Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Wilkins
Hi Bryan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into leadership began long before my corporate career, taking root in the values of service and community that I developed as an Eagle Scout. This early experience taught me that true leadership isn’t about personal achievement – it’s about empowering others and creating positive change in our communities.
In grade school I turned my passion for technology and helping others into an early career developing websites for local non-profits. While earning at art degree at Normandale College, I expanded my digital media skills with a job in their media department.
These experiences showed me how technology could be used to amplify positive impact and connect people with essential services.
At Bosch, my journey from Marketing Intern to Marketing Manager for North America has been marked by a consistent focus on serving others. Through various roles – from Web Developer to Digital MarCom Expert to Portfolio Marketing Communications Manager – I’ve had the privilege of building and leading teams that transform customer needs into meaningful solutions. Along the way I earned a BS in Marketing from Metro State which further enhanced my marketing skills. Each step has been an opportunity to expand my ability to serve and empower others.
The decision to pursue my MBA at Southwest Minnesota State University, and now additional studies in AI-driven leadership at Stanford, wasn’t just about professional development. It was about gaining new tools to better serve my team and community. Understanding that technology, especially AI, can be both powerful and intimidating, I’ve made it my mission to help others navigate these changes with confidence and purpose.
Outside the office, my commitment to service continues to grow. My children and I are deeply involved in Scouting America, where we’ve learned that the smallest acts of kindness can have the most profound impact. Whether it’s mentoring youth, participating in community outreach programs, or supporting local initiatives, we believe in the power of showing up and giving back.
This combination of professional expertise and community service has shaped my leadership philosophy: technology should serve humanity, not the other way around. In my current role as Regional Marketing Manager for Bosch’s Public Address segment, I see every project as an opportunity to make our communities safer and more connected.
What excites me most about the future isn’t just the advancement of technology – it’s the potential to use these tools to amplify human connection and community impact. When I see the spark of curiosity in my children’s eyes or witness a team member discover their potential, I’m reminded why I chose this path. It’s about creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow, contribute, and make a difference.
Minnesota has given me so much – a place to grow, a community to serve, and endless opportunities to make a positive impact. As I continue this journey, my goal remains the same: to use my skills and experience to help others succeed, to bridge the gap between technology and human connection, and to demonstrate that purpose-driven leadership can transform both businesses and communities.
The measure of success isn’t in personal achievements or titles, but in the lives we touch and the positive changes we create together. This is the legacy I hope to build – one of service, empowerment, and positive impact that extends far beyond the workplace into the heart of our community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to where I am today has been full of growth opportunities – some challenging, some transformative, and all valuable. I’ve always set exceptionally high standards for myself, not just in professional performance, but in leadership, personal wellness, and the impact I strive to have on others. Meeting these standards while maintaining balance hasn’t always been easy.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning that excellence doesn’t mean perfection. As someone deeply committed to delivering outstanding results, I’ve had to learn that sustainable high performance comes from balanced growth, not from pushing yourself to exhaustion. This journey taught me the importance of holistic wellness – mental, physical, and spiritual – in maintaining long-term effectiveness as a leader.
I’m profoundly grateful for the trusted friends and colleagues who’ve helped me navigate these challenges. They’ve been there to provide perspective when I needed it most, to challenge my thinking when it needed challenging, and to offer support when the path seemed unclear. Their mentorship and friendship have been invaluable in helping me grow both professionally and personally.
My family has been my anchor throughout this journey. Their unwavering support has given me the strength to take on new challenges and the wisdom to stay grounded when success comes. My children remind me daily of what truly matters, helping me maintain perspective and purpose in everything I do. Their presence in my life continues to shape my approach to leadership, reminding me that every decision impacts not just business outcomes, but people’s lives.
Faith has been my compass, providing direction and purpose during both challenges and successes. It’s helped me understand that my achievements aren’t just personal victories – they’re opportunities to serve others. This perspective has transformed how I view leadership, success, and the responsibilities that come with them.
I see my good fortune not as just personal success, but as a calling to give back. Every challenge overcome, every lesson learned, and every milestone achieved has equipped me to better serve others. Whether it’s mentoring team members, supporting community initiatives, or helping organizations navigate technological change, I view my experience as a resource to be shared, not a achievement to be guarded.
Looking back, I can see how each challenge has contributed to who I am today. The high standards I set for myself, while demanding, have helped me develop resilience and empathy. The support I’ve received has taught me the importance of building strong relationships and nurturing others’ growth. Most importantly, these experiences have reinforced my belief that true success lies not in personal achievement, but in our ability to lift others up along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I lead the strategic direction of Bosch’s Public Address market in North America. My role extends beyond traditional marketing management – I’m passionate about leveraging AI to transform how organizations understand and serve their customers while driving sustainable growth.
What truly energizes me is how our work directly impacts people’s safety and well-being. We’re not just creating communication systems – we’re helping organizations protect and connect with people when it matters most.
I specialize in harnessing the power of AI to uncover deep insights about customer behavior and market trends. After nearly two decades in the industry, I’ve developed a unique approach that combines advanced data analytics with empathetic understanding of human needs. What excites me most is showing organizations how AI can enhance their strategic decision-making while maintaining a human-centered focus.
What I’m known for is my ability to bridge different worlds – technical and human, strategic and tactical, global and local. I bring together cross-functional teams and help them collaborate effectively by creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone’s contribution matters. My background in marketing leadership, and fine arts, combined with my technical expertise in AI and website development, allows me to communicate effectively with engineers, creatives, and business stakeholders alike.
One of my proudest achievements has been transforming the workflow of our marketing communications team. Using modern tools to streamline collaboration between a large, global team unlocked new levels of performance that drove direct customer benefits that don’t just drive growth, but create real value for our customers. I’ve led initiatives that have transformed how we approach market challenges, always ensuring that our solutions align with our customers’ evolving needs while maintaining profitability and brand consistency.
What sets me apart is my commitment to purpose-driven leadership. I believe that business success and positive social impact aren’t mutually exclusive – they’re interdependent. My approach combines strategic vision with servant leadership
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The marketing and business technology landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, largely driven by advances in artificial intelligence. Looking ahead 5-10 years, I see several major shifts that will reshape how organizations operate and create value:
The Rise of Augmented Intelligence
We’re moving beyond basic AI automation toward true augmented intelligence, where AI enhances rather than replaces human capabilities. Marketing leaders will increasingly use AI not just for data analysis, but as a strategic partner in decision-making. The key will be maintaining the right balance – using AI to handle complex computations and pattern recognition while leveraging human creativity, emotional intelligence, and ethical judgment for strategic decisions.
Hyper-Personalization at Scale
The combination of advanced AI, improved data analytics, and edge computing will enable unprecedented levels of personalization. Organizations will move beyond simple demographic targeting to create truly individualized experiences that adapt in real-time to customer behavior and preferences. However, this will come with increased responsibility for protecting privacy and maintaining trust.
Sustainability and Purpose-Driven Technology
Environmental and social responsibility will become inseparable from technological innovation. Organizations will need to demonstrate how their AI implementations not only drive business results but also contribute to sustainable development goals. I expect to see increased focus on using AI to solve social and environmental challenges while creating business value.
I’m excited about these changes because they create unprecedented opportunities for positive impact. By embracing these trends thoughtfully and purposefully, organizations can use AI and emerging technologies to create more value for customers, empower employees, and contribute to a better society.
The key to success will be maintaining a balanced approach – being bold in embracing innovation while staying grounded in human values. Organizations that can achieve this balance, using technology to augment rather than replace human capabilities, will be best positioned to thrive in the years ahead.
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/b-wilkins
