Ageism in the Age of AI: How Experienced Professionals Can Stay Competitive
with Helen Sanchez
Wondering how can AI help you innovate and scale in 2026?
Hunter Lee Canning, Arcui Usoara
January 14, 2026 11:00 AM EST
January 14, 2026 11:00 AM EST
Virtual
AI doesn’t have to feel intimidating, expensive, or reserved for giant companies with endless resources. This interactive virtual session is your opportunity to kick off the new year with a practical look at how AI can help your business grow in 2026, from marketing and innovation to the everyday tasks that slow teams down. AI experts Arcui Usoara and Hunter Lee Canning will bring real examples, honest insights, and zero buzzword overload while delivering golden nuggets and hidden AI tools. Have questions on how to kick off your AI journey or take it to the next level, this is your change to ask them!
Plus, this talk will be eligible for SHRM credits too.
Key takeaways:
• Easy, real-world ways to use AI to save time and cut costs
• How small and lean teams can scale without burning out
• What AI will look like for businesses in 2026 (and what actually matters)
• How to separate helpful AI tools from the hype
• Practical ideas you can try the very next day
Meet The Speakers
Hunter Lee Canning
CCO | Next-Gen B2B Video Marketing | Be Bold
Being yourself on camera can be SCARY. I get it. I've been there (still go there, in fact) Growing up, school was my nightmare. Reading? Math? Terrifying. Plus, being the queer kid who couldn't focus or fit in? Even worse. For years, I thought I was just "dumb." Plot twist: Hello undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD. See where this is going...? Being weird isn't my weakness - it's what makes me FUN and INTERESTING. Say I say to you: - No more corporate robotic voices - No more hiding --> Let your freak flags fly But remember, your quirks are your competitive advantage. Your stories of messing up are your most relatable strengths. And when you show up as yourself (strategically, of course - I'm weird, not reckless,) you give others permission to do the same. And that's how thought leaders are born. No BS. No corporate speak. Just real strategies for real humans who are ready to stand out.
Arcui Usoara
Global Brand Strategist and Board Advisor, Founder of House of Iaculus
Arcui Usoara is a Fractional Global Brand Strategist and venture- and board-level advisor to founders, VC/LP funds, and high-growth companies worldwide. He works with startups, scaleups, and Fortune 500 organizations seeking strategic brand leadership, go-to-market clarity, and long-term positioning.
With experience across six continents and impact on 10,000+ businesses, Arcui helps companies scale from idea stage through Series C and beyond, building brand and growth systems designed to reach $100M+ ARR, even in crowded markets.
Companies partner with Arcui to align brand positioning, GTM strategy, product, marketing, hiring, and customer experience, while developing clear, investor-ready narratives without operational bloat. Unlike traditional consultants, Arcui provides ongoing, leadership-level support to ensure strategy turns into execution.
Often described as a “Thought Disrupter,” Arcui creates decisive “aha” moments that reshape how founders think about brand, growth, and scale. His global operating lens, shaped by work across emerging and developed markets, helps teams navigate cultural tension and growth friction while building authentic narratives.
Arcui has advised founders across 61+ accelerators, including Founder Institute, Techstars, and Startupbootcamp, helping companies build brands that are not just visible, but inevitable.
