Get to know the speakers.

Jon Lambert

Chief Executive Officer

Jon brings over 30 years of professional experience and organizational and operational leadership across the public and private sector.

Timmeko Moore Love

General Manager and Senior Vice President

Timmeko Moore Love leads Greentown Houston as Greentown Labs’ first-ever Houston General Manager and Senior Vice President.

Robert Pieroni

Director of Italian Business Development

For gener8tor, a renowned venture capital firm.

Robert has established a remarkable track record in
developing initiatives that bridge the gaps between various stakeholders in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Jane Stricker

SVP and Executive Director

Jane has responsibility for the Partnership’s effort to leverage Houston’s energy leadership to accelerate the transition to an energy abundant, low-carbon future.

Mike Tauiliili Brown

Founder and Chief Visionary Officer

Win-Win, a venture backed startup behind the Compete-2-Earn technology that enables fans to compete in fun mobile games and earn blockchain based badges.

William Schlitz

Chief Operating Officer

William brings 30 years of expertise in public and media relations, community engagement, and legislative advocacy.

Bailey Kinney

Executive Director of Lemonade Day Houston

Bailey's 27 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and business ownership has prepared her to organize, promote, and host events for the Lemonade Day youth entrepreneurship program.

Jonah Margulis

Head of N.A., Aker Carbon Capture

Mr. Margulis joined Aker Carbon Capture in February 2023 and has significant leadership experience from his roles spanning nearly a decade within the Aker group.

Samantha Colletti

Managing Director for Silicon Valley Bank

Samantha has spent her whole career in the financial services and banking industry covering venture capital, private equity, technology and innovation.

Brannon Albritton

JP Morgan

Brannon has been with J.P. Morgan since 2011 and is an Executive Director in the Technology & Disruptive Commerce team, where he specializes in providing

banking solutions.

Al Ware

Founder & CEO of VoxBox

Within just one year, his exceptional strategy and dedication transformed VoxBox into a design powerhouse, renowned for its innovative approach and exceptional design acumen.

Robert Johnson

Business Advisor II at the Ft. Bend County SBDC

Robert spearheads transformative initiatives including the SBIR/STTR Task Force and Entrepreneurship 101, focusing on empowering underserved communities and university students.

Jordyn Wright

Founder and CEO of J. Brielle Handmade Goods

Jordyn passionately utilizes her platform to inspire and
empower youth like her to pursue their interests through social entrepreneurship.

Israel Wilson

Leading Beauty Walker Studios, he empowers indigenous artists to monetize their crafts, merging technology with cultural expression.

Expert in Emerging Technologies

Darren Smith

Co-founder and COO of Tradeblock

Tradeblock is the #1 barter-based social marketplace for sneakers.

Nate Thompson

Co-Founder of HTX Sports Tech

Nate provides advisory services for professional sports organizations, venture capital firms, accelerators, and consulting agencies, seamlessly connecting innovative tech solutions with strategic growth objectives.

Bryan Luhn

Interim Director of Media Relations for the UH

Bryan is an accomplished storyteller and communicator whose work has been honored by national press and industry organizations, including a Murrow Award and several Emmy Awards.

Julie Russ

Director of Retail Experience at Third Coast Bank

With over twenty-five years of experience, she leads the branch network including 16 branch locations, the service center, and online banking.

Andy Roehr

Managing Director

Andy focuses on the Energy Transition where he helps companies develop and execute their energy strategies with everything from hydrogen to small modular reactors and fleet fuel transitions.

Michelle Avalos

Co-Founder of Impact Hub Houston

Michelle is passionate about economic equity and helping people find Decent Work to achieve Economic Growth. She empowers change makers to transform their vision into action for good.

Bill Bobbora

Chief Banking Officer

With over 30 years of corporate finance experience, Mr. Bobbora’s expertise is centered around building middle market corporate banking platforms and the bank’s overall growth strategy.

Firoz

Seasoned Tech and Management Professional

Firoz is passionate about implementing technology with the aim to benefit society and is always searching for new innovations to bring to market.

Jerry Varnado

Venture Partner and Angel Investor

Jerry has a portfolio of early-stage companies ranging from EV infrastructure and marketplaces, to platforms and vertical SaaS.

Billy Cohn, M.D.

Director of CDI at TMC

Dr. Cohn has been granted more than 90 US patents or patents pending. Since 2012, Dr. Cohn has served as the Chief Medical Officer and on the Board of Directors for BiVACOR and CSI Inc.

Dr. Muddasir Siddiqi

President at Central College

With a passion for higher education and a reputation for visible leadership characterized by energy, vision, and entrepreneurship, Dr. Siddiqi is driving innovation and academic excellence to new heights

Dr. Danielle Stagg

Department Chair at HCC

With a rich background in both non-profit management and higher education Dr. Stagg brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Speech, Communication, & Sign Language department at HCC.

