Deon Norals, EMBA, PMP, CISSP, CCNP, AWS-PSA

President and CEO, iHealth Innovative Solutions

Deon Norals serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of iHealth Innovative Solutions (iHealth), an 8(a) and HUBZone Certified Health Information Technology company, located in Washington D.C., that provides robust innovative technology solutions to help solve today’s healthcare constraints. iHealth bridges the gap between healthcare, science, research, and technology to support customers by delivering innovative and visionary solutions to help transform patient care, public health safety, health information technology and health intelligence. Mr. Norals is Subject Matter Expert that provides expertise around improving business operations and processes by applying his expert knowledge to solve complex business challenges. Mr. Norals is a highly seasoned, results‐driven executive with IT‐to‐business vision, industry leading execution, and has a proven successful track record in delivering innovation. His career spans over 28 years of conceiving, designing, and implementing Information Technology (IT) solutions, developing cloud transformation strategies, managing data center migrations, vendor management, cyber security operations management, and service desk management; both domestically and internationally within various industries. Mr. Norals holds his Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) from the Project Management Institute. He also holds his Amazon Web Services Certified Cloud Practitioner (AWS‐CP); and his Amazon Web Services Solutions Architect Professional (AWS‐SAP) Certifications. He has also recently completed his Cyber Security training and has achieve his Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification from (ISC2). He has extensive knowledge around various technology stacks and IT systems, as well as broad, up‐to-date knowledge of information security frameworks, pertinent regulation and legislation, vulnerability management, incident management and response, secure development techniques and approaches, cyber security engineering and operations, and management and governance of cyber risk. Deon earned his Executive M.B.A. from the prestigious Howard University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology and Security from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and his Associate of Science degree from Dunwoody College of Technology. He serves on various alumni and advisory boards and is an advocate of community service.

Becky DeMatteis

Manager of Program Development and Partner Markets, Apprenti

Becky DeMatteis is the Manager of Program Development and Partner Markets at Apprenti, a U.S. Department of Labor registered tech apprenticeship program and industry intermediary contractor. In her role, she is responsible for developing and managing programs, creating partnerships with employers, and providing support to apprentices and employers throughout the program. Becky has a background in workforce development, having previously worked in various roles with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services including ApprenticeOhio Program Director.

Quintus Brown

Partner Development Manager, Google Public Sector

Quintus R. Brown (QB) brings a dynamic career of 30+ years in Healthcare, Technology, Operations, and Sales senior leadership across the federal and commercial spaces. He currently serves as a Partner Development Manager in Google Public Sector helping drive the growth and adoption of Google’s Cloud Capability across the Federal IT Landscape. He most recently spent time in a similar role at Amazon Web Services (AWS) where he leveraged his deep understanding of federal contracting and strong stakeholder relationships to support over $2B in capture and proposal pursuits. QB has become a fixture in Beltway Health IT circles as well. He sits on the board of AFCEA Bethesda as the Vice-President of Health IT. In this role, he chairs the Annual AFCEA Bethesda Health IT Summit (HITS) which garners over 1,000 in-person attendees and is widely considered THE must-attend event for those looking to making an impact in Federal Health IT space. Starting his career with the Xerox Corporation, Quintus has held positions of increasing scope and budget with over $1 Billion dollars in P&L responsibility for global companies such as Mitsubishi Chemical, Dell, Booz-Allen & Hamilton, and GE Healthcare. In the federal space, Quintus has served in roles from Vice-President of Business Development to Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for some of the most dynamic Small Business supporting the U.S. government. While with companies including Advanced Resource Technologies Inc. (ARTI), Halfaker, Government CIO, and Versa Integrated Systems, QB has won over $300 million in direct contract awards from a variety of federal agencies within the Federal Health Ecosystem. QB holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Darden Business School at the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. He is a Certified Cloud Practitioner, a certified Scrum Master, and an ITIL Practitioner. Conversant in Spanish and a Louisiana native, Quintus is the proud parent of three sons each of whom are college athletes in different sports at different levels: Kristopher (D2-Track), Ethan (D3-Football), and Branden (D1-Baseball) and one daughter, Taylor, who is a high school performing arts phenom. A proud member of the Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Incorporated, he currently lives in Columbia, Maryland, with his wife Kimberly and enjoys cooking, traveling,exercising, and actively participating in community service.

Leah Pontani, MBA

Senior Vice President of Career Development, Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia & the Central Savannah River Area

Leah Pontani has been serving as the Senior Vice President of Career Development at Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc. since March 2020. Prior to this role, Pontani was the Dean for the Division of Lifelong Learning at Mercer County Community College, and later, Associate Vice President of Professional Studies and Business Development at Georgian Court University in New Jersey. Throughout her career, Pontani has worked to close the gap between education and industry through the creation of business partnerships that drive career pathways for youth, displaced workers and those seeking career advancement opportunities. Pontani earned her Master’s in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science from Rider University.

Joseph Costello, Ed.D.

Teacher Coordinator of Secondary Education, Atlantic City High School

Dr. Costello has worked in the Atlantic City School District for 17 years. During that time he has been a High School Math Teacher and an Elementary Math Coach. Currently, he is a Teacher Coordinator of Secondary Education with a focus on curriculum, instruction, and assessment. As a former Math Teacher and Coach, he is passionate about growing STEM opportunities for all the students of Atlantic City High School.

