Let’s Engage Collaborate Innovate

Keynote Speaker

Svetlana Makarova

Founder, Spark Change
Principal Product Leader, Mayo Clinic

Ted Willich

Chief Executive Officer
NLP Logix

Ted Willich has more than 20 years of experience founding and leading high-growth companies. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NLP Logix, a leading AI and machine learning company based in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Willich also serves as President of the Board of Directors for The King Tide Foundation and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Community First Credit Union.

 Dr. Brian Verkamp

Vice President and CIO
UNF

As Vice President of Digital Strategy and Chief Information Officer, Brian provides executive leadership to align technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation with the University of North Florida’s strategic priorities, advancing student success, faculty and staff excellence, research productivity, and community engagement. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, he has led transformative initiatives across technology, artificial intelligence, research, health, and learning environments.

Dr. Fabian Consbruck

Owner/Founder
Hidden Peaks Psychology
Intuitive Psychological Assessments

Dr. Fabian Consbruck is a licensed clinical psychologist with specializations in Forensic Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Psychopharmacology. He holds a Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. He has over 19 years of experience working in various civilian and government settings; including psychiatric hospitals, primary care clinics, and private practices. His areas of expertise are in the assessment and treatment of dementia, brain injuries, and severe mental illness. He also works with the Colorado and Florida court systems where he provides expert witness testimony.

Dr. William Freeman

Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery
Mayo Clinic

Dr. William Freeman is recognized globally for his clinical and academic achievements, and has more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, including 3 textbooks that have influenced the field of hospital neurology, neurocritical care, and stroke care. Dr. Freeman is professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic, where he also practices as a neurointensivist.

Alexander Kushnir 

Senior Data Architect
NLP Logix

Alexander Kushnir is a seasoned data architect and tech lead, bringing nearly two decades of experience in the software engineering domain. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in distributed computing, cloud architecture, and big data technologies and specializes in AI engineering and data science.

Jason Peoples

Director of Technology and Innovation
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Jason Peoples serves as the Director of Technology and Innovation at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. In this role, he leads the hospital’s digital transformation initiatives and is at the forefront of integrating virtual care into rehabilitation practices. His work focuses on increasing patient access to care across all clinical service lines within the Mary Free Bed system. Mr. Peoples has a deep passion for leveraging technology to improve healthcare, and he has been instrumental in establishing and implementing telehealth services for underserved populations.

Colleen Tiner

Chief Product Officer
Beeline

Colleen Tiner is chief product officer at Beeline. In this role, she spearheads the company’s initiatives to employ data, automation, and AI to create smarter, more agile technology platforms that leverage the global workforce ecosystem. Colleen is a seasoned executive and strategic leader with a proven track record of driving innovation, growth, and transformation in the contingent workforce management industry. She frequently shares insights on the future of work, ethical application of AI, and workforce strategy.

Lori Hock

Chief Executive Officer
Opptly

Lori Hock is the CEO of Opptly, a proprietary AI platform purpose-built to modernize and optimize workforce acquisition. A Global Professional Services executive and board member with more than 30 years of experience, she has led business incubation, growth strategy, and large-scale organizational transformation across enterprise and emerging markets. A recognized expert in the Human Capital Management industry, Lori has a proven track record of driving innovation, shaping strategic vision, and executing transformative change initiatives that deliver measurable business results.

Michael Privat

Chief Data & Engineering Officer
Availity

Michael Privat is an accomplished technology executive and influential leader with extensive expertise in designing and overseeing large-scale cloud-based initiatives. Recognized for his direct approach, getting things done, his ability to innovate with technology and for his ability to build and shape elite technology teams. Mr. Privat is passionate about cloud, data science and AI, and with a deep interest in leveraging transformative technologies to drive business success and innovation.

Chris Long

Chief Process Officer
Supplemental Health Care

Chris Long is Chief Process Officer, responsible for the company’s shared services, compliance, and operational support teams. His focus is on driving operational efficiencies and process improvements in order to deliver the best service possible to the company’s clients, talent, and internal team. Chris has been with Supplemental Health Care for over 20 years, developing a comprehensive knowledge of the industry. His expertise in areas including training, team building, leading process improvement taskforces, data visualization, and compliance/risk management ensures the company delivers on its promise. He is a Six Sigma Green Belt and a former Staff Sergeant with the United States Army Reserves.

Russ Dixon

Vice President of Operations
WellSky

As Vice President of Operations at WellSky, Russ Dixon oversees global operations and technology innovation for the Advisory and Outsourced Services (AOS) business lines. With over 20 years of experience in information technology and business transformation, Mr. Dixon is passionate about finding the right mix of technology and process to solve complex business problems.

Dr. Josh Gellers

Director, Digital Humanities Institute
University of North Florida

Josh Gellers, PhD, is the inaugural Faculty Fellow for Artificial Intelligence, Director of the Digital Humanities Institute, and Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Florida. He is also a Research Fellow of the Earth System Governance Project, Expert with the Global AI Ethics Institute, and Fulbright Scholar to Sri Lanka. Josh is the author of two books, including the award-winning Rights for Robots: Artificial Intelligence, Animal and Environmental Law.

Vijay Chachra

Vice President, International IPS Services and Training
Andromeda Systems Incorporated

Vijay Chachra is the Vice President of International IPS Services and Training atAndromeda Systems Incorporated (ASI). With over 30 years of experience, he specializes in lifecycle product support analysis, reliability optimization, and logistics support. Mr. Chachra drives strategic initiatives for ASI, focusing on expanding global service offerings and implementing defense contracting solutions.