We're Operators, Not Just Consultants
The BrainTrust was founded on a simple observation: most AI consulting is backwards.
Big firms walk in with pre-packaged solutions looking for problems to solve. They deliver PowerPoints, not products. They charge for discovery phases that never end. And when they leave, you're stuck with a recommendation deck and no one to build it.
We're different.
We come from operations. Twenty years building systems at JP Morgan Chase and BlackRock taught us what actually works inside large organizations—and what doesn't survive first contact with reality. We've managed PMOs, led integrations, and built the automation we now help others implement.
We don't deliver recommendations. We deliver working solutions.
Our Approach
How we work with organizations to deliver real results.
Understand First
We don't prescribe before we diagnose. Every engagement starts with understanding how your organization actually operates—not how it's supposed to operate on paper.
Build Inside Your Systems
We're not here to sell you new platforms. We build within the tools you already have—Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, Copilot—so adoption is immediate and IT headaches are minimal.
People First, Always
AI should make your team's jobs better, not eliminate them. We automate the tedious so your people can focus on judgment, relationships, and the work that can't be templated.
Deliver Outcomes, Not Decks
We measure success by what's working in production, not what's impressive in a presentation. If it doesn't run, it doesn't count.
Leadership
Tariq Hook
Founder & CEO
Tariq brings over 20 years of experience in financial technology, including senior roles at JP Morgan Chase and BlackRock. He currently serves as CIO at Code Differently, Adjunct Professor of Software Engineering at Delaware State University, and board member at Artisans' Bank.
His work spans AI automation consulting, full-stack development, and educational technology—with a focus on helping organizations adopt AI responsibly and practically.
Ready to unburden your team?
Most engagements begin with a conversation—no pitch deck, no pressure. Tell us what you're working on. We'll tell you honestly whether we can help.