Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Authored by Baker Tilly’s Chris Wagner, David Hickey

As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), many are moving beyond experimentation and into execution. What began as an exploration of generative AI is rapidly evolving into a broader transformation of how work gets done. At the center of this shift is the convergence of robotic process automation (RPA), intelligent automation and agentic AI — technologies that are redefining both operational efficiency and workforce strategy.  

The evolution from RPA to intelligent automation

RPA has long served as a foundational automation tool, enabling organizations to automate repetitive, rules-based tasks by mimicking human interactions with systems. These bots operate deterministically, following predefined logic to execute structured, high-volume processes such as data entry, reconciliation and system updates.

However, as business processes become more complex, the limitations of RPA have become more apparent. Traditional bots cannot interpret unstructured data or adapt to nuanced scenarios. Intelligent automation addresses this gap by layering AI capabilities, such as machine learning and natural language processing, onto RPA. This allows systems to interpret information, make decisions and manage exceptions, significantly expanding the scope of automation. 

Understanding agentic AI

Generative AI has introduced powerful, prompt-based interactions that allow users to quickly access and synthesize information. However, these systems are inherently reactive and can lack consistency across interactions.

Agentic AI builds on this foundation by introducing structure and autonomy. Instead of one-off prompts, agents are configured with defined roles, responsibilities and guardrails. They operate within established parameters, leveraging business rules and contextual data to make decisions and execute tasks.

The importance of the process layer

While generative AI enhances how organizations access knowledge, the true transformation lies in the process layer — where work is executed across systems, applications and teams.

This is where intelligent automation delivers the most value. Bots handle deterministic tasks such as data validation and system updates, while agents address more complex scenarios requiring interpretation. Together, they enable seamless, end-to-end process execution while reducing friction and manual effort. 

Orchestration as the control layer

As automation scales, organizations must manage an increasing number of bots and agents across multiple platforms. Without coordination, this can quickly become fragmented.

An orchestration layer provides centralized oversight, managing workflows as they move between bots, agents and people. It ensures processes run efficiently, provides visibility into performance and enables organizations to identify bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.

By analyzing process flows and outcomes, organizations can continuously refine operations and improve decision-making at scale. 

A hybrid workforce model

Rather than replacing people, intelligent automation is reshaping how work is performed. The most effective organizations are adopting a hybrid model:

• Bots execute repetitive, rules-based tasks with speed and accuracy
• Agents think within defined parameters to manage complexity and exceptions
• People lead by focusing on strategy, relationships and innovation 

This approach allows organizations to reduce inefficiencies while empowering their workforce to focus on higher-value activities that drive growth and differentiation. 

Driving value through a strategic approach

Successful adoption of intelligent automation and agentic AI requires more than technology — it requires strategy. Organizations should start with targeted use cases that demonstrate clear value, building momentum through a “prove it” phase before scaling more broadly.

Equally important is evaluating where automation makes sense. Not every process is a candidate for automation; factors such as volume, complexity and return on investment must guide decision-making. A disciplined approach ensures sustainable, measurable outcomes. 

Managing risk and building trust

As organizations implement AI-driven solutions, responsible deployment is critical. Systems should be tested, validated and governed with clear guardrails, particularly in customer-facing scenarios.

Human oversight remains essential to ensure accuracy, manage exceptions and maintain trust. A thoughtful, methodical approach helps organizations balance innovation with control while minimizing risk. 

How Baker Tilly can help

Baker Tilly works with organizations at every stage of their automation journey, from early exploration to enterprise-scale transformation. Our approach combines deep industry experience with leading technology capabilities to help clients move from concept to execution with confidence.

Whether starting with a focused proof of concept or advancing a broader transformation initiative, Baker Tilly helps organizations unlock the full potential of intelligent automation and agentic AI; driving efficiency, enhancing decision-making and enabling long-term growth. 

Connect with us to learn more

Authored by Baker Tilly’s Chris Wagner, David Hickey

As organizations accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), many are moving beyond experimentation and into execution. What began as an exploration of generative AI is rapidly evolving into a broader transformation of how work gets done. At the center of this shift is the convergence of robotic process automation (RPA), intelligent automation and agentic AI — technologies that are redefining both operational efficiency and workforce strategy.  

