Evolve Summit

• Gina M. Raimondo is a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). From March 2021 through January 2025 she was the United States Secretary of Commerce.
• As secretary of commerce, she was focused on a simple but vital mission — make America more competitive by spurring good-paying jobs, empowering entrepreneurs to innovate and grow, and advancing economic and national security. The Department of Commerce, under her leadership, made historic investments in Internet access, manufacturing, economic development, workforce training, supply chain resiliency, and climate readiness through the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Secretary Raimondo also took a leading role in ensuring the responsible development of artificial intelligence. She stood up the U.S. AI Safety Institute in the Department of Commerce, which partnered with leading American AI companies to test major new models prior to deployment for potential risks to public safety and national security.
• Raimondo was the seventy-fifth governor of Rhode Island and its first woman governor. Under her leadership, Rhode Island became one of the first states in the country to offer tuition-free community college for every high school graduate. She was re-elected by the widest margins in a generation and the first governor of Rhode Island in decades to win the majority of the vote.
• She also served as the Chair of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA). During her term, she rebuilt the entire DGA leadership team, bolstered the fundraising, communications, and research teams, and grew the digital program exponentially.
• Prior to her role as Governor, Raimondo was elected to serve as general treasurer of Rhode Island. When Raimondo took office as General Treasurer she restructured the state’s seven billion dollar underfunded pensions, allowing Rhode Island to “avert pension disaster without raising taxes” (New York Times) and designed a first of its kind retirement system to ensure retirement security for the states public employees and teachers.
• Prior to her service in state government, she founded Point Judith Capital, a venture capital firm in her home state of Rhode Island, where she led the firm’s healthcare practice.
• Raimondo earned her BA in economics from Harvard University and a PhD from Oxford University through a Rhodes Scholarship. She is a graduate of Yale Law School and clerked for U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood. The 2016 recipient of Yale Law School’s prestigious Alumni Award of Merit, Governor Raimondo is an alumni fellow on the Yale Board of Trustees. She is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and serves on the Truth Initiative’s Board of Directors.

• Governor Bryan is the ninth-elected governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. He is an entrepreneur, non-profit executive, and tireless and compassionate advocate for the economic and political advancement of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• A former commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Labor and Chairman of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority Board, Governor Bryan is boldly leading the U.S. Virgin Islands towards unprecedented economic growth and infrastructure expansion. The Bryan-Roach Administration is spearheading a multi-billion-dollar recovery and rebuilding effort to transform the territory’s critical infrastructure in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria.
• In collaboration with the 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, Governor Bryan developed and implemented a plan that placed the Government Employees Retirement System, one of the country’s most underfunded public pension systems, on a path to solvency after more than 30 years of underinvestment.
• Under his leadership, in FY 2024 the U.S. Virgin Islands achieved an unparalleled increase in the territory’s tourism economy, unemployment reached historic lows, massive hurricane recovery projects were undertaken and new homeownership programs were introduced.
• Governor Bryan continues to make progress on his mission to lead the U.S. Virgin Islands to be number one in tourism, technology, and talent throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

• Ali Hogan is the co-founder & Board chair of Rung for Women, an organization that empowers women to achieve sustained independence through co-located and coordinated education, professional, and financial resources. Rung is designed to target a unique population: working women who are stuck in low-opportunity jobs and want to move up the economic ladder, who may be earning too much for public benefits but not enough to get ahead.
• Ali founded the nonprofit resale shop, Rung Boutique, in 2010. Her goal was to create an uplifting environment that provides women with the resources to find affordable business attire. The boutique went on to host “shopping parties” with other local nonprofits serving women in crisis, allowing their clients to shop at little or no cost to them.
• Beyond her work for Rung, Ali is a long-time volunteer and Board Member for The Humane Society of Missouri, and also serves on the board of the Forest Park Forever, a private nonprofit conservancy that works in partnership with the City of St. Louis and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry to restore, maintain and sustain Forest Park.

