Speakers & Panelists

Mike Kesti is the Senior Vice President of 3M’s Corporate Research Laboratory (CRL), a  position he has held since 2021. CRL is responsible for the development and deployment of  new technology across the global 3M R&D organization.  

Mike grew up in Eden Prairie, MN, attended Carleton College (BA degrees in Chemistry and  Economics) and earned a PhD in Chemistry from Stanford University in 1992 (under  Professor Bob Waymouth). Mike joined 3M’s Post-it® Note laboratory in 1993 where he developed new adhesives and water-based technologies for Post-it® Note products. He then spent 16 years in 3M’s Commercial Solutions Division in a variety of technology & product  development and lab leadership roles in support of 3M’s wide-format, graphic film and industrial cleaning businesses, eventually becoming the division’s Global Technical  Director. In 2016, he assumed leadership of the Personal Safety (PPE) Division’s global  laboratory which he led through the pandemic until his appointment to his current CRL role in 2021.  

Mike is currently a governing board member for DOD’s Starbase program and the University of St. Thomas’s School of Engineering; an advisory board member for the University of Minnesota’s Dept of Chemistry, the Colorado University Boulder’s Research & Innovation Office, and Innovation MN; and member of the Conference Board’s Innovation Leadership  Council, the Innovation Outreach Program (IOP), and the American Chemical Society.  Previously he has held board member positions for the Signage Foundation and the Sustainable Green Printing partnership.

Mike has been married to his wife, Jennifer for over 29 years, has 2 sons (Nathan-23) and (Quentin-13), and resides in White Bear Lake, MN. Go Bears! 

Birgit (Bea) Braun is the R&D/TS&D Fellow for Digital Innovation in the Packing, Specialty Plastics & Hydrocarbons R&D organization at Dow Chemical. She has been with the company for almost 15 years and has held roles in various R&D and M&E organizations. For more than a decade, the focus of her work has been on the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in chemical manufacturing and materials research.

Bea holds a B.S. and Dipl.-Ing. in Process Engineering in Industrial Environmental Protection from the Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Science & Engineering and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, where she conducted experimental and computational research in the area of polymer composites.

Bea is the 2024/25 Chair for the Industry 4.0 Topical at the Spring American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) meeting with more than 25 dedicated sessions. She was the Sub-Topical Chair for Analytics & AI since 2021 and Co-Chair in 2023 and has been active in the conference since 2017. She is also active as chair for the AIChE Southwest Process Technology Conference and FOPAM.

Linda Hung is a Senior Manager in the Energy & Materials Division at Toyota Research Institute (TRI). Her research explores how to integrate data-driven and AI methods into materials discovery workflows, including the development of new representations of materials and the implementation of software tools for data interpretation and decision-making. She also is an associate editor for the journal Digital Discovery. In addition to the materials informatics domain, Linda has a background in density functional theory and other first-principles simulation methods, with applications in computational spectroscopy. She obtained her PhD in applied and computational mathematics from Princeton University, and has held research positions at the Ecole Polytechnique (France), the University of Illinois Chicago, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology before joining TRI in 2017.  

Vikram Agarwal completed his Ph.D. in Computational and Systems Biology at MIT, and his post-doctoral research in the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington. There, he applied deep learning methods to investigate the mechanisms of gene regulation. He further built upon these approaches at Calico Life Sciences, a biotechnology company in the San Francisco Bay area, in collaboration with DeepMind. He is currently the Head of mRNA Platform Design Data Science at the mRNA Center of Excellence at Sanofi, where his team is applying machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches towards the design of enhanced mRNA therapeutics. 

Matthew Mills is an Advanced Data Science Specialist in the Corporate Research Analytical Lab (CRAL) at 3M. Matt completed a BSc. in Chemistry and a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry (2011) at the University of Manchester, with a dissertation centered on applying machine learning to chemical simulation. Following this, Matt was a Postdoctoral Associate in the Warshel Group at the University of Southern California, and then a Postdoctoral Appointee at Sandia National Labs, assigned to the Joint BioEnergy Institute managed by Berkeley National Lab. Matt joined 3M as a data scientist in 2017 and is the technology leader of CRAL’s gALAxy (analytical lab analytics) program. He develops infrastructure and tools for measurement data science, allowing 3Mers to leverage new capabilities and complete their research goals more efficiently.

Todd Lohr is the Head of Ecosystems for KPMG Advisory, where he orchestrates a dynamic network comprising corporate joint ventures, technology alliances, suppliers, downstream partners, start-ups, academia, and capital investors. In this pivotal role, Todd focuses on creating unparalleled value and growth opportunities for clients, steering the development and delivery of technology-driven business strategies and solutions that enhance resiliency, agility, and sustainable growth.

With a tenure marked by leadership in technology consulting and digital transformation, Todd has a robust history of guiding large enterprises and government agencies through significant digital shifts. His expertise spans the implementation of innovative technology solutions that reimagine decision-making processes and operational workflows, fostering both immediate successes and long-term strategic gains. Under his leadership, teams are empowered to accelerate transformation efforts, navigating the complexities of emerging technologies with a keen focus on ethical implications and corporate responsibility.

As a recognized thought leader, Todd regularly shares his insights and strategies at industry conferences and serves as a guest lecturer at universities. His contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and his leadership in intelligent automation initiatives, especially within Fortune 100 companies, underscore his profound impact on the industry.

Thomas Von Tschammer graduated from EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) in Switzerland, earning a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering followed by a Master’s degree in Computational Science with a specialization in Neuroprosthetics. His academic background provided him with a strong foundation in numerical simulation, machine learning, and computational modeling. Following his studies, Thomas joined the Computer Vision Laboratory at EPFL as a researcher, where he played a pivotal role in developing the first Geometric Deep Learning models specifically designed for engineering data. These models, which have since become industry standards, are tailored to learn efficiently from complex engineering data. His research, together with the other co-founders of Neural Concept, led to two patents on novel AI architectures and resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications in top-tier machine learning and computer vision conferences, including CVPR and ICML.

