speakers

Levoski Brown has over 10 years in semi-professional and professional development for esports business, marketing, and educational programming. He serves as the current Chief Executive Officer for Detonate Media LLC, an Atlanta-based professional gaming collective as well as the Esports Head Coach for Morris Brown College, spearheading the diversification of gaming opportunities for underrepresented individuals both in professional, collegiate, and scholastic programs.

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

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

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.

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.

Entrepreneur focused on gaming, media and Web3. Thinking about what's next. -Founder & CEO M80 -Co-Founder & COO at XSET one of the fastest growing esports and gaming brands in North America -Founder & CEO of Framerate an esports and gaming content network acquired by Super League Gaming in 2019 -Founder & CEO of Roostr, the first performance marketing network for Youtube Influencers and Mobile Game Publishers acquired by Chartboost in 2016 -Founder & CEO at Gameblyr, a mobile game publisher focused on supporting and working with independent game developers worldwide -Practiced law from 2000-2009 in the areas of IP, Real Estate and emerging businesses

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.

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.

As a visionary leader in digital entertainment, I pioneer the convergence of traditional business excellence with the explosive world of esports. After establishing myself as one of HuffPost's Top 5 Most Influential Women in Fantasy Sports and driving industry-wide growth as Executive Director of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, I recognized a similar inflection point in competitive gaming. This insight led me to found the Esports Trade Association (ESTA), which I've transformed into a powerhouse that's reshaping how the esports industry evolves and thrives. ESTA stands at the forefront of industry innovation, uniting global leaders through our landmark EsportsNext Conference, authoritative publications, and dynamic chapters. We're not just participating in the esports revolution - we're architecting its future by creating unprecedented opportunities for professionals, teams, leagues, and brands to forge powerful alliances and drive industry advancement. My leadership philosophy, shaped by a Master's in Industrial Psychology and enriched by multi-faith studies, champions both strategic excellence and inclusive innovation. This distinctive approach has earned recognition through nominations like the WISE Women of Inspiration Awards and established me as a sought-after executive and speaker who delivers transformative insights to organizations ready for extraordinary growth. From my Chicago base, I combine bold vision with proven strategy to build bridges between traditional business mastery and digital entertainment's limitless potential. By creating spaces where diverse perspectives and innovative thinking converge, we're catalyzing the next evolution of esports and digital entertainment. Ready to be part of this extraordinary journey? Let's connect and explore how we can shape the future of competitive gaming together.

Micah Epstein is an illustrator and concept artist working in the publishing and entertainment industries. Over more than a decade in these fields, he has created work for collaborations with a wide variety of leading clients, including Macmillan, Hachette, Penguin Random House, Dark Horse, Hasbro, and Wizards of the Coast, as well as authors including Brandon Sanderson and George RR Martin. Originally trained as a traditional oil painter, Micah blends his classical training with modern techniques and sensibilities to bring his unique vision of design and storytelling to his collaborations, which can be seen in his work on properties ranging from Magic the Gathering to The Murderbot Diaries.

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.