• Matt is New York City’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the Office of Technology & Innovation (OTI). The Chief Technology Officer coordinates technology-related projects and policy across the City.
• By consolidating all the City’s information technology offices, CTO Fraser has put forward a central strategy to bring agility, efficiency, and modernization to the City’s IT infrastructure.
• CTO Fraser is committed to democratizing technology. He oversees projects to expand broadband and make City services easier to use for all. CTO Fraser also runs the Joint Security Operations Center (JSOC). JSOC is a new cybersecurity hub that allows city, state, and federal entities to coordinate efforts against cyber threats.
• Most recently, CTO Fraser served as Deputy Commissioner for Information Technology at the New York Police Department (NYPD). At NYPD, he oversaw the successful launch of several community-based, crime reduction, and precision policing initiatives, including the NYPD On-Line Reporting Service, allowing members of the public to report low-level crimes. CTO Fraser spearheaded the efforts to leverage technology to address violent crime conditions through programs expanding Citywide gunshot detection coverage, increasing the number of ARGUS cameras deployed across the City, and rehabilitating security cameras covering NYCHA housing developments.
• CTO Fraser has over 17 years of IT experience across government and the private sector. In addition to NYPD, he has worked with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the Mayor’s Office, the NYC Department of Buildings, and as a Director of Consulting Services at Gartner.
• CTO Fraser is a native New Yorker, born in Brooklyn, NY.

• Minister Ingabire is a Rwandan technology enthusiast currently serving as the Minister of ICT and Innovation in the Government of Rwanda.
• Prior to her appointment as Minister, she served as Head of the ICT Business Development Department at the Rwanda Development Board where she led the implementation of National ICT programs notably eGovernment and Cyber Security and coordinator of the Kigali Innovation City, a project designed to nurture and strengthen a Pan-African Innovation ecosystem.
• She coordinated the creation of Smart Africa, an initiative that seeks to leverage broadband infrastructure as a driver for Africa’s socio- economic growth.
• With 10 years’ experience leading ICT programs for economic development, she’s a keen advocate of the role of innovation and emerging technologies towards driving economic growth.
• Minister Ingabire was named by Apolitical (2019) among the Top 20 of the World’s 100 most influential people in digital government. She serves on the Global Council of the World Summit Award Board of Directors, World Economic Forum Cyber Security Board and Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Global Network Advisory Board.

• Bernard is President of International for Bank of America and is a member of Bank of America’s Executive Management Team. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Merrill Lynch International, Bank of America’s largest international subsidiary.
• Based in London, Bernard is responsible for the development and execution of Bank of America’s strategy and extensive business activities internationally. These span corporate, commercial and investment banking, sales and trading, research and treasury services and associated support and control functions. He is also responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the broad Bank of America franchise to its corporate and institutional clients internationally. Prior to assuming his current position in 2020, he jointly led the bank’s fixed income, currencies and commodities trading business globally.
• He joined the firm in 2010 from Goldman Sachs in London, where he was a Partner and global head of Bank Loan and Distressed Trading, and prior to that ran the bank’s Asia Credit and Convertibles business, based in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
• Bernard co-chairs the Africa Advisory Board of The King’s Trust International and is a member of the board of the Kofi Annan Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes better global governance to achieve a fairer, more peaceful world.
• He is a member of the Stanford University Parents and Family Advisory Board, and previously served as Co-Chair.

• Neerav is the head of business development at Anthropic. Prior to Anthropic, he was an executive coach to founders working on AI safety.
• Before working in AI, Neerav was the Managing Partner of City Fund, a national philanthropic organization backed by Reed Hasting, Steve Ballmer, and John Arnold. City Fund was created to scale the strategies that helped transform New Orleans public schools after Hurricane Katrina.
• From 2006 to 2014, Neerav worked for New Schools for New Orleans, helping build the nation’s first public school system where over 90% of students attend charter schools; as a result of this structural transition, New Orleans students are achieving at the highest levels in decades. He was the organization’s CEO from 2012 to 2014.

• Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley is a Grammy Award-winning music producer, songwriter, and artist whose innovative production techniques have profoundly shaped contemporary music across multiple genres.
• As one of the most influential producers of the past three decades, Timbaland has created career-defining hits for artists including Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Aaliyah, Nelly Furtado, and numerous others. His production style, characterized by unconventional rhythmic patterns, distinctive sonic textures, and futuristic sound design, has repeatedly redefined the sound of popular music.
• Professionally, Timbaland founded Mosley Music Group in 2006, a record label that has operated in partnership with major labels including Interscope and Epic Records. Through this venture, he has developed and launched successful artists while maintaining creative control over his productions.
• His work has earned him multiple Grammy Awards, including Producer of the Year, and his productions have contributed to worldwide album sales exceeding 40 million units. Beyond his studio work, Timbaland has released several solo albums including “Shock Value” (2007) and “Shock Value II” (2009).
• In recent years, Timbaland has expanded his influence into music technology and education through his involvement with Beatclub, an online marketplace for music creators that connects producers and songwriters with artists and industry professionals.

