Syracuse Alum Leads AI Innovation at Walmart
Syracuse University alum Kelsey Davis leads AI innovation and enablement as a senior manager for corporate affairs at Walmart, helping employees strengthen their understanding of emerging AI tools and rethink how work gets done. In her role, Kelsey works with individuals and teams to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, productivity and business impact.
Her career has consistently centered on solving problems at the intersection of technology, innovation and social impact. Kelsey began in creative production, working with brands including Coca-Cola, Land Rover and AT&T. She later co-founded CLLCTVE, a technology platform that connected creators with paid opportunities.
CLLCTVE was selected for the Techstars Los Angeles accelerator in 2020. Later that year, Kelsey was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Marketing & Advertising.
She subsequently transitioned into government, leading communications and partnerships for Oklahoma’s Department of Mental Health. Her experience across entrepreneurship, government and business eventually brought her to Walmart, where she found an opportunity to work directly with emerging technologies.
Kelsey earned a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises from Syracuse. Over time, she discovered that her passion extends beyond entrepreneurship itself to exploring what becomes possible when new technologies reshape how people work and solve problems.
“The essence of building emerging technologies is to be on the frontier,” says Kelsey. “In order to be on the frontier, you have to speculate on the future world based on emerging technologies.”
That mindset shapes her approach to innovation. Kelsey believes leaders must be willing to experiment, create prototypes and learn—even when the outcome is uncertain.
“If every single thing that you’re doing, you’re having to wait until you feel 99% secure that it’s going to work, you’re going to lose out on opportunities,” she says.
Comfort with uncertainty has been one of Kelsey’s leadership strengths from the beginning. Posse played an important role in helping her recognize and articulate that ability. During the Dynamic Assessment Process (DAP), she came to understand that problem-solving, initiative, curiosity and a willingness to navigate uncertainty were not simply personal traits; they were leadership skills.
“I knew I was a leader, but I don’t think that I really understood what that value clearly looked like amongst peers until I got to DAP,” says Kelsey.
Today, she draws on those skills as she works across industries and disciplines. Alongside her role at Walmart, Kelsey teaches digital innovation and social entrepreneurship at the University of Tulsa, helping students explore how innovation principles can be applied across business, government and other sectors.
Her leadership has also earned national recognition. In 2022, she was named an AACSB Influential Leader for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, adding to a growing list of honors recognizing her work at the intersection of technology, creativity and leadership.
For Kelsey, effective leadership begins with understanding where and how an individual can create value. Her advice to young leaders is to know themselves, understand the needs of the people around them and remain focused on meaningful results.
“Level of effort does not necessarily equal level of impact,” says Kelsey.
