Fusion Speakers

Speakers

Get to know this year’s leaders in learning innovation. Join these experts and practitioners as they discuss new challenges, solutions and opportunities in learning.

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Main Stage Speakers

John Baker
CEO, D2L

John Baker
CEO, D2L
John Baker founded D2L in 1999, at the age of 22, while a student at the University of Waterloo. He envisioned D2L as a global software company dedicated to changing the way the world learns.

John is a strong believer in community involvement and devotes both his personal and business efforts to supporting young entrepreneurs who are developing and applying technology to improve society worldwide. He was appointed to the Governing Council of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. He is also a member (Entrepreneurs’ Circle) of the Business Council of Canada and the Business Higher Education Roundtable, is past chair of the board of Communitech, and is a board member of Canada’s National Ballet School. John has been awarded the Meritorious Service Cross, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Ontario for Software and Technology), the Young Alumni Achievement Medal from the University of Waterloo, and the Intrepid Entrepreneur of the Year in the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.

John graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honors B.A.Sc. in systems design engineering, with First Class Honors and an option in management sciences.
Barry Dahl
Teaching and Learning Advocate, D2L

Barry Dahl
Teaching and Learning Advocate, D2L
Barry Dahl is the Teaching & Learning Advocate at D2L.

Prior to D2L, Barry served as the Vice President of Technology and Lake Superior Connect e-Campus at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN, where he was the senior administrator in charge of online learning. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Instructional Technology Council that concentrates on providing useful services to member schools. He has a total of 27 years of work experience within higher education, and also milked his college student career for as long as he possibly could.
Anita Joshi
Customer Success Specialist, D2L

Anita Joshi
Customer Success Specialist, D2L
Anita Joshi is a Customer Success Specialist at D2L. She loves empowering her clients to reach every learner and guiding them through strengthening their adoption of Brightspace. Anita has a wealth of knowledge and experience in Ed-Tech, with over 15 years experience working in Customer Success, Account Management, Sales, and Training. She’s also spent time in the classroom as an elementary teacher and ran her own successful preschool before joining D2L in 2020. Anita is passionate about how technology in education can truly transform the way the world learns.
Stephen Laster
President, D2L

Stephen Laster
President, D2L
At D2L, Stephen leads D2L’s strategy, product, services, sales, and marketing teams, working alongside Founder and CEO John Baker. He is focused on delivering world-class product and customer experiences that enable D2L’s customers to reimagine learning.

Stephen has over 25 years of leadership experience in digital transformation, product development and technology enablement. Before joining D2L, Stephen was the Chief Product Officer of Ellucian, the market-leading student information system provider for global higher education. Prior to Ellucian, Stephen held critical roles including Chief Product Officer for Penn Foster, Chief Digital Officer for McGraw Hill Education, and Chief Information Officer for the Harvard Business School. He also served as a Trustee, member of the faculty, and head of innovation for Babson College. Previously, Stephen founded and ran Intelligent Solutions, LLC, a higher education technology consulting firm. Stephen has been a board member of IMS Global, Microsoft Higher Education Advisory Board, The Online Learning Consortium, and FineTune Learning.

Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and an MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. He lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts with his wife Debi and their two children.
Christian Pantel
SVP, UX Development and Design, D2L

Christian Pantel
SVP, UX Development and Design, D2L
Jack Pinette
Senior Director, Market Segments, D2L

Jack Pinette
Senior Director, Market Segments, D2L
Jeannette McNamara
Director, Product Management, D2L

Jeannette McNamara
Director, Product Management, D2L
Joel Guerin
Senior Director, Technical Account Management, D2L

Joel Guerin
Senior Director, Technical Account Management, D2L
Kathleen Murphy
Manager, Learning Solutions, D2L

Kathleen Murphy
Manager, Learning Solutions, D2L
Laura Janusek
Senior Product Manager, D2L

Laura Janusek
Senior Product Manager, D2L
Meera Vignarajah
VP, Customer Success, D2L