Dr. Bo Zilovic, EdD

Associate Professor, Business, Information Systems, & Aviation Studies Dept, Atlantic Cape Community College

Dr. Bojan “Bo” Zilovic, a fifteen-year Computer Information Systems faculty veteran, is an Associate Professor in the Business, Information Systems, and Aviation Studies Department at Atlantic Cape Community College. Dr. Zilovic, has a versatile educational and professional background, including a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, a Master of Arts in Instructional Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Business Studies from The Richard Stockton University of New Jersey. In addition, Dr. Zilovic holds several certifications, including the Google Data Analytics Certificate and the Google Project Management Certificate. Over the years, Dr. Zilovic played a significant role in curriculum design and development aimed at strengthening STEM pathways in Atlantic County by introducing and collaborating on several courses and programs such as Cloud Computing, Cyber Defense, Linux+, Computer Networking, Windows Server, Web Technologies, and Digital Media Production. In addition, Dr. Zilovic is Chair of Atlantic Cape’s Technology Committee Chair and Vice President of the faculty union.

Pavithra Lakshminarayan

Project Manager, Department of Labor Lead, South Jersey STEM & Innovation Partnerships

Pavithra Lakshminarayan spent the first 15 years of her career in Information Technology and higher education. In these years, she has built and run graduate programs from the ground up, developing a deep understanding of learning and development, curriculum design, and use of technology in learning. It is when her passion for children met with her experience, founded Mindbytes in 2011 through which she creates and provides year-round programs that address core skills in children. As part of this journey, she has not only built and delivered a variety of STEM skill development programs but has also had the opportunity to play multiple roles in the education space. She has consulted for ed-tech start-ups like Thinkster Math and adapted the model to different geographies such as UK, Australia, South Africa, India and Canada. She has also been a consultant to the Learning & Development design team at Lemelson-MIT where she helps design and runs professional development workshops. She also teaches at the Governor’s School of Engineering at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Her work includes workshops for teachers and parents on how to foster logical thinking in children and how to use technology to enhance their learning in and outside the classroom. She has also presented on topics such as Big Data in Education (NJ Education Technology conference by NJECC), Social Entrepreneurship for Children, Integrating Game Design (annual conferences of the NJAGC), Phenomenon-Based Learning (NJEA Convention), Bringing Internet of Things (IoT) to the classroom (NJEA Convention) and broadening participation in STEM at NSF Includes National Convening. She is also the recipient of the “Developing Minds Award” from New Jersey Association for Gifted Children, The Inspirational Achievement Award from Roshini Media Group, ‘I Can STEM’ inductee and STEM collaborator of the year award by New Jersey STEM Pathways Network. Currently, She is a project manager with the New Jersey Department of Labor and works at the Industry Partnerships Unit.

Niklas Simonsen

Information Security Officer, Ocean Casino Resort

Nik Simonsen is the Information Security Officer for Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. He has worked in Information Technology in the Casino industry since 2012, opening MGM National Harbor in National Harbor, MD and MGM Springfield in Springfield, MA as well as taking over leadership roles at The Borgata in Atlantic City, NJ and Rivers Casino in Schenectady, NY.

David Fiore, CISSP CISA CSM

Corporate Director Cybersecurity, AtlantiCare Information Technology

During his 20+ year career in information technology, David Fiore has served as a cybersecurity leader at major healthcare, insurance, pharmaceutical, consumer packaged goods, and financial organizations in the greater Philadelphia region including CIGNA, Campbell Soup, Iroko Pharmaceuticals, Beneficial Bank, and AtlantiCare. David is a graduate of Stockton University with a degree in Applied Physics and holds multiple industry certifications including the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), and CSM (Certified Scrum Master). In the summer of 2022 David moved back to southern New Jersey where he enjoys bird watching, flying radio-controlled airplanes, and beachcombing with his wife.

Sandra Bleckman, M.A.S.

Director of Workforce Innovation & Industry Partnerships, Rockland Community College

Sandra joined Rockland Community College from a strong background in Workforce Development with an emphasis on building employer partnerships. At Rockland Community College (RCC), Sandra is the Director of Workforce Innovation & Industry Partnerships. She is responsible for developing and executing an institutional industry engagement strategy as well as designing responsive workforce development programs tied to industry need. Sandra also builds relationships with regional employers to increase career-connected learning opportunities for degree-seeking students. Prior to RCC, Sandra worked at NJ Community College Consortium for Workforce & Economic Development where she worked as the Director of Strategy & Workforce Partnerships with a focus on the Health Care sector. As the Director, she oversaw two Centers of Workforce Innovation that worked to build career pathways with aligned curriculum to be shared across educational partners. Sandra began her workforce development career at Fairleigh Dickinson University where she served as the Director of the Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Talent Network. She worked closely with employers to identify skills gaps and align education with industry to prepare a more skilled workforce within New Jersey. She also over saw the Talent Development Center of Excellence which created curriculum and built career pathways within the sector. Sandra has been an adjunct instructor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hudson County Community College and California State University, San Bernardino. Sandra received a BA in Psychology from Clark University and an MA in Administrative Sciences from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Simisola (Simi) Cajina

Program Analyst & Contracting Officer Representative, ETA, Office of Apprenticeship

Simisola (Simi) Cajina serves as a Program Analyst and a Contracting Officer Representative in the Employment & Training Administration’s (ETA’s) Office Apprenticeship. Prior to joining the Office of Apprenticeship, Ms. Cajina served as a Workforce Analyst for ETA’s Office of Workforce Investment, and a Grants Program Manager for the State of Tennessee’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Simi’s background also includes working with the University of Memphis Division of Public Administration Graduate Program, where she was assigned to work on initiatives to bring together local agencies and leaders to address organizational and community challenges. Simi holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Memphis, and a bachelor’s degree in Corporate and Organizational Communication from Western Kentucky University.