Registration and continental breakfast

Welcome and introductions from our conference hosts and organizers:

• Ryan Scott, community engagement manager, Georgia AIM
• Donna Ennis, co-director, Georgia AIM
• Maxine Cain, founder, STEM Atlanta
• Tamika Ray-Head, founder, Pink STEM

Morning Keynote

Jennifer Kattula, GM and CMO of Microsoft Advertising

Morning Breakout Sessions:

AI’s Influence on Cybersecurity

As AI adoption grows, so does the need for strong IT and cybersecurity practices. This session will explore how AI is being used to detect threats, improve system efficiency, and support cybersecurity teams—while also highlighting workforce shortages and entry points into the field.

Featured panelists:

• Moderator: Tamika Head, founder, Pink STEM, Inc.
• Ashley Rucker, Sr. IT Knowledge & Training Analyst, Smurfit Westrock
• Natalie Hall, Director, Office of Digital Transformation, City of Atlanta, Department of Atlanta Information Management
• Moeiini Reilly, Research Technologist, Georgia Tech Research Institute
• Kenya Brooks-Jones, Co-Founder, President & CIO (Chief Innovation Officer), Jones Software Corp.
• Sooraya Williams, Program Director, Digital Learning, YWCA Greater Atlanta

AI Skills in Manufacturing

Manufacturing is evolving rapidly as AI, automation, and smart technology reshape how work gets done. This session will explore how AI is used across modern manufacturing and what the changes it brings means for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs.

Featured panelists:

• Moderator: Claire Gordon, Executive Director and Senior Lead, Commercial Banking, Wells Fargo
• Veronica Braker, Executive Vice President, Operations, Southwire Company
• Gustavo Sanabria, CEO, Immersive Global Solutions LLC
• Devin Lewis, Director, Global Sparkling Flavors, The Coca-Cola Company
• Kenya Moses, COO, OmniMax International
• Shirelda Feagen, Director of Manufacturing, Georgia Center of Innovation

AI and the Fintech Industry

Atlanta is a global fintech hub, and AI is transforming how financial services operate—from fraud detection to customer experience and data analysis. This session will focus on how AI is applied across fintech roles, not just by developers, but by analysts, compliance professionals, marketers, and operations teams.

Featured panelists: 

• Moderator: Philip C. Davidson, Senior Manager, Technology Risk, EY
• Brandi Shirey, Portfolio Director, Care Solutions, Inc.
• Monia Smith, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, NCR Atleos
• Nadine Vaughan, Director, BMO Bank N.A.
• Simone Feagen, Founder and Fractional CTO, Aepeli LLC

Networking lunch.

Midday Spotlight: Optimizing Your AI Knowledge

Featured speaker: Tim Brown, director, Tech AI and College of Lifelong Learning

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

AI in Beauty: the Cosmetics and Hair Industries

The beauty industry is embracing AI in product development, personalization, marketing, supply chain, and entrepreneurship. This session will highlight how beauty professionals and founders are sharpening their AI skills to grow brands, streamline operations, and better serve customers.

Featured panelists:

• Moderator: Leyte Winfield, Division Chair for Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Director of the Cosmetic Sciences Program, Spelman College
• Anikitia Abram, BeautyTech Industrialist, Inventor, and Founder Pretty Lux Co.
• Sakeya Donaldson, Founder, The Science of Beauty
• Megan Gamble, Fractional Project Portfolio and Packaging Manager in Beauty, Health, and Wellness Brands
• Amber O. Evans, Technical Director, House of Cheatham, LLC
• Alicia Dupass, Founder, SkinLytix

AI in Marketing, Public Relations, and Advertising

Increasingly, marketing and PR professionals are turning to AI to brainstorm, craft, and deliver messaging. What skills and techniques are now emerging in this industry? What can newcomers learn from AI — and how can experienced professionals level up with technology? This panel will discuss tools and tips for working more efficiently and effective with AI as your assistant.

• Moderator: Caroline Dunn, VP of Marketing & Author, Indigo Business Solutions
• Celest Turner Hall, Global VP of Product Marketing, Aptean
• David Brandt, Digital Marketing & Communications Manager, Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers
• Andrea Griffith-Girtz, Founder and Chief Impact Strategist, Citrus Strategic Communication + AI Innovation
• Tenisha Griggs, Founder and CEO, 37X Digital Marketing
• Crystal Foote, Founder and CEO, Digital Culture Group LLC

AI Skills in the Arts: Film, TV, and Music

Atlanta’s creative economy is thriving, and AI is increasingly part of how stories are created, produced, distributed, and monetized. This session examines how AI is changing the skills needed in creative careers, specifically film, television, music, and the arts.

Featured panelists:

• Maurice Johnson, Actor/Producer (as seen in “Beyond the Gates”)
• Elizabeth Kealoha, Executive Producer, Myelin Pictures
• Melissa Mitchell, Chief Artistic Director, Founder, Abeille Creations
• Alex Lugo, Actor, Filmmaker, and CEO of FilmPro
• Lisa Marks, Associate Professor of Industrial Design / Interim Chair – Arts, Entertainment, and Creative Technologies, Georgia Institute of Technology

Closing Panel: Navigating an AI-Infused Job Market

How can we prepare for a new job market influenced by AI This panel of workforce experts will discuss how AI is changing processes in seeking candidates, job listings, the screening process, and hiring practices. What can you do to level up? Join us to learn more.

Featured panelists:

• Moderator: Dr. Maxine Cain, Founder, STEM Atlanta
• Brenda Johnson, CEO, The Collaborative Training Company
• Alyssa Andrews, Workforce Management & Engagement Consultant, Truist
• Robyn Donaldson, CEO, STEM Xposure Inc. and Renew Construction Services
• Anthony E. Tuggle, CEO, TAG US Worldwide LLC
• Shari Mitchell, VP, HCM Transformation & Thought Leadership, Oracle
• La Nise Hagan, Chief Human Resources Officer, OneTen

Networking Reception and Recruiter Fair

Bring your resume and your glam! Company recruiters and workforce experts will be on hand to meet with job seekers, and a professional photographer will be taking headshots. Light refreshments will be served.