Meera Vignarajah
VP, Customer Success, D2L
Sasha Thackberry
SVP, Wave, D2L

Sasha Thackberry
SVP, Wave, D2L
Talithia Williams
Big Data Expert, Math Professor & Host of NOVA Wonders
Talithia Williams
Big Data Expert, Math Professor & Host of NOVA Wonders
A host of the PBS series, NOVA Wonders, Dr. Talithia Williams is a groundbreaking professor, popular TED speaker, inspiring author and passionate STEM/STEAM advocate. She has made it her life’s work to get people of all ages and backgrounds excited about the bold possibilities of a STEM education and to “STEMpower” women and minorities to enter these professions. Her latest book, Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics reflects Williams’ passion to re-brand the field of mathematics as anything but dry, technical or male-dominated. Renowned for her popular TED Talk, “Own Your Body’s Data,” she advocates for all of us to deploy data as a way of taking charge of our own health. A vibrant, engaging and energizing speaker, Dr. Williams demystifies data, statistics, probabilities and the mathematical process in amusing and insightful ways. She also passionately champions the contributions of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians and their vital role in transforming our future.

Dr. Williams is Associate Dean for Research and Experiential Learning and Associate Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, where she develops statistical models which emphasize the spatial and temporal structure of data, and applies them to real world problems. Focused on data analytics, mathematics, statistical modeling and STEM Outreach, she is the first African-American woman to achieve tenure at the college. She hosts NOVA Wonders, a PBS mini-series that explores the biggest questions on the frontiers of science. The Los Angeles Times praised the show for sending the message “that scientists come in a range of ages, genders, colors and hairstyles.” She also appeared in NOVA’s Prediction by the Numbers, a series exploring the history of probabilities and gambling which Forbes called, “an entertaining, fun piece that conveys her knowledgeable and deep interest in this predictive method.” In addition to her teaching and television work, she has partnered with the World Health Organization in developing a cataract model used to predict the cataract surgical rate for countries in Africa. Her professional experiences include research appointments at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and the National Security Agency.

An exceptional communicator and gifted teacher, Dr. Williams won the Mathematical Association of America’s Henry L. Alder Award for distinguished teaching. She also developed a 24-part college level lecture series on learning statistics for The Great Courses, an online platform for lifelong learners. Dr. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Spelman College, a master’s degree in mathematics from Howard University and a Ph.D. in statistics from Rice University.

Described by audiences as engaging, relevant, funny, accessible, and a joy to work with, Dr. Williams captivates and inspires with her contagious enthusiasm for STEM in general and math in particular. Applying the data-driven approach made famous in her TED talk to a range of subjects, she takes sophisticated numerical concepts and makes them understandable to a wide audience, debunking perceptions with an energizing call to “show me the data!”

Topics:
The STEM Mindset: Creating the Future Generation

Bringing Diversity to STEM: A Lesson in Disruptive Innovation

Becoming an Agent of Change for Inclusive Education

Innovative Technology: Engaging Students in Mathematics

Using Data-informed Decisions to Drive Student Success in Higher Ed

Personal Health Data Mining: The Empowered Patient

Data Driven Strategies for Eliminating Health Disparities

Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics

Featured Speakers

Andy Thomas
CPA Canada Vice-President, Precertification Education
CPA Canada
Angela Gunder
Chief Academic Officer
OLC
Artesha Moore
President & CEO
Association Forum
Barry Sugarman
Vice President, Learning Platforms
UMGC
Bethany Simunich
VP of Innovation & Research
Quality Matters
Dr. Jonathan Chee
Senior Manager, Administration and Analytics
Learning Academy | Temasek Polytechnic
Evan Silberman
University Executive Director
CUNY
Gary Flowers
CIO+
Year-Up
Scott Sahs
Director – Education Technology
Mayo Clinic
Tracy Folkes-Hansen
President and CEO
CSAE

