ExoCog Introducing ExoCog: AI that runs your operations automatically — from the founders of SkillSpout. Join the waitlist →
SkillSpout

Keynote Speaker & AI Strategist

Helping Leaders Build AI That Works for People.

Melanie McGee has spent nearly 30 years building with AI, long before it became a boardroom talking point. She brings that depth to every stage and workshop, helping organizations build human-first AI practices that are safe, structured, and built to last.

30

Years in AI & software engineering

$2M+

Secured for Ohio SMBs

9–11x

Productivity gains, client avg.

Mel McGee, CEO and Co-founder of SkillSpout
Mel McGee on the cover of Cleveland Magazine's Community Leader, May 2026 — Ahead of the Machine Cover Story

As featured in

Mel McGee, featured in Cleveland Magazine's Community Leader

SkillSpout's founder and CEO on adapting to AI — and teaching Cleveland businesses to do the same.

Read the story

Why Mel

Three decades at the crossroads of AI & people.

CEO & Co-founder

SkillSpout

Founder & CEO

We Can Code IT

Melanie McGee has spent nearly 30 years at the crossroads of software engineering, AI, and workforce innovation. Long before AI entered the boardroom conversation, she was building it — developing early conversational AI agents and wearable computing systems featured in Howard Rheingold's Smart Mobs and Curt Harler's Beyond the Browser. She has applied that technical depth inside organizations like Tyco International and DeLorean Motor Company, and in the classroom as a former adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management.

As Founder and CEO of We Can Code IT, she helped more than 1,500 people launch careers in tech, with 90% from underrepresented groups. As CEO and Co-founder of SkillSpout, she now leads AI adoption strategy for small and mid-sized businesses, combining deep technical fluency with a Gestalt-facilitation background that keeps people at the center of every implementation. Her audiences walk away with clarity, a concrete path forward, and the confidence to lead.

Recent Speaking Topics

Talks That Move Organizations Forward

Each session is tailored to the audience — from executive leadership to frontline teams — and grounded in what actually works in the field.

AI on the Org Chart: What We Learned Building a Post-Agentic Organization

Most AI training leaves companies using AI as a glorified email writer. Mel McGee built something different — a fully autonomous system that helps run her organizations, with human oversight built in. Walk away knowing exactly what separates a real AI-powered organization from the hype, and how to start building yours.

Keynote / Workshop

The Human-First AI Maturity Model

A structured, stage-based roadmap for moving your organization from AI curiosity to operational discipline, with people always at the center.

Keynote / Workshop

Vibe Coding Your MVP: Agentic AI in the Real World

What agentic AI actually means for your operations, how to build secure AI infrastructure, and why vibe coding is the new literacy your teams need.

Keynote / Workshop

Workforce Transformation for the AI Era

Drawing from 1,500+ graduates and a decade of workforce development, Mel lays out what it really takes to upskill a team and build lasting AI adoption.

Keynote / Workshop

Responsible AI Adoption for SMBs

How small and mid-sized businesses can access AI strategically, secure funding, and implement with structure that creates safety, not chaos.

Keynote / Panel

Navigating Career Transitions in the Age of AI

A practical, human-centered look at how professionals can find their footing, grow their skills, and lead with confidence as AI reshapes work.

Keynote / Panel

Past & Upcoming Events

Where Mel Has Spoken

From inaugural AI conferences to sold-out entrepreneur workshops, Mel brings the same rigor and energy to every room.

GCP AI Summit

Speaker (Role TBD) · Upcoming

June 9, 2026 · Cleveland, OH · Greater Cleveland Partnership

Keynotes, panels, and peer discussion on practical AI adoption — generative AI, workforce transformation, governance, and business applications.

Ohio Celebration of Women in Computing

Keynote Speaker

2019

Keynote address at Ohio's flagship gathering for women in computing.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Keynote Speaker

Cohort Keynote

Keynote for the Goldman Sachs 10KSB cohort on building durable, AI-ready businesses.

Columbus WITCon

Keynote Speaker

2023 · Columbus, OH

Keynote at Columbus's premier Women in Technology Conference.