• Powell is currently the official Test and Development driver for the Envision Racing team. She started racing when she was just eight years old. In 2010, at the age of 17, she became the youngest racer and first woman to win a Formula Renault championship and, in 2012, the first female driver to score points in the GP3 Series.
• In 2020 Powell got her first taste of electric machinery, when she took part in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Season 6 Rookie Test with Envision Racing.
• In the same year, Powell competed in the W Series, where she achieved numerous podiums, and finished 3rd overall in the championship. The following year she went on to challenge for the title once again, taking three wins along the way and ultimately finished in the runner-up spot.
• Powell has continued in her development role with Envision Racing since officially joining the team in 2021. She has completed extensive simulator work since Season 7, and was part of the Season 9 World Championship success.
• Beyond that, she is a driver coach for a number of young racers, and is also a commentator and pundit. Alice is an integral member of the team, and a strong advocate for inspiring the next generation of girls in motorsport.

• Mayor Benjamin is a Co-Chair of BGR Group’s Advisory Board. Prior to BGR, Steve served as a Senior Advisor to President Biden and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
• Prior to his service in the Biden-Harris administration, Steve was the Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina from April 2010 through December 2021. During his time as Mayor, he served as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (2018-2019), as President of the African American Mayors Association, Vice Chairman of the Global Parliament of Mayors, Executive Chairman of Municipal Bonds for America, Chairman of the FirstNet Authority, a Member of the Federal Communications Commission’s Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.
• Mayor Benjamin also has a background in education. He was the Spring 2022 Richard L. and Ronay A. Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He previously served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Carolina’s top ranked Honors College teaching a course titled “Columbia, South Carolina: Building a Great City” and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities.

• Wendy Kopp is CEO and Co-founder of Teach For All, a global network of independent organizations that are developing collective leadership to ensure all children have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
• Prior to launching Teach For All in 2007, Wendy founded Teach For America in 1989 to marshal the energy of her generation against educational inequity in the United States. She led the organization, which has proven to be an unparalleled source of long-term leadership for expanding opportunity for children in the United States, for 24 years.
• Today, more than 10,000 Teach For America corps members—outstanding recent college graduates and professionals of all academic disciplines—are in the midst of two-year teaching commitments in 50 urban and rural regions, and Teach For America has proven to be an unparalleled source of long-term leadership for expanding opportunity for children. Wendy led the development of Teach For All to be responsive to the initiative of social entrepreneurs around the world who were determined to adapt this approach in their own countries.
• After leading Teach For America for 24 years, Wendy moved into the role of chair of the board in 2013. Wendy is also the author of A Chance to Make History: What Works and What Doesn’t in Providing an Excellent Education for All, and One Day, All Children.

• Lt. Col. Brad M. Delloiacono is the Strategy Development Branch Chief within Joint Staff J5 Strategy Development Division at the Pentagon.
• The Joint Staff J5 proposes strategies, plans, and policy recommendations to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to support his provision of military advice across the full spectrum of national security concerns to the President and other national leaders and to ensure those recommendations are informed by a larger strategic context — coordinated with interagency and alliance partners — account for the view and requirements of the combatant commanders, and assess risk in executing the National Military Strategy.
• He was first assigned to the 432d Operation Support Squadron Creech AFB, Nevada where he served as the MQ-1 wing weapons and tactics chief. He graduated the USAFWS as a distinguished graduate in 2012. He was assigned to AFSOC and the 3d SOS at Cannon AFB, NM where he served as chief of weapons, operations group executive officer and deployed in support of a JTF for AFRICOM operations.
• Lt Col Brad M. DelloIacono completed a one-year, Air Force fellow assignment at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and is a SAASS graduate.
• He has flown more than 2,800 hours in the MQ-1, MQ-9, and RQ-170 supporting OEF, OIF, OUP, OIR, and other contingency operations.

