BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Innovate New Albany - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Innovate New Albany REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250709T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250709T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20250622T030117Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250629T203938Z UID:10000394-1752058800-1752066000@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Welcome to “Finance City”: A Real Nice Place for Decision-Making DESCRIPTION:NEW! Early Start Time for EXTRA connecting opportunities. \nFeel free to arrive as early as 11:00 am. \nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Tom Rutledge\, and your fellow participants. \nEat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nIn this TIGER Talk\, Tom Rutledge – a 30-year veteran of the institutional debt markets on Wall Street and active advisor/investor to start-ups – will discuss the value of using decision-making tactics borrowed from the financial markets. He will cover: \n\n\nThe mindset and thought processes that result from years of analyzing and structuring investment products (a.k.a. “Finance City.”) \n\n\nA handful of basic tactics that can be applied to a wide range of decision-making challenges\, including some problems far beyond the city limits of the investment world \n\n\nExamples of how to financialize career decisions\, household decisions\, business decisions outside of finance\, and how financialization can spur innovation in a host of other industries. \n\n\nTrends in financial deal-making that are emerging from today’s headlines\, such as opinion polling\, digital currencies\, increasing energy demand\, retirement savings\, and multiple applications of AI. \n\n\n*************** \nTom Rutledge‘s Wall Street career spans thirty years of debt markets roles at Merrill Lynch\, Deutschebank\, and JP Morgan\, as well private credit fund management at Magnetar Capital and his current position on the Executive Committee at Jade Mountain Partners. He has also been an active angel investor\, with a portfolio of investments that includes two Columbus-based companies: HonestJobs and Aunt Flow. \nAt Magnetar\, Tom authored a whitepaper examining how the interaction between start-ups and the private credit industry has become an engine for innovation: Assets as a Service: Credit Investors and the Tech Economy. \nTom grew up in Clintonville\, graduated from Whetstone High School\, earned his BA at Amherst College and his MBA at MIT. He was also board chair of charity evaluator GiveWell.org from its early years in 2008. Finally\, he was a one-day champion on the TV show Jeopardy!. \nTom currently lives in Boston\, but frequently returns home to visit Columbus. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing. \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Tom \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n\n\n\n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/welcome-to-finance-city-a-real-nice-place-for-decision-making/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Headshot-Tom-Rutledge-Blank-for-Website-070925.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250725T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250725T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20250701T005657Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250705T005945Z UID:10000395-1753441200-1753448400@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Our Business World - Driven by Fear? A frank talk about channeling our emotions in business. DESCRIPTION:JOIN US …\n… on the 10th anniversary of the 1st-ever TIGER Event.\nFestivities will include prizes & giveaways. \nDoors open at 11:00 am. \nCome early & interact with our featured speaker\, Hugh Cathey\, and your fellow participants. \nEat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nIn this TIGER Talk\, accomplished business leader Hugh Cathey will discuss: \n\nWhy fear exists in our work lives.\nWhat does fear look like?\nControlling that fear.\nUsing fear to guide you?\nDo you ever lose that sense of fear?\n\nDon’t miss this fresh take on a topic that many business leaders prefer to ignore but would do well to confront and learn how to control. \n*************** \nA serial entrepreneur\, Hugh Cathey has just embarked on his 10th early-stage company. From his early career in a family business to working for a Fortune 20 company\, to going back into the start-up arena\, Hugh has experienced some wins\, and a number of losses. \nAfter leaving AT&T\, and going through several start-ups on the West Coast\, Hugh moved to Columbus in 1996 to start a tech company financed by a single high net worth investor. \nAfter going through an IPO in 1997\, he was president of the launch team of another highly-financed company that fell apart during the ‘dot-com bubble burst’ of the early 2000’s. \nThis was followed by a series of tech company start-ups that met with some success and some real challenges. Along the way some lessons were learned that may be helpful to others. \nToday\, Hugh is CEO of a health-tech company based in Columbus. \n**************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Social Time \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Social Time \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (Your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Hugh \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Social Time \n\n\n\n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/our-business-world-driven-by-fear-a-frank-talk-about-channeling-our-emotions-in-business/ LOCATION:OH CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Headshot-Hugh-Cathey-TIGER-Talk-Blank-with-10-Year-Banner-Middle.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250801T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250801T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20250719T214005Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T221432Z UID:10000402-1754046000-1754053200@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Unleashing the Power of Generative AI: Navigating the Future of Work - 2025 Edition DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 8/1/25\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm \nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Christopher Slee\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \n“Unleashing the Power of Generative AI: Navigating the Future of Work” is a concise yet insightful talk that demystifies generative AI for a diverse audience. \nChris originally created and delivered this popular presentation in 2024. And now he’s significantly updated and enhanced what he’ll be sharing to reflect the dramatic advances over the past 18 months in AI tech and how it’s being applied. \nCome explore the transformation of AI from simple tools to systems capable of learning and creating like humans. \nDiscover the importance of “prompt engineering” and “workflow engineering” as essential skills for harnessing AI’s potential. Envision a future where multiple AI models collaborate to enhance decision-making and problem-solving. \nJoin us for this mind-expanding TIGER Talk to unlock the power of generative AI and prepare for a thriving future of work in the age of AI. \n*************** \nFrom our featured speaker\, Christopher Slee: \nHi I’m Chris\, the Principal Technologist at Transform Labs (formerly AWH) and the CTO of  IncludeHealth\, a healthcare start-up changing the face of Virtual Physical Therapy. \nWhen I speak about technology\, I like to keep it accurate and relatable. I share stories and insights that matter to tech enthusiasts and anyone interested in how technology intersects with our daily lives and work. It’s about making sense of tech and making it understandable. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Chris \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/unleashing-the-power-of-generative-ai-navigating-the-future-of-work-2025-edition/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Headshot-Chris-Slee-no-glasses-and-smiling-for-TIGER-Talk-on-080125.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250822T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250822T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20250607T015944Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250724T193410Z UID:10000391-1755860400-1755867600@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Growing Pains: How Growth Can Break Your Business DESCRIPTION:Be ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Rob Young\, and your fellow participants. \nDoors open at 11:00 am. \nCome early & interact with our featured speaker\, Rob Young\, and your fellow participants. \nEat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nMost business advice glamorizes growth and suggests that it should be one of a business’s top priorities. While growth can be great\, it has a dark side. Growth will amplify and exploit weakness in a business. Without a solid foundation\, a business can crumble under the weight of growth. \nIn this TIGER Talk\, we will explore the dangers of growth\, consider practices to manage it\, and discuss easy-to-implement tools you can use to ensure that your company is a growth-ready business. \n*************** \nRob Young is a former executive who never planned to have a business career. He spent two decades in senior leadership roles in companies ranging from a VC-backed startup to a global corporation. \nHaving burned out on corporate life\, Rob traded his briefcase for a tool belt and spent five years renovating historic houses. Days spent doing hands-on construction side by side with talented craftspeople were some of his most enjoyable. \nIt was during this time that Rob recognized a consistent pattern: the business owners he worked with had never been trained to run a business and struggled to navigate growth. After watching several businesses fail\, he founded Stage 3 Group\, a consulting firm dedicated to helping business owners navigate the challenges of growth with clarity and confidence through simple tools\, practices\, and rhythms. \nRob is the author of Stage 3 Success\, a practical guide for owners of growing businesses who want to scale without losing control. \n*************** \n\nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Chris \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n\n\n\n\n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n  URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/growing-pains-how-growth-can-break-your-business/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Headshot-Rob-Young-Blank-for-Website-Face-Lower-082225.