speakers

SVRN(Sovereign)-TechMan and Inu-turn VR into a stage for living boldly. With a combined 2 million followers and counting, their combat, comedy, and lifestyle adventures showcase a world without limits.

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.

Over 20 years of hospitality experience; 15+ years corporate education, training and organizational development (Oakwood Worldwide, Irvine Company, Four Seasons, Hilton, Starwood/Westin hotels) at mid- to senior management level; 10 years public education / classroom teaching; CA teaching credential (career technical (hospitality / tourism / sales & marketing) and adult education); fluent French and Spanish and accomplished Japanese. Specialties: Esports (club) + education (curricula) creation and installation and support for middle school through college level + online / remote / incarcerated / home-schooled students; Enterprise-level process improvement, lean and operational change strategies; sales process creation / reinvention; Duty of Care initiative (start-up/blue sky through execution / implementation / roll-out); hotel operations management; Forbes 5-Star/AAA 5-Diamond hospitality SOP creation and implementation (divisional culture to front-line execution); hotel start-up / opening experience (USA and international); extensive organizational development, acculturation, training curriculum development, instructional design and deployment (multiple, diverse disciplines and applications); peer, supervisory and management coaching and counseling and leadership development; licensed Miller Heiman instructor (Blue Sheet SSO / Pipeline / methodology); licensed MAGIC facilitator (Communico, Ltd.)

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.

Malcolm C. Williams is a multidisciplinary creator, director, and technologist shaping the future of digital storytelling through gaming, esports, and immersive technology. As the founder of TechnOrganic, Malcolm designs culturally grounded experiences that blend education, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. He is a Meta Horizon Worlds Partner, building immersive metaverse environments for himself and for forward-thinking brands and organizations. In addition to his work as a game developer and esports strategist, Malcolm is an AI artist, composer, and logistics architect—combining creativity and systems thinking to bring bold ideas to life across platforms. His work empowers communities, inspires youth, and bridges global innovation with local impact.

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.

Manuel is a renowned futurist, artist, and advocate at Unity, where he pioneers advancements in mixed realities and AI. He also teaches XR Design at the prestigious McGill University in Montreal. Born in Guadeloupe, Manuel is celebrated for his multidisciplinary approach to technology and art, and his advocacy for ethics, diversity, and inclusion. As the cofounder of The Haptics Club podcast and the first French/Caribbean artist to collaborate with OpenAI, Manuel has been featured in Fast Company and The Guardian for his work with Dall-E. His exhibition in Montreal, Caribéanofuturisme, introduced ChatGPT to over 900 attendees and led to his collaboration with Meta at the Oculus Gallery in New York. A trailblazer in the tech industry, Manuel continues to inspire, innovate, and educate on the global stage.

Selected as Georgia Entertainment's 200 Most Influential of Georgia's Creative Industries Art/Animation director at Black Women Animate studios (bwastudios.com) Other positions: Operations Director, (former executive director x2 terms 6 years) ASIFA-South 501c3 international animation society Managing Director/Producer at Slothique LLC (Co-Owner)

Born and raised in Kodiak, Alaska, Mark departed the frozen north after graduating high school and made his way to Santa Barbara. There, he turned a bachelor’s degree in history into a gig as a compositor and original member of the Crafty Apes team, eventually becoming Crafty Apes’ VFX supervisor on such films and TV shows as Deadpool 2, A Wrinkle in Time, and the recent AMC hit Lodge 49. Starting in a one-room office with four people and watching the company grow has been the highlight of working at Crafty Apes for Mark. Now Mark leads Marsborne is a sovereign, precision-forged esports collective established by lifelong disciples of the digital realm. We are not merely players — we are heralds of Mars, the forgotten god of war, summoned once more to etch his name into the fractured code of modern battle. Our mission is sacred: to raise a new legion, to conquer with discipline and fury, and to awaken the ancient fire buried beneath layers of apathy and algorithm. In every match, we do not simply compete — we fulfill destiny.

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.

