speakers

Adrieanne Moliere is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and has been working with Diverse learners for over 8 years. Adrieanne is the Esports Coordinator for the Louisiana k-12 charter school University View Academy. She co-hosts the esports club where she facilitates competitive, scholastic, and inclusive esports experiences. In her pursuit to develop opportunities for students with disabilities, Adrieanne allows students to incorporate vital executive functioning or life skills into games like Minecraft, Rocket League and League of Legends. As a NASEF fellow she developed content to support students with disabilities and their families to have fun while learning.

Akil O’Connor is a Director at Scholastic Esports Research Center and a Primary School teacher. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Education. His Esports career in Trinidad and Tobago began in 2003 by being a core member of his Secondary School gaming clan named Federal Intellectual Assassins (F.I.A.) In 2007, he was a part of the Java Internet Café Gaming Team, which was one of the first sponsored Esports teams in Trinidad and Tobago and went on to become the Call of Duty: United Offensive National champions of the same year. From 2009 to 2013, Akil would be part of the Non-Profit Organization ‘Trinigamers’ where he eventually became the Junior Director responsible for Sponsorship relations, Marketing and Website Management. In 2015 to 2016, he took on the role of Esports Team Manager for Delirium Entertainment Center managing 8 Esports athletes, in 3 games. From 2016 to 2019, Akil would be a founding member of Paradigm Electronic Gaming which offered Esports consultancy services along with Event Planning and Organizational Development while working alongside various Esports organizers and events in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2021, Akil was selected to represent his country by the U.S. State Embassy Port of Spain at the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on Video Games for Steam and Entrepreneurship, where he was given the title of ‘Esports Expert’ for his Esports knowledge. Through the IVLP experience, Akil would be introduced to Scholastic Esports, where he is currently introducing various Scholastic Esports programs to Primary and Secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago.

Alex Jebailey is internationally renowned as America’s most active promoter of fighting games. As the owner and director of CEO Gaming he has built a small rescue event into a multi-event convention organization responsible for some of America’s largest competitive gaming conventions. Jebailey is also known for his work with DreamHack, ESL Gaming, All Elite Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, Capcom USA, Red Bull, Warner Bros, Microsoft, ESL, Iron Galaxy Studios, Gaming Generations, and an ever growing list of international gaming tournaments and conventions. Experienced Founder with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Strong professional skilled in Management, Digital Marketing, Social Media, Online Marketing, and Digital Media.

I have a background in public education, as a former urban high school mathematics and computer science teacher. I also helped form our school’s video game club and esports teams during my last years of teaching. Then I found my new role at Harrisburg University as the Director of Secondary Services, where I get to continue advocating for dual enrollment and college in the high school student opportunities. I also assist in STEM learning programs and workforce development for high school teens.

An entrepreneur with a focus on collaboration and partnerships in esports, entertainment, and sports industries.

Amy Harris is a mom in her twelfth year of teaching CTE Computer Science, and has been the adult in the room for Hart Career Center’s esports program since its inception in 2015. She is also the board vice-president/treasurer and Smash TO for the Missouri Scholastic Esports Federation, a NASEF Community Leader, and a member of the NAECAD National Advisory Board. Prior to teaching, she worked as an IT Director and Web Developer.

Angie Batth is a Marketing Specialist at NASEF working to bring Scholastic Esports to students all across the globe. Angie has worked with NASEF for over 3 years, but also has staffed esports tournaments, hosted panels, worked at the UCI Esports Arena, and managed a Collegiate Overwatch team. Angie has a strong background in the realm of esports and social media marketing.

Ansley Partosa is an enthusiastic advocate for esports and education. She uses her experience in digital marketing and social media management as NASEF’s Marketing Specialist to reach a wide audience in the scholastic esports community. Through her work in the Greater Gaming Society of San Antonio, TX she has hosted various esports tournaments, charity esports tournaments, and community gaming events.

Ashlea Porri currently is the Recreation Supervisor with Forsyth County Parks and Recreation at the Old Atlanta Recreation Center which currently houses one of the few Esports Arenas within the parks and recreation agencies in Georgia. She is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional and sits on the Marketing and Visibility Committee as a Recreation Programming representative with the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA). Ashlea holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management from Kennesaw State University. Before starting with Forsyth County, she worked in the private club industry for 8 years at the Atlanta Athletic Club running fitness and aquatics programs and was a competitive swim coach for 6 years. Her roots are truly in recreation as she worked through high school and college for Cobb County and with KSU’s recreation department.

Ashley Adams began working in California arts education over 20 years ago and has spent her professional career supporting high-quality arts instruction for all students. As the Founding Executive Director of the AME Institute non-profit organization, Ashley is committed to supporting AME teachers and administrators through professional learning experiences that are relevant, engaging, meaningful, and transformative. Ashley's career began in the educational departments of the Old Globe Theatre and Pasadena Playhouse, and she later taught high school theatre in the San Dieguito Union High School District in San Diego. She was a founding staff member at Canyon Crest Academy and its first Envision Director. Ashley's consulting work has encompassed strategic planning and curriculum support for various schools and districts throughout California including Rancho Santa Fe, Vista Unified, and Oakland School for the Arts. Ashley holds a BA in English and Theatre from Middlebury College and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education.

Veteran esports producer/director for live events and online broadcast. Working with a multitude of streamers, influences and esports professional players creating a unique and entertaining story-line. Several years of experience dealing with crewing, talent, budgets, pre and post production pieces for small and large quality broadcasts both on live stream and network television. Served as the Showrunner for the inaugural Rogue Company Invitational hosted in our facility this past January along with Executive Produced and Managed the production for the first pro wresting event, "Zicky Dice's Outlandish Paradise" for Twitch. Coordinated and Produced three Live broadcast for Brawlhalla a Ubisoft licensed studio 2 exclusive HP Omen Oasis Championships and 1 World Championship, Executive Produced and Coordinated both a live to tape and post production project along side Warner Media executing four one hour segment shows in a single day with 16 remote feeds all over the United States Produced, Directed, or TD'ed: Brawlhalla Midseason Invitational (10-12); June Microsoft Atlanta HQ Grand Opening (May 3, 2022); Collegiate Esports Commissioner's Cup (May 4-6, 2022); Zicky Dice Trouble in Paradise (April 1, 2022); Cxmmunity Doordash Rocket League Showcase (March 30, 2022); Brawlhalla HP Omen Invitational (February 27-28, 2022); Rogue Company Invitational (January 4-5, 2022); Zicky Dice Outlandish Paradise (January 15, 2022); BR Gaming Nintendo Switch Winter Challenge (December 6, 2021); Brawlhalla Finals (November 13-14, 2021); HSEL Homeroom Fall Season (October-December, 2021) Brawlhalla Invitational (September 18, 2021); Queens Dar Alliance Showcase (June 22, 2021); NACE Spring Championship (April 23-24, 2021); Madden Showcase (January 13, 2021); (HyperX Showdown: Knockout (June 5, 2019); Triple Crown Royale (June 22, 2019); PlayTime with KittyPlays (June 21, 2019); NHL World Gaming Championship (June 18, 2019); Allied Esports R6 Minor for Ubisoft (June 7-9, 2019); DragonBall Legends Showdown (May 21-23, 2019).

