ideas worth spreading

Nick is a Michigan born and raised author/illustrator best known for his work as the cartoonist behind The Awkward Yeti, a comic followed by about 4-million people worldwide. His Heart and Brain series in print format reached the New York Times bestseller list multiple times, with his poignant and funny takes on medical and mental health. He has developed games, and most recently organized and hosted Webcomicon, a showcase of some of the world’s leading Instagram cartoonists.

Beth Mach brings over 25 years of experience driving growth through marketing, media, and technology solutions for Fortune 500 brands. She is currently the Co-founder and COO of Spacely and a moderator for The Room. Beth actively contributes to several start-ups such as Compliant, Brandstory Architech, and Influential and is also an accomplished public speaker, mentor, investor, and active volunteer. Beth holds a B.A. from Walsh College and is pursuing a CME through Harvard Business School.

An artist stuck in a corporate suit. A multi hat thinker who has sat in board rooms and back rooms to solve problems that require a creative approach. Driven to understand customers perspective’s and crafting solutions that not only address today’s issues but also leave a lasting impact for future generations.

Neil Jones is a former college professor turned solo game developer from Detroit. He is the creator of Aerial_Knight’s “Never Yield” and the follow up Aerial_Knight’s “We Never Yield.” He started coding in 2012, working on phone apps and medical devices at small tech studios. Despite struggling to find his place in the industry, he decided to take a leap of faith and start his own studio. Neil’s work has been featured in IGN, The New York Times, and Kotaku. He is focused on inclusive gaming, featuring black characters and unique stylized designs. Neil is paving the way for diverse voices in gaming.

At age 30, Al Bettis felt a calling and decided to answer. He picked up a guitar and a notepad and the rest is a beautiful melody. The self-trained guitarist has gained popularity for his smooth vocals and raw lyrics. Pulling from life experiences, his performances are journeys through love, heartbreak, and redemption. From opening for legends Michael McDonald and Dionne Warwick, to features on OWN, Animal Planet, CBS, and more, Al proves it is never too late to be what you might have been.

Michelle Red is a speaker on fun multicultural topics. She has lived in South Africa, Germany, UAE, China and the USA, and loves to share the insights she has gleaned living in different cultures. Her MulticulturalMusings social media channels look at the quirky things she has discovered during her travels and her Expat 101 Podcast shares guidance for first time expats. Michelle has also been an actress in three countries and you might spot her in some Michigan commercials, or hear her voice on a navigation system in South Africa.

Electronic musician turned technologist revolutionizing human-AI symbiosis through gamified companionship. Fuses art, music, technology, and philosophy to unlock emotional intelligence. Techno-optimist forging connections between human consciousness and artificial minds. Redefining our cosmic game with code, creativity, and compassion.

Joel Fluent Greene is a Detroit based Poet, Author and Event Curator. A Spirit Of Detroit and 2022 Gilda Award winner, Joel was the long running host of Detroit’s iconic Cafe Mahogany poetry nights and has shared the stage with acts as diverse as The Roots, Pharrell Williams, Ledisi, Big Sean, Saul Williams, and The Detroit Red Wings. He has also acted as Master of Ceremony at events for Fiat Chrysler Corporation, United Way, 100 Black Men of America, Inside-Out Detroit, Partnership for a Drug Free Detroit, United Way, and Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts As former director of Music Hall Center’s Words and Rhythms of the D outreach program, he has held workshops and performances in 70+ schools in the Metro Detroit area and all over Michigan. Author of five collections of poetry, Joel is currently creative writing instructor at Mariner’s Inn, a shelter and treatment center located in Detroit.

Kim Hanke, Founder & CEO of Elm Park Labs, is revolutionizing healthcare education through immersive technology. Her work empowers patients and caregivers with essential knowledge on medical conditions, care, and device operation. Elm Park Labs, under her leadership, provides cutting-edge simulations for healthcare professionals, students, and technicians, ensuring they are confident and skilled. Kim is committed to enhancing patient safety, improving healthcare outcomes, and driving innovation in the healthcare industry.

Scott Monty is an executive coach, advisor, and public speaker who uses a values-based approach to help leaders and their teams identify their character strengths, build culture, and tell better stories.

Scott was an executive at Ford, where he led the company’s global social media strategy. He was ranked by The Economist as #1 atop their list of 25 Social Business Leaders and Alan Mulally, the CEO of Ford Motor Company, called him “a visionary.”

Scott serves as a trustee of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, writes the Timeless & Timely newsletter, to help leaders make sense of today with lessons from the past, and hosts the Timeless Leadership podcast.

At age 30, Al Bettis felt a calling and decided to answer. He picked up a guitar and a notepad and the rest is a beautiful melody. The self-trained guitarist has gained popularity for his smooth vocals and raw lyrics. Pulling from life experiences, his performances are journeys through love, heartbreak, and redemption. From opening for legends Michael McDonald and Dionne Warwick, to features on OWN, Animal Planet, CBS, and more, Al proves it is never too late to be what you might have been.