Matt McCullah has made significant contributions to the game development industry over the past 25 years. His journey began with an impressive start at The Art Institute of Atlanta, where he graduated in 1999 with the award for Best Portfolio in Computer Animation. His professional career kicked off as a graphic designer in the casino gaming industry, and over the span of ten years, he transitioned exclusively to 3D character animation. One of the notable milestones in Matt's career was his time at Cartoon Network's online games team, where he served as a 3D Artist/Animator. He played a pivotal role in creating animations for some of their most popular online games, including Project Exonaut, Fusionfall: Heroes, and Adventure Time Battle Party. Currently, Matt is a valuable asset at Hi-Rez Studios, where he has been contributing for the past decade. His work includes game and cinematics animation for titles such as the award-winng action MOBA Smite, Paladins, Realm Royale, and Rogue Company. Matt is now the Lead Animator for Smite 2.

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

Matt Woomer was a co-founder of Blue Mammoth Games, maker of Brawlhalla - the most played fighting game in the world with over 100 Million registered players. Blue Mammoth Games was acquired by Ubisoft and Matt is now Founder & CEO of Huge Workshop Games. Prior to Blue Mammoth, Matt worked at CCP, Hi-Rez Studios, and at Cryptic Studios.

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.

Leading the creation, implementation and growth of varsity collegiate esports programs across the U.S. The NACE is the largest membership association of varsity collegiate esports for 156 colleges and universities (and growing!). 90% of all varsity programs in the U.S. are currently members!

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 Davis is an associate in Arnall Golden Gregory LLP’s Corporate & Finance and Technology practices and a member of the Emerging Technologies and Entertainment & Sports industry teams. She represents buyers and sellers of technology, providing comprehensive legal support to protect and monetize their intellectual property in the digital age.

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.

Mike Quigley is a seasoned marketing executive with over 30 years of experience in the gaming industry with a focus on user acquisition, community engagement, and player retention. Most recently, Quigley served as the CMO at Niantic, where he led global marketing efforts for the company’s real-world augmented reality games, including the blockbuster mobile game, Pokémon GO. Prior to Niantic, he was Director of Consumer Marketing at Google/YouTube, managing the marketing strategy and execution of campaigns for both original programming and live-stream events including Coachella and SXSW. Quigley also spent 11 years at Electronic Arts where he served as Group VP of Global Marketing for the EA Games Label. Mike is currently Chief Marketing Officer of Prize Picks, the largest daily sports operator in North America.

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.

Nabil Ismail is a twenty year veteran of live event management, operations, information technology and client-driven experiences. A former VP of Operations and Technology at Hi-Rez Studios he supported the growth of that videogame company from 50 employees to 450 employees, and operations infrastructure to support 100 million registered game players. As Co-Founder Skillshot Media he has led operations and production for over 100 live gaming events including multiple DreamHacks, influencer focused events, and arena filled esports events.

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.

I’ve worked behind the scenes of of some of the biggest esports events in the world, including the FNCS Global Championship 2024, RLCS 2025 Season, and acting as the host of Collegiate Rocket League. My roles have spanned professional broadcast talent, tournament administration, player support, and production coordination, where I’ve honed skills in technical troubleshooting, workflow optimization, and live event execution. I'm passionate about expanding impact in esports!

Nikki Slaughter has always been fascinated by how people connect with technology and how play brings those connections to life. With a background in UX, emerging tech, and art, she loves exploring how creativity sparks curiosity, imagination, and joy. I’m passionate about crafting experiences that remind us technology can be vibrant, emotional, and wonderfully human.

As a student at Spelman College, I am on an exciting journey to explore the intersection of technology, design, and entertainment. Currently pursuing a major in Computer Science, I am passionate about leveraging my technical knowledge to create seamless and visually engaging user experiences (UI/UX). Beyond the classroom, I embrace my creative side as a part-time content creator and Twitch Streamer. My love for graphic design allows me to blend aesthetics with functionality, always seeking to design experiences that leave a lasting impact. I thrive on the challenge of transforming ideas into captivating visuals. With a keen eye for design and a solid understanding of social media platforms, I enjoy experimenting with innovative ways to engage and connect with audiences. My skills in graphic design and social media management complement my aspirations in the world of UI/UX, providing a holistic perspective on crafting digital experiences. I'm eager to learn, grow, and collaborate with fellow professionals and creatives. Let's connect and explore how we can shape the digital landscape together!

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.