Collaborative and team-oriented game developer with experience in game design, development, programming, graphics, audio and integration, and project management. Experience using modern tools including Unity and Unreal Engine for 2D, 3D, AR, and VR experiences. Tackled many individual and team development projects while playing many different roles as a developer, designer, and producer. Graduated from Kennesaw State University and has completed a Bachelor of Science in Computer Game Design and Development along with a minor in Computer Science and a minor in Software Engineering in 2021.

Bethany Pyles (she/her) (ign: indyburgh) lives in Los Angeles, CA and holds a B.A in anthropology. Bethany is the Collegiate Engagement Lead for the*GameHERs and the Director of Business Development at Gamerabble. She was previsouly the Director of Coaching for the North America Scholastic Esports Federation Bethany and the Head of Coaching for Cloud9's Training Grounds. Bethany also co-developed and facilitated the Esports Teacher Academy with Microsoft using Minecraft Education Edition as well as the NASEF Coaching Course. Bethany is an avid gamer and competes casually in Overwatch, Apex Legends and other FPS titles. She has a passion for play and learning that stems from personal experiences and a rich mentorship from notable researchers and professors at the University of California Irvine and Connected Camps.

I am a creative and technical game designer and studio director. While I specialize in kid’s & multiplayer games, I have a variety of experience in game genres and demographics. I have been making games since 1998, in a range of roles such as: artist, programmer, designer, and director. I have extensive experience directing internal studios as well as external teams I love being involved in the game development community as an organizer, teacher, and lecturer.

Bradford Harris serves as the public sector Educator Strategist for SHI. His role empowers him to design STEM, digital learning spaces, and academic/scholastic esports for grades K12 and higher education. He also provides professional development, curriculum design, and training for successful implementation for all three categories as well. He is deeply passionate about education and learning on a consistent basis. His passion for game-based learning and gamification for students, teachers, and administrators has developed into esports in schools. Bradford’s primary focus in scholastic/academic esports is aligning curriculum or learning strategies from the esports industry to educational or academic state/national. He also wants to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to all students, especially students of color in the esports ecosystem. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in instructional systems designs and technology at Sam Houston State University. He also serves as the Director of Learning for the nonprofit organization TEXSEF; Texas Scholastic Esports Federation and is a Community Leader for NASEF, North America Scholastic Esports Federation. You can follow him on Twitter @edtechtinker.

Sr. Management exec. with broad experience in all aspects of film and television production and post production. Direct business experience with Studios, production companies, broadcast networks, independent motion picture companies. Have an active interest in AR, VR, and MR as it relates the integration of media and entertainment.

Mr. Dickman has assembled a team of innovative educators and game designers to produce some of the world’s most engaging educational content in popular video games. The team specializes in Minecraft, Fortnite Creative, Unreal Editor for Fortnite(UEFN), Unreal Engine and other Interactive 3D titles. They are Minecraft Global Training Partners specializing in helping educators use Minecraft to teach coding, cybersecurity, and esports. They are also Epic Games partners offering professional development for educators looking to leverage video game platforms in the classroom. Learn more at www.cleverlike.com.

Experienced event operations and marketing manager. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with a dual degree in Marketing and Supply Chain Management from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University.

Bryan Cox is the Lead Computer Science Program Specialist at the Georgia DOE. At the GaDOE, Bryan is responsible for broadening participation in Computer Science educational experiences in Georgia and building Computer Science into a K-12 discipline. He develops and offers training opportunities and other supports for Computer Science teachers and organizes the state Department of Education’s Computer Science Advisory Council. He is a backbone member of the CS4GA collective and serves on several advisory committees for CS initiatives around the state. Prior to working for the GaDOE, Bryan spent 8 years as a High School STEM teacher, teaching math, computer science, and engineering courses, mostly within the Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education department. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University with a research focus in online learning and computational thinking. He also received an M.A.T. in mathematics from GSU and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Florida A & M University. He has spent time working as a network designer, computer technician, and an after-school and summer youth programs coordinator.

Carolyn Navarro is an Executive Assistant with North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF). Carolyn is passionate about helping others and the day to day to tasks to help her team. She enjoys playing video games with her husband and drinking coffee.

Ceo has been a leader in the sports world for over two decades. As the founder of GCN (Gaming Community Network) and CayRay Group, an award winning advertising agency, Ceo brings visionary leadership with extensive experience developing, launching, and managing award winning companies in the sports marketing, advertising, gaming and esports space. He has launched and led national and regional cable sports networks as well as world class sports media companies including the UFC, Fox Sports, and Learfield Sports. He is currently a partner in Rally Cry and oversees business development and revenue.

Experienced award-winning sports/entertainment business exec and published best-selling author with 13+ years experience and expertise helping Fortune 500 Companies in: multi-channel sponsorships, experiential marketing, digital advertising, public relations, research and insights, premium hospitality, viral marketing, NIL/influencer marketing, Web3/Metaverse activations, and digital AR integrations. Unique blend of analytic/data-driven and creative/innovative approach to marketing and advertising that is rooted in delivering measurable results for customers. Advertising Industry Awards for Client Work Include: Cannes Lion, CLIO, Shorty, Webby, Effie, and Tempest. Experienced public speaker and presenter at national and international conferences Dale Carnegie Course Graduate: Human Relations and Communications Contact me at chad.deluca@twitch.tv Follow me on Twitter and Threads @chad_deluca for updates on sports and gaming business.

Christopher Matthews is a serial entrepreneur who has never met an animal he didn't like. His son, is the best thing that ever happened to him and Chris doesn't take his position as #1 Dad in the household for granted. Chris's passion for entrepreneurship and gaming led him to co-found Gamerabble with Cecile Matthews, where they are on a mission to help gamers improve easier than ever before.