Speakers

Aaron Barber
General Manager
The Real Estate Institute of NSW
Abby Borbon
Assistant Program Manager eLearning Quality
Pima Community College
Abby Razer
Instructional Technologist
Southern Illinois University
Adam Hagen
Senior Educational Technology Consultant
Purdue University
Adam Ragan Amodeo
Senior Instructional Technologist
University of Arizona
Adam Finkelstein
Associate Director, Learning Environments
McGill University
Addi Sweet
Senior Support Specialist
Purdue University
Alex Mason
Assistive Technology Specialist
Purdue University West Lafayette
Alex Walters
Instructional Design Manager
Medical University of South Carolina
Alexa Temparali
Instructional Designer/Adjunct Faculty
Eastern University
Alexandra Nestro
Academic Technology Support Analyst
Southern New Hampshire University
Allie Gourley
Instructional Technology Consultant
DePaul University
Allison Pelletier
Web Content Manager
DePaul University
Allison Sinclair
Alyssa Imes
Instructional Designer
LAPU
Amy Hamman
Senior Instructional Technologist
University of Arizona
Amy Haston
Senior Educational Technology Consultant
Purdue University
Amy Lavender
Assistant Director
WebMBA
Amy Moretti
System Administrator
DePaul University
Amy Waters
Instructional Designer 2
Augusta University Online
Ana Kuronen-Shoemaker

D2L
Angela Bryant
System Administrator (LMS)
Dallas College
Angela Jackson
Digital Accessibility Coordinator
University of South Dakota
Angela Jackson
Digital Accessibility Coordinator
University of South Dakota
Angela Guadagno
Academic Associate
McGill University
Angelia Huggins
Managing Director
WebMBA
Angie Gomez
Manager, Learning Experience Design
University of Florida – Lastinger Center for Learning
Anita Joshi
Ann Reinhart
Senior Project Manager
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Anna Galka
Learning Technologies Educational Consultant
University of Windsor
Anna Ngoloyi
Ms
Tshwane University of Technology
Anna Carrie Webb
Executive Director, Distance Education
Austin Peay State University
Anthony Nappi
Instructional Designer
Lastinger Center for Learning
Anuja Kulkarni
Software Developer
SNHU
Aurea Osgood
Learning Systems and Services Manager
Winona State University
Barry Dahl
Teaching & Learning Advocate
D2L
Ben Holmes
Senior Educational Technology Consultant
Purdue University
Bill Harlow
Director of Learning and Student Technology
Ultimate Medical Academy
Brittany Smalls
Coordinator of Instructional Technology
Medical University of South Carolina
Cameron Bentley
Ast Dir AUOnline Instruct Desg
Augusta University Online
Cameron Bentley
Asst Director of Instructional Design
Augusta University
Carolyn Vos
Assistant Director of Instructional Technology and Data Strategy
DePaul University
Carolyn Wagner
Instructional Designer, Digital Learning and Design
New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Catesby Willis
Learning Experience Design
University of Florida – Lastinger Center for Learning
Chelsea Timlin
Assistant Director, Instructional Technologies
University of Arizona
Chris Lawrence
Creative Services Director
Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Christina Partin
Senior Product Manager
National University – Harmony Academy
Christopher Grignard
Assistant Professor
Mount Royal University
Christopher Stucker
Implementation Strategist
D2L
Clint Surry
Educator, Secondary Coordinator
SiDES – South Island Distance Education School
Craig Engstrom
Director Center for Teaching Excellence
Southern Illinois University
Craig Romanec
D2L Training Consultant
D2L
Cristi Ford
VP, Academic Affairs
D2L
Crystal Faulkner
Assistant Director, Instructional Technology
Austin Peay State University
Dana Knarr
D2L Program Manager
D2L
Danielle Curry
Learning Experience Designer
Eastern University
David Gomes