Professor Shasta Beveridge

Professor and Program Coordinator at HCC

With a passion for fostering innovation and workforce development, Shasta is dedicated to preparing design students for success in the ever-evolving landscape of the industry.

Professor Cheryl Whitaker

Fashion Merchandising Program Coordinator

With a wealth of experience in the fashion industry, Cheryl is a motivating and results-oriented educator dedicated to inspiring students to achieve academic and personal excellence.

Sharon Burinyuy Fuhnjem

Mechanical engineer at HCC

Sharon is not just a student; she's a force of change within her academic community. Her HCC experience has been transformative, fostering her growth as a leader and a global citizen.

Mohamed Mahrez Haboubi

Computer Engineer at HCC

Mohamed is a driven and forward-thinking student on a mission to revolutionize the world of technology through his unwavering dedication and passion for computer engineering.

James Mable

Director of the CJPSC

James oversees district-wide initiatives to support student success in job placement, internship development, and career readiness.

Filecha Lucas

Master of Career Services (NCDA)

With a diverse skill set and a passion for serving at-risk and underserved populations, Filecha is dedicated to making a positive impact in higher education, career planning, and organizational leadership.

Dr. Amy Tan

Dean of English and Communications at HCC

With over 15 years of experience teaching English Composition and Literature at the college level, Dr. Tan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

Dr. Maya Durnovo

AVC for Entrepreneurial Initiatives at HCC

Dr. Maya spearheads initiatives to foster small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures across the college district, driving economic growth and empowerment within the local community.

Todd Duplantis

Director and General Manager of HCCTV

With a career spanning over 30 years as a seasoned broadcasting professional, Todd oversees all aspects of the network's operations while also hosting HCCTV's flagship program.

Dr. Ravi Brahmbhatt

Director of Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship at HCC

Dr. Ravi strives to cultivate viable economic opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Sandra Louvier

Director, Center for Entrepreneurship at HCC NW

Sandra has 17 years of experience in economic feasibility analysis and appraisal in the hospitality industry at PKF Consulting, Marriott International, and as President of Louvier & Associates.

Susana Rosas

Founder and visionary of Suyana Designs

Through Suyana, she strives to preserve indigenous Latin American traditions of handcrafted accessories while providing the artisans knowledge on how to break the cycle of poverty.

Michelle Ngome

Outreach Director for Goldman Sachs

In this role, Michelle spearheads efforts to connect entrepreneurs with vital resources and support to fuel their growth and success.

Khalil J. Vinson

Leader, and founder of Tech Fest Live

With a profound commitment to advancing technology education, Khalil's journey as the visionary behind Tech Fest Live showcases his unwavering dedication to empowering the next generation.

Alex W. Reed

President & CEO of Yokogawa Fluence Analytics

Alex Reed is the founding CEO of Fluence Analytics, a technology company that delivers hardware/software systems for continuous process analytics .

Jay Manouchehri

CEO & Chairman of the Board for Yokogawa Fluence Analytics

Yokogawa Fluence Analytics, a technology company that provides real-time analytics solutions for the optimization of manufacturing and R&D processes.

Adrienne Blanks

Accomplished Entrepreneur in the Beauty Industry

Throughout her career, her business savvy and creative vision have been recognized by leading publications such as Essence magazine, Glamour, just to name a few.

Salvatore Grignano

Sr. Marketing and Promotion Officer, Italian Trade Agency

A dynamic and results-oriented senior professional with a master’s degree in Management Engineering from Turin Polytechnic. His expertise lies in enhancing brand visibility, driving business growth.

Sarah Smith

Co-Founder of Speakerbox Media

Sarah obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and has a passion for helping businesses leverage their expertise digitally to drive demand.

Phillip

Chairman of Impact Hub Houston

Phillip is a licensed and practicing attorney in the State of Texas and the Southern District of the United States. He has extensive experience in corporate law, commercial litigation, and bankruptcy related matters.

Muriel Foster

Co-Founder, Program Director, and Certified Nonprofit Professional

They leverage their expertise in both nonprofit and business sectors to identify and implement innovative strategies for fostering new business ventures.

Kristeen Reynolds

CEO and Co-Founder of DrinKicks

DrinKicks is a CPG company that repurposes food waste and recycled materials into sustainable shoes. DrinKicks also has a strong emphasis on educating consumers about the power of the circular economy.

Ashley DeWalt

Co-Founder & Managing Partner of the Collectiv

Ashley DeWalt is an emerging fund manager, advisor, and mentor for venture-backed startups. The Collectiv, a community-powered VC fund investing in growth-to-late stage startups, franchises and leagues at the intersection of sports, technology and innovation.

Alfredo Arvide

Chief Innovation Officer for Blue People

With close to 20 years of professional work experience, Alfredo Arvide is a versatile marketing executive and technology expert with an entrepreneurial spirit.