Claire LaBeaux is the Chief Marketing Officer for NASEF, the North America Scholastic Esports Federation. Claire amplifies the work of educators who leverage esports for combined play and meaningful learning. She also helps parents, administrators, and the esports industry understand the benefits of scholastic esports. She works with colleges, corporations, and other organizations to develop partnerships which benefit the K-12 youth who participate in NASEF. Claire is a communicator and strategist with 20+ years of experience helping non-profits reach their goals by driving involvement and support. Her work spans STEM education and youth leadership organizations including NASEF, SciStarter, Science Buddies, STEM Learning Ecosystems, US Army Educational Outreach Program, and Chief Science Officers. She sits on the board of The Alliance, a non-profit that serves vulnerable youth and families, and she volunteers for other youth-serving organizations including Fostering Success & Significance and Powerhouse Ministries. Claire lives in California with her husband; her daughter is an Interior Designer and her son is working on a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Since 2018, Cooper Fiscus-van Rossum has been dedicated to expanding and enriching the experience of scholastic esports coaches and players competing both in Georgia and national leagues. After 7+ years as a strategic marketer and graphic designer working with companies in the Travel, Education, Tech, and Real Estate industries, he took a call to spearhead a scholastic esports program during the inaugural year of varsity high school esports in Georgia. During his time as head coach for The Mount Vernon School League of Legends and Rocket League program, Mr. Fiscus-van Rossum produced and hosted the 2020 State Championship (League of Legends/Rocket League) in collaboration with PlayVS and the Georgia High School Association. Since then, Mr. Fiscus-van Rossum has gone on to co-found a national professional organization for High School and Collegiate esports coaches (that specializes in coach education and community league operations), founded a non-profit that provides grants for underfunded scholastic programs, produced and cast live-streamed esports state championships and playoff matches for national titles, worked with Cloud9 Training Grounds on a Scholastics Training Beta Program, became a board member of the Georgia Scholastic Esports Foundation (GSEF), worked with Skillshot and Velan Studios to continue furthering the development of scholastic esports in Georgia, joined the Georgia Film Academy to teach esports centric courses, and most recently been named the Commissioner of the Georgia Esports League.

raig “Pro Skills” Skilling is an award winning college educator, event producer, consultant and keynote speaker on all things tech, innovation, sports, entertainment, Esports, Web 3 and entrepreneurship. He is the founder of the Influencer Brand , LLC an entertainment & event consulting company who launched the Esports Pro Skills Academy as a means to more minority representation in the gaming industry. Skilling is the co-founder of BITE-CON (The Black Innovation, Technology & Entertainment) Conference which has highlighted minorities impacting the Fintech, Web 3 and digital societal shift. As an education and entertainment industry influencer Craig continues to consult on projects alongside institutions, governments, tourism boards and businesses who are ready to implement innovative programming while embracing industry best practice. Craig is driven by the success of ALL who are doing amazing things; especially those who have sat in his classroom, attended a workshop, presentation or event. He is a proud family man who advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion for youth, teens and young adults through various mentorship programs while completing his doctoral dissertation at Saint Thomas University.

As the President of Latinx in Gaming, I am responsible for running the award-winning non-profit organization that aims to empower and support Latinx professionals and gamers in the gaming industry. With over a decade in the gaming industry and 8 years in events, I have developed and executed successful event marketing strategies, campaigns, and partnerships that have grown my companies, clients & brands. I have also leveraged my skills and expertise in social networking, social media marketing, Facebook, event planning and management, live broadcasting to deliver high-quality and engaging experiences for our partners. Some of the notable partners I have worked with include Twitch, Redbull, Team Liquid, Urban Decay, Niantic, Disney, & more. I have served on the board for the International Game Developer's Association, SunSpear Games, Feminist Frequency, Games and Online Harassment Hotline, and for the Esports Awards.

Danielle is a recovering middle school teacher from Dallas, Texas. She is also a co-found and current Executive Director of the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation, a teacher-run, nonprofit esports organization serving Texas schools. As a Certified Google Innovator and Tech Coach, Danielle is working to bring Esports to K12 schools that focus on equity, inclusion, and citizenship. Danielle is passionate about designing equitable educational systems. She is a Certified Google Innovator and Coach working to bring Esports to K12 schools. Danielle wants to help schools design esports programs that focus on equity, inclusion, and citizenship. Danielle is a former host of the Esports Edu stream and podcast. She was featured in the October 2018 issue of Education Weekly and presented at ISTE in 2018 and 2019. Before teaching CTE courses, she was a digital learning coach, taught 6th grade World Cultures, 9th grade World Geography, and 11th grade U.S. History. Over her 15-year career. Danielle has a BA in journalism from Baylor University and an M.Ed. in Special Education from Texas Tech University.

Danny Martin started making his mark on the esportsindustry during his time as a University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) student athlete studying small business management and entrepreneurship. His first gig in gaming involvedre pairing gaming equipment for his classmates with the knowledge and skill he’d gained in the infancy of esports. It wasn’t long before he recognized the financial opportunity available in organizing large-scale esports tournaments. Having built a database of gamers through friends and contacts on campus, Danny started hosting tournaments, and his first esports business, Geekletes,was born. After leaving UTSA, Danny’s career and interest in esports continued to grow. By 2015, he co-founded and self-funded his own esports organization by turning his 2,000-square-foot Downtown Dallas loft into a gaming esports arena.Today, Danny is the Co-Founder and CEO of Esposure, a global esports technology company witha proprietary Education to Entertainment (E2E) ecosystem focused on developing the next generationof esports professionals and competitive gamers. Entrepreneurship is in Danny’s DNA. His uncles ownedand managed a landscaping company, and Danny worked for them while he was in high school.Watching them operate their own business solidified Danny’s interest in being an entrepreneur.Those memories, paired with his interest in providing value to the community, have encouraged Danny to push forward in his entrepreneurial journey. In addition to mentors like his family members, professors and tech industry experts, Danny credits his ability to persevere to his days running trackin his hometown of Lancaster, Texas throughout high school and at UTSA. “Building a business is likea marathon. There are constant ups and downs, but you have to understand goal-setting, paceand milestones. You have to have the energy to keep pushing forward – enough energy to be betterthan your competitors.” He’s still on a fast track today, determined to engageand empower 20,000 students and young adults with STEM esports education and career explorationby 2025. His passion for helping others has allowed him to speak to more than 5,000 students,parents and esports enthusiasts at more than 35 events. So far, more than 250 students havecompleted the MasterClass, Esposure’s 1STEM.org Accredited course covering core principles in management, marketing, production, technology, and competition. Under Danny’s leadership as CEO, Esposure has madesignificant strides and is seeing steady growth. The company has earned over $3 million inrevenue and has grown to over 30 employees. Danny has personally mentored 14 interns and recentlybolstered the company’s capabilities in areas such as technology, production services anddesign through strategic hiring. Beyond his work with Esposure, Danny remains committed to the community, serving on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star and the EsportsTrade Association. In addition, Danny began lending his expertise to a new Esports Business Managementcourse at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas in 2021, contributing curriculumfocused on esports team organization, management and recruitment.

