News and Insights
Vote for FINN Client Panels at SXSW 2024
August 14, 2023
As champions of change, we are at the forefront of issues affecting human life, our climate, technology, business, governments, institutions, culture and society. SXSW Panel Picker is now open and we need your help elevating our leaders’ and clients’ voices on this important stage!
The EV Revolution
ELECTRIFICATION: A ONCE-A-CENTURY TRANSPORTATION REVOLUTION
What: Transportation produces 28% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S alone. As emissions steadily rise and the planet heats to unprecedented levels, a call to action is clear: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by switching to electric transport is vital to future-proofing the environment and our economy.
While urgency for electric solutions increases, barriers are dissolving. Improved battery technology, investment in sustainable technologies, federal and state incentives, and company-specific ESG goals are revolutionizing urban mobility as we know it.
Who: Neha Palmer, Co-Founder and CEO, TeraWatt Infrastructure; Gregory Davis, President and CEO, Eviation Aircraft; Riona Armesmith, Chief Technology Officer, magniX; Bess Winston, Senior Partner, FINN Partners
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/137763
EMPOWERING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH ELECTRIFIED MOBILITY
What: This session explores how electrification creates sustainable mobility solutions which in turn unlocks economic opportunities, enhances access to nature and promotes environmental stewardship. It will delve into Michigan’s innovative approach to electrifying historically underserved or rural locations. Leveraging Michigan’s mobility industry expertise, the session will showcase tangible strategies, partnerships and technologies that any state in the U.S. can use to empower communities, drive electrification, and foster a more inclusive and sustainable mobility environment.
Who: Kathryn Snorrason, Managing Director, Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification; Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/141991
HOW MOBILITY INNOVATION RESHAPES NON-SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIES
What: This session will explore the intersection of sustainability and mobility, highlighting how advancements in mobility technology, manufacturing practices and EV adoption can reduce the environmental impact of the automotive and manufacturing industries while ensuring sustainable economic growth. Automotive and manufacturing are two of the bigger contributors to greenhouse gas emissions (28% and 23% respectively, per the EPA), but Michigan has demonstrated how these historically non-sustainable industries can become more sustainable through the development of innovative mobility solutions.
Who: Kathryn Snorrason, Managing Director, Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification; Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/141949
EVS AS AGENTS OF CHANGE: PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF SOCIETY
What: This session will delve into the potential of EVs to revolutionize mobility systems, reduce carbon emissions and enhance urban livability – whether that’s upgrades to a community’s electric grid or using an EV as an emergency battery source. From cutting-edge infrastructure buildouts, like a first-in-the-U.S. EV charging road, to industry-leading policies and incentives, Michigan’s visionary leadership in using EVs as transformative tools for shaping the future of transportation can serve as a blueprint for what the future of transportation initiatives – and beyond – could look like worldwide.
Who: Kathryn Snorrason, Managing Director, Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification; Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer, Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/141727
Demystifying Quantum Computing
QUANTUM SENSORS – THE SIXTH SENSE
What: When futuristic discussions of quantum are raised, quantum computers are usually the first to come to mind. The benefits of quantum technology are here today & hold more promise for tomorrow. Quantum sensors already play a fundamental role across industries, for ex., when you visit the dr. & have an MRI, you are experiencing the power of quantum sensing. This technology can further revolutionize the future of healthcare by providing more accurate, sensitive, & non-invasive diagnostic tools to detect diseases earlier, strengthen non-invasive imaging, & test drugs with more personalized doses.
Who: Max Perez, VP of Strategic Initiatives, Infleqtion; Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Science and Technology Academic Writer and Journalist, Freelance; Dawn Meyerriecks, Board Member, Infeqtion; Phil Perconti, Chief Technology Officer, Leonardo DRS
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/137740
BOOST YOUR ENERGY WITH QUANTUM
What: Today’s aging power grid infrastructure is burdened with a number of new challenges such as sophisticated cyberattacks. Quantum technologies—spanning from clocks to compute to sensors—offer a paradigm shift for addressing these challenges. During this captivating and timely panel, participants will discuss use cases of the highest relevance to the energy industry, including energy security, resilience with atomic clocks, and more precise electromagnetic sensing with software-enabled quantum devices.