The evolution from RPA to intelligent automation

RPA has long served as a foundational automation tool, enabling organizations to automate repetitive, rules-based tasks by mimicking human interactions with systems. These bots operate deterministically, following predefined logic to execute structured, high-volume processes such as data entry, reconciliation and system updates.

However, as business processes become more complex, the limitations of RPA have become more apparent. Traditional bots cannot interpret unstructured data or adapt to nuanced scenarios. Intelligent automation addresses this gap by layering AI capabilities, such as machine learning and natural language processing, onto RPA. This allows systems to interpret information, make decisions and manage exceptions, significantly expanding the scope of automation. 

Understanding agentic AI

Generative AI has introduced powerful, prompt-based interactions that allow users to quickly access and synthesize information. However, these systems are inherently reactive and can lack consistency across interactions.

Agentic AI builds on this foundation by introducing structure and autonomy. Instead of one-off prompts, agents are configured with defined roles, responsibilities and guardrails. They operate within established parameters, leveraging business rules and contextual data to make decisions and execute tasks.

The importance of the process layer

While generative AI enhances how organizations access knowledge, the true transformation lies in the process layer — where work is executed across systems, applications and teams.

This is where intelligent automation delivers the most value. Bots handle deterministic tasks such as data validation and system updates, while agents address more complex scenarios requiring interpretation. Together, they enable seamless, end-to-end process execution while reducing friction and manual effort. 

Orchestration as the control layer

As automation scales, organizations must manage an increasing number of bots and agents across multiple platforms. Without coordination, this can quickly become fragmented.

An orchestration layer provides centralized oversight, managing workflows as they move between bots, agents and people. It ensures processes run efficiently, provides visibility into performance and enables organizations to identify bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.

By analyzing process flows and outcomes, organizations can continuously refine operations and improve decision-making at scale. 

A hybrid workforce model

Rather than replacing people, intelligent automation is reshaping how work is performed. The most effective organizations are adopting a hybrid model:

• Bots execute repetitive, rules-based tasks with speed and accuracy
• Agents think within defined parameters to manage complexity and exceptions
• People lead by focusing on strategy, relationships and innovation 

This approach allows organizations to reduce inefficiencies while empowering their workforce to focus on higher-value activities that drive growth and differentiation. 

Driving value through a strategic approach

Successful adoption of intelligent automation and agentic AI requires more than technology — it requires strategy. Organizations should start with targeted use cases that demonstrate clear value, building momentum through a “prove it” phase before scaling more broadly.

Equally important is evaluating where automation makes sense. Not every process is a candidate for automation; factors such as volume, complexity and return on investment must guide decision-making. A disciplined approach ensures sustainable, measurable outcomes. 

Managing risk and building trust

As organizations implement AI-driven solutions, responsible deployment is critical. Systems should be tested, validated and governed with clear guardrails, particularly in customer-facing scenarios.

Human oversight remains essential to ensure accuracy, manage exceptions and maintain trust. A thoughtful, methodical approach helps organizations balance innovation with control while minimizing risk. 

How Baker Tilly can help

Baker Tilly works with organizations at every stage of their automation journey, from early exploration to enterprise-scale transformation. Our approach combines deep industry experience with leading technology capabilities to help clients move from concept to execution with confidence.

Whether starting with a focused proof of concept or advancing a broader transformation initiative, Baker Tilly helps organizations unlock the full potential of intelligent automation and agentic AI; driving efficiency, enhancing decision-making and enabling long-term growth. 

Connect with us to learn more

Suazo Business Center, a Utah‑based nonprofit focused on economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation to support the expansion of its entrepreneurship programming.

The grant will fund the development of a hybrid entrepreneurship program that combines self‑paced online learning with live instruction. The approach is designed to reduce barriers faced by economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs, including challenges related to language access, scheduling, transportation, and geography.

Suazo Business Center has served Utah entrepreneurs for nearly 25 years, providing access to business training, capital, and financial education. Leaders say the expanded program will allow the organization to reach more aspiring and existing small‑business owners across the state and better support long‑term business sustainability.

KeyBank officials said the grant, the largest grant awarded by the KeyBank Foundation in Utah, aligns with the bank’s broader community‑focused priorities, including education, workforce development, and job creation in local markets. Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs plays a critical role in strengthening local economies.

The funding will help Suazo modernize and scale its programming model, offering greater flexibility for participants while maintaining the organization’s emphasis on culturally responsive instruction and hands‑on support.