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250912T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250912T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20250608T013552Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250908T160626Z UID:10000392-1757674800-1757682000@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:From Prompts to Partners: How AI Is Changing the Way We Work and Think DESCRIPTION:Be ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Kristy Wedel\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive early. Doors open at 11:00 am.  \nEat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nAI adoption isn’t about chasing the latest model or expecting instant transformation from a single tool. As AI evolves\, the real shift is happening beneath the surface in how we think\, decide\, and work together. The question isn’t just what AI can do\, but how we adapt our processes. \nThis TIGER Talk will explore how to move beyond early experimentation by rethinking how decisions are made\, how insight is shared\, and how real value is created. It highlights common pitfalls like strategic drift and pilot purgatory\, and offers practical ways to design AI workflows that prioritize clarity over speed. \nWhether you’re leading a team or just beginning to explore AI in your day-to-day life\, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to use it more thoughtfully and effectively. \n*************** \nKristy Wedel\, Founder of ReMemora\, has over 15 years of experience in developing and democratizing analytics solutions that drive transparency and efficiency across various industries including healthcare\, banking and government. \nAt the forefront of AI adoption and instructional design\, Kristy’s strategic acumen ensures that AI is leveraged effectively and responsibly. She is a staunch advocate for robust AI governance. Kristy is a member of the Women in Analytics (WIA) team\, and is also a doctoral student at Franklin University in the Doctor of Business Administration program. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE.\n\nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Kristy \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n\n\n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/from-prompts-to-partners-how-ai-is-changing-the-way-we-work-and-think/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Headshot-Kristy-Wedel-Blank-for-Website-091225.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250926T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250926T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20250412T025423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250617T011942Z UID:10000384-1758884400-1758891600@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Sales Versus Growth - Why They’re Different and What’s Needed To Achieve Both DESCRIPTION:NEW! Early Start – Extra Time for Connecting. Arrive as early as 11:00 am. \nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Dana Allender\, and your fellow participants. \nEat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nJoin us for this TIGER Talk by Dana Allender. \nWhile “sales” often focuses on short-term wins — generating leads\, closing deals and meeting quotas — “growth” requires a deeper\, systemic approach that aligns your entire business including sales\, marketing. product/service delivery\, customer success and\, most importantly\, executive leadership. \nSales is the key ingredient in growth! However\, true growth is not just about increasing revenue but having the right people doing the right things across the organization. By understanding the difference between “driving sales” and “achieving growth”\, leaders can focus on stage-appropriate actions and strategies to transform their businesses\, wherever they might be in their journey! \n*************** \nDana Allender is Founder of SUN (as in\, “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles)\, a firm he created to help companies sell their “stuff” and grow their businesses with a “customer first” approach. \nDana’s interest in this came from his own early sales experiences\, needing to “build the airplane while flying it” like many founders\, business owners and sales leaders do – with the urgency to generate sales today while still learning what works (and what doesn’t) to generate repeatable\, scalable revenue tomorrow. \nAs a proud member of Sandler Sales President’s Club\, he’s been “classically trained”. With that\, he’s also found from speaking with hundreds of founders\, business owners and sales leaders that training and creating “off the shelf” playbooks isn’t enough. Learning and growth happens in actual “customer conversations” while having someone you trust (and who’s done it) working alongside you to make it happen – achieving impactful results faster.  \nIn addition to his years of B2B enterprise sales experience\, he’s served in the roles of mentor\, advisor and Entrepreneur-In-Residence for organizations such as JumpStart/JumpStart Ventures\, Youngstown Business Incubator\, Alloy Development’s OhioXcelerate\, University of Akron Resource Foundation ICorps\, Rev1 Ventures\, and RevTech Labs Fintech and Insurtech Accelerator\, MAGNET and Bounce Innovation Hub. Memberships include the Angel Capital Association\, Ohio Angel Collective\, and OhioX while also receiving investing certification through VC University. He‘s also worked with economic development partners including Greater Cleveland Partnership\, Team NEO\, and JobsOhio to drive innovation in the region. \nDana lives in Rocky River\, just outside of Cleveland\, Ohio with his family and dogs (Lance and Loki\, yes\, Loki from the Marvel collection!). His coaching doesn’t end with sales\, as he coaches kids’ travel basketball as well. He’s also learning (still) to play the guitar\, which you can see prominently displayed behind him during a zoom call and is happy to karaoke anytime – just ask! \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing. \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Dana \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n\n\n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/bringing-people-together-to-drive-sales-and-grow-businesses/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Headshot-Allender-Blank-for-Website-092625.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251003T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251003T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20250617T020925Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T205656Z UID:10000393-1759489200-1759496400@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Market Validation & Customer Feedback DESCRIPTION:NEW! Early Start Time. EXTRA connecting. opportunities. Arrive as early as 11:00 am. \nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Matt Cynkar\, and your fellow participants. \nEat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nJoin us for this TIGER Talk by Matt Cynkar of Rev1 Ventures. \nAs a start\, you’ll learn why Rev1 collects feedback from target users and other target stakeholders. You’ll also see how the Rev1 team helps entrepreneurs use data collected to determine whether or not to pursue a new business idea. \nAnd specifically\, you’ll learn: \n\nHow to identify the pieces and parts of collecting feedback (target audience\, qualitative vs. quantitative\, etc.)\, and an ‘MVP’ (Minimum Viable Product) format.\nHow to analyze and interpret feedback.\nA process that will serve you well for the rest of your career as an entrepreneur.\n\n*************** \nWith 15 years’ experience in market research and data analysis\, Matt Cynkar leads a team focused on applying market intelligence and analytics to accelerate Rev1 Ventures‘ growth strategy. From owning the integrity of Rev1’s internal data\, to producing analyses related to specific industries\, the team’s work will be an important driver of business insights and strategic guidance. \nMatt brings a strong understanding of research methodology and is a proven leader in project management and planning. He identifies and targets the appropriate data sources—both qualitative and quantitative—to support the needs of the entrepreneurs we serve and the portfolio companies they are working to scale. Matt furthers Rev1’s data-driven approach to expand our industry leadership in the region\, the state\, and beyond. \nMatt has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from Miami University. He enjoys sports and is always up for an adventure\, which\, with two young sons\, is his daily norm. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing. \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Matt \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n\n\n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/market-validation-customer-feedback/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Headshot-Matt-Cynkar-Rev1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251010T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251010T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20250810T010528Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T013920Z UID:10000406-1760094000-1760101200@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Lead the AI Charge: Building Trust\, Ethics\, and Strategy for Small Business Success DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 10/10/25\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm \nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Ray Waite\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nArtificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how small businesses operate\, compete\, and grow. While AI tools are being adopted at increasing rates\, many organizations are doing so without clear direction\, ethical guardrails\, or leadership oversight. \nThis TIGER Talk will be a call to action for business leaders to step forward and guide AI integration with purpose. We’ll explore the five core principles that build trust in AI systems\, and why these values must be embedded from the top down. \nParticipants will leave with practical tools to lead confidently\, including an AI readiness assessment and a starter plan tailored for small business environments. You’ll gain clarity on your leadership role in governance\, risk management\, and shaping a culture of responsible innovation. \nThe time to lead is now! This talk will give you the roadmap to do it with confidence\, integrity\, and vision. \n*************** \nOur speaker\, Ray Waite\, is a futurist\, passionate about helping individuals\, entrepreneurs\, and organizations understand and develop the skills necessary to survive and thrive in the emerging turbulent marketplace. He is the founder of Lighthouse Force (lighthouseforce.com)\, dedicated to leading businesses in the areas of innovation\, artificial intelligence\, design thinking\, critical thinking and transformation management. \nRay loves taking the complex and explaining it in a practical way that can be easily applied. He brings a valuable blend of corporate and academia experience to his facilitated workshops\, keynote speeches and consulting\, with over 25 years as senior manager in the business commerce\, telecom and banking industries at Citizen’s Bank\, IBM\, Lucent Technologies\, and AT&T Bell Laboratories\, and over 15 years as a university instructor. Ray’s talks are fun\, informative\, and full of audience participation. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nEvent Schedule: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Ray \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/lead-the-ai-charge-building-trust-ethics-and-strategy-for-small-business-success/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Headshot-Ray-Waite-Blank-for-Website-101025.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251017T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251017T131500 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20250720T122252Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251016T124204Z UID:10000403-1760698800-1760706900@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:The State of Venture in Ohio® - 2025 DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 10/17/25\, 11:00 am – 1:15 pm \nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Lindsay Karas Stencel\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nThis is the 2025 edition of Lindsay Karas Stencel’s annual talk on The State of Venture in Ohio ®. \nFor the 8th year in a row\, Lindsay will walk attendees through the status of VC funding in Ohio\, discussing new venture fund formation\, large exits\, and investments and places where the state can continue to develop and grow. She will weave in some pop culture references\, leave plenty of time for Q&A\, and definitely keep the FUN in FUND. \n*************** \nLindsay Karas Stencel is a Partner in the New Ventures practice at the law firm of Thompson Hine and chairs the firm’s fund formation subgroup. She advises entrepreneurs\, investors and fund managers on venture capital and startup matters\, venture capital fund formation\, mergers and acquisitions\, corporate finance\, federal and state securities filings and compliance\, including public and private securities offerings\, and corporate organization and governance matters. \nPrior to joining Thompson Hine\, Lindsay served as a Partner and Chief Legal Counsel at a Midwest-focused venture capital firm that invests in pre-seed\, seed early stage and growth stage technology companies serving several industries. There\, her efforts primarily focused on deal structuring\, portfolio management\, limited partner relations\, fundraising and exit transactions. \nSimultaneously\, she ran her own private practice representing emerging and diverse venture fund managers across the country\, startup clients and founders\, investors\, and small businesses\, assisting with venture fund formation and strategy\, strategic deal formation\, unique deal structuring and other corporate legal matters. \nShe also acquired significant experience while serving as Chief Operating Officer and Fund Manager\, and subsequently Chief Investment Officer\, Chief Legal Officer\, and Managing Partner for a venture development organization in upstate New York\, where she led that firm to have one of the most active seed funds in the country and spearheaded the formation and development of the largest seed fund in the history of the area. \nLindsay’s unique blend of legal\, fundraising and operational experience as a founder and venture capitalist provides her with the ability to acutely understand the issues facing her venture and startup clients. She understands firsthand the matters most important to her clients and can creatively solve problems and efficiently design solutions to rapidly close transactions for investors and entrepreneurs alike. \nLindsay teaches “Venture Capital and Dealmaking” at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law\, where she also frequently guest lectures on contract drafting and preferred securities issuances. Lindsay is a national speaker on topics of women and diversity and inclusion in finance\, venture capital\, venture capital deal structuring and startup investing. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nEvent Schedule: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing – Please come early; we expect a large crowd for this popular annual event. \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \nWE EXPECT A CROWD OF 100\, so we’ll be taking a week off from our usual “15 Seconds of Fame” introductions. \n12:00 pm SHARP – Hand-off to Lindsay \n1:15 pm – Wrap & Even More Socializing (Given strong interest in our speaker & topic\, we’ve run past 1:00 pm each of the past few years. We’re anticipating our crowd will want us to allow that again.) \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/the-state-of-venture-in-ohio-2025/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Headshot-Lindsay-Karas-Stencel-Blank-for-Website-101725.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251114T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20251022T022710Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T160213Z UID:10000420-1763118000-1763125200@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:The Founders’ Firewall: Building Cybersecurity into Your Startup DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 11/14/25\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm \nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Warner Moore\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nSeasoned cybersecurity expert Warner Moore\, Founder of Gamma Force\, will lead this TIGER Talk\, sharing his insights on the challenges and strategies that startups face in cybersecurity today. \nIn an increasingly digital world\, cybersecurity is no longer a luxury reserved for large enterprises. For startups\, securing your business\, data\, and customer trust is critical from day one. This event\, tailored for founders\, will provide essential insights into safeguarding your startup from cyber threats\, building a security-first culture\, and understanding the key cybersecurity steps every founder should take. \nTarget Audience:\n● Founders and Co-founders of tech startups\n● Early-stage entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their cybersecurity knowledge\n● Startup leaders interested in protecting their business and data from cyber threats \nKey Takeaways:\n● The fundamental steps to secure your startup from day one\n● The legal and financial implications of neglecting cybersecurity\n● Practical insights into affordable and effective cybersecurity tools and strategies \n*************** \nWarner Moore is a strategic executive leader with deep and broad experience in technology and information security. Through most of his career\, Warner has worked with entrepreneurial growth organizations where technology is their business and their product. Within these organizations\, Warner has an accomplished record of building successful cybersecurity programs and high performing teams who embrace DevOps culture and practices. \nAs an international speaker\, Warner has presented to university students\, technology professionals\, and business leaders including at conferences like Startup Week\, CloudDevelop\, Path to Agility\, InfoSec Summit\, CodeMash\, Security BSides\, DevOpsDays\, and Abstractions. Warner is passionate about culture\, innovation\, and community. His commitment to these values is demonstrated through his work leading organizations such as Ohio LinuxFest\, LOPSA\, and Toastmasters\, of which he is currently District 40 Division B Director. \nThe culmination of this work was the founding of Tech Community Coalition in 2016\, a non-profit organization whose mission is to enable the greater tech community. \nAfter building security and privacy capabilities for numerous organizations across industries at companies such as CoverMyMeds and Bold Penguin\, Warner founded the cybersecurity strategy firmGamma Force. Through Gamma Force\, Warner serves as a virtual CISO for clients that include Deep Lens and Smart Columbus and advises startups to help them them through concept and growth phases. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nEvent Schedule: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Warner \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Even More Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/the-founders-firewall-building-cybersecurity-into-your-startup/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Headshot-Warner-Moore-TIGER-Talk-111425-Blank-for-Website.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251119T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20251113T003234Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251113T003234Z UID:10000422-1763550000-1763557200@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:AI and The Future of Programming - 2025 Edition DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nWednesday 11/19/25\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm \nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Chris Slee\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nAI coding tools have gone from “interesting demos” to actually useful in the past year. But this isn’t just about new frameworks. It’s about a fundamental shift in how software gets built and who can build it. \nIn this TIGER Talk\, tech leader Christopher Slee will explore what AI can actually do for developers right now\, the new agentic frameworks being used in production\, and why the craft of software development has genuinely changed—not in some distant future\, but today. \nThis isn’t hype—it’s a clear-eyed look at what works\, what doesn’t\, and what it means for how you build products. \nYou’ll leave with: \n\nAn understanding of what AI can actually do for you right now (and what it’s still really bad at)\nA realistic view of whether you need a full dev team or can build your MVP yourself\nInsight into how development workflows are changing in practice\n\nIf you’re a founder trying to figure out how much you can reasonably do yourself\, a developer curious about these tools\, or someone tired of “vibe programming” your ideas into existence and want to know what’s actually possible—this talk is for you. \n*************** \nFrom our featured speaker\, Christopher Slee: \nHi I’m Chris\, the Principal Technologist at Transform Labs (formerly AWH) and the CTO of  IncludeHealth\, a healthcare start-up changing the face of Virtual Physical Therapy. \nWhen I speak about technology\, I like to keep it accurate and relatable. I share stories and insights that matter to tech enthusiasts and anyone interested in how technology intersects with our daily lives and work. It’s about making sense of tech and making it understandable. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Chris \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/ai-and-the-future-of-programming-2025-edition/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Headshot-Chris-Slee-no-glasses-and-smiling-for-TIGER-Talk-on-080125.