Organizations adopting artificial intelligence faster than their leaders can manage it face a critical readiness gap, according to a July 2026 study by ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions. Only 3% of organizations say their leaders are highly prepared to manage AI-enabled ways of working, while 78% report employee concern about how AI will affect their jobs. In response, Dr. Char Dennis, Ed.D., an educational leader, AI strategist, author, keynote speaker, and philanthropist, will launch Lead Beyond the Title, a four-session virtual leadership series beginning December 3, 2026.
The series is part of Dr. Dennis's expanding keynote and consulting work to help people and organizations lead ethically, communicate powerfully, and create meaningful impact. "Every decision a leader makes shapes human possibility," said Dr. Dennis. "Especially now, in the age of AI, innovation has to be anchored in ethics. Technology should expand what people can do, not replace human judgment or leave communities behind."
The timing matters for a broad range of sectors. As schools, nonprofits, healthcare systems, and businesses rush to adopt artificial intelligence, Dr. Dennis offers a grounded, values-based perspective. Her guiding beliefs include that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human judgment and ethical leadership; that every organization, whatever its size or sector, needs an AI readiness strategy; and that ethical AI governance is not optional but a leadership imperative.
Lead Beyond the Title is designed for executives, superintendents and principals, college administrators, nonprofit leaders, healthcare leaders, and emerging leaders preparing for larger roles. All four sessions are held virtually, so participants can take part from anywhere. Over the four sessions, participants will assess their leadership and AI readiness and define their goals; lead people through change while protecting trust and morale; communicate decisions with clarity to boards, staff, and communities; and build resilience, mentor emerging leaders, and complete a personal leadership and communications plan.
The series reflects the four principles that shape Dr. Dennis's approach to leadership: leadership as a moral act, equity fuels excellence, innovation anchored in ethics, and community as the ultimate impact. "Leadership is not a title you hold. It is a responsibility you carry for the people you serve," said Dr. Dennis. "When we lead with purpose, mentor with intention, and use technology with conscience, we don't just build stronger organizations. We build stronger communities."
Dr. Dennis brings more than 25 years of experience in education, marketing, public relations, and philanthropy. She holds a B.A. in History from Auburn University, an M.B.A., an M.P.H., and both an M.S. and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Her formal education is complemented by certifications in AI strategy, AI governance, AI ethics, and machine learning. She is the founder and CEO of 1KMEG PR, a boutique marketing, public relations and strategic communications firm she established in 2005; founder of Academic Sports Solutions; and executive producer and host of the My Style Live podcast. Her leadership perspective is also shaped by her service as a U.S. Army veteran.
Her honors include NFocus 2024 Top 10 Philanthropist and Nashville Lifestyles' "25 Most Beautiful People." She has been a featured speaker for Auburn University and Leadership Middle Tennessee, and she is the former board chair of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. She is the author of "Women Transforming Nonprofits and Communities" and "Leadership in the Digital Age: AI Strategies."
Registration and booking details for Lead Beyond the Title are available at LeadWithDrChar.com. Organizations seeking a keynote, workshop, or consulting engagement can also check her availability through All American Speakers Bureau. The launch signals a growing push for leadership development that treats ethical AI governance as a core competency rather than an afterthought, a shift that could affect how organizations across sectors prepare their leaders for technological change.
