Keynote Panelist

In 2005, Desh Bagley founded TechPlayzone®, igniting a robotics revolution that has inspired and educated thousands of Florida students while propelling her onto the global stage. Today, as the 2022 XR Women Real Impact Award recipient, international STEM advocate, TEDx presenter, Director of Learner Engagement & Leadership for the National Collaborative for Digital Equity, and Executive Director of the State College of Florida’s Advanced Technology Center, Desh continues to shape the future of technology education.

At the Advanced Technology Center, Desh oversees cutting-edge initiatives, including the integration of a digital twin to optimize operations. This digital replica enables real-time tracking of equipment and facility headcount, showcasing how emerging technologies enhance efficiency and collaboration.

Under her leadership, the SCF Coding Academy, a recipient of the CyberFlorida Cyber/IT Pathways grant, is pioneering cybersecurity camps for middle and high school students. By leveraging virtual reality platforms, these camps engage students in immersive career and educational exploration.

Workshop Leader, Rise Above: Thriving in the Face of Microaggression

Christine Hobbi is a visionary instructional designer and immersive learning expert with a dynamic career spanning over two decades. As the Founder and Chief Immersion Officer of ServiceAlliances (SERVALL), she leads a global effort to revolutionize training and safety programs through cutting-edge XR and AI technologies. Christine specializes in impactful learning experiences for industries from aviation to corporate leadership. Her expertise includes designing custom VR/AR simulations for safety, warehouse operations, and professional development programs, including those aligned with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) certification.

With advanced degrees in Human Relations and Learning Psychology, along with multiple certifications in instructional design and extended reality, Christine is committed to enhancing learning effectiveness through innovation. Her work has empowered organizations worldwide by combining emerging technologies with a deep understanding of human behavior and adult learning theory.

Workshop Leader: Keys to Successful Immersive Healthcare Apps (Sponsored by the Khronos Group)

Laura Kusumoto is a proven executive leader, skilled in the disciplines of emerging technology adoption. Her expertise is “practical innovation” - identifying the business value that emerging technologies bring, and guiding the processes to validate and put them to work. Her passion is helping groups identify and align on the optimal problems to target with innovative solutions, then driving towards successful piloting and implementation. Laura formed IterationZero LLC to offer innovation strategy and technology services that draw upon time-tested methods from her experience with Meta, Deloitte, Disney, Kaiser Permanente, LEGO and various startups. Laura currently serves on the Board Executive Committee for the Virtual Worlds Society, and on the Advisory Board for XR Women.

Organizer and Moderator, Keynote Panel

Ginna Lambert is Content Director and Co-Founder of LighthouseXR, VR Director of Photography, Beyond Inclusion Ambassador, Ex-Expat, Immersive Media Artist, and proud Director of the XR Women Museum and Gallery.

Workshop Leader

Prisca Milliance is an innovative leader in the field of fashion design and technology. With over 10 years of experience in both academia and the fashion industry, Professor Milliance effortlessly blends her affinity for emerging technologies with contemporary pedagogy. She holds a MS in Fashion Design from Drexel University and specializes in the intersections of fashion, education, and tech.

After serving as lead professor at Miami Dade College's acclaimed Fashion Institute, Prisca launched the Digital Fashion Institute in 2023 to extend her reach in order to share her passion for tech with the wider fashion community. This new platform intends to build a creative community in the web3 space focused on art and education.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Prisca is a mentor to emerging designers, collaborates with fashion brands on 3D strategies, and occasionally facilitates workshops on the latest trends in fashion tech. She is deeply passionate about creating an inclusive and tech focused fashion education environment, where students are encouraged to think critically about the future of the industry.

Workshop Leader: GroKit Core: An AI and Spatial Computing Development Acceleration Platform

Robin Moulder is an entrepreneur, producer, and musician innovating on the cutting edge of immersive game development and storytelling. As a pioneer in Virtual Reality, Robin led 3lb Games into the XR space, where they recently won Best Indie Creator at the AWE 2024 Auggie Awards. Under Robin's leadership, 3lb Games has released the galactic, planet-destroying game Space Dragon, the highly rated Movement system for Oculus, Slime Rancher VR Playground, and the story adventure Vault of Stars (Oculus Launch Pad recipient), then leveraged this experience to partner with XR Workout to create a gamified, mixed reality, hand-tracking, full body workout in XR. 3lb also recently launched the beta of GroKit Core, an AI and Spatial Computing development platform built on years of game development expertise. 

Robin is a recognized authority in the realm of spatial computing and has dedicated her career to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the immersive computing landscape. She has released several albums and EPs, toured with major national acts, and is the audio designer and composer for numerous game titles.

Keynote Panelist

Amber Santos is a distinguished nursing professional with over two decades of experience spanning pediatric care, research, leadership, and academia. Amber obtained her Master of Science of Nursing (MSN), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Jacksonville University. Beginning her career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, she later transitioned to research, focusing on pulmonary and hematology/oncology care. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor and Director of Innovation and Immersive Learning at Jacksonville University's Keigwin School of Nursing. As a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), Amber's primary focus and passion lies in immersive learning, which she believes is key to enhancing student engagement, developing clinical judgment, and facilitating a smooth transition to practice for nursing students. Her commitment to advancing the nursing profession is evident through active involvement in professional organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the First Coast Affiliate of the ANPD (FC-ANPD), the Society for Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs & Leaders (SONIEL), and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.