Government, Social Sector & Education

Valued individuals involved in shaping public policies, providing essential services, and promoting education, tirelessly looking to improve society and empower citizens

Jeff Dillon

Jeff Dillon

Jeff Dillon is the Digital Strategist for Higher Education at SearchStax and is the founder of EdTech Connect, a technology marketplace designed exclusively for the higher education community.

Jeff has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the higher education technology sector with expertise in search engines, artificial intelligence, digital experience platforms, personalization strategies and communication tools.

Jeff Dillon is the Digital Strategist for Higher Education at SearchStax and is the founder of EdTech Connect, a technology marketplace designed exclusively for the higher education community. Jeff has more than 20 years of leadership experience i... Show more

Luís Guilherme Izycki

Luís Guilherme Izycki

Formado em engenharia elétrica pela UTFPR, com MBA em Liderança, Inovação e Gestão 4.0 pela PUCRS e mestrando em Políticas Públicas e Desenvolvimento no IPEA, atuei por 6 anos na Central de Compras do Ministério da Economia na criação e implantação de modelos de compras centralizadas e atualmente Assessor Técnico na Diretoria de Integridade do Ministério da Saúde. Fui vencedor do 22º Concurso de Inovação no Setor Público da ENAP pela criação do TáxiGov, serviço de transporte de servidores com uso de aplicativo. Fui parte da banca julgadora de diversos concursos de inovação na administração pública. Sou facilitador do curso "Como Inovar em Compras Públicas" na ENAP, redator voluntário no Centro de Lideranças Públicas (CLP) onde falo sobre inovação e compras públicas, atuo como mentor voluntário para trainees em gestão pública na Vetor Brasil. Coautor do livro "Terceirização na Administração Pública", realizo estudos acadêmicos sobre inovação e modernização do Estado.

Formado em engenharia elétrica pela UTFPR, com MBA em Liderança, Inovação e Gestão 4.0 pela PUCRS e mestrando em Políticas Públicas e Desenvolvimento no IPEA, atuei por 6 anos na Central de Compras do Ministério da Economia na criação e implantação d... Show more

Miguel Bernal Marin

Miguel Bernal Marin

Estudió la licenciatura en matemáticas en la Universidad de Guadalajara, después ingresó a la maestría en ciencias de la computación en el Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV) unidad Guadalajara, en donde también realizó su doctorado en ciencias con especialidad en robótica y visión computacional.

Actualmente esta trabajando en la empresa Intel en la habilitación de características de procesadores Intel en diferentes distribuciones de Linux. También es docente del Instituto Tecnológico de Jalisco unidad académica de Zapopan.

Por su afición a Linux sus compañeros lo conocen como miguelinux.

Estudió la licenciatura en matemáticas en la Universidad de Guadalajara, después ingresó a la maestría en ciencias de la computación en el Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV) unidad Guadalajara, en donde también realiz... Show more

Anja Lorenz

Anja Lorenz

Anja Lorenz ist Instructional Designerin am Institut für Interaktive Systeme an der Technischen Hochschule Lübeck. Nach ihrem Studium der Medieninformatik an der Technischen Universität Dresden setzte sie ihre wissenschaftlichen Schwerpunkte in den Bereichen E-Learning, Social Media und Open Education. Seit 2013 entwickelt und erforscht sie MOOCs in unterschiedlichen Formaten und engagiert sich für OER und Open Access. Sie hofft, dass die Internetkompetenz im Wissenschaftsbetrieb bald dafür sorgt, dass sie keine Vitas mehr schreiben muss.

