#146 Monica Livingston, AI Leadership With A Human Core

AI only works at scale when the shiny demo meets the gritty realities of deployment, security, and change management. In episode #146 of the 2B Bolder Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Monica Livingston, AI Platform Lead for the Americas at Red Hat and a former Intel leader, to unpack how open source accelerates real outcomes, and why the “plumbing” behind enterprise AI matters more than most roadmaps admit. Monica shares a clear view of what platforms must do in production: version control, monitoring, governance, policy, and cost discipline, all while staying flexible enough to avoid stack lock-in.

We get candid about the two biggest misconceptions leaders hold: AI isn’t a black box you plug in once, and the most complex variable is people, not models. Monica explains how to align teams through transparency, psychological safety, and clear KPIs so pilots survive the leap to operations. She also offers practical advice for new managers under pressure, from building trust to making recognition routine, and reflects on mentors who pushed her to trade constant breadth for deep expertise that compounds.

For anyone mapping a career in AI, this conversation covers real paths forward, including accessible learning, hands-on projects, and emerging roles that are reshaping the field. We discuss early STEM exposure as a lever for agency, guidance for young women entering the tech field, and the value of calculated risk anchored in personal values such as family and health. Monica also shares her perspective on how to stand out in crowded applicant pools, the power of referrals, and why transformation often occurs on your own time before it becomes a job title.

If this resonates, follow and share with a colleague who’s building AI for the real world. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of open technology, human leadership, and careers with purpose, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Hi Mary here, through my conversations with women leaders, I’ve learned just how urgent the need is for AI strategies that actually make sense. It’s not about adopting tools just to keep up; it’s about building a smart foundation. That’s exactly what Beyondsoft is doing. To learn more visit
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-yCsEeZbsl6ivoZoS9YW1quYxbQr1Teo

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome And Episode Setup
• 0:33 What Red Hat Actually Does
• 3:16 Inside The AI Platform Lead Role
• 5:11 Why Move From Intel To Red Hat
• 8:25 The Hidden Plumbing Of Enterprise AI
• 10:20 Top Misconceptions About Implementing AI
• 12:59 Building Trusting, High-Performing Teams
• 15:46 Advice For New Managers Under Pressure
• 18:30 Mentors, Depth Over Breadth, And Values
• 23:11 Keeping Teams Focused Amid AI Change
• 25:46 Getting Started With AI Learning
• 29:20 Why Early STEM Exposure Matters
• 31:41 Guidance For Young Women Entering Tech
• 33:55 Calculated Risk And Defining Success
• 36:52 Opportunities For Women Leaders In AI