Dr. Sam Cole

Dr. Cole specializes in solving meaningful business problems by integrating scientific rigor with behavioral insights. After a decade of transforming health behaviors, Dr. Cole transitioned to the eCommerce sector with Behamics, captivated by the groundbreaking synergy of causal AI and behavioral science. As Head of Behavioral Science, he is dedicated to driving innovation and achieving measurable results for a global client base through the practical application of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. Based in Chicago, Dr. Cole is an avid cyclist and is currently learning French, continually embracing new challenges both professionally and personally.

AJ Damiano

Angelo (A.J.) Damiano is the Co-Founder and CPO at Scrollmark, a Direct Message Marketing tool used by top brands like Orange Theory, Tiege Hanley, Cheekbone Beauty, and Xponential Fitness.

An entrepreneurial spirit, Damiano previously co-founded Powerspike, an influencer marketing platform for gaming, esports, and live streaming. He led the company as Chairman & CEO until its acquisition by Live Current Media, Inc. (OTCQB: LIVC) in 2022. 

A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Damiano is a graduate of Syracuse University and the Techstars Atlanta program. He currently advises startups in the realms of Social Media, Entertainment, AI, and Gaming.

Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli

Meredith is the Co-Founder and CEO of WATS, a software platform using waste data to drive cost savings, waste diversion, and waste reduction for sustainability and operations teams in multi-site businesses. Before WATS, Meredith spent nearly a decade at the intersection of commercial waste and sustainability in NYC. Meredith is a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, sits on the Board of Directors of the US Composting Council, and was recognized with the 2019 Recycling Leadership award by the New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling. Meredith holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of Virginia, a MS in Urban Policy and Sustainability Analysis from the New School, plays ice hockey, and loves sandwiches.

Deena Ashford Gardner

Deena Ashford Gardner, Sr. Group Manager, Commerce at Google, isn't just at the forefront of marketing — she's shaping its future with AI. Partnering with top brands across industries like CPG, entertainment, automotive and retail (including names like YUM! Brands, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Paramount Pictures, Ford, and Macy's), she translates their visions into data-driven strategies that resonate. With nearly two decades of experience, she empowers clients to harness AI's full potential, driving business growth and forging deeper customer connections.

A Detroit native and proud Clark Atlanta University alum, Deena's passion extends beyond the search bar. She's a dedicated mom, a Pilates enthusiast, and a tireless champion for inclusive cultures. When she's not unlocking the potential of AI, you'll find her traveling, indulging in Pilates, or spending quality time with her family in the Metro Detroit area.

Michael Healander

As Co-Founder, President & CEO of Airspace Link, Inc., Michael Healander is responsible for running all facets of the business. Michael has a proven executive management track record and 15 years of experience driving growth in the UAS and geospatial industry. Airspace Link’s award-winning AirHub® Platform has been described by Federal, State, and Local Government partners and Commercial Operators as the “Smart Maps for Drones”.

Ana Healander

Ana is a Co-Founder and VP of Customer Success at Airspace Link. She has over 20 years of Customer Success and Account Management Experience. She is well rounded in direct sales, insides sales and customer management. Ana also has 13 years of experience as a co-owner and franchise manager and operator. Metal Supermarket started as a small 2-person business (Ana and her father) that they grew into a profitable business that was eventually sold. Ana spent another 3 years as the customer care manager with the company that acquired her family’s business. 

Frank Reinhold

Frank Reinhold leads the New Business Development team for BASF’s Monomers division in North America, which provides raw materials for mattresses and car seating, as well as insulation and wood composites. Within the scope of New Business Development, Frank's team explores solutions to reduce carbon footprint, implement recycling processes for a circular economy, and develop bio-based raw materials.

Frank received his Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry and Material Science at the Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany. He started his career with BASF in Germany and moved to the US in 2011. Throughout his several roles in Research & Development, Frank has always focused on sustainability, and has been supported making paper cups recyclable within the packaging industry and creating bio-based and bio-degradable detergents for care product customers. In his current role, Frank is part of the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) Sustainability panel, which promotes sustainable solutions in mattress foam applications.

In his free time, Frank enjoys walking and cycling in nature with his family. He is slowly growing his backyard into a permaculture garden and is currently attempting to raise mushroom cultures.

Roger Sklar

Roger Sklar is the principal and founder of Critical Tier, which focuses on accelerating brand and supplies ESG capabilities while enhancing enterprise value. Critical Tier identifies and designs programs to not only meet today’s dynamic regulatory environment but also deliver innovative supply chain benefits.

Roger’s experience spans the breadth of the extended supply chain, including work with commodity and raw material suppliers, product innovation, development, manufacturing partners, transportation, logistics, customs compliance and final mile operations in support of in-line and partner retail.