Building on this expertise, Thomas co-founded Neural Concept as a spin-off from EPFL to push the boundaries of design and manufacturing through AI, 7 years ago. Initially serving as Director of Operations, he was responsible for leading and scaling the company’s engineering teams, ensuring the successful development and deployment of Neural Concept’s technology. His role involved close collaboration with C-level executives across Fortune 100 companies, helping them integrate AI-driven design workflows to accelerate innovation and enhance product performance.Today, Thomas serves as the General Manager for Neural Concept’s US operations, based in New York, where he spearheads the company’s rapid expansion in North America, positioning Neural Concept as a leader in AI-powered engineering solutions for some of the world’s most advanced industries. 

Mark Huntington is the Managing Director of North America at PhysicsX, responsible for expanding the company's presence in the region and leading initiatives to accelerate hardware innovation through AI-driven optimization. With over a decade of experience spanning consulting and technology, Mark previously served as a Partner at McKinsey & Company, focusing on deploying AI, machine learning, and Digital Twins across industries. His technical expertise is rooted in AI and materials science, including his doctoral research at Northwestern University on AI-driven design of optical meta-materials. Mark holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Northwestern University and a Master's in Mechanical Engineering from SUNY Buffalo, and has received multiple prestigious research fellowships and awards. 

Jayshree Seth is a Corporate Scientist at 3M and currently holds 80 patents for a variety of innovations. She joined 3M in 1993 after an MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University, New York. Jayshree was appointed 3M’s first ever Chief Science Advocate in 2018 and is using her scientific knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience to advance science and the importance of STEM-based innovation. She is also a member of Carlton Society – the 3M Science and Innovation “Hall of Fame.” In 2020, she was awarded Society of Women Engineers (SWE) highest Achievement Award. She won the inaugural Gold Stevie® Award in the Female Thought Leaders category for Women in Business in 2021. In 2025, she was named to the prestigious Thinkers50 Radar list.

Jayshree is a TEDx speaker and the author of The Heart of Science – Engineering Footprints, Fingerprints, & Imprints,  Engineering Fine Print and Engineering Blueprint published by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), with sales proceeds of the book trilogy going to a SWE scholarship for women in STEM. She is a sought-after speaker, globally, on a multitude of topics such as innovation, leadership, culture and careers, and has featured in local, national and international media. Jayshree serves on the Board of the Science Museum of Minnesota, Engineering Advisory Council for Clarkson University, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS) Industry Advisory Council, Advisory Board for Innovation - The Conference Board as Innovation Fellow, and Advisory Group of Aspen Institute ‘Our Future is Science’ program.

Surya Iyer is President & COO and Board Member at Polar Semiconductor, and previously held senior management and engineering positions at Cypress Semiconductor Corp. and Applied Materials, Inc. The Walz-Flanagan administration appointed Surya as the Chair of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, where he serves to create the future generations of Minnesota’s skilled, diverse, and globally competitive workers. Surya serves as a member of the Governing Council for SEMI/FOA (a semiconductor industry association), is a member of the Smart Manufacturing group at SEMI Americas and is an adjunct Professor of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas. Surya attended Wharton, was a fellow at Stanford University, received his post-graduate degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, and an undergraduate engineering degree from IIT-Kanpur. He has 20 patents related to semiconductor processing and equipment design and over 25 peer-reviewed publications. 

Tom Hockenberry is Vice President of the Nutrition, Technology, and Science function at General Mills, overseeing a diverse team with expertise in food science, agricultural research, packaging technology, nutrition, engineering, data sciences, digital solutions, regulatory affairs, and ingredient technologies. Tom brings over 35 years of leadership experience in Research and Development, having held key roles at General Mills, Pillsbury, and Kraft Foods.

Some highlights of his team’s work include research in regenerative agriculture, human health and nutrition, recyclable packaging, and food and ingredient technologies. His team is also responsible for leading digital transformation across General Mills’ Innovation, Technology, and Quality (ITQ) function.

Tom resides in southwest Minneapolis and is passionate about technology, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Rodolphe Katra is the Global Chief Artificial Intelligence (AI) Officer and a Technical Fellow at Medtronic. He is an innovative and strategic leader focused on engineering the future of medical technologies and leads the enterprise AI Center of Excellence. With more than 25 years of engineering expertise, he specializes in leading large complex, global R&D programs, managing cross-functional teams, strategic management, competitive analysis, and positioning. He works with world-class teams globally, leveraging AI/ML, DSP, predictive analytics, and technology platforms to advance a new era of personalized and precision healthcare. Rodolphe holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering and an MBA. He is internationally recognized as a thought leader and innovator and is co-inventor on 100+ patents granted, published, or pending. He is the author of numerous MedTech peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and reports.  

Derek Shaw is the Global Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at H.B. Fuller.  For over 130 years, H.B. Fuller has been a leading global adhesives provider focusing on perfecting adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products to improve products and lives. H.B. Fuller’s commitment to innovation brings together people, products and processes to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges in electronics, disposable hygiene, medical, transportation, clean energy, packaging, construction, woodworking, general industries and other consumer businesses.

Before becoming the CIO in January 2022, Derek was responsible for Global IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and master data management at H.B. Fuller.  Prior to joining H.B. Fuller Derek held various IT leadership roles at Land O’Lakes (8 years) and Boston Scientific (6 years).  He also spent 5 years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Space Command launching satellites and 2 years as a software engineer for Netopia (Motorola).  Derek holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Brigham Young University and a Master of Engineering degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida.