agenda

November 18, 2026 • Columbus State Community College

*** announced speakers + schedule subject to change and updates ***

9:00 AM

Doors open, registration, + Vendor expos

10:00 AM

welcome and Opening remarks

We open the Summit with a look at the investments, applications, and talent shaping Ohio’s AI economy. We’ll explore where the state is gaining momentum, the challenges organizations face, and the opportunities ahead for Ohio companies and communities.

10:20 AM

AI and Ohio’s Innovation Infrastructure Advantage

AI is creating new opportunities for Ohio to attract investment, grow businesses, and build the industries of the future. From data centers and energy systems to advanced manufacturing and the companies supplying critical equipment, this session explores the infrastructure powering that growth. Leaders will discuss how Ohio can turn these investments into lasting economic opportunity through stronger supply chains, new jobs, and a more competitive innovation economy.

SPEAKERS

Rachel Ray: Economic Development Director @ City of Westerville

Greg Ratcliff: Chief Innovation Officer @ Vertiv

Molly Kocour Boyle: Head of Data Center Market Development, Midwest @ Google

11:00 AM

morning networking break

11:15 am

OHIO AI SPRINTS

Fast-paced talks from business and technology leaders showcasing how their companies are putting AI to work. Each sprint offers a focused look at real-world applications, lessons learned, and insights attendees can bring back to their own organizations.

SPEAKERS

Benjamin Nussbaum: Founder @ Overlook AI

Geoff Moore: Chief Information Officer @ Valmark Financial Group

Becca Wenning: Founder & CEO @ Dressit

12:00 pM

lunch + NETWORKING BREAK

12:30 Pm

OHIO AI SPRINTS

Fast-paced talks from business and technology leaders showcasing how their companies are putting AI to work. Each sprint offers a focused look at real-world applications, lessons learned, and insights attendees can bring back to their own organizations.

SPEAKER

David Boone Jr.: Co-Founder @ Ordermatic

1:15 pM

Post lunch break

1:30 PM

Thinking with AI: Leading Organizations Through the Next Shift

As AI becomes part of everyday work, leaders face decisions that go beyond which tools to adopt: What should AI do, what should people continue to do, and how can AI strengthen people’s capabilities and judgment?

The session opens with a short framing drawn from Thinking with AI, followed by a moderated conversation with leaders about how they’re making these decisions in their organizations.

SPEAKERS

Srini Koushik: Founder & CEO @ Right Brain Labs

Michael Carrel: Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer @ Nationwide

Matthew Randle: CISO & VP, Product Reliability Engineering @ Path Robotics

Dharmendra (DK) Sinha: CEO, Accenture Edge @ Accenture

2:15 pM

networking break + Shift to breakouts

2:20 PM

AI in the Enterprise — Lessons from Ohio Technology Leaders

How are Ohio companies making AI part of everyday business? Leaders will share how they choose applications, integrate AI into existing operations, get employees on board, and measure results. The conversation will highlight practical lessons from across industries, including what worked, what stalled, and what they would do differently.

SPEAKERS

Ervan Rodgers: Vice President, Information Technology @ Duluth Trading Company

Brian Cobb: Chief Innovation Officer @ Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport

Ryan Hale: Chief Information Officer & Board Member @ Lithko Contracting, Inc.

Bryan Holmes: Vice President, Information Technology @ Andelyn Biosciences

Beyond the Chatbot — Putting AI to Work

AI is creating new possibilities for carrying out tasks across business systems, from processing documents to coordinating customer service and internal operations. Leaders will share specific applications, distinguish what is live from what is experimental, and discuss the integration and oversight required. Attendees will hear where AI is delivering value, where we still need technology progress, and where human judgment remains essential.

SPEAKERS

Lynn Sautter Beal: Vice President, Lending Operations @ Upstart

Mark Giles: Chief Technology Officer @ CBTS

Todd Nussbaum: Director @ CGI

Bhuvana Lakshmi Dharani: Technical Product Manager @ Dell

Katrina Flory: State Chief Information Officer @ State of Ohio

3:00 pM

networking break

3:20 PM

AI as a Growth Engine — Better Products, Services, and Customer Experiences

How can AI help organizations improve what they sell, serve customers differently, and create new sources of growth or efficiency?

Ohio business and technology leaders will discuss how they identify customer needs, develop AI-enabled offerings, and determine whether those investments create value. The session will focus on practical lessons from bringing products and services to market.

SPEAKERS

Ryan Lunka: Vice President, Head of AI & Agentic Practice @ Aries Solutions

Alexandra Quarry: Team Lead & Solution Specialist @ ATC

Liz Crowe, PhD: Chief Innovation & Technology Officer @ City of Cleveland

Bharath Prabhakaran: Vice President & Chief Digital Officer @ University of Cincinnati

Building Ohio’s AI-Ready Workforce: Skills, Adoption, and Change

Preparing people for AI takes more than introducing new tools or offering a training course. This panel explores how employers and education partners build practical skills, help teams change how they work, and develop the judgment to use AI effectively. Leaders will share approaches to preparing new talent and helping today’s workforce turn individual learning into organization-wide progress.

SPEAKERS

Stephen White: Chief Strategy Officer @ COSI

Lori Robbins: Assistant Director of the King Center for Data and Innovation & Head of AI Strategy @ Denison University

Julia Wynn: Senior Director of State Government Affairs @ CodeAI

Paige Love: Sofware Engineer @ Wells Fargo

4:00 pm

RECEPTION

Join us for the closing happy hour reception where attendees can unwind, continue conversations from the day, and network with peers in a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy refreshments, connect with speakers, and reflect on key takeaways as we wrap up the event on a high note. It’s the perfect opportunity to build new relationships and celebrate Ohio’s growing AI community.