Welcome back to HeartWired: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership for the AI World! I’m Dr. MJ, and in this insightful episode, we dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming one of America’s most beloved community organizations: the YMCA. This episode is all about blending heart and technology—showing how emotional intelligence and intentional governance can make AI work for people, not the other way around.

I’m thrilled to be joined by two incredible leaders: George Leis and Jorge Perez. George is a YMCA USA Board Chair, the EVP and Market President for CalPrivate Bank, and a trusted, mission-driven leader committed to building stronger communities.

Jorge is the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and a trailblazer who’s leading the charge on integrating AI across the YMCA movement with vision, empathy, and innovation.

Episode Highlights & Key Topics

The origin story of the YMCA’s AI initiative and how the pandemic accelerated digital transformation within the organization.

Why AI isn’t just about technology, but about staying true to the YMCA’s mission: fostering connection, care, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Real-life examples of AI in action: Meet "Yasmin," the ChatGPT-based AI youth development agent, and "Harmony," the HR agent helping staff and branches nationwide.

Emotional intelligence as the core of effective AI leadership—how self-awareness, empathy, and governance ensure technology enhances (not replaces) human connection.

Lessons learned from governing AI responsibly: Building AI aligned with organizational values, and setting critical guardrails around sensitive use cases.

The evolving role of leaders: Why leading in an AI-enabled world means leading both humans and AI agents with integrity, mindfulness, and a commitment to the human mission.

Actionable advice for future leaders—how being an emotionally intelligent practitioner is now essential in a digital-first, AI-augmented era.

Key Takeaways

AI can dramatically scale human impact, but must be trained and governed with the same care—anchored in values and emotional intelligence—as we would with staff.

Empathy isn’t a “soft skill”—it’s a strategic advantage and absolutely necessary when driving organizational change and innovation.

Leading AI agents mirrors leading people: values, expectations, and continuous training/testing are crucial.

Trust and transparency drive community adoption and the ethical, effective use of technology.

The future belongs to leaders who blend heart and foresight—those who never lose sight of people, even as they embrace new tools.

If you’re passionate about human-centered innovation or leading teams through digital transformation, this episode is a must-listen! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share HeartWired with fellow leaders and change-makers. If today’s conversation sparked ideas, questions, or you want a deeper dive on any topic, reach out to us. Let’s keep building a world where technology and humanity grow stronger, together.

Stay heartwired,

Dr. MJ

Welcome to another episode of HeartWired: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership in an AI World! I’m Dr. Mary Jean Vignone, and today’s episode is extra special for me as I’m joined by my longtime mentor, coach, and true business visionary—Mark Sylvester.

Mark Sylvester is a thought leader with decades of experience at the cutting edge of technology and leadership. He is a Creativity Strategist, AI Innovation Leader, Executive Producer, TED/TEDx Veteran and Award-Winning Innovator.

He’s the mind behind the “dive in and discover” strategies that helped bring HeartWired to life, and he draws on his true elder perspective—an “elder,” not just “older”—to guide others through overwhelming transitions, especially as technology rapidly evolves.

In this episode, Mark and I dive deep into the intersection of emotional intelligence (EQ) and artificial intelligence (AI), exploring how leaders today can integrate both into their organizations, teams, and personal leadership styles. Mark shares his wisdom on the importance of fostering a culture of trust, ways to harness AI as a collaborative partner (instead of fearing it), and practical strategies for leaders to adopt a hands-on approach to technology and relationship-building.

Key Topics and Takeaways:

1. Discovering Purpose and Passion:
2. Mark recounts the framework we used to clarify my own purpose and approach to this podcast: identifying passions, stacking professional skills, recognizing what’s marketable, and clarifying mission.
3. From Overwhelm to Actionable Roadmap:
4. Insights on breaking big visions into manageable steps and why a mentor or "Sherpa" makes all the difference.
5. Navigating Technological Change:
6. As leaders who’ve lived through tremendous change—from early computers to today’s AI—Mark explains why understanding and demystifying AI reduces fear and drives adoption.
7. Practical AI Adoption for Leaders:
8. Why every leader must experiment hands-on with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot—and how to start, regardless of technical background.
9. Healthy Human-AI Collaboration:
10. We discuss the importance of realistic expectations, resisting AI “slop,” and using AI as a respected team member, not a surrogate leader or best friend.
11. Critical Thinking and Emotional Intelligence:
12. AI mirrors the clarity and emotional energy we bring—so it’s essential to apply critical thinking, read the output, and never delegate learning or leadership entirely to machines.
13. Trust and Safety as Foundation for AI Integration:
14. Mark emphasizes building a culture of trust and psychological safety as the “trust stack” that must come before adopting any new tech stack.
15. Powerful Tip for...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of HeartWired: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership for an AI World! I’m Dr. Mary Jean Vignone, and I’m so excited to kick off our journey into the intersection of technology and humanity. As your host, I’ve spent over 20 years coaching leaders from banking executives to emerging entrepreneurs, and I firmly believe that emotional intelligence is our greatest human superpower—especially as artificial intelligence transforms the way we live and work.

