Fixing Shadow AI and Tool Sprawl in Enterprise Marketing - with Gillian Hinkle of Salesforce

Fixing Shadow AI and Tool Sprawl in Enterprise Marketing - with Gillian Hinkle of Salesforce

Author: Daniel Faggella February 3, 2026 Duration: 29:48

Today's guest is Gillian Hinkle, Senior Director of Growth & Digital Marketing for Heroku at Salesforce. Gillian brings extensive experience in enterprise growth strategy, digital operations, and the practical deployment of data and AI across complex marketing and revenue workflows. Gillian joins Emerj Editorial Director Matthew DeMello to explore how enterprise leaders can distinguish automation from true AI, design human-in-the-loop systems, and deploy generative and agentic tools responsibly inside real-world data environments. The conversation also examines how to reduce tool sprawl, strengthen data governance, and focus AI initiatives on high-impact workflows like lead qualification and customer service handoffs to drive measurable efficiency, improve employee engagement, and lower compliance and brand risk. Want to share your AI adoption story with executive peers? Click emerj.com/expert2 for more information and to be a potential future guest on the 'AI in Business' podcast! If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!


Hosted by Daniel Faggella, The AI in Business Podcast cuts through the technical jargon to focus on what matters for leadership. This is a conversation for executives and decision-makers who know artificial intelligence is a strategic imperative but need clarity on how to actually integrate it. The focus is squarely on identifying real-world opportunities, ensuring AI projects align with broader business goals, and ultimately demonstrating a tangible return on investment. Rather than theory, each episode delivers grounded insights through interviews conducted by Emerj's research team with top AI practitioners. Their guests come directly from the trenches of major Fortune 2000 companies and pioneering unicorn startups, sharing firsthand accounts of what works. You'll hear specific use-cases, emerging trends, and the often-overlooked best practices that separate successful adoption from costly missteps. This podcast provides a direct line to the actionable knowledge needed to make informed, confident decisions about where and how to apply AI in your organization. It’s an ongoing resource for any leader looking to move beyond the hype and translate capability into concrete business advantage.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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