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The AI-Ready Workforce: Learning & Leading with AI at UM

September 10, 2025 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (MDT)

Description

What: Free webinar on AI readiness in the workforce, co-hosted by Craton Consulting, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, and the Montana Jobs Network

When: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10th 

Where: Online via Zoom (link and video recording will be emailed to all registered participants)

What does it mean to be “AI-ready” in 2025—and are students, faculty, and employers preparing for the new expectations of the workplace?

Join Craton Consulting, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, and the Montana Jobs Network for a dynamic conversation on how AI is shaping education and careers. 

What you'll experience: 

  • Keynote by Tom Stergios, Founder of Craton Consulting - exploring how to think about AI, the “speed of trust” and innovation, and how AI is being organized from the national to the local level, including UM’s involvement
  • UM Student Voices – hear firsthand perspectives from:        
    • Sophia Ericsson, UM College of Business – sharing her AI experience at UM and Deloitte  
    • Griffin Edmondson, UM College of Forestry & Conservation – discussing how AI is evolving in science fields 
    • Mason Derendinger, UM graduate now at The Whole Group – reflecting on his academic research and current AI-focused work 
  • Interactive Q&A with panelists

Why attend:

  • Learn how UM students are applying AI in classrooms and careers
  • Hear what employers wish new grads understood about AI
  • Explore key trends shaping Montana’s AI talent pipeline

Perfect for:

  • Students & new grads  
  • Employers hiring early-career talent
  • Faculty & career counselors
  • Tech and business leaders shaping workforce strategy

About the Speaker:

Tom Stergios is the Founder of Craton Consulting and a longtime leader in Montana’s tech sector. He previously built the Missoula Solution Center at ATG, growing it to 200 consultants serving 150+ clients worldwide before its acquisition by Cognizant in 2018. In partnership with UM, AccelerateMT, and the Montana Department of Commerce, he co-led the award-winning Aim Higher program, creating more than 200 tech jobs in Montana for people from non-traditional backgrounds. A longtime board member of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, Tom is passionate about AI innovation, workforce development, and expanding opportunities for Montanans.

Special thanks to our co-hosts: 


About the Hosts:

Craton Consulting helps investors, ISVs, and B2B clients adapt to the rapidly changing Quote to Cash ecosystem. The firm provides informed, objective advice on how companies can succeed as enterprise applications and emerging AI-driven solutions reshape how products are packaged, priced, and delivered. 

The Montana High Tech Business Alliance (MHTBA) is a statewide nonprofit association of about 200 high-tech and manufacturing firms, working to grow Montana’s innovation economy by connecting leaders, talent, and opportunities.

The Montana Jobs Network (MJN) connects Montanans to high-paying, high-demand career opportunities across the state, with a focus on workforce development, career pathways, and employer partnerships.

Contact Information

Montana High Tech Business Alliance
Name: Melissa Paulsen
Email: melissa.paulsen@mthightech.org
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