Heidi Lorenzen

This week, Varun, Philip, Dave, and I had the privilege of meeting with Director Michael Kratsios, Assistant to the President for Science & Technology and 13th Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to discuss the AI Action Plan, an important initiative for integrating AI and innovation across the federal workforce. In particular, we discussed how Moveworks' Agentic AI has the power to help improve employee efficiency by automating routine, repetitive tasks. This allows employees across the federal workforce to redirect their focus towards larger, impactful initiatives that drive progress and innovation. Our discussions underscored the importance of leveraging AI-driven solutions to enhance productivity and drive meaningful change. By focusing on strategic implementation and continuous improvement, we can pave a way for a more efficient and innovative future. Thank you to Director Kratsios and his team on the hard work it has taken to get us here. This AI Action Plan will pave a way for a more efficient and innovative future. For more insights, explore the White House's AI resources: https://www.ai.gov/

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I am trialing a New Feature: The Best Places to Find Purpose-Driven Jobs in EdTech, Learning, and Innovation After so many conversations with friends, mentees, and change makers navigating career transitions, I've realized how fragmented the search for meaningful work can feel—especially in the worlds of education, family media, and mission-driven tech. And frankly as a board member of several nonprofits who are going through RIF's and restructuring this summer, I felt that this series might be timely. So I’m kicking off a new resource for my LI network to share and iterate on: a regularly updated guide to the best job boards, search firms, and curators helping people land their next great role in these sectors. To start, here's a roundup of top EdTech-specific job boards worth bookmarking: 🔹 EdSurge – A go-to for EdTech opportunities with smart editorial content and a clean job search engine. 🔹 ISTE – A hub for tech-forward education roles, often from smaller orgs and schools. 🔹 Wellfound (formerly AngelList) – Best for EdTech startups, with early-stage energy. 🔹 Owl Ventures Jobs Board – Curated jobs from a leading EdTech VC’s portfolio. 🔹 GSV Ventures Jobs Board – Tracks opportunities from their dynamic network of learning companies. 🔹 Reach Capital Jobs Board – Another great source for roles at mission-focused startups. 🔹 K12JobSpot – Especially useful for roles in school systems and district innovation. 🔹 HigherEdJobs – A staple for those looking in or around colleges, universities, and lifelong learning orgs. Next up in this series: top recruiters and executive search firms to know—like Isaacson, Miller, On-Ramps, Phillips Oppenheim, Russell Reynolds Associates and boutique specialists in social impact, media, and learning innovation. Know a great job board or search firm in this space? Drop it in the comments—I’ll be updating and sharing frequently. #Jobs #EdTech #EducationJobs #SocialImpactCareers #LearningInnovation #EdTechJobs #Hiring #CareerSearch #PurposeDrivenWork

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It’s encouraging to see this announcement from Ballmer Group, Gates Foundation, Stand Together, and Valhalla Foundation about their new $1 billion, 15-year initiative to invest in AI solutions that expand economic opportunity. This underscores exactly what Michael Kubzansky and I argued in our recent The Chronicle of Philanthropy piece: AI is fundamentally reshaping economic opportunity right now, and philanthropy has a critical role to play in determining who benefits. We need more funders to integrate AI into their labor rights and racial and economic justice initiatives, including through strategies that increase worker power and agency over AI adoption. This newly-announced initiative is another innovative approach, focused on equipping frontline professionals who work with underrepresented communities with tools to make their work more efficient and personalized. Let’s hope that more and more funders act with the creativity and urgency this moment demands. For more concrete recommendations about how philanthropic leaders can develop coordinated strategies on AI and worker power, check out our piece: https://lnkd.in/gQPeKHWb #Philanthropy #AI #EconomicOpportunity https://lnkd.in/gwumASbJ

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New data from a SCALE Initiative at Stanford University study offers one of the clearest looks yet at how K-12 educators are using generative AI in their daily work and what that might mean for the profession. Researchers partnered with SchoolAI, an education technology platform powered by generative AI. Just published: https://lnkd.in/exmWUWNZ Featuring Larisa Black & Tom D'Amico