Who: Pranav Gokhale, Vice President of Quantum Software, Infleqtion; Annarita Giani, Complex System Scientist, GE Research; Bhavani Amirthalingam, EVP, Chief Customer & Technology Officer, Ameren; Jeremy Renshaw, Senior Technical Executive – Innovation, EPRI
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/137757
IT’S ABOUT TIME FOR A QUANTUM LEAP IN TIMING
What: Time orders the events of our daily lives. What time is my next meeting? How many minutes do I have to catch my flight? What time does the game start? We measure events’ times in hours, minutes, and seconds. What you might not realize, though, is that many technologies we rely on utilize vastly more precise time measurements than what comes to mind. During this panel, you will learn how the ability to accurately keep time to the billionth of a second will transform such fields as finance, communication, and national security.
Who: Judith Olson, Atomic Clock Portfolio Technical Lead, Snr Physicist, Infleqtion; Star Fassler, Photonics Research Engineer, Vesent; Danika Hannon, Deputy Head, IQSD Chair, Quantum Strategy Institute; John Stockton, Partner Emeritus / Operating Partner, ATP
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/132360
SECURING AMERICAN QUANTUM MANUFACTURING EFFORTS
What: According to a World Economic Forum report, public investment in quantum technologies reached $30 billion in 2022 with China leading the way. Many argue that quantum will be a race where “winner takes all” and will have a profound impact on the development of other technologies such as the broadening use of AI, autonomous systems, communications, and deep space exploration. If we wish to grow these technologies in the U.S. to maintain a competitive economic outlook and for national security purposes, what types of public, private, and hybrid financing mechanisms must be put into place?
Who: Scott Faris, CEO, Infleqtion; Jay Wisham, Executive Advisor, Infleqtion
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/143489
MAKING QUANTUM MATTER
What: Science education is falling behind the times. Typically, primary and secondary education only introduces students to the four fundamental states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma). Yet, governments around the world are currently spending billions of dollars on technologies based on a fifth state of matter, quantum. In this panel, experts will discuss what is needed to bring our physics education into the 21st century, what is available now, and what the future will bring.
Who: Anjul Loiacono, VP, Quantum Signal Processing, Infleqtion; Heather Lewandowski, Professor and Associate Chair, Physics Fellow, JILA, University of Colorado – Boulder; Lincoln Carr, Professor, Colorado School of Mines; Bennett Brown, Executive Director, QuSTEAM
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/134512
Fighting for a Better World
THE CULTURE-WAR TRAP: BRANDS FOR SOCIAL GOOD
What: With fundamental freedoms of people across the planet under increasing threat, major brands are weighing whether to pull back or have a point-of-view on key issues like reproductive freedom, racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, climate justice, and more—and often facing backlash no matter what they do. This conversation will highlight how business can be a force for good, what is needed for brands to foster equality from the inside-out, and the implications for brands that choose to put purpose over profit in key moments.
Who: Hilary Lloyd, Vice President of Marketing and Activism for The Body Shop North America, The Body Shop; Calla Devlin Rongerude, Managing Director, Open to All; Alicia Chin, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact, VF Corporation; Corey Smith, Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion at LVMH North America, LVMH
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/139172
THE FUTURE OF ART AND ACTIVISM
What: The Menil Collection’s Senior Curator Michelle White moderates a panel with three internationally renowned artists to discuss how the current political and social climate is reshaping their work. Invited artists could include Allora & Calzadilla, Mel Chin, Jamal Cyrus, Robert Gober, Mona Hatoum, Glenn Ligon, Kara Walker, and Nari Ward, who are represented in the museum’s collection and whose work addresses democracy, social justice, and environmental fragility.
Who: Michelle White, Senior Curator, The Menil Collection
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/139374
BUILDING RESILIENT PUBLIC SPACES IN A TIME OF CRISIS
What: Searing heat. Raging wildfires. Poisoned air. Catastrophic flooding. New diseases. Since 2020, we’ve become more aware of how disasters strain the fabric of communities, disrupting people’s ability to gather, support, and protect each other. This context makes social infrastructure – particularly well designed, accessible public spaces – essential to the resilience of communities. Our panel will bring together an architect, a sociologist, and a leader of a cultural institution to discuss the multiple dimensions of designing, building, and activating public spaces for community resilience.
Who: Sean Decatur, President, American Museum of Natural History, Jeanne Gang, Founding Principal, Studio Gang, Eric Klinenberg, Helen Gould Shepard Professor in the Social Sciences, New York University
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/140330
REDEFINING PHILANTHROPY AMID A CHANGING PLANET
What: The dire consequences of climate change and systemic inequity demonstrate that we must act quickly and differently than ever before. Anne Marie Burgoyne, in her work with Laurene Powell Jobs at Emerson Collective, has unlocked the secret to enacting the impactful, urgent change needed to mobilize action on our changing planet. This thought-provoking fireside chat with climate activist and MacArthur Genius Catherine Coleman Flowers will provide actionable tips, helping organizations to rethink their approach to philanthropy as they strive to directly address the accelerating climate crisis.
