A Thanksgiving Reflection: Finding Purpose in Life's Unexpected Turns

Hello go-to-market leaders, strategists, and innovators! ??

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I'm taking a break from our usual strategic AI use case discussions to share something more personal. In this year of crazy AI advancement, what stands out most isn't the technology. It's the amazing people who make this journey worthwhile.

While some know me for my AI work, I'm no expert - we're all learning together in this new era. AI is simply a powerful teammate that helps advance what I'm truly passionate about:

• Elevating the strategic value of marketing to drive business growth
• Ensuring diverse perspectives have a seat at the table
• Using business as a force for good

These passions have always driven me. AI just gives us new ways to make a bigger impact. This is why I lean in on infusing AI responsibly in my work ad personal life,

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For those who prefer to consume information through audio, I’ve used Google’s NotebookLM to transform this newsletter into a short podcast episode, featuring a natural conversation between two AI hosts. Although the hosts refer to me LIE-za instead of LEE-zuh :-), the podcast captures the insights in an engaging and relatable way, making the content more inclusive for different learning styles. You can listen to it here.

Disclaimer: This podcast was generated by AI based on this written newsletter and reviewed by me to ensure ethical and responsible AI use. It’s designed to provide an efficient, more inclusive way to consume information.

Recently, Phil Nugent from Colorado AI News wrote about my journey. Click the image below to read the article.

He compared my approach to Wayne Gretzky's famous philosophy of skating to where the puck is going to be.

I had to laugh (I can't skate!), but his observation made me think about something I've wanted to share: how life's detours often take us exactly where we need to be, especially when we're surrounded by the right people.

When One Door Closes...

In late 2022, life threw me for a loop. An acquisition led to an earlier-than-planned exit from a company I loved, where I led marketing.

It was a purpose-driven business with amazing people, exceptional product-market fit, loyal customers, and a culture that felt like home. Despite headwinds, we were making great strides disrupting a stodgy incumbent. Leaving after just a year and a half was tough.

Although a successful exit, I found myself soul-searching. I explored board service, I learned that marketing leaders are still rare in boardrooms: only 41 marketers serve on Fortune 1000 boards and less than 3% of all board members, regardless of company size, have marketing experience.

This partly reflects a common perception of marketing as tactical rather than strategic.

But sometimes what feels like a setback is really a setup. As in early 2023, I explored OpenAI's newly launched ChatGPT.

I realized something exciting: AI could be a gift to marketers. It could help us flip the script on being seen as merely tactical.

With AI as a thought partner, we could gain deeper market insights, ensure product-market fit, optimize the full customer lifecycle, align executive teams, and drive growth. What could be more strategic than that?

Being strategic, having deep market understanding, and AI expertise is our ticket to the boardroom.

A Gratitude Journey

Phil wrote about how I see the whole field, like the best athletes do. But what he really captured was how every success comes from the people around us.

The amazing humans below help me learn more, pursue my passions, inspire others, and make an impact beyond what I had originally imagined.

To all of you, from the bottom of my heart, I'm incredibly grateful. You have made me a better version of myself and I will continue to work to pay it forward.

1. Communities & Thought Leaders: Rising Tide Lifting All Boats

You know that saying about going fast alone or far together? Phil noted this in his article how the best work happens when we figure things out as a community.

In this new AI world, none of us have all the answers. That's what makes our communities so powerful.

Every day, I see curious people sharing their experiences—what works, what doesn't, how to apply AI responsibly, and insights on new developments.

These communities aren't just professional networks; they're spaces where we learn from each other.?The Marketing AI Institute , Pavilion ,?AI Marketing Forum, The AI Exchange, CMO Huddles, Rocky Mountain AI Interest Group (RMAIIG) , CMO Coffee Talk, LinkedIn, in general, are great examples.

A HUGE thank you to those who organize, facilitate, and manage these communities: Matt Heinz , Saima Rashid , Cathy McPhillips , Rachel Woods , Drew Neisser , Colin Campbell ?? ?? , Kathleen Booth , Dan Murray , Jason Cormier , Jessie Shipman , and so many more. We appreciate you!

People connect and many partnerships and friendships form initially through Slack, Zoom, social, text, and emails. Those connections strengthen when we meet in person. I have truly enjoyed and cherished meeting IRL.

Thank you to those who have shared with me how I have inspired and helped you with my work. You have no idea how much your words motivate me every single day. I write, speak, and act from a place of passion and you are my tribe.