Since its founding in 2002, Suazo Business Center has assisted more than 11,000 clients and small businesses. The organization has helped launch more than 7,000 new businesses, generating billions of dollars in economic activity for Utah’s local economies. Suazo is also one of a limited number of Community Development Financial Institutions operating in the state.

Suazo Business Center, a Utah‑based nonprofit focused on economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation to support the expansion of its entrepreneurship programming.

The grant will fund the development of a hybrid entrepreneurship program that combines self‑paced online learning with live instruction. The approach is designed to reduce barriers faced by economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs, including challenges related to language access, scheduling, transportation, and geography.

Suazo Business Center has served Utah entrepreneurs for nearly 25 years, providing access to business training, capital, and financial education. Leaders say the expanded program will allow the organization to reach more aspiring and existing small‑business owners across the state and better support long‑term business sustainability.

KeyBank officials said the grant, the largest grant awarded by the KeyBank Foundation in Utah, aligns with the bank’s broader community‑focused priorities, including education, workforce development, and job creation in local markets. Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs plays a critical role in strengthening local economies.

The funding will help Suazo modernize and scale its programming model, offering greater flexibility for participants while maintaining the organization’s emphasis on culturally responsive instruction and hands‑on support.

Since its founding in 2002, Suazo Business Center has assisted more than 11,000 clients and small businesses. The organization has helped launch more than 7,000 new businesses, generating billions of dollars in economic activity for Utah’s local economies. Suazo is also one of a limited number of Community Development Financial Institutions operating in the state.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

By Jared Sine, Chief Legal and Strategy Officer, GoDaddy

Every year as we prepare GoDaddy’s Global Stakeholder Impact Report, we ask a simple question:

Are we achieving our purpose to make opportunity more inclusive for all?

This year’s report highlights a key point: inclusion isn’t just an afterthought for GoDaddy, which exists to help small businesses and entrepreneurs launch and grow their ventures; it plays an integral part in how we put our purpose into action. It’s woven into the systems we create, the products we deliver and how we engage with our customers.

Not all entrepreneurs resemble the conventional founder

Consider inclusive entrepreneurship.

It’s easy to say anyone can start a business; it’s harder to build the infrastructure that makes it true.

Surveying more than 40,000 small business owners through GoDaddy’s Small Business Research Lab, we see microbusinesses rising as a powerful force in the global economy, and many founders depend on their ventures for meaningful income and household stability.

That’s why community impact programs like GoDaddy Empower help more people get the tools and training to succeed, expanding opportunity across the digital economy.

Through GoDaddy Empower, we provide access to domains, websites, education and funding when it matters most. For some founders, that support enables a first step. For others, it’s the difference between an idea staying on paper and becoming a sustainable livelihood.

In 2025, we invested more than $2.7 million through GoDaddy Empower to support emerging entrepreneurs and innovators. Our ambition is simple: expand access to opportunity so more people can shape their own pathways to success.

Technology should remove friction, not create it

A key theme in this year’s report is our perspective on technology, particularly artificial intelligence. There are legitimate risks and growing public concern that emerging technologies could introduce new forms of friction, including bias, misuse and the potential to exacerbate societal divides.

At GoDaddy, our focus is on using technology to do the opposite, removing barriers, broadening access and leveling the playing field so more entrepreneurs can participate and succeed.

GoDaddy’s AI-powered tools allow entrepreneurs to go from idea to an online presence in minutes, building websites and software tools, generating content and launching businesses without any technical expertise.

Additionally, we are actively investing in open standards like Agent Name Service (ANS) to help ensure the future of the internet remains an open and accessible hub of innovation, rather than controlled by a select few. Open standards for agent identity and discovery help ensure that AI agents can work across borders, platforms and legal regimes, offering reliable performance and auditability. 

Achieving inclusion at scale requires more than just innovative tools; it necessitates systems rooted in openness and trust.

Inclusion starts from within organizations

To develop products that meet the needs of a global customer base, it is essential that teams reflect the world and communities they serve. For this reason, GoDaddy continues to publicly share its workforce demographic and pay data. In 2025, we once again achieved global gender pay parity (equal pay within a few cents on either side of the dollar), as well as race and ethnicity pay parity within the United States.

This transparency is fundamental to building trust among our stakeholders, both internally and externally. When individuals have confidence in the systems they work within, they are more likely to succeed individually, contribute thoughtfully and innovate uniquely.

