AGENCY NEWS

Golin Hires Joseph Leslie to Lead Workforce AI Training & Development

September 10th, 2024

Headshot photo of Joe Leslie. Headshot photo of Joe Leslie.

Experienced Learning Leader to Accelerate AI Training and Enablement Across Global Agency.

CHICAGO (September 10, 2024) – Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) agency Golin today announced the appointment of Joseph Leslie as Vice President, Global AI Learning & Development (L&D). This key hire underscores Golin’s commitment to becoming the first fully AI-integrated global public relations agency. Based in Chicago, Leslie reports to Jeff Beringer, Chief AI Officer.

In this newly created role, Leslie will drive the design, development and delivery of multi-modal AI training programs for Golin’s 1,700 employees across 50+ global offices. He will collaborate with craft leaders, managing directors and top client leaders to tailor AI training for specific roles, office locations and client engagements. Leslie’s responsibilities include expanding AI training through personalized self-paced learning, expert-led skills development events and other modalities. Additionally, he will implement a data-driven AI readiness assessment framework to measure employee aptitude and development.

“Joseph’s appointment marks a significant step in our AI transformation journey,” said Beringer. “His extensive experience in equipping global teams with AI skills makes him ideal to help every Golin employee harness AI’s potential to supercharge our work and results.”

Leslie brings nearly two decades of L&D experience across various industries. Most recently, he served as VP, Global LMS Lead at Publicis Groupe, where he led strategy and operations for a global AI learning management system serving over 100,000 employees across 100 countries and multiple agencies.

“I’m thrilled to join Golin at this pivotal moment,” said Leslie. “The firm’s investment in technology, talent development and work process transformation is the formula for success. I look forward to collaborating with our global communications experts to develop innovative programs that better serve colleagues and clients.”

Leslie will foster an agency-wide culture of continuous AI learning and adoption of best practices, and he’ll support Golin’s mission to create change that matters by delivering industry-leading solutions for clients in the AI age.