Session Abstract

As AI and automation redefine how organizations operate, leaders face a new challenge: guiding human-centered change that helps people adapt, perform, and thrive. In this practical and inspiring session, Kon Apostolopoulos, CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions and author of 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis, shares how to lead transformation that keeps people at the center of innovation. Drawing from his Navigating and Leading Through Change program, Kon provides a clear roadmap for anticipating disruption, maintaining focus, and building resilient, high-performing teams. Participants will learn actionable strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and care while sustaining performance in a rapidly evolving digital workplace. Technology may drive progress, but people drive commitment — and that’s the true engine of sustainable change. This presentation will help participants: 1. Identify the psychological and operational challenges of leading through rapid change. 2. Apply practical tools to strengthen resilience and adaptability during transformation. 3. Create a culture of learning and collaboration that turns disruption into innovation.

Note to event organizers

This session delivers a practical and emotionally intelligent framework for leading human-centered change in an AI-driven world. Based on my book, 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis, and workshop, Navigating and Leading Through Change, it blends behavioral insight with actionable leadership practices. Participants learn how to help their teams move from resistance to readiness — transforming change fatigue into focused adaptability. My expertise complements ECS 2026’s theme of Human + AI Collaboratio

Kon Apostolopoulos

Kon Apostolopoulos - known as Coach Kon - is an international speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning coach on a mission to transform workplaces for the benefit of employers and employees. He works with business leaders across industries and continents, to strengthen the commitment, readiness, and resolve of their workforce. Kon’s fresh perspective and best practices described in his latest best-selling book, “The Engagement Blueprint: Building a Culture of Commitment and Performance,” give leaders a blueprint to get the most from the investment in their people, create more human workplaces, and empower them to transform their culture. Kon's first book, “7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis: A Practical Guide to Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics & Other Disasters”, helped establish him as a Thinkers 360 Global Top-50 Thought Leader. More importantly, as a trusted partner to his clients, Coach Kon has helped companies build resilience in the face of change, engage and unleash their people’s true potential, and discover the power of developing leaders at all levels of the organization. Kon splits his time between his home in the suburbs of Denver Colorado, and his homeland of Greece. When not working with business leaders, he gives back to his community by developing young soccer players to grow in confidence, embrace the challenge of healthy competition, and succeed as members of a team. After all, through sports we can teach important life skills!