Marian Miner Cook
Athenaeum

A distinctive
feature of social and
cultural life at CMC

 

Beyond Technical: The Leadership Skills That Define Success in the AI Era

Thu, October 22, 2026
Dinner Program
Todd Thomas ‘89

Join us in listening to Todd Thomas '89 address the following question: What are the essential leadership skills necessary for success in the AI era? Technical knowledge is no longer a differentiator, it’s merely a prerequisite. AI has leveled the technical field. It is the skills Thomas learned 35 years ago at Claremont McKenna College; leadership, critical thinking, & continuous learning. These are the same core principles defining Claremont’s core curriculum today and driving Claremont’s ascension within academia.

Thomas will also highlight the ways his recent book Starving for Innovation demonstrates the necessity and power of leadership, critical thinking, continuous learning, and continuous innovation within the current entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Equal parts history lesson, startup playbook, and technology forecast, Starving For Innovation offers entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders a new perspective on why innovation succeeds, how transformative companies are built, and where the greatest opportunities of the next two decades will emerge.

Todd Thomas is the Founder and CEO of the waste-to-energy startup, Woodchuck.ai. Thomas is a 4-time best-selling author and the host of the TV shows Abundant Energy and Infinite Future.  He is a recognized voice in AI, energy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Thomas has built his career harnessing emerging technologies to drive operational efficiencies, create new commercialization opportunities, and accelerate innovation across industries.

Todd Thomas holds a dual Economics & Literature degree from Claremont McKenna College, has studied at the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Data Science Initiative, has an MBA and a Master's in Economics from the WP Carey School of Business, ASU, and holds a Master's in Education from the Claremont Graduate School.
 

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Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum

Claremont McKenna College
385 E. Eighth Street
Claremont, CA 91711