Adapting to Change, Accelerating with AI, Excelling with Resilience
November 18 - 19, 2025
| Free PEX Network Webinar Series
Day One
9:30 am - 10:00 am
EST
DISCUSSION PANEL: Evolving Continuous Improvement for a Changing, Technology-Enabled World
Cristina Duta -
Senior Director Operations & Intelligent Automation,
Fortrea
According to PEX Network annual report, 47 % of respondents said operational excellence and business transformation strategies are mission critical in helping to drive growth, manage turnaround and deliver strategic objectives within organizations.
Over the past few years, technological advancements in AI have been revolutionizing operations and processes. With more than half of businesses (58 %) exploring potential AI projects to drive OPEX and transformation objectives.
In this opening panel, we will gather industry leaders to discuss how operational excellence must continually evolve in response to technological advancements and shifting business landscapes. Together with our expert speakers, we will redefine what 'OPEX' means in present and future.
10:00 am - 10:30 am
EST
Embedding Consistency across People, Processes and Technology
OPEX focuses on harmonizing processes, technologies, and culture and ensuring that organizations can fully leverage digital initiatives. In this session, we will explore the foundational role of operational excellence in driving continuous process improvement across the organization.
Key Discussion Points:
- Laying the groundwork for continuous improvements through a long-term OPEX approach
- Defining processes clearly to unlock the full benefits of automation and digital initiatives
- Measuring outcomes actively to keep driving improvement and organizational adaptability
10:30 am - 11:00 am
EST
Setting the Foundation for AI in the Future of Process Excellence
Joy Shelledy -
Director, Strategic Change Enablement,
AbbVie
Amanda Swearengen - Director II, Strategic Change Enablement, AbbVie
Jeff Alker - Solutions Consultant, BusinessOptix
How AbbVie and BusinessOptix are building visibility, agility, and readiness for AI-driven transformation.
AI is reshaping the way organizations approach operational excellence, but real success depends on what comes first: building the foundation. In this fireside chat, Joy Shelledy, Director, Strategic Change Enablement, AbbVie; Amanda Swearengen, Director II, Strategic Change Enablement, AbbVie and Jeff Alker, Solutions Consultant, BusinessOptix, will explore how life sciences leaders can map and model processes to create end-to-end visibility, test scenarios before committing to automation, and establish ROI long before bots or AI are deployed.
The discussion will highlight AbbVie’s journey, in documenting their end-to-end clinical trial processes leveraging the BusinessOptix platform and how this sets them up for the next wave of innovation. Beyond technology, the speakers will address the human side of transformation, including organizational agility, change management and sustaining impact across the enterprise.
- Why foundational process mapping and simulation are essential before committing to a process improvement
- How to apply a “try before you buy” approach to validate ROI and reduce transformation risk
- The role of organizational agility and change management in sustaining transformation success
- How leaders can set the stage today for long-term impact from AI and digital transformation initiatives
11:00 am - 11:30 am
EST
DISCUSSION PANEL: Building Resilience as a Key Risk Mitigation Strategy in Uncertain Times
Sunny Lu -
Head of Management System, Programme Exec: Risk and Control,
Rolls-Royce
In today’s rapidly changing business environment, organizations face complex challenges such as geopolitics, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions. This session will explore how operational excellence enables businesses not just to survive but to thrive in an environment of continuous uncertainty by embedding resilience, agility, and proactive scenario planning into the core of their OPEX strategy.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how OPEX methodologies enable organizations to quickly adapt to market changes, fostering an agile mindset that prepares for future disruptions
- Understand the critical role of resilience in overcoming challenges, and how OPEX frameworks support the capacity to absorb shocks
- Discover how scenario planning, combined with OPEX, equips businesses to respond proactively to evolving risks and opportunities
