Events

Bethany Simunich is Vice-President of Innovation & Research at Quality Matters, an educational non-profit dedicated to quality online learning at all levels of education. In this role, Dr. Simunich leads efforts to help institutions, faculty, and staff make data-driven, research-based decisions to implement online quality assurance and promote online student success. In her over twenty years in higher education, she has held faculty, instructional design, research-focused, and online learning administration roles at several U.S. HEIs.

Richard Garrett is Chief Research Officer at Eduventures, a higher education market research and consulting firm (part of Encoura). Richard has tracked the online higher education market since the 1990s, based both in the United Kingdom and United States. He has worked with hundreds of colleges and universities to help shape their online strategies and programming. Richard has also worked at Tribal Group, University of Surrey, and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (UK).

Eric Fredericksen helps lead the exploration of online learning initiatives across the University. He has held similar positions at Cornell University and the SUNY System. For almost three decades he has been active at the national level with organizations such as OLC/Sloan-C and EDUCAUSE. Dr Fredericksen is also a professor at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education.

Thomas Cavanagh, PhD, is Vice Provost for Digital Learning at the University of Central Florida. In this role, he oversees the distance learning strategy, policies, and practices of one of the nation’s largest universities. A national leader in digital education and academic innovation, he has been recognized with numerous awards from organizations such as the Online Learning Consortium, the United States Distance Learning Association, 1EdTech, and the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technology. He is active in the higher education community and serves on several national boards.

Carlos Morales, PhD, is President of TCC Connect Campus, the online campus of Tarrant County College. It is the largest and fastest-growing of the six campuses, serving more than 30,000 students. Dr. Morales is an instructional technology scholar and a visionary leader with experience at undergraduate, graduate, public, and private higher education institutions. Dr. Carlos Morales champions online education success through innovative and evidence-based academic programs and models.

Mary Ellen Wiltrout oversees the development and execution of the department's digital learning strategy with a team of instructors and a postdoctoral scholar as well as graduate and undergraduate student contributors. Mary Ellen applies her teaching experience, PhD in biology, and knowledge of the learning sciences to transform the biology curriculum at MIT in collaboration with the faculty and instructional team.

Izabela is a pathfinder, problem solver, client liaison, and collaborator who currently holds a key leadership role in the Digital Asset Management department at creative advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi. During her time at the agency, Izabela initiated and led an internal project focused on upgrading legacy asset management technology. Her efforts received full agency support and she is currently overseeing the implementation process. 

Christina Aguilera is a trailblazing force in the Technology & Innovation industry for over two decades. With an impressive track record and an unyielding passion for excellence, Christina has been at the forefront of shaping global strategies and implementing ground-breaking solutions that redefine the way we experience technology.

Based in New York City, I am an alumna of the Fashion Institute of Technology, where I studied photography, art history, and fashion studies. My career highlights include a pivotal role as a Digital Asset Manager at DIRECTV/AT&T, where I managed and assisted in the development of their global brand center. Additionally, I spent six years at Getty Images, honing my skills in editing entertainment images. Outside of work, I'm passionate about cooking, gardening, exploring NYC's vibrant culture, and capturing its essence through photography.