Level UP! with A.I.: Full Schedule

Driven by the mission to mainstream impact investing and democratizing access to capital Y. Elaine Rasmussen founded ConnectUP! Institute. Grounded in her work as a mediator, a communications and finance professional, Rasmussen has extensive experience in building transformational... Read More →

Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Remarks

9:50am CDT

Why A.I. Panel

Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:50am - 10:25am CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Feedback Survey

Join Silas Tanaka & Amungwa Bonu in a dynamic panel as they explore how A.I. is revolutionizing small businesses. Discover why embracing A.I. is a crucial tool for staying competitive in today's market, and learn about the potential risks of falling behind if you don’t adapt.

Moderators

Shontel Booker

Founder/CEO, Dream in Color Healing

Shontel Booker, a certified Yoga Guide and Spiritual Life Coach. She leads Dream in Color Healing Yoga Studio offering yoga and holistic healing to children and adults. Her vibrant, community healing approach blends fun and relaxation, creating a sanctuary for self-discovery and balance... Read More →

Speakers

Silas Wellington

Founder, Future-Works Co.

Silas Wellington is a product leader and former tech founder who specializes in using A.I. to turn complex, manual workflows into scalable systems. With experience spanning product management, automation consulting, and venture investing, he helps businesses unlock growth by improving... Read More →

Amungwa Bonu

Founder, SuperTechi

As a lifelong tech enthusiast, Amungwa formally pivoted his career into Computer Science in 2020. Combining his understanding of interpersonal communication with an understanding of how people interact with technology, he brings a pragmatic lens to Information Technology, viewing... Read More →

Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:50am - 10:25am CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Panel/Presentation

10:30am CDT

Legal & Ethical practices for A.I

Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:05am CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Feedback Survey

This session will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to leverage A.I. in your business, making ethical decisions while maximizing your business potential with AI tools. The session will delve into practical, hands-on demonstrations of A.I. tools tailored for businesses and nonprofits, providing actionable insights and real-time applications to enhance business operations.

Moderators

Grace Ezzell

ulumu

Grace Ezzell and Mamoun Alassouli are the founders of ulumu, a seed bar company inspired by a Mediterranean family recipe and the culture of food as medicine. The goal is to make it easier for women to balance their hormones through tapping into the seed cycling movement.

Speakers

Tom Corbett

Director, Product Legal // Abnormal AI, Corbett Law LLC

Tom Corbett is a business attorney with more than 20 years of experience advising entrepreneurs and technology teams—from early-stage startups to Fortune 100 companies. His work focuses on helping organizations grow responsibly by translating complex legal and ethical considerations... Read More →

Julie Rea

Associate General Counsel Privacy, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, Allianz Life

Julie is a corporate and regulatory compliance attorney with a specialization in global data privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and risk management who advises on the intersection between law and cutting-edge technology. In her role advising on data privacy, cybersecurity... Read More →

Joanna Drew

Founder, Hilo Consulting

Joanna Drew is an independent consultant specializing in grants management and AI capacity building, with over 15 years of experience in the social sector. She founded Hilo Consulting in 2020, securing over $4 million in funding for grassroots organizations. Beginning in 2023, Joanna pioneered work at the intersection of AI and social impact, bringing a practitioner's lens to responsible AI adoption in the philanthropic sector. Her work focuses on translating... Read More →

Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:05am CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Panel/Presentation

11:10am CDT

Your A.I. Mindset

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:10am - 11:45am CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Feedback Survey

Since the whirlwind following the launch of ChatGPT and the accelerated release of competitor platforms like Gemini, Copilot, and Claude, almost every sector has been inundated with tools and tips for making the most of this growing array of technologies. Even though small businesses and nonprofits are in an excellent position to get outsized value from these platforms, many will not reach such...
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Speakers

Taqee Khaled

Co-Founder/COO, Imagine Deliver

Taqee Khaled is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Imagine Deliver, an award-winning Twin Cities-based strategy, insights, and design firm focused on rebuilding a world for everyone. With over 20 years of experience across healthcare, technology, philanthropy, and public... Read More →

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:10am - 11:45am CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Remarks

11:50am CDT

Transitional Remarks

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:50am - 12:05pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Speakers

Elaine Rasmussen

Founder/CEO, ConnectUP! Institute

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:50am - 12:05pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Remarks

12:00pm CDT

Lunch

Wednesday April 29, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Rondo Dining Room

Lunch catered by Graze & Go.

