Leadership, Trust & Data: What Justine Wolters Wants Every Organization to Know About AI

Team Copilot Session Spotlight – Featuring Justine Wolters

When we talk about AI, we often talk about speed, innovation, and productivity. But Justine Wolters brought something else to the table in her Team Copilot session: depth.

Her message was clear:

“You can’t scale AI if you haven’t first created trust — in your data, in your people, and in your leadership.”

Let’s unpack why this session hit home for so many.

Trust is the foundation. Data governance is the structure.

Justine didn’t start with tools or features.
She started with questions — the uncomfortable, necessary kind:

• Who owns the data in your organization?

• Are you sure your people know what’s being collected — and why?

• Can your employees trust what Copilot shows them?

• Is your governance structure ready for AI… or just reactive?

Her point: you can’t expect people to embrace AI when they don’t feel in control of their data. Governance isn’t about compliance — it’s about confidence.

Key takeaways from her session: 1. AI readiness isn’t just technical — it’s cultural.
Without clarity, consistency, and communication, your Copilot won’t fly. Leaders must set the tone for responsible use and explain how decisions are made.

2. Data governance is leadership.
It’s not a back-office concern. It’s a strategic advantage. When employees understand what’s being stored, used, and surfaced by AI, they’re more likely to use it — and trust it.

3. Responsible AI requires co-creation.
Justine urged leaders to involve employees in the setup of governance rules. Why? Because when governance is something you build with people, they’re more likely to follow it.

Real-world, real impact

Justine shared examples of organizations struggling with shadow AI usage, where Copilot suggestions were ignored — not because the tech failed, but because the data couldn’t be trusted. Her solution? Empower people with visibility and voice. Let them understand what Copilot can do — and what they’re responsible for.

A quote worth repeating:

“You can’t outsource responsibility to AI. And you can’t build trust on top of poor data.”

Why this matters now

We’re entering a phase where AI will become embedded in every workflow. But without data governance — and without leaders who prioritize trust over tech — we risk building fast, but wrong.

Justine’s session was a wake-up call:
AI isn’t about what you can do. It’s about what you should do.

🔗 Inspired? Join our next Team Copilot session.
We bring together bold thinkers, real-world examples, and practical strategies to help you lead the AI transformation with clarity and confidence.

Because at Team Copilot, we believe:
It’s not about the tech. It’s about the trust you build with it.