Our latest Exec Connect breakfast in San Francisco brought together senior leaders to discuss the shift from reactive crisis management to proactive brand protection. In a world where agentic AI is moving from hype to actual implementation, the conversation focused on how global organizations can find their footing as the ground continues to shift.
Hosted by Alan Chumley, SVP of Strategic Solutions, with guest speakers Jenna Kozel King, VP Brand & Corporate Marketing at Databricks, Fenot Tekle, VP Global Head of Communications at Canva, and Rebecca Buckman, Marketing Partner at Battery Ventures, the session offered a candid look at what’s shaping communications and risk strategy for 2026.
While these events are private forums for open dialogue, we’re sharing the standout themes from the conversation
Agentic AI: Move Fast, But Keep the Loop Closed
Organizations are operating with a “start-up” vibe, and even mature businesses are still figuring out how the pieces fit together. While access to AI is increasing, many companies use a closed-loop or “human-in-the-loop” approach, blocking models from learning from internal queries to protect proprietary data. AI can write the first draft, but humans own the final word.
Outside of content creation, AI-powered data is another use case. Attendees shared how years of internal data can be translated into tools for enterprise-wide decision-making. Leading organizations are building internal databases for sales & commercial teams to find customer stories or search for specific use cases.
Still, the tension between caution and innovation is real. Some employees fear replacement, but the consensus is clear: those who lean in now gain a meaningful advantage. In this experimental environment, “done is better than perfect.” Waiting for a flawless roadmap means falling behind peers who are already testing agentic workflows.
Brand Protection is Financial Protection
Everything ladders up to the brand. Reputational risk is now recognized as a direct hit to the bottom line. Even stable, decades-old companies must shift from being reactive to actively shaping their brand narrative to survive.
Building the business case for these programs requires hard data. More organizations are building integrated “trust dashboards” to track reputation KPIs. These tools help leaders identify which messages work and protect company value in a volatile environment.
The CCO as the Great Connector
The CCO is now the primary connector across the C-suite, balancing the divergent needs of the CMO, CFO, and CEO. It’s about maintaining a coherent external voice while navigating competing internal priorities.
This means managing corporate affairs and crisis risk simultaneously. When geopolitical risk is integrated into daily operations, from global facilities to international workforces, the CCO can’t just be a spokesperson. They must be a strategic risk officer using data-driven intelligence to see around corners.
The Exec Connect SF session made one thing clear: the move toward agentic AI isn’t just about new tools, it’s about a fundamental shift in how organizations protect their value. As the role of the CCO continues to expand, those who bridge the gap between technical AI exploration and grounded reputation strategy will be the ones who successfully navigate this next era of disruption.
