Top AI Execs to Watch in 2025

Geoffrey Schaefer

Vice President of AI Strategy and Governance, Leidos

Geoffrey Schaefer’s principal goal for 2025 is to build out a truly scaled AI governance program and set a new standard for managing large and complex AI ecosystems. This will be a major achievement for Schaefer because scale means something different at Leidos.

“We’re a massively global company with projects that span everything from energy grid optimization to airport security, so this enhanced governance work will be central to advancing our customers’ critical missions,” he said.

Leidos Chief AI Officer Ron Keesing called Schaefer “a tremendous addition to the Leidos team.”

“He’s already transforming our AI Governance practice and will play a leading role in guiding the execution of our AI strategy as we help our customers harness the transformative potential of AI,” Keesing added.

Why Watch

“What will a Model Card actually solve when Agents can trigger other Agents to execute hundreds of individual tasks the human operator never even knows about?” Schaefer said. “Our standard playbook for AI Governance will not survive the transition to an Agent-driven world, so our Trusted Mission AI strategy is focused on reinventing governance to stay ahead of the technological curve. Reinvention equals relevance.”

Fun fact: Schaefer is a lifelong musician who once played in a Dream Theater cover band for progressive rock fans. He’s also passionate about wine and nearly earned his sommelier certification before shifting careers to AI in 2018.