Meet the humble leader who used AR to send women to the moon and saved millions along the way! (And that's just one of the impressive things she's done with XR and AI!) Shelley Peterson is the founder of Wizard Wells and a pioneering leader in applying augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and AI to solve real-world enterprise problems.

Drawing from her deep experience in aerospace and immersive tech, Shelley focuses on removing barriers to adoption so organizations can harness these tools for measurable impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Bridging the Gap: Shelley helps enterprises move XR and AI initiatives from pilot experiments to full-scale deployment, addressing both technical and organizational hurdles.
• User-Centered Design: Successful adoption starts by understanding the needs of frontline workers, creating intuitive tools that integrate seamlessly into their workflows.
• Proof Through Value: She advises starting with a specific, high-impact use case to generate measurable ROI — building momentum and internal champions for broader rollout.
• Change Management: Technology alone is not the answer; leadership buy-in, training, and cultural readiness are critical for lasting transformation.

Her mission with Wizard Wells is to demystify emerging tech for leaders, help them identify where these tools can solve real problems, and remove the friction points that keep innovations stuck in “pilot purgatory.”

About Shelley Peterson, Wizard Wells

Shelley Peterson is a pioneer in the XR industry, with decades of experience demonstrating the power of immersive technology across civil, commercial, and defense programs, including Lockheed Martin’s space initiatives. As a former Director in Microsoft’s Mixed Reality organization, she developed strategies to drive ROI and impactful outcomes for industry, government, and education.

Shelley’s career began early—earning her mathematics and physics degree young and teaching college math at just 20. She went on to lead innovations in military aircraft training, electronic warfare, and satellite systems, and today serves on the Barbara Bush Foundation Technology Advisory Board, the AWE Advisory Committee, SMU's Advisory Council, and the HarvardXR Advisory Board.

Her work has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal, and she continues to inspire the next generation through STEM outreach.

A "glow up" signifies a positive transformation, reflecting the journey of becoming a better, more successful version of oneself.
At The Tech Glow Up, we humanize the startup and innovation landscape by focusing on the essential aspects of the entrepreneurial journey. Groundbreaking ideas are often ahead of their time, making resilience and perseverance vital for founders and product leaders.
In our podcast, we engage with innovators to discuss their transformative ideas, the challenges they face, and how they create value for future success.
If you're a founder or product leader seeking your own glow up, or a seasoned entrepreneur with stories to share, we invite you to join our guest list via this link.