Co-Founder and Chief Technology and Innovation Officer – True Elements

David Bankston is a Co-Founder of True Elements where he is responsible for development and management of the world’s only full-scale, AI powered, global Water Intelligence System delivered through an innovative SaaS cloud-based platform. David is leveraging his decades of experience in software, product and now AI development to create the decision support system leaders need to understand and address impacts to the water resources they rely on from climate change, pollution and overuse. David oversees True Elements’ technology team to conceptualize, build and deliver water intelligence solutions and platforms in multiple clouds.

Prior to True Elements, David spent the previous two decades pioneering Enterprise Grade Cloud Software for Fortune 100 companies including American Express, major media including HGTV, FOX, ABC and CNN, Department of Defense and other federal agencies, cities and counties across the US, and Citizens Healthcare Working Group, an organization commissioned by the US Congress. Before that, David spent 15 years innovating and building technology for Lexis-Nexis Corporation where he learned to integrate, manage and deliver massive amounts of data to the cloud. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing and Services from Purdue Global and multiple cloud architect certifications.

Executive Director for Academic Affairs – Purdue University

Carrie Berger is the Executive Director of Academic Affairs at Purdue University Online. Berger is responsible for leading the development and delivery of online courses and programs to support artificial intelligence and data science workforce development. For nearly a decade, Berger served as the Associate Dean for Research, Executive Associate Dean and Interim Dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute leading the transformation of research operations for the college. Previously, she spent eight years as the Assistant Dean for Research at the University Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science focused on the growth of interdisciplinary research. Berger holds a Bachelor of Science in botany from the University of Oklahoma and a PhD in medicinal chemistry from Purdue University. 

Professor of Mechanical Engineering – Purdue University

Ilias Bilionis is a professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University where he leads the Predictive Science Laboratory. His work centers on scientific machine learning, blending AI, mathematics and physics to enhance engineering innovation. Bilionis has published more than 80 journal papers and helped secure $78 million in research funding, with $6.5 million allocated to his team. His interdisciplinary projects include collaborations with NASA, Ford and Eli Lilly, among others. He has mentored more than 30 MS and PhD students and won Purdue’s “Outstanding Faculty Mentor” award. Bilionis holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in applied mathematics from the National Technical University of Athens and a PhD from Cornell University.

Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Distinguished Professor of Service and Professor of Economics, Special Advisor to the President – Purdue University

Jim Bullard, one of the nation’s top economists, became the inaugural dean of the Mitch Daniels School of Business at Purdue University in July 2023. He oversees the development of Purdue’s business school, emphasizing free enterprise and technology-driven success. Bullard previously served as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for 15 years, earning global recognition for his leadership and innovative thinking in U.S. monetary policy. A noted economist and scholar, Bullard had been the longest-serving Federal Reserve Bank president in the US. In 2014, he was ranked as the seventh-most influential economist in the world. Bullard holds a distinguished professorship at Purdue and continues to advise on national economic policy. He earned a Bachelor of Science in quantitative methods and information systems and economics from St. Cloud State University, and a PhD in economics from Indiana University.  

Chief Impact Officer – Reboot Representation

Linda Calvin currently serves as the Chief Impact Officer for Reboot Representation, where she collaborates with partners to establish and nurture cultures that foster the retention, attraction, and advancement of Black, Latina and Native American (BLNA) women in the tech industry. Prior to this, Calvin held the position of IT Sector Vice President for the School of IT at Ivy Tech Community College. With more than three decades of experience in the private IT sector, Calvin has led global teams in implementing digital and mobile application strategies, and crafting data privacy and social media policies. A first-generation college graduate, Calvin earned her BA in Journalism, cum laude, from Butler University. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Indiana University McKinney School of Law and is a certified Scrum master. Calvin has served on many nonprofit boards and currently serves as a board member for Rooted School Indianapolis, a public charter technology high school focused on closing the financial wealth gap and securing tech job opportunities for black students.

Associate Dean for Engineering in Indianapolis and Ransburg Professor of Materials Engineering – Purdue University

Nikhilesh Chawla is the Associate Dean for Engineering in Indianapolis and the Ransburg Professor in the School of Materials Engineering at Purdue University. He has served as acting head of the School of Materials Engineering and co-director of Semiconductor Degree Programs at Purdue. He is recognized for pioneering work in four-dimensional (4D) materials science, with a focus on the deformation behavior of advanced materials and AI-based image analysis. Chawla joined Purdue in 2020, following his role as Founding Director of the Center for 4D Materials Science at Arizona State University. He has co-authored more than 300 journal articles, with nearly 17,000 citations to his work, and co-authored the textbook “Metal Matrix Composites.” His awards include the Innovation in Materials Characterization Award  from the Materials Research society (MRS) and the Acta Materialia Silver Medal. Chawla is a fellow of ASM International and has served on numerous editorial and advisory boards. He holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan. 

