Marketing Operations and Transformation Forum

I. WELCOME & INTRODUCTION (11:00 – 11:10a.m. ET)

II. MARKETING OPERATIONS DAY OFFICE HOURS (11:10 – 11:40a.m. ET)
Did you join us for the 2^nd Annual Marketing Operations Day? Several speakers from our members-only conference will join us to kick off our forum with recaps of their presentations and offer time for follow-up questions. 

Speakers Joining Us:
Kristen Brill, Associate Director, Market Intelligence – Grant Thornton

• Creating a Market Insights Center of Excellence at Grant Thornton

Stephanie Jarstad, Vice President, Marketing Operations, Chief of Staff – Northwestern Mutual

• Earning a Seat at the Table: Lessons in Leadership From Northwestern Mutual’s Chief of Staff

Evan Mager, Vice President, Marketing Strategy and Operations – Workday

• Workday’s Planning Process that puts Marketing Operations at the Center

Cindy Ponce, Vice President, Marketing Operations – Sesame Workshop

• “B” is for Basics: Principles for Achieving Shared Global Objectives

III. OPERATIONALIZING AI IN MARKETING: BRIDGING TODAY'S SYSTEMS WITH TOMORROW'S TECHNOLOGY (11:40a.m. – 12:15p.m. ET)
Success with AI in marketing operations requires both embracing new capabilities and evolving existing systems to support them. This session provides an actionable blueprint for marketing operations leaders to create this hybrid approach. Learn how to adapt current operational pillars while implementing essential new AI components like prompt libraries and AI-specific governance frameworks. Through practical examples, we'll explore how to build a foundation that maximizes both existing investments and emerging AI capabilities, creating a scalable ecosystem that empowers teams while maintaining strategic oversight.

Speaker:
David Iscove, Director of Content Technology Solutions – Advertising Production Resources (APR)

IV. BREAK (12:15 – 12:25p.m. ET)

V. WHAT PRO WRESTLING TAUGHT ME ABOUT MARKETING OPERATIONS (12:25 – 1:00p.m. ET)
What could the theatrical world of pro wrestling have in common with marketing operations and technology? For Devin Leshin, former marketing technologist at Microsoft, quite a lot! His wrestling career uncovered lifelong lessons in communication, planning, and even sales; all integral to what makes marketing operations a thriving partner to the marketing organization. Here, Devin will detail his remarkable journey, from routs in the ring to triumphs in the tech stack.

Speaker:
Devin Leshin, Former Microsoft Marketing Technologist