James Nicholas Kinney is a globally respected leadership expert, executive coach, and Chief People Officer, known for blending AI expertise with human-centered leadership. Author of SustAIning Leadership: Rewriting the Language Model for Leadership, Kinney helps Fortune 100 companies, startups, and civic institutions lead with conscience and courage in a rapidly evolving world. Called “the ad industry’s therapist” by Ad Age, he is a trusted advisor on AI integration, mental health, and organizational trust. Kinney holds advanced AI certifications from MIT and Wharton, and is a 2026 graduate of Carnegie Mellon’s top-ranked Chief Data and AI Officer Program, bringing elite technical knowledge to leadership and workforce transformation.