Then there are the thought leaders who give generously through their posts, podcasts, webinars, and event speaking like Jessica Hreha ,?Andy Crestodina, Rachel Woods, Paul Roetzer (I never miss your weekly podcast), Christopher Penn, Sandy Carter, Karl Yeh, Nicole Leffer , Isar Meitis, Dan Sanchez, Jonathan Moss, Drew Neisser, Carilu Dietrich , and many others. You have a wealth of knowledge and are such fantastic collaborators!

While big tech races to advance AI, we're figuring out the human side together—no experts, no judgment, just shared learning. The rising tide really does lift all boats.

2. Business Partners: My Go-to-Market Justice League

Phil mentioned my love of superhero analogies—and it's true. (Watched Batman Begins with Christian Bale while drafting this newsletter last night.)

I think about great partnerships like the Justice League: different but complementary powers, one mission. I'm lucky to work alongside partners who bring their own unique strengths:

• Tahnee Perry - deep knowledge of AI-driven marketing and sales tech stacks.
• Carilu Dietrich - extensive experience guiding CEOs and CMOs with growth strategies. (Excited to pilot the AI CMO Club next month with you, Carilu!)
• Daniel O'Neill - thoughtful approach to AI in sales.
• Chris Andrew - innovative solution for AI search relevance.
• Christopher Penn - brilliant methods with data and Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Lori Sutorius Jones - dedication to building trust through communication.

Thank you all for being not just brilliant collaborators but also amazing friends.

Your commitment to ethical AI and genuine desire to help others succeed inspires me daily. I'm grateful for our shared mission to make AI work for everyone.

3. Clients: Growing a Beautiful Garden

Phil shared my belief in the power of "attracting, not chasing."

I love this analogy: If you chase butterflies, they'll fly away. But if you make your garden as beautiful as you can because you're passionate about it, they'll come naturally.

That's exactly how my partners and I have been blessed with amazing clients, from innovative startups to global at-scale companies, in the US and abroad (even in my birth city in Manila), who share our vision and passion.

These leaders inspire me daily. They keep customers as their north star. They think beyond department lines. They believe in lifting up their teams and doubling down on responsible AI literacy.

Thank you,?Paige O'Neill, Scott Morris, Amy Heidersbach, Jill Axline, Tamir Hardof, Judy Ash, Alexandra Gobbi, Sydney Sloan, Michelle Swan, Randall Lozano, Donna Charlevoix , Frank Nardi , Keshila Vallot Shannon , Heidi Melin , Ana Grace Marcial,CMP , Keith Myer , Marino Fresch , and so many others for bringing us along on your journey.

AI innovation isn't the biggest challenge—change management is. It requires a shift in mindset and behavior. While early business results are encouraging, what's truly remarkable is seeing how teams open up to more uses for AI and change the way they work. Teams are:

• Discovering AI possibilities beyond basic tasks.
• Building their own AI teammates through custom GPTs.
• Creating ethical guidelines together in cross-functional AI Councils.
• Using unique data, in-depth knowledge, and specialized expertise to guide AI.
• Supporting each other empathetically and gracefully on their AI learning journey.

4. DEI Champions: Making the Invisible Visible

"I represent some invisible people out there," I told Phil during our interview. The truth of this hit home when Delen Trance , an early-in-career Filipino-American product marketer approached me at a Product Marketing Alliance (PMA) Summit in Denver:

"Are you Filipino? I am, too. I was inspired to see someone who looks like me achieve what you have. I've never seen a female Filipino tech executive, much less one who talks about AI. I want to be like you."

Those words remind me why representation matters. I'm thankful for organizations creating space for all voices:

• Access Mode - Thank you Mariah Kamei and Zaneta Kelsey for inviting me to speak and for showing me how entrepreneurship opens doors for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) entrepreneurs.
• Athena Alliance - Thank you Coco Brown for championing women in the C-suite and boardroom.
• Katalista.org - Thank you Nicole C. Cacal for supporting Filipino-American entrepreneurs.
• Empowered CMO - Thank you Latané Conant (she/her) for lifting women leaders and the CMO role.
• Wednesday Women - Thank you Leslie Greenwood for celebrating executive women we should know and learn from.
• Women in Revenue - Thank you Debe Rapson and Lauren Shleifer Goldstein for advancing careers of women in revenue roles.