Roger’s leadership positions at NIKE Inc represent some of the most challenging operational responsibilities in supply chain. In Supply Planning and Strategic Sourcing for footwear, he created and executed plans for 500 million pairs across 40+ factories and long-range strategies for growth. While based in Asia, he was responsible for the total enterprise success of key factory partners, from business planning to finished goods output. In ESG, Roger established the company’s first supply chain traceability program, designed to identify and link each tier that supports the manufacture of NIKE product.

Prior to NIKE, Roger worked with leading global logistics provider APL in both North America and in Asia, including general management of operating subsidiaries in Bangladesh and Malaysia.

A native of Seattle, Roger graduated from the University of Washington’s School of Business Administration with a concentration in finance, and earned an MBA at Georgia State University’s Robinson School of Business in Atlanta.

Deepak Upadya

Deepak is the founder and CTO of Moii AI, a company focused on providing AI driven activity intelligence technologies for safety, security, operations and productivity.

A passionate advocate for merging AI products with actionable data science and analytics, Deepak is driven by a passion for customer success through impact. Deepak's experience spans computer aided simulation, model based engineering for real world applications at global Tata Technologies. He also spend over a decade mapping customer experience to engineering at Stellantis.

Deepak has a bachelor of engineering from B.M.S. College of Engineering and an MBA from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University.

S. Eliot Weiner

S. Eliot Weiner is a seasoned executive with the Edw. C. Levy Co., where he currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer, leading over 3000 dedicated employees in hundreds of locations across the globe. Eliot also serves as a Board Director for multiple companies, including Protocon Ready Mix, Australian Steel Mill Services, Siam Steel Mill Services, and Cadillac Asphalt, LLC.

With an MBA in Strategic Management and Marketing from The Tippie College of Management and further executive education from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, Eliot is a visionary leader that fosters a culture of care and innovation to the employees he serves.

Eliot is deeply involved in the community, volunteering as the Chair of the Board of Directors for CARE House of Oakland County, leads an effort to educate legislators on the importance of the US- Israel relationship, is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO), and works as volunteer teacher for Junior Achievement in Detroit Public Schools.

Eliot’s proudest achievement is his family- his wife Whitney and their three boys, Jake, Max and Wes.

The average person spends almost 33 years of their life resting in a bed. And if there’s one thing we believe in… it’s that sleep is time that should be well spent. That’s why the King Koil brand promisesmore than a mattress. We craft a place to think and dream, to relax and recharge — a foundation of support for so many other things in life from a family’s love to personal repose.

King Koil bridges the gap between high quality sleep and a life well lived, for benefits that can be felt all day through. From a days end to a fresh morning start, we are the place where wellness begins. We are well-being that is always well-made.

Founded in 2014 in Detroit, KORTX is a modern media agency empowering ambitious teams to achieve bold results through powerful, data-driven strategies. Specializing in simplifying the complexities of media and advertising for independent agencies and mid-market brands, KORTX combines research, strategy, and best-in-class digital media, creative, and marketing analytics. Recognized on the Inc. 5000 for five consecutive years, named a “Great Place to Work,” featured on the Black LUMAscape, and NMSDC-certified, KORTX is committed to empowering transformative growth and driving results. Learn more at www.kortx.io.

As a leading retail insurance agency group, we offer a diverse range of solutions tailored to meet our customers' unique needs. At the core of RIA's mission is the empowerment of our clients. We will provide you with the tools and data necessary to manage and understand your insurance coverages and our experience, our relationships in the industry and our belief in delivering unparalleled customer service is what sets our agency apart. RIA offers services for standard and niche commercial lines, surety bonds, personal lines and employee benefits.

Featured Non-Profit

Founded in 2001, Pajama Program promotes equitable access to healthy sleep so all children can thrive. Healthy sleep is crucial for the development of young brains and bodies, significantly impacting their overall health and well-being. However, millions of children in America are not getting the amount of sleep they need, especially those facing adversity and instability. Pajama Program provides children and their families with bedtime materials and sleep health education to build better bedtimes, because tomorrow starts tonight. 

In over two decades, Pajama Program has provided more than 8 million new pajamas and storybooks across the U.S., collaborating with thousands of community-based organizations and local volunteers. In addition to providing the physical resources needed for a good night’s sleep, the organization has also collaborated with renowned experts in sleep science and child development to develop impactful sleep health education programs. Pajama Program teaches thousands of children, parents, educators, and social service staff about the importance of healthy sleep, and supports them with actionable educational resources about sleep and well-being. The result of their work? Kids sleep an average of 30 minutes longer each night. Their programs are delivered on-site, at schools in under-resourced communities, and at their program centers in New York City, Atlanta, and Detroit.

Pajama Program imagines a world where every child wakes up ready to fulfill their potential. To learn more about their work (watch this video) or visit www.pajamaprogram.org.