• Dr. Gibbs currently serves at the seventh president of the Metropolitan College of New York.
• Before MCNY, Dr. Gibbs served as the Chief Executive Officer of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., where he expanded the organization’s impact in mentoring African American youth nationwide.
• Prior, he served as the President of the Propel Center HBCU Consortium at Clark Atlanta University, a $50 million-dollar initiative supported by Apple Inc. and the Southern Company to expand the higher education black talent pipeline in the fields of Health, Social Justice, Arts and Entertainment, Agriculture and Technology.
• His previous roles include Vice President for University Affairs and Chief of Staff and President of the Propel Center HBCU Consortium at Clark Atlanta University, Dean and Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Miles College in Alabama and Vice Provost at Howard University
• Widely known as an expert in policy, accreditation, legislation, strategic partnership development, and fundraising, Dr. Gibbs is a visionary leader who has dedicated his career transforming higher education and facilitating with great success fundraising initiatives for institutions of higher learning, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

• Jidenna is a multi-hyphenate creative and entrepreneur who blends artistry with cultural innovation.
• His breakthrough single “Classic Man” (2015) earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and established him as an innovative voice in the music industry. The song’s success led to his signing with Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland Records in partnership with Epic Records.
• Jidenna released his debut album “The Chief” in 2017, followed by “85 to Africa” in 2019, both of which showcase his multicultural background through themes of identity, heritage, and global perspectives. Born in Wisconsin to a Nigerian father and American mother, his work often explores the intersection of African and American cultures.
• He has been an advocate for various social causes, including education initiatives and cultural exchange between the United States and Africa

• On November 8, 2016, Ellis was elected county commissioner and sworn into office on January 1, 2017.
• As the elected Commissioner of Harris County Precinct One, Rodney has played a critical role in securing misdemeanor bail reform, flood equity guidelines, stronger worker protections and economic opportunity provisions, funding for indigent defense and COVID-19 recovery funding, including direct relief for residents, small businesses, emergency rental assistance, shelters for those experiencing homelessness, as well as other innovative programs, including providing computers to low-income students.
• Before serving as a County Commissioner, Rodney was elected to Houston City Council and served three terms before being elected to the Texas Senate in 1990.
• For 26 years, he represented Texas’ 13th state senate district and he passed over 700 pieces of legislation.
• As County Commissioner, Ellis prioritizes inclusive economic growth that uplifts low income communities, ensures access to parks and green-space in underserved neighborhoods, advances criminal justice reform that protects the rights of all people, and provides safe, affordable transportation options.

• Don is the Chief Executive Officer of the Skoll Foundation, a global philanthropy with a mission to build a sustainable world of peace and prosperity for all. With a career spanning public service, politics, business, nonprofits and technology, Gips leads the Foundation’s work investing in, connecting, and championing social innovators around the world.
• In 2008, Gips helped lead President Barack Obama’s transition team and then served in the White House as his Director of Presidential Personnel at the beginning of the Administration. From there he went on to serve as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa from 2009 to 2013. There he was recognized for his efforts to promote improved relations with South Africa when the U.S. State Department chose him as the recipient of the 2010 Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service.
• During the Clinton Administration, he served as Chief Domestic Policy Advisor to Vice President Al Gore and Chief of the International Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission. At the FCC, he helped design the first spectrum auctions for licenses to utilize the continuum of frequencies used to provide wireless services ranging from radio broadcasting to mobile communications and satellite services.
• In 1993, he helped create the framework for what would become the U.S. national service program, AmeriCorps, that continues to enroll more than 200,000 Americans each year in public service.
• Gips has also held various roles in the private sector. He was head of Corporate Development at Level 3 Communications; led the Africa practice at Albright Stonebridge Group; and served as a venture partner at Columbia Capital and a Senior Advisor at Blackstone. He began his private sector career as a consultant at McKinsey & Company.
• He currently sits on the board of CassTech, Africa’s leading provider of information and telecommunications services, and is on the Board of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund US. He has also served on the boards of Zayo, Mindspeed, Liquid, Omnispace, and Nextnav.
• Don received an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. He is married to Elizabeth (Liz) Berry Gips. Don and Liz have three grown sons: Sam, Peter, and Ben.

• Manasseh is the Executive Director of Society of Family Health (SFH) Rwanda where he works closely with donors and other key stakeholders as well acting as a liaison between the Board of Directors and the rest of the organization
• Before joining SFH Rwanda, Manasseh was a Program Director and Learning & Support Specialist with Compassion International where he Supervised Program research and project assessment as well as impact studies and worked closely with the Rwandan Ministry of Health to address nutrition issues for HIV AIDS patients.
• He also worked as Country Director for e3 Partners Ministry and was a Project Manager for Kitabi College of Conservation and Environmental Management where he implemented a multimillion dollar project between the Government of Rwanda and the MacArthur Foundation.