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251212T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251212T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20251116T011011Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251116T011011Z UID:10000423-1765537200-1765544400@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Trust by Design: The Leadership Blueprint for High-Performance Teams DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 12/12/25\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Dr. Kallol Biswas\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nWhen teams lose momentum\, most leaders add more process. But performance rarely breaks because of system …. it breaks because of trust. \nIn this TIGER Talk\, Dr. Kallol Biswas reveals why trust is the hidden design variable behind every high-performing culture. Through real stories from the FDA\, biotech\, and the boardroom\, Kallol will show how to make trust measurable and actionable using the ALIGN™ Framework. Align is a practical model for diagnosing misalignment and rebuilding belief. \nAttendees will leave with clear strategies and one practical action they can apply immediately to restore alignment\, connection\, and performance within their teams. \n*************** \nDr. Kallol Biswas is a scientist turned executive with over 20 years leading scientific\, regulatory\, and innovation teams. Kallol helps organizations rebuild alignment\, trust\, and execution. Over a 20+ year career spanning Eli Lilly\, FDA\, Charles River Laboratories\, and NAMSA\, he has led global teams and driven performance through people-first leadership and scientific rigor. \nKnown for his engaging “Bill Nye meets Simon Sinek” style\, Kallol blends data-driven insight with human-centered leadership to inspire practical change. \nKallol’s work bridges science\, people\, and performance\, helping leaders move from misalignment to momentum. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Kallol \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/trust-by-design-the-leadership-blueprint-for-high-performance-teams/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Headshot-Kallol-Biswas-Blank-for-Website-TIGER-Talk-121225.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260116T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260116T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20251222T220658Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T211949Z UID:10000429-1768561200-1768568400@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:INVINCIBLE 2026: Three Shifts You Can’t Afford to Ignore DESCRIPTION:Our 1st TIGER Talk of 2026\n7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 1/16/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nReady to make 2026 your most strategic year yet? \nJoin Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva for this TIGER Talk\, a fast-paced\, highly interactive briefing on the trends redefining how we live\, work\, and grow. \nBuilding on insights from a turbulent 2025\, Nadya will reveal:\n– What’s truly driving the shifts ahead\n– What last year taught us about resilience and reinvention\n– How to stay disruption-ready in 2026\n– The three trends every leader needs to master — now \nIf you’ve joined Nadya’s past TIGER Talks\, you know: this session is engaging\, practical\, deeply researched — and one you don’t want to miss. \n*************** \nDr. Nadya Zhexembayeva is the founder and Chief Reinvention Officer of the Reinvention Academy and co-founder of the Reinvention Summit. \nKnown as “The Reinvention Guru\,” Dr. Nadya is a scientist\, business theorist\, fractional mining executive\, serial entrepreneur\, and award-winning author specializing in resilience and reinvention. \nShe has helped global leaders and Fortune 500 companies—including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation\, Coca-Cola\, IBM\, Cisco\, L’Oréal\, Henkel\, and Knauf Insulation—reinvent their business models\, leadership\, and culture. \nA four-time TEDx speaker and author of The Chief Reinvention Officer Handbook: How to Thrive in Chaos\, her work has reached over one million people and has been featured in Harvard Business Review\, The Wall Street Journal\, and Forbes\, where she is a regular contributor. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Dr. Nadya \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ \n \n \n \n\n  URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/invincible-2026-three-shifts-you-cant-afford-to-ignore/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Headshot-Nadya-TIGER-Talk-Blank-011626.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260123T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260123T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20251221T021445Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251221T021445Z UID:10000427-1769166000-1769173200@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:The Founder’s Bottleneck: Why Growth Stalls When Everything Depends on You DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 1/23/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Natalie Hoop\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nEvery founder hits a point where growth slows\, not because the market shrank\, but because they became the system. When every decision\, deal\, or fire still runs through you\, it’s not a revenue problem it’s an operational one. \nThis TIGER Talk will help founders recognize when their business is scaling them instead of scaling up and shows how to build the systems\, roles\, and rhythms that let the company grow beyond their personal capacity. \nKey Takeaways:\n The 3 early warning signs your business is scaling you instead of scaling up\n How to separate people problems from process problems (and fix the right one first)\n A 90-day playbook to reclaim time\, margin\, and momentum—without losing visibility or control \n**************** \nNatalie Hoop is a Fractional Strategic Operations Partner who helps founders turn growth chaos into scalable systems. With 15+ years of experience leading operations\, revenue\, and delivery across SaaS\, DTC\, and manufacturing companies\, she’s known for helping startups strengthen foundations\, improve margins\, and scale sustainably. \nHer operational rebuilds have driven +238% sales growth in 30 days\, +68-point margin gains in four months\, and 3x team capacity improvements—by aligning people\, process\, and data into a clear\, repeatable system. \nThrough her work with both early-stage and growth-stage founders\, Natalie’s become an expert in diagnosing the hidden operational bottlenecks that stall revenue and burn out teams. She also coaches fractional leaders through The Fractional Launch Lab\, helping them build businesses that last instead of just survive. \nNatalie’s mission is simple: to help leaders stop being the system and start building one. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Natalie \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/the-founders-bottleneck-why-growth-stalls-when-everything-depends-on-you/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Headshot-Natalie-Hoop-Blank-for-Website-012326.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260130T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260130T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20251222T044213Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251222T044213Z UID:10000428-1769770800-1769778000@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:The Accidental Marketer Discovers the Latest Generation of SEO DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 1/30/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, James Brenza\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nMarketing SEO seemed straight forward – until AI “moved the cheese.” \nThe SEO game has been upended and continues to morph. Unfortunately\, you can’t ignore the changes if you want your products or services to be discovered by your customers. Coming from the perspective of a business owner that is not a marketing expert\, this TIGER Talk will focus on the difficult lessons learned while recalibrating marketing strategies to adapt to the shifting AI landscape. \nThis talk will help define some of the basics of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) marketing. We’ll then explore how AI has changed it to create GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization). We’ll also discuss some simple content changes you can make to your website now to help ensure you get the visibility you deserve. Lastly\, we’ll explore other strategies to leap over the SEO/GEO/AEO challenges. While it may seem daunting\, AI and automation will work in your favor to win the game. \nWho is this session for? \n\nOwners that are struggling with the shifting digital marketing landscape and are tired of losing traffic.\nNon-marketing leaders that are confused by marketing TLA’s (Three Letter Acronyms) and how it impacts their business.\nLeaders that may need to refine how they’re selecting marketing agencies to ensure they are focused on the latest marketing hotness.\nBusiness owners that need to quickly adapt their marketing plans to remain relevant.\n\n*************** \nOur speaker\, James Brenza\, is a serial entrepreneur after leaving a career in global Fortune 100 companies. While most of his career has been dedicated to optimizing IT and operations\, his journey as an entrepreneur made him face into the headwinds of marketing. He leads both Greenest Grow (a grow automation platform) and Done With Pain (a pain management company). \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to James \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/the-accidental-marketer-discovers-the-latest-generation-of-seo/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Headshot-James-Brenza-Blank-for-Website-013026.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260206T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260206T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20260105T020306Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260131T195525Z UID:10000432-1770375600-1770382800@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Beyond Buzzwords: Making Innovation Work for You DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 2/6/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Prasad Khadkikar\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nTIGER Talk description in the words of our speaker\, Prasad: \n“Innovation isn’t just about ideas; it involves understanding your risk appetite\, developing strategic foresight\, building your team\, and collaborating across organizations to create value. \nAs I reflect on my innovation journey over 30+ years\, I recognize several common themes that transcend product types\, industries\, and geographies. I will share a real-world success story to illustrate key insights that may help you innovate sustainably to grow your business.” \n *************** \nWith a Ph.D. in Engineering and an MBA\, Prasad Khadkikar combines technical expertise with strategic insight\, enabling him to lead global engineering teams and manage P&Ls across the US and Asia. \nPrasad is deeply committed to people and product development\, fostering collaboration\, and connecting the dots to drive innovation for business success \nAs a business strategy advisor\, Prasad views innovation not merely as a process but as a guiding philosophy—one rooted in strategic vision\, team building\, and the pursuit of meaningful growth. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Prasad \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ \n \n \n \n\n  URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/beyond-buzzwords-making-innovation-work-for-you/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Headshot-Prasad-Blank-020626.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152541 CREATED:20251231T225847Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260131T193225Z UID:10000431-1771585200-1771592400@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:From Invisible to In-Demand: How Founders Actually Win on LinkedIn DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 2/20/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Allison Ditmer\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nMost founders know LinkedIn “matters.” Very few know what actually moves the needle\, especially when time\, energy\, and confidence are limited. \nIn this TIGER Talk\, Allison Ditmer will break down how founders and business owners can use LinkedIn as a real business asset\, not another platform that feels noisy\, awkward\, or overwhelming. \nYou’ll learn: \n\nWhat your LinkedIn profile is signaling right now (and how to fix it fast)\nHow to balance personal content vs. company content without burning out\nWhy scores\, metrics\, and trends (like SSI) matter less than clarity\nSimple content prompts you can use immediately…no “influencer energy” required\n\nYou’ll leave with clear priorities\, practical examples\, and a smarter way to show up on LinkedIn that actually supports your business growth. \nIf you’ve ever thought\, “I know I should be doing more on LinkedIn\, but I’m not sure what\,” this session is for you. \n*************** \nAllison Ditmer\, MBA\, is a graduate of Bowling Green State University\, a content strategist\, and a founder with 20 years of experience in digital marketing. \nAfter leaving her corporate role at Abbott Nutrition\, where she led marketing and ecommerce initiatives across the pediatric\, therapeutic\, and performance brands\, Allison built her own content business from the ground up. For the past 3+ years\, she has helped founders\, fractional executives\, and growing businesses turn LinkedIn into a platform for visibility\, connection\, and inbound opportunities. \nAllison specializes in helping business owners clarify their message\, show up with confidence\, and create content that actually supports growth\, without chasing trends or burning out. \nShe is also a member of the Denison Edge team\, where she teaches college-level courses focused on digital marketing and content creation. \nWhen she’s not working with clients or teaching\, Allison can be found cuddling with her two mini-Yorkies\, traveling to national parks\, or cheering on her kids at travel sports games. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Allison \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/from-invisible-to-in-demand-how-founders-actually-win-on-linkedin/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Headshot-Allison-Ditmer-Blank-022026.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260225T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260201T194210Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260201T194210Z UID:10000440-1772017200-1772024400@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:CES 2026: Life-Changing Gadgets vs. AI Robotics Hype DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nWednesday 2/25/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Brad Griffith\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends.\nCES 2026 (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show) was the most exciting of these annual shows in years\, but not for the reasons you might think. \nWhile the world waited for AI robots to take over\, our presenter\, Brad Griffith\, discovered practical\, accessible tech that is ready to change your life and business today! \nIn this TIGER Talk\, Brad will share photos from his 20th trip to CES in Las Vegas and provide live demos of the newest innovative gadgets he brought home with him. \nThis talk focuses on cutting-edge hardware and software that prioritizes real-world connection and efficiency over mere hype. \nJoin us to discover the tools that will shape your year and help you become a tech visionary at work and at home. \n*************** \nBrad Griffith is a technology innovator and a champion for equitable opportunity. His life’s mission is to close equity gaps by creatively applying software and design. \nBrad is the Founder and President of Buckeye Innovation\, the web engineering and design team he started in 2009 to amplify the impact of innovative businesses and organizations. His team of 12 includes designers and developers who love building and supporting websites\, web applications\, and mobile applications. \nPrior to starting Buckeye Innovation\, Brad built web applications at JPMorgan Chase\, QUALCOMM\, and the Go Big Network. He earned his MBA and his BS in Engineering with honors from The Ohio State University. He lives in New Albany with his wife and two daughters where he is an active Girl Scouts “Troop Cookie Dad” in addition to other community volunteer roles. \nBrad was selected in 2020 to the inaugural class of the Columbus CEO Future 50 and was also a finalist for the 2019 and 2023 Small Business Leader Awards from the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and won the award just recently – in January 2026. Buckeye Innovation was recognized in the 2022 and 2023 Inc 5000 as one of the country’s fastest-growing private companies and in 2023 was selected as one of Inc’s Best Workplaces. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Brad \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ \n \n \n \n\n  URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/ces-2026-life-changing-gadgets-vs-ai-robotics-hype/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Headshot-Brad-Griffith-TIGER-Talk-Blank-022526.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260125T164954Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260131T193907Z UID:10000436-1772190000-1772197200@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:While AI Steals the Spotlight\, Cyber Risk Keeps the Score DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 2/27/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, J.R. Kunkle\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nAI has taken center stage in much of the tech and business worlds for the past 3 years. Let’s discuss the state of Cybersecurity now in the early part of 2026. \nComputer Breaches and Incidents continue to increase by almost every metric according to Verizon and their annual Data Breach Incident Report (DBIR). We all play a part in reducing the chance of our data being compromised. Cyberattacks are enabled by every one of us. The reality is we’ll never “solve cybersecurity” until we bring everyday people into the solution. \nCome to this TIGER Talk by JR Kunkle to learn the most reliable methods of protecting your business and personal information. \nJR will cover: \n\nWhat is Cybersecurity?\nIs the Sky Falling? (how many Incidents\, Breaches\, and Ransoms happen annually)\nBreach Facts/Industry Targets\nWhat are the Regulations & Frameworks in cybersecurity?\nWhat are Best Practices you can implement to protect your business and personal data\n\n“Cybersecurity discipline is doing the boring things right—before they become expensive.” – attributed to John Dwyer\, a prominent cybersecurity leader/researcher\, currently serving as Head of Research at Binary Defense \n*************** \nJR Kunkle works with small\, medium\, and large businesses to help them protect their information and understand their investment in Cybersecurity. He has 20+ years of in-depth IT experience\, primarily in IT management\, Project Management\, Consulting\, and IT Risk and Assurance. His current primary areas of focus are Cybersecurity and\, of course\, Artificial Intelligence (AI). \nJR’s industry experience includes: Manufacturing\, Retail\, Industrials\, Financials\, Utilities\, and Government. Recently\, he’s been working with Healthcare\, FinTech\, and E-Commerce companies (cloud applications). \nJR has a Masters Degree in MIS & Finance from the University of Dayton and a Bachelor Degree in Accounting and Economics from Wittenberg University. In addition\, JR earned the Certified Information Systems Auditor (“CISA”) certification. \nPassionate about life\, business\, and information technology. In his free time\, he likes traveling with his son and coaching sports. \nThis will be JR’s 2nd TIGER Talk. His previous TIGER\, on Ransomware\, was presented in the fall of 2024. Access the slides from that talk HERE. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to JR \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/while-ai-steals-the-spotlight-cyber-risk-keeps-the-score/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Headshot-JR-Kunkle-TIGER-Talk-Blank-022726.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260110T195058Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260228T165228Z UID:10000434-1772622000-1772629200@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Avoid Overpaying for AI: How You Can Skip Expensive Vendors & Build Your Own AI Solutions DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nWednesday 3/4/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Dr. Gleb Tsipursky\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nIn the current market\, entrepreneurs and leaders of small to mid-sized businesses must use AI to compete with industry giants. \nYet renting generic\, costly SaaS solutions can drains crucial cash flow and offer zero competitive differentiation. These expensive “black box” tools frequently fail because they force small\, agile teams to change their specific\, proven workflows\, leading to frustration\, internal resistance\, and quick cancellation—a devastating blow to the bottom line. \nPlease join us for this TIGER Talk and learn how to stop financing giant vendors and start building lasting value. \nDr. Gleb Tsipursky\, CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts\, provides an essential blueprint for creating proprietary AI agents customized to your unique product\, service\, or niche. \nYou achieve this using accessible no-code and low-code platforms that your current non-technical employees master quickly. If your team can manage a spreadsheet\, they can learn no-code AI tools. \nYou will walk away with a rapid deployment roadmap to replace crippling vendor contracts with AI tools that perfectly fit your operations. Crucially\, you will learn the behavioral science strategies that turn your employees into AI creators and innovators\, transforming staff anxiety into enthusiasm\, and building a high-value\, defensible competitive moat against larger rivals. \n*************** \nDr. Gleb Tsipursky\, called the “Office Whisperer” by The New York Times\, helps tech-forward leaders replace expensive vendors with staff-built AI solutions. He serves as the CEO of the future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. \nDr. Gleb has written seven best-selling books.  