As artificial intelligence rapidly automates analytical and routine tasks, human skills such as emotional intelligence, cross-communication, and trust-building are becoming indispensable for team success. Yet most organizations lack a structured approach to developing these capabilities. To bridge this gap, FeelWise, Minds of Light, and Strike Marketing Institute will co-host the Emotional Skill Gap Summit, a four-day virtual event from September 29 to October 2, 2026, running daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Time.
The urgency is underscored by the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, which found that employers expect 39% of core skills to evolve by 2030. Leadership and social influence are projected to show the greatest increase in importance, rising by 22 percentage points since 2023. Despite this, few companies have a plan to cultivate these skills. The summit pairs research-based frameworks with practical tools attendees can immediately apply 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.”
The event features more than 25 speakers, including Russell Scherwin, leadership professor at the University of Georgia and former CMO of IBM Watson Commerce; Dr. Justin James Kennedy, professor of behavioral neuroscience and TEDx speaker; 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 will cover emotional regulation, resilience, human-centered leadership, and workplace culture. Minds of Light Day, led by Executive Director Alison Jones, focuses on neurodivergent perspectives and communication between neurodivergent and neurotypical colleagues. The final day, Emotionally Intelligent AI Day on 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, deliberately 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. Recordings of every session are included for registered attendees. To register, visit the Emotional Skill Gap Summit registration page. For more information about FeelWise and its visual tools for emotional awareness, visit FeelWise. To learn about Minds of Light and its programs for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, visit Minds of Light. For details on Strike Marketing Institute and its work with B2B founders, visit Strike Marketing Institute.
The summit arrives at a pivotal moment when AI adoption is accelerating but the human skills that complement it remain underdeveloped. By offering accessible, evidence-based training, the event aims to help organizations close the emotional skill gap and prepare their teams for a future where emotional intelligence is not just nice to have—but essential.
