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Prof. Loh is a social entrepreneur and inventor. He combines math, science, and technology with firsthand exploration of the human condition. Across the global landscape of work, AI, and education. Major newspapers have covered his diverse innovations. His latest initiative unites math stars and actors to transform education.

He won silver for Team USA at the 1999 International Math Olympiad, and served a decade as National Coach. He is a Hertz Fellow — in a community of broadly innovative scientists with roots in the Manhattan Project and Space Race.

He personally speaks in an unprecedented 100+ cities per year on education-after-AI. Conferences. Substitute-teaching in K–12 classrooms. Visiting companies and labs. Public lectures. Learning while sharing ideas with students, parents, researchers, and policymakers. All while teaching at one of the world’s foremost universities in AI (Carnegie Mellon) and running his own EdTech social enterprise.

Josh Laney is Vice President of Apprenticeship and Work-Embedded Learning at the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN). He convenes education, industry, and government to turn shared vision into durable structure, drawing on more than two decades of leadership across K-12, technical education, state workforce development, senior advisory roles in state government, and registered apprenticeship. At C-BEN he leads the National Project on Apprenticeship Standards and Interoperability (PASI), a federally funded initiative to expand and modernize competency-based apprenticeship nationwide. As the founding director of the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, Mr. Laney established himself as a nationally recognized voice in apprenticeship and work-embedded learning. He has testified before the U.S. Senate HELP Committee and served on the executive board of the National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors.

Mr. Laney is a graduate of Auburn and Troy Universities and lives with his family on their cattle farm in Russell County, Alabama.

Doug Heckman is Director of Partnerships at Riipen, where he works with colleges and universities to build Career Connected Campuses that prepare learners for meaningful careers through scalable work-integrated learning. He works with institutional leaders to strengthen student success, deepen employer engagement, and align education with workforce needs.

Doug's commitment to experiential learning began long before joining Riipen. From service in the U.S. Air Force and AmeriCorps to 15 years teaching in higher education, his work has been guided by the belief that meaningful learning happens through experience. For nearly three decades, he has worked within and alongside colleges and universities to strengthen connections between learning and work.

Doug is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, San José State University, and the University of Washington.

India T. Ambeau is the Training and Workforce Development Manager for New Energy at Baton Rouge Community College, where she develops innovative workforce programs that prepare students for careers in emerging energy industries. Most recently, she led the development of Louisiana's first Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Technician Training Program, creating new pathways into the rapidly growing electric vehicle and clean energy sectors through partnerships with industry, government, and educational stakeholders.

India holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Southern University and A&M College and a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Toxicology from Louisiana State University. Prior to joining BRCC, she spent more than a decade as an Environmental Scientist with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, specializing in watershed planning, water quality data analysis, and community engagement.

An entrepreneur, workforce development leader, and Southern University Track & Field Hall of Fame inductee, India has extensive experience building partnerships across government, higher education, industry, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to create innovative pathways that connect education, workforce development, and economic opportunity.

Amber Renee Boyd is the Executive Director of Workforce Development for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, where she leads Career and Technical Education (CTE), the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC), Work-Based Learning, internships, career pathways, and JROTC programs. With more than 20 years of educational leadership experience as a teacher, curriculum specialist, assistant principal, principal, and district administrator, she is committed to preparing students for high-wage, high-demand careers. Under her leadership, the district increased Industry-Based Credentials by 71.3%, expanded Work-Based Learning opportunities for more than 700 students, and strengthened partnerships with over 150 business and industry leaders. Her efforts have contributed to increases in graduation rates, College and Career Ready graduates, and workforce certifications while securing grants to modernize CTE programs. Boyd's vision is to ensure every student graduates with a diploma, industry credentials, real-world experience, and a clear pathway to college, military service, or a successful career.

Dr. Tristan Denley is Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Innovation at the Louisiana Board of Regents, where he leads statewide efforts to improve student success, college completion, and workforce alignment. Since joining the Board in 2022, he has advanced Meauxmentum, work-based learning, and career-focused education, helping Louisiana reach record-high educational attainment.

