Founder & CEO, AscendAI
Kevin Williams
Founder and CEO of AscendAI. Five-time CEO. AI advisor to executives.
Kevin Williams helps leaders turn AI from pressure into practical advantage. Based in Park City, Utah, he founded AscendAI to help organizations build the skills, guardrails, and operating habits that make AI useful. He has trained more than 1,000 executives on AI strategy and advises the Utah Governor’s office on AI.
As featured in
Kevin’s work as a consumer products CEO and AI advisor has been covered by national and regional media.
About Kevin
He came to AI as an operator
Kevin has served as CEO five times, across consumer products, services, and technology. The best-known of those companies, Brush Hero, appeared on Shark Tank and was later acquired by private equity. Along the way he led international operations, scaled revenue teams, and made the kinds of high-stakes decisions his clients now face with AI.
His early career was in international trade, including work with the U.S. Department of Commerce. He holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
That background shapes how he approaches AI. The technology matters, but results depend on people, process, and leadership. Kevin works in both worlds: he builds with AI himself, and he knows what it takes to get an organization to change how it works.
1,000+
Executives trained on AI strategy
5
CEO roles held
1
Shark Tank company, acquired by private equity
What Kevin works on today
Four places the work happens
AscendAI
Kevin leads AscendAI, which helps organizations adopt AI through enablement, training, guardrails, and hands-on implementation.
Executive advisory
He works directly with CEOs and senior leaders on the decisions that shape an organization’s AI future.
Public sector
Kevin advises the Utah Governor’s office on AI and co-leads the Workforce and Education special interest group within the University of Utah’s Responsible AI Initiative. See the Responsible AI Summit recap and One-U RAI annual report.
AI at Work
He hosts the AI at Work podcast, a practical look at how AI is changing the way organizations operate.
Recent conversations
On the record
KSL
Utah AI industry voice agrees a “slowdown” would be beneficial
Kevin weighs in on the pace of AI development and what it means for Utah businesses.
KSL
The end of the search bar
How Utah companies are adapting as AI answers replace traditional search.
Episode 100
He was on Shark Tank. Then AI happened.
Kevin traces his path from consumer products CEO to AI advisor.
BWG Connect
Why AI strategy starts in the C-suite
Why AI adoption is a leadership challenge before it is a technology one.
Work with Kevin
Three ways in
Executive AI coaching
A direct advisory relationship for CEOs and senior leaders responsible for AI.
Speaking
Keynotes and workshops on AI leadership, adoption, and organizational change.
AI at Work podcast
Practical conversations on AI in the workplace. Listen to the AI at Work podcast or connect on LinkedIn.
Ideas for AI leaders
Where to read next
What is AI coaching?
Human coaching and AI coaching tools.
Leading an AI-native company
Connect people, process, and technology.
Your first 90 days leading AI
Establish a direction and learn from action.
Executive AI coaching vs. consulting
Choose the support your situation requires.
How CEOs should learn AI
Build practical executive fluency.
Leading people through AI change
Address the human work of transformation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who is Kevin Williams?
Kevin Williams is the founder and CEO of AscendAI, an AI enablement and advisory firm based in Park City, Utah. He is a five-time CEO, a former Shark Tank entrepreneur, and an advisor to the Utah Governor’s office on AI.
What does Kevin Williams do?
Kevin helps executives and organizations adopt AI through coaching, training, and implementation. He has trained more than 1,000 executives on AI strategy.
What is Kevin Williams known for?
Kevin is known for connecting AI capability to leadership and operations. Before founding AscendAI, he led Brush Hero, which appeared on Shark Tank and was acquired by private equity.
How can I work with Kevin Williams?
Kevin works directly with CEOs and senior leaders through executive AI coaching, and he speaks on AI leadership and adoption. Start by exploring executive AI coaching with AscendAI.
Start with your situation
If you are responsible for leading your organization through AI and want a direct advisory relationship with Kevin, start here.
