Sidebar Speaker Series: Strategy and Planning In the Age of AI Disruption with Garrett Kelly

​In this session, you'll be guided through a 4 phased approach to annual planning:

• ​Understanding the external landscapes of competition and emerging technologies (Hint: This parts about AI)

• ​Defining business strategy

• ​Setting functional targets, roadmaps, and the ideal org structure to efficiently bring your strategy to life

• ​Stress testing cross-team alignment and understanding how to approach prioritization for a shared resource like Engineering

​ Come be prepared to learn critical frameworks, ask questions, and walk out with more clarity on how to navigate 2026.

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​Speaker Bio

​Garrett Kelly is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of NextStep, a consulting firm that helps startup leaders with strategy and planning, operational excellence, and people-first leadership. He operates as a fractional consultant, advisor, and executive coach.

​ At Swimply he led Customer Support, Trust and Safety, Insurance and was responsible for establishing OKRs and KPIs, core values, and prioritization across the business.

​ ​At AirBnB, Garrett led a 500+ Safety team’s product, process, and people strategies while managing the most urgent and sensitive community issues imaginable.