Keynote Speaker

José Luis Otero is a portfolio manager, innovation coach, educator, and community leader from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He helps entrepreneurs and innovators turn ideas into thriving businesses as a Portfolio Manager with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA, supporting startups across a 32-county region.

José’s path has taken him from public service as a District Director for a Member of Congress to teaching entrepreneurship at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), mentoring founders as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and volunteering with the PSU Altoona LaunchBox. He holds an MBA in Strategic Leadership and is passionate about helping people build their future through creativity, education, and persistence.

Beyond his work in business and leadership, José is active in the arts, performing in productions with Log Art Theatre, including The Miracle Worker, The Nerd, and Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. He is also the proud father of four children, which means he knows how to manage boardrooms, classrooms, and even the chaos of a living room.

José’s journey shows that resilience, community, and curiosity can open doors to opportunity. He believes that every student has the power to innovate, lead, and create change; starting right where they are.

A visionary leader in public education, Dr. Carrie Rowe brings 25 years of public education experience to her role as Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  In this role, she provides guidance, support, and oversight to partners in the pre-K–12 field on topics ranging from structured literacy, educational stability, workforce needs, teacher recruitment and retention, and student mental health and well-being.  Dr. Rowe advocates for policies and programs that provide college and career pathways for every student, especially those that include access to expansive dual credit opportunities, high-intensity summer learning, and multilingual programs.  

Before taking a position with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Dr. Rowe served as a Superintendent of Schools in the western region of the state.  Both as a former Superintendent and now as the Acting Secretary, her career has focused on ensuring fairness and justice in resource allocation and eliminating institutional barriers to access and opportunity.