CincyAIweek25: Full Schedule

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12:45pm EDT

The Creative Edge: AI, EI, and Alchemy for Brand and Marketing Mastery

Tuesday June 10, 2025 12:45pm - 1:15pm EDT

Union Hall- Beer Hall (2nd floor)

Speakers

Deanna Leonard

Chief Communications Officer/US Director/AI Brand Strategist/Founder, SHE IS AI, The AI Chix

As a LinkedIn Top 100 AI Creative, I bring a unique blend of high-energy storytelling and 20+ years of leadership experience to every stage and boardroom. I empower businesses and executive women to harness AI strategically—transforming toplines, bottom lines, and everything in... Read More →

Mary Gervais

Founder- ElVibe, Mary Helen Gervais

Mary Helen Gervais is a #1 International Best-Selling Author, Global Leader in Frequency, and Visionary Entrepreneur dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their inner wisdom and step into their fullest potential. As the creator of HeartBlaze: Igniting the Flame of Unconditional... Read More →

Katy Keene

Founder and Principal Consultant, Keene Lane Co.

Katy Keene is a marketing operations strategist, Canva Agency Partner, HubSpot Partner and trusted AI Educator who helps businesses streamline marketing systems, integrate AI and automation with intention, and maintain brand consistency across teams. As the founder of Keene Lane Co... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 12:45pm - 1:15pm EDT
Union Hall- Beer Hall (2nd floor)

Panel

12:45pm EDT

Panel: The AI First Leader, Leading from the Front

Tuesday June 10, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

Alcove - The Loft Room

Being an effective leader in the age of AI requires more than just awareness—it demands action, adaptability, and a willingness to lead from the front. In this dynamic panel, executive and technical leaders will share how they’re embracing AI to improve decision-making, optimize operations, and inspire their teams.

The conversation will explore the real challenges of AI adoption—resistance, education, ethical questions—and how bold, proactive leadership can make the difference between stalled initiatives and meaningful transformation. Expect insights on leadership mindsets, culture change, cross-functional collaboration, and what it really means to build an AI-first organization

Speakers

Catherine O'Shea

COO, Narratize

Steve Brunker

CEO, Brain-CA Technologies

Steve Brunker serves as CEO at Brain-CA Technologies, a firm bringing to market a fundamentally different computer architecture built specifically for AI applications. He has over 30 years of IT leadership experience, having served as CIO at Hillman Solutions and LSI Industries. His... Read More →

Brian Adams

CEO, Seven Hills Technology

Brian Adams is the CEO of Seven Hills Technology, where he brings a unique blend of technical expertise and leadership to the table. With roots as a software developer and a deep love for crafting great digital products, Brian thrives at the intersection of technology and business... Read More →

Beverly Wright

Beverly Wright, PhD, CAP-X, VP – Data Science & AI Wavicle Data Solutions, Wavicle Data Solutions / University of Georgia

Beverly Wright, PhD, CAP serves as Vice President of Data Science & AI at Wavicle DataSolutions, and Director for Data Science & AI at University of Georgia’s Executive Education.With a career spanning over 30 years across utilities, financial services, telecommunications,healthcare... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
Alcove - The Loft Room 1410 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA

Panel

1:00pm EDT

Panel on AI for Education: Tools for Students, Teachers, and Life Learners

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Alcove- The Gathering Room

AI is transforming education—not just in the classroom, but across every stage of the learning journey. This panel brings together innovators from K–12, higher education, and workforce development to explore how AI is being used to enhance how we teach, learn, assess, and grow.

Panelists will share how students and teachers are using AI tools to improve learning outcomes, the role of AI in personalized education, and how institutions are rethinking curricula, credentials, and lifelong learning strategies. Whether you're an educator, edtech builder, or skills-first employer, this session offers a window into the future of learning powered by AI.

Speakers

Arline Pique

Director, HCESC

Paul Isakson

Program Leader for K-12+ AI Education Team within Cincinnati AI Catalyst, Cincinnati AI Catalyst

Program Leader of Cincinnati AI Catalyst K-12+ Education team. Retired Director of Innovation P&G. Part owner of MPH Microbrewery in Montgomery.

Sid Thatham

University of Cincinnati

Shanah Legree

Cyber Colors Coloring Books/Safe Cyber Coders LLC

Shanah LeGree: Empowering the Future of Tech Through AI and CreativityShanah LeGree is a dynamic educator, author, and innovator who has spent over a decade inspiring students through the power of computer science and artificial intelligence. Originally from Cincinnati, she has now... Read More →

Addrienne VanOver

Instructional Designer | Faculty, Miami University

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Alcove- The Gathering Room 1410 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA

Panel

1:00pm EDT

Panel: Prioritizing Responsible AI in Greater Cincinnati

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Union Hall- 4th Floor- Homeroom

As AI adoption accelerates, the need for responsible, transparent, and ethical implementation becomes urgent—especially at the local and regional level. This panel gathers leaders from academia, industry, and innovation to explore how Greater Cincinnati can set the tone for responsible AI development and deployment.

