Team | NextColabs

Prepare for AI Acceleration

The exponential age has begun.

Time to embrace the future.

The Co-Founder's Story

As the transformative AI moment began, Michael Morrissey (tech visionary, urban designer and award-winning architect) and Gary Bolles (global speaker, author of the Next Rules of Work, Chair for the Future of Work at Singularity University) co-founded Next CoLabs to infuse an AI skillset and toolset uplift into the business mindset. United by a shared vision for the future of work and human-centric technology, Michael and Gary embarked on a mission to guide business through the seismic shifts in work, life, and play.

Next CoLabs brings together a global company of AI experts to educate, elevate and embed AI across all levels of business and industry. This collaboration enables our clients to rapidly learn new skills and tools, in collaboration with AI, in a new third space we call a CoLab. A CoLab isn't a service; it's a practice, including AI as a new thought partner by your side, a polymath that literally has access to most of human knowledge.

Next CoLabs leverages the triad of Mindset, Skillset, and Toolset, augmented by AI, to navigate the complexities of an exponentially changing world. The ultimate goal is to consciously shape a future that not only embraces AI disruption but also prioritizes the well-being of humanity and the planet.

Charlene Li, Strategic Advisor

Roy Vella, CEO

Charlene, a NYT best-selling author, transformational leadership expert, and Harvard MBA has partnered with Next CoLabs to implement her 90-day AI Strategy Roadmap.

Her approach focuses on maximizing human potential and leveraging AI as a pivotal opportunity for organizations.

Charlene has authored six books, including “The Disruption Mindset,” and her upcoming seventh book, “Threats, Bets, and No Regrets:How to Create a Winning Generative AI Strategy,” is due for release in early 2024. This book offers organizations a practical guide to becoming AI-powered.

Frequently cited by major media outlets like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, Charlene has also appeared on programs such as 60 Minutes and CNN. A renowned public speaker, she has spoken at the World Business Forum and SXSW.

As the CEO of Next CoLabs, Roy is a tech executive with proven problem-solving skills leading global teams to deliver high growth, mission-critical solutions. Leveraging the power of AI through CoLabs, Roy has a passion for scaling enterprises at the convergence of digital and physical activities.

Known as a engaging storyteller and public speaker, Roy creates and amplifies the go-to-market efforts of impactful companies. He creates possibilities through people, products and partnerships, cultivating ideas into businesses and individuals into teams.

Prior to offering his services at-large as a Board director and senior advisor, Roy created and led teams at global corporate leaders such as RBS Group and PayPal in the US and Europe. He has co-founded and worked in startups, dabbled in VC and angel investing and earned his law and business degrees from Stanford University.

Gary A. Bolles

Michael Morrissey

Principals & Strategic Advisors

Charlene Li, Strategic Advisor

Charlene, a NYT best-selling author, transformational leadership expert, and Harvard MBA has partnered with Next CoLabs to implement her 90-day AI Strategy Roadmap.

Her approach focuses on maximizing human potential and leveraging AI as a pivotal opportunity for organizations.

Charlene has authored six books, including “The Disruption Mindset,” and her upcoming seventh book, “Threats, Bets, and No Regrets:How to Create a Winning Generative AI Strategy,” is due for release in early 2024. This book offers organizations a practical guide to becoming AI-powered.

Frequently cited by major media outlets like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, Charlene has also appeared on programs such as 60 Minutes and CNN. A renowned public speaker, she has spoken at the World Business Forum and SXSW.

Roy Vella, CEO

As the CEO of Next CoLabs, Roy is a tech executive with proven problem-solving skills leading global teams to deliver high growth, mission-critical solutions. Leveraging the power of AI through CoLabs, Roy has a passion for scaling enterprises at the convergence of digital and physical activities.

Known as a engaging storyteller and public speaker, Roy creates and amplifies the go-to-market efforts of impactful companies. He creates possibilities through people, products and partnerships, cultivating ideas into businesses and individuals into teams.

Prior to offering his services at-large as a Board director and senior advisor, Roy created and led teams at global corporate leaders such as RBS Group and PayPal in the US and Europe. He has co-founded and worked in startups, dabbled in VC and angel investing and earned his law and business degrees from Stanford University.

Charlene Li

NYT Best Selling Author & Speaker Charlene is a Transformational Leadership and Strategy Expert.

Catalyzing Transformation to maximize human potential, and she is now focused on AI as a huge unlock moment for individuals and organizations that can't be ignored.”
Charlene has 6 Books, including “The Disruption Mindset” and her 7th “Threats, Bets, and No Regrets: How to Create a Winning Generative AI Strategy,” slated for release in early 2024.

The book provides a practical 90-day AI Strategy Roadmap for Organizations to transform into AI-powered organizations.

Charlene is frequently quoted by leading media channels such as The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, and The Associated Press.

She has appeared on 60 Minutes, The McNeil NewsHour, ABC News, CNN, and CNBC. She is a much sought-after public speaker and has keynoted top conferences such as the World Business Forum, World Economic Forum, American Society of Association Executives, SXSW, and Web 2.0. A graduate of Harvard Business School with a magna cum laude degree from Harvard College, she currently lives in San Francisco.