Anja Lorenz ist Instructional Designerin am Institut für Interaktive Systeme an der Technischen Hochschule Lübeck. Nach ihrem Studium der Medieninformatik an der Technischen Universität Dresden setzte sie ihre wissenschaftlichen Schwerpunkte in den B... Show more

Emiel Brok

Emiel Brok

Emiel stands for the open source philosophy. He relies on 'Power of Many' and 'Public Money Public Code' to contribute to a better world.
He works at SUSE as an Open Source Ambassador. Here he draws as much attention as possible to the Open Source products and technologies that SUSE supports.
He is Co-Founder and Board Member of DOSBA (Dutch Open Source Business Alliance).
He lobbies for Open Source Software in the Netherlands, EU and beyond. He is international speaker in the field of Digital Sovereignty, Open Source, NIS-2, CRA, OSPOs and Open Source in Education.
He is active in open source sales and marketing for more than 20 years,

Emiel stands for the open source philosophy. He relies on 'Power of Many' and 'Public Money Public Code' to contribute to a better world. He works at SUSE as an Open Source Ambassador. Here he draws as much attention as possible to the Open Source p... Show more

Alexandre Corsi Abdalla

Alexandre Corsi Abdalla

CEO | Palestrante | Head de Agilidade & Inovação | Professor | Conselheiro.

CEO | Palestrante | Head de Agilidade & Inovação | Professor | Conselheiro. Show more

Leslie Fenton

Leslie Fenton

I am a former elementary special education teacher and currently serve as an Early Childhood Assessment Coordinator. With a deep passion for early intervention, I am dedicated to screening children for potential learning difficulties and ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources. As a proud parent of two young children, I understand the importance of early education and advocacy, both personally and professionally.

I am a former elementary special education teacher and currently serve as an Early Childhood Assessment Coordinator. With a deep passion for early intervention, I am dedicated to screening children for potential learning difficulties and ensuring the... Show more

Benoît Weissen

Benoît Weissen

Benoît is a highly responsible and accomplished IT Project Lead Manager, with extensive experience as an Application Manager. For over a decade, he has played a pivotal role in the development and optimization of IT information systems at the CPAS of the City of Brussels (Public Social Welfare Institution).

Benoît has successfully spearheaded critical strategic projects, such as Decision making processes information system, Widespread implementation of business process description, Implementation of demand management systems, migration to new technologies of outdated systems.

Key Skills:
- Agile project management
- Processes improvements analysis & automation
- Functional and Technical analysis
- Trainer & Coach
- System administration

With a solid background in IT and Public Management processes, Benoît diligently ensures continuous technological watch to foresee and meet emerging needs, demonstrating his proactive approach and unwavering dedication to excellence.

Benoît is a highly responsible and accomplished IT Project Lead Manager, with extensive experience as an Application Manager. For over a decade, he has played a pivotal role in the development and optimization of IT information systems at the CPAS of... Show more

Lydia Sampson

Lydia Sampson

Lydia Sampson is the Assistant Director at the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, MA. She holds an MLS from Simmons University, and a Master of Science In Management. Outside of her professional life, Lydia is a foster cat mom, an avid adventure traveler, and a true crime enthusiast.

Lydia Sampson is the Assistant Director at the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, MA. She holds an MLS from Simmons University, and a Master of Science In Management. Outside of her professional life, Lydia is a foster cat mom, an avid adventure tr... Show more

Olakunle Soji-Oke

Olakunle Soji-Oke

Olakunle Soji-Oke is a dynamic program, operations, and partnerships manager with over five years of experience in driving impactful initiatives across sectors like FMCG, EdTech, and social impact. Currently a key leader at The Afara Initiative, he designs and executes programs aimed at equipping underserved Nigerian graduates with the skills, networks, and opportunities needed to thrive in today’s workforce. His work empowers young professionals through career development, leadership training, and strategic corporate collaborations.

Olakunle's background includes building transformative partnerships with global organizations such as HP and Microsoft, creating pathways that connect young talent to meaningful opportunities. At Afara, he has led career accelerator programs, mentorship initiatives, and projects focused on workforce transformation across Africa. His work at AIESEC further highlights his expertise in organizational development, managing education cycles, recruitment campaigns, and fostering partnerships that drove significant revenue growth. During his time as Human Resource and Organizational Development Manager at AIESEC in Nigeria, Olakunle revitalized B2B partnerships, increasing revenue from zero to over $10,000 in 24 months while spearheading recruitment plans and team performance management.