Dr. Denley is widely recognized for using data analytics, behavioral economics, and cognitive psychology to transform higher education practice. Across three states, he has developed strategies using data-informed advising and redesigned developmental education to improve student success. He also created Degree Compass, a groundbreaking course recommendation system that earned national attention and a Platinum IMS Global Learning Impact Award.

In 2024, Dr. Denley received Complete College America’s Stan Jones Legacy Award, honoring his visionary leadership and lasting impact on higher education policy and student success.

Keyo Johnson is a purpose-driven leader, educator, mental health counselor, and workforce development professional committed to helping individuals discover their purpose, maximize their potential, and successfully transition from education to meaningful careers.

A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Keyo earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern University and A&M College in 2006 and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Southern University in 2015. Her multidisciplinary background uniquely positions her at the intersection of education, counseling, leadership development, and workforce innovation.

With more than 15 years of experience across K–12 education, higher education, and mental health counseling, Keyo has dedicated her career to empowering youth and emerging professionals through mentorship, career exploration, and purpose-driven development. Her work is rooted in connecting classroom learning with real-world experience to prepare individuals for long-term personal and professional success.

During her tenure with Jobs for America's Graduates–Louisiana (JAG-LA), Keyo established and led a workforce development program in a rural community, helping improve graduation rates while equipping students with the academic, employability, and leadership skills needed to pursue postsecondary education and sustainable careers.

Currently, as Director of Vocational Discernment and Career Development at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU), Keyo leads innovative initiatives that integrate vocational discernment, career readiness, work-based learning, and leadership development into the student experience. She has secured more than $200,000 in competitive grant funding to launch transformative programs that prepare undergraduate and graduate students for purposeful careers while strengthening employer partnerships and expanding experiential learning opportunities.

Throughout her career, Keyo has built strategic partnerships with business leaders, educators, community organizations, and employers to create pathways that benefit both students and the regional workforce. Her collaborative leadership bridges education and industry, ensuring graduates leave with the confidence, competencies, and practical experiences needed to thrive in an ever-evolving workforce.

For nearly two decades, Keyo has championed mentorship, workforce development, community engagement, and equitable access to opportunity. Guided by a passion for developing people and building sustainable talent pipelines, she continues to create innovative solutions that empower individuals to transform their education into meaningful careers while strengthening communities and the future workforce.

Dr. Sherry Rivera is an Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing in New Orleans, where she serves as Program Coordinator of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program and the Edwin Kidd Hunter Endowed Chair in Rural Nursing.

Dr. Rivera is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and a Fellow of both the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) and the National Kidney Foundation (FNKF). She is a recognized leader in nephrology and advanced practice nursing, serving as Chair of the Executive Committee of the National Kidney Foundation's Council for Advanced Practice Providers. In addition, she serves as Co-Chair of the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) workgroup focused on patient education for individuals with kidney disease.

Dr. Rivera is committed to improving health outcomes for rural and underserved populations through nurse practitioner education and workforce development.

Dr. Torrence Williams is a dedicated educational leader, consultant, and champion for teacher development with over 16 years of experience in public education. He currently serves as the Director of Teacher Advancement for the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (A+PEL) and the Executive Director of South Louisiana/Add-On Programs for Ready to Teach Louisiana. Additionally, he impacts future educators as a lead professor and instructor at Reach University.

A proud alumnus of Nicholls State University and Arkansas State University, he earned his Doctor of Education degree in December 2024. Recognized as the 2017 Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year, Dr. Williams is deeply committed to instructional leadership and curriculum framework design. Outside of his professional endeavors, he is an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and a passionate international traveler who has led educational trips to South Africa and Kenya.

Theresa Kumse is an experienced leader in business development, advertising, branding, and project management. As Chief Partnership Officer at LSU Online, she leads business development initiatives that connect LSU with employers offering education as a workforce benefit, helping expand access to higher education through innovative and strategic partnerships.

Dr. Sumesh Arora is Workforce Strategies Program Manager at Entergy, dedicated to developing the next-generation utility workforce through partnerships with educational institutions, nonprofits, government, and industry. With over 35 years in energy and chemicals, Sumesh has served as director of Mississippi’s state energy office and vice president of Innovate Mississippi, leading cleantech commercialization. His expertise covers innovation, entrepreneurship, energy education, energy efficiency, electric transportation, and energy security. He has testified before the U.S. Senate, served as an advisor to the US Department of Energy, authored nearly 150 publications and presentations, and holds two patents. Sumesh earned a Ph.D. in International Development and BS and MS degrees in engineering. He has taught as an adjunct faculty in business for 13 years and leads several nonprofits supporting community service and education. He resides in Madison, Mississippi with his wife and has two grown children.