Panelists will discuss the practical steps organizations are taking to build trustworthy AI, address bias, ensure security, and engage community stakeholders. From education and governance to technology choices and leadership mindsets, this session will offer tangible strategies for embedding responsibility into every stage of AI innovation.

Speakers

Jon Salisbury

CEO, Nexigen

Dr Kelly Cohen

Director, AI Bio Lab, Digital Futures, University of Cincinnati

The Brian H. Rowe Endowed Chair in Aerospace Engineering. Director of AI Bio Labs, Digital Futures, University of Cincinnati and President, North American Fuzzy Information Processing Society (NAFIPS). Also serves as Chief Scientific Advisor, brandrank.ai, and Chairman of the Board... Read More →

John Cavanaugh

Plunk Foundation, Plunk Foundation

John Cavanaugh is the Founder & Executive Director of the Plunk Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that protects 30M people from their abusers online.He is the project manager for the Risk and Safety Team at the Cincinnati AI Catalyst Under Dr. Kelly Cohen, sits on the board of the Eagle... Read More →

Nikki Ferrell

Miami University

Associate Director of Online Enrollment Marketing & Communications, Miami UniversityFounder, UCM AI Steering CommitteeNikki Ferrell is a communications leader and AI strategist who helps marketing teams embrace emerging technologies with clarity and integrity. As Associate Director... Read More →

Sponsors

Nexigen

Nexigen is one of the Cincinnati area's largest IT service and cybersecurity firms specializing in providing enterprise IT resources for small and medium businesses. No other IT services firm in the Cincinnati area can touch our experience, customer service, or ability to deliver... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Union Hall- 4th Floor- Homeroom

Panel

1:30pm EDT

Panel: From Pilots to Platform: Scaling AI Across the Organization

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Alcove - The Loft Room

Running a successful AI pilot is a good start—but scaling it across the enterprise is where the real work begins. This panel brings together senior leaders and AI implementers to discuss how they’re moving from early wins to fully integrated AI platforms and practices.

Topics will include change management, stakeholder alignment, data infrastructure, platform selection, internal education, and how to prioritize use cases that deliver ROI. Whether you're just starting or looking to mature your AI program, this session is packed with hard-won lessons from teams that have been in the trenches.

Speakers

Chris McGraw

National Director, Lorien

With nearly 20 years of experience in talent management and talent acquisition, I lead Lorien's Permanent Placement practice by specializing in AI, Data, Cloud Infrastructure, and IT Security. Our dedicated recruiting practice serves mature startups to mid-sized organizations across... Read More →

Nick Ernest

Chief Architect, Thales

Kristy Wedel

Learning Experience Manager, AlignAI

Kristy Wedel, Learning Experience Manager at AlignAI, has over 15 years of experience in developing and democratizing analytics solutions that drive transparency and efficiency across various industries including healthcare, banking and government. At the forefront of AI adoption... Read More →

Evan Moore

CTO / President, Open Advantage

Evan is the co-founder of Open Advantage, focusing on specialized areas of technology, including AI, data, and security. Evan believes the tech industry is hindered by proprietary software and advocates for an open-source approach that prioritizes software freedom and protects the... Read More →

Nick Fontova

Director of AI Partnerships & Events, Landmark Ventures

Nick Fontova is an early AI adopter and the Director of AI Partnerships & Events at Landmark Ventures in New York. He specializes in creating deal flow between Fortune 500 enterprises and savvy AI startups looking to connect and scale.Nick recently hosted the most talked-about event... Read More →

Sponsors

Open Advantage

Open Advantage is a Technology Solutions Provider (TSP) that empowers businesses with the latest AI, Cyber Security, and specialized IT solutions. We're committed to an Open Source approach, believing that transparency and collaboration are key to unlocking true potential. By leveraging... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Alcove - The Loft Room 1410 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA

Panel

1:45pm EDT

Panel on AI for Gov: Smart Cities, Smarter Governance: AI for Public Good

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

Alcove- The Gathering Room

AI has the power to improve lives, increase access, and enhance how cities serve their residents—if designed and deployed with public good in mind. This panel brings together civic leaders and innovators to explore how AI is being used in local government, public infrastructure, and smart city initiatives to create more inclusive, efficient, and transparent systems.

Panelists will discuss real-world use cases and lessons from deploying AI in transportation, sustainability, emergency services, housing, and digital services—along with the governance models, partnerships, and guardrails needed to do it responsibly.

