Hold the Date - May 6th at the Hilton Post Oak! Buy your Early-Bird tickets today!
Colin Baker
Manager of Economic Research
Greater Houston Partnership
Colin Baker is an economist serving as the Manager of Economic Research for the Greater Houston Partnership. There, he monitors local economic trends, analyzes what is motivating them, and communicates research findings to the public and business community.
Colin has over a decade of professional research experience. Prior to joining the Partnership, he worked for NERA Economic Consulting producing analysis for expert reports used in big tech antitrust litigation cases. He previously served as a local analyst on economic and political matters in Texas and Oklahoma for the Japanese Government at their Consulate in Houston and conducted statistical research for the Public Policy Research Institute at Texas A&M University.
Colin holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Texas, where he also earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and Japanese. He is a native Houstonian, a lover of Texas barbecue, and a diehard Astros fan.
President and Chief Executive Officer Aexa
Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca is a futurist, inventor, and space technology leader redefining how humanity connects across distance, environments, and even worlds. As CEO of Aexa Aerospace and Founder of Aexa Tech, he is pioneering a future where presence is no longer physical, but experiential.
His work led to one of the most groundbreaking moments in human communication: the first two-way holographic teleportation sessions with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. What was once science fiction is now operational reality.
At the core of his vision is HoloConnect AI, a platform that merges artificial intelligence with holography to create lifelike, immersive interactions, without headsets, without barriers. From saving lives in hospitals to enabling decision-making in mission-critical environments, his technology is reshaping how humans collaborate, learn, and lead.
A recipient of three NASA awards and recognized as Small Business Champion of the Year, Dr. De La Peña has been consistently acknowledged for pushing the boundaries of innovation at the intersection of space, AI, and human experience.
His journey is driven by a simple but powerful belief: the future belongs to those who eliminate distance, not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually. Through his work, he challenges audiences to rethink what it means to be “present” in a world powered by AI.
He is also the author of 33 Predictions for the Next 33 Years, where he explores the forces that will shape humanity’s future across AI, space, and society.
Partner/Principal at Deloitte Consulting
Leader - Gen AI based Scaled Engineering Practice
Amod is a Senior Consulting Executive with extensive experience in the sales, delivery & practice management of Engineering business and Application transformation programs with Global Fortune 500 companies.
Amod leads Deloitte's Scaled Engineering Practice focusing on AI based Engineering Transformation Services that includes people, process and technology across all industries. His area of expertise lies in building brand new practice groups from scratch and creating sustained large Global Teams. He has extensive experience in both packaged solutions and custom application development using modern technologies like Gen AI, Digital, Cloud Computing etc.
Background of success includes over $2B+ in consulting and outsourcing sales in the last ten years as well as holding many senior leadership positions. Very strong entrepreneurial, leadership, and program delivery skills with the exceptional ability to build, focus, and lead top-performing teams to surpass expected outcomes.
Background includes extensive sales and delivery roles in all aspects of the Gen AI based engineering business right from Strategy, Assessment, Transformation and Operations. Operated in a number of diverse environments, including start-up activities and large existing operations. Collaborated across diverse stakeholders and managed in complex change environments. Have proven ability to sustain profitable growth while managing an operation.
Founder & CEO
Austin Business Strategies
With over 18 years of experience, Jean has dedicated his career to helping disadvantaged and smallto medium-sized businesses navigate and capitalize on opportunities in Private Procurement, Public Government Contracting, and supplier diversity roles—markets that have historically been difficult to access.
Through a deep understanding of the procurement ecosystem, he educates business owners on how to identify, pursue, and secure contracts while teaching them to “speak the language” of government procurement and supplier diversity. His mission is not just to get businesses in the room, but to ensure they are strategically positioned for long-term success.
At the core of his approach are the 4 Pillars of BANKREADY (TM) —Planning, Strategy, Credentials, and Positioning—a proven framework that empowers businesses to show up prepared, credible, and competitive.
He has also embraced the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and support his team—without ever replacing the personal, relationship-driven touch that clients value most.
This blend of traditional insight and forward-thinking innovation allows Jean to guide businesses with clarity, purpose, and a commitment to their success in every phase of growth.
Jean's passion is simple: empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge, strategy, and access they need to thrive in spaces where they have been traditionally underrepresented.
Mick Rudskyi is the Founder & CEO of Bridgital Group, a Houston-based firm that serves as a Fractional Chief AI & Automation Officer for small and mid-sized businesses.
Mick works as a trusted advisor and hands-on partner to business owners, helping them uncover operational bottlenecks across their front and back office, automate the tedious work that drains their teams, and find new ways to grow so their people can focus on the high-value, human-centric work that actually moves the business forward.