Chief Privacy Officer – State of Indiana

Recently named a Top 25 Doer, Dreamer and Driver by GovTech, Ted Cotterill serves as Indiana Chief Privacy Officer and as General Counsel for the Indiana Management Performance Hub, where he designed and implemented Indiana’s legal framework for responsible data-driven innovation. Cotterill’s practice focuses on governance, ethics, compliance, licensing and privacy issues presented by AI, complex digital infrastructure partnerships, cloud services and product development across various standards and regulatory frameworks. He serves as a founding officer of StateRAMP, co-chair of the NASCIO Privacy and Data Protection Forum, and in his community as Vice President of the Greater Allisonville Community Council. Cotterill earned his JD from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, is recognized as a Fellow of Information Privacy by the International Association of Privacy Professionals and was honored by the Indiana Lawyer with a Leadership in Law Award in 2022.

Director of University Research and Academic Collaboration in Intel Labs – Intel Corporation

Gabriela Cruz Thompson is the Director of University Research and Academic Collaboration in Intel Labs at Intel Corporation. In this role, she and her team identify and fund critical large- and medium-scale research at leading universities worldwide. Her role also extends to fostering workforce development programs at higher education institutions to meet the demands of Intel’s expanding global operations. She currently serves as a member of the advisory committee to the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) directorate at the National Science Foundation. Previously, Cruz Thompson served as the Chief of Staff at Intel Labs and as a Technical Assistant to Intel’s Chief Technology Officer. She has held several other roles in the company’s manufacturing facilities during her more than 20-year career at Intel. She earned a master’s degree in materials science and engineering at Arizona State University and a chemical engineering degree from the University of Costa Rica.

Senior Vice President for Workforce and Careers – Ivy Tech

Molly Dodge is the Senior Vice President of Workforce and Careers at Ivy Tech Community College, where she aims for 50,000 workforce-aligned completions. She collaborates statewide to enhance employer workforce pipelines. Previously, she was Chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Madison campus, leading significant educational programs. Before Ivy Tech, Dodge directed adult education and special projects at River Valley Resources, Inc. She holds degrees in political science, philanthropic studies, and public administration. Dodge served on the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, as well as the American Association of Community College’s Commission on Economic and Workforce Development.

Field Chief Technology Officer for Research and Education – Google Public Sector

Charles Elliott, Field Chief Technology Officer for Research and Education at Google Public Sector, is passionate about enhancing learning through technology. With more than 15 years in tech, he helps institutions improve teaching and research using data and artificial intelligence (AI). Elliott is a visionary leader who is shaping the future of technology and education by leveraging his experience as a bioinformatics researcher and entrepreneur. Driven by a passion to transform education across K-12 and higher-ed, Elliott also empowers large enterprises to achieve incredible outcomes from their tech investments. His expertise in Generative AI and global-scale data platforms fuels cutting-edge research, transformative learning experiences and outstanding business results. Elliott earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and computer science from Georgia State University and frequently speaks at conferences and contributes to educational publications.

Chief Information Officer – Department of the Air Force

Venice Goodwine, a senior executive service member, is the Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Air Force, overseeing IT, data, AI and cybersecurity for 20,000 personnel with a $17 billion portfolio. She ensures cybersecurity, compliance with FOIA and ethical AI use. With more than 30 years in IT, her experience spans private industry, military service and federal government roles. Goodwine previously served as USDA CISO, significantly improving cybersecurity. An Air Force veteran, she retired from military service in 2022. She holds a degree in computer and information systems from the University of Maryland and an MBA from William Carey College.

Advisory Board – Guild

Kimberley Gregorie is an accomplished business executive and inspirational leader. Her passion is in guiding global companies to forge people organizations that are diverse, future-focused and reflective of the communities they serve. Gregorie began a 20+ year career at J.P. Morgan Chase in branch banking leading a customer-first strategy. She drove a cultural shift to deliver transformational learning solutions via a digital-first strategy. Most recently, she was the Head of Talent Development for JPMC globally. Gregorie created this role to seize the opportunity to build talent development strategies and programs to deliver consistent, unified and easy-to-navigate employee career experiences for 250K global employees. She currently serves on the advisory board for Guild, a leading career opportunity platform, unlocking life-changing opportunities for personal and professional growth through education, career development and one-on-one coaching. Gregorie holds a BA in Political Science, cum laude, from the University of the Pacific as well as an MBA, cum laude, from the Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business.

Governors Workforce Cabinet Chair – State of Indiana

Ryan Kitchell, Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards. He recently left Indiana University Health, Indiana’s largest health system with more than $6 billion in revenue, where he served as President of the insurance division, EVP & CFO, and EVP & CAO. His responsibilities included overseeing finance, IT, HR, communications, strategy, business development, marketing and government affairs. Previously, Kitchell was Indiana’s State Public Finance Director and later Director of the Office of Management and Budget under Governor Mitch Daniels. Kitchell also held roles at Eli Lilly and Company and Prudential Capital Group. Kitchell holds an economics degree from Indiana University, an MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School and a CFA designation.