Ultimately, this leads to enhanced customer experiences and improved outcomes.

Sustainability is a proven business development strategy

The term “sustainability” often brings environmental efforts to mind. Those matter, and we’re making progress there, including maintaining approximately 88% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 (market-based) emissions from our 2019 baseline.

But sustainability, in practice, is broader: it is shaped by responsible governance, strengthened through data protection, advanced by trustworthy AI, grounded in employee support and realized through long-term economic participation. These elements drive customer trust, enable innovation and support durable growth. It’s why our approach is built on four pillars – Customers & Communities, People & Culture, Responsible Governance & Operations, and Environmental Impact – linked by technology to create long-term value.

Inclusive opportunity enables trust in technology 

The internet has always been a platform for possibilities. The next phase, shaped by AI, automation and new forms of digital identity, will either maintain open access or concentrate it.

Our responsibility is to help ensure access remains open for all.

That’s what this year’s Global Stakeholder Impact Report is about. Not just what we’ve done, but how we’re building for what comes next.

We invite you to explore the 2025 report for yourself. Download HERE.

By Kristen Coco

Across global markets, a profound shift is underway as investors, regulators and companies seek clearer, more credible ways to demonstrate progress on social sustainability.

Enter IWBI’s Sustainable Finance Leader Profiles, which highlight organizations that are actively shaping this emerging landscape — pairing ambition with measurable action. Each profile is designed to illuminate how these organizations translate regulatory expectations, global norms and market signals into practical implementation — from entity-level governance and cross-sector collaboration to fund and asset-level strategies and performance. Together, they demonstrate the expanding role of health, well-being, equity and social outcomes in propelling resilience and long-term value creation.

Now introducing our first leader profile, featuring the UN Global Compact Network USA. The U.S. chapter of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, Network USA exemplifies the practical implementation of social sustainability principles, demonstrating how global norms and market signals are translated into on-the-ground action. The profile distills Network USA’s comprehensive approach to supporting companies to embed social sustainability across investment, financing and broader market education efforts. By championing people-centered strategies, the UN Global Compact Network USA showcases the benefits of social sustainability, from driving resilience and mitigating risk to creating long-term value for stakeholders and society alike.

Their work – rooted in the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – is a testament to the powerful synergy between corporate sustainability and human performance, and provides a powerful framework for U.S. businesses. The UN Global Compact Network USA leader profile specifically outlines how they guide companies in establishing governance structures and financing mechanisms that embed social impact—moving beyond philanthropic initiatives to make social value a core business mandate. For the sustainable finance community, the profile offers real-world examples of translating regulatory expectations—like those related to human rights due diligence and social disclosure—into practical reporting and investment criteria.

UN Global Compact Network USA’s leadership provides a powerful narrative for how social sustainability can be effectively embedded across all investment, financing and market education efforts. Click here to read the full leader profile.

IWBI’s Sustainable Finance Leader Profiles feature leading international organizations, real estate companies, financial institutions and public-sector partners that are integrating people-centered strategies into their core business, investment, and financing practices. By sharing real-world examples of how social sustainability can be embedded across investment, financing and broader market education efforts, IWBI aims to accelerate alignment, elevate best practices and strengthen the global dialogue around social sustainability. To stay up-to-date as more organizations contribute their experiences, visit our living library here.

View original content here.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., April 24, 2026 /3BL/ – Last night, Engage for Good announced the winners of the 2026 Halo Awards, recognizing 28 gold and silver recipients across 14 categories for outstanding corporate–nonprofit partnerships that delivered measurable social impact in 2025. The winners were honored at the Halo Awards Gala, held during the Engage for Good Conference.

Leading this year’s class as Best of the Best is FedEx and Orbis International for Delivering Sight Worldwide. The long-running global health logistics partnership restored and protected sight for patients in underserved communities around the world.

“The campaigns in this year’s Halo Award class didn’t happen in a vacuum,” said Engage for Good CEO Muneer Panjwani. “They happened during a year of real pressure, budget cuts, political headwinds, and a lot of noise about whether this kind of work still has a place at the table. And these gold and silver Halo winners proved that this work is still impactful and transformative for communities and businesses. What strikes me every year, and this year more than most, is that the best partnerships aren’t just rigorous. They’re also joyful. There’s something genuinely alive in the work when a company and a nonprofit find each other and decide to build something real together. We are so proud to celebrate their work.”