In this first episode, I dive deep into why emotional intelligence (EQ) matters more than ever in an AI-driven world. Drawing from my own experience with leaders across industries, I share why the most successful leaders aren’t necessarily the most technically skilled—they’re the ones who can connect, respond thoughtfully, and lead with heart.

I break down the core dimensions of EQ—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management—and show how these skills are not “soft,” but critical competencies for building thriving teams and organizations. I use metaphors and real-life examples, including coaching stories and recent insights from top AI experts, to illustrate how EQ can be intentionally nurtured and why it's vital not just for individual success but for our collective humanity.

1. The Real Human Superpower: Why the ability to feel, connect, and empathize is irreplaceable, even in a world of rapidly advancing AI.
2. Understanding Emotional Intelligence: How emotional data shapes decision-making, leadership, and personal growth.
3. The Four Pillars of EQ: Practical insights into self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management—and how to grow these skills.
4. Neuroplasticity in Action: Discover how your brain rewires itself as you practice emotional intelligence, making you a stronger leader and a more connected human.
5. Technology vs. Humanity: Why AI can analyze, simulate, and optimize, but can’t truly embody empathy, trust, or creativity.
6. The Risks of Emotional Deskilling: How relying too much on algorithms for comfort or connection can blunt your growth and diminish team culture.
7. Leadership Stories: Personal coaching experiences and how real leaders overcame challenges by leaning into their EQ in tech-centric environments.
8. Inspired by Thought Leaders: Insights from Zach Cass, author of "The Next Renaissance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential," and why the future demands we “Be Human.”
9. Practical Steps: Tips for pausing, reflecting, and choosing conscious connection over mindless scrolling or reacting.

If today’s conversation about emotionally intelligent leadership resonates with you, subscribe to HeartWired wherever you get your podcasts! In upcoming episodes, I’ll be interviewing leaders, executives, and thought pioneers who use AI in their work while fiercely protecting the human touch that defines great leadership.

Do you know someone who could use a reminder of their own human superpower? Share this episode—and...

HeartWired: Emotionally-Intelligent Leadership for an AI World is the podcast where technology meets humanity, and where leadership requires more than just technical expertise. In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and algorithms, what truly sets us apart is our ability to connect, empathize, and lead with heart. This show explores what it means to be human in a tech-driven landscape—and why emotional intelligence (EQ) is the leadership skill that will determine who thrives in the AI era.

Hosted by Dr. MJ Vignone, a PhD in Human and Organizational Development with more than 20 years of leadership and learning development experience, the show brings deep expertise and practical tools to leaders navigating today’s unprecedented challenges. Dr. MJ has held senior leadership roles in major banks, designed and delivered transformative leadership programs, and coached leaders at every level to succeed in business and flourish in life. Certified in multiple emotional intelligence frameworks, Dr. MJ understands how to translate research into strategies leaders can use immediately.

So why does emotional intelligence matter now more than ever? Studies consistently show that leaders with high EQ outperform those with equal technical skill but lower emotional intelligence. EQ is not a single ability—it’s a blend of self-awareness, empathy, communication, and resilience. These skills allow leaders to connect authentically, inspire trust, minimize burnout, and create cultures where people can thrive. In the age of AI, where machines can process data faster and more efficiently than we ever could, EQ is what keeps leadership relevant, human-centered, and impactful.

HeartWired explores big, timely questions:

1. Where do humans add irreplaceable value in the workplace?
2. How do we minimize stress and burnout while managing rapid change?
3. What impact will AI have on leaders, teams, and organizational culture?
4. How can neuroscience and psychology help us become stronger, more resilient leaders?
5. What does the next generation of leadership look like when personal skills are lacking?

Each episode features c-suite executives, middle managers, neuroscientists, and thought leaders who bring real-world strategies for navigating organizational challenges. Conversations go beyond surface-level advice and provide research-backed, actionable insights. Whether it’s managing organizational stress, leveraging neuroscience to improve performance, or leading through AI transformation, listeners will walk away with tools they can put into practice immediately.

HeartWired exists at the intersection of leadership, emotional intelligence, and the AI revolution. Whether you’re currently in a leadership position or a rising leader, this podcast will help you strengthen your leadership brand, build resilience in your teams, and discover how to create environments where both people and technology thrive.

This podcast is for leaders responsible for shaping organizational culture and outcomes. HeartWired provides the insights you need to guide your teams through rapid change while maintaining balance, vision, and humanity.

The rise of AI is extraordinary, exceeding expectations in both speed and integration into daily life. But no matter how advanced it becomes, AI cannot replicate empathy, creativity, or human connection. As Dr. MJ emphasizes, the future belongs to leaders who can blend the strengths of technology with the best of humanity. This podcast provides a blueprint...