AI for Managers is a Tuesday Tech Book Club exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming leadership, changing workflows, and impacting how companies operate today at a rapid pace. Managers are on the front lines of this transformation.
AI for Managers is a closed-door peer accelerator designed to equip middle managers with a peer learning group to navigate a business world where AI is changing everything. Each session centers on a single book or piece of media, grounding conversation in real-world examples rather than speculation. Readings move from principles to practice, and conversation flows between managers across industries dealing with similar issues.
Across six curated discussions, participants meet in closed-door, small-group sessions that blend peer learning, practical exploration, and reflective leadership work. You’ll develop frameworks for integrating AI responsibly, improving team performance, and leading change without losing the human touch.
This isn’t about becoming an AI expert. It’s about becoming a more adaptable, thoughtful leader in an AI-shaped workplace.
AI for Managers
A Tuesday Tech Book Club Peer Accelerator
Application Deadline: January 12, 2025
Program Details
Tuesdays · 12:00–2:00 PM · February–December 2026. Tentative Dates: February 10, April 14, June 16, August 11, October 13, and December 8
Application Deadline: January 12, 2025. Limited seats available and applications reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.
Location: Hosted by fellow tech leaders in or near Chicago’s Central Business District. Interested in hosing? Let us know.
Lunch: Because thoughtful conversation is better with food and fellowship.
Pricing: $1,450 (or 5 payments of $290) + optional add-ons
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Co-facilitator, AI for Managers
Founder and CEO, Techné AIKhullani M. Abdullahi is the founder of Techne AI, a Chicago-based consultancy specializing in AI governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) for regulated sectors. With more than 14 years of experience commercializing emerging technologies across cybersecurity, digital health, legal tech, and AI startups, Khullani partners with executive teams to design responsible AI strategies, build operational governance systems, and guide organizations in adopting AI safely and effectively.
Her work centers on the institutional layer of AI safety—helping health systems, public agencies, and enterprise leaders translate broad policy frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, ISO/IEC 42001, and state AI acts into practical oversight structures, accountability mechanisms, and workforce enablement. She also advises boards of directors on fiduciary responsibilities and risk governance in an era of rapidly advancing AI capabilities.
Beyond her organizational work, Khullani contributes to civic and public-interest AI governance, examining how societies can navigate the economic, cultural, and ontological shifts introduced by increasingly autonomous systems. She is the host of the AI in Chicago podcast, where she convenes researchers, policymakers, and institutional leaders shaping the region’s AI future.
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Co-facilitator, AI for Executives
Founder and CEO, Intentional Gravity
Director of Platform, PACE Healthcare CapitalE.J. Reedy is an executive and entrepreneur with a two-decade track record of building companies, organizations, platforms, and catalytic communities that unite the people shaping the future of innovation—entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, corporations, investors, operators, and civic leaders.
Trained as an economist and grounded as a creator and connector, E.J. has worked across industries including biotech, fintech, food innovation, and climate tech. He is known for identifying patterns others miss, bridging siloed environments, and helping individuals and organizations make intentional choices that create new value and shift their trajectories.
E.J. has held senior leadership roles across the private and nonprofit sectors, including founding Intentional Gravity to advance people-centered technology; helping scale Portal Innovations into a national biotech venture platform; leading strategic programs at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center; and positioning the Kauffman Foundation as a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other national outlets.
Today, E.J. focuses on coaching leaders, advising organizations, and designing communities where deeper connection enables meaningful progress. He is particularly drawn to small, trusted groups—spaces where people can be honest about hard choices, map their next moves, and support one another with clarity and courage.
He often collaborates with explorers: mission-driven professionals navigating complex systems and building what comes next. His role blends strategist, coach, and mission control—gathering the right people, tightening their orbits, and helping them gain velocity for change and impact.
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Host, AI for Managers
Vice President, Business Insights & Data Analytics, Thresholds
President, IMPACT Alumni Association | Chair, BUILD Chicago Associate BoardTim Turner is a data and insights executive whose work sits at the intersection of analytics, equity, and systems change. For more than a decade, he has led teams that bring clarity to complex questions—using data to illuminate community realities, strengthen organizational decision-making, and expand opportunities for the people and neighborhoods most affected.
As Vice President of Business Insights & Data Analytics at Thresholds, Tim leads the development of enterprise-wide intelligence systems that support one of Chicago’s most important mental health organizations. His work includes cloud-enabled data architecture, operational dashboards, executive scorecards, and analytic readiness across the enterprise—all aligned to improve access, outcomes, and equity.