Chicken & Steak Kabobs
Roasted Veggies
Spiced potatoes
Elote Corn
Garden Salad

Jerk Chicken Sauce
Pineapple Chutney side for dipping
gluten free and dairy free options

Wednesday April 29, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Rondo Dining Room 451 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104, USA

Break/Meal

12:35pm CDT

Keynote Speaker

Wednesday April 29, 2026 12:35pm - 12:55pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Feedback Survey

Speakers

Michael Brazys

VP - Data & Analytics, Allianz Life

Wednesday April 29, 2026 12:35pm - 12:55pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Keynote

1:00pm CDT

Exhibitors

Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:20pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Rondo Dining Room

Feedback Survey

Attendees can get the conversation started by proposing a topic on a table card or jumping into an existing discussion on a subject that sparks their interest. It’s a casual, engaging space to share ideas and explore new perspectives in a relaxed setting.

Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:20pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Rondo Dining Room 451 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104, USA

Open Discussion

1:25pm CDT

Ranked & Ready: Dominate Search with AI

Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:25pm - 2:10pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium B

Feedback Survey

Join Dianne Shelton for this engaging session that reveals how AI tools can help even the non-tech-savvy business owners manage online reviews and improve their Google ranking with SEO content to boost their online presence. During this hands-on webinar, participants will discover a more efficient process to stand out in the noisy, saturated digital space that gets them in front of more customers...
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Speakers

Dianne Shelton

Business Coach & Systems Strategist, Founder, Passion Breakthrough

Dianne Shelton is the founder of Passion Breakthrough. She is passionate about sharing her journey to adapt in order to achieve more success, like moving halfway across the globe from the Philippines to Minnesota, breaking glass ceilings, and growing her own business to best serve... Read More →

Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:25pm - 2:10pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium B

Breakout Session

1:25pm CDT

Reclaim Your Time With A.I. (Notion + Claude)

Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:25pm - 2:10pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium C

Feedback Survey

Are you juggling too many tasks with limited resources? This session is designed just for you! "Reclaim Your Time with AI" will explore how AI can be your secret weapon to streamline operations and amplify your impact. Discover practical ways to freshen up your brand messaging, save time on email management, develop new programs, and conduct research to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're new...
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Speakers

Jenna Redfield

Social Video Creator & Notion Educator, Red Thread Studio

I help entrepreneurs leverage AI-powered video marketing to grow their brand online. Notion Ambassador, YouTube Creator & systems educator specializing in content strategy for ADHD entrepreneurs.

Wednesday April 29, 2026 1:25pm - 2:10pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium C

Breakout Session

2:15pm CDT

Snack Break

Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:15pm - 2:35pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Rondo Dining Room

Charcuterie catered by The Fig and Beyond.

Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:15pm - 2:35pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Rondo Dining Room 451 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104, USA

Break/Meal

2:15pm CDT

Table Talks

Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:15pm - 2:35pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Rondo Dining Room

Feedback Survey

Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:15pm - 2:35pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Rondo Dining Room 451 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55104, USA

Open Discussion

2:40pm CDT

Leveling the Playing Field: How Gen A.I. + Small Businesses = Innovate Like the Big Biz

Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:40pm - 3:25pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium B

Feedback Survey

This session explores how recent developments in generative A.I. are democratizing innovation, enabling solo entrepreneurs and small businesses to implement industry-leading practices that were once out of reach, creating limitless opportunities. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this session will equip you with strategies on how to innovate like the big corporate players and...
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Speakers

Justin Kaster

Co Founder, Future North

Justin is a seasoned innovator and advisor with over 25 years of experience driving growth across corporate, startup, and investment landscapes. His passion lies in developing new products, businesses, and experiences that positively impact people's lives. Throughout his career, Justin... Read More →

Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:40pm - 3:25pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium B

Breakout Session

2:40pm CDT

Using A.I. To Get Capital Ready

Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:40pm - 3:25pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium C

Feedback Survey

In this session, we will focus on how to harness AI tools to get your small business capital ready. We'll discuss the due diligence of capital readiness; what it entails, how long it takes, and why it's crucial for your access to capital. You'll also learn to identify the gaps in your business that require your focus to successfully navigate the due diligence process and how you can leverage AI...
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Speakers

Elaine Rasmussen

Founder/CEO, ConnectUP! Institute

Wednesday April 29, 2026 2:40pm - 3:25pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium C

Breakout Session

3:30pm CDT

Closing Remarks

Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Feedback Survey

Speakers

Elaine Rasmussen

Founder/CEO, ConnectUP! Institute

Wednesday April 29, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Remarks

8:30am CDT

8:30am CDT

9:30am CDT

9:50am CDT

10:30am CDT

11:10am CDT

11:50am CDT

12:00pm CDT

12:35pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

1:25pm CDT

1:25pm CDT

2:15pm CDT

2:15pm CDT

2:40pm CDT

2:40pm CDT

3:30pm CDT

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