Own Your AI Strategy: Moving From Reactive Adoption to Intentional Leadership

One of the most proven and dynamic leaders in the design technology profession, Brooke is resolute in her pursuit of new ideas and ingenuity. As the Chief Information Officer of CannonDesign, Brooke keeps her teams at the leading edge of how physical and digital environments can inform one another.

Under her leadership, CannonDesign has built its own generative AI tool, forged unexpected and impactful partnerships with leading tech companies like D-Wave Quantum and successfully infused AI into the design process — all to give designers value-added time back. Her efforts are a major reason CannonDesign has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the world by Fast Company and Fortune.

Beyond her work at CannonDesign, Brooke is the Executive Chair of the Innovation Design Consortium (IDC), an alliance of 40+ leading architecture firms focused on how technology can positively disrupt the AEC industry via scalable solutions. She has built IDC into a platform for collaboration, helping CEOs and executives embrace data- and AI-driven innovation.

An optimistic, empathetic leader, Brooke inspires individuals, teams, and organizations to think boldly, act collaboratively and lead with purpose.

Michele is an accomplished technology executive and currently serves as Chief Information Officer at HGA, a nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm. As CIO, Michele oversees the full scope of HGA’s enterprise technology portfolio. In addition to advancing digital workflows to support areas of practice, she is also responsible for operational, marketing, and finance systems, digital infrastructure, security, desktop support and IT governance — ensuring seamless integration, resilience and security across all business platforms.

At HGA, Michele partners with executive leadership to define and deliver technology strategies that advance the firm’s long-term goals and drive innovation for clients and communities. She leads cross-functional teams in harnessing data, automation, and artificial intelligence to enable transformative solutions, optimize project delivery and create lasting value across diverse industry sectors. With a career spanning executive roles in technology leadership, product management and operational transformation, Michele has implemented scalable digital platforms that enhance both client and user experiences.

Michele serves as a representative for the Innovation Design Consortium, a major collaborative of 40+ leading AE firms dedicated to advancing the industry through technology innovation.

Heath is Chairman and CEO at HKS, where he champions the firm’s belief that design is most meaningful when it creates the conditions for people, communities and environments to thrive. During his 20+ years at HKS, Heath has faithfully elevated the firm’s reputation for computational design, research and innovation. Previously the Global Practice Director of HKS LINE (Laboratory for INtensive Exploration), he specializes in data-driven design optimization, simulation and digital fabrication and has led projects spanning diverse sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, urban infrastructure and sports. A former Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington, a frequent contributor to leading publications that explore advancements in digital practice and a patent holder for digital stamping and sealing of architectural documents, Heath is widely recognized for his leadership in shaping the future of our industry and for inspiring the next generation of designers.  

He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

Kristen is NBBJ's Technology Futures Director, leading the firm's Data & AI strategy across a 600-person global practice. She develops the organizational vision for Data & AI capability, guides the use case portfolio from concept through delivery, and advises firm leadership on technology risk, competitive positioning and investment decisions. As the primary bridge between technical teams and executive leadership, she translates emerging technology signals into actionable strategy, organizational change and long-range foresight that positions the firm ahead of industry shifts.

Beyond strategy, Kristen is deeply engaged in shaping how the architecture and design industry navigates the transition to AI-augmented practice. She serves on the AIA AI Task Force and plays an active role in the Innovation Design Consortium (IDC), where she collaborates with peer firms on shared research, governance and AI adoption strategy across AEC practice. A frequent speaker and contributor to the emerging discourse around AI in design, she served as Technical Chair for the ACADIA 2024 conference in Banff and regularly appears on panels at the intersection of technology, practice and the future of the built environment.

Kristen is also an avid educator, teaching courses on design technology, strategic foresight and design futures at institutions, including the University of Calgary. Through her teaching and industry engagement, she works to equip the next generation of designers and technologists with the frameworks to navigate an increasingly complex and AI-shaped built environment.

Kristen holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria, a Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary, where she received the Student Gold Medal for highest distinction in scholarship at graduation, and a Master of Environmental Design with a focus on Robotic Fabrication and Circular Design.

Eileen is BST Global’s Chief Marketing Officer, and a member of the BST Global Executive Management team. In her role, Eileen is responsible for developing data-driven marketing campaigns to expand brand awareness, generate qualified leads and propel sales growth. She is also committed to leading a high-performing Marketing team with the skills and expertise to thrive in the fast-paced AEC software landscape. Eileen also serves as the Executive Director for BST Global’s AI + Data Consortium.

Eileen has more than 25 years of B2B marketing and sales leadership experience. Eileen is responsible for managing the company’s marketing efforts, including product marketing, event management, market research, competitive analysis, customer personas, full-campaign strategies, go-to-market planning, brand management, demand and lead generation, content and creative development, public and analyst relations, association relationships, internal and external communications, and digital presence. Eileen’s strategic initiatives drive sales, resulting in brand awareness, consideration and conversion.

Before BST Global, Eileen served as Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Sykes Enterprises, Inc., where she overhauled the company’s brand and laid out a strategic roadmap dedicated to brand awareness, retention and new client acquisition. Eileen also served as the Vice President of Strategic Development and Marketing at JHS Capital Advisors, where she played a key role in increasing the company’s brand presence and recognition as a leader in the industry, resulting in overall company growth. 

A member of the Forbes Communication Council, Eileen also serves on the Advisory Council for the Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa and on the Advisory Board for the University of South Florida Muma College of Business’ Digital Marketing Program. Eileen is also certified in Strategic and Conceptual Selling by Korn Ferry.  

Eileen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with Business and Technical Writing from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.

Javier is Chief Executive Officer and a Principal Shareholder of BST Global. Javier leads a global team of professionals responsible for the market introduction of BST Global's business software products and cloud solutions. Javier is also instrumental in crafting and implementing the company’s business strategy, overall vision and mission with the BST Global leadership team. In addition to his role as CEO of BST Global, Javier serves on the ACEC Research Institute Board of Directors.

Javier joined BST Global in 1989 and has served in various capacities during his tenure. In 1999, Javier was the primary catalyst in establishing a global vision for BST Global, and since that time, the company has flourished from its roots as a North American-centric business to a prosperous and vibrant global software organization. Today, with the steadfast support of fellow senior leadership and committed professionals globally, BST Global operates across an international network of offices and has clients leveraging BST Global’s solutions in 65 countries on six continents.

Javier holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.