Lakecia Gunter is an accomplished corporate board director, visionary global C-suite executive, and dynamic Chief Technology Officer known for her ability to drive innovation, accelerate growth, and lead with impact.

She currently serves as an independent director for IDEX Corporation, contributing her expertise on the Board’s Compensation Committee and Nomination and Governance Committee. In addition, she serves as a board advisor to Responsive.io, a private equity-backed startup pioneering Strategic Response Management (SRM) software.

A recognized trailblazer in digital transformation, Lakecia most recently served as Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft’s Global Partner Solutions (GPS) organization—home to the world’s largest partner ecosystem. In this role, she led Microsoft’s global technical vision and strategy, empowering partners around the globe to harness the power of AI and cloud innovation to build transformative customer solutions.

Her executive journey at Microsoft also included leading the Device Partner Solution Sales Group as Vice President and General Manager, where she drove more than $4 billion in annual channel revenue and helped scale Microsoft’s global device ecosystem. Earlier in her tenure, she served as Vice President of the Internet of Things (IoT) Global and Strategic Engagement team, where she helped redefine innovation across the connected technology landscape, forging global partnerships and driving strategic adoption.

Before joining Microsoft, Lakecia held pivotal leadership roles at Intel Corporation, including serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO and Vice President in the Programmable Solutions Group. Her leadership across both hardware and software ecosystems has consistently positioned her at the forefront of global tech transformation.

Lakecia’s impact continues to be widely recognized. In 2025, she was named to BoardProspects’ 100 Black Board Members Making a Difference, honoring her influence in the boardroom and her advocacy for inclusive governance. She was also featured on Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Corporate Directors list and recognized by WomenTech Network as one of the 100 Executive Women in Tech to Watch. In addition, HR.com spotlighted her as one of the Top 11 Trailblazing Women Tech Executives to Follow in 2025, applauding her forward-thinking leadership and industry impact.

Beyond the boardroom, Lakecia is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and community. She is an active member of the Executive Leadership Council, where she champions Black executive leadership and talent development, and she serves on the Executive Board of Sport Oregon. She is also deeply engaged in advancing Black women’s leadership as a member of Black Women on Boards.

Donzaleigh (Don-Za-Lay) Abernathy is the youngest daughter of the Co-Founder of the Civil Rights Movement, Reverend Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. and Mrs. Juanita Jones Abernathy,
a Civil Rights Activist and Business Education Teacher.

Mrs. Abernathy is a Humanitarian, an Actress, an Author, a Public Speaker and a wife.Her first book, “PARTNERS TO HISTORY” was nominated by the American Library Association as one of the “Best Books for Young Adults” in 2003. Forthirty-one years, she has served as a founding Board Member of the New Visions Foundation, which created New Roads Schools of Santa Monica, a K-12 College Preparatory School and assisted in the creation of two addition independent schools in Los Angeles, California. The New Visions Foundation Board was restructured into “The Coalition For Engaged Education,” which helps to uplift, inspire and educate youth previously incarcerated in the Juvenile Justice System.

Mrs. Abernathy has lectured on the Civil Rights Movement to Judges at the Judicial Division of the American Bar Association Conference, to the National Association of Women Judges, at Harvard University Law School’s “Saturday School” and to US Senate and Congress Members at the “Faith and Politics Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage.” She has lectured to teachers of the National Association of Multi-Cultural Educators, the “Teach American History Program,” for a Non-Government Org. at the United Nations, for Colleges and Universities, as well as lectured with former FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn, former Director of the “Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library” Luci Baines Johnson, President of the “Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Organization” Kerry Kennedy and toured with Author Peggy Wallace Kennedy, the widow of Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mark Kennedy and daughter of former Alabama Governors George Corley Wallace and Lurleen Wallace. 

Mrs. Abernathy is a winner of the 2012 Tanne Foundation Artist Award for her work as an Actress and for her screenplay, “BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY.” She received critical acclaim for her performance in the Warner Bros’ Civil War Epic, "GODS AND GENERALS." She starred forfour years on the Lifetime Television’s series, “ANY DAY NOW,” which still airs on TV. She recently starred in the Lifetime TV Movie “WIFE STALKER” and the BET movie, “LOVE AND MURDER: THE ATLANTA PLAYBOY.”

She starred in the Emmy Award winning films, “DON KING - ONLY IN AMERICA,” “MISS EVERS BOYS,” “MURDER IN MISSISSIPPI” and “THE TEMPEST.” She Guest Starred in the Netflix Series “SUITS” and the FOX TV Series “9-1-1.” Information about her in listed on IMDB.com and Wikipedia.
Mrs. Abernathy is happily married to Actor/Producer Dar Dixon.

