01 • AI & Future of Work
AI & The Future of Work
How AI and automation are reshaping talent, operations, and leadership — and what leaders must do now to prepare. Moves beyond hype into practical, executive-ready strategy.
Technology Executive • Speaker • Author
DR. VAN D. RICHARDSON
AI & LEADERSHIP STRATEGIST
Helping leaders navigate AI, transformation, and change at the intersection of innovation, people, and impact.
28+ years in information technology leadership • Doctor of Business Administration • Executive and board advisor
Focused on practical AI strategy, digital transformation, and human-centered leadership for modern organizations.
DRVDR • Executive & AI Leadership
Dr. Van D. Richardson, DBA, MBA — technology executive, AI strategist, and leadership educator.
About
About Dr. Van D. Richardson
Executive technology leader, AI strategist, and leadership educator focused on helping organizations transform with clarity, equity, and sustainable impact.
Dr. Van D. Richardson, DBA, MBA, is a technology executive and AI strategist with more than 28 years of experience leading transformation across corporate, nonprofit, and education sectors.
He has served in senior IT leadership roles, partnering with executive teams and boards to align technology, people, and strategy. His work centers on building high-performing organizations that can adopt AI and emerging technologies without losing sight of culture, equity, or human capacity.
As a doctoral researcher, Dr. Richardson examined the underrepresentation of African Americans in senior IT leadership, bringing a research-based lens to leadership pipelines, organizational systems, and structural barriers in technology.
Today, he combines executive experience, research insight, and practical storytelling to help leaders make sense of AI, digital transformation, and the future of work.
Mission:
I help leaders and organizations transform confidently — through meaningful innovation,
human-centered leadership, and intentional impact.
Speaking
Signature Keynote Topics
Keynotes, panels, and executive sessions tailored for leaders navigating AI, digital transformation, culture, and the future of work.
02 • Digital Transformation
Leading Digital Transformation
A roadmap for aligning culture, capability, and technology. How to drive transformation without burning out teams or losing sight of people in the process.
03 • Representation
Representation & Leadership in Technology
Insights from doctoral research on the underrepresentation of African Americans in senior technology leadership — and what organizations can do to build equitable, sustainable executive pipelines.
04 • Human-Centered Leadership
Human-Centered Technology Leadership
Leadership in an era of constant change. How to build trust, connection, and performance while embracing AI and emerging technologies as tools for impact, not burnout.
Focus
How Dr. Richardson Works with Leaders
Where Dr. Richardson spends most of his time with leaders, teams, and organizations.
Executive and organizational leadership development
AI strategy and intelligent automation planning
Digital transformation & change leadership
Culture, diversity, and leadership pipeline strategy
Keynotes, panels, and moderated conversations
Advisory support for boards and executive teams
Thought Leadership
Insights & Research
Articles and perspectives from Dr. Richardson on AI, transformation, and leadership in modern organizations.
Featured Insight
Transformation Without Burnout: How leaders can pursue meaningful change without exhausting themselves or their teams — by naming the change load, pacing with intention, and protecting capacity as a real constraint.
Explore more perspectives and articles in DrVDR Insights.
What Leaders Are Saying
“Van combines his strong work ethic with a deep understanding of service management to effectively deliver IT services to his constituency. He provides respectful and inclusive leadership, and he maintains an open disposition that allows him to continuously learn from others while broadening and deepening his capabilities. Van's steady disposition and the fact that he is always willing to roll up his sleeves make him someone you want with you in the trenches when things get tough.”
— IT Dierector, Mrs. Clark, Chicago
Ready to Connect?
Whether you're seeking a keynote speaker, strategic conversation, or thought partner, Dr. Richardson brings real-world executive experience and a forward-looking perspective on AI, leadership, and transformation.