His forthcoming book with Georgetown University Press is The Psychology of Generative AI Adoption (2026). \nPrior to that\, he wrote ChatGPT for Leaders and Content Creators (2023). His cutting-edge thought leadership has been featured in over 650 articles in prominent venues such as Harvard Business Review\, Fortune\, and Fast Company. \nDr. Gleb’s expertise was built through over 20 years of consulting for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox and over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist at UNC-Chapel Hill and The Ohio State University. \nDr. Gleb is a proud Ukrainian American. He lives in Columbus\, Ohio. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Dr. Gleb \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ \n \n \n \n\n  URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/avoid-overpaying-for-ai-how-you-can-skip-expensive-vendors-build-your-own-ai-solutions/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Headshot-Gleb-T-TIGER-Talk-Blank-030426.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260313T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260313T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260110T214355Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260228T165042Z UID:10000435-1773399600-1773406800@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Cash Flow & Value Creation DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 3/13/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Eric Rucinski\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nIn this TIGER Talk\, Eric Rucinski will lay out the inherent deficiencies in relying solely on accounting information\, and the unique benefits of higher-powered financial analysis. \nGoing far beyond mere accounting (which is necessary\, but not sufficient\, for informed decision-making)\, Mr. Rucinski discusses cash flow and value creation in a comprehensive manner\, synthesizing strategic\, financial\, and economic analyses and insights. \nMr. Rucinski uses easily-understood analogues (e.g.\, buying a house) to provide a powerful\, memorable framework for thinking about and improving complex business decisions. Participants will leave with an enhanced understanding of cash flow\, what drives it\, why it is fundamental to value creation\, and how it differs from often-used (but highly-flawed) metrics like EBITDA. \nParticipants will leave with a deeper appreciation for the importance and unique benefits of in-depth\, fact-based financial analysis in making a wide range of high-dollar\, high-impact\, high-emotion decisions related to both their day-to-day operations and long-term term strategic objectives. Participants will be empowered to ask key questions of their employees and advisors that they previously never considered or knew how to articulate\, resist the urge to accept superficial information and conclusions\, and create and maintain a focus on value creation. \n**************** \nEric Rucinski is Founder and Principal of Advanta Consulting LLC\, an independent consulting firm that focuses on strategy\, corporate development\, growth initiatives\, M&A\, financial modeling / valuation\, investment decisions\, capital structure\, and special projects. He is a trusted senior adviser to top executives (including CEOs at public and private companies) and owners (including high-net-worth individuals and families). \nHis 25+ years of experience includes high-impact full-time strategy\, corporate development\, and M&A roles at The Wendy’s Company\, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company\, Limited Brands\, Borden Capital (private equity)\, and Salomon Smith Barney (Wall Street investment banking). \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:30 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:50 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Eric \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/cash-flow-value-creation/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Headshot-Eric-Rucinski-TIGER-Talk-Blank-030626.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T203000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260309T014725Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T014725Z UID:10000448-1773856800-1773865800@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:From Pressure to Power: The Inner Habits of High Performers DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH 43054\nWednesday 3/18/26\, 6:00 – 8:30 pm\nPlease arrive at 6:00 pm. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends.\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Dr. Julie A. Wilkes\, PhD\, and your fellow participants. \n“Healthy Habits for High Achievers” is a new series presented by Innovate New Albany in collaboration with Healthy New Albany. \nThis series is designed to help hard-driving innovators and other high-achievers to improve their own health and their effectiveness as leaders of highly capable teams and value-creating businesses. \nEvents in this series will provide methods and tools for high achievers to achieve big professional goals without sacrificing their own health or the health of the teams they lead. \n*************** \nThis event is the 2nd in this new series. \nHigh performers don’t just manage calendars; they manage their inner world. In this session\, Dr. Julie Wilkes will help us uncover the “inner code” that drives performance: the beliefs you carry\, the emotional patterns you repeat under pressure\, and the habits that either protect your energy or quietly drain it. \nYou’ll identify your default high-achiever archetype\, spot the limiting beliefs and emotional entanglements that trigger unhelpful behaviors\, and learn a simple\, repeatable strategy to shift from reactive pressure to grounded power\, without losing your edge. \n*************** \nDr. Julie A. Wilkes is a published author\, motivational speaker\, and executive leader with a PhD in Organizational Psychology and a Master’s degree in Human Behavior. For more than 27 years\, she has served in executive-level roles within Fortune 10 companies\, translating complex research\, data\, and evidence-based practices into real-world strategies that drive measurable results inside organizations. \nDr. Wilkes has spoken across the globe\, from stages in London to engagements connected to the White House\, bringing science to life in ways that are practical\, energizing\, and deeply human. Her work focuses on leadership development\, performance psychology\, and sustainable high achievement\, helping individuals and organizations build structural integrity from the inside out. \nBeyond the corporate world\, she is an entrepreneur who owns multiple business concepts and is passionate about integrating wellbeing\, resilience\, and performance into everyday leadership. As a heart disease survivor who has overcome cardiac arrest\, Dr. Wilkes brings a rare combination of lived resilience and academic rigor to her message. \nAt home\, she is the proud dog mom to two beautiful pups who remind her daily that energy\, loyalty\, and presence are powerful leadership traits too. \n*************** \nLike all Innovate New Albany programs\, this event is FREE. \nSchedule: \n6:00 pm – Light Bites & Mingling \n6:45 pm – Presentation by Dr. Wilkes \n7:45 pm – More Mingling \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/from-pressure-to-power-the-inner-habits-of-high-performers/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:Healthy Habits for High Achievers,TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Headshot-Julie-Wilkes-HHHA-Blank-031826-second.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260207T192551Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260207T192743Z UID:10000442-1774004400-1774011600@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Designing a Company for Success in the AI Era DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 3/20/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Ryan Frederick\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends.\nJoin us for insights on achieving business success in the AI era – from one of our very popular and valued speakers over the past several years\, Ryan Frederick. \nAmong the timely topics Ryan will cover: \n\nWhat it means to be AI first\nWhy AI adoption is the wrong objective\nWhy humans are often the bottleneck (not the solution)\nWinning when everyone else has the same AI\n\n*************** \nRyan Frederick is an AI advisor\, investor\, and national speaker who has shared his insights on artificial intelligence and its macro impacts at more than 50 conferences and events across the country in 2025 alone. \nAs Principal at Transform Labs\, he helps organizations leverage AI\, automation\, and intelligent systems to drive efficiency\, productivity\, and growth. Ryan works closely with executives\, founders\, and boards to translate AI’s potential into practical strategy\, bridging the gap between emerging technology and business transformation. \nThrough the AI Transform Fund\, Ryan invests in category-defining AI companies reshaping industries and business models for the next decade. \nRyan’s unique vantage point advising clients implementing AI today while investing in the AI of tomorrow gives him a rare\, pragmatic perspective on what’s working\, what isn’t\, and where opportunity truly lies. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Ryan \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/designing-a-company-for-success-in-the-ai-era/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Headshot-Ryan-Frederick-TIGER-Talk-Blank-032026.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260327T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260327T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260208T002623Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260208T002623Z UID:10000443-1774609200-1774616400@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Science and Storytelling: Turning Data and Evidence into Understanding and Belief DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 3/27/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speakers\, Andrew Summerfield & Laura Cree\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends.