FeelWise, Minds of Light, and Strike Marketing Institute will co-host the Emotional Skill Gap Summit, a four-day virtual event for learning and development, HR, and team leaders, September 29 through October 2, 2026. Sessions run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Time each day.
The premise is that as AI takes over analytical and routine tasks, human skills like emotional intelligence, cross-communication, and trust-building become increasingly vital for team success. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, employers anticipate that 39% of core skills will evolve by 2030, with leadership and social influence showing the greatest increase in importance, rising by 22 percentage points since 2023. Most organizations have no structured way to develop those skills. The sessions pair research-based frameworks with tools attendees can use with their teams.
"Companies have a plan for AI adoption. Few have a plan for the skills AI doesn't replace," said Tina Schweiger, founder of FeelWise. "Those skills can be taught and practiced like any other, and these four days show how."
More than 25 speakers include Russell Scherwin, leadership professor at the University of Georgia and former CMO of IBM Watson Commerce; Dr. Justin James Kennedy, professor of behavioral neuroscience, TEDx speaker, and author; Stephen Busette of Siemens; Robert Gramillano, executive coach and clinical professor at DePaul University; Dr. Charmain Jackman, CEO of InnoPsych; and Drs. Judith and Bob Wright of LiveWright.
Two days cover emotional regulation, resilience, human-centered leadership, and workplace culture. Minds of Light Day, led by Executive Director Alison Jones, centers on neurodivergent perspectives and communication between neurodivergent and neurotypical colleagues. Emotionally Intelligent AI Day, October 2, is sponsored by Grand Strategy Consulting and addresses staying emotionally grounded while working alongside AI tools. Speakers that day include Zena Collins, consultant at Grand Strategy Consulting, a MSCEIT 2 emotional intelligence practitioner and author of Stop Wasting Time With AI.
"Neurodivergent people are a growing part of the workforce, and the unwritten emotional rules of most workplaces were not designed for how they communicate," said Alison Jones, founder and executive director of Minds of Light. "Many spend energy every day decoding tone, masking, and translating between communication styles, on top of the job itself. Rapid change in how work gets done adds to that load. Emotional skills training has to work for every kind of mind."
Registration is $29, priced so individuals can attend without a budget approval process, and closes September 29. Attendees can add a donation to Minds of Light or bundle registration with the FeelWise emotional intelligence card deck. Registered attendees receive recordings of every session.
Event Details
- Event: Emotional Skill Gap Summit
- Dates: September 29-October 2, 2026, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Central Time
- Format: 100% virtual; recordings included with registration
- AI Day sponsor: Grand Strategy Consulting
- Registration: $29 at the-emotional-skill-gap-summit.heysummit.com; closes September 29
About FeelWise
FeelWise builds visual tools that help people recognize, name, and work with their emotions. Families, educators, and organizations use the system to make emotional awareness a skill that can be practiced.
About Minds of Light
Minds of Light is a nonprofit community founded by and for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. It offers mentorship, emotional intelligence education, and community programs.
About Strike Marketing Institute
Strike Marketing Institute, founded by Fernando Labastida and based in Austin, Texas, helps bootstrapped B2B founders build visibility and category leadership without paid advertising.
