Todd James

Founder & CEO

Todd James is the founder of Aurora Insights and has spent the past 20 years developing and scaling advanced data and AI strategies for leading companies like Kroger and Fidelity Investments. With a deep understanding of what works—and what doesn't—Todd specializes in turning AI-driven solutions into real customer value and measurable business impact.

Tushar Kulkarni

Founder + CEO

Tushar Kulkarni is Founder and CEO of Big Kitty Labs, an Ohio-based AI-driven enterprise software firm, with more than a decade turning early-stage concepts into market-ready innovations across AI, healthcare, mobility, and deep tech. Big Kitty Labs has partnered with the Enterprise Technology Association to help scale AI Week's impact nationwide.

Zack Huhn

Co-Founder

Jon Salisbury

CEO & Chief AI Officer

Jon Salisbury co-founded Nexigen in 2003 and has spent more than two decades building it into one of Greater Cincinnati's largest IT services and cybersecurity firms. He leads Nexigen's work helping enterprises secure their AI systems, taking a zero-trust approach to protecting the data and models organizations depend on. Salisbury also partners with the University of Cincinnati's AI Bio Lab on generative AI security research, and serves on the board of smartLINK.

Payal Thakur

CDAIO / Managing Director of Data, Analytics and AI

Payal Thakur is CDAIO and Managing Director of Data, Analytics and AI at JobsOhio, where she drives the state's data strategy and AI-led economic growth initiatives. She previously led BI and Analytics for the State of Ohio, holds an MBA and MCA, and studied at Harvard and Stanford GSB; she serves on the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board.

Josh Tang

Founder and CEO

Josh Tang Founder & CEO Twelve years building ML and data systems in healthcare, banking, and defense. Principal Engineer at KeyBank, ML engineer on DoD contracts, and data engineer at IBM Watson Health and Explorys. Has the senior engineer's habit of asking 'but what happens when this breaks?' before anything ships.

Maddie Bell

CEO

Maddie Bell is the CEO and Co-Founder of Synapsa, where she's spent the past three years building patented AI agents that have generated millions in GTM pipeline value. A former Procter & Gamble brand leader, Maddie brings strategic rigor from managing billion-dollar brands to transforming how B2B teams engage and book leads. She's tested thousands of conversational AI workflows to help teams move faster, personalize better, and boost pipeline efficiency. Outside of work, she's raising three daughters with her husband and co-founder, Mike.