EdTech Digest Top 100 Global Leader in EdTech Charlotte 40 Under 40

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!

ust your friendly neighborhood caster! I am a passionate Play-by-Play caster, Sports Broadcaster and Event MC/Facilitator. I cover primarily, Overwatch 2, Predecessor, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Mario Kart.

I am the co-founder of the*gameHERs, media platform and social network for women who game. the*gameHERs celebrates women in gaming industry and works to advance the role, voice, image, and power of all the*gameHERs in the gaming world. I was the Managing Director of Advertising and Strategic Partnerships at @mommybites, which we sold in 2016. 20+ years in advertising, marketing, brand partnerships, event planning, building authentic and engaged communities. Mother to three gaming content creators.

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.

Schoolconomy turns good grades into gaming. Upload your grades, earn points, redeem real game rewards and event perks. Learn, play, repeat.

A physical education teacher and program lead of Rising New York Road Runners, Reyes Landon is recognized for using sports education and culturally inclusive methods to promote student responsibility, accessibility, and equity. He also fosters and encourages student responsibility through meaningful leadership positions as coaches and equipment managers.

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.

Ryne Joyner aka metabigchief is a gamedeveloper from Memphis, TN. He has been making vr and mobile games since 2021. His love of video games started as a child playing systems such as Nintendo, SNES, and Sega Genesis. He is known for his most popular games: Regal Boxing, Regal Baseball Simulator, and Sweet Defense.

Sari Kitelyn is the Director of Esports for Full Sail University and the owner of Greater Orlando XP League. For the past 18 years, she has successfully developed brand initiatives for Full Sail, including brand campaigns, community outreach projects, new business development, and strategic planning. Since 2016, Sari has been building Full Sail’s award-winning esports ecosystem. Under Sari’s leadership, Full Sail Armada has been recognized as a finalist for the Collegiate Award at the annual Esports Awards, Collegiate Esports Program of the year by the Tempest Awards, and Most influential Gaming Community by Women in Games Global Awards. In 2022, Armada was recognized for their support of marginalized genders in gaming when they won the award for "Up and Coming Collegiate Team" by the *gameHERs awards. Sari has received recognition for her efforts as well, including: Most Impactful Women in Collegiate Esports - eFuse, 2020 Powerhouse Women Making a Difference - Femme Gaming, 2023 Women Who Mean Business Award - Orlando Business Journal, 2023 Diversity Game Changer Award - Orlando Magic, 2023 Director of the Year - National Association of Collegiate Esports, 2023 Woman of Inspiration Award - Greater Orlando Sports Commission, 2023 Best DEI Initiative - the *gameHERS, 2024 Outstanding Leadership Award - the National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors, 2024 Director of the Year - National Association of Collegiate Esports, 2024 Sari is also the co-founder of Esports and Coffee - a Twitch show and online community dedicated to supporting marginalized voices throughout esports and gaming, which she developed with other women advocating for more diversity in those spaces. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Sari holds her bachelor’s degree in Political Science/Pre-Law and her MBA. She has also earned her Project Management Professional Certification (PMP). Sari is a member of WISE (Women in Sports and Events) and serves as the Vice Chair for the Wise Within Mentorship committee. She is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Collegiate Esports, and serves in mentorship roles for marginalized genders and communities.

With over seven years of experience in tech strategy, workplace experience, and real estate, I am passionate about making Atlanta a top five tech city in the U.S. As a Tech Strategist at the City of Atlanta, Office of the Mayor's Technology and Innovation, I work with cross-functional teams to design and implement solutions that enhance the city's tech ecosystem, digital services, and civic engagement. I also leverage my skills in Office 365 administration, design thinking, and scrum to facilitate workshops, manage projects, and improve workflows. In addition, I am a licensed real estate professional at Village Premier Collection, where I help clients find their dream homes and invest in the booming Atlanta market. I have a MBA from the University of Maryland College Park and a MSW from the University of Connecticut, with a focus on social justice and urban issues. I am fluent in French and enjoy traveling, volunteering, and learning new things.

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.