Speakers

Hanna Khoury

IT Infrastructure and Cyber Security, City of Cincinnati

David Shuey

Director of Information Systems and Analytics, OKI Regional Council of Governments

David leads OKI's internationally recognized and award-winning GIS Department, overseeing the strategic implementation and operation of GIS technologies across the Council's eight-county region. Under his leadership, the team maintains comprehensive regional datasets and develops... Read More →

Pavan Parikh

Clerk of Courts, Hamilton County

Since becoming the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in 2021, I have worked to improve transparency, increase accessibility, and foster a culture of innovation in my office and across county government.My initiatives have focused on closing gaps in legal services by expanding the work... Read More →

Rob Richardson

Founder/CEO of Disruption Now and Chief Curator of MidwestCon, Disruption Now Media

Richardson founded Disruption Now, a tech and media company specializing in AI, data blockchain development, and event production/curation. Disruption Now's mission is to make emerging technology accessible to all, and its events attract diverse participants, including students, executives... Read More →

Phil Russell

Govt Team Lead / VP Technical Solutions and Market Innovation, Cincinnati AI Catalyst / ID Privacy AI

Creative and strategic technology leader with deep expertise in AI, digital transformation, and business innovation. Known for bridging the gap between technical complexity and executive strategy, with domain experience across AI, e-commerce, manufacturing, and professional services... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
Alcove- The Gathering Room 1410 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA

Panel

1:45pm EDT

Responsible AI Panel: Enterprise AI Governance and Readiness

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

Union Hall- 4th Floor- Homeroom

The path to responsible, scalable AI starts with strong governance—and for enterprise organizations, that means preparing both people and systems for what’s next. This panel explores how leading organizations are approaching AI readiness, risk mitigation, and governance strategy in a fast-moving regulatory and technological landscape.

From legal frameworks and internal policies to cross-functional alignment and vendor management, panelists will share what’s working, what’s challenging, and what every enterprise needs to be doing now to ensure AI is safe, effective, and aligned with business goals.

Speakers

Amy Lindenbusch

Sogeti

Jesse Jenike-Godshalk

Partner, Thompson Hine LLP

I help people resolve disputes involving all types of intellectual property (IP), including trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, and domain names. I also advise clients on issues involving IP and artificial intelligence (AI), and I am the President of the Cincinnati Intellectual... Read More →

Shannon Smith

Director of Business and Technical Operations, Tyrannosaurus Tech

I am the Director of Business and Technical Operations at Tyrannosaurus Tech, where I lead AI strategy for both internal operations and client offerings.As an entrepreneur and business strategist, I have 10+ years of experience leading technical teams and building SaaS products for... Read More →

Ford Knowlton

Nia Baucke

Sponsors

Thompson Hine

Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with over 400 lawyers in 10 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
Union Hall- 4th Floor- Homeroom

Panel, Responsible AI

2:15pm EDT

Panel: Building AI Use Cases in Greater Cincinnati

Tuesday June 10, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Union Hall- Beer Hall (2nd floor)

AI isn’t just about what’s possible—it’s about what’s working right now. In this panel, local leaders and innovators will share real-world examples of how they’re building and deploying AI use cases across industries in Greater Cincinnati—from healthcare to logistics, legal, finance, manufacturing, and beyond.

Panelists will discuss the challenges and wins of building practical AI solutions, including how to align teams, manage risk, secure data, and measure impact. This is a hands-on conversation for anyone looking to move from AI exploration to meaningful execution.

Speakers

Melissa Lacefield

Principal Cloud Solution Architect – Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, Microsoft

Mason C. Clutter

Partner; Former Chief Privacy Officer U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Frost Brown Todd

I serve as the Privacy Lead at Frost Brown Todd and previously served as Chief Privacy Officer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. My practice is at the center of privacy, security, and technology. I work with clients to operationalize privacy and security to help them achieve... Read More →

Jerry Felix

Chief Architect, Brain-CA Technologies, Inc.

Started Brain-CA Technologies in November 2023. Secured funding and two patents. We address the huge issue of the tremendous costs of A.I., in time and power consumption.

Kristopher Jones

Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati

Kris Jones is a passionate advocate for technology’s role in transforming businesses, empowering communities, and fostering growth. As a Professor of Information Systems, Kris bridges the gap between academia and industry, delivering insights that shape the next generation of technology... Read More →

Sponsors

Frost Brown Todd

With more than 600 attorneys strategically located in key markets across the United States, Frost Brown Todd is a national law firm offering a deep, talented roster of legal professionals who advise and protect clients in business transactions and litigation in many industries, including... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Union Hall- Beer Hall (2nd floor)

Panel

3:00pm EDT

Panel: Funding AI Powered Startups

Tuesday June 10, 2025 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Union Hall- Beer Hall (2nd floor)

AI innovation in Cincinnati is on the rise—but access to capital, strategic support, and ecosystem connectivity remain critical to sustaining momentum. This fireside chat brings together regional leaders in venture capital, early-stage innovation, and AI commercialization to discuss what it takes to fund and scale AI startups and initiatives in the Queen City.

Panelists will explore the current state of funding for AI ventures, how investors are evaluating AI opportunities, and what resources are available locally to help founders grow. Expect a candid conversation about where the gaps are—and what the community can do to close them.

Speakers

Max Dworin

Cintrifuse

Paul Powers

CEO, Physna

Brett Renzenbrink

Dinsmore

Tyler Mantel

General Partner, Roll Tack Ventures

Sponsors

Dinsmore

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP has a nationwide team of more than 750 attorneys who are trusted advisers to some of the world's leading businesses—including many in the Fortune 500—as well as institutions, associations, governments, professional firms and individuals. Clients count on Dinsmore... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Union Hall- Beer Hall (2nd floor)

Panel

CincyAIweek25

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