Senior Vice President and Information Officer, Manufacturing and Quality – Eli Lilly and Company

Scot Lindsey is Senior Vice President and Information Officer for Manufacturing and Quality at Eli Lilly and Company. His work focuses on digital plant transformation, advanced analytics, IoT, and IT/OT cybersecurity. Previous to this role, Lindsey served as Chief Technology Officer at Lilly, overseeing the company’s technical platforms and driving innovation within Lilly Information and Digital Solutions. Lindsey joined Lilly in 2019, bringing more than 25 years of experience, including 15 years in executive technology roles at Cardinal Health. At Cardinal Health, he was Senior Vice President of IT Shared Services and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), managing a global team of more than 750 employees and leading major technology initiatives, such as a company-wide cloud transformation. As CISO, Lindsey ensured the protection of Cardinal Health’s digital assets and compliance with cybersecurity standards. He also chaired the Cardinal Health Veterans and Military Advocates group, supporting veteran employment and development. Earlier in his career, Lindsey held technology leadership roles across various industries and served as a Field Artillery Captain in the U.S. Army. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.

President – Sagamore Institute

Teresa Lubbers is the President of Sagamore Institute, a think tank dedicated to practical, sustainable solutions that improve communities through research, consulting and impact investing. She joined Sagamore after serving as Indiana’s Commissioner for Higher Education, where she aligned the state’s postsecondary system with the needs of students and Indiana’s workforce. Prior to this, Lubbers served 17 years in the Indiana State Senate, where she chaired the Senate Education and Career Development Committee, focusing on education and economic growth. Lubbers has held leadership roles on numerous boards, including the Chair of Indiana’s Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, the State Higher Education Executive Officers, and the Higher Learning Advocates Board. She currently serves on the Lumina Foundation and Techpoint boards, and is involved with the YMCA Foundation Board and the Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series. Lubbers earned an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a Master of  Public Administration degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Vice President, Agricultural Solutions – Corteva Agriscience

Brian Lutz leads the farming solutions and digital sub-function within the research and development organization of Corteva Agriscience. He joined Corteva in 2021 and has contributed to long-term strategic planning. Previously, he was Chief Science Officer at The Climate Corporation and a member of Bayer Crop Science’s R&D Leadership Team. Lutz’s academic background includes research on soil carbon and nutrient dynamics. He has extensive experience in the science-policy interface, particularly regarding global environmental change. Raised on a fourth-generation Ohio corn and soybean farm, Lutz remains connected to his family’s operation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of Wooster, a PhD in biogeochemistry from Duke University, and holds certificates in executive education and business management from Northwestern University. 

Head of AI Specialists, US Central, Canada and Startups – Google

Gregg Mattek leads the artificial intelligence (AI) go-to-market team for North America at Google. He and his team spend their days working with companies of many sizes — from startups to the largest enterprises — to help them understand how to use AI as a differentiator for their businesses. Outside of his day job, Mattek is an angel investor, board member and entrepreneur. He and his family live just outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin and they love to travel the world together. Mattek earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration and management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh.

Chief Executive Officer – The Engineered Innovation Group

Jake Miller is a seasoned product and technology leader with extensive experience in enterprise-grade SaaS products and platforms. He began his career by co-founding the legal SaaS product, Ooviso, during college at IUPUI, followed by contributing to innovative projects at Allison Transmission and Indiana University Health. Miller joined ExactTarget, which was later acquired by Salesforce for a remarkable $2.5 billion. There, he played a pivotal role in the development of the Salesforce Marketing Cloud’s Marketing Automation suite, including the critically acclaimed Journey Builder platform. In 2017, Miller co-founded MetaCX, where he served as CTO, pioneering the world’s first real-time event-driven CRM platform. Miller founded the Engineered Innovation Group, building on his vast experience with High Alpha companies. Now he is on a mission to revolutionize how software products and teams are built with an engineered approach to co-creation that accelerates ideas to insights to implementation.

Superintendent – CSC of Eastern Hancock County

George Philhower is the Superintendent at the Community School Corporation of Eastern Hancock County in Charlottesville, Indiana. Before this role, he spent 13 years at Western Wayne Schools, including two years as superintendent. Philhower envisions a world where children wake up excited for school, knowing they will be safe, engage in meaningful learning, experience success, play with friends, and feel the love of caring adults. Philhower earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a master’s from the University of Indianapolis, and an EdS and PhD from Indiana State University.

