Gary Allen is a distinguished educator with an impressive 30-year career in public education. Having spent 14 years in the classroom and 16 years as the Director of Educational Technology for a high school district of 22,000 ethnically and economically diverse students, he has been a driving force in keeping the district at the forefront of technology integration. Gary is a firm advocate for implementing technology that enhances teaching and learning experiences, backed by his Master's Degree in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University. Prior to his educational journey, he served with honor in the U.S. Air Force.

Sidnie Davis has worked at Google for a little over a decade, first in Campus Recruiting and Outreach, and then in Technical Education Program and Curriculum Development. She's always worked at the intersection of tech, access, and equity. She currently serves as the California Lead for Education for Social Impact, managing partnerships that increase access in quality technical education at the K-12, post-secondary, and workforce level. Before Google, Sidnie worked for an educational nonprofit and was a public school teacher in the California Bay Area, completing her student teaching in LAUSD.

Katherine Goyette is the Computer Science Coordinator for California Department of Education. She is an author, learner and educational leader who advocates for inclusive educational opportunities for all students within the communities they reside. Katherine was primary writer for California’s inaugural Computer Science Standards and is the founding president of the California Central Valley chapter of the Computer Science Teacher Association. She has been a keynote speaker, featured presenter, and panelist for organizations across the globe on a variety of educational topics. In previous roles, Katherine was a county office consultant, educational administrator, instructional coach, and classroom teacher. She spends her free time writing, playing piano, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Samaa Haniya is an Assistant Professor in Learning Technologies at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University. She has over ten years of expertise in designing, implementing, evaluating, and researching e-learning practices across different learning environments, including small-scale and large-scale settings, such as MOOCs. Driven by a passion for educational equity, she is currently working on a research project to develop an AI Literacy workshop for teachers in underserved schools, aiming to demystify the potential of AI for the public good.

Innovative, systems-level collaborator with over 25 years experience as an education leader in L.A. Unified. Leading the implementation of computer science education and digital citizenship programs across 1300 schools. Committed to cultivating leaders and learners ready for a growing digital world. 

Tory Wadlington is in his 7th year as a special education teacher in Southern California. He is a tech enthusiast with a passion for building equity and creating safe spaces for BIPOC students, staff and families. He is a co-founder of Equity in Action CA which has brought teachers and leaders of color together for professional development. As a graduate of Grambling State University, an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) Tory noticed stark differences in student achievement and motivation based on cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. This propelled him into many mentorship positions, eventually leading him to get his Master’s degree in Educational Technology, with a credential focusing on Special Education. Tory used computer science to create safe space classrooms, and new ways to engage previously unmotivated students. His heart for special education and Social and Emotional Learning has helped him develop training on engaging and welcoming all students.