Tirzah VanDamme

Tirzah VanDamme is a recognized leader in helping organizations adopt AI responsibly, driving human-centered digital transformation for enterprises, global institutions and public-sector clients. She uses her unique experience working at the intersection of enterprise AI, organizational change and executive leadership to help clients cut through complexity, align around practical choices and build the governance, workforce readiness and confidence needed for lasting impact. Tirzah is a Senior Director at Gagen MacDonald, an APCO company, and is based in Chicago. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background spanning enterprise AI, defense innovation, global institutions and neuroscience research, she helps leaders move beyond AI experimentation to adoption that delivers real business, mission and human value.

Before joining Gagen MacDonald, Tirzah held data and AI strategy roles at Microsoft, advising federal, nonprofit and global institution clients on AI adoption in mission-critical and compliance-intensive environments. She worked with technical, operational and executive stakeholders to connect AI strategy with responsible implementation, organizational readiness and practical use cases. She also developed and delivered AI fluency and strategy education for thousands of senior leaders across UN agencies, development banks and the Department of Defense, including briefings for UN ambassadors and deputies. Her experience helps clients move from AI experimentation to clear ownership, stronger governance and real organizational capability.

Earlier in her career, Tirzah served as deputy director and chief marketing officer for the Army Software Factory, helping build and scale a new digital talent organization inside the Army. She began her career as a U.S. Army medical evacuation pilot and later served in operational, command, planning and inspector general roles across aviation, special operations, NATO coordination and compliance. During her graduate studies, she conducted clinical neuroscience research at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Uniformed Services University, spanning traumatic brain injury, PTSD and related areas. Tirzah holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MS in Neuroscience from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and a BS in Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point.