\nJoin Andrew Summerfield & Laura Cree for this important TIGER Talk. \nYou can change lives with science. But you change minds with story. \nIn science-based industries like biotech and medtech\, data is essential\, but it’s not enough. Whether you’re seeking investment\, recruiting talent\, entering the clinic\, or bringing a product to market\, you need more than mechanisms of action and proof points. You need a compelling narrative that makes people care. \nThis session explores the strategic role of narrative and visual storytelling in the life sciences. We’ll look at how stories shape perception\, unlock understanding\, and inspire belief. You’ll walk away with a clearer sense of why story matters in science\, what it makes possible\, and how to use it to amplify your impact at every stage of the innovation lifecycle. \nWho It’s For: \n\n\nFounders\, CEOs\, and CMOs in scientific\, technology-based\, or data-driven fields \n\n\nTeams preparing to fundraise\, launch\, or enter a new market \n\n\nScientists and innovators looking to build belief around their work \n\n\nAnyone who needs to explain complex science or technology to non-scientific audiences \n\n\nKey Takeaways: \n\n\nThe neuroscience behind storytelling: what story does that data alone can’t \n\n\nHow visual and verbal storytelling work together to make complex science understandable\, memorable\, and credible \n\n\nHow to frame your science through story without losing rigor (or risking compliance) \n\n\nThe role of storytelling across the lifecycle\, from pitch to product \n\n\n*************** \nAndrew R. Summerfield is a brand strategist\, creative director\, and agency founder with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations clarify who they are and how they communicate. He is President and Creative Director of Summerfield Advertising and a Founding Partner of Genetica Creative\, where he brings strategic brand clarity to biotech\, medtech\, and life sciences organizations by shaping how they define\, position\, and express their brands. \nShaped by a career in design and visual communication\, Andrew brings a strategy-first\, clarity-driven approach to branding and storytelling. He has worked with startups\, nonprofits\, and Fortune 500 companies at key moments such as fundraising\, market entry\, and product launch\, helping teams frame and communicate their value\, vision\, and purpose. A graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design\, Andrew has been active in education and community service\, including serving on the CCAD Board of Trustees. His work has earned national recognition\, along with local recognition from Columbus Business First’s Forty Under 40 and 20 People to Know in Advertising & PR. \nLaura Cree is a B2B writer and science storyteller with more than 30 years of cross-industry experience in marketing\, content strategy\, and communication. From the pharmaceutical and medical device industries to neurotechnology and public health\, she brings technical subjects to life through white papers\, case studies\, blogs\, lead-generation campaigns\, and trade articles. At Genetica Creative\, she partners with biotech\, life sciences\, and medtech organizations to translate complex science into clear\, credible\, and compelling narratives that support growth\, adoption\, and trust. \nGrounded in a background in educational publishing and edtech\, Laura brings a clarity-first\, audience-centered approach to science communication. Over the past 15 years\, she has focused her work on science- and technology-driven industries\, helping organizations explain complex ideas without oversimplifying them. She combines strategic insight with deep respect for scientific rigor\, supporting teams across the innovation lifecycle. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Andrew & Laura \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/science-and-storytelling-turning-data-and-evidence-into-understanding-and-belief/ LOCATION:OH CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Headshot-Summerfield-Cree-TIGER-Talk-Blank-032726.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260417T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260301T210926Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260301T210926Z UID:10000445-1776423600-1776430800@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:From Connection to Relationship DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 4/17/26\, 10:45 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Dave Cherry\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 10:45 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends.\nIn this engaging TIGER Talk\, Dave Cherry\, principal of Cherry Advisory\, shares the core ideas behind his upcoming book – a compilation of real-world experiences and practical advice on building meaningful professional relationships with intention and authenticity. \nDrawing on years as an independent consultant and trusted relationship builder\, Dave offers simple\, actionable strategies for creating genuine connections that stand the test of time.Attendees will learn how to move beyond transactional interactions and instead cultivate trust\, credibility\, and lasting professional rapport rooted in authentic human connection. Through relatable stories and practical ideas\, Dave will show how thoughtful relationship-building can open doors\, strengthen your personal brand\, and create opportunities for both you and those around you. \nYou’ll leave this session with immediately usable ideas to deepen relationships\, expand your influence\, and create momentum in your career and business – all fueled by genuine human connection. \n*************** \nDave Cherry is a problem solver\, executive strategist and speaker with over 30 years of experience working with clients across industries to define a customer experience strategy\, enabled by innovation/technology and measured/informed by analytics. \nHe is a member of the International Institute of Analytics Expert Panel\, serves on the Advisory Board for Women in Analytics\, and has been a guest lecturer and taught courses at several universities. He is also the co-author of “Analytics Interpreted: A Compilation of Perspectives”. \nDave has worked with and for leading organizations such as LBrands\, Polo Ralph Lauren\, Pfizer\, Ascena Retail Group\, Journeys\, DSW\, J Jill\, Disney\, Alliance Data\, Nationwide Insurance\, AEP\, Huntington Bank\, Cardinal Health\, OhioHealth\, John Deere\, Deloitte Consulting\, and Price Waterhouse as well as numerous Private Equity and Venture Capital firms. \nHe holds a BS in Economics with a dual degree in Finance and Law from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE.\n10:45 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Dave \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/from-connection-to-relationship/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Headshot-Cherry-TIGER-Talk-Blank-041726.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260424T104500 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260424T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260214T030146Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260214T030146Z UID:10000444-1777027500-1777035600@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:The AI Symposium: The Path to Artificial General Intelligence DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 4/24/26\, 10:45 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, David Staley\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 10:45 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends.\nWhat happens when artificial intelligence systems engage in dialogue? Join us for this TIGER Talk and find out! \nThis presentation by David J. Staley\, PhD will report on a groundbreaking experiment: three Large Language Models (LLMs) brought together in conversation with David. \nAs the AI models interact with each other\, they grapple with profound questions: What is insight? Can AI be creative? What constitutes consciousness? What role do assumptions play in cognition? What is responsibility? Drawing inspiration from ancient philosophical traditions\, this experimental work pushes the boundaries of how we think about artificial intelligence. \nBased on anthropologist David Graeber‘s observation that “real thought is almost entirely dialogic\,” the presentation investigates whether LLMs in conversation with each other can achieve “dialogic artificial intelligence\,” a path to artificial general intelligence. \n*************** \nDavid J. Staley is a writer\, designer\, futurist\, historian\, presenter\, educator\, advisor\, public intellectual\, and has been described as an “avant garde scholar” and “eclectic academic.” \nHe is an Associate Professor in the departments of History and Design at The Ohio State University. \nDavid is the author of several books\, including: \n\nThe AI Symposium\nAlternative Universities: Speculative Design for Innovation in Higher Education\nKnowledge Towns: Colleges and Universities as Talent Magnets\nAnticipatory Biographies: Personal Histories of the Future\nVisionary Histories\, a collection of his essays about the future\n\nDavid is the host of the “Voices of Excellence” podcast\, and president of Columbus Futurists\, a local think tank. In 2022 he was awarded “Best Freelance Writer” by the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists for his “Next” futures column with Columbus Underground. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE.\n10:45 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to David \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/the-ai-symposium-the-path-to-artificial-general-intelligence/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Headshot-David-Staley-Blank-042426.