Meet the Keynotes: COE Summit 2026
With the evolution of technology, organizations must strategically reexamine how to define and deliver operational excellence amid constant change and disruption.
The Center of Operational Excellence’s 13th annual COE Summit will explore how organizations are rewiring excellence with emerging tech, bold strategies, and future-ready thinking. With 4 engaging keynotes, 20 breakout sessions, and exclusive opportunities for networking and hands-on learning, this Summit is a high-value opportunity to gain the key skills and strategies you’ll need to lead the charge into a new era of excellence.
The COE Summit 2026 will be held April 7-9 at Ohio State’s Fawcett Center and will feature the following must-see keynote speakers:
Dr. Melissa Valentine, Author, Professor, and Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI
Dr. Melissa Valentine has spent an impressive career studying technology and how it’s changing work and business, examining the dynamics between artificial intelligence and organizational designs. As a professor at Stanford University, her research on management and computer science has earned many awards.
This keynote discussion will examine artificial intelligence beyond the common fear of job displacement, focusing instead on the potential transformations of AI-powered organizations. Valentine emphasizes that AI can enhance systems, assisting with decision making and adaptive capabilities. This presentation will illustrate the practical and scalable impact that AI can have on organizations, driving them forward as a partner in reshaping business practices.
Valentine is also the author of Flash Teams: Leading the Future of AI-Enhanced, On-Demand Work, a book describing transformations businesses are undergoing as AI and global networks become more present.
Kathy Klotz-Guest, Author, Comedian, and Founder of Keeping it Human℠
Kathy Klotz-Guest is not only a renowned business speaker, author, and founder with experience leading high-performing tech teams—she’s also a comedian who’s done stand-up at The Improv and trained in sketched writing at Second City. Called “the Mrs. Maisel of Change”, Klotz-Guest has dedicated herself to shaking up how companies communicate, think, and innovate—all while making them laugh!
Klotz-Guest believes that human creativity and innovation are a competitive advantage in an AI era. Her Make Bold Possible™ framework utilizes these competitive advantages to help people flourish and promote bold thinking. Her keynote will motivate attendees to leverage humor strategically, unlocking creativity and action that improves work and life. It will also teach how to implement this framework, build bolder cultures and teams, and allow innovation to thrive.
You can jumpstart your learning before the COE Summit by checking out Klotz-Guest’s book “Stop Boring Me!” and her LinkedIn Learning courses.
Prashant Nateri, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Operations Officer at Huntington
Prashant Nateri is responsible for the strategic direction of Huntington’s operations and transforming the Colleague and Customer experience to enable scale and growth. With over 25 years of banking and technology, he is an experienced leader in his field and has led numerous transformational initiatives for Fortune 500 companies.
This keynote will take the form of a fireside chat between Nateri and Fisher College of Business Interim Dean Aravind Chandrasekaran. They’ll discuss Prashant’s unique framework for leading operations, transformation, and innovation at Huntington with a focus on the human experience. Attendees will gain perspective on how to analyze processes and the customer journey to identify opportunities to simplify tasks, eliminate friction, and strategically implement GenAI. Throughout this conversation, listeners will be inspired to implement innovation into their daily processes.
Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton, Award-winning Executive, Author, and Founder of Sequel Consulting Group
Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton has over 30 years of leadership experience spanning Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations. She most recently served as the Chief Human Resources Officer at UC San Diego Health and Chief People and Culture Officer at Hennepin Healthcare. She is a nationally recognized speaker, consultant, and certified executive coach as well as the founder and CEO of Sequel Consulting Group, LLC.
In her keynote, she’ll share a transformative view of fear and challenge the notion of fearless leadership. She will discuss how to keep fear in leadership from derailing decision-making and how to move past the initial response of fight, flight, or freeze. Through practical and real-world examples, attendees will gain understanding on navigating uncertainty with confidence, fostering psychological safety within teams, and driving organizational change by addressing fear at all levels.
Check out Dr. Jackman Hampton’s book “The Myth of the Fearless Leader” before her keynote to start learning from her powerful framework.
We hope you’ll join us April 7-9 to learn from this phenomenal lineup of leading speakers and industry experts!
Learn more and register for the COE Summit 2026
