Speakers – Rhythm & Algorithm

Andy Quick

Vice President & Retired Chief AI Officer, Entergy

Andy brings AI into real-world utility operations, developing strategies that use predictive analytics, automation, and advanced solutions to improve performance. His work ensures innovation in energy remains cutting-edge, responsibly applied, and grounded in practical results for businesses and communities.

Tim Tumminello

Sr. Director of People Services and Innovation, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Tim empowers workforce development, business process optimization, and innovation practices. With deep experience in HR and culture building, he helps teams thrive by fostering environments where people perform at their best while embracing new approaches to work.

Josh Fleig

Chief Innovation Officer, Louisiana Economic Development

Josh accelerates technology-driven growth across Louisiana by designing and leading statewide innovation initiatives. His work connects startups to capital, strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem through programs like LA.IO and the Louisiana Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and drives long-term economic impact.

Dr. Djuana Stoakley

Senior Staff Ethnographic Researcher, Entergy

Djuana translates deep research into strategies that drive inclusion, innovation, and measurable impact. She applies systems thinking, journey mapping, and design methods to ensure that human insights and lived experiences are built into new solutions from the start. Her work bridges corporate and community settings with a strong focus on human-centered innovation.

Diego Llaneza

Innovation Manager, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Diego drives innovation where public service, emerging technologies, and human-centered design meet. He builds and leads cross-functional teams applying design thinking, agile methods, and AI to solve civic and organizational challenges. His focus is on embedding inclusive, practical, and scalable innovative solutions into institutional culture and processes.

Kendall Gow

Deputy Director of Human Resources, City of Altamonte Springs, Florida

Kendall modernizes public sector HR by integrating AI-powered tools that improve access to information and services. She leads workforce transformation by blending technology with people-centered leadership, helping government organizations adopt more responsible and effective practices. Her focus is on training leaders and teams to deliver better outcomes for communities.

Kimberly W. LaGrue

Chief Information Officer, City of New Orleans

Kimberly leads New Orleans’ digital transformation and equity initiatives, ensuring all residents have access to technology. With over 25 years in IT, she advances smart city innovation and mentors leaders nationwide.

René Pastorek

Chief Economic Development Officer, Downtown Development District

René drives economic growth in Downtown New Orleans, leading life sciences and tech innovation strategies. A planner and advocate, he’s recognized for award-winning resilience and transportation work across Louisiana.

Jason

Founder & Chief AI Officer, PerryLabs

Jason is the Founder & Chief AI Officer at PerryLabs, where he helps organizations unlock real business impact with AI. With over two decades of experience leading product and engineering teams across startups, government, and Fortune 50 companies, he bridges strategy with hands-on execution. He’s also the author of The AI Evolution and host of the Thoughts on Tech & Things podcast with WYPR.

Col Jason “TOGA” Trew

Professor of Design Management, Savannah College of Art & Design

A retired U.S. Air Force officer, strategist, and educator, TOGA blends design thinking and leadership to help high-performing teams innovate across military, academic, and corporate settings.

Dr. Shreya Banerjee

Assistant Professor of Computer Science, University of New Orleans

Dr. Shreya Banerjee is an AI researcher and director of the Human, Hybrid AI, and Machines (HAIM) Lab at UNO. Her work bridges reasoning and data-driven models, advancing explainable, knowledge-aware AI to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. A Ph.D. graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, her research has been featured at IJCAI, AAAI, AGI, and NeurIPS. She leads funded projects, advises the ACM-W Chapter at UNO, and serves on program committees for leading AI conferences.

Ben Samuel

Associate Professor of Computer Science, University of New Orleans

Ben Samuel is an award-winning game designer, researcher, and actor who directs UNO’s LIGHT Lab, exploring AI and games. His work spans interactive narrative, social simulation, and procedural content generation, with acclaimed projects such as Prom Week, Bad News, and the open-source Ensemble Engine. His performances include starring roles in Hulu’s Battleground and Netflix’s Dating Around, blending creativity, storytelling, and technology in unique ways.