Akkshada Maniyan
Vice President, Learning & Organizational Development, Innova Solutions

Leveraging two decades of expertise in talent development and people operations, Akkshada Maniyan serves as Vice President of Learning & Organizational Development at Innova Solutions. 

Under her leadership, Innova has developed a comprehensive curriculum that guides its 55,000 professionals worldwide — focusing on learning solutions, talent development, and leadership programs. A best-selling author, she regularly shares her wisdom on leadership, change, and curiosity with followers through Webinars, Panels, and Masterclasses. She also provides consulting services via the Ask Me network and the Executive Coaching India group. Akkshada’s innovative strategies have earned her the LearningElite Award, ATD Best Award, and Talent Trailblazer of the Year Award. 

Outside of work, Akkshada is passionate about giving back and has volunteered more than 2,000 hours of pro-bono career coaching to women and girls, demonstrating her passion for empowering future leaders. 

Renee Pearson
Group Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Rollins, Inc.

Renee is currently the Chief Information Officer at Rollins, Inc. Rollins is a premier global consumer and commercial services company that provides pest control services and earns an annual revenue of ~$3B. In her role she manages Rollins IT spanning Data & Analytics, Application Development, M&A / Technology Integration, Technology Transformation, Infrastructure, and Business Relationship Management. Prior to Rollins Renee served as SVP of IT at RNDC (Republic National Distributing Company), the nation’s second largest wine and spirits distributor. In her role at RNDC she led transformational programs and M&A activities for the enterprise. Renee also spent several years at Georgia Pacific as the Head of Business Integration leading their consumer products digital transformation – CPG Digital Core. She was responsible for leading business integration of technology and organizational change management. Renee spent nearly 20 years in multiple leadership roles at Kimberly-Clark (K-C), a global Consumer Products company. She led business and technology teams through disruptive innovation and digital transformation efforts. Renee also spent several years within IT Strategy during the divesture of K-C’s Health Care business, now Avanos, and over a decade leading K-C’s data and analytics organization. Renee holds a degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She is engaged in the Atlanta community through various board engagements and an advocate for Girl Scouts of America and promoting and developing diversity and women in technology. She currently resides with her family in Roswell, GA.

Kemper Seay
CISO & VP of Infrastructure Services and Supply Chain Systems, Carters Inc.

Kemper Seay is the CISO and VP of Infrastructure and‬ Supply Chain Systems at Carter’s, where she has been for over 15 years. She started her career at Sapient, where she was exposed to innovative‬ brands, exciting work, and a fast-paced environment. ‬

Kemper joined The Home Depot in 2009, where she ran the re-platforming of‬ homedepot.com and order management system. At The Home Depot, Kemper‬ transitioned from IT into the business side of the house, where she spent several years running‬ the PMO and a large portion of the e-commerce business.‬‬

In 2009 Kemper joined Carter’s to build the ecommerce business. For over eight years, Kemper led the team through the rapid growth of Carters.com. Kemper rejoined the IT department in 2017, managing a large‬ portion of the shared services team, including the PMO, Infrastructure, and Support Services.‬ In 2020, Kemper assumed the additional responsibility of IT Security and became the Chief‬ Information Security Officer for Carter’s.‬

Sunita Arora
Chief Operating Officer, Medicus IT

As the COO of Medicus IT, Sunita Arora executes on the strategic vision of the company and oversees service delivery, customer success management, and professional services. With a robust technical background in web development, ERP systems, and Agile methodologies, she excels in creating innovative solutions and building high-performing teams.

Sunita has held key leadership roles, including VP positions at athenahealth and Matrix Resources, and leadership positions in Fortune 50 companies. In 2024 she was honored as one of CRN Women of the Year. She is dedicated member of the Board of Tech Alpharetta, where she co-chairs the Women’s Forum, that provides mentoring to high school girls inspiring them to pursue STEAM careers.

In addition to her professional achievements, Sunita serves as a trustee at Atlanta Vedic Temple, and volunteers to educate kids on moral values. Sunita holds an MBA in Information Technology and International Business, and a MS in Environmental Health and Chemistry.

Sheila Isbell
Principal Research Scientist, Chief of the Software Engineering and Analytics Division, Georgia Tech Research Institute

Sheila Isbell is a Principal Research Scientist with 20+ years of experience in enterprise
software, specializing in data science and agile methodologies. At GTRI, she has led digital
transformation initiatives for the DoD, CDC, and state agencies, launching globally adopted
cloud solutions. Her leadership has been recognized with the Program Management Excellence
award. Sheila is a STEM advocate, serving as Executive Sponsor for GTRI’s ERG, expanding
membership and spearheading initiatives. She has received multiple distinguished accolades,
including the 2024 Inclusive Champion Award and the Inclusive Innovation Award. Actively
involved Atlanta, Sheila contributes to mentorship programs and conferences, earning the 2023
Exceptional Community Leadership Award from AnitaB.org. Sheila holds a Master’s in
Computer Science from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor’s from Clemson University. She
contributes to the field through publications and speaking engagements on data science and
leadership.

