Career Durability: Practical Skills to Hone in the AI Era with Ha Nguyen

​AI is changing the landscape of work but the real question isn’t “Will AI replace me?”

​It’s: what makes you valuable no matter what happens next?

​The professionals who stay relevant aren’t just reacting to change... they’re building skills, networks, and opportunities that compound over time. In this session, we’ll explore what it takes to become “durable” in your career across roles, industries, and shifting markets.

​We’ll cover:

• ​Why building with AI matters more than just learning about it

• ​How entrepreneurial thinking increases your optionality

• ​The role of authentic networks in opening unexpected opportunities

• ​Why sales and self-advocacy are essential skills

• ​How to create opportunities instead of waiting for them

​We’ll close with a live Q&A featuring Sid, our cofounder.

​You’ll leave with a clearer sense of which skills actually make you durable and one concrete step to start building them.

​Meet Ha

​Ha is the Founder & Managing Partner of NextStep, where she works with Seed–Series B founders as a fractional COO to operationalize strategy, go-to-market, and people-first culture. With 25+ years of experience, she has built and scaled startups, led operations, and designed products and experiences that serve both customers and teams. She was previously Chief Experiences Officer at Swimply and a Founding Partner at Spero Ventures, where she supported early-stage founders building companies centered on well-being, work, and human connection. Across everything she does, Ha is driven by a commitment to community, impact, and helping people and companies grow in meaningful, sustainable ways.