Building an AI Foundation for Growth

“Artificial intelligence and generative AI may be the most important technology of any lifetime.”
– Marc Benioff (Chair, CEO and Co-Founder – Salesforce)

Taking AI to the Next Level: Like many other organizations, Croixstone has launched a journey to harness the full potential of AI and to drive its value creation. Last week, three of our leaders (Ed Ritter, Brandon Morgan, and Mark Weber) participated in the second of a three-part AI educational series hosted by the Charlotte Chapter of the Private Directors Association (Croixstone serves as a sponsor along with Gold Sponsor Charlotte Business Journal and fellow Bronze sponsors GreerWalker and Essex Richards).

AI Speakers: Last week’s AI educational session featured a diverse panel of speakers including Jeremiah Grant (President, Chief Information Security Officer – EverOak Solutions), Lisa Weil (Board Advisor – Quinnipiac University School of Nursing and former Senior Managing Director, Head of Experience Product Management – TIAA), David Phillips (Founder – Faster Glass) and moderator Carolina Ko (Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager – Bank of America).

AI Key Messages: We appreciated and strongly aligned with the following key messages delivered by the panelists regarding the AI journey:

  • There is a call to action for EVERY organization when it comes to AI.
  • Focus first on your employees and their concerns and potential resistance to AI.
  • Allow for experiential learning to drive AI training.
  • Organizations must have solid foundations rooted in clean data strategies, great controls environments, and solid governance to support their AI journeys.
  • Organizations should “right-size” their governance of AI.
    Board members need not be AI techies, but rather they should be asking foundational and strategic questions related to AI.

Wondering about how to best launch your organization’s AI journey? Reach out to Mark Weber, Croixstone’s Managing Partner and Co-Founder here.

Learn more about the Private Directors Association. Founded in 2014, the Private Directors Association is dedicated to improving private companies’ growth and sustainability through governance that adds value. Learn more here.


Congrats to the SEED20 Class of 2024

“We distributed awards totaling over $41,000! With Wells Fargo’s generous match, our fundraising total surpassed $60,0000 (a new SEED20 record!) and continues to grow.”

– Social Venture Partners Charlotte (Host organization of SEED20)

What a night! On Tuesday, March 26, ten leaders from local Charlotte region nonprofits took the stage at the annual SEED20 pitch contest hosted by Social Venture Partners Charlotte (SVP), the unique nonprofit organization that hosts this annual program to identify, spotlight and support the Charlotte region’s most innovative ideas for tackling pressing social issues.

An electrified atmosphere. The SEED20 Class of 2024 took the stage at Central Piedmont Community College’s New Theater and captivated us with their inspiring narratives on how they are transforming the greater Charlotte area for the better. Our very own Mark Weber (Managing Partner and Co-Founder) also took the stage to share the story about his personal involvement with SEED20 and host organization SVP. Mark is a former board member with SVP and he and Patti Weber (our CEO) are long term Partners (donor volunteers) with this innovation-centric nonprofit.

Congrats! Croixstone extends a hearty congratulations to the SEED20 award winners.

Wells Fargo People’s Choice Grand Prize of $20,00: Day Services Program at Children’s Attention Home
Second Place Prize of $7,000: Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats
The Brand Building Shop’s Brand Narrative Package valued at $8,000: Rooted Hearts Ministries
The Professional Video Production Package valued at $3,500: Siloam Educator Institute at the Charlotte Museum of History
Coaches’ Award of $2,000: Our Daily Bread Foundation
Community Vote Prize of $1,000: Day Services Program at Children’s Attention Home

Learn More. Click here to learn more about the SEED20 Class of 2024.