Mind & Machine DFW: Generative AI for Business Leaders - August 21, 2025

Mind & Machine DFW

Presents: Cognitive Crossfire: How AI Shapes Human Thinking

Can Machines Enhance How We Think—Or Are They Reshaping It Entirely?

From boardrooms to brand campaigns, AI isn’t just automating tasks—it’s changing how humans reason, create, and decide. In this provocative panel, five DFW-based experts will unpack the cognitive shifts AI is triggering across business roles. Each panelist brings one bold question about how AI is challenging our mental models—and a counter-question to spark lively debate.

Whether you lead strategy, marketing, ops, or people, this is your chance to pressure-test your assumptions about AI’s role in human thinking.

Roadmap Overview:

• Five Core Questions: One from each panelist, covering trust, creativity, compliance, fluency, and relevance
• Five Counter-Questions: Designed to challenge assumptions and spur cross-functional insights
• Themes We'll Explore:– AI and ethical decision-making in SMBs– Brand authenticity vs. AI-generated voice– Reducing burnout without reducing originality– Empowering teams through AI fluency– The new balance of strategy and automation
• Final Reflections: How to sharpen human judgment in an AI-enabled workplace

About the Panel:

Victoria (Tori) Begg is a visionary AI strategist and co-founder of Mind & Machine DFW. At V Digital Services, she leads the development of proprietary AI agents and literacy programs that supercharge sales and marketing teams—without replacing the humans behind them. Tori specializes in building LLM solutions that align with real workflows and team culture, not just hype. She's passionate about demystifying AI for business leaders and equipping teams to evolve confidently in an AI-first era.

Larry Roberts is a Signal Award-winning podcast producer, branding strategist, and founder of Red Hat Media. Known for his high-energy workshops and AI-savvy approach to content creation, Larry helps thought leaders and businesses stand out in the noise. His branded podcasts and personal branding strategies have landed shows in the top 1.5% globally. A regular on national stages, Larry teaches how to use AI tools to amplify authentic voices—not replace them.

Emily Bell-Wootten is a fCMO and founder of EBW Consulting, with experience across 60+ brands and $1B+ in impact. She specializes in MarTech, content strategy, and cybersecurity for SMBs and nonprofits. As a managing partner in AI startup Marketing Assistant, she helps companies create more with less—without sacrificing originality or voice. Emily’s career spans roles at Dell, NTT Data, and Fortune 500s, and she’s a champion for women in tech and AI innovation.

KJ Haywood is a cybersecurity professor, AI governance researcher, and the founder of Nomad Cyber Concepts. With 20+ years in strategy, compliance, and risk, she helps organizations build ethical, secure AI foundations—even without large compliance teams. KJ’s work bridges the gap between AI innovation and accountability, and she’s published widely on ethical development, bias mitigation, and cognitive impacts in AI systems. She’s known for making governance real, urgent, and accessible for growing businesses.

Rachael Garnett is co-founder of EaaS AI and one of the first globally certified AI consultants. She helps nonprofits and small businesses implement AI with clarity, intention, and confidence. Rachael is a 3x international best-selling author and national speaker known for making complex tech feel personal and human. Her work blends education, ethics, and empathy—helping teams reduce burnout, stay aligned, and build custom AI solutions that reflect their values and voice.

About the Moderator:

Tim Mata is a fractional sales leader and co-founder of Mind & Machine DFW. With 25+ years in Enterprise B2B sales—including sales & leadership roles at IBM, BEA, and Splunk—he helps SMBs build repeatable, tech-savvy sales systems that actually close. Tim specializes in modern GTM strategy, modernizing the sales process, and team coaching on a 1:1 level. As moderator, he brings a sharp eye for business value and a gift for translating technical ideas into practical conversations. At Mind & Machine, he’s on a mission to help leaders harness AI without the hype.