David Williams is a seasoned esports professional with over a decade of experience in the competitive gaming industry. His background spans various roles in business development, product design, tournament & league management, broadcast production, casting, coaching, team ownership, and professional gaming. Currently serving as the SVP of Esports at Esports Entertainment Group, David oversees ggCircuit, a full-service provider of software and hardware solutions for schools and retail gaming venues.

Derrek has more than 15 years of experience in a diverse set of positions working for both Fortune 500 companies and startups. Derrek held leadership roles at Nexmo (acquired by Vonage), Corvisa (acquired by ShoreTel), cofounder of SocialVolt, CenturyLink (formerly Embarq) and Sprint, where he developed a passion for sales, marketing and technology. In these roles, Derrek was responsible for developing and achieving strategic business objectives for each corporation.

Doug is a passionate educator, leader, designer, writer, and speaker. He currently serves as National Esports Manager at CDW Education, a Fortune 500 IT Solutions company. Doug focuses on acting as a connecting point between people, ideas, and solutions. On his education journey, he has served in both urban and suburban school districts as a teacher, administrator, district instructional tech leader, state edtech organization leader, and at CDW as an education strategist. You can find his work in EdTech Magazine, Edutopia, ASCD, Tech and Learning, eSchool News, or his web series and podcast, Focus on K-12: EdTech and the Education Experience.

Boise State | Clin. Assoc Professor, Head Coach, Esports | 2020 Coach of the Year | 2020 Dir. Year | 2021 Esports Award winner | husband, dad, & “Dampa” of 4

Forward-thinking Innovation Leader with extensive management expertise in medical devices, medical device Start-Ups, Innovation incubators, Healthcare and Hospital management, Business Development, Strategic Planning, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs. Recognized for: • Achieving device registration with FDA and EMA • Spearheading early innovation and device development • Identifying and advising on investment opportunities within biotechnology • Negotiating the healthcare hospital matrices • Identifying partnerships between hospitals and vendors in the biotech space • Advocating for patient health via legislative and collegial support, communicating science effective to various publics, and gaining industry acceptance • Leading the Office of Innovation • Instituting Feasibility program • Creating and Leading an Imaging Core Lab • Formulating all Core Lab financial bids • Reviewing NDAs • Providing Growth and Strategic Trajectory to all research disciplines • Leading robust clinical development programs to innovate scientific platforms and create novel compounds and devices • Developing Strategic Analyses • Instituting initiatives to gain and increase physician/association support • Creating commercialization and licensing strategies including brand positioning, product scaling, and risk mitigation • Vetting new inventions • Chairing the CEC (Clinical Endpoints Committees) • Authoring IP (Intellectual Property) Policies • Lecturing and serving on panels for Innovation/Biotech/Healthcare • Expanding indications via Phase IV trials, Investigator Initiated Studies, and Healthcare • Leading robust medical affairs, clinical, and commercial programs to create scientific platforms, support novel compounds and devices, and develop and execute brand strategies • Building trust, collaboration, and sustaining relationships with Inventors, Investors, Medical colleagues, Regulatory, and Legal to enhance company’s scientific reputation and support Sponsor’s goals

Dr. Joey Gawrysiak is the Executive Director of Esports at Syracuse University. A former competitive gamer in college, Dr. G started the esports competitive teams in 2018 at Shenandoah University. He wrote one of the first esports curricula in the world with academic programs and certifications across the field of esports at the undergraduate and graduate levels of study. In 2019, Gawrysiak co-founded EDGE consulting with two partners to consult professional and academic entities on a variety of esports implementation strategies. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) as well as the Board of Advisors for the North American Scholastic Esports Federation, while also being named the NACE Program Director of the year in 2021 and NACE Hero in 2022. Gawrysiak has written several articles and book chapters on esports as well as providing professional development for students working in event management, broadcast production, and social media marketing.

Lisa Share, Ph.D., is a Student Support Specialist in Forsyth County. Previously, she has been a teacher, administer, and university director. Dr. Share has created a middle school eteam at two middle schools within the district, and supports students and teachers will implementing a program. Her goal is to help students become positive gamers and role models for other students. At the university, she created a game based live simulations for student teachers.

Dustin Pyles stands at the helm of VAZA Consulting as its CEO/ Managing Consultant, where his expertise in education policy and strategic grant acquisition has led to the procurement of nearly $700 million total in funding to date. His acumen in cultivating partnerships is pivotal in advancing STEM education, as well as spearheading other cutting-edge workforce initiatives through adept policy and funding advocacy. Established as a 'Dot Connector,' Pyles excels in orchestrating collaborations that not only elevate scholastic esports but also integrate it with STEM curricula, thereby equipping both young people and adults with the critical, in-demand workforce competencies required to be competitive for tomorrow’s job market. At the summit, Pyles is poised to impart valuable strategic insights to enhance the educational impact of esports and to share best practices for securing strategic funding, grants, and investments that are fundamental to nurturing innovative projects and initiatives.

An accomplished and proven broadcast and Esports production professional that is skilled in managing people and planning. Oversee the production workflow and manage communication with an extensive understanding of broadcasting. Covers event operations logistics including line technical directing and camera operations. Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Acknowledged for bringing cross-functional teams together to achieve a common goal.

Erik Leitner is an Education Content Producer at Cleverlike Studios, dedicated to creating engaging and educational content and experiences inside popular video games. For twenty years, Mr. Leitner worked for Broward County Public Schools serving as a district-level STEM and Computer Science Instructional Facilitator, school-based Science educator, Science coach, and STEM coach certified in K-6 education, Tech & Engineering, Middle Grades Science, and K-12 Computer Science. He is currently serving as Vice President of Sunshine State Esports League while continuing to focus on national and global Minecraft program development with NASEF.

I'm the Commissioner of the Georgia Esports League, a college ambassador for Ghost Gaming, and the Esports Coordinator at Kennesaw State University. At KSU I spearhead and cultivate a dynamic environment for competitive gaming, ensuring our programs not only thrive but also set benchmarks in the collegiate esports landscape. While my passion for esports is evident in the successes of our teams, I'm also deeply intrigued by the world of cybersecurity. I'm currently immersing myself in the latest techniques and strategies in the cyber realm, with aspirations to transition into a role as a Cyber Security Analyst. I believe that my unique blend of esports coordination and an understanding of cyber systems provides a distinctive perspective, combining fast-paced decision-making skills with meticulous attention to digital detail.

Executive and thought leader within the sports, esports, media, and entertainment industry. Possess both strategic creativity and operational expertise, with the ability to sit with key leadership in a boardroom brainstorming session and also bring the idea to life shortly thereafter. Recently named to Front Office Sports' Rising 25 Class of 2020. Skilled in project management, strategic planning, innovation, marketing, communications, sales, business development, hiring, training, staff oversight, process evaluation, and system improvement.

