Press Releases

Date: 2025-07-23
Location: Chicago, IL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Lisa Wetherald
Ragan Communications
[email protected]

Ragan Launches the Center for AI Strategy — A First-of-Its-Kind Community Helping Communicators Lead the AI Revolution

Backed by senior advisors with expertise in gen AI, the new Center connects top comms leaders navigating the future of AI in real time.

CHICAGO, IL – July 23, 2025 — Ragan today unveiled the Center for AI Strategy, a membership community created for communications professionals needing real-world, real-time advice from advisors along with tools, training and a trusted peer network to lead confidently in the fast-moving era of artificial intelligence.

With AI reshaping the communications landscape at lightning speed, the Center brings together top communications professionals from the world’s most influential brands, including Whole Foods, Cisco, Honeywell, FedEx, Tapestry, Mars, SAP, Merck and 3M, to share real-time insights, strategic guidance, and practical resources that move beyond theory and into execution.

Whether you’re building your first AI pilot or formalizing enterprise-wide AI governance, the Center offers a powerful blend of strategy, community and confidence, giving communicators what they need to not just keep up, but lead boldly.

The Center’s advisors hail from a range of corporations and agencies and specialize in a range of business disciplines, from communications to business strategy, from HR to technology.

The Center’s member-only portal features resources, training videos and thought leadership pieces, a peer-to-peer network designed to foster candid conversations, live collaboration, and practical frameworks for integrating AI across internal and external communications. Center members will enjoy regular member calls, cohorts and meetups.

Highlights of the Center for AI Strategy:

  • Access to a Council of Trusted Advisors: Members learn directly from an elite group of senior leaders, an “AI Brain Trust” actively shaping AI strategies inside the world’s most respected organizations.
  • Live Peer Learning and Collaboration: Through cohorts and curated meetings, members exchange real-world insights on AI strategy and have the chance to pilot AI tools, align with IT and legal and build brand-safe governance.
  • Strategic Tools and Templates: Members receive plug-and-play assets including AI policy frameworks, team training guides, vendor evaluation scorecards and scalable use-case maps.
  • Ongoing AI Skills Development: The Center offers monthly learning opportunities and an AI Certificate program.
  • A Roadmap to Responsible AI Adoption: Members stay ahead of emerging trends with proprietary briefings, benchmark data and evolving best practices developed specifically for the communications function.

“AI is redefining how we work, tell stories and lead,” said Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan Communications. “The Center for AI Strategy gives communicators a trusted voice in the room, alongside peers who are equally committed to learning, testing, governing and advancing AI in a way that keeps humanity and strategy at the core.”

Advisors for the Center for AI Strategy include:

  • Jonny Bentwood, Golin
  • Ryan Brack, Stealth
  • Brian Buchwald, Edelman
  • Laura Gagliardi, Verizon
  • Anika Gakovic, Phyusion
  • Chris Gee, Chris Gee Consulting
  • Paul Gennaro, New York Life
  • Megan Hueter, Everywhere
  • Amyn Jan, AJ Emtech LLC
  • Rebecca Kaul, Northwell Health
  • Paavana Kumar, Davis+Gilbert LLP
  • Sofia Mata-Leclerc, GE HealthCare
  • Meiko S. Patton, United States Postal Service
  • Brian Pittman, Ragan
  • Katelyn Ringrose, McDermott Will & Emery
  • Alex Sevigny, PhD, APR, McMaster University
  • Brian Snyder, Axicom
  • Samantha Stark, Phyusion
  • Rowan Toffoli, Lockheed Martin
  • Martin Waxman, GenAI Training & Research Instructor

The Center for AI Strategy is now accepting members. Space is limited to ensure a tailored membership experience, and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Us Now to Start Your Membership

Note: Members of Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council, an exclusive community for senior-level communicators and their teams, receive complimentary access to the Center for AI Strategy. Go here to learn more about the Council.

About Us

Ragan Communications has been delivering trusted news, training and intelligence for more than 60 years to internal and external communicators, HR professionals and business leaders. Its daily news sites, PRDaily.com and Ragan.com, are read by more than 600,000 internal and external communicators monthly. Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council is one of the fastest-growing membership groups for communications executives, and its conferences, webinars and workshops are attended by more than 5,000 communicators every year. Ragan Training is the leading learning portal among communicators, offering more than 800 hours of training and development. Ragan is also the producer of Communications Week, held each November. We are headquartered in Chicago, with team members across the U.S. and loyal customers worldwide. Visit us at ragan.com.