Sebastian Lubbers manages the STEM Esports activity at Savannah State, which includes the daily operations of the STEM Esports lab, coaching all competitive teams playing at Savannah State, and advancing learn-through-play opportunities for the College of Engineering Technology and Computing by reinforcing subject-matter mastery through video games as a pedagogical medium. Prior to Savannah State, Sebastian Lubbers was a former league admin for NADota and IXDL-I, fostering the incubation of future Dota talents in both North America and Europe within the exclusive invite-only league. Sebastian has also worked with brands such as Carfax, MomoCon, and the Atlanta Ice House on activations with gaming as the focus.

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.

I’m Skyler Scarlett, an entrepreneur, gamer, and proud girl dad. I started GameClass to turn the world’s most popular video games into meaningful learning tools, inspired by how much my daughter loves to play, explore, and ask questions. Before this, I built and sold a wellness startup and pitched (twice!) on Shark Tank. I’ve also spoken at Berkeley, Columbia, and Yale about building with purpose and chasing ideas that make a difference. Always open to bold ideas and real impact.

Strategic business leader with direct experience in building businesses from early stage to successful exit. Worked directly with the C-suite in developing strategic plans, executing business plans and financial analysis. Consistently demonstrating strong analytical skills, creative problem solving and adaptability focused on driving enterprise value. Currently focused in areas of eSports, commercial real estate and digital marketing.

I have a passion for Electric transportations and Esports. 20+ years of experience in the motorcycle and bicycle industry in Europe and North America in leadership roles. Managing Director of Init Sports Management. Init Sports focus on developing athletes and brands in the Motorsports industry with particular attention to the Electric Off-road motorcycle market and the Ebike industry. Init Sports recently launched Init Esports Agency to develop the Esports arena in the motorsports industry. Mentor of young women interested in the world of motorcycling.

Stephen is also the Chief Executive Officer at ESIC, bringing the spectrum of his knowledge of forensics, technology and growth strategy for the benefit of the commission and it’s members. Stephen is also an experienced forensic accountant with accompanying legal qualifications. He founded Corporate Advantage Group in 2016 and has successfully completed several multi-million dollar forensic engagements. Aside from his forensic expert practice, Stephen owns and operates a range of businesses in a variety of industries including tech, education, esports, and construction. His understanding of business growth strategies and business automation technology has allowed him to successfully create, scale and maintain several brands. As a by-product of this success, Stephen regularly consults to external businesses on growth strategy, technological automation, and business process outsourcing.

Educator with over 25 years experience. Leader in the area of Game Based Learning and teaching Game Design and Development. EdTech influencer and community builder. Producer of Minefaire, a massive minecraft fan experience.

Sue Bohle has a long history in the game world. She founded her own PR agency in 1979, after 10 years with two national public relations firms. The Bohle Company initially focused on tech clients. She was Microsoft’s first public relations agency. She helped Bill Gates launch MS-DOS, launched Epson America and built Packard Bell into the No. 1 manufacturer of the PC. But In 1983, Sue was invited to pitch Atari. At the time, any PR for game companies was done in-house. The Bohle Company became the first PR firm serving videogame clients. Over the next two decades her agency helped ID make Doom the top selling first person shooter; launched products like NEC America’s TurboGraphix-16 ; Trip Hawkins’ 3DO system and Alienware. The Bohle Company also helped grow IGN into the largest online gamer site, helped make GDC the industry’s leading developer gathering and pushed Penny Arcade to expand into a series of gamer events around the world. During this period the agency also launched The Matrix for Warner Brothers and promoted many Sega, Paramount and DreamWorks games. In the early 2000’s, Sue started the Serious Play Conference, to leverage the power of “play” in training and education. Serious Play Conference helps instructional designers and teachers create games to teach k-12 And higher ed students and to train workers and professionals in government, the military healthcare and business. She has long been a promoter of education. In the early 90’s, she championed the development of a standardized curriculum for a game development major in higher ed.

TC Ogletree is an associate in Arnall Golden Gregory LLP’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice and a member of the Emerging Technologies and Entertainment & Sports industry teams. He is interested in the intersection between copyright and AI and enjoys writing articles about how the development of AI affects creative industries.

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.