Chief Business Officer – Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University

Hiro Rodriguez is currently serving as the Chief Business Officer at the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University, where he spearheads business development and strategic revenue motions. Rodriguez previously held the position of Chief Revenue Officer at Prefect Technologies, overseeing the entire go-to-market organization. Before joining Prefect, Rodriguez served as the Chief Business Officer and Senior Advisor to the Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment where he, among other initiatives, led an interagency task force and played a pivotal role in the largest emergency airlift of medical supplies in U.S. history. In his four years as Chief of Staff to the Chairman and CEO of DocuSign, Rodriguez helped drive global expansion to transform DocuSign from a startup into a company with a $40B valuation. Rodriquez has a Bachelor of Science from the University of San Diego and has studied at the Harvard Business School and St. Clare’s College in the United Kingdom.

Assistant Professor, Political Science – Purdue University

Daniel Schiff, Assistant Professor of Technology Policy at Purdue University, is a renowned policy scientist exploring the governance and ethical implications of AI. With a diverse background in philosophy and public policy, his research addresses industry standards, public opinion dynamics, and the social impact of AI. At GRAIL, Purdue’s Governance and Responsible AI Lab, Schiff fosters interdisciplinary collaborations to study AI’s implications rigorously. He engages stakeholders across sectors, sharing best practices and influencing policy. His work, spanning academia and industry, contributes to responsible AI development and governance.

Data Science Leader, Farming Solutions and Digital R&D – Corteva Agriscience

Matthew Smalley is the Data Science Leader of Farming Solutions and Digital Research and Development at Corteva Agriscience.  Smalley began his employment with Pioneer in 2002 as a Research Scientist at the Windfall, Indiana research center. Prior to his current role in data science, Smalley has held the roles of Corn Breeder, Corn Evaluation Zone Lead, Scientific Lead for Breeding Technology, Research Director for the Northern Business Unit, North America Corn Breeding Lead, and Automation and Field Technologies Lead. He was raised on a crop and livestock farm in northeast Iowa and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy and Seed Science, and master’s and doctoral degrees in plant breeding from Iowa State University.

Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Deputy Security – U.S. Department of Education

Mekka Smith, EdLD, has more than fifteen years of experience as an education practitioner with a passion for developing leaders and organizations. As a senior policy advisor in the Office of the Deputy Secretary, she advances educational technology, STEM, internal policy development, and PK-12 external engagements for the Deputy Secretary. Her previous roles include chief of staff, director of district partnerships, and teacher coach for public school teachers in Massachusetts. Mekka started her career as an elementary teacher in Florida. She is a graduate of Amherst College and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Wilsey Family College Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good and the Notre Dame Ethics Initiative – University of Notre Dame.

Meghan Sullivan is the Wilsey Family College Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. She serves as director of the university-wide Ethics Initiative and is the founding director of the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good. The University’s hub for research and teaching in ethics, the Institute includes the new Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C, Center for Virtue Ethics, the Notre Dame–IBM Technology Ethics Lab, a major John Templeton Foundation grant to develop the next generation of courses on human flourishing, and highly competitive fellowships and programming.

Sullivan’s books include Time Biases, published in 2018 with Oxford University Press, and The Good Life Method, co-authored with Paul Blaschko and published in 2022 with Penguin. She has received a Joyce Award for Teaching, the Provost’s All-Faculty Team Award, and South Bend’s 40 Under 40 Award. She holds degrees from the University of Virginia, Oxford and Rutgers, and studied at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

Founder and CEO – Minority Moves Network

Eric Stanley is Minority Moves Network’s dynamic Founder and CEO. Stanley brings more than two decades of diverse industry experience to the table. His personal journey as one of the few black individuals in predominantly white spaces opened his eyes to the need for a reliable network to bridge the hiring gap in corporate America. He is intimately familiar with the systemic barriers that hinder access for racially diverse candidates and recognizes the demand for a better approach. His vision for Minority Moves Network was further validated during his tenure as an enterprise sales executive, where he engaged with corporate boards and leadership teams across the United States. Shockingly, less than five of those interactions were with leaders of color. Stanley is an alum of DePauw University.

Managing Director, Jobs for the Future Innovation Labs (JFFLabs)

Alex Swartsel is Managing Director of Jobs for the Future (JFF) Labs’ new Insights practice, a growing team that helps decision-makers across the education-to-career landscape understand and prepare for the emerging trends shaping the future of work and learning. JFFLabs’ research agenda focuses on core areas impacting the future of work and learning— including AI, the metaverse, climate resilience, lifelong learning, aerospace, robotics and other emerging fields. Swartsel is also leading the launch of JFF’s new Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work. Before joining JFFLabs, Swartsel served as Chief of Development, Finance, and External Affairs for Teach for America’s Washington, DC, region, as a senior advisor to U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and co-designed global strategic planning at the Motion Picture Association.  Swartsel holds a BA summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Wellesley College and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.