Summit Speakers
About Rob Salafia
As a learning partner and workshop facilitator, Rob has worked with dozens of Fortune 500 companies. In January 2026, Rob was a part of an MIT Executive Education teaching team working with the top 40 leaders at Infosys in India. He is about to fly out to work with the top 120 of Singapore Airlines delivering a program titled: Leading with Inspiration. Additionally, he has delivered learning programs and provided executive coaching services for Astra Zeneca/Alexion Pharmaceuticals, TJX, PepsiCo, Publicis Sapient, ING Bank, NNGroup, JustEatTakeAway, YahooInc, Suffolk Construction, American Express, Sony Music Entertainment, Discover Financial, Fidelity, and Merrill Lynch. As an executive coach, Rob guides leaders through transitions to more senior roles and works with senior executives and leadership teams to enhance team effectiveness, prepare for strategic presentations, and to lead critical AI initiatives with courage and conviction. What is unique about Rob is that for the first half of his career he was a performing artist where he traveled the globe delivering his unique, one-person variety show. Rob is a lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and an MIT Leadership Center Master Executive Coach. Rob has a Master’s degree from Boston University in Administration and Organizational Policy, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from William James College. He is certified in the PRINT and Agile Brain assessments.
About Guy Raz
Guy Raz is a cybersecurity leader focused on the rise of agentic AI and its impact on the modern SOC. At Dropzone AI, he works with security leaders who are rethinking how defense should operate in an era where attackers are moving faster, automation is becoming table stakes, and traditional analyst-driven workflows no longer scale.
Guy’s background spans enterprise security operations, customer advisory work, and the practical deployment of security technologies across SIEM, EDR, identity, cloud, and case management environments. He has worked closely with security teams evaluating new operating models for alert investigation, threat hunting, and incident response, giving him a grounded perspective on what it takes to move AI from concept to production.
His perspective centers on a simple but urgent idea: defenders must weaponize AI as deliberately as attackers do. Guy speaks about how AI agents can change the economics of security operations by accelerating investigations, scaling threat hunting, and enabling faster, more consistent response while preserving human accountability and trust
About Michael LaVista
Michael LaVista is the CEO & Founder of Caxy Interactive, an AI-focused software strategy and
digital transformation consulting firm, helping mid-market companies turn bold strategy into
scalable software.
Michael’s work sits at the intersection of AI, automation, and operational reinvention. For nearly 30 years he has guided manufacturers, technology firms, financial institutions, healthcare firms and distribution companies, among others, through digital transformations that prioritize
outcomes over hype.
He is the author of “Superpowered: 7 Leadership Superpowers Technology Executives Can Use
to Grow a More Engaged, Tech-Driven, and Profitable Organization”, a practical playbook for leaders driving change without getting lost in jargon. He also hosts The Digital Transformist, a podcast spotlighting CEOs who have successfully led legacy businesses through tech-enabled
reinvention.
Mike is a graduate of Cornell University where he studied engineering, English and music, prior to becoming a guitarist and vocalist for a Chicago-based band which taught him the value of rhythm: in music, leadership, and execution.
About Eugene Nikolavsky
Eugene Nikolavsky serves as Chief Information Officer for North America at Stellantis, where Eugene is responsible for technology strategy, digital transformation, data and AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology operations. Eugene works across the business to enable growth, improve performance, and deliver better experiences for customers, dealers, and employees.
With nearly 20 years in the automotive industry, Eugene is passionate about turning technology into measurable business value, with a particular focus on AI, modern platforms, operational excellence, and innovation.
About Ken Cronander
Ken Cronander serves as Vice President, Head of Data, AI & Analytics for North America at Stellantis. He leads enterprise AI, data, analytics, and digital transformation initiatives that drive innovation and business value. With more than 25 years of leadership experience across automotive and technology, Ken has delivered global transformations spanning product development, supply chain, manufacturing, purchasing, sales, and marketing. His focus is helping organizations unlock the power of AI and data to make smarter decisions, operate more effectively, and accelerate business outcomes.
