speakers

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.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Neil leads all revenue generating activities across partnerships, sponsorships and events. Securing long term, strategic partners is Neil's focus working with brands like Bell, AMD, Blacklyte, Monster Energy, Little Caesars, SCUF Gaming (Corsair), Red Bull, and more. Securing major esports events, working across local, regional and provincial levels of government to drive material economic impact ($10M+ per event) has been an exciting addition of OverActive Media's roster of assets. - In June, 2025 OverActive Media hosted the Call of Duty Championship Weekend for 10,000+ fans

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.

My name is Noland Johnson and I am an 4L part-time law student at Georgia State University. I am the coach for Georgia State Rocket League, and was the 2025-2026 President of Sports for Georgia State's Sports and Entertainment Law Society. I am also one of the winners of the 2025 Video Game Bar Association’s Scholarship Essay Contest. I have a passion and long history in academic competitions with highlights that include being Team Lead and a Finals participant in the NASA MITTIC competition, quarterfinalist(as well as team captain) for the 2023 HCASC National Championships, and a Hall of Fame Rocket League player for Southern University. Following my time as a competitor, I was an adjunct professor at Southern focusing on academic competition while also acting as the Assistant Director of Esports during my first year and a half of law school. I am the founder and Sole Proprietor of Playful Impact, a new age Esports collective that is focused on bridging the gap between amateur and professional success.. Starting with professional development and acting as an agent, I want to invest in talent and grow them into industry powerhouses using my experience, connections, and experience. I am connecting my developing legal and professional skills with the growing world of collegiate esports. I plan to turn my passion for esports, video games, intellectual competition, and entertainment into a lifelong career full of laughs, love, and innovation.

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!

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.

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! 🎮✨

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.

Stay Plugged In is the premier esports recruiting platform for college scholarships, providing opportunities for students to compete in front of a network of hundreds of college esports programs with the potential to earn scholarships.

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.

Educator and Academic leader Expertise and experience in digital media technology, media production, lighting production, writing for television and the media arts, documentary storytelling, simulation & game design.

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.