• Keno Omu has a wealth of experience as a researcher, curriculum designer, and educator at higher education institutions in Europe and Africa. She is passionate about curriculum design, leadership development, and educational system building for underserved communities. She is currently the Director of Learning Research & Development at ALX.
• Keno was previously the Chief Academic Officer of Kibo School of Technology, an online university that provides high-quality and affordable STEM degrees to African students. Before joining Kibo, Keno led the development of the Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurial Leadership degree at the African Leadership University (ALU). She also served as the Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs and was a founding faculty member in the Engineering program at ALU’s campus in Mauritius.
• Keno joined ALU after spending two years as a postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, where she was responsible for teaching, supervising postgraduate students, and researching computational methods for analyzing emerging renewable energy systems.
• Before that, she worked as a Research Scientist at the IBM Research Africa Laboratory in Nairobi, Kenya, developing technology solutions to address electricity access and reliability challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Keno holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, a Masters in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London, and a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University.

• Tommy Brown is a Grammy-nominated music producer and songwriter known for his significant contributions to contemporary pop and R&B music.
• As founder of Champagne Therapy Music Group, Tommy Brown has established himself as one of the industry’s most sought-after producers, crafting hits for global superstars across multiple genres. His production portfolio includes work with Ariana Grande on multiple albums including “thank u, next” and “Positions,” as well as collaborations with artists such as Victoria Monét, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Blackpink, and Megan Thee Stallion.
• His production style blends contemporary pop sensibilities with R&B influences, creating distinctive sonic landscapes that have helped define the sound of modern pop music.
• His work has earned him multiple Grammy nominations and contributed to numerous Billboard #1 hits. Beyond his work with established artists, Brown has demonstrated an eye for emerging talent, working with developing artists and songwriters through his production company.

Fred Swaniker is the Founder & CEO of Sand Technologies, a global technology company that builds enterprise-grade artificial intelligence applications for companies and governments around the world.

Fred began his career at McKinsey & Company and has an MBA from Stanford University, where he was named an Arjay Miller Scholar, a distinction awarded to the top 10% of each graduating class. He has been recognized as one of the top 15 emerging social entrepreneurs in the world by Echoing Green; as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum; as a TED Fellow, and as an Aspen Institute Fellow. He has been honored with doctorate degrees from Macalester College in Minnesota, Middlebury College in Vermont, and Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. He sits on the boards of the Rhodes Trust (which awards the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University) and is a member of the International Advisory Board of Waterloo University (Canada).

Fred was recognized in 2019 as one of the ‘100 most influential people in the world’ by Time Magazine and again in 2023 with a “Time 100 Impact award” for his work. Prior to launching Sand.

• John Paul Farmer is the President of Smart City Expo USA, the country’s leading event for smart cities.
• Prior to Smart City Expo USA, John was the President of WeLink Cities, where he brought revolutionary broadband technology to American cities to address the longstanding digital divide, while simultaneously developing high-impact international partnerships to produce digital equity in densely populated cities worldwide.
• Previously, John was appointed by the Mayor to serve as the 3rd Chief Technology Officer of the City of New York, where he led a diverse team in building a more future-ready city. John spearheaded technology policy such as the award-winning NYC Artificial Intelligence Strategy, NYC Internet of Things Strategy, and the NYC Internet Master Plan. He created key programs such as the NYC Digital Service, NYC Digital Reserve, and NYC Innovation Fellows, which collectively delivered a range of digital products to better serve New Yorkers. He also co-chaired the 50-member Cities Coalition for Digital Rights.
• John was named an adjunct associate professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, focusing on the United Nation’s relationship with applied emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
• John served as the Senior Advisor for Innovation at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy under President Barack Obama, where he co-founded and led the Presidential Innovation Fellows program to attract top private sector change-makers for focused tours of duty in government.
• Prior to the U.S. government, John built new business units in the private sector. He played professional baseball in the minor league systems of the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.

• Dr. Olukotun is the Cadence Design Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Stanford University.
• Dr. Olukotun is a pioneer in multicore processor design and the leader of the Stanford Hydra chip multiprocessor (CMP) research project. He founded Afara Websystems to develop high-throughput, low-power multicore processors for server systems. The Afara multi-core processor, called Niagara, was acquired by Sun Microsystems and now powers Oracle’s SPARC-based servers.
• In 2017, Dr. Olukotun co-founded SambaNova Systems, a Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence company, and continues to lead as their Chief Technologist. Powered by the SambaNova SN40L Reconfigurable Dataflow Unit (RDU), organizations can build a technology backbone for the next decade of AI innovation with SambaNova Suite. Its fully integrated hardware-software system, DataScale, enables organizations to train, fine-tune, and deploy the most demanding AI workloads using the largest and most challenging models
• Dr. Olukotun is the Director of the Pervasive Parallel Lab and a member of the Data Analytics tor What’s Next (DAWN) Lab, developing infrastructure for usable machine learning. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, an ACM Fellow, and an IEEE Fellow for contributions to multiprocessors on a chip design and the commercialization of this technology. He also received the Harry H. Goode Memorial Award.