In addition, he has led strategic projects at DevCareer, including the DevCareer Tech Program and West Africa's first-ever Web5 Hackathon, where he engaged over 2,000 participants and helped launch initiatives for the next generation of tech talent.

Olakunle’s comprehensive experience across project management, partnerships, and leadership development underscores his commitment to empowering young people, transforming the workforce, and driving social impact. Passionate about youth empowerment, workforce development, and the future of work, he frequently speaks on topics related to career development, leadership, and corporate social responsibility.

Olakunle Soji-Oke is a dynamic program, operations, and partnerships manager with over five years of experience in driving impactful initiatives across sectors like FMCG, EdTech, and social impact. Currently a key leader at The Afara Initiative, he d... Show more

Imani Barton

Imani Barton

Imani Barton is the Head of Strategic Partnerships for the Chief Innovation Office for Northrop Grumman, a leader in aerospace & defense technology. She leads the strategy and execution of emerging technology partnerships as well as validating innovative solutions enterprise wide.

Imani has held a number of positions since joining the company in 2017. As the Strategic Partnerships PM she is responsible for identifying emerging technology companies that serve the needs of Northrop Grumman world wide. She’s holds pride in developing the technical scouting process that advances the Innovation Ecosystem of the enterprise and positions NG as a cutting edge technology company.
Before her role in the CIO, Imani served as the Global Supply Chain Process Excellence Manager for the Strategic Space Systems Division; the largest space business in the world at that time. She was responsible for integrating compliance, process improvement, and digital transformation training efforts to establish a more efficient, end-to-end experience for Global Supply Chain Operations.
Prior to this, she served as an Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead for the Australia region for the Mission Systems Sector. Her efforts of advising strategically for business development led Northrop Grumman to improve their global ranking to ‘The Top 5 Most Successful Companies' in a global contract.
Imani’s initial introduction to Northrop Grumman was through the Mission Systems Pathways Program where she rotated in various supply chain roles and ultimately exited to an international program as a Supply Chain Planning lead in the then Aerospace Sector.
Imani has also served as the Chairman of the African American Task Group in South Bay where she oversaw the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, workforce development, and leadership development to build a culture of belonging at Northrop. Her work assisted Northrop Grumman in earning ‘Top 50 Company for Diversity” throughout aerospace and defense.
Imani is a proud HBCU graduate, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and leadership from Oakwood University. She has also completed a program in Entrepreneurial Studies at Cornell University and a host of leadership-development programs. She holds certifications as a Scaled Agile Consultant and Practitioner.
Imani is a passionate Thought Leader looking to drive innovation, cultivate partnerships, and champion diversity one strategic move at a time.

Imani Barton is the Head of Strategic Partnerships for the Chief Innovation Office for Northrop Grumman, a leader in aerospace & defense technology. She leads the strategy and execution of emerging technology partnerships as well as validating innova... Show more

Kelsey-Coleter Schmidt

Kelsey-Coleter Schmidt

Before joining Pop, Hop & Rock™ in 2021, Kelsey was a classroom teacher for 10 years. She gained most of her experience in a preschool setting, then enhanced that base working with children with special needs. As Maverick of Knowledge, Kelsey acts as a resource for all things kids. Her experience in special needs, classroom chaos, and innate love of small people makes her an ideal researcher, out of the box thinker, and prophet of play. She also has a passion for health and fitness. She believes in teaching young children about the importance of a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle and intentional movement as a necessary building block in their development. As well, Kelsey completed both the Richmond Half and Full Marathon's! (2018 & 2021) As Chief People Partner and Ambassador of Buzz, Kelsey manages customer relationships, social media and almost all things outreach. If you have questions about the curriculum, feel free to reach out to her at kelsey.schmidt@pivottoplay.com.

Before joining Pop, Hop & Rock™ in 2021, Kelsey was a classroom teacher for 10 years. She gained most of her experience in a preschool setting, then enhanced that base working with children with special needs. As Maverick of Knowledge, Kelsey acts as... Show more

Deanna Medina

Deanna Medina

Deanna Medina is a cybersecurity engineer, enthusiast and professor based in Phoenix, AZ. With a Master's in Management Information Systems and a knack for all things security, she's been on a mission to fortify digital landscapes and empower the next-gen tech talent. From reducing vulnerabilities to mentoring future geeks, she's all about making tech safer and accessible.

