“As an educator, I believe one of my most important tasks is to find opportunities where technology can be used to help create inclusive, equitable, and dynamic learning experiences.”

Carl Reed is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Lion Forge Comics, an award-winning graphic literature publisher.

In addition to his work on the publishing side of Lion Forge, he runs the creative services side of the company, Lion Forge Labs, where he directs the company’s efforts at exploring new industries and markets with an eye toward understanding the technology and business needs of each project and client.

Jane Vancil is the founder and CEO of IncentiLock. IncentiLock is a 2018 Arch Grants recipient and was named one of the 2018 Most Innovative Companies by Small Business Monthly. Jane advises startups through her role as a mentor and entrepreneur-in-residence with ITEN, a technology incubator in St. Louis for many years.  Prior to founding IncentiLock, Jane spent 20 years in senior management with Fortune 500 companies, consulting firms, and startups. Her experience includes finance, corporate tax, mergers and acquisitions, and IT implementations.

Jane received her business degree from Fontbonne College (now University) in St. Louis. Speaks regularly on topics related to business tax credits and incentives, technology, and startups.

“Innovation in elementary education helps to foster and grow the next generation of innovators and creators. That’s why it’s critically important that we as a community ensure the educational and technological gaps are removed, and all students can flourish and thrive equitably.”

“Math was the proverbial ‘great equalizer’ for all students of the 20th century. ‘Technology’ is the great equalizer of the 21st. And “equalizing” must guarantee equitable access for all children to state-of-the-art resources, innovative educators, and filling opportunity gaps of all students. Anything less is unjust. Consequently, more than ever, we must leverage systemic change to unleash innovation, creativity, and technology in combination with what we know about learning, pedagogy, and leading in our schools.”

“I view the importance of educational innovation through two lenses.  First, the rapid rate of global change dictates that educational institutions must evolve to remain relevant to their customers. Secondly, educational innovation can serve as a critical means to help schools create equitable opportunities for all children, especially those residing in under-resourced and under-represented communities.”

Dr. Grace Lee (she/her) is the Dean of Faculty at Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS), an independent school in St. Louis, Missouri. She is also the director of the Equity and Justice Academy in Character Education for Character Plus. Previously, she served as a school social worker, ELA teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Jennings, Parkway, Webster Groves and University City School Districts.  In every aspect of school leadership, Dr. Lee brings her social work lens to her role as an educator.  She works to create systems to ensure equity and access. The core of her beliefs centers on elevating student and teacher voices to leverage leadership to shift the educational landscape for change.  Her work focuses on moving away from incentive based and punitive consequences that only perpetuate the school to prison pipeline but truly engage children as active, equal partners in upholding a school community that fosters a sense of belonging, purpose and recognition of self-worth.

Dr. Lee has presented across the region and country at various conferences around character education, restorative practices and racial equity. She has shared the outcome of her work and what a school looks like when students and teachers feel seen, heard and loved. She continues to reimagine school for children in her current educational home, empowering and supporting students and teachers. She hopes that everyone understands their worth and encourages people to walk unapologetically in their purpose.

“Finding new ways to use technology is part of what makes us human, but it doesn’t happen all on its own. Educators and children need support to ensure they have the creative space to be curious and discover how technology can facilitate learning that prepares us all for what’s next.”

Adam Scimone has been working in education since 2010. He began his work as a naturalist, focused on creating emotional connections with natural resources and later transitioned to science education in a classroom. Most recently he ran a middle school gifted program where he differentiated for the needs of unique learners that require more than a one-size-fits-all approach. He is a former Kirkwood School District Teacher of the Year, a Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year, and a recipient of the Emerson Excellence in Education Award among others accolades. Adam has a BS in biology and chemistry from the University of Illinois and an M.Ed. in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri. He is passionate about empowering children and nurturing curiosity.

“Unleashing the natural curiosity and talent of young people through technology in school models success for entrepreneurship and innovation in business.”

Tanya Yatzeck has been an IT Professional for over twenty years and is currently a Project Manager at Ameren. She has collaborated with and led information technology teams applied to utilities, public relations, advertising, financial services, retail, and nonprofits. As a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Tanya has served as a mentor to new and aspiring Project Managers as part of the PMI Mentorship Program as well as through internal programs at her organizations.

Tanya holds Master of Business Management and Master of Arts in Art History degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Beloit College. As a business student, she was inspired to explore innovation in the context of business development and began a freelance writing practice focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship in St. Louis. Prior to her IT career, Tanya taught Art History at University College and at UMSL.

Tanya believes that synergies reside in capturing the energy of the growing innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in St. Louis and applying it to schools. She also thinks that unleashing the natural curiosity and talent of young people through technology in school models success for entrepreneurship in business.