Dr. Ajayi Anwansedo: Dr. Ajayi Ekuase-Anwansedo is a three-time award-winning computing educator, researcher, and certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She currently serves as a Postdoctoral Scholar and Research Project Lead for the $4.9M NSF INCLUDES ACCEYSS initiative, leading efforts to advance equity in the U.S. K–16 STEM+C pipeline through collective impact strategies.

Her diverse experience spans academia, industry, and national labs, including roles at IBM as a training and change consultant, and at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as the as the coordinator of the inaugural Berkeley Lab Director’s Apprenticeship Program, where she co-developed a Python curriculum with leading scientists to inspire students in STEM. She also taught data-driven courses at Southern University and A&M College.

Dr. Ajayi holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science, an M.S. in Business Information Systems, and a Ph.D. in Science and Math Education.

Candace Akers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candace-akers-4054aa171/

Apostle Sandra Twymon: https://www.facebook.com/pastor.twymon.2

Pastor Trent Enriquez: The Hon. Trent Enriquez serves as the Senior Pastor and Overseer of Keepin' It Real Community Church – HQ, located in Karnes City, TX. In addition to his pastoral duties, he is honored to serve his community as the Judge for Precinct 3 in Karnes County, embodying a heart for both ministry and public service. Pastor Trent's life is a testament to his unwavering dedication to serving God and others with authenticity, humility, and purpose. 

Pastor Trent's journey in ministry began in music, where he developed as a worship leader before being elevated by God to broader leadership roles within the church. Under the mentorship and Pastoral guidance of Pastor Colby Cotton at New Zion Baptist Church, Pastor Trent stepped out in faith and founded Keepin' It Real Community Church on July 10, 2021. What started as a small idea has grown into a grand vision from God, transforming lives and impacting the community. 

Pastor Trent is devoted to leading his congregation with humility and a Christ-centered focus. His ministry emphasizes the power of God’s Word, and his passion lies in faithfully delivering biblical truth. Known for his signature phrase, “If you’re going to do anything today, remember to KEEP IT REAL! Come on somebody!” Pastor Trent inspires others to live authentically and walk in faith daily. 

Through his dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to God’s call, Pastor Trent continues to guide Keepin' It Real Community Church as a place where faith grows, community thrives, and lives are transformed. Whether in the church, the courtroom, or the community, Pastor Trent remains steadfast in his mission to serve with integrity, humility, and a commitment to keeping it real. The Keepin' It Real Community officially changed its name on July 10th, 2025 to REAL Ministries to celebrate 4 years of ministry and a push for a new vision that has been casted out for our community.  

Sweet Van Loan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweetvanloan/

Dr. Roberta Rincon: Roberta Rincon, Ph.D., is the Director of Research and Impact for the Society of Women Engineers. She leads research initiatives for the organization, including collaborations with external researchers and the dissemination of findings through academic conferences, the SWE Research website, and the annual State of Women in Engineering magazine. She is the co-founder of the Women of Color in Engineering Collaborative, dedicated to fostering inclusive and supportive engineering workplaces. Her research focuses on equity in STEM education and the workforce, with work on gender bias, engineering identity development, and the community college transfer pathway. Prior to joining SWE, she worked in higher education policy research and on programs focused on faculty productivity and student success. She received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, MBA and M.S. in Information Management from Arizona State University, and Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Planning from UT Austin. 

Tricia Berry: Tricia Berry has over 30 years of experience in the STEM world, making strong & wise connections among companies, schools, colleges, non-profits, networks, and ecosystems, as well as those who drive these organizations forward. She values connections and collaborations, process efficiency, maximizing impact, and strategy alignment.

She served as Director of the Women in Engineering Program (WEP) at The University of Texas at Austin for 20 years before creating and launching Women in STEM (WiSTEM) at UT Austin as Executive Director in late 2021. Since 2007, Tricia has led the Texas Girls Collaborative Project (TxGCP), a statewide network of advocates and educators from non-profits, K-12 schools, universities and colleges, and companies across Texas and beyond who are committed to motivating and supporting women and girls to pursue and thrive in careers in STEM. She launched STEMwise Connections in 2023 to serve as the convening organization for TxGCP and to provide STEM professional development, curriculum development and dissemination, and consulting services to advance equitable and inclusive STEM education, outreach programming, and recruitment practices. She has also served as Broadening Participation Director for two National Science Foundation-funded research centers: NAnomanufacturing Systems CENTer (NASCENT) and Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials (CDCM: an NSF MRSEC). 

Tricia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering and an MBA. She is married to a chemical engineer, has two sons in the field of chemical engineering, and enjoys reading, gardening, and celebrating women’s sports. 

