January 21 - Pulling the Curtain Back on AI Use Cases for Procurement Professionals
Presenter: Dr. Trey Conaster, University of Kentucky
Event Type: Power Hour
With special attention to procurement, this session will cover where we are now with generative AI technologies, in what contexts these tools are more or less effective, considerations for ethical and responsible use, and examples of implementing generative AI tools in ways that advance the procurement profession.
February 4 -"Economy What?" - Understanding Economic Policy Impacts on Procurement
Presenter: Seth Harris, Northeastern University
Event Type: Ask the Expert
Member Masterminds: Tariffs and Trade Tensions
Guest Speakers: Casey Laurienzo and Peter Ucovich
In this Member Mastermind session, Casey Laurienzo and Peter Ucovich from E&I guide participants as they dive into the realities of tariffs, trade tensions, and their impact on educational procurement. The discussion explores strategies for managing customs duties, securing refunds, and navigating unexpected supplier charges.
Level Up Procurement Leadership: Lessons from Engineer to C-Suite
Guest Speaker: Camile Batiste
In this EdPro Virtual Event, leadership coach Camille Batiste shares her journey from engineer to global procurement executive and offers practical advice for career advancement. Camille highlights five key lessons for climbing the leadership ladder - from building personal maturity and delivering results to increasing visibility and honing communication skills.
The Hidden Value in Every Deal: SMARTnership, AI, & the Future of Procurement Negotiation
Guest Speaker: Dr. Keld Jensen
This EdPro Virtual Event, led by Keld Jensen, 
challenges conventional approaches to negotiation and highlights how outdated methods often leave value on the table. Keld shares a striking psychological study showing how people conform to the majority - even when it’s clearly wrong - drawing parallels to traditional negotiation techniques that perpetuate a zero-sum game.
Mastermind: Smarter, Faster, Better: Uncovering AI Potential in Procurement
Guest Speaker: Brie Matie
Lenora Sevillian and Casey Laurienzo host an engaging session with Brie Matier, Director of Procurement Services at the University of South Florida. Brie leads an interactive discussion on the opportunities and challenges of AI in procurement, highlighting tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Microsoft systems.
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