NEO Women in Tech

Keynote Speaker

2024 · Northeast Ohio

Keynote: "Navigating Career Transitions in the Age of AI"

Columbus AI Week

Featured Speaker & Panelist (4 Sessions)

Sept 17–19, 2024 · Hilliard, OH · Inaugural Event

Sessions included "Fostering AI Learning," a Fireside Chat with Dan Greenleaf, a CIO Panel, and an AI and Security session.

getWITit WitCon

Workshop Facilitator & AI Adoption Panelist

Cleveland (Sept 25) & Cincinnati (Nov 5), 2025

Led "Vibe Code Your MVP" hands-on workshop and appeared on the AI Adoption Panel at both events.

EO Cleveland: Practical AI for Business

Workshop Facilitator

2024–2025 · Cleveland, OH

Sold-out session for 60+ entrepreneurs. Strong demand led to a second engagement.

AI Rising Conference

Featured Speaker

May 14–15, 2024 · Columbus, OH · Inaugural Event

Featured session at one of Ohio's first dedicated AI conferences.

Also Featured At

BBB x SkillSpout "Ask Me Anything" Webinar May 2026 Small Business, Big Impact: Starting with AI Mar 2026 OhioX Webinar: Taming AI Sprawl — From Shadow AI to Strategy Feb 2026 getWITit IWD AI Panel Mar 2025 Innovate New Albany with Mayor Spalding Mar 2025 U.S. State Department IVLP Apr 2026 NASA Space Apps — Judge Oct 2024 Women in Agile Columbus Feb 2024 Google CreateHer Fest AITP Panel Women Who Code Cleveland 2017

Speaking Reel

See Mel in Action

From live AI demos on stage to sold-out entrepreneur workshops, every session combines technical depth with clear, actionable takeaways.

Client Outcomes

Real Numbers From Real Organizations

These aren't projections. As SkillSpout's CEO and lead AI strategist, Mel works alongside client teams to build practices that actually take root. These are the results those organizations achieved.

6+

Hours saved per employee, per week, on average

9–11x

Productivity gains vs. national averages

100%

Client adoption rate using the SkillSpout framework

$2M+

In state funding (TechCred/IMAP) secured for Ohio SMBs

Media & Press

Hear Mel in Conversation

Podcast appearances, press features, and published resources on practical AI adoption.

Podcast

GCP "Big Ideas. Bold Ventures."

Tech Mini-Series with Paul Roetzer and Cal Al-Dhubaib, hosted by the Greater Cleveland Partnership.

Listen on iHeart

Podcast

FIT Technologies "What the Tech"

A conversation with Becky Cross on making AI work for real businesses.

Listen on Spotify

Press

Ohio Tech News: AI Adoption — Safe, Structured, Accessible

How SkillSpout is helping Ohio businesses adopt AI responsibly and with lasting results.

Read Article

Press

Yahoo News: Why Albany Is Embracing Artificial Intelligence

Mel's work with Innovate New Albany and Mayor Spalding, bringing structured AI adoption to local business.

Read Article

Thought Leadership

Follow the Thinking

Mel publishes regularly on what AI actually looks like in practice — no hype, no buzzwords, just what works.

The No-Hype AI Brief

LinkedIn Newsletter on practical AI adoption

Straight talk on AI for leaders who are tired of the noise. Real examples, real frameworks, real results from the field.

Subscribe on LinkedIn

LinkedIn

Connect and follow Mel's latest perspectives

Mel shares regular insights on AI leadership, workforce transformation, and the human-first approach to technology adoption.

Follow on LinkedIn

LinkedIn Learning Instructor

NoSQL Essential Training

Mel is a published LinkedIn Learning instructor, bringing her technical depth to learners building foundational database skills.

View Course

SkillSpout Resources

Guides, frameworks, and tools for AI adoption

Free resources to help your organization understand where it stands on the AI maturity curve and what to do next.

Explore Resources

Recognition

A Track Record That Speaks

Selected honors from a career that spans AI's earliest days to its most critical inflection point.

2025

Smart 50 Honoree

Smart Business

2025

Best of Tech Recipient

Greater Cleveland Partnership

2025

Smart Entrepreneur Honoree

Smart Business

2023

Trailblazer Award

OhioX

2018

Notable Woman in Tech

Crain's Cleveland Business

2017

Top 10 Tech Evangelist

Plain Dealer | Cleveland.com

Speaking Inquiries

Bring Mel to Your Event

Whether you're planning a conference keynote, executive workshop, or panel, we'd love to talk about what your audience needs.