Founder/Author
On Your Feet, Monster Transformation
Gary Hirsch is the founder of On Your Feet (oyf.com), a pioneer in the field of Applied Improvisation and experiential facilitation. For the past 28 years, his organization has been working with Apple, Expedia, Google, Nike, VF, Disney, Mars and others to help them communicate, innovate, and collaborate.
Gary is also a renowned author, visual artist and illustrator, exploring how art can connect people worldwide. He recently authored and illustrated Monster Transformation from Wiley publishing. He exhibits his art work frequently from his home in Portland, Oregon. His public art commissions can be seen in Madrid, New Orleans, Boulder, Pheonix, Dallas, Melbourne, and in Portland, Oregon.
Thursday Jul 23
8:30am - 9:15am
Retail transformation rarely fails because of technology; it fails because of organizational barriers. Misaligned incentives, cultural resistance, legacy processes, and leadership blind spots can quietly undermine even the most promising digital and AI initiatives. For senior retail leaders, these hidden obstacles often prevent AI pilots from scaling, stall transformation efforts, and limit the return on innovation investments. This session introduces a practical framework for identifying and addressing the internal challenges that hold transformation efforts back. Attendees will hear strategies for aligning teams, modernizing decision-making, and building organizations capable of turning AI and digital initiatives into sustained, measurable business impact – moving beyond experimentation toward enterprise-wide change.
