Leading with Empathy in the Age of AI: A Truist Luncheon with Kevin Rogers

 At a recent luncheon hosted by the Radford University Davis College of Business and Economics in partnership with Truist Financial Corporation, students had the opportunity to hear from guest speaker Kevin Rogers, a seasoned entrepreneur and leader in the cybersecurity and technology space. His talk, “From Human Doing to Human Being: Why Leadership Still Matters in an AI World,” offered a powerful and timely perspective on how students and future professionals can navigate an increasingly tech-driven landscape.

From the start, Rogers emphasized a message that stood out clearly: empathy is not optional in leadership; it’s essential. In a world that often prioritizes productivity and efficiency, he challenged the audience to shift their focus from simply “doing” to truly “being.” According to Rogers, the most effective leaders are those who understand people, connect emotionally, and lead with authenticity. He stressed that while technical skills can open doors, it is emotional intelligence that sustains long-term success.

A major theme of the discussion centered on artificial intelligence and its growing role in business and everyday life. Rather than encouraging fear, Rogers urged students to embrace AI as a tool, not a threat. He explained that AI is powerful in processing data and improving efficiency, but it lacks something fundamentally, human emotion. Because AI cannot feel, empathize, or build genuine relationships, it cannot fully replace people. Instead, Rogers encouraged students to work alongside AI, using it to enhance their capabilities while relying on their human strengths to lead, collaborate, and innovate.

This perspective was both reassuring and motivating. In a time when many students worry about job security in the face of automation, Rogers reframed the conversation: the future doesn’t belong to AI alone; it belongs to those who know how to use it effectively while staying grounded in human values.

Beyond technology, Rogers also shared insights from his own career journey, highlighting the importance of vision, adaptability, and continuous learning. His experiences building and leading multiple companies reinforced the idea that success is not just about expertise, but about resilience and the ability to inspire others.

Overall, the Truist luncheon was more than just a speaker event; it was a reminder that the future of leadership lies at the intersection of technology and humanity. Rogers left students with a clear takeaway: as AI continues to evolve, the qualities that make us human; empathy, connection, and purpose; will matter more than ever.