About Dr. Paul Isely
Dr. Paul Isely is a Professor of Economics and the Associate Vice President of Strategic Budget Management at Grand Valley State University. Before this, he served as Associate Dean in the Seidman College of Business for 11 years. He joined the GVSU faculty in 1995 after earning his Ph.D. in Economics from Purdue University. He also holds an M.S. in Economics from Purdue University and a dual B.S. in Physics and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Since Dr. Isely arrived at GVSU, he has taught more than 100 classes to over 4,000 students and published more than 50 articles, including peer-reviewed journal articles, local publications, research and grant reports. He has led the economic forecast team for the Seidman College of Business since 2013. Dr. Isely’s expertise on the regional and West Michigan economies has been featured in more than a hundred interviews by local TV, radio, and newspapers, as well as national and international media, including NPR, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, BBC, and the Associated Press.
Dr. Isely is also active in public service. His research led to his first appointment by former Governor Snyder of Michigan, and then renewed by Governor Whitmer, to the Utility Consumer Participation Board, for which he currently serves as Chair.
About Eric Paul Dennis
Eric joined the Citizens Research Council in 2022 as an expert in civil infrastructure policy. Previous to his position with the Research Council, Eric spent nearly ten years as a transportation systems analyst, focusing on the policy implications of emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, and intelligent transportation systems. Eric has been a Michigan-licensed professional engineer (PE) since 2012. As a practicing engineer, Eric has design and project experience across multiple domains, including highways, airfields, telecommunications, and watershed management. Eric received his Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University in 2006. Eric also holds Masters degrees in environmental engineering and urban/regional planning, both from the University of Michigan.
About Crystal Stiles
Crystal Stiles is Senior Executive Director, Growth for Consumers Energy, where she leads efforts to accelerate economic development, expand strategic partnerships, and turn growth opportunities into long-term value for customers, communities, and the state of Michigan. As demand increases and companies evaluate Michigan for major investment, she aligns infrastructure, policy, community readiness, and external engagement to position the state for durable growth.
Crystal works across the enterprise and with external stakeholders to advance growth strategies that support business attraction, expansion, and long-term competitiveness. She brings deep experience partnering with corporate investors, utilities, site selectors, elected officials, economic development organizations, and community leaders to move complex opportunities from concept to execution.
Before joining Consumers Energy, Crystal served as Executive Director of Economic Development & Strategic Campaigns for NextEra Energy Resources, leading economic development strategy and strategic campaigns across the company’s North American footprint. Her work integrated public outreach, coalition building, local government relations, and stakeholder engagement to help communities attract and support transformational investments.
Crystal spent nearly 15 years with Florida Power & Light Company leading regulated-utility growth initiatives spanning economic development, customer growth, emerging technologies, transportation electrification, and strategic infrastructure investment. She joined FPL in 2012 to help establish the company’s Office of Economic Development and built one of the nation’s most recognized utility-led economic development programs.
At FPL, Crystal also led regulatory and policy initiatives that modernized utility economic development programs, helped advance Florida’s hyperscale data center tax policy, and founded 35 Mules, FPL’s award-winning business and startup incubator. She later served as Executive Director of Distributed Technologies & Mobility, overseeing strategic initiatives in distributed energy resources, resilience, emerging technologies, and a $200 million investment portfolio designed to support customer growth and long-term competitiveness.
Crystal has been recognized nationally for leadership in economic development, including Consultant Connect’s Top 50 Economic Developers in North America, the Florida Economic Development Council’s Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year Award, and induction into the Southern Business & Development Economic Development Hall of Fame.
Crystal holds a Master of Business Administration in International Business from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Mary Baldwin College. Crystal lives in Jackson, Michigan, with her partner, Jason, and their three pups. She has two adult daughters, is active in her community, and enjoys supporting nonprofit organizations.
About Shaquila Myers
Shaquila Myers was appointed to the Michigan Public Service Commission by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on July 21, 2025 with her term ending July 2, 2031.
Commissioner Myers is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). She serves on NARUC’s Telecommunications Committee, which analyzes trends and shares best practices as the role of regulator is changing with new technologies in telecommunication. Commissioner Myers also serves on NARUC’s Critical Infrastructure Committee, which analyzes solutions to utility infrastructure security and delivery concerns.
Prior to her appointment with the Commission, Ms. Myers led former Speaker Joe Tate’s office as chief of staff during the historic time period when Democrats held the House, the Senate and Governor’s office for the first time in 40 years. As chief of staff, she helped pass record investments in economic development to bring good-paying jobs to Michigan, led efforts to pay off public school debt, and ushered through a historic clean energy package that will lower utility costs for Michiganders. She also served in Governor Whitmer’s executive office twice, first as chief of staff to Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and later as a senior advisor to the governor. Ms. Myers played a pivotal role in the passage of the bipartisan economic development package that helped Michigan land several projects that create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment. She has also spearheaded criminal justice reform efforts, the Jail and Pre-Trial Taskforce, and the Thriving Cities Tour, among other projects. In addition, Ms. Myers was the legislative director for Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich and a policy analyst for the Michigan Senate.
