Artificial Intelligence

Session 1: “ Make Work Human Again Employeee Engagement in the Age of AI"

9:15 am - 10:00 am

This session brings women leaders and practitioners together to explore how artificial intelligence is being applied in today’s workplaces—without losing sight of the human impact. From practical AI use cases that enhance productivity and decision-making to a featured talk from Meta on the upcoming AI data center in our community, attendees will gain insight into what AI means for our jobs, our neighborhoods, and our future. The conversation will emphasize responsible innovation, workforce readiness, and how women can lead the way in building AI that serves people first.

Sarah Sasser, VP of Talent at Crest Industries

Sarah Sasser serves as Vice President of Talent at Crest Industries and practices as an Industrial Organizational Psychologist. She is passionate about helping people discover their potential and step into possibilities they may not yet see for themselves, a commitment that complements Crest’s purpose of challenging businesses and people to grow beyond what they believe is possible. She also greatly values building healthy, productive, scalable organizational cultures where people feel empowered to contribute, grow, and lead with confidence.

At Crest, Sarah has been a catalyst in strengthening the company’s focus on developing people - not just as employees and leaders, but as whole human beings who are capable of extraordinary growth. With a conviction that leadership is about leaving footsteps worth following, she inspires intentional development and purposeful living. Central to her approach is a commitment to living a values-based life, ensuring that her work and influence reflect authenticity, faith, and care for others.  She is committed to contributing meaningfully to her community and society at large.

Beyond her professional role, Sarah treasures her life with her husband, Thomas, to whom she has been married since 2012. Together, they are raising two daughters, Reese and Case, who inspire her to model love, integrity, and resilience.

Session 2:  "Meta's Richland Parish Data Center: Powering Innovation and Advancing AI"

10:15 am - 11:00 am

This session brings women leaders and practitioners together to explore how artificial intelligence is being applied in today’s workplaces—without losing sight of the human impact. From practical AI use cases that enhance productivity and decision-making to a featured talk from Meta on the upcoming AI data center in our community, attendees will gain insight into what AI means for our jobs, our neighborhoods, and our future. The conversation will emphasize responsible innovation, workforce readiness, and how women can lead the way in building AI that serves people first.

Katy Comer, Head of Community Development North America, Meta

Katie Comer is Meta’s Head of Community Development for North America, leading efforts to strengthen connections between Meta’s global data center communities and local partners. In her role, Katie oversees the Community Development team, which manages community relations across Meta’s North American data center locations. Her team’s work empowers people to build community and foster meaningful relationships through Meta’s platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and AI tooling. Meta’s data centers serve as the backbone of the company’s ability to scale and deliver innovative technology to billions of users worldwide through global infrastructure. Before joining Meta, Katie was the Director of Development and Interim Chief Development Officer at the American Red Cross. Her earlier career includes account management and sales roles at News Corporation, where she partnered with leading brands such as the Coca-Cola Company, Disney Sports, P&G, and Rubbermaid to drive in-store, print, and digital marketing initiatives. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management from Georgia State University. She is actively involved in her community, serving on the boards of Leadership Atlanta, Georgia 4-H Foundation, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and Junior Achievement of Georgia. Katie lives in Atlanta with her husband and son. 

Session 3: "AI in Action"

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

This session brings women leaders and practitioners together to explore how artificial intelligence is being applied in today’s workplaces—without losing sight of the human impact. From practical AI use cases that enhance productivity and decision-making to a featured talk from Meta on the upcoming AI data center in our community, attendees will gain insight into what AI means for our jobs, our neighborhoods, and our future. The conversation will emphasize responsible innovation, workforce readiness, and how women can lead the way in building AI that serves people first.

Marissa Dorris-Zedd, Consultant and AI Developer, IBM

Marissa Dorris is a seasoned Consultant and AI Developer with over six years of experience at IBM, specializing in Watson AI solutions. She has made impactful contributions to the AI ecosystems of the State of New York, State of Ohio, and State of Florida, with expertise spanning artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and project management. Marissa is known for designing intelligent virtual assistants that extend beyond basic functionality by integrating advanced data management and enabling data-driven decision-making. Her strong background in conversational AI and exceptional communication and presentation skills allow her to deliver scalable, user-focused solutions that support business transformation. With the ability to discover, design, and build end-to-end AI systems, Marissa stands out as a well-rounded and innovative leader in the evolving field of AI development.