Megan Steckly | CEO, Compudopt

Megan is a globally-minded strategist with 15+ years of experience working in private and nonprofit organizations in the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

She has experience in education, technology, workforce development, arts, and consumer products. Under her leadership, Compudopt has grown from a $280,000 operating budget to $36M, expanded from 1 location to 24+ cities across the United States, and increased service from 700 community members annually to over 20,000+ per year.

Michael Abensour |  CIO, Compudopt

Michael has over two decades of leadership roles in the political and nonprofit sector, as an executive director, campaign manager, political consultant and in international relations. In May 2022, he joined Compudopt, a national nonprofit focused on bridging the digital divide for under-resourced children and their communities, working on a number of digital inclusion initiatives from impact measurement to connectivity to STEAM education and device access.

Prior to joining Compudopt, Michael was Senior VP of Policy and Advocacy at Human-I-T, another digital inclusion group based out of Los Angeles.

Laura Alexander |  Public Policy Manager, Greater Houston Partnership

Laura Alexander serves as a Public Policy Manager at the Greater Houston Partnership, leading the Partnership’s Tech Policy and Fiscal Issues committees. In this role, Laura collaborates with key stakeholders to advance the Partnership’s legislative priorities related to broadband expansion, digital

inclusion and equity, economic development incentives, and municipal finance.

Prior to joining the Greater Houston Partnership, Laura practiced public finance law in New Orleans after graduating from Louisiana State University in 2015 and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 2020. A Louisiana native, Laura served as the Executive Director of Louisiana Institute for Children in Families and has held internships with a New Orleans City Council member and the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association.

Avice Chambers |  Vice President of Youth Development, YMCA of Greater Houston 

Experienced youth development professional with 20+ years of program design and management, specializing in grant administration, strategic planning, program planning and data analysis. Demonstrated success in using data to drive systematic change and maximizing organizational efficacy. Excels at critical analysis, streamlining procedures and supporting team members in merging regulatory compliance and program outcomes to exceed performance goals.

Shane Harris |  Branch Services Manager,  Harris County Public Library

Shane Harris has more than twenty years of library experience. Presently, he works in an administrative role for Harris County Public Library where he primarily manages special projects like Digital Navigators. Awarded a TSLAC grant to provide Digital Navigators to the Harris County community, we have assisted customers with their digital needs.

Harris County also distributed thousands of chrome books and hotspots to help shrink the digital gap. Harris County Public Library is dedicated to offering digital inclusion and equity through computer classes, free wi-fi, computer access, digital media labs, makerspaces, and more. 

Munirih Santiago Jester |  Programs Manager, NDIA

Munirih joined the NDIA team in summer 2021. has extensive experience in the field of digital inclusion. For the past 6 years, she has played a leadership role in planning, implementing, expanding, and evaluating digital inclusion efforts in relation to training, devices, connectivity, as well as coalition work. Munirih has worked with local and federal government agencies, nonprofits, and housing authorities to help coordinate and expand digital inclusion awareness, program, policy, planning, and research.

Munirih has served in various roles such as NTEN fellow, Federal Reserve Bank research intern, ConnectHome coordinator, housing policy and data coordinator, and coalition chair. Munirih has an educational background in public policy, nonprofit management, and urban and regional planning and was awarded the national Digital Equity Champion award in 2019.

Bryce Hairston Kennard |  Comcast NBCUniversal

Award-winning PR executive, business leader and former TV personality with experience in leading brand management, corporate communications, government and regulatory affairs, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Innovative thinker, storyteller and strategist with a proven track record for delivering business results.

Public Speaking Experience: Brand reputation, Public Policy, Strategic Communications, Business Etiquette, Professional Development, Stakeholder and Community Engagement.

Ernest Lewis III |  Sr. Director, Economic Initiatives, BakerRipley

Nonprofit veteran Ernest Lewis III has a diverse background in the areas of management, fund development, media, literacy, arts administration, and community development. The New Orleans' native has called Houston home for 16 years. Ernest has acquired varied experience in developing and shaping signature programming focusing on basic needs, disaster recovery, youth development, adult and family literacy, senior services, workforce development, art education, and homeless prevention.

During 20+ years of service in the nonprofit arena, Ernest has cultivated, secured and managed more than $20 million in private, federal, and public funds to advance the mission of many noteworthy nonprofits in New Orleans and Houston.

Ernest is Treasurer of the Pearland Leadership Foundation and board member of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce. The American Leadership Class XL Senior Fellow and Literacy Texas and ARTreach Board President holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in business.

He currently serves as Senior Director, Economic Initiatives at BakerRipley.

Jon McClellan |  Director, External & Legislative Affairs, AT&T

Jonathon McClellan serves as the Director of External and Legislative Affairs for AT&T Texas, working with state and local governments throughout southeast Texas.

Jon brings with him over a decade of experience with state and national governments, political campaigns, legislative work and advocacy to the AT&T External and Legislative Affairs team.

Thanh Nguyen |  Sr. Director of Service Delivery & Strategic Initiatives, United Way of Greater Houston

During her 13 years with the United Way of Greater Houston, she’s had the opportunity to serve in multiple capacities. In her current role as the Sr. Director of Service Delivery and Strategic Initiatives for the 211 Texas/United Way Helpline, she is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the

agency’s 2-1-1’s strategic goals. In addition, she is responsible for developing key partnerships that will help implement outcome-based results for the program.

She is involved in the agency's community equity programs, like the United Way’s THRIVE initiative which promotes family financial stability, and she continues to play a significant role in helping communities and families to get their lives on track.

Her experience includes strategy, organizational development, financial and brand management in nonprofit healthcare and charter school settings.

Thanh is extremely engaged in social & political issues faced by the Vietnamese community in Houston and is a passionate advocate for local and national efforts working to address policy and justice. She is a current member of the National

Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) - a non-profit organization that cultivates and empowers Asian & Pacific Islander leaders through leadership development, professional networking, and community service.

Samantha Sherman |  CPO,  Wesley Community Center

Samantha Sherman serves as the Chief Program Officer at Wesley Community Center, a multi-service community center located in Houston’s Northside. In this role, she leads the operation of Wesley’s Early Childhood Education program, Early Head Start program, Emergency Assistance

programs, Financial Opportunity Center, Out of School Time programs, and Senior Life program. Samantha has over 20 years of experience in community-based non-profit work including time in Minnesota, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College and a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota.

Deborah Simpier |  CEO & Founder, Althea

Deborah Simpier is CEO and Co-founder of Althea – an innovative SDN routing and micro-transactional billing platform utilizing the blockchain, which empowers open access and multi-stakeholder networks. Althea is also proud to support tribal and rural broadband through partnerships with nonprofits and universities, including the launch of the Tribal Resource Center in 2021. Althea was launched in 2018, and has networks in 7 states and Africa. 

Althea partners with fiber networks, like Hub Advanced Networks in Puerto Rico, to explore innovative ways to build in rural and challenging environments. In 2021, Althea launched KeyLTE, a lightweight and scalable LTE core, enabling smart cities, factories, and farms. By building together with the community, value stays local and builds sustainable and resilient connectivity solutions that benefit economic development, education, industry and agriculture.