Elizabeth (Liz) Ngonzi is a globally recognized AI and leadership strategist, educator, and speaker whose work bridges artificial intelligence, digital storytelling, and social impact. She specializes in equipping professionals and institutions to harness AI ethically to amplify engagement, accelerate innovation, and drive measurable change.
She serves on the Board of Directors of the American Society for Artificial Intelligence (ASFAI), where she is the Founding Chair of the Ethics & Responsible AI Committee and the Originator and Editor-in-Chief of the AI for Humanity anthology and platform, advancing human-centered and governance-aware approaches to AI adoption.
Professor Ngonzi has taught at New York University since 2009, beginning with the integration of digital storytelling into programs at the Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising.
Promoted to Adjunct Assistant Professor in 2020, she received the NYU SPS Teaching Excellence Award in 2021 and has been a pioneer in integrating generative AI into professional curricula since 2023.
Her AI for Impact course series - AI for Impact: Boost Your Marketability and Organizational Growth and AI for Impact: Advanced Lab - Building and Applying Custom AI Agents - incorporates her proprietary 1+1+AI=10™ Methodology and SHINE™ Storytelling Framework, alongside custom AI project coaching tools. These frameworks have empowered students across nonprofit, corporate, government, and international development sectors to design AI-augmented communications, strategic plans, and campaigns that are values-aligned and impactful.
As Founder and CEO of The International Social Impact Institute® (The ISII), Professor Ngonzi has, since 2020:
- Trained more than 10,000 professionals across six continents in AI-enhanced storytelling, strategy, and partnership development
- Engaged over 40,000 individuals globally through 130+ webinars, courses, and speaking engagements
- Advised technology and social impact organizations on AI applications for education, compliance, and philanthropy
- Activated 150+ cross-sector partnerships to amplify collective impact
Her collaborations include organizations such as Candid, Compliance Week, EdWeek, the Mensa Foundation, NASDAQ, the National Institute for Social Sciences, the Obama Foundation, S&P Global, TetraTech, and USAID. Invitations as a Conversationist and panelist at the Reykjavík Global Forum further reflect her role as a trusted thought leader at the intersection of ethical AI, education, and digital transformation.
Educated at the United Nations International School, Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies (BS), and Cornell University (MMH), Professor Ngonzi remains actively engaged with her alma mater through the Cornell Tech Product Studio, the Cornell University Council, and the President’s Council of Cornell Women.
Through her teaching, speaking, and advisory work, she prepares the next generation of leaders to harness AI and emerging technologies responsibly, while emphasizing the importance of human judgment, ethical integrity, and global accountability.