Dr. Muhsinah Morris
Metaversity Director/Sr. Assistant Professor, Morehouse College

Meet the first ever Metaversity Director, Dr. Muhsinah Lateefah Morris. She is a Senior Assistant Professor in the Department of Education and a proud HBCU Faculty Fellow for the Propel Center funded by Southern Company and Apple. A BS chemistry graduate of the HBCU Clark Atlanta University. She obtained an MS & PhD from the Harvard of the South, Emory University in Biomolecular Chemistry. Dr. Morris has been part of and leading Morehouse’s Metaversity project since the Spring of 2021. She’s won awards for Teaching Excellence at Morehouse College, Best Emerging Technology and Innovation from CBRE, First Place Unconventional Innovation in Industry by T-Mobile, and Educator of the Year for 2022 by STEM Women Atlanta. She resides in McDonough GA with her husband and five sons. One of her sons has autism and she advocates for the entire autism community as a member of the Community Advisory Council and advocacy Ambassadors for Autism Speaks. She’s a VR pioneer in education and is transforming learning globally. She is affectionately known as Dr. M.O.M. (Molder of Minds) by all her students. She continues to mold the minds of educators and students globally in the Metaverse. She is a member of the XR Advisory Council for the XR Association and Futurist Council for Jobs for the Future (JFF). A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, she was named a Top 100 Woman of the Future for 2023 by Women of the Future, and has been featured on CNN International, The Next Frontier. As the 2024 XR Women Global’s Trailblazer of the Year, her goal is to authentically transform the educational system for our future leaders using emerging technologies like XR and AI. She currently trains both pre-service and in-service educators on how to create and optimize their own institutional Metaverse Culture. More recently, she founded Metaverse United, LLC where she helps people find where they belong in the embodiment of the internet called the Metaverse. Learn more at UnitetheMetaverse.com.

Laura Gibson-Lamothe
Executive Director, Georgia Fintech Academy

Laura Gibson-Lamothe is an accomplished technology and operations executive with over 18 years of experience in the banking, finance, and financial technology industries. She is the Executive Director of the Georgia Fintech Academy, a talent development collaboration between the University System of Georgia (USG), Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business, and all 26 USG institutions. Laura has led initiatives that bridge the gap between academia and industry, preparing students for careers in financial services. She has worked at Protiviti, Featurespace, Bank of America, Wachovia-Wells Fargo, and Ally Bank. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Laura serves on the boards of PayTech Women and LaAmistad. Her most recent accolades include receiving the 2023 PayTech Women President’s Award, NYC Fintech Women “2023 Inspiring Fintech Female in Leadership”, Black Tech Awards “2023 Fintech Person of the Year” Finalist, and the 2021 Money 20/20 RiseUp cohort.

Lisa S. Jones
Founder and Chief EyeMail Officer, EyeMail, Inc.

Lisa S. Jones is the Founder & Chief EyeMail Officer of EyeMail Inc. She is a catalyst for digital disruption and a prolific innovator with multiple, patent-pending technologies in the digital communications industry. 

Under her leadership at EyeMail Inc., she directs and oversees the strategic global roadmap of the company’s operations & expansion worldwide. 

Recognitions include the 2024 INC. Magazine Female Founders 250 list Most Intriguing Women Entrepreneurs, Microsoft Finalist Diverse Supplier of the Year, Delta Air Lines Catalyst of the Year, Stevie Award Innovator of the Year, 10 Most Disruptive Women Leaders to Watch and Top 100 Women of the Future in Emerging Technology.She is a trailblazer for women in technology and a leading industry thought leader in digital innovation.

Jones received a B.S in Logistics and Procurement and a MBA from Alabama A&M University, Executive Education at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and Harvard Business School.

Monika Mueller
Chief Strategy Officer, Softensity Inc.

Monika is the Chief Strategy Officer at Softensity, where she leads global expansion and innovation, notably growing LATAM operations which increased account growth by 40% and achieved a 92% retention rate. Honored with a Women of the Year
nomination by Women in Technology, publications in Forbes Technology Council, and as a runner-up for DEI awards from TAG, she has also been named Employee of the Month six times in the last four years and Volunteer of the Month at Buckhead Church. Monika is deeply
committed to diversity, inclusion, and community service. Outside of work, she is a devoted
mother to two wonderful children, balancing her professional achievements with a fulfilling
family life.

Sheria Bess
CISSP, CISM, CRISC, Senior Director of Global Security Compliance, Equifax

As Senior Director of Global Security Compliance at Equifax, Sheria is a vigilant guardian of sensitive data, ensuring adherence to critical regulations like HIPAA, ISO 27001, and NYDFS. Sheria protects the data entrusted to Equifax from both consumers and customers. Her meticulous approach and tireless dedication have led to successful compliance audits and multi-million dollar contract wins. Sheria has several tech-based certifications and winner of the prestigious Equifax Unsung Hero and Center of Excellence Awards.

