academic Experts

Tim O'Donnell

Associate Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Success University of Mary Washington

Dr. O'Donnell specializes in communication and debate.

B. Frank Gupton, Ph.D.

Floyd D. Gottwald, Jr. Chair in Pharmaceutical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringVCU College of Engineering

Professor Gupton's research is focused on the development of new technologies that will streamline organic synthesis

Dennis Shelden

Director, Center for Architecture Science and Ecology (CASE)Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Co-Director of the Institute for Energy, the Built Environment, and Smart Systems (EBESS) and leading expert on dynamic building systems.

Jill Perry-Smith

Professor of Organization & ManagementEmory University, Goizueta Business School

Kari Watkins

Associate Professor, Civil EngineeringGeorgia Tech - COE

Kari Watkins' research interests revolve around multi-modal transportation planning and the use of technology in transportation.

Jeremy Pressman, Ph.D.

Professor of Political ScienceUniversity of Connecticut

Dr. Pressman specializes in the Arab-Israeli peace process, US foreign policy, and the scope of political protests in the United States.

Cato Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Convergence InstituteUConn Health

Dr. Laurencin is a world renowned engineer, physician and scientist who is known for pioneering the field of Regenerative Engineering.

Jason Grissom

Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Public Policy and EducationVanderbilt University

An expert in K-12 leadership and policy and the impacts of school and district leaders on teacher and student outcomes.

Matthew Manion, PhD

The David Grenon Family Faculty Director, Center for Church Management; Professor of Practice, Management & Operations | Villanova School of BusinessVillanova University

Matthew Manion, PhD, provides world-class leadership training and consulting to the Catholic Church.

Lori Webb

Founder, Speaker & TrainerInternational Speaker Collective

Enthusiastic, engaging and knowledgeable speaking professional with five decades of varied experience under her belt.