Who: Anne Marie Burgoyne, Managing Director, Emerson Collective; Catherine Coleman Flowers, Founder, Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ)
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/136496
RACIAL EQUITY & SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
What: The K-12 sector has seen a rise in racial equity and justice conversations that has led to both progress and setbacks for Black children and families. However, the early childhood development sector stands in the shadows of K-12 racial equity conversations even though advancement in early childhood sets the foundation for lifelong success. National philanthropic, health and nonprofit leaders, as well as grassroots practitioners, will discuss how the early childhood sector can prioritize racial equity and systems transformation to support the unique needs of Black children across the country.
Who: Carla D. Thompson Payton, EdD, Vice President of Program Strategy, W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Leah Austin, EdD, President and CEO, National Black Child Development Institute; Rajan Wadhawan, MD, MMM, Senior Executive Officer, AdventHealth for Children and AdventHealth for Women; Devonya Govan-Hunt, EdD, Executive Director, Black Child Development Institute Charlotte
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/134033
Reinventing the Future of Work
THE DIVERSITY DIRECTIVE: USING DATA TO ACHIEVE EQUITY
What: Amid the repeal of affirmative action policies and the dissolution of corporate DEI groups, including in the tech industry, the threat of a predominately white tech workforce is looming. A recent survey found that 75% of Americans don’t think companies have honored their promises made during the pandemic to increase diversity, including by hiring more women of color. After decades of experiencing the highest share of job losses and lowest income levels, and as the war for tech talent rages on, isn’t it about time women of color are given a chance to join and thrive in the tech industry?
Who: Candice Dixon, Executive Director, Command Shift, NPower.org; Timicka Anderson, Managing Director, Global Strategy Leader, Citi; Brashanda Walker, VP, Infrastructure Tech Lead, Citi
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/142061
BUILDING AMERICA’S PREMIERE BLACK TECH ECOSYSTEM
What: According to CompTIA, Black individuals represent 8 percent of employees in tech jobs. Addressing this disparity is the City of Detroit through private and public partnership and community building.
Learn about Detroit’s abundance of Black tech talent, from EVs to chips to those solving global, critical challenges with tech, from clean air to special education to voter turnout. Through grassroots programs like Black Tech Saturday, Michigan Founders Fund and more, Detroit is bringing together innovators, community leaders and investors to become THE epicenter of Black innovation worldwide.
Who: Quentin Messer, Jr. CEcD, CEO, MEDC; Johnnie and Alexa Turnage, Founders, EvenScore, Black Tech Saturdays
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/144499
THE NEW RULES OF TALENT ATTRACTION AND RETENTION
What: Though there are initial signs of the labor market softening, talent attraction and retention is the new corporate battleground. Employers are evaluating their businesses to diversify talent, attract candidates, and retrain or upskill for a changing world. Meanwhile the interests or experience of candidates entering the workforce don’t match open needs. So, who will succeed? This session will explore new, unique talent attraction programs, policies, and training partnerships designed to tackle today’s biggest challenges in employment.
Who: Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/140157
IS FAST UPSKILLING REAL?
What: Rapid and continued advancements in technology have spurred an urgent need for upskilling and reskilling. The practice of continued training and retraining is more critical than ever, and new programs that promise career advancement or certification in a matter of weeks are popping up everyone. But are they legitimate? This session will explore trends in upskilling and fast training programs, including promising new models emerging around specific industries like advanced manufacturing.
Who: Kerry Ebersole Singh, Chief Talent Solutions Officer, Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Brandon Roderick Tucker, MOL, Chief Workforce & Community Development Officer, Washtenaw Community College
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/144344
THE FUTURE QUANTUM WORKFORCE: PRACTICAL QUANTUM COMPUTING
What: Quantum technologies like MRIs have been around since the 1970s and have revolutionized medicine. Quantum computing, on the other hand, keeps promising great results that seem to be approaching glacially slowly. On the other hand, quantum technologies like clocks and sensors may be in our markets, cars, planes, and ships before too long. How is an educator supposed to decide what are the most practical topics to teach to enable students best to enter the quantum workforce with marketable skills?