Tammy is a veteran teacher in Suwannee County, Florida. She currently teaches computer science and broadcasting at Suwannee Middle School. After school, she is the head coach of the SMS Esports Club, which she helped found in 2019. Since that time, she has worked to connect other middle school esports programs to allow middle school students a safe environment in which to explore the amazing industry of esports. Her school was the first middle school to have a live student broadcast team (called shoutcasters). Her passion and drive to bring Florida esports together is evident in her dedication to the Sunshine State Esports League. In addition to her esports endeavors, she also supports educators through a variety of social media platforms including Twitter chats and Facebook groups.

erial FinTech entrepreneur ● Dares to imagine, and implement, the transformational possibilities of emerging technology ● Successful at managing the risk portfolio of institutions exceeding $1.2 trillion in assets during one of the most tumultuous financial markets in history ● Track record of building and growing successful businesses ● Subject matter expert & key opinion leader in the following disciplines: -M&A, Investments & New Products Development -FinTech Integration, Development, UI, and UX -Financial Services Innovation & Business Development -Product Strategy, Executive & Board Reporting -OpRisk/Regulatory/Compliance Program Design -Cybersecurity Program Design & Implementation

I've spent over a decade in professional Esports and have learned a ton from my time on the field. A strong understanding of my craft and a dedication to improvement and education allows me to bring the best of myself to every broadcast. Beyond on-air, having the opportunity to work with many talented people in many different roles gives me unique perspective that equips me to both plan for the future and also find quick solutions to emergent problems.

I believe that I can always be a positive influence on others, which I feel I do everyday in my personal and professional life. My primary goal is to help others reach their dreams through Esports, production, commentary, community, game development, sales, marketing, videography, photography, and more within the video game space. When you create a business you hire employees. When you create an industry you give purpose and change lives.

Todd Harris is a seasoned technology entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in product startups, specializing in video games and esports for the past 20 years. After working in leadership roles at FinTech companies, he co-founded Hi-Rez Studios, where as COO he grew the company to 450 employees and attracted 150 million players before a successful exit. Currently serving as CEO of Resurgens Gaming, Harris oversees a gaming media company that includes Skillshot Media, Ghost Gaming, Ghost Game Development Launchpad, and the Georgia Esports League. Under his leadership, Resurgens has generated over 1 billion esports content views, built a 37 million-strong social media following, and distributed more than $10M in competitive esports prizing. Harris also chairs several influential esports organizations: the United States Esports Federation, which represents the U.S. in international competitions; NASEF, which promotes scholastic esports for K-12 students globally; and the Atlanta Esports Alliance, focused on establishing Atlanta as a global esports hub. His contributions to the industry were recognized when he was named "2019 Most Admired CEO" by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

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.

I am a digital learning specialist experienced in providing leadership and technology integration training that directly affects instruction and improvement in student achievement. I collaborate with various district and school based teams, coordinators, Superintendent, Associate Superintendents Executive Directors, Principals, instructional coaches and teacher as needed meeting the needs of students at all levels, creating rigorous and engaging learning opportunities, conducive to high levels of achievement.

Tram is the IT Manager and Esports Director at Cannon School. With over 20 years IT experience working in Ad agency and K12 education. He fell into building the esports program at Cannon School. Currently competing in HSEL, UFEA, and NCISAA Leagues. Cannon has over 7 esports teams competing in League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Smash Bros, and Valorant.

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.

Dr. Victoria Lagrange is an Assistant Professor of Game Narrative and Acting Director of the Center for Interactive Media at Kennesaw State University. She also directs the Game Narrative Lab, where her team designs prosocial games such as Corporation, Inc., winner of an international critical thinking games award. Her research on interactive storytelling and audience engagement has appeared in Behavioral and Brain Sciences and PloS ONE. She is also a co-organizer of Transformer: AI and Games, in collaboration with the Georgia Game Developers Association.

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.

General Manager and Head Coach in the NBA 2K League with eleven years of production experience, Five years of brand activation experience, and several years of social media experience.

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.

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.

After graduated from University in Japan, I have studied Kinesiology in California. Then I have worked as an athletic trainer and physical education teacher at a Japanese high school in New York for about 10 years. I was involved in the launch of NASEF JAPAN and now work as an Esports Scholastic Director. In particular, I am working to connect with high school teachers and expand e-sports in Japan.