(1) Making a Smart City Successful
A smart city is a framework, principally composed of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that are developed and deployed to promote sustainable development practices for addressing the growing urbanization challenges communities are facing. This panel of experts will discuss how environment, social and economic sustainability using emerging wireless connectivity, data management and public/private partnerships is key to keeping pace as cities rapidly expand and grow.

Moderator: George Vukotich Ph.D., UW – Parkside, Founding Director of Center for Research and Innovation and Smart Cities

Panelists:
David Allen, UScellular, Director of Emerging Technologies and Business Development
Mary-Suzanne Powell, Johnson Controls, Vice President
Dr. Mark J. Cotteleer, Deloitte Consulting, Managing Director

(2) A Tale of Two Cities: How Diversity and Culture Affect a Tech Hub
When it comes to transforming a city into a tech hub, diversity and culture play a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent, and developing a strong startup ecosystem. Milwaukee Business Journal reporter Teddy Nykiel and Atlanta Business Chronicle reporter Erin Schilling will discuss the role that culture and diversity play in their respective cities’ tech sectors. They’ll also be joined by special guests from each tech ecosystem to discuss how Milwaukee and Atlanta can learn from each city’s experiences. Hosted by 88Nine Radio Milwaukee’s Tarik Moody.

Moderator: Tarik Moody, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, Director of Digital Strategy and Innovation, On-Air Host

Panelists:
Teddy Nykiel, Milwaukee Business Journal, Technology Reporter
Erin Schilling, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Technology Reporter
Shane Arnold, GE Healthcare, Senior Staff Cloud Architect
Rodney Sampson, Opportunity Hub (OHUB), CEO

(3) Mobilizing international action to prevent children's exposure to lead – UNICEF, Pure Earth, and Milwaukee-based Clarios Foundation
A groundbreaking report from Pure Earth and UNICEF in 2020 revealed that a staggering 800 million children globally have elevated blood lead levels. 90% of these children are in developing countries and half are in South Asia alone. In a response to this crisis, Pure Earth, UNICEF, and Clarios Foundation joined forces to launch the Protecting Every Child’s Potential initiative.
This unique public/private partnership draws on the three organizations’ complementary expertise in cleaning up contaminated sites, responsible lead recycling practices, and the promotion of children’s health and rights. Work is underway in Bangladesh, Ghana, Georgia, Indonesia and Mexico to implement solutions to stop lead exposure and protect future generations.
In this panel discussion, leaders from the three organizations will discuss how this previously unrecognized global health threat brought them together; their plan to address childhood lead exposure and expand the partnership; and how you (/others) can join the movement to solve this problem and positively affect millions of young lives in low- and middle-income countries around the world.

Elizabeth Tate, Clarios, Director of Public Policy & Global Sustainability
Desiree Montecillo- Narvaez, MD, MPH, UNICEF HQ, Environmental Health Specialist
Andrew McCartor, Pure Earth, Vice President of Strategy & Partnerships

(4) Crossing the Chasm – hear from local startups and Wipfli on how to scale, become a market leader, and why doing so from Milwaukee works

Moderator – Marcie Bomberg-Montoya, Wipfli, LLP Principal

Panelists:
Ron Bote, Wipfli, Director
Amanda DoAmaral, Fiveable, Co-Founder and CEO
Sherry Zhang, GenoPalate, Founder and CEO

(1) Strategies for Growing Your Tech Talent Diversity
According to the 2021 CompTIA Cyberstates Report, there’s a shortage of tech talent nationally, and the majority of talent employed doesn’t reflect the diversity of the nation’s demographics. If these trends continue, organizations will limit their innovation potential. So how can organizations reverse these two trends – ideally at the same time? Discover how several organizations are working to solve both capacity and diversity issues by leveraging the power of non-traditional talent sources.

Moderator: Kathy Henrich, MKE Tech Hub Coalition, CEO

Panelists
Chelsea Woodring, SoftwareONE, Market Leader and Women in Technology Board Chair
Kelly Roufus, Johnson Controls, Digital Category Manager
Nick Curry, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Head of Military Initiatives, Technical Apprenticeships, and Diversity Internships

(2) Perspectives on Tech Careers and the Tools to Pursue Them
This panel will focus on diversity and inclusion by hosting a conversation with tech leaders who can share first-hand perspectives on careers and opportunities in the industry alongside an academic leader who can share examples of pathways into tech careers.

Moderator: Denise Malloy, Johnson Controls, VP of Diversity & Inclusion

Panelists
John M M Anderson, Ph.D., Howard University, Dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture
Diane Schwarz, Johnson Controls, Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Jeremy Welland, Ph.D., Google, Global Head of Data Science and Analytics

(3) Techquity and the Digital Divide: Fostering Digital Equity and Inclusion in Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County
Techquity is United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County's new initiative to address the digital divide in our region. As a collective impact initiative, Techquity advocates for digital equity and inclusion by developing strategic partnerships to support access to affordable broadband, reliable devices, and digital skills and literacy trainings.
This panel draws together Techquity partners and supporters from the corporate, social service, and public sectors. They will discuss some of Milwaukee's most pressing issues related to the digital divide, and also how and why they and/or their organizations have joined Techquity in the fight for digital equity and inclusion.

Moderator: David Berka, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, Project Manager: Data, Evaluation, & Resource Equity

Panelists:
Tammie Brings, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Information Technology Program Manager
William Fleming, EY, Managing Director, Assurance Services
Lynn Fyhrlund, Milwaukee County, Chief Information Officer
Nicole Gulatz, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, Vice President of Development
Shane Arnold, GE Healthcare, Senior Staff Cloud Architect

(4) Equity in Tech; It's Time To Do Better
Rapidly developing technologies can be an unprecedented force for good, but too often codify and amplify existing forms of racial inequality, discrimination and bias. We believe that equity and inclusion are absolutely essential to ensure that the advancement of the tech industry benefits all of us. Join us for an in-depth and open conversation about equity, where we aim to learn from our experiences and convert them into concrete steps to make sustainable change.

Kiki Mwiti, DYVVYD, Founder and CEO
Nadiyah Johnson, Milky Way Tech Hub, Founder

The following 6 pitches will compete for their chance to win a portion of $25,000!

Vaia
ZapLife
SoleSafe
Liiv
Debtle
Investii

We’re wrapping up Summerfest Tech 2021 with a special closing event brought to you by Johnson Controls. Listen in as visionaries from Johnson Controls and Microsoft come together to reflect on the technology landscape and how to build community – in person and virtually – in our local communities and globally.

Johnson Controls Chief Marketing Officer Phil Clement leads a fireside chat with Michael Ellis, executive vice president and chief customer & digital officer for Johnson Controls, and Gretchen O’Hara, vice president, AI & Sustainability Strategy at Microsoft.

These experienced business builders understand that innovation is the lifeline of thriving organizations and cities. They’ll share their thoughts on how technologies will enable new design solutions, improve the human experience, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and drive new economies. Please join us for an informative and lively conversation the day after Summerfest Tech.

Moderator:
Phil Clement, Johnson Controls, Chief Marketing Officer

Panelists
Gretchen O'Hara, Microsoft, Vice President, AI & Sustainability Strategy
Michael Ellis, Johnson Controls, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer & Digital Officer