PRESENTER BIOS
Keynote Speaker
Beth Tsai, Google Director of Search, Geo and Assistant Policy Google Trust and Safety Team Beth Tsai is the Director for Search, Geo and Assistant Policy under Google's Trust & Safety Team. Her team is responsible for keeping Google's users safe by driving the creation of trustworthy products and supporting Google's mission to help users access useful, high-quality information. Beth was part of the original team responsible for building the Google Assistant and Google Lens, and has played a critical role in developing Google's approach towards offensive, dangerous or sensitive content in LLMs like LaMDA, Bard and Search Generative Experiences. She is currently leading Google's Trust & Safety policy strategy for Generative AI, focused on enabling safe, responsible and engaging interactions. |
PANEL #1:
Technology Leaders Panel
Hear technology leaders Chris Dill of Kiewit, Ryan Wade of Lutz, and Ryan Cameron from Children's Hospital and Medical Center as they share their experiences as leaders running technology divisions for some of Nebraska's leading organizations. Learn how they are preparing their organizations for the future, and the opportunities they see with emerging technology, and challenges they face in varying industries.
Panelists:
Christopher Dill
Vice President and CIO Kiewit Technology Group Within Kiewit Technology Group, Chris is responsible for providing the executive leadership for Kiewit’s technology development, deployment and support operations. Prior to joining Kiewit in 2013, he held a variety of technology management and executive roles in the business process outsourcing industry. Most recently, he served as a divisional CIO for an $800 million business division with over 450 technology professionals in the organization. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/pre-law from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
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Ryan Cameron
Vice President of IT and Innovation Children’s Hospital and Medical Center Dr. Ryan Cameron is the VP of IT and Innovation for Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. He serves as the leader of the Mammel Innovation Center and is the founder of Bright Foundry, LLC Children’s pediatric healthcare start-up incubator. Ryan has been honored by the AIM Institute as Innovator of the Year for two consecutive years (2021 & 2022). Previously he worked for Ivy.ai, creating the "Campus Clear" COVID-19 tracking application and helped advance the company to the rank of #168th in Inc. Magazine's 5,000 fastest-growing companies. Ryan also founded Creighton University's Idea Hub a research studio focused on creating positive social change using technology. He is a graduate of the American College of Education and is the author of two books including "A.I. - 101: A Primer on Using Artificial Intelligence in Education".
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Ryan Wade
Software Solutions Director Lutz Ryan Wade is a Tech Director at Lutz. Wade’s primary responsibility at Lutz is to manage the software solutions practice, including team administration and client relationship management. Ryan is also the lead on Lutz's online client portal, Threadworks. Wade began his career in 1999 and has served in a variety of roles spanning multiple sectors and industries. Wade served in leadership roles such as the vice president of business banking for Union Bank and Trust and as Vice President of Sales at Aviture. Wade received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his MBA from Creighton University. Wade is also an avid community volunteer. Notably, Wade supported the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce serving as a member of the audit committee and financial task force for six years.
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Moderated by:
Cathy Lang, JD NBDC Executive Director, Assistant Dean UNO College of Business Administration Catherine Lang is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Lang also serves as Senior Advisor to the President of the University for Economic Development and the President of the University Technology Development Corporation (UTDC). Lang served the State of Nebraska for almost 33 years as the Director of Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the Commissioner of Labor, the Nebraska Property Tax Administrator and the Deputy Tax Commissioner. |
PANEL #2:
Midwest and National Technology Policy Leaders Panel
Hear an engaging discussion from neighboring states and national leaders as and how they’re approaching emerging technology and innovation. Learn about the challenges, opportunities, and solutions driving the tech policy landscape from this dynamic panel.
Panelists:
Mollie Ross
Vice President of Operations Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) Mollie Ross serves as the vice president of operations for the Technology Association of Iowa. During her seven-year tenure at the organization, Ross served as the led for operations efforts, events and oversees as policy, legislation and stakeholder engagement efforts. Ross provides successful leadership to help set TAI’s legislative and policy priorities, overseeing the organization’s policy committee. In 2023, Ross led her team to successfully pass three technology focused bills. Prior to her time at TAI, Ross served in several leadership roles in the events space from Iowa to Tennessee including serving as the general manager at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis. Ross received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in Sports and Entertainment Management and her MBA from the University of Iowa.
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Melissa Roberts Chapman
Director of Regional Entrepreneurship Federation of American Scientists Melissa Roberts Chapman is Director of Regional Entrepreneurship at the Federation of American Scientists. Melissa has worked at the nexus of policy, entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development throughout her career. She identifies as an ecosystem builder and entrepreneur and is a proud native of Kansas City. Prior to joining FAS, Melissa was a Senior Program Officer at the Kauffman Foundation, where she led a grantmaking team focused on building more inclusive, collaborative, and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Heartland. Previously, she held leadership roles in entrepreneurship support organizations, started her own business, led coalition-building efforts, and managed political campaigns. Melissa is deeply involved in her community, working both “in” and “on” Kansas City, where she is based. She is passionate about centering equity in her work, and building a future in which geography has no impact on the opportunities folks can access. In her free time, she and her husband Brad enjoy watching the Royals, perfecting brisket smoking techniques, and throwing dinner parties. Melissa earned an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management with a certificate in Business Analytics, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Boston College.
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Ruthie Barko, MPPA
Executive Director for Colorado and Central U.S.TechNet Ruthie Barko serves as TechNet’s Executive Director for Colorado and the Central U.S. Based in Denver, Barko oversees TechNet’s state advocacy in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. Barko joined TechNet after running state government affairs for nearly a decade at Air Methods Corporation, the largest air ambulance company in the United States with services in 49 states. Barko is a seasoned government affairs professional who has executed strategies on an array of legislative and regulatory issues in states across the country. She has also worked with Members of Congress and various federal agencies including Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, and the National Park Service. She has served on two Congressional campaigns and has experience in the nonprofit sector. Barko holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University.
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Moderated by: Dan Hoffman Chief Executive Officer Invest Nebraska Dan Hoffman has been employed with Invest Nebraska since 2008 and currently serves as CEO. He earned a M.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Finance with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dan also is an adjunct faculty member at the UNL College of Business teaching economics and entrepreneurship. |