Bill Akins
Honors Professor & Program Architect, Applied Ai and Marketing Innovation @University Of Arkansas - Sam M. Walton College Of Business
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WORK HISTORY
Honors Professor & Program Architect, Applied Ai and Marketing Innovation @University Of Arkansas - Sam M. Walton College Of Business
1) Design and direct applied executive and graduate learning programs, serving MBA, EMBA, and custom executive cohorts from sectors including retail, logistics, manufacturing, technology, and government. Develop signature courses and capstone projects that emphasize AI-enabled leadership, data fluency, and strategic innovation.2) Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Marketing at the globally top-ranked Walton College of Business, developing and teaching graduate and undergraduate courses that unite academic rigor with real-world executive relevance in AI, Data Visualization, and Marketing Analytics.3) Architect and facilitate experiential executive education programs that translate complex AI and data concepts into practical leadership action. Deliver workshops, keynotes, and immersive simulations that equip senior leaders with the skills to implement Responsible AI, hyperautomation, and human-in-the-loop systems.4) Build and manage corporate and government partnerships through the creation, customization, and sale of executive education initiatives—positioning the Walton College as a regional leader in applied AI and organizational transformation learning.5) Developed and led “Applicable AI for Managers,” a flagship experiential AI leadership program recognized for its innovative use of real-time AI, Harvard-style case analysis, and the AI Blueprint Challenge capstone - an applied consulting framework adopted by regional companies to scale their AI literacy and readiness.6) Mentor executives, MBA candidates, and honors students through coaching and applied consulting projects. Maintain >95% average teaching evaluations and consistent recognition for pedagogical excellence and thought leadership in emerging tech education.7) Advance thought leadership in Responsible AI, data ethics, and digital transformation through faculty research, practitioner articles, and conference presentations that inform executive audiences and shape curriculum innovation.
EDUCATION
Harvard Business School
'Teaching With AI' MBA Faculty Immersion Training, Artificial Intelligence
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation & Application Program - MIT Sloan School of Management
United States Navy Officer Candidate School
Supply Corps
Sprayberry High School - Atlanta, GA
AP College Prep Track
Emory University
Responsible AI Certification, Artificial Intelligence
Georgia Institute of Technology
Pre-Doctoral OMS, Artificial Intelligence
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
LEAD Corporate Innovation Certification Program, Management Information Systems and Services
Cornell University
Corporate Change Management Certification Program
California State University
Bachelor of Science, Business (Marketing)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Advanced Certificate in Management, Innovation, and Technology Track: Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
Cornell University
Business and Data Analytics Certification Program
University of Arkansas
MBA, Strategic Retail Alliances & Innovation
SKILLS
ABOUT BILL AKINS
Bill Akins is a purpose-driven executive, educator, and innovator whose career bridges enterprise transformation, applied AI, and human-centered leadership. His journey began as an undergraduate intern with Apple in San Francisco, sparking a lifelong passion for how technology and storytelling can elevate human experience. Over 25 years, Bill has led digital and cultural transformation across the consumer goods, retail, and education sectors, helping organizations rethink what’s possible at the intersection of data, design, and leadership. Currently serving as Executive Director / General Manager at Chick-fil-A Franchise, Bill is an aspiring Operator focused on creating unique occasions to care while advancing responsible AI and operational excellence. He previously led enterprise data and innovation initiatives at Walmart Global Tech, served as Chief Client Officer of WPP Digital / VMLY & R, and advised iconic brands including General Mills, Pfizer, and Unilever. Bill also serves as faculty in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, designing MBA and executive education courses in AI, marketing analytics, and digital leadership. He was elected to the Bentonville Board of Education, contributing to district strategy including AI guidance and future-ready learning. He is the founder of OzAI, a nonprofit expanding access to technology and AI training across underrepresented communities in the Cherokee Nation region. A Stanford Graduate School of Business LEAD Fellow, he has developed AI-driven eCommerce platforms now used by Fortune 500 suppliers and retail partners worldwide. A Naval veteran, Bill serves his community through the American Legion in Siloam Springs and through board leadership with the Siloam Springs Chamber, reinforcing his commitment to service and local economic development. He is a member of the Forbes Technology Council, an AMA Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) in Digital Marketing, and a founding architect of the NWA Tech Summit, now the Midwest’s largest innovation conference. Recognized by NWA Business Journal as a Top C-Suite Leader, “40 Under 40,” and part of the Arkansas 200 Executives Hall of Fame, Bill continues to shape how organizations integrate AI into leadership and learning. His first anthology, Pivotal Leadership, became a Bestseller in 2024. Off the clock, Bill enjoys mountain biking and motorcycling through the Ozarks with his wife, Karen, and their sons, Henry and Oliver. His mission remains clear: to connect screens and smiles, creating smarter experiences that multiply mentorship, meaning, and impact.
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