Deanna Medina is a cybersecurity engineer, enthusiast and professor based in Phoenix, AZ. With a Master's in Management Information Systems and a knack for all things security, she's been on a mission to fortify digital landscapes and empower the nex... Show more

Gül Akcaova

Gül Akcaova

Gül Akcaova is the lead futurist at SURF - the cooperative for ICT in (higher) education and research in the Netherlands, and the National Education & Research Network. With a keen fascination for IT innovation in education and research, she explores in her role the potential impact of new technologies and emerging concepts on education and research. Her background in management studies provides her with the ability to approach developments from various angles.

Gül Akcaova is the lead futurist at SURF - the cooperative for ICT in (higher) education and research in the Netherlands, and the National Education & Research Network. With a keen fascination for IT innovation in education and research, she explores... Show more

Wiebke Sophie Ost

Wiebke Sophie Ost

Wiebke Sophie Ost konzipiert und erprobt innovative Lehr- und Lernformate sowie flexible Studienmodelle an der Hochschule Koblenz. Zu ihren Forschungsschwerpunkten zählen immersives Lehren und Lernen im Bildungsbereich (insbesondere durch den Einsatz von VR und AR), Künstliche Intelligenz, Mehrsprachigkeit, Internationalisierung und interkulturelle Kommunikation.

Wiebke Sophie Ost konzipiert und erprobt innovative Lehr- und Lernformate sowie flexible Studienmodelle an der Hochschule Koblenz. Zu ihren Forschungsschwerpunkten zählen immersives Lehren und Lernen im Bildungsbereich (insbesondere durch den Einsatz... Show more

Mélanie Briand

Mélanie Briand

Depuis plus de 15 ans, je mobilise mon énergie pour des enjeux de transition, en mettant l'intérêt général au premier plan avec un esprit pragmatique guidé par l'impact.

Véritable couteau suisse de l'innovation, je suis capable de concevoir des stratégies de transformation, d'animer des équipes et de piloter le déploiement opérationnel des solutions. Curieuse et défricheuse dans l’âme, je fais preuve d’une grande ouverture d’esprit et d’adaptation au contexte et aux besoins de mes interlocuteurs.
Je crois que les transformations sont possibles grâce à la confiance et la reconnaissance des talents. C'est pourquoi j'allie écoute et pédagogie pour développer et autonomiser les équipes que j'accompagne.

Depuis plus de 15 ans, je mobilise mon énergie pour des enjeux de transition, en mettant l'intérêt général au premier plan avec un esprit pragmatique guidé par l'impact. Véritable couteau suisse de l'innovation, je suis capable de concevoir des st... Show more

Angela Donaires León

Angela Donaires León

⭐️ Ingeniera de Sistemas con Maestría en Gestión de Tecnologías de la Información y especialización en Transformación Digital, certificada como Coach de Negocios Conscientes. Desde hace 20 años trabajo en proyectos de transformación organizacional.

☛ Asesoro a las organizaciones para llevar con éxito sus procesos de transformación a través de un trabajo humano, sistémico y sostenible en el tiempo.

⭐️ Ingeniera de Sistemas con Maestría en Gestión de Tecnologías de la Información y especialización en Transformación Digital, certificada como Coach de Negocios Conscientes. Desde hace 20 años trabajo en proyectos de transformación organizacional. ... Show more

Christelle Scharff

Christelle Scharff

Dr. Christelle Scharff is a Professor of Computer Science and Associate Dean at Pace University in NY. She has a Ph.D. in Symbolic Artificial Intelligence (Theorem Proving and Automated Deduction) from INRIA, the French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology. She published more than 30 papers in artificial intelligence, mobile for social change and global software engineering. She was awarded grants from NSF, IBM, Microsoft, and Google. She taught in France, Senegal, Benin, Cambodia and Vietnam. She was a US Fulbright scholar in Senegal in 2012 and 2019. Parallelly, Christelle is serial entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of the mJangale coding school (https://mjangale.com) that focuses on introducing youths to coding in Senegal.

