Bridging the AI divide for older adults

Margaret Poteat founded Take Smart Steps LLC on a vital mission: ensuring older adults are not left behind in the AI age. She believes accessible technology education empowers seniors to enrich their daily living, maintain independence, build digital safety awareness, and navigate modern tools with complete confidence.

Margaret brings over three decades of executive leadership and technical expertise in client advisory, data modernization, and AI readiness. Over a 23 year career at KPMG culminating as Managing Director in Advisory Services, she served as a trusted advisor to enterprise executives across multiple industries, leading practice teams in Data Modernization as well as Data Strategy & Governance.

At Take Smart Steps, Margaret translates complex technology into clear, actionable, and jargon free instruction, bringing the same patience, clarity, and executive rigor to every session.

Cathy Cantidate co-founded Take Smart Steps LLC to help older adults confidently, safely, and independently navigate AI and modern digital tools. She believes that clear, step by step instruction can turn technology into a practical tool for staying connected, pursuing interests, and simplifying everyday tasks.

Cathy is a seasoned data and technology executive with nearly three decades of experience spanning data management, data governance, generative AI innovations, analytics, and business intelligence. As a Director at KPMG, she advised multinational organizations and led enterprise wide data and analytics initiatives.

At Take Smart Steps, Cathy draws on a career spent helping organizations manage data responsibly and understand its risks to help seniors think critically about their own digital lives: recognizing scams, understanding privacy settings, and using AI thoughtfully. Her focus is on plain, jargon free explanations that respect each learner’s pace.

Walter C. Brown brings over 30 years of enterprise IT experience spanning systems architecture, cybersecurity, data protection, and AI integration to Take Smart Steps LLC. Having served as a Senior Systems Architect in healthcare IT and a Sales Engineer for a Fortune 500 tech leader, Walter has spent decades helping organizations across healthcare, financial services, and government navigate complex technology environments.

At Take Smart Steps, Walter applies that same high level expertise to protect and empower older adults in the digital age. He specializes in breaking down complex topics such as digital privacy, cybersecurity threats, and emerging AI tools into clear, practical, and approachable guidance. Walter’s mission is simple: demystify modern technology so seniors can use digital tools safely, securely, and with complete confidence.

Vickie Sawyer brings over four decades of procurement contracting and negotiations experience across defense and civil federal government agencies, including the Department of Defense and General Services Administration. Throughout her 47 year career as a Procurement Specialist and Contracting Officer, she specialized in negotiating, awarding, and managing complex enterprise contracts involving multiple stakeholders, spanning real estate, facilities, and technical services.

At Take Smart Steps, Vickie draws on her background in navigating intricate systems and mediating diverse team dynamics to demystify artificial intelligence for older adults. Recognized throughout her career for building trust and resolving complex challenges with patience and diplomacy, she helps seniors overcome technology anxiety, encouraging them to confidently embrace AI as a practical, empowering tool in their daily lives.