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The most transformative growth doesn't happen in isolation—it emerges from ecosystems. Through my work building ecosystems like Energize Colorado, Elevate Quantum, State-funded advanced industry ecosystems (Space, Climate, and Water), and a current early stage project on a Creative Hub (ecosystem) for film and music, I've seen how both innovation ecosystems (connecting startups, corporations, universities, investors) and community ecosystems (building networks of trust and shared purpose) create greater value when a diverse group of partners collaborate. Whether building an innovation or community ecosystem, the same principles drive success: -Diversity of participants brings complementary skills and fresh perspectives. - Flow of resources (ideas, funding, mentorship, networks, social capital) accelerates progress for everyone. - Shared purpose aligns individual success with collective impact. The magic happens when we shift from "what can I achieve alone?" to "what can we accomplish together?"

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🚨 Had a great conversation with MIT Technology Review about how Michigan is built to build! 🛠️ (link in the comments) We covered the bold bets Michigan is making to create a statewide innovation ecosystem, and what it really takes to break down the barriers between startups, academia, big companies, and government. 💡 One key idea: The role of state government in innovation needs to evolve. Government should have a seat at the table as a strategic, collaborative partner. (Key word: partner!) Not passively funding startups or picking winners. Instead, being an active ecosystem builder, driving unified, smart strategy, facilitating meaningful connections, and enabling collaboration, not controlling it. ⚙️ Some insights I think are especially worth sharing: 🤝 Trust is infrastructure. Economic development thrives when everyone - entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers - feels they're pulling in the same direction. Authentic collaboration is essential. 🧠 Place-based strategies matter. Real innovation happens in places that know exactly what they’re good at. For Michigan, that’s about merging our historic expertise in manufacturing ("atoms") with cutting-edge software, AI, and digital technologies ("bits"). Our universities, startups, and talent pools are world-class at software and AI. We want to enable the infusion of these strengths directly into our manufacturing base. 🏭 History matters too. Michigan was home to the original “Freedom’s Forge” during WWII, when we reshaped global manufacturing. We're tapping back into that legacy, reimagining it to lead America's next era of innovation. 🧬 Tailored solutions beat copying Silicon Valley every time. I hear a lot of "We want to be the Silicon Valley of XYZ." But our goal isn’t to copy-paste. That’s herd mentality, not strategy. We're building what's right for Michigan, rooted in our unique strengths. The short-term metrics look fantastic, but our ultimate goal is long-term economic transformation. We’re planting seeds today that will bear fruit measured in decades, not quarterly reports. If you’re working on hard tech, manufacturing, mobility, AI, climate, or related fields…let’s talk! Michigan is ready to build what's next. 🚀 For the builders out there, what'd I miss? How can states be better partners? Who does it REALLY great right now and why? Who sucks at it and why? Feel free to be blunt! #innovation #Michigan #startups #SiliconValley

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The Thrilling Challenge of Cultural Integration in Post-M&A Success    "Integrations often fail because the effort to merge two cultures is frequently underestimated," declared my brilliant friend and integration expert, Dr. Pamela Mattsson, PhD, during an engaging panel discussion in Seattle with me and the insightful Lisa Clarke.     Anyone who has attempted to blend two distinct cultures knows the unique challenges that arise.    As Lisa passionately pointed out, when organizations come together with differing cultures, platforms, and levels of experience, the integration journey can become a daunting adventure.    So, how can one navigate this thrilling yet challenging landscape and successfully unite two cultures? Here are our panel's top strategies: 1. Be Intentional: Clearly define the cultural attributes of both organizations and envision what the new, combined culture should look like. Alternatively, you might decide to lean into one culture over the other. Lisa recounted an inspiring experience where, as a C-suite member in a smaller acquired company, her exceptional executive team cultivated a vibrant culture that empowered them to take the reins and lead the entire organization. 2. Identify Non-Negotiables: One brave acquired company boldly told their buyer, "If you implement this change, you will dismantle the very culture that fuels our success, which is precisely why you decided to acquire us." 3. Acknowledge the Psychological Impact on Leaders: The psychological toll on leaders during this transition is significant. It's crucial to empower them by surrounding them with coaches and advisors. Remember, founders who once occupied the top spots in their organizations may now find themselves navigating middle management.     Successfully integrating cultures post-M&A is not just about operational alignment; it's about understanding the heart and soul of both organizations.    The journey can be challenging, but with the right tools and mindset, it can also be gratifying!    #PostMergerIntegration #CultureTransformation #LeadershipInAction #MergersAndAcquisitions __ Hey, I'm Sangeeta! If this resonated, follow along as I share real stories and lessons on how companies unlock results—or DM me for a free consulting call—link to my website in the comments.   

