Gulf Coast Business Council and Southern Miss Launch Inaugural Executive Leadership Academy Focused on Artificial Intelligence
Tue, 01/20/2026 - 03:37pm | By: Gulf Coast Business Council Staff
The (GCBC), in partnership with 91少女集中营 (USM), has announced the launch of the GCBC 鈥� USM Executive Leadership Academy: Executives and Artificial Intelligence, a nine-month executive development experience designed to prepare senior leaders to govern, deploy, and lead with artificial intelligence in an era of rapid technological change.
The Academy will bring together a select cohort of up to 25 executives from across the Gulf Coast for once-monthly, in-person sessions held on The University of Southern Mississippi鈥檚 Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, Mississippi, beginning March 13, 2026, and concluding in November 2026.
As artificial intelligence becomes embedded across business operations, data systems, and decision-making processes, leadership responsibility is shifting in ways many organizations are not prepared for. The GCBC 鈥� USM Executive Leadership Academy is designed to ensure that strategic authority, accountability, and ethical oversight remain firmly in the hands of executive leadership.
鈥淭his program is about leadership, not technology,鈥� said Jamie Miller, President and CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council. 鈥淎rtificial intelligence is already shaping how decisions are made, how risk is assessed, and how resources are allocated. If our leaders are not prepared to govern it, they risk losing control of the very systems that determine their organization鈥檚 future. This Academy gives Gulf Coast executives the tools to lead that transformation instead of reacting to it.鈥�
The nine-month Academy combines executive-level briefings, peer-to-peer dialogue, and applied organizational work. Each month, participants produce executive-ready deliverables including AI governance frameworks, innovation roadmaps, workforce transformation plans, and data-driven decision models that can be immediately implemented inside their organizations.
At the conclusion of the Academy, each executive will complete a capstone leadership project that integrates all program insights into a multi-year strategic roadmap for their organization. Graduates will also receive formal recognition from The University of Southern Mississippi, including a Certificate of Completion and a digital executive credential acknowledging advanced capability in AI-driven strategy, governance, and organizational leadership.
鈥淎I is no longer an IT issue. It is a board-level and executive-level responsibility,鈥� said Greg Bradley, PhD, Executive Director of Executive Education at The University of Southern Mississippi. 鈥淭his Academy is designed to give leaders the strategic clarity, governance fluency, and leadership judgment they need to manage AI responsibly while accelerating innovation and performance.鈥�
The program is designed for senior executives and high-level decision-makers responsible for strategy, governance, innovation, workforce leadership, and organizational performance across industries including energy, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, professional services, and public sector organizations.
Enrollment is limited to ensure a high-caliber, peer-driven cohort and meaningful executive-level dialogue. Registration is now open, with a deadline of February 28, 2026.
More information and registration details can be found at The University of Southern Mississippi Executive Education website.
About the Gulf Coast Business Council
The Gulf Coast Business Council is a member-based organization representing business, industry, and community leaders committed to strengthening the economic competitiveness and quality of life in Coastal Mississippi. GCBC works across sectors to advance strategic initiatives that drive growth, innovation, and regional resilience.