Twelve voices exploring how communities can rethink their tools for change.
Meet the twelve confirmed speakers bringing perspectives from technology, health, art, history, community service, and more.
Ordered by last name.
Change Begins Twice: The Human Work of Storytelling
What Eggs Teach Us About Evidence
Inclusive art, disability, and community possibility.
The Last Tool We Need to Retool Is Ourselves
Why Exactly Are We All Here?
The Sculptor Returns
Cybersecurity, secure systems, and connected devices.
Explainable artificial intelligence and health decisions.
Recovery, accountability, and rebuilding lasting stability.
Prevention, resilience, and trauma-informed community care.
Smaller AI, Bigger Reach
Change Begins Twice: The Human Work of Storytelling
Arina Bokas is Director of Communications and Marketing for Oakland University's School of Engineering and Computer Science. She also serves as editor of Oakland Engineer, the school's annual publication, and writes about its research, programs, students, faculty, and alumni.
Her talk explores how stories allow people to imagine change before it becomes real, turning personal shifts into collective possibility.
What Eggs Teach Us About Evidence
Dr. Lee is executive director of the Asian Center of Southeast Michigan, a research scientist, and a longtime Asian American health advocate. Her career has crossed engineering, public health, and community service.
Her talk uses the changing scientific story of eggs and cholesterol to show why clinical evidence and broad community participation matter.
Shelly Propson Lennon has served as executive director of Paint a Miracle since the Rochester nonprofit opened in 2002. Its studio and gallery create inclusive arts opportunities for people with disabilities through classes, workshops, exhibitions, and the sale of artists' work.
Before Paint a Miracle, she practiced corporate and tax law at Bodman LLP, advising nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations.
The Last Tool We Need to Retool Is Ourselves
Dr. Khalid Mirza is a special instructor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oakland University and director of the OU-Stellantis Control and Robotics Laboratory. He founded Oakland University's Augmented Reality Center and brings more than 30 years of experience across robotics, automation, machine vision, artificial intelligence, and immersive technologies.
He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University and works to connect engineering education, research, and industry practice.
Why Exactly Are We All Here?
Evan Monaghan, as the executive director of the Oakland County Historical Society, has helped bring local history to all who are interested and worked to build connections throughout the county and region.
As a nearly 153-year-old institution, the Oakland County Historical Society is no stranger to retooling. Since the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, OCHS has been looking inward to find ways to adapt to the new normal and bring a new generation of history lovers into the fold.
The Sculptor Returns
Pavan Muzumdar is chief operating officer of Automation Alley and CEO of Project DIAMOnD. He brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience and a people-focused, fundamentals-based analytical approach to digital transformation.
He is an Industry 4.0 expert who helped create and manage Project DIAMOnD, Michigan's largest 3D-printing network. His talk traces how additive manufacturing can return people to the center of design and making.
Dr. Sen is an associate professor in Oakland University's Department of Computer Science and Engineering. His research includes cybersecurity risk assessment, secure systems for connected devices, and applications of predictive and generative AI in cybersecurity.
Dr. Tafti directs the Pitt HexAI Lab and is an assistant professor in health information management. His work focuses on explainable artificial intelligence, clinical data, and better health-care decisions.
Darin Weiss is Chief Executive Officer and Board Chairman of Grace Centers of Hope, a Pontiac nonprofit serving people affected by homelessness, chemical dependency, and abuse through a long-term, faith-based life-skills program.
The organization combines housing, meals, recovery support, education, employment preparation, and community accountability.
Debbie Wertz is Program Director of the Waterford Community Coalition and a seasoned prevention specialist. She previously led the Novi Community Coalition, worked for Youth Assistance, and spent many years in education with Clarkston Community Schools.
Her work helps youth, parents, and families build resilience through trauma-informed strategies, adverse childhood experiences awareness, mindfulness, and evidence-based practices.
Smaller AI, Bigger Reach
Dr. Zhao is a tenure-track assistant professor in Oakland University's Department of Computer Science and Engineering and directs the Efficient AI Lab. Her research spans efficient AI, deep-learning model compression, speech recognition, and cloud and edge computing.
Her work develops smaller, high-performance, hardware-efficient models that can bring advanced AI to edge devices. Her talk explores how efficient models can make capable AI more accessible and inclusive.