speakers

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.

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.

I am a high-energy professional that is involved in nearly all aspects of the day-to-day operations of Spectrum Industries, Inc. a manufacturer of furniture that connects individuals to technology. The Spectrum team is challenged daily to expand our corporate presence, to be innovative within our chosen markets and to strive to improve in all aspects of our business. Our team has partnered with over 14,000 global customers and has collaborated to achieve tremendous growth over the past few years.

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.