Drew Thompson is a strategic and results‑driven Workforce Strategies Program Manager with 20+ years of experience advancing operational excellence, reliability performance, and workforce development across Entergy’s New Orleans region. Known for transforming complex challenges into actionable strategies, Drew has led major reliability improvements, developed high‑performing teams, and delivered large‑scale business outcomes aligned with Entergy’s long‑term vision.

In previous leadership roles—including Distribution Reliability Manager and Senior Reliability Engineer—Drew directed reliability strategy for more than 212,000 customers, oversaw storm restoration and outage management operations, and guided capital and O&M investment planning exceeding $500M. These efforts produced measurable improvements, including a 41% increase in system reliability over baseline performance.

Today, Drew applies that same operational rigor and strategic foresight to workforce development: building sustainable talent pipelines, enhancing organizational readiness, and aligning human capital strategies with the future of the utility workforce. Drew is recognized for a leadership approach grounded in accountability, collaboration, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and community impact.

Humanities Amped Co-Director Emma J. Gist is an educator, writer, and researcher dedicated to transformative learning grounded in inquiry and joy. She began working at Humanities Amped in 2018, and has applied her expertise in project-based learning, trauma-informed practices, and facilitation in her work with students, teachers, and stakeholders throughout her time with the organization. She holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from Louisiana State University and an MAT from the University of Southern California, has taught in California, Louisiana, and Arkansas, and has centered her research and teaching practice on the possibilities and challenges of facilitating authentic learning that extends students’ experiences into the world beyond the classroom walls.

Terrie is an Associate Partner in IBM Consulting and the IBM North America FutureNow Center Hybrid Cloud and Data Service Line Leader. She has over 33 years of experience with IBM and the winner of the Best of IBM award in 2018. She has held many delivery roles in IBM from Executive Project Manager, Transition and Transformation Project Manager, Senior Delivery Manager, Agile Coach, and Design Thinking Co-Creator. She has spent her career working with multiple Fortune 500 clients across multiple industries.

While working at the IBM Baton Rouge FutureNow Center, Terrie leads the Hybrid Cloud and Data team spanning capabilities across five North America FutureNow Centers. She has led the IBM Apprenticeship program and is recognized for her work in driving IBM’s New-Collar Initiatives.

Terrie’s dedication to professional development is truly commendable, as she has demonstrated her accomplishment in the Innovation of Products and Services while attending MIT’s Approach to Design Thinking program. Terrie received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and her Master of Science Degree in Project Management from The George Washington University in Washington D.C.

Terrie is a strong believer in giving back to the community and previously served as the President of the Zachary Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She is a member of the Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) Advisory Board and served as a guest panelist for the Louisiana STEM Summit - encouraging girls and women in pursuing STEM careers.

Evan LeBlanc is a Managing Consultant with Ramboll specializing in site solutions, environmental due diligence, remediation, multimedia sampling, and regulatory compliance. With nine years of experience, Evan has managed environmental investigations, risk assessments, permitting, remediation projects, and government contracts for agencies including the Navy, USACE, and USMC. Responsibilities include project management, budgeting, procurement, staff oversight, health and safety coordination, and client management.

Osmar Padilla serves as Deputy Secretary of Louisiana Works, where he leads statewide strategy and operations for Louisiana's workforce development agency. He oversees initiatives focused on workforce development, employer engagement, performance improvement, technology modernization, and the integration of workforce and human services to improve outcomes for job seekers and businesses alike.

Prior to joining Louisiana Works, Osmar held leadership positions across the economic development and higher education sectors, including roles with Greater New Orleans, Inc., the University of New Orleans, , Emory University, and Louisiana State University. He holds a bachelor's degree in Disaster Management and a master's degree in Human Resource Education & Workforce Development from Louisiana State University.

Osmar is passionate about building stronger connections between education, workforce development, and employers to expand opportunity and meet Louisiana's evolving talent needs.