All things marketing, digital and innovation for the Atlanta Braves.

I spend my time between the cinema, gaming and Esports industries. I'm the founder and President of Women in Exhibition (cinema exhibitors, studios, and support vendor companies) and I am Sr Account manager for Esports and Cinema venue solutions with LG Electronics. All that sexy signage and displays you see everywhere- yeah that’s us! (If you need someone to moderate a panel at your conference contact me, I enjoy moderating) When you work with me.... you will experience the following!! • Achieve maximum sales profitability, growth, and account penetration within the market segment by effectively selling solutions and services. • Personally contact and secure new business accounts/customers. • Secure orders from existing and prospective customers, mainly through a relationship-based approach. • Establish, develop, and maintain business relationships with current customers and prospective customers in the cinema market to generate new business. • Make telephone calls, emails, and in-person visits. • Research sources for developing prospective customers and for information to determine their potential. • Together with other team members, work to develop clear and effective written proposals/quotations for current and prospective customers. When there's a problem -work hard to expedite the resolution of customer problems and complaints. • Coordinate sales effort with marketing, sales management, accounting, logistics, and technical service groups, project manager, marketing, and service team. • Analyze the territory/market’s potential and determines the value of existing and prospective customers value to the organization. • Plan and organize personal sales strategy by maximizing the Return on Time Investment for the market segment. • Keep abreast of market conditions, competitive activities, and trends through reading pertinent literature including social media sites. • Participate in trade shows and conventions (work with the marketing department to determine budget and direction)

James is the Director of his company, Fraser Esports, the first company in the world to run the esports online BTEC, whilst his company is providing esports education and consultancy around the world. James is also Head of Education at Hundo, a platform that connects students with virtual work experience opportunities and employers in any and all industries. He has been working in esports education for many years and mainstream education for over 20, and as a National Trainer for Pearson, the creator of the first-ever BTEC in esports, and BDM and QM Samurai founder at Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke. James has won multiple awards for his innovation and leadership in education, including the National Award for the BTEC esports qualification, the Ed Tech Innovator Award from the SCFA, and the NASEF Scholastic Fellow. He is also a global speaker, author, mentor, and ambassador for esports and education, collaborating with prestigious organisations such as Microsoft, Fnatic, NASEF, Gameplan, and Yoyotech. James's mission is to link students with the best work experience opportunities and employers, and to prepare them for the ever-changing workforce and provide support to those in education wanting to discover how esports can help all students.

NASEF: James Wood is the Scholastic Tournament Administrator for NASEF, the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations, where he oversees all elements of competitive NASEF esports titles. He is currently in charge of the NASEF x CIF Esports Initiative where he is working on facilitating the competitive and educational elements involved in the CIF Competitions as well as the NASEF Fall Open Cometitions. James is one of NASEF's Community Leaders, having completed the NASEF Scholastic Fellow and NASEF Scholastic Mentor program. James was also a middle school mathematics teacher and high school math teacher for 10 years. He has ran a gamified classroom with classroom items, experience, guilds and currency, and also has taught a variety of elective courses, including courses on Esports Production and Broadcasting, Video Production, 3D Computer Design, and Introductory 3D Printing. James has written a curriculum focused on CTE elements in esports, as well as a full course on Video Production and Broadcasting as a middle school elective course. James Wood is the founding member and organizer of the Western Region Middle School Esports Conference, a collection of middle school teachers that offer scholastic esports programs to middle schools in the pacific and mountain time zones free of charge. WRMSEC currently has teachers from California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, and Washington that have been participating in middle school esports conferences. In his (admittedly limited) free time, James enjoys playing board games with his wife and their two children, attending their never ending sporting events, playing MTG with his friends, or occasionally losing horribly in LoL ranked. Lately he has been enjoying Tears of the Kingdom and a family Minecraft server with his wife and children.

As an esports solution specialist, I have the opportunity to bring my passion for education and knowledge of technology to holistically support our partners and schools across the country. Having been a former educator, my desire for improving the education experience, equity, and inclusion has carried over into my career in technology and esports. To quote one of my favorite books on the matter, "Esports serves as an inclusive opportunity to give voice and recognition to students who may not have otherwise chosen a role within the school community." - The Esports Education Playbook In my free time, I am an avid gamer, prop and costume maker, and occasionally make appearances with the 501st to different charities as a StormTrooper. TK42287 reporting for duty! If you are ever interested in learning more about esports in education or just want to nerd out, feel free to message me - I'd love to chat!

Immerse yourself in the impactful narrative of Jihan Johnston, a distinguished tech industry professional and educational specialist, proudly affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Her commitment to fostering positive change through gaming and esports is a testament to her visionary leadership. Hailing from Philadelphia, Jihan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Saint Augustine's University and pursued a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Driven by a desire to empower adolescents, she pioneers groundbreaking work, leveraging the power of gaming to promote financial and business literacy. Recognized for her expertise, Jihan serves as an advisor member for the Onside Gaming Fund for Women Win and the Warrior GMR foundation. In her role as an educational specialist with the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF), she champions educational opportunities for high school students through esports. As the co-curator of BeatBotics, Jihan's visionary leadership takes center stage, showcasing the transformative impact of digital technology in esports, gaming, metaverse, and AI, particularly within black and brown communities. Her trailblazing spirit and commitment to amplifying the voices of these communities are truly inspiring. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in informatics, with a focus on the rich culture of black HBCU esports, Jihan stands as the first African American female to embark on such academic research. Her groundbreaking work becomes a beacon of inspiration, paving the way for future generations to embrace their passions and make a lasting impact. Jihan Johnston's exceptional journey and unwavering dedication remind us of our power to uplift communities, break barriers, and inspire positive change. She is a true catalyst for transformation, leaving an indelible mark on the world and inspiring others to embrace their unique paths, guiding them to leave a lasting impact on the world.

Lead with an unmatched energy and positive attitude, building working relationships that maximize potential and facilitate achievement of shared objectives. Demonstrate contagious enthusiasm and a willingness to do “whatever it takes” to surpass benchmarks, coaching employees and volunteers to share the same resolve. Leverage human resources background to establish solid, compliant organizations with strong employee relations. Possess SPHR, MBTI, DDI, & Six Sigma certifications.

Jim McKowen is a dynamic educator at Hopatcong High School in Hopatcong, NJ, teaching Math, STEAM, and Computer Science courses. During his time in Hopatcong, he has led the development of STEAM programs for grades 6-8 and is currently spearheading comprehensive Computer Science and Esports initiatives at the high school level. As Vice President of Content for Garden State Esports, Jim helps oversee the creation of curricular programs, forges partnerships, and champions opportunities for students in the esports ecosystem, both locally and in conjunction with the NASEF Scholastic Fellows program. Jim's commitment to innovative education is helping to shape the future of esports education, both in and beyond New Jersey.

