Rebecca Ryan is a noted top 50 professional futurist, economist, best-selling author and entrepreneur. She is the founder of NEXT Generation Consulting through which she partners with government leaders across the country. Looking a generation ahead, she outlines strategies in urban planning, economic development and workforce development to ensure communities are well equipped for future trends and challenges. Rebecca is a graduate of Drake University with a certificate in Strategic Foresight from University of Houston; she is the Resident Futurist at the Alliance for Innovation and on the Executive Committee of the global Association of Professional Futurists.

Amanda Van Den Elzen is a tech-savvy learning consultant and the founder of BetterWork, a professional development consultancy focused on helping people and teams thrive in the age of AI. Amanda is known for translating complex technology into simple, usable tools for everyday work. She’s trained hundreds of professionals on emerging platforms like Generative AI and Microsoft Power Platform, and she specializes in designing learning that sticks. With a passion for empowering others through practical, tech-forward learning, Amanda continues to shape the future of work by building one skill, one team, and one breakthrough at a time.

Terra L. Fletcher is a fractional CMO and marketing strategist known for helping businesses achieve sustainable growth. With 17 years of experience, she specializes in simplifying complex marketing strategies and empowering organizations to rebrand, scale, and thrive. Terra is the author of Flex Your Marketing and a dynamic speaker who has inspired audiences nationwide with her actionable insights and values-first approach.

Ryan Veleke is a seasoned leader specializing in supply chain, operations research, and AI, currently serving as VP of Artificial Intelligence and Decision Technologies at Plexus Corporation. His career began at Intel, where he developed optimization models and led global supply chain projects focused on automated decision making. At Plexus, he's driven supply chain advancements and now focuses on leveraging AI for strategic solutions. Ryan holds advanced degrees in engineering and an MBA.

Mike O’Connor is a higher education strategist and founder of O’Connor & Associates, a consulting firm helping colleges, nonprofits, and mission-driven businesses adapt and grow through operational innovation, workforce analytics, and AI integration. Mike uses AI to power customer discovery, automate marketing pipelines, and generate strategic insights from unstructured data — helping institutions uncover millions in savings, streamline outreach, and align offerings with real market needs. A former college administrator turned consultant, Mike blends on-the-ground institutional experience with emerging tech to drive results.

Melissa Wege is a Senior Finance Operations Manager at U.S. Venture, Inc., headquartered in Appleton, WI. In her role, Melissa is a driving force behind optimizing financial processes, enhancing operational efficiency, and collaborating across the organization to streamline end-to-end processes. Melissa is also a Citizen Developer and is dedicated to "Finding a Better Way" by leveraging Microsoft Power Platform tools to implement innovative solutions that transcend finance and benefit the entire organization. She is passionate about mentoring and empowering others, whether it's guiding the next generation of finance and citizen development professionals or supporting her "Little" through her involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin. Melissa values staying engaged with her community and is a recent graduate of the 2024-25 Leadership Fox Cities program through the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.

Dave Tuttle leads Enterprise Data and Analytics at U.S. Venture, overseeing engineering, architecture, and advanced analytics. His work centers on building scalable data solutions that fuel innovation and drive business transformation. Before taking on his current role, Dave led Data Intelligence at Breakthrough, a division of U.S. Venture, where he guided analytics, data science, and economic research teams focused on applying data and technology to the optimization of transportation and supply chain solutions for some of the world’s biggest brands. With over 20 years of experience across automotive, aerospace, and logistics, Dave helped launch global distribution solutions for brands like Nike, Intel, Boeing, and Apple. He also built and led XPO/GXO’s Planning and Data Science organization, helping grow the business from a $300M regional player to a $8B+ global logistics leader. Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in Purchasing and Supply Chain and Logistics, and Marketing from Central Michigan University.

Rose Grunewald is a strategic leader in digital transformation and learning, known for turning bold ideas into impactful initiatives. She co-developed an innovative AI Escape Room experience to drive hands-on adoption and sponsored her organization’s first custom-built generative AI solution. As the creator of the “Finding a Better Way” learning series, she blends creativity, clarity, and execution to empower people and make emerging technologies approachable and actionable.

