AI the spotlight of business school’s fifth annual leadership summit

Artificial intelligence was the focus on the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business' fifth annual Leadership Summit, held at the Oscar N. Harris Student Union on Sept. 12. This year's theme, AI at Work: Transforming Leadership in Industry, brought together professionals, academics and students to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of leadership, business and ethics.

The day opened with a keynote address from Teena Piccione, secretary and state CIO of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. Piccione challenged attendees to embrace their role as change makers by approaching innovation through a different lens, grounded in clear priorities and purpose.

"We all have 86,400 seconds in a day," she noted, urging participants to use time intentionally and enthusiastically in pursuit of innovation, service and efficiency. She highlighted how AI is already saving state employees valuable time, improving processes and enabling advancements in areas such as health surveillance, emergency repair and crime prevention.

Senior management major Kelly Cannady called Piccione's address both "impactful and inspiring."

"It was so cool to see how her department is pioneering the way for change in North Carolina government, not only in the technology industry, but also for young talent," said Cannady.

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A mid-morning academic panel featuring Campbell University faculty - including Dr. Sarah Adams, Brian Bowman, Dr. Thomas Dixon, Laura Graham and David Mulford - shifted the conversation toward the classroom. Panelists discussed how AI raises new ethical, intellectual and pedagogical questions: Are we outsourcing too much of our thinking? What does truth look like in an AI-driven world? Graham encouraged the audience to apply Campbell's Hallmarks of character, initiative and calling as filters for ethical decision-making in adopting new technologies.

The Summit included a session from Scott Kelly, Campbell's director of entrepreneurship, who demonstrated "AI Agents in Action." Kelly showcased practical examples of AI applications, offering students and professionals a glimpse into how emerging technologies can support, rather than replace, human innovation.

During the lunch panel, business leaders and academics examined AI's impact on leadership and industry. Dr. Douglas Kline, partner at NC Capital Group, emphasized how AI can serve as a business assistant, while Dr. Emi Barresi, founder of HEARTH Team Leadership and senior technology project manager at Optum, introduced a competency-based framework for ethical leadership in a digital age. Barresi underscored the importance of keeping humans at the center of technological change: inclusivity, transparency, empathy, and trust must guide the integration of AI into workplaces.

"Technology should enhance, not replace, human creativity and empathy," she said, calling on leaders to commit to humanity-focused ethical leadership.

Across the day's sessions, a common thread emerged: while AI offers unprecedented opportunities to transform industry, it also demands thoughtful leadership. Speakers reminded attendees that the most successful leaders will be those who combine technological literacy with ethical clarity, empathy and human-centered vision.

As the fifth Leadership Summit came to a close, the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business once again reinforced its commitment to preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow's workplace, equipping them with not just knowledge, but also the values and vision to lead responsibly in a rapidly changing world.

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