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In summer of 1973 Mike Cole, a researcher at the Stern Hall Computer Science Lab of Queen Mary College (QMC) in London, embarked on a research stay in the United States. He spent time at Xerox PARC, but also several afternoons with Mike Stonebraker’s group at UC Berkeley. It was there that he obtained a copy of UNIX V3 and its documentation, with the necessary permissions from AT&T. Knowing that he would need to adapt the system to run on QMC’s hardware, he dove into learning the minimum C programming language and wrote a driver for the System Industries (SI) disk controller, a critical component for making UNIX work on their machine in UK. Before returning to the UK, he made a strategic stop at Bell Labs in October. There, Ken Thompson himself reviewed his code, discovered a few bugs (due to improper pointer usage in C), and then copied the entire UNIX V4 system onto seven or eight DEC tapes. And so, packed in a Pan Am bag, UNIX made its first journey to the United Kingdom—and quite possibly its first entry into Europe. Queen Mary College thus became the first European host of UNIX. It was also through this path that Bjarne Stroustrup, then still a student, became one of the first UNIX users in Europe when he visited the Stern Hall Computer Science Lab : “I learned a lot by browsing through the source and trying out a few things. It was so much more elegant than what I had seen before.” A few years later, Bjarne would cross the Atlantic in the opposite direction to join the legendary Department 1127 at Bell Labs in Murray Hill, the birthplace of UNIX.

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🚀 Proud to have joined Dr. Drumm McNaughton on #TheChangeLeader Podcast to explore how AI can transform enrollment and admissions. We dove deep into why student fit matters more than volume, the critical role of speed in boosting yield, and how to deploy AI tools—from chatbots to real‑time decision systems—without sacrificing the human touch. Whether you’re an enrollment leader, provost, or trustee, this episode offers real-world strategies to modernize your processes and enhance student success. Tune in for insights and examples from Western Governors University, NYU’s Violet, and more.. Full episode here https://lnkd.in/d5KybgxE #AI #podcast #leadership #enrollment #tech

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Associations are evolving under powerful forces, from shifting member expectations to the rise of generative AI. This piece captures what many of us in executive roles are thinking: “What got you here won’t get you there.” At CFP Board, we take this mindset seriously as we explore the promise and challenges of AI and how it can enhance, not replace, the human relationships at the heart of financial planning. Leading through this moment calls for curiosity, courage and a willingness to rethink how we deliver value. This is a worthwhile read for any association leader preparing for the future: https://bit.ly/473FNm4

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On Friday, the U.S. Senate Committee for Commerce, Science, and Transportation issued a press release publicly announcing Moveworks’ endorsement of Senator Ted Cruz's AI Sandbox Act. This legislation is a critical step forward in bridging the gap between private sector innovation and public sector needs. As I recently testified before Congress, the procurement and adoption challenges for AI in government are significant. The AI Sandbox Act directly addresses these issues by creating controlled environments for startups to partner with federal agencies. This will not only accelerate AI adoption, but also ensure our government benefits from the same efficiencies transforming the private sector. I applaud Senator Ted Cruz's leadership on this front. By fostering collaboration, we can strengthen American competitiveness, and build a more efficient and effective government for all. Learn more Senator Cruz’s AI Policy Framework and SANDBOX Act:  https://lnkd.in/gPi49mCA

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