PHILADELPHIA, PA — Yardstick Institute will bring senior executives and people leaders to Ojai, California, from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 for a three-day program examining how companies can balance artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies with leadership, workforce performance and organizational culture.
The ninth Yardstick Innovation Institute, powered by DSG Global, will be held at the Ojai Valley Inn and focus on ethical leadership, executive performance and the changing relationship between people and technology.
The gathering is designed for senior executives including chief human resources, marketing, operating and legal officers, as well as founders and CEOs. Yardstick said attendance is intentionally limited and discussions are held off the record to encourage candid exchanges among participants.
Programming will span five areas: human performance, leadership under pressure, AI and neurotechnology, inclusion and well-being, and leadership in increasingly technology-driven organizations.
“As technology accelerates the pace of business, the leaders who will define the next decade are the ones who pair that innovation with integrity, self-awareness, and courage,” said Reena Patel, global managing partner leading consulting at DSG Global.
The speaker roster includes sports agent Leigh Steinberg; Olympic heptathlete Louise Hazel; Atlanta Braves Chief People and Culture Officer DeRetta Rhodes; Olympian Leslie Maxie; DoorDash executives Parisa Sadrzadeh and Paul McCarthy; and X. Eyeé, chief executive officer of Malo Santo.
Other participants include freediver and actor Tanc Sade; 25th Hour Group founder Neal Schore; Zoran Creative Strategy CEO Sienna Jackson; Meerkat co-founder Mary E. Shea; Imperio Wealth Advisors founder Omar Morillo; Stillpoint’s Chris Hare; Super Bowl champion Brendon Ayanbadejo; Seven Starling Medical Director Dr. Nazaneen Homaifar; and Central Tension founder Mike Pilliod.
The program will combine executive discussions and workshops with performance coaching and wellness activities, drawing on perspectives from business, technology, health and professional sports.
Sponsors include DoorDash, Vuori, the Atlanta Braves, Blueshoon, Decadally, Imperio Wealth Advisors and Meerkat. Yardstick said additional sponsorship opportunities remain available.
Registration includes programming, meals and retreat activities, with Yardstick reporting that only a limited number of spaces remain. Additional information and registration are available at yardstickinstitute.com/event/the-2026-innovation-institute.
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