Previously, Tim served as Director of Pharmacy Insights at Walgreens, where he guided a team of analysts and data scientists producing high-impact insights across Pharmacy, Marketing, Operations, Finance, and Merchandising. His leadership shaped national strategies, reversed multimillion-dollar performance declines, and enabled advances in patient retention, customer experience, and health equity for vulnerable populations.
Tim’s civic commitments mirror the values in his professional work. He is President of the IMPACT Alumni Association with the Chicago Urban League and Chair of the Associate Board at BUILD Chicago, helping advance youth development, community safety, and leadership pathways citywide.
Across roles at Harvard Kennedy School, Stax, GoHealth, the Polsky Center, Walgreens, and Thresholds, Tim has built a career grounded in thoughtful inquiry, analytical rigor, team development, and community impact. He brings a systems-level perspective to every challenge—connecting data, strategy, and human outcomes in service of more equitable decisions and stronger organizations.
Tuesday Tech Book Clubs
4 Different Tracks = 4 Different Accelerators
Application Deadlines: Early 2026 (program specific)
Join a cozy group of tech leaders with similar interests connecting in a private, shared conversation centered around a book or piece of media so you can advance your career in a more intentional way.
Tuesday Tech Book Clubs in 2026 will operate four distinct sections, each giving a different focus to explorations, conversations, and members.
🤖 AI for Executives. For executives across tech.
🤝 AI for Managers. For managers NOT WORKING AT AI COMPANIES integrating AI into their management, processes, and systems.
💪 Beyond the Bench. For scientists ready to grow beyond the lab, this small group of researchers and R&D professionals connects with peers and guest speakers to explore leadership, management, and career growth across science and business.
❤️ Deeply Chicago. For civic-minded tech professionals building with love and curiosity for this city.
Schedule: Each Tuesday Tech Book Club meets every two months throughout 2026 with a small, fixed group of twelve accelerator membes (your Tuesday Tech Book Club accelerator) for a private, two-hour conversation around one book or piece of media.
Application Deadline: Varies by program. Reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.
Locations: Meetings take place during the work day (typically 12-2pm) and are hosted in and around the Central Business District of Chicago.
Committment: Participants commit to attending consistently and engage fully across the year, building trust and connection with their accelerator members through shared experiences.
Confidentiality: Meetings follow Chatham House rules to encourage candor, reflection, and curiosity. All Fellows are given the option of being included in a public announcement of their acceptance and completion.
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Managers, team leads, and emerging leaders from across industries who are navigating how AI is reshaping their day-to-day work. This cohort is intentionally cross-sector and not designed for those working at AI-only companies — it’s for leaders responsible for integrating AI into teams, processes, and culture while balancing everything else their roles demand.
Gain practical insights into how AI can transform your role and decision-making processes.
Build confidence in leading teams and projects in AI-enabled environments.
Connect with peers facing similar challenges, creating a supportive network for learning and growth.
This program is perfect for professionals who want to stay ahead of industry trends and position themselves for future career success.
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AI is evolving faster than most organizations can adapt. Managers sit at the center of that change — responsible for implementation, communication, workflow redesign, and team trust. AI for Managers provides space to step back from the pace of daily work, compare real approaches across industries, and develop practical, responsible strategies for integrating AI.
It also helps leaders establish a bench of peers they can learn from and trust in real time — a small circle they can return to as questions, challenges, and opportunities emerge throughout 2026.
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AI for Managers is a six-session, small-group accelerator spread over 2026 blending book-based discussion, peer exchange, and practical leadership reflection.
Each session centers on a single book or long-form piece of media, grounding dialogue in both ideas and lived practice. Participants translate insights into frameworks they can use with their teams the next day.
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Book-anchored Learning — Each session is built around a thoughtful piece of media that connects vision to practice. In a world where AI changes daily, this lets us anchor our discussions in a fixed place and perspective while interpreting for the now.
Cross-industry Cohort — Perspective from leaders living the same transition at a similar level of formal management.
Confidential, Closed-door Environment — A trusted space to compare approaches and discuss challenges openly.
Practical — Focus on communication, workflow redesign, decision-making, and culture — not technical deep dives although we are likely to get some philosophy in the mix.
Built-in Peer Bench — A curated group of managers who become ongoing thought partners as AI continues to evolve.
Hosted across Central Chicago — Accessible, consistent, and anchored in spaces where real transformation is happening.
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1:1 Coaching
Members of Tuesday Tech Book Clubs get an additional 10 percent off all IG coaching rates.
Personalized coaching is not included in the program but is available at a discounted, additional rate.
Priority Booking for Gravity Unplugged Events
Early access to supplemental private events.
Gravity Unplugged salons bring guest leaders across tech, science, and civic innovation together in small, private settings.
Access to Specialized Workshops
Reserved or discounted entry for standalone workshops from Intentional Gravity.