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260501T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260501T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260110T180911Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T012630Z UID:10000433-1777633200-1777640400@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Beyond the Transaction: Using Web3 to Convert Customers to Stakeholders DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 5/1/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Shaun Pannell\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends. \nLearn how Web3 technologies can help brands move beyond a transactional mindset to a relationship-centric approach. \nDiscover strategies to transform passive consumers into a collaborative community of stakeholders. \n*************** \nOur TIGER Talk presenter\, Shaun Pannell\, is an experienced marketing and business development professional at an Am Law 200 corporate law firm. \nShaun is adept at leveraging digital marketing techniques\, data analytics and data visualization to drive tangible business growth. He is also passionate about exploring emerging technologies and their potential impact across various sectors. \nShaun’s commitment to making a meaningful difference extends beyond his professional roles. He serves on the board of directors for HERO USA\, Inc. and Conscious Capitalism Columbus. HERO USA helps disadvantaged youth to experience outdoor recreational and adventure sports. Conscious Capitalism champions the adoption of stakeholder-focused and purpose-driven business practices. \nShaun is equipped with certifications in blockchain\, digital assets\, and product management\, and possesses a comprehensive understanding of innovative technologies and their transformative potential in today’s evolving business landscape. He is eager to connect with professionals who share his passion for advancing the forefront of emerging technologies. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (your “15 Seconds of Fame”) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Shaun \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ \n \n \n \n\n  URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/beyond-the-transaction-using-web3-to-convert-customers-to-stakeholders/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Headshot-Shaun-Pannell-TIGER-Talk-Blank-020426.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260508T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260508T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260201T154436Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T015010Z UID:10000439-1778238000-1778245200@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:MCP vs. AI Agents - learn the difference & what large enterprises are using to scale AI adoption & drive business impact DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 5/8/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Brandon Levine\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 11:00 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends.\nPlease join us for this cutting edge TIGER Talk focused on how AI Agents and MCP infrastructure are enabling large enterprises to deliver meaningful impact on business results. \nNote: MCP = Model Context Protocol \nOur presenter\, Brandon Levine\, will cover: \n1. The Fundamental Difference\nClear explanation of what AI Agents are (the “who”) vs. what MCP is (the “how”) \n2. Enterprise Adoption Challenges\nThe three critical blockers enterprises face: security governance\, integration chaos\, and ungovernable access \n3. Real-World Solutions\nHow large enterprises are successfully scaling AI through enterprise-grade MCP infrastructure with: \n\nMulti-system orchestration capabilities\nGranular permission scoping\nProduction-ready scale (5\,000+ requests/second)\n\n4. Practical Use Cases\nIncluding: \n\nMulti-system AI orchestration (complex workflows across Salesforce\, Gong\, Gmail\, Snowflake\, etc.)\nPersonal AI assistants at scale (1\,000+ employees with controlled access)\n\nDuring the session\, Brandon will provide live demonstrations of: \n\nSales AI Agent – Showing autonomous multi-step workflows and decision-making\nData MCP Server – Demonstrating governed enterprise data access with security controls\n\nThese real-world examples will illustrate exactly how MCP and AI Agents work together in production environments. \nThe key message: MCP isn’t competing with AI Agents – it’s the critical infrastructure layer that makes enterprise AI agent deployment safe\, scalable\, and governable. \nBrandon has also incorporated insights from recent enterprise implementations showing how companies are moving from “AI experiments” to “AI in production” by solving the governance and integration challenges. \n*************** \nBrandon Levine works at the intersection of emerging AI technology and real-world business transformation\, guiding Fortune 500 companies through the practical adoption of agentic systems. \nAs VP of Agentic AI at Workato\, Brandon leads a specialist team helping enterprises deploy AI agents and automation at scale. Brandon brings both hands-on technical depth and executive-level perspective to the rapidly evolving AI agent landscape\, making him a trusted voice on how organizations can harness AI agents for measurable business impact.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE. \nTimeline: \n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Brandon \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/mcp-vs-ai-agents-learn-the-difference-what-large-enterprises-are-using-to-scale-ai-adoption-drive-business-impact/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Headshot-Brandon-Levine-TIGER-Talk-Blank-021326.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260515T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260515T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260302T235247Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T235456Z UID:10000446-1778842800-1778850000@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Effective Data Visualization: Neuroscience-Based Techniques DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 5/15/26\, 10:45 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Tim Wilson\, and your fellow participants. \nPlease arrive at 10:45 am. Eat. Mingle. Make new friends.\nIs data visualization\, at its core\, about making the data aesthetically pleasing? \nIn this TIGER Talk\, Tim Wilson will make the case that the answer is an emphatic\, “No!”…but that that is often a beneficial side effect of data visualizations that do what they most need to do: help the audience understand the information being presented. \n“Understanding” is a function of the brain\, so it makes sense that effective data visualization should be grounded in neuroscience and psychology. \nIn this talk\, Tim will introduce some foundational concepts from these fields: the three types of memory\, Miller’s Law\, and cognitive load. From there\, he will cover specific techniques that are a natural outgrowth of these concepts\, including maximizing the data-pixel ratio\, the power of McKinsey titles\, and why horizontal bar charts generally (but not always!) are more impactful than pie charts. \nThese concepts will all be demonstrated with examples that drive home their breadth of applicability and impact. \n*************** \nTim Wilson is the Head of Solutions at facts & feelings\, a business consultancy that helps organization put their data to productive use. He is the co-author of “Analytics the Right Way: A Business Leader’s Guide to Putting Data to Productive Use”\, has co-hosted the Analytics Power Hour podcast since 2015\, and has been a co-organizer of the monthly Columbus Data and Analytics Wednesday meetup since 2008. \nTim has been an analytics practitioner since 2001\, working in a variety of roles\, from managing the BI team at a high tech B2B company\, to leading the analytics teams at several marketing agencies\, to consulting directly with companies—many of them in the Fortune Global 500—to help them improve the impact of their investments in data and analytics. He has worked with organizations that span a broad range of industries\, including: financial services\, consumer packaged goods\, retail\, philanthropic foundations\, pharma\, and healthcare. \nWhile Tim has physically resided in Columbus\, since 2007\, his soul maintains near-full-time residency in Austin\, Texas. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE.\n10:45 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Tim \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/effective-data-visualization-neuroscience-based-techniques/ LOCATION:OH CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Headshot-Tim-Wilson-TIGER-Talk-Blank-051526.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260612T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260612T130000 DTSTAMP:20260403T152542 CREATED:20260403T005045Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T005652Z UID:10000452-1781262000-1781269200@innovatenewalbany.org SUMMARY:Agentic Commerce 101: How AI is Transforming Retail & eCommerce DESCRIPTION:7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\nNew Albany\, OH 43054\nFriday 6/12/26\, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\nBe ready to interact with our featured speaker\, Ryan Lunka\, and your fellow participants. \nEat. Mingle. Make new friends.\nAI agents are turning into a real sales channel\, and retailers need to figure out what that actually means for them. \nIn this TIGER Talk\, Ryan Lunka will cut through the hype to cover the platforms\, protocols\, and payment players shaping agentic commerce right now. We’ll also cover what’s coming next. You’ll leave with a practical framework for deciding if\, when\, and how to move. \n*************** \nRyan Lunka is a product and operations leader with almost 20 years of experience across enterprise software\, consulting\, and high-growth startups\, spanning commerce\, integration\, and AI. He is VP of AI and Agentic at Aries Solutions\, where he focuses on turning emerging AI capabilities into practical systems inside enterprise commerce environments. \nHe previously co-founded and led Doohickey AI\, a venture-backed startup\, overseeing product\, fundraising\, and go-to-market. Earlier in his career\, he spent nearly a decade in consulting\, leading large-scale digital and enterprise software implementations\, and later served on the executive team at nChannel. \nHis work sits at the intersection of product\, engineering\, and operations\, with a focus on turning complex problems into systems that actually ship. He speaks about applied AI\, product strategy\, and how to operationalize real-world systems without the hype. \n*************** \nLike all TIGER Events\, this talk is FREE.\n11:00 am – Coffee\, Snacks\, & Socializing \n11:15 am – Lunch & More Socializing \n11:45 am – Introduce yourself to our crowd (10 seconds please) \n12:05 pm – Hand-off to Ryan \n1:00 pm – Wrap & Resume Socializing \n\n \n Name*\n \n \n First\n \n \n \n \n Last\n \n \n \n Email*\n \n Company*Consent to Use My Image & Voice*By registering for & participating in this event\, I am consenting to the recording of my image and/or voice. I am also authorizing Innovate New Albany to use photographs\, video\, and audio recordings containing my image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.\n \n I AGREE\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/agentic-commerce-101-how-ai-is-transforming-retail-ecommerce/ LOCATION:INNOVATE NEW ALBANY – NEW LOCATION\, 7775 Walton Pkwy\, Suite 100\, New Albany\, OH\, 43054\, United States CATEGORIES:TIGER Talk ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://innovatenewalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Headshot-RYan-Lunka-TIGER-Blank-061226.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR