May 14, 2026 | 2:00pm ET
Real Talk: The Uncomfortable Truth Behind the AI Advantage
Everyone's leaning in on AI. Almost nobody’s doing it right. AI doesn't fail because the technology doesn't work. It fails because the unglamorous prerequisites get skipped: defined processes and trusted data. Without both, you're a hamster on a wheel.
You won't want to miss this honest, practical conversation about what it takes to stop dabbling and start delivering.
The real difference between automation and autonomy and why it changes everything you thought you knew about AI readiness
Why your asset data is your biggest competitive advantage (and what to do if it's a mess)
How to run one internal AI project, productize it, and turn it into a client-facing service
A concrete first move you can make this week
CRO | Liongard
David Powell is a 28-year veteran of the IT industry and has had an incredibly successful career in the SaaS space. David previously served as the VP of Sales Strategy at Pax8. Prior to that, David was Chief Revenue Officer at Evo Security, an IAM platform for MSPs. Additionally, David was President at Prodoscore and is a board member for the Inspire Brands Foundation.
He was also instrumental in the growth of various businesses in the SaaS space including LogicMonitor (sold to Vista Equity Partners) and Perch Cybersecurity (acquired by ConnectWise).
David has extensive experience in high growth companies, and has been involved in three successful exits and seven private equity backed acquisitions. David enjoys travel, live music, and spending time with his family.
CEO, Co-Founder | Empath
Wes Spencer is a nationally recognized technology innovator and cybersecurity influencer and co-founder of multiple cybersecurity companies including Perch Security which was successfully acquired in 2020. Wes has numerous awards including the 2020 Cybersecurity Educator of the Year by the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards. Wes has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Pro Publica, Dark Reading, and many other outlets.
Wes is the Co-Founder and CEO of Empath, based in Tampa, FL. Outside of the office, Wes fancies a tasty bourbon and some crispy hot chicken. You’ll also find him on YouTube (youtube.com/wesspencer) where his dictator headquarters are, and he talks a bit about technology, cybersecurity, and cryptocurrency.
CMO | Liongard
Stephanie is a seasoned marketing leader with over 20 years of experience across all marketing disciplines, specializing in IT networking and infrastructure, physical security, and cybersecurity solutions. Her extensive background includes marketing to enterprise clients, hosting, and telco providers, as well as MSPs and MSSPs, demonstrating her versatility and adaptability in diverse market segments.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has been instrumental in driving revenue growth through innovative marketing initiatives and strategic partnerships, fostering cross-functional collaboration and ensuring organizational success. Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Marketing from Franklin Pierce University.