| | Susan Anderson
Susan Anderson has dedicated her career to orchestrating profound shifts in HR practices through the strategic integration of emergent technologies. An early adopter by nature, Susan is at the forefront of the surge in Generative AI capabilities, spearheading experiments and guiding her company's internal adoption of AI and leading novel strategies to enhance operations and redefine customer experiences. |
| | Julie Cline Fernández
Julie Cline is the Director of Adaptive Organizations at Slalom, where she leads global initiatives helping executives and organizations evolve in the age of AI. Based in Portland, Oregon, Julie has over 20 years of experience in organizational strategy and transformation. She partners with leaders worldwide to design adaptive, human-centered organizations and build the capabilities needed to thrive amid rapid technological and cultural change. |
|
| Jessica Ferrell
Jessica Ferrell, MBA, is a Director of AI Transformation at Code and Theory, helping global leaders turn AI from a buzzword into a creative, strategic advantage. Formerly at Slalom, she led global AI adoption efforts that blended curiosity with change strategy. Jessica’s work sits at the intersection of innovation, empathy, and storytelling, making AI feel human, approachable, and powerful. |
|
| Carlos Mena
Dr. Carlos Mena joined Portland State University in Fall 2018. His research focuses on the impact of supply chain management practices on economic, social, and environmental performance. He has authored over 100 publications, including three books: Leading Procurement Strategy (2025), Sustainability and Risk across the Supply Chain (2024), and Delivering Performance in Food Supply Chains (2010). Before joining PSU, he held positions at Michigan State University and Cranfield University (UK). He cares deeply about student success, always striving to support their growth and development. He is also dedicated to creating and sharing knowledge that makes a real impact. |
| | Skip Newberry
Skip Newberry is a frequent speaker on topics related to technology and entrepreneurship, tech policy, economic development, workforce, public-private-academic partnerships, and civic innovation. Skip serves on the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council and the Workforce & Talent Development Board. Before founding TAO, Skip was an economic development policy advisor to Portland Mayor Sam Adams, where he helped create Portland’s first comprehensive economic development strategy in 16 years, recognizing software as a key industry cluster. While at the City of Portland, Skip’s projects included the adoption of the nation’s first open-source software procurement policy at the municipal level, an award-winning regional open data initiative, and the development of resources to support entrepreneurship, like the Portland Seed Fund. Previously, Skip was an attorney and entrepreneur. Skip served as Chair of the Board of Directors of TECNA, Technology Councils of North America, which is a global network of technology and entrepreneurship associations, and he serves on the advisory board for the OSU Advantage Accelerator and several community-based organizations. Skip is a 2011 recipient of the Society of Professional Journalists First Freedom award, a 2012 recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award, and a 2020 recipient of the Oregon League of Minority Voters Liberty & Hope award. |
| | Porter Orr
Porter Orr is the AVP of AI & Automation at The Standard, leading enterprise AI strategy and development initiatives to drive value for employees and customers. With prior leadership roles at Unum, Mobi Systems, The Walt Disney Company, and The U.S. Navy, Porter brings deep expertise in data analytics, machine learning, and AI product development. He holds a BS from Pepperdine and an MBA from MIT. |
| | Ketan Sampat
Ketan Sampat is the co-creator and Founding Academic Director of PSU’s MS-Applied Data Science (MS-ADSB) program. This program aims to educate and develop talent as businesses face the challenges and opportunities of the data and AI-driven 4th Industrial Revolution. Ketan brings extensive experience as an educator, innovator, entrepreneur, and technology leader. He co-founded The Provenance Chain Network in 2019 & CafeGive Social in 2008. Ketan held several technology development & executive roles at Intel, including the responsibility as President, Intel India. He has been granted 7 US patents, with 8 more applications currently pending.
|
| | Vera Sell
Vera Sell is a marketing strategist and consultant focused on helping organizations navigate innovation and digital transformation. As co-founder of Clearsight Marketing, she works with clients to validate customer needs, shape product strategy, and build the human capabilities required for AI-driven change. Vera also teaches Digital Transformation as part of the PSU Master of Science in Applied Data Science for Business program, where her work bridges business strategy, technology adoption, and talent development in the age of AI. |