Meghan Beeber is a Credit Analyst at U.S. Venture, Inc., based in Appleton, WI, where she advises the business of risk through data-driven insights and strategic analysis. Beyond her core role, Meghan is a passionate Citizen Developer, leveraging Microsoft Power Platforms to streamline processes, reimagine workflows, and drive operational efficiency. Embodying U.S. Venture’s culture of “Finding a Better Way,” she applies her knowledge of automation and low-code solutions to innovate across teams and has actively mentored new members into the Citizen Developer group, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

Ryne Lodl is the Vice President of Sales and Operations at Encompass Security, where he leads strategic initiatives to drive business growth, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction. With a deep understanding of both sales’ leadership and operational execution, Ryne plays a key role in shaping the company’s direction and ensuring seamless service delivery across all accounts. Prior to joining Encompass Security, Ryne spent over a decade in the nonprofit and government sectors, with organizations such as Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities, Pillars, the City of Appleton, and United Way Fox Cities. These experiences include both providing direct client services, community engagement and fundraising roles. In addition to his nonprofit background, Ryne is involved with the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce as the President of the Leadership Fox Cities Alumni Association, as well as serving as a Board Member and the Secretary for the Fox Cares Foundation.

A recognized expert on cybercrime, Al Pascual is the CEO and Founder of Scamnetic. A successful technology entrepreneur and a former managing executive of Javelin Strategy & Research, Al has spent his career laser-focused on protecting consumers and organizations from financially motivated crimes. His past research on consumer identity theft has been cited by hundreds of media outlets and presented at conferences around the world. Al cut his teeth fighting fraudsters at HSBC, Goldman Sachs, and FIS, where during his time as an investigator, his work resulted in the arrest of more than four hundred suspects.

As a Vice President at FTI, Brian Leslie is a seasoned IT professional with over two decades of experience driving technological innovation and strategic initiatives. Brian currently leads multiple high-performing IT teams and is involved in shaping FTI's future through his leadership of the company's Artificial Intelligence program. His career has encompassed diverse industries, including construction, consumer packed goods, insurance, and transportation providing him with a broad understanding of complex business challenges and technology solutions.

Brad Cebulski is a creative strategist, entrepreneur, and social media brand architect specializing in human-centered marketing and storytelling. As the founder of BConnected and a leader in multiple other ventures, he blends emotional insight with operational strategy to build brands that resonate deeply and scale intelligently. Brad is passionate about helping businesses create meaningful experiences that bridge art, commerce, and authentic connection.

Mike Bendel is an intellectual property attorney who helps clients protect and leverage their innovations. He provides strategic counseling on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, with a growing emphasis on the legal implications of artificial intelligence, including IP ownership rights for AI generated content.  He also helps his clients develop and implement policies to mitigate risks related to AI’s use of data..

Craig Kubiak is an experienced Labor and Employment attorney and litigator who advises employers on compliance with workplace laws and defends them in complex disputes.  He helps clients navigate the evolving legal landscape around artificial intelligence in hiring, ensuring that automated tools comply with anti-discrimination laws and promote fair, lawful employment practices.

Tiffany Woelfel is a seasoned litigator with extensive experience in intellectual property and employment law. She advises and represents clients on disputes involving IP ownership, often in the context of AI-driven work and employee-created innovations. She helps businesses navigate complex issues around authorship, trade secrets, and emerging technologies in the workplace.

John Kreul, Chief Information & Digital Officer at Jewelers Mutual® Group, joined the company in 2021 and steers the vision, strategy and operations of its technology division. With more than 30 years in technology, he specializes in leveraging data and analytics to create personalized customer experiences. He focuses on building high-performing teams, fostering innovation and aligning tech initiatives with business goals to boost efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction. Kreul aims to empower teams to innovate, using data-driven insights to develop solutions that delight customers and fuel business growth.

Kevin M. Beauchamp's career began in the paper industry in Escanaba, MI, where he balanced full-time work with earning an undergraduate degree in Industrial Technology and a Minor in Computer Aided Design from Northern Michigan University. His career progressed through various engineering and operations roles, leading him to Galloway Company in Neenah, WI, in 2005. At Galloway, Kevin made significant contributions as an engineer, helping the company grow from fewer than 70 employees to over 160. His engineering expertise and leadership skills culminated in his promotion to Chief Operating Officer in 2017, President in 2020, and ultimately President and CEO in 2024. Kevin's story highlights his dedication to engineering excellence and his impact on the manufacturing industry.

Kim is currently the CEO of Entrusted Technology Solutions, a fully managed IT services provider whose home office is located in Appleton, Wisconsin. At Entrusted Technology Solutions (ETS), our mission is to bolster the technological capabilities of nonprofits and small businesses. With over 35 years of nonprofit experience, I believe in ETS' collaborative approach to deliver robust technology infrastructures and strategic support, empowering organizations to thrive. ETS support includes Microsoft licensing, help desk and network support, and includes training and business analysis to ensure our customers are running with operational excellence.