Sean Alexander, Microsoft AI Co-Founder
Sean Alexander is a seasoned strategist and thought leader whose engaging keynotes empower business leaders to embrace the opportunities and challenges of transformation in the AI era. With a 25-year career at Microsoft and a history of shaping groundbreaking initiatives, Sean combines deep expertise in innovation with a practical, results-oriented approach to navigating change. Through his programs, audiences gain actionable insights into the business impacts of AI and digital transformation—not just the "how," but the "why" behind driving meaningful change. Whether addressing the ethical implications of AI or demystifying what it takes to future-proof an organization, Sean inspires leaders to think boldly, act strategically, and harness emerging technologies to create competitive advantage. Sean’s impact in the business world is rooted in a legacy of innovation.
At Microsoft, he co-authored the company’s Applied AI strategy, developed the Microsoft AI Executive Program for C-suite leaders, and played a pivotal role in launching the OpenAI partnership. His pioneering work has not only earned him a prestigious Technical Emmy® but also positioned him as a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 organizations navigating the complexities of transformation. Today, as a Business & Technology Advisor and Keynote Speaker with The Persimmon Group—an award-winning management consulting firm—Sean partners with organizations to develop strategies that balance innovation with accountability. His expertise helps leaders drive growth, build resilience, and ensure that technology serves as a force multiplier for their business objectives. Sean’s approachable style, rich storytelling, and practical takeaways make his presentations a must-attend for anyone seeking clarity and confidence in an unpredictable landscape.
A proud second-generation graduate of the University of Tulsa, Sean also earned an Executive MBA from the Microsoft/Northwestern program and an Executive Certificate in AI Business Strategy from MIT. He is an active board member for several nonprofits and a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).
Ryan Ferons, Director of Technology, Pioneer
Ryan Ferons is a seasoned technologist with over a decade of experience building innovative software across industries like aviation, energy, and building services. As Director of Technology at Pioneer, he leads the development of transformative platforms like Cora and CleanCode. Ryan specializes in architecting systems that drive operational efficiency and anticipate industry needs. His leadership continues to guide teams toward impactful, forward-thinking solutions.
Carissa Gappa, Senior Product Manager, TEAM Software by WorkWave
As a Senior Product Manager at TEAM Software by WorkWave, Carissa is a driving force in product innovation, championing customer needs, analyzing cross-industry data trends to identify key opportunities, and coordinating impactful customer advisory board programs that directly influence product roadmaps. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa and her MBA from the University of Nebraska Omaha, Carissa brings over two decades of experience uniting people, processes, and technology to solve complex challenges across diverse industries, from optimizing field operations to streamlining back-office efficiencies. Her passion lies in creating intuitive solutions that deliver tangible value to businesses.
Andy Jedynak, President and CEO, ClientPoint
Andy Jedynak is a seasoned author and tech pioneer with over 25 years of experience leading businesses across emerging sectors such as digital media, IoT, mobile, SaaS, AI, and crowdsourcing. He is the President & CEO of ClientPoint, a top-rated AI-driven global B2B SaaS platform, with a mission to become the front office of the business world. Prior to his leadership role in the Internet technology world, Andy produced television at NBC and played professional basketball in the German Bundesliga. His diverse background blends technology innovation with leadership across various industries.
Jeremy Kerley, Senior Director of Business Continuity and Information Security, Harvard Shared Services
Jeremy Kerley is the Senior Director of Business Continuity and Information Security at Harvard Shared Services. He’s been with Harvard for 6 years. He brings technical knowledge from his roles in IT infrastructure and systems administration to Information Security and Business Continuity. Prior to Harvard, he was the CISO for a financial services technology company serving some of the largest banks in the US. This required extensive knowledge of regulatory frameworks and standards such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOX, and GLBA. In his spare time he enjoys traveling (especially to the mountains) and spending time with his family.
Nathan Mah, Co-Founder & CEO, Mero
Nathan is the Co-Founder and CEO at Mero. He leads the sales and marketing efforts for Mero, where the company is helping janitorial providers win more business through their proprietary technology. Mero is already helping 50+ janitorial providers improve the quality of their client service through their flagship Mero Beacon product.
Ross Manley, SVP, Estimation, Innovation and Process Optimization, GDI Integrated Facility Services
Originally from New Zealand, Ross has been in the facilities management industry for over 30 years. He has been at the senior management level of some of the largest facility services companies in USA, Canada, and South East Asia.
As the SVP of Estimation, Innovation and Process Optimization of GDI, Ross is responsible for working with the companies IT and Operations leaders and with industry partners to investigate new technologies in the industry and determine if and how to deploy those effectively across operational groups.
Karina Neff, Founder and CEO, Spark Strategies
Karina Neff is a visionary technology leader and founder of Spark Strategies Group, a boutique consulting firm focused on transforming service-based businesses through innovation. Raised by parents who were cleaners, Karina brings a deeply personal, people-first approach to technology. Her firsthand understanding of the industry’s challenges has shaped a career dedicated to modernizing the janitorial and service sectors. She previously owned MGN Commercial Services, where she developed her first proprietary tech platform, and later held senior leadership roles at Pioneer, an $82M janitorial company with 1,600 employees. Karina specializes in digital transformation, AI-driven operational insights, and Unified Data Integration Systems (UDIS), consistently leveraging technology as a tool for growth and efficiency.
Craig Newell, Vice President, Enterprise Information Security, GDI Integrated Facility Services
Craig Newell is the VP, Enterprise Information Security for GDI Ainsworth.
A knowledgeable, experienced, and award-winning risk management professional, Craig is recognized for taking a collaborative and strategic approach to Information Risk and Security. With a career spanning three decades, Craig has worked in diverse sectors such as public sector, energy, banking, and facilities management. In his free time, Craig volunteers with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, commanding a search and rescue vessel on Lake Ontario, and as medical staff for public and private events.
Stephen Persampieri, Key Account Manager-National Commercial, Kimberly-Clark Professional™
Stephen Persampieri is a Veteran Key Account Manager in the National Commercial Sector, specializing in the Building Service Contractor and Commercial Real Estate market segments. With over 20 years of experience in the Janitorial and Sanitation (Jan San) industry, Stephen brings deep industry knowledge and a commitment to delivering value-driven solutions to his clients. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts and currently resides in Northern New Jersey.
Karen Ross, Business Operations Leader, Onvation®, Kimberly-Clark Professional™
Karen Ross is a seasoned innovation and operations leader at Kimberly-Clark Professional, currently heading business operations for Onvation®, the company’s smart restroom software solution. With nearly 20 years of experience across R&D, product development, and brand management, Karen has led major initiatives for brands like Scott®, Cottonelle®, and Huggies®. She’s known for her ability to bridge technical innovation with strategic business growth. Karen holds a chemical engineering degree from Penn State and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.