BiNi Scoor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bini-scoor-mba-57071a19/

Dr. Ronald Bell II: Dr. Ronald Bell currently serves as an Engineering Scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, is an instructor for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam Refresher course for UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering Texas Engineering Executive Education; and Computer Science Instructor at MSU Denver. He has served as an engineering teacher at LBJ Early College High School for many years with key achievements being founder of the robotics team competing at multiple state competitions and continuous math state assessment improvements as having served as math instructional coach and math college exam specialist. He received a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Engineering from MU-Columbia and USF-Tampa; and his teacher certification and principal certification from Huston-Tillotson and Concordia University. 

He has taught and served in various leadership capacities in STEM for over 35 years at ASU, UT-Austin, Huston-Tillotson, ACC, Austin ISD, Pip Start Master Builder, and Missouri Scholars Academy. Also served regionally and state-wide STEM leadership serving as Chair of Capital Area High Tech Steering Committee, state implementation of MMA course in state of Texas and serving on National Engineers Week Steering Committee. He has recently served as a UT Austin Staff Council representative. 

Dr. Bell has served as a U.S. congressional page and has received several awards such as the TSPE Engineering Dream Team (1 of 50 chosen in Texas to have had the greatest contribution to the field of engineering, 2001) and Arizona Council of Black Engineers and Scientist – Scientist of the Year Awards. 

Community and civically he has made impact with youth regionally and nationally with Praise in the Park as co-founder, Real Life Communications, UT-Austin Rez Week leader, and a HopeLine HopeCoach. He has served on the Board of Directors for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, YoungLife, Frameworks, and LifeChangers; a Chaplin for the Round Rock Police Department; and a volunteer for the Austin Disaster Relief Network and Love the Rock. 

Dr. Bell has authored three devotional books “Reflections of God’s Provision” – 2018 “Arise and Go” – 2020, and “Walk in Wisdom” - 2023; three pre-engineering youth curriculum books on Structures, Flight, and Manufacturing; a science faith-based children’s book “Daughter Can You See”; and many other STEM related publications over the years. 

Currently Dr. Bell serves as Associate Pastor at Agape Christian Ministries and serves in leadership with the UT Austin Christian Faculty and Staff Network. His family has been involved in home, private, and public schooling over the years. He enjoys coaching track and sharing life with his wife and two children. 

Ted Groholske: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-groholske-2708643/

Dr. Sean Justice: Sean Justice is an artist, educator, and researcher in the School of Art & Design at Texas State University, where he teaches expressive STEM teacher education and coordinates the program in Art Education. 

Since 2017 Sean has directed Families Learning Together (FLT), a university-community project focused on art-based, STEM learning at libraries and community centers in San Marcos. At FLT workshops (we call them playshops!), TXST undergraduates learn to teach creative computing and purposeful engineering activities with stories, games, machines, and art. Participants include San Marcos children, families, elementary teachers, and university faculty, scientists, and engineers. FLT’s focus is on how powerful 21st century technologies like computer programming, robotics, and digital fabrication tools spark curiosity and community engagement. At playshops, the urge for leaning how something works drives transformation, especially when individual achievements become shared successes. FLT partners include the San Marcos Public Library, Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, TXST’s Alkek One Maker Space, and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, with support from the ACCEYSS Network, directed by Dr. Shetay Ashford-Hansford, Chair of the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University. 

Sean’s art practice complements his research and teaching with exhibitions of photographs, videos, games, and generative animations. He regularly publishes journal articles and book chapters on art and computer science education, and his book, Learning to Teach in the Digital Age, was published by Peter Lange in 2016.

Trice Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trice-johnson-tech/

Zen Van Loan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenvanloan/

Todd Gates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-gates/

Dr. Aimee Kendall Roundtree is an Assistant Vice President for Research in the Division of Research and a full professor in the technical communication program. She has also served as a Faculty Fellow for the Division of Research and an Associate Dean of Research in the College of Liberal Arts, as well as a director of the master's degree programs in technical communication at Texas State University and the University of Houston-Downtown. She has experience as a coordinator, medical writer, researcher, communication specialist, and public affairs specialist for organizations such as the Texas Medical Foundation, the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, and Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base. She investigates research and STEM communication, rhetoric, and ethics, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. In particular, her work interrogates points of translation and transaction between experts, policymakers, organizations, and the public, as well as human and non-human agents. She has expertise in qualitative and mixed methods research, including usability and user experience research, heuristic evaluation, text mining, systematic and integrative reviews, meta-analyses, survey studies, focus groups, and interviews. She is the editor of the Research Management Review and an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication. She is also an editorial and review board member of the Journal of Research Administration, Technical Communication Quarterly, Programmatic Perspectives, and Writing Across the Curriculum Clearinghouse. She serves on the board of the Association of the Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine, Knowbility, and ACCEYSS. She serves on review panels evaluating grants for NSF, NIH, NEH, and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, among others.\