Over the past two and a half years, he has partnered with companies in construction, home services, and professional services to build the integrations, automations, and AI systems that drive real results — without adding headcount. His approach is straightforward: get the data and systems connected first, automate second, and layer AI on top only once a business is ready.
Award Luncheon Speakers
Lisa Shimkat
Associate Administrator of Field Operations,
U.S. Small Business Administration
Acting Associate Administrator of Manufacturing and Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration
Lisa Shimkat serves as the Associate Administrator of Field Operations for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where she oversees 66 District Offices and 10 Regional Offices across the country. In this role, she leads the SBA’s nationwide field network, ensuring that small businesses have access to vital capital, contracting assistance, and business development programs. She works in collaboration with SBA resource partners, lenders, and local economic development organizations to expand entrepreneurial support and economic growth in communities across the United States.
In addition to her Associate Administrator role in the Office of Field Operations, Lisa serves as the Acting Associate Administrator of the Office of Manufacturing and Trade (OMT). In her OMT role, she leads a team of high-level finance specialists dedicated to supporting small manufacturers and exporters by facilitating access to capital through partnerships with financial institutions. Additionally, she oversees OMT’s trade policy team, which advocates for small business interests in trade and international affairs. Previously, Lisa was the State Director of America's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Iowa, where she led a network of fifteen centers dedicated to providing business counseling and support to entrepreneurs across the state. Under her leadership, the Iowa SBDC played a pivotal role in fostering small business growth, disaster recovery efforts, and rural business development. She has extensive experience in economic development, having managed a multimillion-dollar revolving loan fund to assist rural entrepreneurs and manufacturers in expanding theirbusinesses, as well as serving as a plant manager for an agricultural rebuilder.
Lisa earned her Associate of Arts degree from Iowa Central Community College, followed by a Bachelor’s and Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University. She has a long-standing commitment to small business advocacy, previously serving on the Securities and Exchange Commission Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies and held a seat on the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board from 2019 - 2024. Additionally, she served three terms on America’s Small Business Development Center, National Association Board and chair. She was an elected member of the Fort Dodge Community School Board of Education for over ten years showing a commitment to community and service.
Her contributions to economic development and entrepreneurship have earned her numerous accolades, including being recognized as a Distinguished Iowa Central Alum and Hall of Fame Inductee in 2022. In 2023, she was honored as a Woman of Influence in Iowa by the Des Moines Business Record.
Lisa is passionate about fostering small business success, ensuring equitable access to SBA programs, and strengthening the national support system for entrepreneurs to thrive and grow.
Thomas Kim
Executive Director SCORE
Thomas U. Kim serves as Executive Director of SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors.
With more than 20 years of leadership experience across nonprofit, government, and private-sector organizations, he is known for aligning strategy with execution and leading complex organizations through growth and transformation while strengthening financial and operational performance.
A decorated U.S. Army combat veteran, Kim’s commitment to entrepreneurship is personal, shaped by his mother’s small business journey and the firsthand impact he witnessed.
He holds an MBA and MSW and completed executive education at the Wharton School.
Traci Pelter
Houston Business Journal
Market President & Publisher
Traci Pelter is a seasoned business development leader with over 30 years of experience in high-performance sales and management. She began her sales career managing advertising for McCarran Airport in Las Vegas. Traci then spent nearly two decades at Pace Communications as a Senior Territory Manager, overseeing ad sales for Southwest Airlines' inflight magazine, where she earned Employee of the Year and multiple sales awards.
In January 2021, Traci joined Houston Business Journal as an Account Executive and was promoted to Vice President of Sales in June 2022. Under her leadership, her team won the prestigious Eagle Award for achieving outstanding performance and Traci was named a Star Award Recipient at the 2024 Media Alliance Awards. In December 2024, she was named Market President & Publisher.
Traci holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas and a master's degree in Hotel Administration & Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is actively involved in the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce, serves on the board of re:MIND, Avance of Houston and the marketing committee for United Way.
Traci has lived in Houston for 23 years with her husband Drew and their son, Chase, a senior at Texas Christian University.
Workshop Presenters
Capital Connections Lounge Speakers
Jha Allen
AI Workforce Readiness Strategist ·
National Trainer & Speaker
Founder and CEO, Endless 8
Jha Allen is an AI strategist, organizational advisor, speaker, and founder of Endless 8, an AI training and workforce development firm serving businesses, educational institutions, and public-sector organizations. She specializes in helping teams adopt artificial intelligence responsibly, strategically, and with measurable operational impact.
With 10+ years of experience spanning digital strategy, business consulting, and professional training, Jha is known for translating complex AI concepts into practical, governance-aware frameworks that improve workflows, strengthen decision-making, and support workforce readiness. She has trained more than 2,000 professionals through workshops, speaking engagements, and applied learning experiences focused on implementation, risk awareness, and long-term integration.