The next episode of Let's Talk Business Phoenix features John Gartin, Director of Learning & Organization Development and Instructor and Advisor for Practical AI at Northern Arizona University. Gartin discusses how businesses can thoughtfully adopt AI by focusing on real organizational challenges rather than chasing trends. The conversation explores common implementation mistakes, workforce concerns, employee upskilling, leadership responsibility, and the need for clear policies that balance innovation with privacy, security, and transparency. Gartin also highlights how Arizona businesses can partner with universities to advance AI research, strengthen workforce development, and prepare for the rapid evolution of AI in the years ahead.

Want to go deeper on AI and the future of work? Explore Gartin’s Human Judgment Engineering insights on keeping human judgment and accountability at the center of AI-powered work.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Business Phoenix, we hear from John Garcia, Executive Director of Pathways Impact Fund at StriveTogether, on the importance of connecting education, workforce development, and economic opportunity to create more intentional pathways for Arizona students and workers. John shares insights from his work across Arizona and the country, highlighting how business leaders can move from simply consuming talent to helping co-create the systems that prepare people for meaningful careers. The discussion explores how Arizona’s rapid growth can translate into greater economic mobility, and what employers, educators, and community leaders can do to better

In this episode of Let’s Talk Business Phoenix, Dillan Knudson, Arizona Market Director at Columbia Bank Commercial, shares how his professional journey and people-first leadership approach have shaped his work supporting Arizona businesses. The conversation explores Columbia Bank’s growing presence in Greater Phoenix, the evolving role of commercial banking, and how business owners can navigate financial challenges, expansion, succession, and new investment with the right strategic partners.