Hosted by the Schmidthorst College of Business and its Leadership Council Taskforce on AI, led by Mr. John Haggarty, Senior Director, Fortinet, this event brings together faculty, students and industry leaders to explore the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace. Hear directly from top executives about how Generative AI (Gen-AI) and AI-driven technologies are transforming business operations, decision-making, and workforce dynamics.  Michael Carrel – Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Nationwide Financial  Michael Carrel leads technology strategy and innovation at Nationwide Financial, overseeing the integration of AI-driven solutions to enhance financial services. With over two decades of experience in financial technology, he is a thought leader in digital transformation and AI applications in banking and insurance. Michael is a proud BGSU alumnus, holding a bachelor’s degree in computer science.  Pam Heminger – Senior Vice President, Strategic Procurement & Planning Division, Caterpillar Inc. Pam Heminger directs global supply chain and strategic procurement operations at Caterpillar, focusing on leveraging AI for efficiency and optimization. She has played a key role in AI-driven advancements in supplier management and logistics. Pam brings over 25 years of experience in manufacturing and operations, ensuring businesses remain competitive in an AI-powered world.  Pam is a proud BGSU alumna, holding a bachelor’s degree in both production and operations management and procurement and materials management.  Tom Bush – Chief Executive Officer, Actual Reality Technologies; Founder, EmpoweredAI  Tom Bush is a leader in AI and machine learning, currently serving as the CEO of Actual Reality Technologies and founder of EmpoweredAI. Previously, he was the Head of Product Management for Finance Technology at Amazon, where he spearheaded AI innovations in financial analytics and automation. With expertise in AI-driven decision-making, Tom is passionate about helping businesses adopt AI responsibly and effectively.  Amal Muzaffar – Product Manager, Instagram, Meta  Dr. Shanda Gore – President & Chief Executive Officer, Mays & Associates LTD  Dr. Shanda Gore is the founder and President of Mays & Associates, Ltd., a leadership development and consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and organizational culture. With over 25 years of experience, she has trained more than 22,000 individuals and works with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to municipalities and athletic organizations. She is also the author of The PinLeader Path – Effective Human and AI Leadership, and the host of the PinLeader™ Podcast, available in 175 countries, and has been featured on the Big10 Network. Dr. Gore is a BGSU alumna, earning a Bachelor of Communications, a Master of Communication, and a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies.       

  Join us for The Hatch, BGSU’s premier business pitch competition, where student entrepreneurs – our Hatchlings – bring their innovative ideas to life! In a “Shark Tank”-style event, they’ll present their ventures to a panel of investors, hoping to secure support to turn their concepts into reality.   More than just a competition, The Hatch is a semester-long immersive program that helps students and alumni refine their ideas, develop real-world solutions and make a lasting impact on our communities. This year’s Hatchlings represent a diverse range of colleges and disciplines, bringing fresh perspectives to today’s challenges.