John is a native of the sunset coast of Michigan. He has taught students from Kindergarten through College over his 16 year career in education. Currently, he is employed by Berrien RESA as a Technology & Innovation Consultant serving more than 27,000 students by supporting their educational technology growth and innovative projects. He is also a co-founder and leader of the Southwest Michigan Esports League. He can be found on Twitter at @bcgeek.

John Shoemaker is an Educational Strategist, Digital Learning Specialist, Futurist, Consultant, and Educational Technology Specialist for the Department of Educational Technology at the School District of Palm Beach County located in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has a passion for pedagogy and technology integration, especially surrounding emerging technology. Having progressed through multiple roles in education over the past 20 years from classroom teacher to district administrator, he has a wide-ranging skillset that aligns to his passions. His background includes expertise in creating, developing, and implementing learning programs, courses, trainings and workshops, and instructional materials to facilitate participants’ further education and learning. For the past 11 years, he has worked with teachers and administrators through professional development training and workshops, coaching, online courses, and one-on-one mentoring. He prides himself on supplying relevant, high quality professional development. He is the eSports Facilitator for the School District of Palm Beach County, and he is in charge of rolling out eSports to any of the schools that are interested in participating. He has been a gamer all his life and has been working on Scholastic eSports for over 4 years now.

Jorrel holds a BA in Human Development, a Career Technical Education (CTE) Credential, and is the Founder and Principal Consultant of SXNGA LLC. He grew his roots as an instructor for various nonprofits, taught English in South Korea, volunteered as a virtual educator for students in India, designed a statewide STEM enrichment program for expanded learning centers in California, and now leads the global development of education x esports as the Chief Operating Officer for NASEF / USEF while continuing to cultivate esports community leaders through the Scholastic Fellow Program. When not at work, he loves gaming & traveling with the wife, UAV tinkering, 3D printing, multimedia & design, exploring VR/AR, and playing with all things related to the future.

Jose Moreno is an athlete and Global Messenger for Special Olympics Illinois. He lives in Bensenville Illinois and has been participating in Special Olympics since 2009. Jose trains and competes in bowling, Unified Bocce .Jose has a number of gold medal accomplishments both through sports and as an ambassador for Special Olympics Illinois. He has served in a number of athlete leadership roles for Special Olympics Illinois including serving as the Windy City Ducky Derby Ambassador in 2017, Dunkin Cop on a Rooftop ambassador in 2015 and is currently the of the Athlete Input Council for Special Olympics Illinois. Jose is most proud though, of his recent appointment, as the Athlete Liaison with the LETR Statewide Committee. Jose attended training to be a Global Messenger in 2011 and has participated in ongoing leadership and speaking development opportunities through Special Olympics Illinois over the past several years. As a Global Messenger and Athlete Leader, Jose helps to promote the benefits and opportunities that Special Olympics provides. He has spoken to numerous groups such as schools, law enforcement agencies, civic and corporate groups and many more. You will find Jose volunteering at LETR Golf Outings, Plane Pulls, Truck Convoys, Tip a Cop events and other Special Olympics and LETR fundraising events. Jose aspires to be an International Global Messenger and represent athletes in Illinois on the Board of Director for Special Olympics Illinois. He is also one of three athletes to be selected to be a Special Olympics International shoutcaster for Special Olympics Esports program. He is passionate about inclusion and creating awareness for the disability community.

Joshua Hilton is the founder and operator of multiple gaming startups over the years, including League Coaching, Gamer Sensei, and TrackingThePros. Currently he’s building tools for esport coaches at his latest startup Coachify.gg.

I am a 40-something creative educator with over a decade of experience as a graphic design instructor at Villa Park High School. Additionally, I have been serving as the Esports General Manager for the past six years. When I am not teaching, Drawing, managing esports, coordinating esports, or gaming. I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife and being a proud father of two awesome twins.

Leader in esports and gaming entertainment with nearly a decade of experience in building some of the industry's biggest brands.

Junior Bernadin is the dean of students, director of IT, and house system expert at the highly-acclaimed Ron Clark Academy (RCA), an innovative middle school and educator training facility. Alongside his colleagues, he has helped to train over 100,000 educators from around the world to learn better ways to engage students, increase academic rigor, and create a climate and culture for success. Mr. Bernadin is the recent recipient of the nation's highest STEM mentoring award, the Presidential Award for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. awarded by the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation. In his role as the dean of students, he works with the cofounders in carrying out the RCA's culture and climate. Mr. Bernadin serves as director of IT where he provided all system support to the Academy. He maintained and managed all levels of technical support and integration within the school. As the a house system expert, he manages the global implementation of the RCA House System and RCA House Points App. In conjunction with his daily duties at RCA, Mr. Bernadin spends additional serving as a coach for the award-winning RCA FLL Robotics Team, 5-time National Champion RCA Step Team, and the 5-time National Champion MATHCounts Video Challenge Team and Jr. Tech Engineer’s Program. Outside of RCA, Mr. Bernadin continues to dedicate himself to serving youth and the Atlanta community. He serves on the board of directors for Dance Canvas, a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities and venues to increase the awareness of professional dance in Atlanta. He also serves on the board of directors for Building Future Leaders, whose purpose is to establish a set of dynamic, experiential leadership development curricula targeting a wide range of audiences, including but not limited to, high school youth, university students, and professionals. For his dedication to service and pursuit of excellence, Mr. Bernadin was recently named as one of the Top 100 Leaders in Education by the Global Forum for Education and Learning. He was also recognized as the Atlanta Business Chronicles 40 Under 40, Georgia Trend Magazine 40 Under 40, Walmart Community Playmaker, Florida State University Thirty Under Thirty, the Forbes Technology Council, and one of the People Behind the People sponsored by McDonald’s and TVOne. He is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2021-2022. Mr. Bernadin currently resides in Fayetteville, GA, with his lovely wife, Dr. Tashinea Bernadin and daughter Amira Bernadin.

Kaitlin Teniente currently serves as the Director of Esports at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX. Hired in spring 2020, Teniente was the first female head coach of a varsity esports program in Texas. Previous roles held at Wizards of the Coast, Collegiate Starleague, and Super League Gaming.

Katie Bartolo, MD is a board-certified sports medicine physician who is the director and co-founder of the Esports Center for Performance Health. She is an international speaker on Esports Medicine and has given numerous talks on this topic to a variety of audiences, from young gamers in the community and collegiate esports players to other health professionals, including athletic trainers, medical students, and other physicians. Also board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Dr. Bartolo maintains an appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of PM&R at the University of North Carolina Medical School in Chapel Hill, NC where she also serves as the physician advisor to the UNC-Chapel Hill Esports teams.

