actionable insights they can apply immediately. Inspiration is great, but implementation is better.
Post-Session Resources
Follow-up materials and resources to extend the learning. The conversation continues after the session ends.
Stay in the loop
Want updates on upcoming workshops and speaking? I'll send a note when something's happening.
Let's Make Your Event Memorable
Whether it's a conference keynote, a half-day workshop for your IT team, or a full-day hands-on training — I'd love to discuss how we can create real value for your organization.