Dr. Christelle Scharff is a Professor of Computer Science and Associate Dean at Pace University in NY. She has a Ph.D. in Symbolic Artificial Intelligence (Theorem Proving and Automated Deduction) from INRIA, the French National Institute for Researc... Show more

Sean Fay

Sean Fay

Inspector General Sean Fay brings 29 years of law enforcement experience, starting in North Carolina before joining the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) through roles at the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). His diverse career includes work in Patrol, Street Crimes, Crime Prevention, Special Operations, and Traffic. At SLED, he served as the Statewide Automated License Plate Recognition Program Coordinator and Local Agency Security Officer within the Criminal Justice Information Services division, overseeing IT security and federal compliance. In his final role at SLED, he led external engagements for the South Carolina Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (SC-CIC) Program, coordinating efforts to secure critical infrastructure, responding to cyber threats, and managing a state and federal cyber taskforce. Additionally, he was a SWAT team member and hostage negotiator.

At SCDSS, IG Fay oversees four key units within the Office of Inspector General:

• Investigations Unit: Conducts criminal investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse involving SCDSS programs.
• Backgrounds Investigations Unit: Protects children through Central Registry checks as well as national, fingerprint-based background checks for foster, adoption, childcare, and group home applicants.
• Emergency Management and Disaster Services Unit: Coordinates disaster response, including sheltering and mass care, with state and federal partners.
• Information Security Division: Safeguards the agency's critical assets by mitigating cyber threats and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of essential services.

IG Fay holds an associate degree from Methodist University and a bachelor's degree in business from Baker College (Summa Cum Laude). He is a Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Network Defense Architect, and Certified Inspector General. A dedicated leader, he formally served as a regional vice president for SC InfraGard and Chair of the State and Local Cyber Grant working group with ATRAC, and as a member of the SC Cybersecurity Ecosystem Coordination Initiative. He is also a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Inspector General Sean Fay brings 29 years of law enforcement experience, starting in North Carolina before joining the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) through roles at the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the South Carolina La... Show more

Zubaida Muhammad

Zubaida Muhammad

I am a passionate advocate for education, dedicated to empowering girls and youth through STEAM and digital skills training. With a background in International Relations and Guidance & Counseling, I have led impactful initiatives that bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for underserved communities.

Through my expertise in Project Management, Community Outreach, and Mentorship, I design and implement educational programs that go beyond technical skills—fostering leadership, creativity, advocacy, and critical thinking. I have spearheaded initiatives that have inspired hundreds of young women to explore careers in technology and science.

With a proven track record in developing and executing community-driven projects, I excel at proposal writing, resource management, and strategic implementation, ensuring sustainable impact. I am committed to leveraging education as a tool for social change, equipping the next generation with the skills to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

I am a passionate advocate for education, dedicated to empowering girls and youth through STEAM and digital skills training. With a background in International Relations and Guidance & Counseling, I have led impactful initiatives that bridge the digi... Show more

Lotte Geunis

Lotte Geunis

Lotte Geunis is a parliamentary advisor who has worked at the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and the Open Government Partnership. Since 2019 she works with INTER PARES, the European Union’s global programme for parliamentary strengthening. Lotte has extensive experience across Europe and the developing world, with a decided soft spot for the latter.

Alongside her work in governance, Lotte is pursuing a PhD on youth participation in education policy. She is a part-time researcher at the KU Leuven, where she supports inclusive education through a number of ERASMUS+ projects.

Lotte Geunis is a parliamentary advisor who has worked at the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and the Open Government Partnership. Since 2019 she works with INTER PARES, the European Union’s global programme for parliamentary str... Show more

Oluwaferanmi Oladepo

Oluwaferanmi Oladepo

Oluwaferanmi is a Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate with a deep interest in the intersection of machine learning, data science, and social impact. Oluwaferanmi's technical skills are grounded in full-stack web development and honed through research experience at the Smart Systems Reasearch Laboratory, where Oluwaferanmi contributes to cutting-edge Data Science and AI projects.