• Dhani is an investor, Strategic Partner, Board Member, and former NFL linebacker.
• Outside of his eleven-year football career, Dhani has spent the past twenty years developing businesses and establishing relationships in leading industries, including finance, marketing, data analytics, and business development.
• After his football career, Jones became a television host. He led the Travel Channel series Dhani Tackles the Globe, where he explored global sports and cultures, and hosted VH1’s Ton of Cash and CNBC’s Adventure Capitalists.
• He co-founded Qey Capital Partners in 2014, where he serves as Chairman. The firm focuses on strategic consultancy and investment, with an emphasis on supporting diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• Dhani joined Granite Creek Capital as a Senior Advisor in 2022, guiding investment strategies and business development initiatives. He also co-launched the Hillman Accelerator, which invests in tech companies led by women and people of color.

• Humphrey is the CEO and co-founder of CLIPr, a video intelligence platform for enterprises that leverages AI and machine learning to quickly find and index the moments that matter.
• He has experience in start-ups and machine learning, with roles including Chief Product Officer for VidMob, leading New Technologies at Verizon Wireless during the launch of 4G LTE networks, and as Head of Key Initiatives for Amazon’s Computer Vision team leading the launch of Amazon Textract.
• Chen currently serves on the Board of Advisors for Noom, DialPad, GrayMeta, and VidMob.

• With over 15 years of experience in neuroelectronic interfaces, Osh is the founder, CEO, and CTO of Koniku, a full-stack “wetware” technology company that merges genetically modified living biological neurons/cells with silicon to create cyborgs that can sense, compute, and act in the real world. He is versed in designing DNA constructs, cell lines, firmware, and machine learning models for synthetic biology. He leads a multidisciplinary team of engineers, biologists, and neuroscientists.
• A strong background in robotics, physics, bioengineering, computational neuroscience, and AI, he has led several innovative projects in the industry and academia. He has developed an in vitro reflex arc for modeling implantable neural chips, built and customized two-photon microscopes for studying synaptic transmission in the mouse visual cortex.
• With previous top level experience in a startups with successful exits, Osh is passionate about exploring the frontiers of synthetic neurobiology and creating solutions for healthcare, security, defense, food and environmental challenges.

• Todd is the CEO and co-founder of HEAVY.AI. HEAVY.AI (formerly MapD/OmniSci) leverages the massive parallelism of GPUs to make analyzing and visualizing massive datasets instant, powerful, and effortless. With HEAVY.AI, analysts and data scientists can query and visually explore multi-billion record datasets interactively and in real-time.
• Todd originally conceived of the idea of a GPU-accelerated analytics platform while conducting graduate research at Harvard on the role of social media in the Arab Spring, after tiring of waiting hours or sometimes days for traditional CPU-based platforms to run analytic workflows over hundreds of millions of tweets.
• He later joined MIT’s CSAIL as a research fellow, under the supervision of Sam Madden and Turing Award winner Michael Stonebraker, before founding HEAVY.AI.

• Rodney is Partner at Nexus Group which he co-founded in 2018. Rodney currently represents numerous private, public and nonprofit sector clients as their outside public policy counsel, government relations advisor, registered state lobbyist and legal public procurement consultant.
• He began his career two decades ago as a legislative assistant in the Missouri General Assembly, went on to serve as a clerk for the Missouri Supreme Court and spent twelve years as a partner in the Public Policy and Regulations practice at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm. He currently serves in a Senior Counsel capacity at Dentons.
• Rodney assists his clients with development and implementation regarding enactment or defeat of legislation or regulatory policies affecting their industries. He assists numerous clients with the procurement or retention of state and local government contracts.
• In addition, he serves on a number of non-profit boards and commissions, including: State Historical Society of Missouri, The St. Louis Police Foundation, The St. Louis Art Museum Board of Trustees and Forest Park Forever Board of Directors.
• Rodney led a delegation of St. Louis business leaders to Kigali, Rwanda this January to establish St. Louis and Kigali as sister cities and to deepen business ties between the two cities.