2026 Halo Award Winners

Best Advocacy or Policy Initiative

• Gold: GAMUT Seal of Approval (Gamut Management + Runway of Dreams)
• Silver: The Health in Action Collaborative (Sanofi + National Association of Community Health Workers + NationSwell)

Best Cause Marketing Initiative

• Gold: American Airlines Raises $5 Million for Stand Up To Cancer (American Airlines + Stand Up To Cancer)
• Silver: ON HOLD (Meals On Wheels America + Public INC)

Best Cause Product Initiative

• Gold: Barbie’s First Barbie Doll with Type 1 Diabetes (Mattel + Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF))
• Silver: Get a Glove, Give a Glove (Wilson Sporting Goods + Pitch In For Baseball & Softball)

Best DEIB Initiative

• Gold: Black Girls Code Reimagined (Pastilla Inc. + Black Girls Code)
• Silver: Black Joy (UGG + The Loveland Foundation)

Best Direct Service Initiative

• Gold: Angel Foundation’s Financial Care Program (Ameriprise Financial + Angel Foundation)
• Silver: Crisis and Connectivity (Cisco Systems + USA for UNHCR)

Best Education Initiative

• Gold: Building Bridges: Restoring Futures in Ukraine (Infosys + Street Child US)
• Silver: Impact360 (ScanSource, Inc. + Public Education Partners + Greenville County Schools)

Best Emergency/Disaster Response Initiative

• Gold: LA Wildfire Relief (PayPal/Venmo + LA Fire Department Foundation + World Central Kitchen + GoFundMe.org)
• Silver: Good Leads the Way (United Airlines + Airlink)

Best Employee Engagement Initiative

• Gold: SERVING WITH LOVE® Resource Rally Tour (Popeyes Foundation + Feed the Children)
• Silver: Dream It Real (Coach Foundation + The Opportunity Network + Bottom Line)

Best Food Insecurity Initiative

• Gold: Food As Medicine 3.0 (Elevance Health Foundation + Feeding America)
• Silver: A Million Meals and Beyond (Once Upon a Farm + Save the Children)

Best Gender & LGBTQ Equality Initiative

• Gold: Mattress Firm and the National Women’s Shelter Network’s Safe Shelter Saves Lives (Mattress Firm + National Women’s Shelter Network)
• Silver: Stand Up Against Street Harassment (L’Oréal Paris + Right To Be)

Best Local-Impact Initiative

• Gold: Full Futures: A School Nutrition Partnership (The Campbell’s Company + Alliance for a Healthier Generation)
• Silver: Partner-Inspired Giving: The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants (Starbucks Coffee Company)

Best Mental or Physical Health Initiative

• Gold: Body Appreciation Badges (Flamingo (Mammoth Brands) + Girl Scouts of the USA)
• Silver: Delivering Sight Worldwide (FedEx + Orbis International)

Best Point of Sale Initiative

• Gold: One Curly Fry at a Time (Jack in the Box + No Kid Hungry)
• Silver: Lyft Round Up & Donate for Goodwill (Lyft + Goodwill Industries International)

Best Sustainability or Conservation Initiative

• Gold: Bring Coral into Focus (Samsung + Seatrees)
• Silver: Take Back (Stanley 1913 + Ocean Conservancy)

Best Technology for Good Initiative

• Gold: Global Cleft Care (Dentsply Sirona + Smile Train + FDI World Dental Federation)
• Silver: Secure it Forward (Yubico + Defending Digital Campaigns + Civil Rights Defenders + Article 19)

Additional 2026 Honorees

Earlier this month Mattel, Inc. was named Corporation of the Year and Keep America Beautiful was named Nonprofit of the Year. For the first time, Engage for Good also recognized three individual leaders this year:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Carol Cone
• Impact Leader of the Year: Karen Little, PayPal
• Emerging Leader of the Year: Jorge Alvarez, Active Minds

About The Halo Awards

Now in its 24th year, The Halo Awards are the social impact sector’s longest-running recognition of excellence in corporate–nonprofit partnerships. This year’s Halo Awards sponsors include: TikTok, Goodstack, Upworthy, and Submittable. Past awardees include Google, Procter & Gamble, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Macy’s, The Trevor Project, and more. Learn more at engageforgood.com.