Level UP! with A.I.: Full Schedule

9:30am CDT

Welcome + Opening Remarks

Wednesday April 29, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am CDT

Wilder Foundation - Auditorium A

Feedback Survey

Speakers

Elaine Rasmussen

Founder/CEO, ConnectUP! Institute

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 gains due to one HUGE pitfall: failing to adopt the working mindset and management style needed to see AI for the game-changing helper it can be.

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