Ms. Myers, holds a Master of Public Administration and an undergraduate degree from Oakland University.
About Tabice Ward
Tabice Ward leads Walker-Miller’s Information Technology organization, guiding the company’s technology strategy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives. With more than 35 years of experience in technology leadership and cybersecurity, she brings deep expertise in the regulated utility industry and a strong track record of aligning technology investments with business objectives.
Throughout her career, Tabice has held executive leadership roles overseeing large-scale IT systems, cybersecurity operations, security risk management, business continuity, and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining Walker-Miller, she served as Executive Technology Strategist at ChoiceTel, helping organizations strengthen business performance, improve security, and reduce cyber risk. She also held leadership positions at Xcel Energy and DTE Energy, where she led major technology and cybersecurity transformations, including serving as Area Vice President of Enterprise Security and IT Director – Chief Information Security Officer.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Tabice is committed to community engagement and workforce development. She serves on several nonprofit boards and as an adjunct professor, helping prepare the next generation of technology and cybersecurity professionals.
Tabice earned a Master of Science in Information Assurance from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Wayne State University. She is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Officer (C-ISSO), and Project Management Professional (PMP), and has completed advanced executive programs through Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, and the FBI CISO Academy.
Her honors include recognition as a Most Influential African American Woman in Detroit, a Women of Color in STEM award recipient, and one of the Top 100 CISOs in the Fortune 500. She has recently been named a finalist for the 2026 Michigan CIO ORBIE Award.
About Diane Smith
Diane Smith is the CEO/President of ChoiceTel, a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise, with over 40 years of technology experience in consulting, voice, data, and cybersecurity. Diane has worked across diverse verticals, including government, enterprise, and mid-sized organizations. She has served on multiple boards, including The CXO Forum, and currently serves as a board member for SIM – Society for Information Management, Detroit Chapter and the MCWT Board of Directors. Additionally, Diane has participated in several government, cybersecurity, and technology missions, committees, advisory councils, and boards, including the State of Michigan’s IT Kitchen Cabinet, Michigan Israel Business Accelerator Foundation Board, Comcast Executive Advisory Council, Southfield Chamber of Commerce, and others. Diane provides pro bono consulting to help nonprofits improve their technology posture. She is also a contributor to InfoTech Research Group and was recognized as a 2024 Channel Futures Top Technology Advisor 101.
About Christian Nascimento
Christian Nascimento is Senior Vice President, Connectivity & Digital Customer Solutions for Comcast Business, where he leads strategy and product management across connectivity, cybersecurity, video, and digital self-service solutions for a business unit responsible for more than $10 billion in revenue. He also oversees digital customer experience across self-service journeys and platforms, helping businesses securely adopt, manage, and scale the technologies that drive growth, resilience, and long-term value.
Nascimento brings a technology leadership perspective shaped by digital transformation, AI-enabled innovation, and secure platform strategy. His work focuses on aligning trusted data, product strategy, and customer experience to strengthen security, simplify operations, and deliver measurable business outcomes in an increasingly complex and risk-aware enterprise environment.
Nascimento graduated from Widener University, earned an MBA from Villanova University, and is pursuing an Executive Master’s in Artificial Intelligence at Drexel University. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Widener University, previously served on the Board of Directors of Savi Solutions, and served on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Transition Committee, where he chaired the Technology Subcommittee.
About Anthony Watts
Anthony “Tony” Watts is a 28-year veteran of the Detroit Fire Department and currently serves as Director of Special Projects. In this role, he leads strategic initiatives involving technology, innovation, policy governance, and operational improvement, including the department’s drone program and professional development efforts.
Watts holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Cleary University and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s Staff and Command Executive Leadership Program. He is committed to advancing firefighter and EMS safety, organizational effectiveness, and innovation through collaboration and practical solutions.
About Tamara Fant
Tamara Fant is the Enterprise Applications Manager for the City of Detroit’s Department of Innovation and Technology, where she leads the Enterprise Applications, Enterprise GIS, and Web Teams. A lifelong Detroiter and dedicated public servant, Tamara brings over 30 years of IT experience to her work. She is deeply committed to using technology to strengthen city services and support the community she proudly calls home.