Rita Powell, PMP, PMI-CPMAI
Rita Powell, PMP, PMI-CPMAI, is an AI Governance Strategist, consultant, and founder of AIgnite Consulting, where she helps service-based businesses—especially those in heavily regulated industries—implement AI securely, ethically, and with intention. With more than 20 years of experience in military cybersecurity and a strong educational foundation in health information administration and strategic digital communication, Rita brings a rare blend of technical rigor, compliance expertise, and human-centered leadership to the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Her work is grounded in one core belief: AI should amplify human expertise, not replace it.
Through her proprietary CLARITEY™ framework, Rita guides organizations from AI curiosity to confident, compliant implementation, focusing on governance, measurable ROI, and Human-in-the-Loop systems that keep people firmly in control. As a WSI Certified AI Consultant, AWS Certified AI Practitioner, and Google Generative AI Leader, she helps leaders navigate complex regulatory environments—including HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, CMMC, and Fair Housing—while building scalable, secure AI strategies that protect both data and reputation. Her approach turns AI from a risky experiment into a strategic advantage, ensuring technology works for teams rather than instead of them.
Beyond consulting, Rita is a thought leader, educator, and advocate for responsible AI adoption. She is the host of the upcoming The Influence of AI podcast and the author of The Metamorphosis of Self-Love, reflecting her deep commitment to both professional excellence and personal growth. A U.S. Navy veteran, lifelong volunteer, and mentor, Rita’s work sits at the intersection of governance, ethics, and empowerment—helping businesses replace AI confusion with clarity, confidence, and sustainable success.
• AWS Certified AI Practioner
• Generative AI Leader Certification
• AI Business Strategy
• Certified People Advisor
• Project Management Professional
• CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician Certification
• CompTIA Linux+
• Certified Professional in Managing AI
• Liberty University- M.A.
• Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering
• Everett Community College
• Stephens College- B.S.
• Ozarks Technical Community College- A.S.
• Women in Cyber-security
• AI Corporate Groups
• Community
• Outreach
• Upward Sports, Inc.
• National Kidney Foundation
• Blessings in a Backpack
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my love of learning, learning from others, pursuing continuing education, and being a dedicated mentor to those around me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to investigate thoroughly, do your research, know your product and company inside out, ask questions, and never give up.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to know your worth, stand up for yourself, treat others with kindness, be a good listener, continue your education with certifications, and actively network by joining professional groups.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities and challenges in my field right now involve helping service-based businesses implement ethical AI through the CLARITEY™ framework, while networking with other organizations to provide the best solutions and make a meaningful impact every day.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are staying open to new challenges, maintaining a positive attitude, managing my time effectively, helping others in need, and approaching everyone with patience and kindness.
