Driving Adoption of AI and Emerging Technologies: A Conversation with Alexis Bonnell

On this episode of IMPACT: Women in Leadership, host Mary Ann Brown sits down with Alexis Bonnell, Chief Information Officer and Director of the Digital Capabilities Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory. A trailblazer in digital transformation and human-machine teaming, Alexis has dedicated her career to bringing innovation to some of the world’s most complex challenges—whether shaping AI adoption across the Department of Defense, co-founding USAID’s Global Development Lab, or driving emerging technology strategy at Google.

Alexis shares her journey from the early days of the digital landscape to leading groundbreaking projects in defense, technology, and global development. Together, Mary Ann and Alexis dive into the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, the lessons learned from working in war zones and high-stakes environments, and her vision for the future of government technology.

This conversation is not just about AI and innovation—it’s about resilience, impact, and the legacy of women who break barriers in leadership. Alexis also offers practical advice for women pursuing careers in federal tech, along with insights on building strong teams and keeping innovation alive within structured organizations.

Whether you’re passionate about technology, leadership, or the power of women driving change, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to think differently about the future.