Beyond technical expertise, Oluwaferanmi is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment. His ole as Youth Advisor to the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS allows Oluwaferanmi to directly influence youth participation in EU external action. Furthermore, Oluwaferanmi's involvement in the Oyo State Youth Parliament as the Youngest Honourable Member demonstrates his commitment to leadership and policy influence.

Oluwaferanmi is a Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate with a deep interest in the intersection of machine learning, data science, and social impact. Oluwaferanmi's technical skills are grounded in full-stack web development and honed thro... Show more

Jack Polifka

Jack Polifka

Jack Polifka earned his Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction at Iowa State University studying how technology can be used to better understand how students use pictures and representations in college science classrooms. Jack also holds a Bachelor of Science in Web and Digital Media Development from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and his M.S. in Human Computer Interaction from Iowa State University. In addition, he has 10+ years of experience as a software developer. He teaches classes related to web development, the Internet of Things, and job readiness.

Jack Polifka earned his Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction at Iowa State University studying how technology can be used to better understand how students use pictures and representations in college science classrooms. Jack also holds a Bachelor of S... Show more

Jammal Dorsey

Jammal Dorsey

Jammal Dorsey is a Product Leader with 20+ years of experience crafting innovative strategies. As the driving force behind Eleven (XI) Miles, LLC, he's passionate about building impactful products that delight customers and create positive change.

He's spearheaded digital transformation for a $7B healthcare system, generating $70–110M in annual savings. He's also led the development of AI-powered health tools and crucial solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic that helped mitigate the virus's spread. His expertise spans industries, from healthcare and fintech to government, with a trail of successful mobile apps and SaaS solutions.

Beyond his corporate and entrepreneurial ventures, Jammal is a dedicated mentor, investing his time in guiding the next generation of technology leaders through organizations like the Black Product Managers Network, Techstars, and American on Tech. He is deeply committed to fostering inclusive growth and development, actively supporting emerging talent at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

An accomplished author and thought leader, Jammal is known for his engaging perspectives on leadership, product management, and digital transformation. Whether addressing an audience of executives, entrepreneurs, or students, Jammal inspires action and innovation, leaving a lasting impact.

Jammal Dorsey is a Product Leader with 20+ years of experience crafting innovative strategies. As the driving force behind Eleven (XI) Miles, LLC, he's passionate about building impactful products that delight customers and create positive change. ... Show more

Randall Paterson

Randall Paterson

With over 27 years in the Student services and engagement field, Randall brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and as his son has informed him "Wisdom to match his hair color". Randall's background started in the creative field working in commercial photography and graphic design. He has used these skills extensively as he moved into higher education working with students in the areas of Student Activities, Clubs and Organization, Greek life, Orientation, Student Union Management, Freshman Year Experience and Other duties as assigned. He brings a creative mind and eye to everything he is involved in and likes to think of himself as a problem solver but most importantly as people person with boundless energy.

With over 27 years in the Student services and engagement field, Randall brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and as his son has informed him "Wisdom to match his hair color". Randall's background started in the creative field working in commer... Show more

Justin Joyce

Justin Joyce

I am currently pursuing my Doctorate of Science in Cybersecurity from Marymount University. I also work as a government contractor writing test plans for cybersecurity testing, and retired Warrant Officer from the Army.