Well-rounded public relations professional adept at developing and managing strategic programs from concept to execution. Experience working across a broad range of industries including tech, automotive, food and beverage, hospitality and CPG.

Accredited public relations practitioner recognized as a PRSA Reputation Champion. Serial entrepreneur. Managing Partner of the Athena Alliance CLT stream team.

Krystal McCalla's story is one of triumph and resilience. Born into a life of uncertainty, she was adopted at a young age and given a chance for a brighter future. Growing up, Krystal faced numerous challenges, from navigating her identity as an adoptee to overcoming societal biases and stereotypes. However, she refused to let these obstacles define her. From an early age, Krystal discovered solace and empowerment through gaming. Immersed in virtual worlds, she found a sense of control and an outlet for her creativity and imagination. Gaming became more than just a hobby for Krystal; it became a source of inspiration and a catalyst for personal growth. Recognizing the transformative power of video games, Krystal set out to share her passion and make a positive impact on others. With a strong desire to support and uplift little girls, she became involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and providing educational opportunities for young girls. Krystal volunteered at local community centers, organizing gaming workshops where she not only taught gaming skills but also fostered an inclusive and empowering environment for the girls.

Laura Rubik Meneses Adams was born and raised in Mexico. She is a videogame producer specialized in advergaming and videogames with a cause and has developed projects for esports in Mexico and USA. Previously she was digital product coordinator, UX/UI and EdTech Strategist in educational projects for the US Embassy in Mexico in the area of sports diplomacy and in collaboration with NASEF (Network of Academic and Scholastic Esport Federation), for the Technology Cluster of Mexico City, public and private institutions, As a producer he has participated in the creation of games for UNO, Maps fornite, Canon, and other private companies and governmental institutions. Previously his professional background was developed in New Media Interactive Art, presenting his work in Germany, Italy, Lithuania and Mexico. She is currently President of the IGDA Mexico (International Game Developers Association, Mexico Chapter) where her most recent achievement was co-organizing the start of the 1st Mexican sale of video games in STEAM, Achieving public streaming pitch for video games where profiles such as students, consolidated studios and international publisher participated together. And entrepreneur of an NGO "cradorSTREAM" that through video games facilitates professionalization processes, reducing the technological and economic gap for certain vulnerable populations in her country. For which she has been selected for the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs AWE of the Department of State in USA.

Lori serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Outlaws Entertainment (formerly Beasley Esports—owned by the Beasley Media Group). In this role, she is responsible for creating, implementing, and managing the strategic direction of the Outlaws Entertainment properties which included the Houston Outlaws Overwatch League, Team AXLE—a North American Rocket League Championship Series, and a cadre of Content Creators. Given the recent dissolution of the Overwatch League, Lori is re-engineering the Outlaws into a Gen Z-oriented content division, focusing on the creation and distribution of video gaming and pop-culturally relevant entertainment by leveraging highly charismatic talent and competitive gamers. Lori possesses more than 25 years of experience leading iconic media properties like Seventeen Magazine, Mademoiselle, Elle, House & Garden and The Hollywood Reporter—having transformed them into highly profitable multi-channel brands—with a track record for delivering substantial audience growth, record-setting revenues, state-of-the-art content assets, experiential offerings, product licensing and strategic partnerships with many of the nation’s top advertisers. Many of these brands targeted younger consumers which aligns with the world of esports and video gaming, newer media platforms and channels that dominate the space and the under-35 demographic. The Outlaws Entertainment Group is proud to make Houston its home and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. With the high-profile sports-tech scene in Houston, the Outlaws are committed to partnering with the Harris County Houston Sports Authority, the Mayor’s Office, sports-tech start-ups, colleges, and high-schools within the city in an effort to help facilitate and fund next-gen companies within this burgeoning digital gaming space.

An expert in transforming consumer insights into visionary brand-building, positioning and innovation working across technology, e-sports, and retail. A graduate from Seton Hall University with a BS in Chemistry, Malcolm believes in the intimate understanding of qualitative research as well as the sheer power and reach of quantitative measurement. Malcolm is the Chief Technology Officer for Futures First Gaming, a STEM accredited educational technology and esports entertainment company, Where “Futures First Begins with Gaming,”. Futures First Gaming currently has a pathway partnership with Wilmington University where high school students can earn college credits or certifications through the Futures First Gaming Pathway Program. Futures First Gaming also has a workforce development program where participants learn 21st career development skills in Game Development, Coding, Entrepreneurship and Event/Production Management. In 2012, Malcolm Co Founded Loc Nation, a support and celebration of the natural hair movement with a focus on locs. That movement has collectively amassed over 500,000 followers on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tik Tok. LocNation Also has a hair salon in New Castle, Delaware. Malcolm is also the director of Digital Media for Influencers Lab Media which is a full service marketing company. Through Influencers Lab Media, Malcolm helped to create a podcast called "Whats The Science, with the Lab Coat Boys" and a marketplace called Spending Black Matters, where the black Dollar continues to circulate.

I am fascinated by the relationship between man and Technology. I continue to pursue the best common practices that we as creators can interface with our technological creations. As new devices continue to evolve, our thinking in the way that we interact, control, and create in the medium should as well.

Matt has been a leader in the esports industry since he founded UGC in 2005. His vision for the company emerged from his love of video games and competition. Under his guidance UGC has expanded to include three core businesses - online tournaments, live events, and content creation - and evolved from operating out of 625 square foot attic space to producing record-breaking events in global stadiums for some of today’s most popular video game titles with such strategic partners as Microsoft, Caesars Entertainment, Blizzard, the United States Army, Red Bull and more. In 2016 Matt partnered with Lineup Media Group to scale the company globally. Matt's entrepreneurial spirit coupled with the skillsets he obtained from earning an architecture degree, underscore his management of all aspects of UGC. In his role, Matt is responsible for business planning, budgeting, fundraising, new business, strategic partnerships, production services, original content, streaming and merchandising. Additionally, Matt has been hands-on with all patent/technical writing since the inception of the company. Prior to founding UGC, Matt earned a Master of Architecture from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a focus on modular design, digital fabrication, 3D printing (rapid prototyping), and sustainable design. He also holds Manufacturing Skill Standards and OSHA outreach trainer certificates while instructing at Rend Lake College. Personal Research includes industrial design, manufacturing, electronics, mold creation/casting, CNC fabrication, 3D printing, graphic design, silk screening, and dye sublimation. Instructor at Rend Lake College focusing on Architecture, manufacturing, and Digital Fabrication. Interests include: Advancing architecture, manufacturing, and digital fabrication. Growth of competitive video gaming (esports) to a sustainable future for viewers/competitors. Creating innovative jobs for emergent technologies and industries.

