The University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business recently hosted the “Careers in Business Innovation” panel, featuring a diverse group of industry professionals who shared their insights on how technology is transforming business across various sectors. The panelists were Carly Swanberg, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Care at Yahoo; Jason Meyersburg, Customer Strategy Director at Slalom; Jim Tessmer, Head of Digital Product Strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman; and Ethan Bechtel, Co-founder and CEO of OhMD.
Bringing together professionals from diverse industries, the discussion focused on the role of innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) in driving both operational change and career opportunities for future business leaders.
Leveraging Artificial “Innovation”
Panelists emphasized that innovation in business isn’t always about inventing something completely new. Instead, it often involves making existing products or services smarter, faster, or more user-friendly, often through the tactical use of AI and digital tools. They also discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on both healthcare and customer service experiences. In healthcare, panelists highlighted the challenges of innovating within an industry bounded by strict regulations and patient safety requirements. Unlike entrepreneurial ventures or technology companies like Yahoo, healthcare innovation demands careful navigation of compliance and ethical standards, which often slows the pace of change.
Conversely, in customer service, AI is leveraged to enhance phone helpline experiences by providing faster, more personalized support, improving both efficiency and customer satisfaction. Carly Swanberg’s role at Yahoo exemplifies how AI-driven intelligent automation can transform customer care at scale in less regulated industries.
Overall, their conversation highlighted how AI is not only powering new customer experiences through smarter banking interfaces and helplines, but also transforming major sectors like healthcare by streamlining administrative tasks and improving patient engagement.
Beyond AI, the panel underscored practical technologies familiar to most organizations, such as collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams. These tools, while not groundbreaking in themselves, are critical for enabling real-time communication and stronger cross-departmental collaboration, further supporting a culture of ongoing innovation.
A Chance for Students to Connect with Leaders
The event wasn’t just about tech breakthroughs; it also provided a unique chance for students and attendees to connect with industry leaders. The networking session following the panel allowed participants to share personal experiences, gain advice for navigating a rapidly changing job market, and learn about the evolving skill sets most valued by employers in today’s innovation-driven economy.
The panel illustrated that careers in business innovation are less about radical leaps and more about incremental advances, leveraging AI and digital tools to constantly improve what already works. Success in this dynamic field means staying curious, adaptable, and committed to learning new technologies, whether they reinvent customer service, optimize healthcare, or simply make daily operations more efficient. This event embodied UVM’s mission to develop thoughtful, adaptable leaders equipped to drive meaningful, responsible change in business and society.
About the Author:
Sophie Ball-Dolan is a Junior at the University of Vermont's Grossman School of Business, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a theme in Entrepreneurship and a concentration in Marketing. Complementing her business studies, she is also double minoring in Environmental Studies & English. Her professional experience includes leadership and associate roles at a local grocery store, serving as Vice President of Communications for the UVM Marketing Club, and her current position as a Marketing and Communications Assistant at the Grossman School of Business. A native of Hinesburg, Vermont, her interests include reading, art, and spending time with family, friends, and pets.
Photos: Dylan Wintersteen