Speakers

Dr. Jennifer Hudson is a transatlantic historian with more than two decades of classroom experience. While her love for history runs deep, her greatest passion lies in teaching — meeting students where they are and helping them discover the power of critical thinking.

Martha Fernandez is an innovative leader who leverages her broad range of expertise across varying domains to guide others. Her experience ranges from community and workforce employer engagement to advocacy, policy and continuous improvement.

Dr. Greg Morris is an approachable leader focused on bringing innovation to programming, academics, enrollment management and workforce education. Serving in a variety of educational environments throughout his career, Dr. Morris is passionate about thinking outside of the box and delivering strong ideas through thought leadership.

Dr. Macario Hernandez is an authentic leader passionate about community engagement and student success. Having spent the first part of his career in K-12 education, Dr. Hernandez took the leap into higher education to make a larger impact across the community — and that risk paid off.

Ahava Silkey-Jones is a passionate arts leader and seasoned administrator who believes deeply in the power of connection, creativity and community. She prides herself on bringing joy and creating meaningful opportunities for students that have the potential to change the trajectory of their lives.

Brett Dyer is a compassionate leader who credits art and education with transforming his life. Ever since discovering his own passion, he has dedicated his career to helping others experience the same power of creativity and learning. 

Amber Bonasso is a dynamic leader with a lifelong passion for the arts. From feature films and theatrical productions to parades and live performances, Bonasso has always delighted in bringing people together through meaningful, immersive experiences. 

Tiska Thomas is a collaborative leader who dedicates her career to seeing the bigger picture and finding organizational solutions. With over 20 years of progressive experiences across different industries, Thomas brings a refreshing perspective to the landscape of strategic finance.

Lenora Reece is an authentic leader who enjoys celebrating growth, whether it's her own, that of her team members or the progress of Dallas College itself.

Russ Pearlman is an authentic leader passionate about leveraging technology to solve real-world business challenges. While many have only recently recognized the rise of artificial intelligence, he has been developing AI solutions for both business and entertainment for more than two decades, reflecting his commitment to innovation and practical impact.