Leap Academy Podcast · Episode 142 · Jan 27, 2026
Zack Kass
OpenAI's Former Head of GTM: What Leaders Get Wrong About AI & What’s Coming Next
"Long before ChatGPT became a household name, Zack Kass was walking into boardrooms as Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, introducing executives to a technology they barely understood or cared about."
52 minutes
Leap PodcastZack KassOpenAI's Former Head of GTM: What Leaders Get Wrong About AI & What’s Coming Next
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What's in this episode
Long before ChatGPT became a household name, Zack Kass was walking into boardrooms as Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, introducing executives to a technology they barely understood or cared about. Then one simple shift changed everything. Put intelligence into a familiar interface, remove friction, and suddenly the future arrived. In this episode, Zack joins Ilana to unpack what truly drove ChatGPT’s explosive growth, confront the biggest fears leaders have about AI, and explore what the future of work will demand from humans next.
Zack Kass is a global AI advisor, keynote speaker, and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, where he helped bring some of the world’s most transformative AI technologies to market.
In this episode, Ilana and Zack will discuss:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:59) Zack’s Journey to OpenAI
(04:46) Understanding Modern AI and Its Evolution
(08:03) The Breakthrough of ChatGPT and Its Impact
(17:42) Transitioning from OpenAI to New Beginnings
(21:21) Challenging Common Misconceptions About AI
(28:32) Adaptability in a Rapidly Changing World
(34:54) Lessons from Top Innovators
(38:15) The Future of Work and Purpose in the Age of AI
Zack Kass is a global AI advisor, futurist, speaker, and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, where he helped bring some of the world’s most transformative AI technologies to market. He now advises global leaders and organizations on how artificial intelligence will reshape work, leadership, and human potential, turning complex ideas into clear, practical insight for the future. His book, The Next Renaissance, offers an optimistic vision of how AI will shape our future.
Connect with Zack:
Zack’s Website: zackkass.com
Zack’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/zackkass
Resources Mentioned:
Zack’s Book, The Next Renaissance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394381085
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Transcript
Full conversation
Transcript coming soon. In the meantime, watch the YouTube version above for closed captions, or listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify.
About Leap Academy
Where ambitious professionals leap to their next chapter.
Founded by Ilana Golan — Forbes contributor, board director, investor in 100+ companies, and former F-16 flight instructor commander — Leap Academy has helped 70,000 people across 4 continents reinvent their careers and build lasting reputations.
- American Business Awards Startup of the Year, 2023
- Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company
- Featured on Forbes, Yahoo Finance, NBC, CBS, ABC

Founder & CEO
Ilana Golan
Hosts every episode. Has guided thousands of professionals through career reinventions, leadership leaps, and brand building.
70,000
Lives impacted
$60M
Market value
4
Continents
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