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Cheryl K. Goodman

Cheryl K. Goodman is a seasoned technology executive, author, and keynote speaker, renowned for her expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, technology culture and hope. As the CEO of FindGood.tech, a consultancy focused on AI implementation, workflows, and workforce training, she has established herself as a leading authority on building and deploying AI solutions with a human-centered focus.

With a distinguished career spanning leadership roles at industry giants such as CBS, Mp3.com, Qualcomm and Sony Global, Goodman has driven hundreds of successful technology product launches, including groundbreaking advancements in emotional intelligence, robotics and AI-driven innovations in autonomous driving.

Her acclaimed book, How to Win Friends and Influence Robots: An AI Guide for Non-Tech Brilliant Minds, ranked #1 in Technology Culture and is a must-read for those seeking to understand AI’s transformative impact on society.

The book distills complex AI concepts into accessible insights, empowering non-technical leaders to harness AI effectively. Goodman’s work extends to her journalistic contributions at Forbes, where her articles solidify her reputation as a thought leader in technology diffusion and practical AI applications for productivity.

Her AI roadmaps, business models and AI stories of hope can be found on the Mind the Machine Podcast, which explores the intersection of technology and humanity, featuring interviews with top tech innovators. Goodman continues to shape the global conversation on AI and robotics, inspiring organizations to embrace technological disruption strategically and ethically.

A sought-after speaker, Goodman is a recurring chair of the AI TechExpo and is a guest lecturer on practical AI around the globe.

Neil Ahlsten

Neil is the managing director of 1Flourish Capital, an early stage venture capital firm investing in high character founders with disruptive technologies. His investments include the 3D home printing unicorn ICON as well as the smart building platform Butlr. He is deeply involved in Silicon Valley networks, and leads a weekly founder fellowship for �ƹ���Ƶs of Y Combinator and other venture backed startups.

Neil grew up in rural Sonoma County, California. He spent much of his childhood helping his father with a house flipping business, where he learned trade skills like masonry, tiling, welding and electrical. After graduating UC Berkeley summa cum laude in economics, he headed to Africa to do war relief work. He led a project in Congo to rebuild 4,000 homes, and managed the US State Department’s efforts to support 120,000 Darfur refugees in Chad.

Neil earned a Masters in economics from Princeton, studying under multiple Nobel laureates like Daniel Kahneman. He then worked at Google, managing Google’s deals and investment process. He led C-Level approvals for high value, high risk and first-of-a-kind deals. Some of these included the launch of Android handsets, tense partnerships with Apple, early water-cooled data centers and trans-oceanic submarine cables. He also led business development for new Google advertising products in insurance, autos and finance.

After leaving Google, Neil set out to create a technology product that would provide emotional and health value. He was the founding CEO of Abide Christian meditation, which became a top 30 grossing app and leads over 10 million people per year in Biblical reflections. He sold Abide in 2021.

Neil has been married to Nadia Ahlsten for 19 years, and together they have 4 children, including twin boys adopted from Congo. His family loves exploring outside together, especially backpacking the Lost Coast, sea kayaking the San Francisco Bay, or just having a picnic.

Shaping Tomorrow: Leadership and Work in the Age of AI

The future of work is here—and it’s powered by AI. Don’t miss Ali Llewellyn’s keynote, The Future of Work: Leading Change in an AI-Powered World, where she reveals how emerging technologies are transforming leadership from managing fixed teams to orchestrating dynamic networks of people and machine intelligence. Discover why tomorrow’s leaders must embrace AI fluency, open innovation, and purpose-driven values to create organizations that are agile, ethical, and globally connected. Then, Ali will be joined by Ron Carucci (To Be Honest: Lead with the Power of Truth, Justice & Purpose) and Dean Michael Arena (Adaptive Space), for a dynamic panel packed with practical insights on leading with integrity, adaptability, and purpose in a rapidly changing world.

AI for the Kingdom: Impact, Ethics and Human Flourishing

Join Steel Billings, Chief AI Officer of , for an insightful discussion on the intersection of AI, ethics and human flourishing. Discover how Gloo is building trusted AI infrastructure, developing Kingdom-aligned large language models (KaLLM), and equipping ministries, publishers and developers with responsible AI tools. This session will explore the ethical implications of AI in the faith ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of privacy, trust and values-driven innovation. Learn how faith-based organizations can lead the global conversation on AI’s moral, legal and human rights impact, while ensuring these technologies empower individuals and communities for lasting transformation.

The March 27, 2025 EngageX Talk is sponsored by .

Geo-Political Issues and Christians

's presentation discussed Artificial Intelligence, Geopolitics, and the Gospel — A Christian Perspective on Where We Are and Where We Are Going.

Klon Kitchen is a distinguished national security expert having experience in counter terrorism, cyber operations and covert actions with featured publications in the Wall Street Journal and CBS News 60 Minutes among other media outlets. With previous experience as a national security advisor, intelligence officer and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Klon Kitchen regularly shapes policy discussions through congressional testimonies. Now, as Managing Director at Beacon Global Strategies, he assists technology and business leaders to manage geopolitical risks in the rapidly changing times.

A Redemptive AI Future

Dr. Yohan Lee’s presentation explored topics such as the current AI landscape and trends, a vision for the redemptive use of AI, warning of potential AI risks and a hopeful look at AI’s potential for unprecedented opportunities.