Her dedication to empowering women in technology shines through mentorship and advocacy, fostering a more inclusive tech industry. As a proud US Marine, she embodies Marine values—loyalty, honor, and commitment – championing diversity and inspiring others through her journey, from Marine to cybersecurity leader. 

Sheria’s story is a powerful reminder that with passion, resilience, and an unyielding spirit, extraordinary possibilities can be achieved.

Jessica Johnson
Director, Chief of Staff, Capital One

Jessica Johnson, a seasoned leader with nearly 17 years at Capital One, has been a driving force behind the growth of both people and strategy. She was vital in shaping the Atlanta office’s direction while passionately promoting Capital One’s culture of community engagement, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Jessica is passionate about improving the communities Capital One serves and actively partners with Mercy Housing Southeast, Prospera, Women in Technology, and Agape Youth and Family Center. Her career spans business analysis, operations leadership, and product strategy. Now, as Chief of Staff for the Atlanta office and the Card Marketing and Messaging Product Management organization, her impact is widely recognized. A proud graduate of Georgia Tech (B.S. in Business Administration) and the University of Tennessee (M.S. in Macro Social Work), Jessica enjoys traveling, home improvement projects, and being “Aunt Jes” to her 16 nieces and nephews.

Anqi Zou
SVP, Head of Fair Banking Analytics, Truist

Anqi Zou serves as SVP, Head of Fair & Responsible Banking Compliance Analytics at Truist Bank. During her decade-long Banking career, Anqi cultivates data-driven cultures and advocates for ethical AI applications and fair treatment of customers. Anqi is a founding member of WIT@Truist and Tech DEI council.

Outside of work, Anqi actively mentors and supports underprivileged youth and professionals, through board services with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta and 21st Century Leaders. Anqi is also a graduate of LEAD Atlanta by Leadership Atlanta, Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute, and Wharton Chief Technology Officer Program. Recognized by Georgia Trend 40 Under 40, Georgia Asian Times 25 Most Influential Asian Americans, and Outstanding Atlanta, Anqi exemplifies WIT’s mission through her dedication to innovation, equity, and community service.

An avid golfer, Anqi enjoys hitting the links with her husband Craig and daughter Alivia on Sunday evenings.

Megan Birch
Research Scientist, Georgia Tech Research Institute

Megan D. Birch is a Research Scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, specializing in electro-optical systems. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Astrophysics from the University of Minnesota and recently earned her Master’s degree in Physics with a concentration in Astronomy from
Georgia State University. Ms. Birch has received multiple honors, including two GTRI Star Awards and the GTRI 2024 Distinguished Researcher Award. Ms. Birch is deeply committed to outreach and mentorship, actively participating in public astronomy events and STEAM initiatives to inspire young individuals. With a passion for space dating back to childhood, she strives to continue living her career dreams and empowering others to pursue their dreams.

Alexis Nixon
Cybersecurity and Technology Risk Management Analyst, Fiserv

Alexis holds a bachelor’s degree in management of information systems and a master’s degree in Cybersecurity both from Kennesaw State University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Cybersecurity at Marymount University. Alexis started her career at Fiserv in 2021, landing a remote summer internship working on a coding team. Her team worked on UI/UX, database querying and back-end coding. She was able to stay on and continue remotely in Fall 2021 with Fiserv as an intern. After interning in 2021, Alexis took a break from Fiserv to start her masters in 2022 and started looking for a spot in the Analyst program for 2023. She was hired on as a TAP resource in June 2023 and currently work on the Cybersecurity and Technology Risk Management Team as an Analyst. This is her second rotation in the two-year Analyst program. In her free time, Alexis is heavily involved her volunteer roles including WIT and KSU Young Professionals Alumni Affinity Group. Due to this involvement, Alexis received the 2024 Coles College of Business Five in Flight Alumni Award for Societal Impact based on her work within her community.

Priyanka Patil
Technology Architecture Delivery Analyst, Accenture

Priyanka Patil is a Technology Analyst at Accenture, where she collaborates globally to develop innovative solutions. With a deep commitment to empowering women and supporting youth, she has volunteered for three years with Project Safe, raising funds and awareness for women in crisis. A dedicated mentor, she also volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of America and is actively involved in Women in Technology and WIT YoPros. As President of UGA WIT, she led the UGA WIT Campus to a top-three finish at the 2022 WIT Awards and carried out the Lavender Gala, which helped 50 students secure jobs and raised $1000+ for victims of domestic violence. At Accenture, she drives initiatives within the Women’s ERG, including a regional clothing drive to support women’s shelters. Priyanka is passionate about using her platform to support WIT, women’s shelters and other initiatives that empower women in STEAM.