I am currently pursuing my Doctorate of Science in Cybersecurity from Marymount University. I also work as a government contractor writing test plans for cybersecurity testing, and retired Warrant Officer from the Army. Show more

Wanda Möller

Wanda Möller

Wanda Möller

Aktuell Themen: Zukunftsfähige Lehrprofessionalität

Wanda Möller Aktuell Themen: Zukunftsfähige Lehrprofessionalität Show more

Alex Podchaski

Alex Podchaski

Alex Podchaski started as Chief Technology Officer for Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park in July 2022. Previously, he served as the Director of Educational & Information Technology at North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida, where he was responsible for coordinating all STEAM based initiatives (FIRST, MATE, Cybersecurity, Esports, & Drones) as well as the technology infrastructure of the school. He was the first independent school leader to obtain the Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL) certification from CoSN, He has taught at both the high school and college level, was an instructor for CoSN on CETL fundamentals, and served as a mentor in ATLIS’s Leadership Institute. Alex has experience in research computing, instructional support, technology integration, network operations and project management over his career in K12 and Higher Education technology organizations. He has presented at national conferences (NBOA, CoSN, ATLIS, FETC, NSBA), organized regional school conferences (NJAIS, FCIS) and edcamps. He is an Apple Learning Coach, graduate of the FPF Student Privacy program, serves on the Education Steering Team of the Open Voice Network, and has been involved with the New Horizon and CoSN K12 Innovation Advisory Board. Alex is also the co-founder and moderator of #edtechchat, a long running professional development discussion on twitter for the global edtech community.

Alex Podchaski started as Chief Technology Officer for Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park in July 2022. Previously, he served as the Director of Educational & Information Technology at North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida... Show more

Veronika Hackl

Veronika Hackl

Veronika Hackl ist wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin an der Universität Passau und Unternehmerin. Ihr aktuelles Schwerpunkt-Thema ist die KI-gestützte Kompetenzvermittlung im BMBF-Projekt DEEP WRITE. In ihrem Promotionsvorhaben untersucht sie die Wirksamkeit von KI-generiertem Feedback.
Neben der Forschung begeistert sie sich für die Wirtschaft und gründete das KI Marketing Bootcamp. In diesem Kontext berät sie Unternehmen bei der Einführung von Künstlicher Intelligenz in der Unternehmenskommunikation.

Veronika Hackl ist wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin an der Universität Passau und Unternehmerin. Ihr aktuelles Schwerpunkt-Thema ist die KI-gestützte Kompetenzvermittlung im BMBF-Projekt DEEP WRITE. In ihrem Promotionsvorhaben untersucht sie die Wirks... Show more

Melanee Stevens

Melanee Stevens

Hello! My name is Melanee Stevens, and I am the Project Director for the Chehalis Native Connection SAMHSA Grant with the Behavioral Health Department. Currently, my job focus is working with the Suicide Prevention Grant and teaching traditional plant knowledge, gathering and uses for the plants. The goal of the grant is to bring activities to the community that will bring families together and the use of traditional plants in their everyday life.
My background is in education. I have my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a dual minor in ECE and Leadership. I have been a teacher in the regular classroom and the non-traditional classroom for many years. In Alaska I was the program a manger with the Qutekcak Native Tribe, the Native Youth Olympic and World Eskimo Indian Olympic coach, taught the indigenous games of the north to youth from first grade to high school. I also worked with the local Dance and Drum group that was made up of members from the Aleut, Alutiiq, Yupik, Inupiaq, Athabascan, Tlingit, and Tsimshian people.
Throughout my career I have worn many hats have worn many hats from teacher to program manager to board member and educational advocate. My most important job has been a mother and grandmother.
Born and raised in Maine, moved to Alaska on the south-central peninsula, traveled the ALCAN twice to Washington, lived in Colorado for a spell and finally came back to Washington to settle down with my daughter and grandson.
“Building Bridges 2025 – melanee.stevens@gmail.com, www.linkedin.com/in/stevensmelanee , https://www.chehalistribe.org/departments/suicide-prevention-awareness/

Hello! My name is Melanee Stevens, and I am the Project Director for the Chehalis Native Connection SAMHSA Grant with the Behavioral Health Department. Currently, my job focus is working with the Suicide Prevention Grant and teaching traditional plan... Show more

Please note that Sessionize is not responsible for the accuracy or validity of the data provided by speakers.

Join Speakers Directory

Join our Speakers Directory today and amplify your reach! Showcase your expertise to a global audience hungry for your insights. Let your voice be heard!

Create Profile