Galina Grunin
I am a hands-on IT practitioner with expert knowledge and experience in deep learning, orchestration and pattern deployment, cloud computing architecture, software-defined storage, software-defined networking, adapting legacy systems for the cloud, web technologies, and application and middleware integration. My achievements in the above fields are recognized by over 40 U.S. patents in which I am a named inventor.
Prior to joining Optum, I was the lead architect/technical lead for various projects at IBM Cloud and IoT divisions. In those roles, I developed a cloud strategy and a reference architecture for cloud-based solutions; evaluated, enabled and optimized key third-party software and technology for potential partnership or acquisition; developed cognitive workloads for the new IoT edge platform; and assisted prospective and actual clients in evaluating and addressing cloud and IoT-related infrastructure, solutions and technologies.
Kerrie Holley
Kerrie Holley joined United Health Group (UHG), Optum, as their first Technology Fellow and Senior Vice President focused on advancing and applying several technologies like artificial intelligence, deep learning, natural language processing, graph databases, IoT, genomics, and ambient computing.
Kerrie spent the bulk of his career at IBM where he was an IBM Fellow, Master Inventor and now IBM Fellow Emeritus. He was IBM’s first African American Distinguished Engineer. He is fond of appearing on ABC News and a TED talk to discuss IBM’s Watson the day after its historic debut on Jeopardy! Prior to Optum, Kerrie worked on maturing an analytics portfolio focused using machine learning and streaming analytics as a CTO with Cisco.
He holds a number of technology patents and is the author of two books: “Is Your Company Ready for Cloud” and “100 SOA Questions: Asked and Answered.” His third book is due to publish in 2021, “AI-First Healthcare” with co-author Dr. Siupo Becker, MD.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from DePaul University in Chicago; a Juris Doctor Degree and an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters. See https://www.optum.com/business/about/data-analytics-technology/experts/kerrie-holley.html for more details.
Terri Bryant
Jessica Black
Rahama Wright
Rahama Wright is the Founder and CEO of Shea Yeleen, a social impact company she created after serving in the Peace Corps. The DC-based enterprise develops shea butter creams, balms, and soaps that create living wage jobs for women in Ghana.The products have been featured in a variety of media outlets including O, The Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Washington Business Journal, MSNBC, and CNBC Africa. Her entrepreneurial journey spans bootstrapping to securing her first round of venture capital investment from Ron Lauder and Dick Parsons, and landing deals with Whole Foods Markets & MGM Resorts International. A leading voice on African women’s economic and business development she has completed 150+ speeches and panels globally including the United Nations Thematic Debate on Entrepreneurship for Development, the U.S. Secretary of State Global Diaspora Forum, the World Bank Africa Region Growth Dialogue, and the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. In 2014, she was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa and is currently serving her third term on the council. An avid traveler, she has visited and worked in 36 countries.
Gina Hintz
Cristina Nuñez
Cristina Nuñez is Co-Founder and General Partner of True Beauty Ventures. True Beauty Ventures is an emerging growth fund focused on investing exclusively in beauty and wellness brands. With 16 years of CPG experience, Cristina offers a unique combination of investing and operating expertise having spent the first part of her career at private equity firms Tengram Capital and L Catterton, as well as UBS Investment Bank. Cristina has also held executive leadership and operating roles in beauty and wellness companies such as Clark’s Botanicals, where she was the GM and COO, as well as Laura Geller Beauty and Equinox.
As Co-Founder of True Beauty Ventures, Cristina brings a valuable perspective to early-stage brand founders as both an investor and operator with deep sector expertise in beauty. Cristina graduated Magna Cum Laude from Duke University with a BA with Highest Distinction in Public Policy Studies.
Darryl Thompson