Oversee digital, social, and broadcast for the premiere professional soccer team in the southeast.

Mac Dougan serves as the Assistant Director of Digital Initiatives for Special Olympics Illinois, where he strives to connect technology solutions with and for individuals with intellectual disabilities. He is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education. After graduation, he joined Special Olympics Illinois to begin his career in serving individuals with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport, training, and competition. In 2020, Mac started the first ever Special Olympics Unified esports program, to provide continued competition for Special Olympics athletes during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting with just four athletes, his program has grown to over 300 athletes and Unified Partners across Illinois. This work, in tandem with an importance of teaching digital citizenship, has led to an increase of interactivity, safety and growth for athletes in online spaces. What began as an effort to bring athletes together virtually during the pandemic, has now grown to a successful statewide team with multiple championship titles, including the inaugural Special Olympics USA Games esports tournament in Orlando, Florida. Mac’s biggest passion is for working with and for individuals with disabilities and continuing to push for technology solutions that are equitable and inclusive for all walks of life.

Michael Park, D.O., graduated with a bachelor's degree from University of California, Los Angeles, and his Master of Medical Sciences from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has been practicing at Piedmont since 2015 as a Primary Care Physician. In his spare time, Dr. Park is an avid PC gamer playing mostly MMOs (massive multiplayer online) and live service looter shooter games.

Executive with strong C-level relationships, P/L management, and a proven track record raising capital, building assets, creating culture and leading organizations. Focused on strategic growth and revenue generation initiatives across sponsorship, digital video/mobile and audio content, integrated media and analytics in both traditional sports and esports.

Michelle Statham is a 57 year old grandmother with three children and two grandchildren. She's been playing video games since the release of Pong & Atari and nearly every gaming platform since. She began streaming full time in 2020 as TacticalGramma and quickly developed worldwide popularity with over a million followers on social media.She hosts content on platforms such as TikTok, Twitch, Twitter, and Instagram and is a partnered content creator on Facebook Gaming. She's a unique influencer in the gaming industry being older than most and female with a passion for first person shooter (FPS) games like Call of Duty. She has created an uplifting and positive social media community where people of all ages and backgrounds are welcomed. TacticalGramma has become an on-line grandmother to people all over the world handing out virtual hugs and positive advice that impacts many who look to her for comfort.

As a lifelong teacher, educator, coach & field instructor I have created environments for people to learn experientially about subject matter, the world around them, and about themselves. Seeing context as the classroom, curriculum can be lived when it is built around big-picture ideas that are worked through in practical, applied settings. Learning about ecological systems and human geography by traveling the landscape of rivers and watersheds with local farmers and fishers. Developing an understanding of health and human performance by working personally through general physical fitness and mental performance. Using the natural world to explore math and science using the power of observation and testing hypotheses. This is how education develops passion, sparks life-long-learning, and becomes a catalyst for personal growth and a desire to change the world around ourselves.

Monique Paes is a Special Education and Literacy Intervention teacher for Bronx River High School in New York City. Monique's journey into the world of Esports was unconventional but one of the best steps she took towards creating an inclusive community of like-minded student gamers at her school. She learned about the benefits of how creating an Esports team helped foster student's social-emotional skills as well as their communication skills while creating a sense of pride and belonging for those who don't fit into the traditional "sports" mold. Today, her school's teams in Valorant, Rocket League and Smash Bro's are approaching their 4th year and student's are always enthusiastic to learn that there is a place for them in school where they can just be kids and have fun while learning.

My name is Mykiah Bonhom and I am a Product Specialist at Spectrum Industries. In May of 2023 I graduated from Shenandoah University with a degree in Esports Management. I have a vast amount of experience in esports including working with the Washington Justice, Esports Engine, Esports Insider, and the International Esports Federation (IESF). I am passionate about gaming and esports and look forward to using my role at Spectrum to help push the industry forward.

Neil Duffy is the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at eFuse, a global platform for gamers to meet, compete and get discovered. eFuse launched in 2020 and has registered over 750,000 users and had 35,000 opportunities available on its site from scholarships, jobs, internships, pro teams etc… and recently acquired the College Call of Duty (CCL) and College Carball Association (CCA). His focus is on revenue generation through partnerships, advertising, sponsorships and publisher relations …Prior to that Neil was the Chief Commercial Officer at CSL Esports and WorldGaming, which was sold to a private equity firm in 2020. Neil has previously been a Professor at Durham College’s School of Business and has guest lectured across many North American schools including MIT, West Virginia University, UNLV, University of Florida and many more.

PK "ch3m1st" Graff here, gamer extraordinaire and your Esports sensei by day, and by night, the strategic mastermind behind Ghost Gaming Academy's talent forge. When I'm not pwning noobs or racking up Victory Royales, I'm crafting the next level of game-centric brain fuel for K-12 legends-in-the-making at Forsyth Virtual Academy. I'm all about leveling up real-world skills through Esports and Python programming, pushing for epic wins in computer science equity, and managing FoCo Esports' mighty roster of 500+ players. So whether I'm in the classroom or the arena, I'm building an army of Spirited Gamers ready to take on the world. Remember, in the game of life and pixels, keep your HP high and your spirits higher—Stay Positive Out There Gamers! 🎮✨

Pamela Moreno has been an NYC educator for over a decade. She has dedicated her career to supporting struggling learners and helping them cultivate a passion for learning, while also guiding them to think outside of the box. Ms. Moreno has dedicated her time to forming relationships with her students and breaking down barriers that would hinder their social-emotional and academic growth. In her interactions with students, she works to demonstrate creativity along with proactive problem solving skills, particularly with regards to ensuring that students have spaces to explore and develop their own interests and passions. Creating one of the NYC’s first esports team that has facilitated her students with opportunities to prepare themselves with critical skills for the 21st century such as, strategizing, content creating, organizing and entrepreneurial. Thus, making her a Community Leader for the 2023-2024 school year with the Network of Academic Scholastic Esports Federation.

Extensive B2B and B2C event management experience for a Fortune 500 company, emphasizing hands-on demo activities for media and consumers. Brandtastic understanding of your product’s core values and audience, brilliantly illustrated through blogposts, trailers, event booth design, and social media creative, all drafted and delivered with lightning-quick turnaround times. Crafter of authentic copy and playful prose designed to engage your readers and supercharge your CTR (while sneaking puns into every project I can get away with). Proficiency in people-management, be it brand ambassadors, contractors, company charity livestreams, or marketing and social media internship programs. I enjoy retro video games, travel, electric bicycles, cooking, dad jokes, cartoons, and cats!