Jennifer Estill is the principal and creative director at Redhead Design Studio—a marketing and strategy agency in Old Town, Lansing. There, she helps build brands and advocacy campaigns that speak to audiences in meaningful ways.

Jennifer believes the best communications and marketing solutions are found at the intersection of critical thinking, strategy, creativity, and logic. She has served a variety of clients in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, such as the City of Lansing, Michigan State University, and Peckham Inc. With a passion for helping entrepreneurs and leaders find their voice and move audiences, she develops everything from company names to visual brands to marketing plans. Her work has garnered numerous awards for creativity and excellence.

Jen graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism. She is also a co-host of the Speak Easy Podcast, which explores entrepreneurship and leadership in the creative industry. 

Monica Wheat is a Strategist, Educator, and Venture Developer. She is the Managing Director leading Backstage Detroit and is the Founder + Executive Director at Venture Catalysts, a venture and ecosystem development group. Monica also serves as an Advisor + Entrepreneur-In-Residence at Grand Circus Detroit, where she's led projects focused on EdTech, corporate partnerships, and diversity + inclusion. She's the Founder + Executive Director of Digerati Girls, Inc./Digerati Kids, a non-profit that has helped over 7,000 Detroit-area students gain skills and an introduction to careers in digital technology and entrepreneurship. Monica is extremely invested in the Detroit startup community and similar emerging tech ecosystems. She's the Lead for Techstars Startup Programs including Detroit Startup Week and Startup Digest Detroit/Ann Arbor, and she's also Co-founder + City Director of Startup Boost Detroit, a global pre-accelerator.

Rishi Narayan is a entrepreneur and early-stage investor based out of Ann Arbor, MI. Originally from the Lansing area (Okemos), Rishi has founded several companies, including Underground Printing (www.undergroundshirts.com), a national custom apparel and collegiate merchandise retailer with 30+ locations throughout the country. He is also a principal in the angel fund Chibor Angels (www.chibor.co), specializing in seed and early stage investments, as well as a lecturer in the Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan. Rishi holds his B.S.E. and M.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. 

 Former Lansing Mayor, Virg Bernero, is the current Executive Director of Capital Area Manufacturing Council (CAMC). In his 12 years as the city's chief executive, Mayor Bernero tackled the challenges of modern economy with a fierce determination by bringing common sense reforms to government that eventually paved the way for favorable business climate resulting in Lansing's urban resurgence. 

Mayor Bernero is now leading the Capital Area Manufacturing Council (CAMC), a business alliance of Lansing area manufacturing executives and HR professionals who work together to promote industry best practices through networking with innovative and forward-thinking peers. Known for his passionate and combative style, the former mayor believes that his ability to deliver for his favorite city as its private citizen has been strengthened since leaving office.