I've only called out a few people on this list but know that there are many more who I'd love to thank.

With women using AI 16-20% less than men, we can't afford for the gap to widen. Together, these groups remind us that if AI is going to serve everyone, everyone needs a seat at the table.

5. Next Generation and Entrepreneurs: Preparing Them for an AI World

Phil noted my passion for mentoring comes from gratitude for those who helped me. I’m grateful for organizations shaping tomorrow's leaders.

The next generation will enter a world where IQ, efficiency, and capability are table stakes. We need to ensure they rise with EQ, purpose, community, authenticity, and human judgment.

• DECA Inc. - prepares high school students for business careers. Judging their marketing plan competitions, I see poise, creativity, and critical thinking—a bright future. I'm so proud of my daughter, Alana Adams , and the many kids in this program.
• Anderson College of Business and Computing – Regis University - Under?Dean Madhu Rao's?leadership, Anderson stands for leveraging business and tech to develop ethical leaders committed to a just society.
• Bridge Entrepreneurs Network Colorado (BEN) - serves Colorado entrepreneurs so they can grow companies and elevate their communities. The "give first, give back" culture is contagious.

To Kimber Spradlin and Lori Sutorius Jones , big thanks for supporting DECA kids with internship roles in your companies. The experience is invaluable to them.

Thank you to Dean Madhu Rao for your vision in preparing ethical business leaders at Anderson College, and to Kay Henze, CDI.D and Mick Freeman at BEN for leading such an incredible "give first" entrepreneurial community. Special thanks to innovative entrepreneurs like Adam Oliver , CEO of Crafted , who exemplify BEN's mission.

6. Leadership Champions: Giants Who Lift Us Up

"She can see the whole field," Phil wrote. But that vision came from standing on giants' shoulders. Many leaders have changed my path forever, but three stand out:

• Christine / Chris Heckart - A brilliant strategist with a generous heart. She builds teams like the Justice League, bringing out everyone's superpowers. She has taught me to think big, start small, and move fast. Now Founder and CEO of Xapa, she and her team are making sure human strengths shine in the AI era.
• Vasu Jakkal - The most compassionate leader I know. She taught me that being effective matters more than being right. I have taken inspiration from her 5 principles of leadership: Passion, Purpose, Possibilities, People, and Positivity. Today she champions security and privacy at?Microsoft, protecting our digital future.
• Kimberly O'Neil - A master at bringing people together and genuinely listening and considering other perspectives. She showed me how to balance vulnerability with strength, when to push forward, and when to pivot. Her resilience, drive, and ability to reinvent herself are inspiring.

Thank you, Christine, Vasu, and Kim, for being more than mentors—for being true champions who showed me what great leadership looks like. You are lifelong friends.

Your lessons shape not just my career but how I try to show up for others every day. I hope to make you proud by passing on the gifts you've given me.

7. Family: My Heart

Phil mentioned our family’s "boxtume" tradition—making Halloween costumes from cardboard boxes. Our 5 mins of fame during the Today Show's Halloween special was fun.

We love family adventures, game nights, hosting parties, sports, DIYs, and enjoying the outdoors with our pups, Penny and Isla. Here's Penny in her Halloween boxtume as an Amazon delivery driver.

My husband,? Michael Adams , has been my anchor, supporting me through my career, including when I was practically married to an airplane.

His work from home allowed him to be with the kids, easing my guilt when I traveled. Our biggest contribution may not be what we do—it's who we raise.

To my family, I love you. You and my faith are my rock and none of this is possible without you. Thank you.

Looking Forward with Gratitude

As we navigate the AI era, I'm constantly reminded that technology often shows what's most human about us. The tools we build matter less than how we use them to lift each other up.

I believe that:

Each step of this journey, even the hard ones, has led to unexpected gifts. That company exit that felt too early? It pushed me toward this community of amazing humans figuring out AI together. Sometimes our biggest gifts come wrapped in unexpected packages.

As we gather around Thanksgiving tables, I'm grateful for this journey and all of you who make it meaningful.

From our creative, boxtume-making, adventure-seeking Adams family to yours, may your holiday be filled with those perfect little moments that no AI could ever replicate.

To Phil, you're an awesome storyteller. Thank you for sharing my story and for inspiring me to write this newsletter.

Want to know more about this journey? Read the full story in Colorado AI News.

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