Ready to demystify AI & take the scare out of new tech? Learn how to choose facts over fear, swap cobwebs for clarity and your organization’s tools to work in practical ways.
October 27, 2025 | 10:00am – 4:00pm EST
📍The Tower Club, Tysons Corner
For many associations, the idea of incorporating new technology into their story sounds as scary as a well-told ghost story. But when emerging tools like artificial intelligence are applied strategically, organizations experience less fright and a lot more delight.
Want to learn how to make that happen? We’re bringing back the Executive Learning Lab with Monsters, Myths, and Machine Learning: Demystifying AI & Taking the Scare Out of New Tech.
Last spring, leaders faced their tech fears and left with clarity. This fall, we’ve conjured up an even sharper agenda based on your feedback: shorter sessions, deeper breakouts, more chances to connect, and yes… a creepy-smart photo booth.
Amy Gavin, Senior Director, Marketing & Technology at American Society for Nutrition
As AI continues to infiltrate every aspect of association life, from member engagement and marketing to data analysis and operations, leaders are realizing that the real challenge isn’t whether to adopt AI, but rather why and how to do it effectively.
In this inspiring opening keynote, Amy will offer you an honest look at what it takes to lead an organization through AI adoption. She’ll open with a real-world AI mishap story, one that shows how even the best intentions can go awry without a clear roadmap and contrast it with where her own team stands now: securely and meaningfully experimenting, learning, and aligning AI use with mission-driven outcomes.
With honesty and humor, Amy will share help you navigate the “haunted house” of AI, where fear and uncertainty lurk around every corner. You’ll leave inspired to define your own “why behind AI” and ready to lead your team through the unknown with confidence, curiosity, and purpose.
Key Takeaways
Chip Flater, Director of IT at the National Science Teaching Association
Scott Richards, Director of Training and Microsoft 365 Programs
Incorporating artificial intelligence into your operations is like signing up for a gym membership. It sounds great, but the real results come from knowing which machines to use, how often, and for what goal. Walk in without a plan, and you’ll end up sore, confused, or using the leg press to work your arms. (Or in this case, struggling with efficiency and exposing your data to risk.)
In this lively conversation, Chip and Scott will share how they’re co-creating a custom learning platform to pilot at NSTA that helps staff use AI with purpose.
Get ready to learn honest insights into how you can take their experience and apply to your own organization. By the end, you’ll see countless possibilities for turning new tools and the technology you already use into everyday wins for your staff.
Key Takeaways:
Greg Starling, Head of Emerging Technology at Doyon Technology Group
AI is everywhere these days, often hidden inside the tools your team already uses. The question isn’t if you’ll use it. But can your association apply it to actually deliver results?
If you’ve dabbled with AI but feel stuck in moving the needle, Greg will guide you through a 30/60/90 roadmap that helps teams move from first exposure to confident adoption. Together, you’ll tackle live questions as Greg whiteboards prompts, workflows, and guardrails. The goal will be to learn how to move from “soft wins” to measurable ROI, with clear before-and-after benchmarks.
Discover how leadership can move AI adoption beyond trial and error to build confidence, consistency, and real impact across your organization.
Key Takeaways:
In these themed breakout sessions, you’ll connect with peers at your stage of adoption, exchange lessons learned, and explore practical next steps, all while having a little fun with the monsters, myths, and mysteries of AI.
Monster Mashers
Facilitated by Greg Starling
Don’t be afraid! We will explore how monsters and machine learning can come together in surprising and impactful ways. Discover how AI can be a helpful tool, not something to fear, as we create and play with mythical creatures.
Myth Busters
Facilitated by Amy Gavin
Fear the unknown no more! Step up to challenge myths and unravel mysteries with data and critical thinking. Together, we’ll turn uncertainty into understanding for a clear path forward with AI.
Machine Learning Sleuths:
Facilitated by Aimee Pagano, Director of Programming, HighRoad Solutions
Step into the role of an AI detective or dare we say “agent” and uncover hidden patterns, secrets, and truths. We will investigate the latest machine learning tools and techniques as we uncover new possibilities and solve the next wave of mysteries, that will generate real ROI.
What did each group uncover behind their AI “door”? Join panel facilitator Clare Schell of Luminara Creative as our three breakout leaders — Amy Gavin, Aimee Pagano, and Greg Starling — return to the main stage to share what their teams discovered about the monsters, myths, and magic of AI.
You’ll hear highlights from each breakout, the biggest surprises from every stage of AI maturity, and a few lingering questions to spark open conversation. Think of it as the debrief before dawn, where the lights come on and even deeper learning can happen.
Tom Mercer, President and General Manager, designDATA
What happens when your technology strategy is rooted in your values, not just your operations?
In this closing session, Tom Mercer will explore what it means to lead a truly mission-driven organization in today’s tech-fueled world. Drawing from designDATA’s work with associations and nonprofits, and the broader mission of parent company Doyon, Limited, Tom will share how a people-first approach to technology can deepen impact, foster trust, and support long-term organizational health.
From workforce development initiatives like the Doyon Academy to real-world examples of how AI, cybersecurity, and user education are being used to strengthen member experiences, Tom will challenge attendees to think differently about the role tech plays in advancing their mission.
