Diane Brady, Executive Editorial Director, Fortune; Co-chair, Fortune COO Summit

It’s a transformational time for business: Fast-paced change presents new opportunities for efficiencies, but also unanticipated challenges. The COO stands at the center of this matrix, tasked with spearheading business goals that include improving productivity, connecting teams to strategy, and incorporating new technology like AI. What are the tools needed to meet this moment and thrive? How can COOs stay ahead of the curve by thinking proactively and anticipating change? We’ll set the stage with Cognizant’s Ganesh Ayyar on why this is the key moment to gather together COOs, and how this summit can help develop and flex the skills necessary for business reinvention.

Ganesh Ayyar, EVP and President, Intuitive Operations and Automation and Industry Solutions, Cognizant

Interviewer: Diane Brady, Executive Editorial Director, Fortune, Co-chair, Fortune COO Summit

The role of chief operating officer is making a comeback. Always a somewhat amorphous title, the newest incarnation comes with increased opportunity to oversee internal operations and a potential pathway to the top leadership position. With this evolution comes a need to redefine the crucial skills COOs need to succeed in a challenging operational environment. How can leaders industry-wide approach this transformation in a way that makes sense and drives profits?

Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri, Partner and COO, TPG

Dave Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer, New Balance Athletics

Moderator: Phil Wahba, Senior Writer, Fortune

It’s safe to say that there is no corner of an organization that will not be changed by AI. But determining best use cases and how to integrate the technology is not always straightforward. This is where a COO with an in-depth understanding of AI’s true potential can expertly guide a company to new levels of efficiency and connectivity. Join us as we explore real use cases with COOs who are navigating the artificial intelligence revolution.

Sebastian Guth, Chief Operating Officer Global Pharmaceuticals and President, Bayer U.S. 

Terra Terwilliger, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Google DeepMind 

Moderator: Kristin Stoller, Editorial Director, Fortune

Thanks to a big push from Gen Z, one of the driving forces behind today’s industry transformation is evolving employee expectations. As change agents and culture-builders within their organizations, COOs like Corey Lee at Capital One are responding by offering employees better training and advancement opportunities. To do this, Lee’s implemented a groundbreaking program designed to help front-line workers transition into new roles across the bank. In this presentation, Lee walks us through how COOs can drive change… and measure success.

Corey Lee, Chief Operating Officer, Capital One Commercial Banking

Turning a company's big-picture statement of purpose into actual operating principles is where the real challenges lie. COOs are uniquely positioned to tackle the hard work of translating intentions into practical strategies while balancing employee needs with those of owners and investors. What are the steps necessary to build a virtuous cycle that starts with purpose and leads to stronger performance and financial returns?  We ask the president and CEO of the non-profit Make-A-Wish Foundation and the CEO of SYPartners, a consultancy that helps business and non-profit leaders activate transformation at critical turning points,” to give us advice on how they get it done. 

  Leslie Motter, Chief Executive Officer, Make-A-Wish America

Jessica Orkin, Chief Executive Officer, SYPartners

Moderator: Lila MacLellan, Senior Writer, Fortune; Co-chair, Fortune COO Summit

Entrepreneurs are by nature accustomed to fighting headwinds and pushing through hardships. Sheila Johnson has faced more than most in her journey to the top. As the co-founder of BET, she broke racial and gender stereotypes and overcame personal and professional adversity to rise to the top of corporate America. In her third act, Johnson is continuing to hone her business acumen and pay it forward. She is the founder and CEO of the Salamander Collection, the largest black-owned luxury hotel company in the US. She’s also the only African American woman to wholly own a 5-star resort, as well as the co-owner of three sports teams, and a philanthropist. In this session, Johnson charts her path to success.  

Sheila Johnson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Salamander Collection 

Interviewer:  Diane Brady, Executive Editorial Director, Fortune; Co-chair, Fortune COO Summit

How do you make the place your own when the founder is down the hall? That’s the challenge for CEOs who take over leading a company while the founder remains an active presence. Tom Nolan, the CEO of Kendra Scott, knows this territory well. He believes it starts with shared values and acknowledges that there may be disagreements along the way, but emphasizes the importance of being aligned on the big decisions. In this candid conversation, Nolan shares this and other hard-earned wisdom as the CEO of one of the fastest-growing jewelry brands in the world.

Tom Nolan, Chief Executive Officer, Kendra Scott 

Interviewer: Ruth Umoh, Next To Lead Editor, Fortune; Co-chair, Fortune COO Summit

Remaining nimble in a constantly changing world doesn't have to be daunting. Instead, COOs and CTOs can seize this opportunity to pivot and lean into operational solutions that leverage new technologies like AI and automation and unify disparate organizational structures and regulatory systems. Moreover, by utilizing customer experience and insights to drive decision-making, companies can proactively manage disruption. In this session, we'll meet two leaders who are successfully navigating this transformation.

Rahquel Purcell, Chief Transformation Officer, L'Oréal North America  

Sarah Walker, Chief Operating Officer, Slack  

Moderator: Kristin Stoller, Editorial Director, Fortune

Danita Johnson says a decade’s worth of experience working in the WNBA instilled grit and a “day-to-day scrappiness” in her. Today, as the first Black president of a Major League Soccer club, she’s operationalizing her wealth of knowledge to guide D.C. United’s front office to greater heights. Hear Johnson speak about how not taking no for an answer enabled her to boldly take on leadership challenges—setting attendance records in the process.  

Danita Johnson, President, Business Operations, DC United

Interviewer: Ruth Umoh, Next To Lead Editor, Fortune; Co-chair, Fortune COO Summit

Operations 2.0: The New Role of Operations in the Age of AI

Hosted by Cognizant

This lunch discussion, facilitated by Cognizant’s industry leaders, is an opportunity to share knowledge around the common challenges and innovative solutions presented by AI. Topics include: balancing cost-cutting measures with investments in innovation; the role of the COO shifting from service provider to strategy setter; and preparing the workforce for changes in roles and responsibilities. 

WHAT HORSES CAN TEACH US ABOUT LEADERSHIP

Equine-assisted learning is used in a business context to teach collaborative working styles and ways to create a culture of psychological safety. In this hands-on equine communication masterclass, participants will be partnered with a horse to gain and sharpen valuable tools including clear communication and the impact of body language and energy—and learn how lessons from “horse whispering” can transfer back to leadership in their organizations.

MAKING THE CASE FOR TEAMSHIP OVER LEADERSHIP

Renowned executive team coach Keith Ferrazzi is at the forefront of a revolutionary new approach to leadership, and he believes COOs have a pivotal role to play in this change by acting as behavioral engineers for 21st century culture. This means fostering what he calls “teamship” in their organizations by prioritizing employee collaboration and co-creation. In this interactive masterclass, Ferrazzi not only pinpoints the key characteristics of high-performing teams but also equips participants with actionable work practices and behaviors to elevate teamship within your organization.

Keith Ferrazzi, Founder and Chairman, Ferrazzi Greenlight

RdV Vineyards Tour and Tasting Experience

Join us during the peak of harvest season for an exclusive tour and tasting at RdV Vineyards, nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. Embark on a journey through time and taste as you explore the ancient hillside vineyards, immersing yourself in the rich history and meticulous process behind each bottle.

Pickleball Tournament

Dive into the excitement of friendly competition during a lively racket tournament, joined by players of all skill levels. Before the excitement unfolds on the courts, sharpen your skills and refine your game with expert guidance from a local pro.

Countryside Bike Ride

Embark on a picturesque journey through the Virginia countryside on a moderate 13-mile bike ride, immersing yourself in the beauty of nature at every turn.