From Imagination to Application: Accelerating Every Phase of Your AI Journey

With over two decades of experience in data, analytics and AI, Tim previously led the establishment of the AI Center of Excellence at Georgia-Pacific Corporation, a multi-billion dollar company known for brands like Brawny, Dixie, and Angel Soft. His expertise spans multiple industries, leveraging data & AI to optimize supply chains, reduce costs, increase revenue and enhance customer experiences. As a founding member of Gartner’s Data & Analytics Research Board and a published author on AI strategy, Tim is recognized for his thought leadership in scaling AI initiatives and aligning them with strategic business goals.

At Aspen AI, Tim emphasizes an objective, partner-agnostic approach, providing clients with a proven playbook for AI success. His philosophy is simple: provide candid, straightforward guidance to help businesses become self-sufficient, avoid overpromised, high-cost projects, and focus on measurable, accelerated outcomes. Tim’s leadership ensures that Aspen AI clients benefit from strategies that unlock high-impact opportunities, bridge capability gaps, and create a sustainable path to data & AI-driven growth.

Rafiq Ajani brings nearly three decades of experience as a Digital Transformation leader with deep expertise in Data and Applied AI. He spent over 20 years at McKinsey & Company as a Partner, leading AI/Digital transformations for some of the largest and fastest-growing institutions across life sciences, consumer, industrial, and financial services sectors.

More recently, as Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Koch Inc. ($120B+ Conglomerate), he spearheaded the digital transformation of its diverse businesses. At UCB, he led the North American commercial transformation through Data and AI.

Rafiq has served on MIT’s and Wichita State University’s Advisory Boards, mentored early-stage technology companies, and advised founders through various accelerators. He frequently lectures at MIT, Harvard, Emory, and Babson College.

At Aspen, Rafiq leads strategy, operations, and client service, shaping Digital Transformation roadmaps by prioritizing opportunities, delivering AI use cases, and helping clients build sustainable capabilities in people, process, data, and technology. He also drives Aspen’s internal growth and expands its global tech and talent ecosystem.

Atuanya is a transformative business leader with deep expertise in data and enterprise AI, with nearly two decades of experience architecting and scaling innovative solutions that deliver measurable value. He focuses on translating strategy into execution for organizations looking to mature and scale digital capabilities.

As former Head of AI Strategy at Koch Industries—a $120B+ global conglomerate—Atuanya led enterprise-wide efforts to embed AI into core operations across a diverse portfolio of companies. His work accelerated capability building, streamlined operating models, and drove measurable growth. Prior to that, he spent nearly a decade as a Strategy Consultant with Accenture and the Judge Group, advising executive teams across healthcare, manufacturing, telecommunications, and the public sector on data, process, and analytics-driven transformation.

Outside of his role at Aspen, Atuanya advises early-stage companies through Primary Venture Partners and HKC Investments, guiding startups in designing and implementing AI-driven strategies that unlock operational leverage and drive growth. He also mentors students from his alma maters, Morehouse College and the University of Chicago, where he champions the next generation of talent at the intersection of technology, business, and impact.

At Aspen, Atuanya is responsible for customer success and delivery excellence. He owns architecture of the systems, frameworks, and delivery models that bring Aspen’s vision to life—ensuring every client engagement is high-impact, consistent, and repeatable across the portfolio.

Keith Werle is a seasoned finance, strategy, and analytics leader with over 30 years of experience in industry and consulting. He serves as the Managing Director of the Business Analytics Center and Professor of the Practice at Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business, where he has transformed industry engagement and experiential learning programs.

Keith’s expertise spans AI, GenAI, advanced analytics, finance, corporate strategy, and performance improvement. He has advised Fortune 50 companies, venture-backed startups, and private equity firms, leveraging data-driven insights to drive decision-making, operational efficiency, and strategic growth. His client portfolio includes The Home Depot, UPS, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, NCR, and AT&T, among others.

As an Aspen AI Board and Client Advisor, Keith brings deep expertise in applying analytics and AI to solve complex business challenges. His passion lies in bridging the gap between advanced technologies and real-world business applications, ensuring companies maximize value from AI-driven solutions.