Who: Robert Sutor, Vice President and Chief Quantum Advocate, Infleqtion
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/135861
The Promise & Peril of AI
AI IN HEALTHCARE, REAL WORK HAVING GLOBAL IMPACT AT SCALE
What: Panelists with diverse backgrounds from government, regulatory authorities, research organizations and technology companies will discuss specific real-world examples of how artificial intelligence has already had major impact in healthcare and how this is just the beginning. The panel will also discuss the pipeline of new technologies and their application, as well as the ethical issues raised and the safeguards that need to be put in place.
Who: Amy Abernethy, President of Clinical Studies Platforms, Verily; Najat Khan, Chief Data Science Officer & Global Head, Strategy & Operations, R&D, Johnson and Johnson; Ritesh Patel, Senior Partner, Global Digital Health, FINN Partners
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/142903
THE IMPACT OF AI FROM THE INTERSECTION OF COPYRIGHT, CONTENT
What: The world operates on trust and an AI storm is brewing. The ability to generate realistic looking and sounding artworks that are fake ushers us into the “mistrust era” where existing ecosystems break down and new systems must be invented. Jason Peterson, CEO of GoDigital Media Group (GDMG) and Cinq Music, is one of the world’s largest music copyright holders, a licensed attorney and leads a billion-dollar entertainment company. During this fireside chat, Jason and GDMG’s CSO Craig Greiwe will explore the eye of this storm: law, content creation, copyright, business interests, and beyond.
Who: Jason Peterson, Found and CEO, GoDigital Media Group; Craig Greiwe, Chief Strategy Officer and President of Global Marketing, GoDigital Media Group
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/135038
Founders & CMOs Dish on Disruption
FUTURE OF FOOD: MARKETING INNOVATION IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY
What: We’re diving into the dynamic world of plant-based food marketing and sharing exclusive insights from industry-leading Chief Marketing Officers from two disruptor brands – the beloved fast casual restaurant chain Shake Shack and innovative food tech company NotCo. The CMOs will share their experiences, strategies and lessons learned from crafting and executing compelling marketing campaigns that have resonated with consumers around the world. Attendees will gain valuable insights into shaping marketing decisions and the importance of staying agile in a rapidly changing food landscape.
Who: Jay Livingston, Chief Marketing Officer, Shake Shack; Fernando Machado, Chief Marketing Officer, NotCo
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/135088
HUMAN-CENTRIC IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE DESIGN
What: Immersive entertainment has emerged as a powerful channel for driving awe and wonder, with new ways to experience art, films, and music. Innovative tactics and spaces are being designed to experience this new media, drive human connection and bring people closer to what they love. This conversation with award-winning creators spanning tech, film and art, will unpack what goes into building authentic immersive experiences, transporting and transforming audiences, trade secrets to creating moments that enable human connection, and visions for the future of immersive and experiential design.
Who: Guy Reid, Director and Co-Founder, Planetary Collective; Neil Carty, VP, Head of Cosm Studios & Labs at Cosm, Cosm; Nancy Baker Cahill, Artist, Director, Nancy Baker Cahill Studio; Chris Holmes, Founder, Fascinated By Everything
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/139066
Rethinking Health & Wellness
SMARTPHONES: ADDICTION BY DESIGN
What: Smartphones are designed to be addictive, creating changes in brain development akin to drug abuse or alcoholism. Their unfettered use, particularly amongst adolescents, is creating a mental health crisis of unprecedented proportions. Research continues to reveal how smartphones are damaging teens’ mental health and academic performance. We must act now. Parents and educators must be empowered to tackle today’s mental health crisis by keeping smartphones out of schools. This session will feature the latest research and an advocacy roadmap for taking action to ban smartphones from schools.
Who: Jim Winston, Founder, Winston Family Initiative (WiFi); Rosa Li, Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/141239
DECONSTRUCTING WELLNESS: THE UN-PRESCRIPTION FOR YOUR HEALTH
What: Recently, we have seen an uptick in conversation around how the healthcare system is sick. Prescriptive wellness is failing our communities as we view wellness as something other than ourselves – a façade of social media serenity that doesn’t reflect the authenticity that true transformation requires. The mind, body and spirit are connected, in illness and in health.
By deconstructing the myths, misinformation, concepts, and common practices underpinning the term wellness, we can get real about the skills and tools that can help us live a life committed to the journey, not the destination.
Who: Monique Gary, Breast Surgical Oncologist; CEO and Founder, Still Rise Farms; Medical Director, Cancer Program, Grand View Health; Associate Professor Race & Health Equity, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Still Rise Farms
Vote: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/140850