D2L
David McGeary

D2L
David Stoffel
Professor, CIT
West Virginia Northern Community College
David Tierney
LMS Administrator
Conestoga College
Dayna Armstrong
Product Growth Director
Bongo
Deb Cherry
Head of Digital Learning
Leo Cussen Centre for Law
Deb Simoes
Training Consultant
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Dede Hourican
Manager of Instructional Technology
Marist College
Dolly Rosenbrook
Department Chair, Business for Creative Industries, BAS
Front Range Community College
Don Griesheimer
Senior Education Technology Designer
American Nurses Association
Donald Snead
Professor
Middle Tennessee State University
Donna Wong
Learning Technology A
McGill University
Dr. Luke Hobson
Senior Instructional Designer and Program Manager at MIT xPRO, an Instructor for the University of Miami’s School of Education and Human Development, and the Founder of Instructional Design Institute
MIT, University of Miami
Elixa Neumann
Intermediate and Secondary Teacher
Burnaby Online
Elizabeth Pearsall
Assistant Provost, Teaching & Learning
The American College
Eric Mosterd
Assistant Director, Center for Teaching & Learning / e-Education Fellow
University of South Dakota / South Dakota Board of Regents
Eric Mosterd
Asst. Director Center for Teaching & Learning / e-Education Fellow
University of South Dakota / SD Board of Regents
Eric Shotwell
Solutions Architect
D2L, Ltd.
Eric Young
Manager of Education
Good Roads
Erin Mendoza-Laude
Instructional Designer
Eastern University
Ethan Lynch
Application Developer
Missouri State University
Everett Singleton
Associate Professor
Middle Tennessee State University
George Swindell
Instructor & Program Liaison
Texas A&M University – Commerce
Glen Luttrell
Senior Solutions Engineer
D2L Australia Pty Ltd
Greg Sabatine
Manager, Online Technologies
University of Guelph
Hangmin Zhang
Instructional Designer
MTSU Online
Harold Watkins
Assistant Director of Educational Technology Support Services
Western Michigan University
Harry Cargile
Director of Academic Technology Strategy & Integration
State University of New York
Hassan Sidiqi
Coordinator – Curriculum and Training Services
Good Roads
Heather Roxborough
Learning Specialist for Virtual Learning Environments
New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Isela Castañon Williams
Professor of Child Development and Teacher Preparation
El Paso Community College
Ivette Chuca
Professor
El Paso Community College
Jackie Guan

D2L
Jacqueline Nelles
D2L Trainer
D2L
Jacques Menasche
Technical Program Manager
1EdTech
Jamie Zukic
Instructional Designer
Century College
Jasmine Parent
Learning Technology Consultant
McGill University
Jean Jarick
Solutions Engineer
D2L
Jeff Cobb
Managing Director
Tagoras
Jeff Lenhart
Manager of Digital Learning
triOS College
Jeremy Doolin
Associate Professor, CIT
West Virginia Northern Community College
Joe (Iitsooahp’potah) Eagle Tail Feathers
Director, Spiritual Leader
Sundance Coulee Society
John Baker
Founder and CEO
D2L
John Nimick
Customer Success Director
D2L
John Van Weeren
Vice President, Higher Education
GCOM Software
Jon Neilson
Director of Library & Academic Support Services
Concordia University, St. Paul
Jonathan Werth
Educational Technology Specialist
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Jose De León Alejandro
Mathematics Project Manager & Coordinator
University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning
JP Dunn
IT Manager / Admin. Coord.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
JP Dunn
IT Manager / Admin. Coord.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Julia Liebenrood
Instructional Designer
Medical University of South Carolina
Karen Hein
Instructional Designer
Middle Tennessee State University
Karen LaPlant
Curr Dev/ID/Faculty
Metropolitan State University
Kari Everett
Instructional Design Technologist
Harford Community College
Katarina Raznatovic
D2L Bilingual Trainer
D2L
Kate Fullerton
Instructional Systems Specialist
Pellissippi State Community College
Kate Kozikowski
Senior Educational Technology Consultant
Purdue University
Kate Thomson
Assistant Director of Instructional Design and Technology
Concordia University, St. Paul
Kate Wilhelm