More than just tech enablement, this session explores how shared purpose and community impact can shape what technology should look like when it’s aligned with your “why.”
Tom Mercer
President and General Manager, designDATA
President and General Manager, designDATA
Tom Mercer is the President and CEO of designDATA. He’s known for inventing, engineering and being a thought leader, setting the global stage for technology.
Before joining designDATA’s team, he started as a developer and quickly transitioned into product development. While he’s been working at Arctic IT alongside designDATA, he used to work at 3M Library Systems Business Unit. He worked closely with the leadership team, merging the sector with Bibliotheca and expanding the Cloud Library to several international markets. In turn, this increased the range of content, including audiobooks, magazines, comics and movies.
Tom has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Dakota State University and a Master of Science in Management of Technology from the University of Minnesota.
Amy Gavin
Senior Director of Marketing and Technology for the American Society for Nutrition (ASN)
Senior Director of Marketing and Technology for the American Society for Nutrition (ASN)
Amy Gavin is the Senior Director of Marketing and Technology for the American Society for Nutrition (ASN). With more than 15 years of varied association experience, Amy’s work emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, building connections across teams, and balancing big-picture vision with attention to detail. Her experience spans digital strategy, information technology, branding, multimedia, publishing, and the oversight of integrated systems.
Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications from Clemson University, a Master of Professional Studies in Digital Publishing from The George Washington University, and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from ASAE. She is involved in multiple professional organizations and is currently serving a third year on ASAE’s Technology Professionals Advisory Council.
Amy lives in Cheraw, South Carolina with her husband, three children, and canine officemate. She serves on Cheraw Town Council, leads her local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and is an avid collector of vintage Mack fire trucks.
Greg Starling
Doyon Technology Group’s Head of Emerging Technology
Doyon Technology Group’s Head of Emerging Technology
Greg Starling is an innovation-focused technology leader with over 20 years of experience building high-performing teams and bringing cutting-edge solutions to life. As Head of Emerging Technology at Doyon Technology Group, he helps organizations navigate the fast-moving world of AI—especially generative AI—with clarity, strategy, and impact.
Greg has led innovation and technology efforts across sectors including software, manufacturing, nonprofit, and government, with leadership roles at companies like Tailwind, WeGoLook, and Monscierge. His work blends deep technical expertise with business acumen, helping organizations translate emerging technologies into measurable outcomes.
A recognized thought leader and frequent speaker on AI adoption, Greg is passionate about making advanced tools practical, approachable, and empowering—especially for small and mid-sized organizations.
Scott Richards
designDATA’s Director of Training & Project Management
designDATA’s Director of Training & Project Management
Scott Richards leads designDATA’s training initiatives with a focus on empowering both clients and employees through consistent, practical, and engaging learning experiences. Since joining the company in 2017, he has developed and delivered weekly webinars, custom training sessions, and onboarding support that help teams build confidence with essential workplace tools—particularly Microsoft 365 and emerging technologies.
Before joining designDATA, Scott built a 30-year career at IBM, where he held diverse roles including programmer, customer support representative, presales engineer, and technical sales manager. Throughout, he developed a reputation for clear communication and team leadership, ultimately overseeing a team of 16 and managing training strategy across departments.
Scott is a Certified Microsoft Office Specialist and a member of the Association for Talent Development. He holds a B.A. in Computer Science from Brown University.
Chip Flater
Director of IT at the National Science Teaching Association
Director of IT at the National Science Teaching Association
Chip Flater is a mission-driven IT leader with more than two decades of experience leading technology strategy in nonprofit and education-focused organizations. He currently serves as Director of Information Technology at the National Science Teaching Association, where he brings together cybersecurity policy, generative AI, and data analytics to create meaningful, scalable change.
Chip’s career includes IT leadership roles at the American Counseling Association, American Correctional Association, and National Restaurant Association. He is recognized for building strong, resilient teams and leading organizations through digital transformation with a focus on security, adaptability, and measurable impact.
He holds a Master of Information Technology and a graduate certificate in Cybersecurity Policy from Virginia Tech and is a two-time recipient of DCA Live’s Association Technology & Innovation Leader award.
Aimee Pagano
Director of Programming, HighRoad Solutions
Director of Programming, HighRoad Solutions
With more than 20 years of evolving experience in the B2B space, Aimee is a revtech master with a twist specializing in CL/CX, product strategy, and content strategy. As a data activist, action-packed visionary, and full-sensory storyteller, Aimee continues as the voice for AI, automation, and data activation, specifically for associations and nonprofits.
The Tower Club Tysons Corner
8000 Towers Crescent Drive
#Suite 1700
Vienna, VA 22182 United States
There is a multi-level garage adjacent to the building, marked “Towers Crescent Parking.” A designDATA greeter will be in the Tower Club lobby to provide you with a parking voucher upon arrival.
From the main lobby of the building, you will take two elevators to reach the club: Take the first elevator from the 1st to the 14th floor, exit, walk around the corner, and take the second elevator to the 17th floor. Signs will guide you, and the Tower Club concierge is available for assistance.
