Bryan Twarek (“BT”) is an experienced educator and instructional leader. He currently leads education and research programs for the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), working to improve the teaching and learning of K–12 CS. He manages the student and teacher standards, develops new programs and professional learning opportunities, and directs research projects. Most of his work involves equity-focused professional development for K–12 CS teachers. Prior to joining CSTA, he directed CS policy, curriculum, PD, and teacher support for universal PK-12 CS instruction in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). He was also a lead writer for the K-12 CS Framework, the CSTA K-12 CS Standards, the CSTA Standards for CS Teachers, and California’s K-12 CS standards.

Christina Gardner-McCune is a trailblazer in K-12 AI Education and an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. She is a co-founder and co-chair of the AI for K-12 Initiative (AI4K12.org) where she led the development of the Five Big Ideas in AI and national AI guidelines that empower students to understand, evaluate, and create artificial intelligence technologies. These resources are shaping AI curricula, standards, and learning pathways across the globe.

Trúc conducts research in leveraging learning technologies for maximum influence and the Internet's impact on teaching and learning. She has two primary areas of research specialty: online learning communities for teachers and Internet safety issues for schools and families. In her capacity as a learning technology scholar and practitioner, she also provides support for STEM and computer science programs. She grounds her work in organizational change theory, inquiry science, communities of practice, TPACK, the ARCS model, and most recently improvement science. She is fascinated by Clark and Kozma's debates on the "media effects" in learning. Trúc has strong interests in exploring Internet safety and digital citizenship issues for P–20 schoolchildren, their families, teachers, and the community and is committed to broadening participation and increasing opportunities for girls and other underrepresented groups in technology fields. She leans towards and applies mixed methods, phenomenology, and improvement science in her research and development work. Trúc is the co-coordinator of the National Center for Women & Information Technology, Hawai‘i program.

Katie Ta, Class of 2027, is a junior at Kalani High School. She is a recipient of the NCWIT-Hawai‘i Aspirations in Computing (AiC) award, which honors the aspirations, abilities, and technical accomplishments of students in high school and college. Katie has already presented at seven different tech conferences, reaching more than 3,000 people through demonstrations and workshops about robotics as well as collaborated with over 25 robotics teams around the world.

Mr. Ian Kitajima is a technology and innovation executive with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of business, technology, education, and community. He co-founded Design Thinking Hawaii, and initiated the computer science movements in public education in Hawaii. He is an active member of Hawaii's business, technology, and education community which has been recognized with "Social Impact Enterprise of the Year" by the Hawaii Venture Capital Association, as an honoree by the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation. He brings an innovation and community mindset to several boards including the Hawaii Health Information Exchange, Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, and the University of Hawaii Alumni Association. Today, he continues his technology and community work at the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR.org) as its president, and as the co-founder and facilitator at Design Thinking Hawaii. 

Dr. Keith Matsumoto has over 30 years of experience with non-profit organization, technology development, program management, and federal contract management. He has over 40 years of experience working with student-athletes, and school administrators and teachers for the development of 21st Century soft and technical skills. He is the co-founder and administrator of Design Thinking Hawaii, and programs director for the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research. Dr. Matsumoto is passionate about building a sustainable technology community in Hawaii, and to ensure that the youth of Hawaii have opportunities for employment in Hawaii and become the next generation of Hawaii’s leaders. He is a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and senior advisor to the Aloha Chapter of the National Contract Management Association. His current work has a focus on integrating design thinking and components of technology into education and industry to support workforce and economic development.