D2L
Kathleen Murphy

D2L
Katie Kotar
Academic Associate
McGill University
Keri Miller
Senior Instructional Technologist
The University of Arizona
Kevan Van Cleave
Manager, Instructional Technology
Ultimate Medical Academy
Kevin Bradbeer
Senior Manager, IT Business Operations
Toronto District School Board
Kim Godwin
Assistant Professor
Middle Tennessee State University
Kim Scalzo
Interim Senior Associate Provost for Digital Innovation and Academic Services
State University of New York
Kim Vossen
Educational Technology Specialist
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Kimberley Donnelly
Coordinator of Developmental Reading & Writing
College of Southern Maryland
Kirsten Anderson

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Krista Lair
Director of Online Learning and Instructional Technology
Missouri State University (West Plains Campus)
Kristin Hrynczuk
Senior Instructional Technology Specialist
Western Michigan University
Kristina Nelson
Senior Instructional Designer
Mayo Clinic
Kristy Burrough

D2L
Kyla Di Perna
Instructional Designer
Good Roads
Kyler Copsey
Systems Administrator (LMS)
Dallas College
Lacey Geiger
Systems Analyst
Missouri State University
Lara Tarantini
Senior Instructional Technologist
University of Arizona
Lauren McMullan
Instructional Technology Specialist
Western Michigan University
Lauren Rigby
Learning Design Strategist
National University
Leo Smith
Senior IT Business Analyst
Purdue Universtiy
Linda Poulin
Director of Educational Programs
The Robb Nash Project
Linda Zelaya
Instructional Technology Specialist
Western Michigan University
Lindsay McCardle

D2L
Lindsay Shipman
Manager, SE Operations
D2L Corporation
Lori Zalivansky
System Administrator
DePaul University
Loy Gross
Online Learning Specialist
SUNY Genesee Community College
Luke Soltys
Senior Implementation Consultant
D2L
Luke Viles
Sr. Instructional Designer
Oklahoma City University
Lynn Thomas
Teacher Consultant of eLearning / DeLC
Grand Erie DSB
Manuel Garzon
LMS Technical Anaylst
UMA
Marc Breschuk
LMS Operations Manager
Brock University
Marcie Vanderkolk
Senior Support Specialist
Marla Wilks
Business Systems Analyst
University System of Georgia
Marty Montgomery
Assistant Manager, eLearning Technical Services
Conestoga College
Marv Funk
Education Director
UFCW Canada
Mary Smith
Director of Instructional Design and Technology
Medical University of South Carolina
Masiha Salma
LMS Technical Analyst
UMA
Mathew McNeeley

D2L
Matt Clare
Director, Technology-Enabled Learning
Brock University
Matthew Richmond
Lead Designer of Learning Content
University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning
Megan Shuker
Group Product Manager
D2L
Melanie Elliott
Manager, Educational Technologies
Brock University
Melanie Hovland
Director, Student Affairs
Ultimate Medical Academy
Melissa Wells
Manager, Learning Experience Design
National Univeristy
Michael Campbell
Business Analyst
University System of Georgia Board of Regents
Michael Crowe
Pivot-Ed MicroCredential
Bow Valley College
Michael Moore

