My current work is largely focused on leveraging computational techniques typically used to characterize visual regions of the brain to better understand information processing in higher-order brain areas thought to be critical for executive control. My goal is to develop a biologically-plausible theoretical model that approximates how complex networks of brain regions interact to support cognition. Once we are armed with such an understanding we can devise better strategies to treat and prevent the wide range of psychiatric and neurologic disorders (such as autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia) thought to be the direct result of impaired executive control.

Wim Stocks has been a progressive leader, pioneer, and industry authority in gaming, esports, and web3/metaverse businesses since 1990. From 2001 to 2006, Wim was Executive Vice President of the “new” Atari Inc. (a roll-up and amalgam of Hasbro Interactive, Infogrames, and GT Interactive), leading and managing one of the broadest-reaching interactive entertainment publishing networks in the world. In 2006, Wim started an entrepreneurial online gamingpublishing business named Elephant Entertainment, assuming the role of President and COO. In March 2008, the leading games publisher THQ purchased Elephant and Wim assumed the role of EVP and leader of the Online Gaming division and related digital gaming initiatives. In 2010, Wim was recruited to join the executive management team of Virgin Gaming (nowWorldGaming) as Executive Vice President. In this role, Wim helped launch the company and platform in 2010, as well as developed strategic investor, technology, game publisher, retailer, and other brand partnerships. In April 2016, Wim was named CEO of WorldGaming & Collegiate StarLeague, which was acquired by Cineplex in the Fall of 2015, a leading movie theater operator with diversification into gaming, location based entertainment, and other aligned entertainment and digital media businesses. As of July 2020, Wim led the acquisition of Collegiate StarLeague & WorldGaming Network by Playfly Sports, a combined traditional sports, esports, and broadcast management/rights management company, and was responsible as Chairman for leading the esports business, strategy, sponsorship/partnership sales, and cultivation, and other investor and partner relations for the Company. In late 2020, Wim joined the executive management team of Belong Gaming & Vindex (founded in 2019 by esports industry pioneers and leaders Sundance DiGiovanni, Mike Sepso, and Martyn Gibbs), leading allCommercial, Partnerships, Sponsorships, and Business Development initiatives in esports, gaming, web 3 & blockchain gaming, and the emerging metaverse space. Wim currently serves as an Advisor to the Special Olympics International; an Advisor to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Ryerson University’s ‘Future of Sports Lab’; Advisor and part of the ownership group of NYXL, (parent company of the New York Excelsior, the professional NYC-based franchise in the Overwatch League, and the NY Subliners, professional NYC-based franchise in the Call of Duty League); Strategic Advisor to The GG Group (Rivalry,the publicly traded online esports betting platform); Board Member of Gamerji, an online mobileesports platform operated in India; Board Member of Slang Worldwide, a cannabis products company based in Toronto; is a Board Member of National Public Radio’s ‘Marketplace’ programming; and is also a Trustee and on the Board of Directors of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Wim recently joined the faculty of the University of New Haven as an Adjunct Professor of Gaming & Esports in the Pompea School of Business, teaching classes and coursework for ‘Investments in Esports’ (Winter/Spring of 2022). Wim has also served on the boards of Allina/Abbott Northwestern Hospital, the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis. Wim is very proud of his two smart, savvy, and accomplished daughters (both attorneys) living in Minneapolis.

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.

My least favorite subject, in this world, is talking about me….I prefer conversations that start with “how can I help?”, but I guess you are reading this because you want to learn about me. With a career spent working in the gaming industry, entertainment and business consulting, I have developed internal businesses from nothing but passion and influence to become exponential revenue and engagement drivers. I have built and executed new programs and major events which have exponentially grown revenue and market engagement. I bring strong leadership skills, business acumen, high-energy and approach all challenges with unending enthusiasm. I am dedicated to the success of others and have worked with incredible people that have been key to these achievements. A born networker, relationships are key to me and I continually seek ways to cultivate meaningful connections, identify win/win opportunities and build long-term partnerships. I love to present and welcome the opportunity to share my passion and knowledge at events and conferences. I have been extraordinarily fortunate and equally grateful for multiple once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. I am ever-mindful to pay it forward and seek ways to contribute to my community and the causes I believe in. Things I love doing include: Building things, getting the right people on board to create new businesses and opportunities Designing engaging and entertaining content, events, and experiences Public speaking, educating, informing and connecting with audiences Working for good, fulfilling my personal “mission to serve” Discussing the entire Star Wars Expanded Universe (or Star Trek, if you are more of a warp speed than lightspeed/hyperspace person. I take my faster-than-light travel either way)... or we can go down the rabbit hole of comics, movies, and games.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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).

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.

I've worked 22 years for in the computer and gaming fields for Dell, Inc and Blizzard in Customer Experience and Operations roles. I owe most of my early career skills to my passion for gaming and working to enable the same opportunities for the youth of today.

Todd is an accomplished entrepreneur who has been leading video game and esports businesses for 15 years and involved with technology product startups for 25 years. After leading product development at FinTech companies Radiant Systems and BlueCube Software, Todd co-founded Hi-Rez Studios, one of the largest video game studios in the Southeast with 120 million players of their games. Todd is currently Founder & CEO of Skillshot Media, a leading esports production company, CEO of esports professional org Ghost Gaming, Chair of the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF), and Chair of the Atlanta Esports Alliance. Skillshot connects leading brands to engaged esports fans. The company has produced thousands of esports events and live-stream productions, paid out over $10M in prizing for competitive video games, and delivered over 1 billion views of esports content. Ghost Gaming is an Atlanta-based professional esports team and gaming lifestyle brand that has won 15 tournament championships and cultivated a fan base of over 20 million. NASEF is the leading scholastic esports solution for K-12 students, providing opportunities for all students to use esports as a platform to acquire critical communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Atlanta Esports Alliance is a division of the Atlanta Sports Council with a mission to establish Metro Atlanta as a global esports capital.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Providing expert insight into the field of Health, Nutrition, Eye Health, Circadian Rhythm (Sleep-Wake Cycle), Blue Light’s effect on Sleep Working with Gamers & Esports athletes to improve their overall health & performance via : Sleep, Nutrition, Physical & Mental Health and Lifestyle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Warren Spector is a prominent figure in the video game industry, renowned for his contributions as a game designer and producer. Spector has played a key role in shaping the landscape of narrative-driven and immersive video games. Spector's career began in the gaming industry during the 1980s, where he initially worked as a designer and producer for tabletop and role-playing games. He gained notable attention for his work on the cyberpunk-themed role-playing game "Shadowrun". However, Spector achieved widespread acclaim for his involvement in the creation of critically acclaimed video games, particularly within the immersive sim genre. One of his notable successes is the development of "Deus Ex," released in the year 2000. "Deus Ex" is celebrated for its intricate narrative, player choice, and the seamless integration of action and role-playing elements. Over the years, Spector continued to make a significant impact on the gaming industry, working on various projects. His contributions include titles like "Thief: The Dark Project" and "System Shock," both of which are considered influential in shaping the stealth and immersive sim genres. In addition to his work in game development, Warren Spector has held academic positions, including a stint as the Denius-Sams Gaming Academy Endowed Chair at The University of Texas at Austin. His involvement in academia reflects his commitment to nurturing the next generation of game developers.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

Regina Schaffer Carr is an accomplished educator with extensive experience in teaching and educational leadership. She has authored two influential books in the "Closing the Gap" series, focusing on digital equity in schools. Additionally, Regina holds central roles in the field of scholastic esports, serving as the Vice President of Garden State Esports where she has produced events, written curriculum and developed an esports leadership program for coaches and advisors, a student leadership program and a NJ based scholastic esports parent’s information and advocacy coalition. She is also on the advisory board of the New Jersey chapter of the Esports Trade Association and Stockton University's BS in Esports Management program. She has been a NASEF Fellow and mentor and is currently a community leader. Regina is dedicated to advancing the intersection of scholastic esports and education, addressing issues of equity, access and opportunity. You can connect with Regina on Twitter and Linkedin.

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.

Tyler Hahn is a Library Director in Northwestern Iowa with a diverse background. Having previously served as a college librarian and youth services librarian, he brings a wealth of experience to his current role. Tyler is recognized for his dedication to library services, as the midwest representative for the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) as well as the Iowa Governor's STEM Council and being recognized as one of the state's "STEM Gems". His research interests focus on leveraging education technology to enhance library services and emphasizing connected learning and collaboration within the libraries and beyond.

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.

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.

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.

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! 🎮✨

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TJ Stephens is a young but accomplished leader and speaker on the topic of esports. As a sophomore at The University of Georgia, TJ leads a program of 2,000 student club members, while also working with brands and schools around the state to promote scholastic esports. He also works with Ghost Gaming as an Ambassador and he coaches Ghost Gaming Academy students to help position the state of Georgia as a leader in esports.

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.

Sinclaire Hoyt is a dynamic force in the world of esports and gaming, making significant strides as a student at Spelman College. With a passion for both technology and social impact, Sinclaire has dedicated herself to bridging the gap between black girls and the gaming industry. Currently pursuing a degree at Spelman College, Sinclaire has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in her efforts to create more inclusivity within the gaming community. As the founder and president of the Spelman Esports program, she has actively worked to challenge stereotypes and foster a more diverse and welcoming environment for black girls in the gaming world. Sinclaire's commitment to education and empowerment is evident in her advocacy for STEAM programs tailored to young black girls, encouraging them to explore opportunities in gaming and technology. She has organized workshops and seminars providing invaluable resources and guidance to aspiring black female gamers. Beyond her activism, Sinclaire has leveraged her skills in game design and development to create projects that resonate with underrepresented communities. Her innovative game designs not only entertain but also address social issues, aiming to spark meaningful conversations and promote positive change. In addition to her academic pursuits, Sinclaire has collaborated with industry leaders and organizations to amplify the voices of black girls in gaming. Through her engaging talks and presentations, she shares insights on the importance of diversity in the gaming industry, challenging the status quo and inspiring others to follow suit. Sinclaire Hoyt is undoubtedly a rising star in the esports and gaming industry, using her platform as a Spelman College student to make lasting contributions towards a more inclusive and equitable future for black girls in gaming. With her unwavering dedication and visionary approach, Sinclaire is poised to continue shaping the landscape of esports and leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

C. Scott Votaw, an entertainment arts and academic industries global expert, serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for the University System of Georgia, where he leads the Georgia Film Academy. With over 25 years of experience working for production companies including Saban, Fox, Lucasfilm Ltd. and others, Scott has a deep knowledgebase of film production, 2D/3D animation, special FX, motion capture, post-production. Through 10 years of education experience, he also holds expertise in current and trending production needs, training and educational circular creation and workforce development. Most recently, as an international consultant with CSV-Consulting, Scott worked for studio infrastructure providers, workforce development and emerging technology companies within the film and entertainment production sectors in the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to this, Scott supported efforts to grow the film and TV production industry in Georgia through maintaining a highly trained and industry standard workforce by creating/advising some of the most successful educational programs globally. Votaw also served as vice president of production and development for Classic Entertainment for seven years and president of KidzVid Entertainment for six years, overseeing creation of programing for the U.S. and global markets.