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Organizations in every industry are navigating rapid technological change—especially with the rise of artificial intelligence. Many companies understand the stakes: AI has the potential to transform workflows, accelerate innovation and unlock new efficiencies, but only if teams are equipped with the skills and confidence to use it effectively. That’s where Davenport University’s Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx) steps in.

For more than 35 years, IPEx has partnered with organizations across sectors to deliver industry-relevant corporate education and fully customized training solutions. Whether a business needs leadership development, AI upskilling, strategic consulting or hands-on professional development, IPEx is built to design programs that fit the unique needs, culture and goals of each organization.

The recent partnership with Business Connect, a social enterprise that expands access to life-enhancing resources across the globe, highlights just how adaptable and impactful IPEx’s approach can be.

Business Connect approached IPEx as part of its strategic effort to bring AI into its long-term growth plan. With 15 years of global impact behind them, and ambitions for the future, the company recognized that AI skills are essential across all roles, not just among tech specialists.

“If we are not learning, we’re not leading,” said Business Connect CEO Jereme Lambert.

After evaluating more than ten training providers, Business Connect chose IPEx because of its ability to build a program specifically for their staff, their culture and the real work occurring within the organization.

“When we were looking for somebody to do AI training for us. Davenport really stood out among the other places we looked at,” Lambert said. “Davenport and IPEx really allowed us to step into that work with them, to make it customized for our staff and by far, IPEx was the best choice for us.”

This is the core of the IPEx model: no two organizations receive the same program. Every partnership begins with a consultative process so training aligns directly with business goals, workforce needs, and strategic priorities.

“We can take the leading academic thought and create a very customized program around specific needs that companies have,” said Dan Rundhaug, Ph.D., executive director of IPEx. “We really try to think about bringing training to life in a 1/3 1/3 1/3 model: 1/3 is the content that we’re working through; the second third is the facilitator that we engage with, and that facilitator’s job is to really make that content come to life; and then the final third is critical, and that’s really creating a safe laboratory-type experience for participants to get their hands dirty.”

To support Business Connect’s goals, IPEx engaged facilitator Rihana Msadek, who delivered a comprehensive generative AI program that included:

•   8 instructor-led sessions totaling 15 hours
•   118 hours of tailored content preparation
•   Six customized PDF reference guides
•   Cross-functional sessions for leadership, operations, marketing, and sales
•   Hands-on AI exercises using real Business Connect data
•   AI policy development guidance
•   AI security training
•   Support for building an internal AI Council

Throughout the sessions, Msadek ensured a supportive, people-first learning environment. “The trainer really heard and listened to the people in the room,” Lambert said. “It was people first the entire time.”

While Business Connect’s story is powerful, it represents just one example of what IPEx can deliver. Rundhaug stressed that whether an organization is a nonprofit, manufacturer, health care provider, tech firm or global enterprise, IPEx builds training around what matters most to each client.

 “Creating the stories of success is something that we’re able to do and help contribute to the long-term, positive positioning that businesses are looking to achieve.”

To learn more about Davenport, visit: davenport.edu.

To learn more about IPEx at Davenport, visit: davenport.edu/ipex