In today’s rapid transformation environment, organizations often discover that successful change is not just about delivering new tools or processes - it is about driving real adoption at the individual level. This session explores the role of change champions as a critical bridge between organizational strategy and day-to-day execution. You will gain a clear understanding of what change champions are, how they differ from other change roles, and why they are essential to achieving sustainable outcomes.
Through practical examples and real-world context, the session will break down what change champions actually do—from translating complex messages into relatable insights, to reinforcing new behaviors and surfacing resistance early. You will also examine the unique value champions bring by amplifying communication, increasing trust, and accelerating adoption across the organization.
Designed to be interactive, the session will incorporate live engagement to capture perspectives and experiences from the audience. These touchpoints will help you connect the concepts to your own environment and identify informal champions already operating within your teams.
By the end of the session, you will leave with a clear, actionable understanding of how to position, enable, and leverage change champions as a scalable influence layer within your change efforts—turning strategy into sustained behavioral change.
Mike Boccolucci is a 20-year veteran of the US Marine Corps and has spent the last 16 years in the field of Organizational Change Management (OCM). In his role as a Lead Consultant at Apex Systems, he partners with clients to navigate transformation with confidence, empathy, and a clear path forward. He brings seasoned expertise in OCM, helping clients understand their challenges, align their teams, and adopt new ways of working that stick. His focus is always on creating value—both by driving successful outcomes for clients and by supporting the growth and performance of the teams he works with. He lives in the Chicagoland area and has never met an Italian restaurant he did not like.