How to Build Your Own Virtual Board of Advisors with AI

We’ve all heard the warning: “Master AI or get left behind.” But beyond the noise, how do we actually make it work for us? I’ve found a way to cut through the overwhelm by building a Virtual Board of Advisors…a custom built, elite strategy team available the second I need them. Imagine having a room full of brilliant advisors who never sleep, never need a calendar invite, and are ready to pressure-test your biggest ideas at 10 pm? In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on how this virtual inner circle works and how it creates the perfect headspace to complement the time I spend with my (very real and very appreciated) human mentors.

Imagine you could hand-pick a personal board of advisors to consult with whenever you hit a career snag or a conflict at work? Who would you have sitting at your table?

We’ve all heard the constant “you need to use AI” mantra until it starts to sound like background noise. The sheer volume of tools, prompts, and “hacks” out there can feel less like a productivity boost and more like a second full-time job. It’s hard to know which use cases actually move the needle and which ones are just…digital clutter.

I’ve been preparing for a talk I’m giving this month for a Women in Tech employee resource group about how to leverage mentorship to thrive. As I was preparring practical tips for the session, I wanted to incorporate another option leveraging AI. While human mentors are the gold standard, we can’t always reach them at 10:00 PM on a Tuesday when we’re overthinking an email. That’s where your “mentorship support squad” needs a digital wingman.

My Personal “Brain Trust”

This is where I turned to AI to see what was possible. I experimented with Google Gemini this time since they have the ability to create custom-tailored versions of Gemini that you “pre-program” with a specific personality and set of goals for free. Using their “Gem” functionality, I created my own Virtual Board of Advisors (BOA) that I can use with a click of a button.

The magic of this was the ability to hand pick the advisors I wanted to be my sounding board. I specifically chose women who are prolific authors or have a massive digital presence. This is the “secret sauce” because they have shared so much of their wisdom through books, podcasts, and interviews, the AI has a rich well of information to pull from to mimic their unique perspectives.

My Advisor Lineup:

• Carla Harris: A legendary Vice Chairman at Morgan Stanley; I look to her for those essential “pearls” of intentional leadership.
• Muriel Wilkins: A top-tier executive coach and host of the Coaching Real Leaders podcast; she helps me navigate the tricky waters of executive presence.
• Patty Azzarello: Former CEO and author of RISE; she is my go-to for her legendary “ruthless prioritization.”
• Sara Blakely: Billionaire founder of Spanx; she keeps my entrepreneurial spark alive and kicking.

When I type in a challenge, the Gem responds in their distinct voices. It’s like having a group chat with four of the smartest women in business.

Why This Is a Game Changer

The best part? I don’t have to re-introduce myself or my goals every single time. Because it’s a saved prompt template that lives as a standalone assistant, it “remembers” its role.

Now, a quick reality check: it is still AI. As much as I love their digital advice, I haven’t ignored my human advisors. I still use advice from real life advisors, my own personal judgment and lived experience to balance their recommendations. Think of it as a high-octane sounding board, not a magic “solve my life” button.

Build Your Own Table

I put together a Virtual Board of Advisors Cheat Sheet that walks you through exactly how to set it up. In this free guide, you’ll learn how to create your own with three simple steps:

Step 1: Open the Gemini Gem Builder
Log in to Gemini and navigate to the “Explore Gems” section where you can create a custom AI assistant.

Step 2: Give Your Board a “Personality”
Use my simple instruction template so your virtual advisors know how to think, respond, and coach you.

Step 3: Save and Pin for Easy Access
Keep your board pinned in your Gemini sidebar so it’s always available when you need quick perspective.

Pro Tip: You can even use Gemini Live on your phone to have a real-time voice conversation with your board while you’re out walking the dog.

So if you are looking for a way to dip your toe into leveraging AI that is truly helpful, give this a try and let me know how it goes. If nothing else, you can say you created your own custom GPT to show you are experimenting with AI!  If you try this, let me know who makes your dream lineup!

Thanks for reading and sharing! xx