D2L
Michael Slattery
Consultant II
GCOM Software
Michelle Mench
Professor of Criminal Justice
El Paso Community College
Michelle Rivers
Education Program Specialist and Nurse Planner
American Nurses Association
Michelle Schoenecker
Director, Center for Professional Development and Collaboration
Century College
Mike Johnston
Product Manager
D2L
MJ Bishop
Vice President for Integrative Learning Design
University of Maryland Global Campus
Nathan Gardi
eLearning Solutions Architect
Conestoga College
Nathan Gardi
eLearning Solutions Architect
Conestoga College
Nemir Matos-Cintron
Coordinator of Instructional Design
Lastinger Center for Learning
Nishita Chheda
Education Designer
Education Design Lab
Nurbek Imangazin
Educational Technologies Developer
Brock University
Ophelia Holguin
IT Specialist
Pima Community College
Patrick Brunet
Instructional Designer
D2L
Paul Gebb
Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Oklahoma City University
Paula Russell
Senior Director, Center for Learning and Teaching/Electronic Information Technology Accessibility Officer
Binghamton University
Percy Wong
Senior Lecturer
Temasek Polytechnic’s Learning Academy
Popsann Francis
D2l Trainer
D2L
Rachel Bateman
Associate Professor, AS Environmental Studies Program Coordinator and Course Coordinator
College of Southern Maryland
Rachel Carroll
LMS Administrator
Austin Peay State University
Reed Dickson
Director, Online Faculty Experience & Innovation
Pima Community College
Renato Vaz
Full Stack Developer
Conestoga College
Rhonelee Soria

Los Angeles Pacific University
Rob Faltemier
Senior IT Business Analyst
Purdue University
Rose Miller
MSCHE Co-Chair
College of Southern Maryland
Ryan Jimison
Senior Instructional Designer
Mayo Clinic
Sabina Sariyska
Instructional Designer
Education Design Lab
Sai Chandrika Neradabilli
Digital Education Fellow
Marist College
Sarah Gatzke
Academic Technology Support Analyst
Southern New Hampshire University
Sarah Hand
Professor
College of Southern Maryland
Shannon Hagen
District Inclusive Ed / Educational Technology Coordinator
SD71-Comox Valley
Sheila Unwin
Executive Director, Curriculum Services
Aspen University
Stephanie Bernier
Educational Developer
Dalhousie University
Stephanie Vehrs
Director of Online Learning
College of Southern Maryland
Steve Smith
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Creative Development
The Robb Nash Project
Suhayl Patel
Pivot-Ed MicroCredential
Bow Valley College
Susan Mcgee
Technical Manager, LMS
CPA Canada
Susan Yavor
Manager of Instructional Design and Learning Technologies
Eastern University
Tara Laughlin
Director, Skills Development & Validation
Education Design Lab
Tara Perrin
Instructional Designer
Middle Tennessee State University
Teddy Quintoro
Learning Technology Consultant
McGill University
Terri Brown
Director of eLearning
East Georgia State College
Tiffany Butts
Senior Instructional Technology Specialist
Ultimate Medical Academy
Tim Oneal
Instructional Designer
Middle Tennessee State University
Timothy Mosunich
Senior Technology Coordinator
University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning
Tina Parscal
Associate Vice Chancellor for CCCOnline and Academic Affairs for CCCS
Colorado Community College System
Tony Sovak
Director LMS & eLearning Quality
Pima Community College
Tracy Scott
Instructional Designer
Good Roads
Wayne Elliott
Instructional Technologist/LMS Administrator
Monmouth University
Wendy Doolin
Instructional Designer
West Virginia Northern Community College
Wendy Grisham
Business Systems Analyst
University System of Georgia
William Immonen
Business Systems Analyst
University System of Georgia Board of Regents
Zachary Friedman
Manager of Digital Learning Experience
University of Maryland Global Campus
Zala Fashant
Dean/Faculty-retired
Minnesota State Colleges
Zoaib Mirza
Assoicate Vice President
Ultimate Medical Academy

Register for Fusion 2024

July 8–10, 2024 | Toronto, Canada
Network with peers and experts from around the world, discover the latest innovations in learning and explore the topics that matter to you.

Speakers

Main Stage Speakers

John Baker

Barry Dahl

Anita Joshi

Stephen Laster

Christian Pantel

Jack Pinette

Jeannette McNamara

Joel Guerin

Kathleen Murphy

Laura Janusek

Meera Vignarajah

Sasha Thackberry

Talithia Williams

Featured Speakers

Speakers

Register for Fusion 2024