Michael North Vice President of NFL Broadcast Planning & Scheduling. NFL - National Football League

Michael North is in his 25th season with the NFL and his 22nd in the Broadcasting Department where he is part of the team that creates the playing schedule each season. North works closely with the 32 Clubs, network television partners, stadium operators, and the NFL’s International team while managing the relationships with software and hardware vendors, as well as mixed integer programming, combinatorial optimization, and predictive analytics experts, in an effort to help search through millions of permutations in pursuit of the one magical, mythical, “perfect” NFL schedule each season that satisfies all the teams and television networks. A 1992 graduate from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in computer science, Mike lives with his artist wife, three teenage sons, two dogs, and a turtle in Westchester County, NY, tantalizingly close to Hudson National Golf Club.

Kirk Borne Founder Data Leadership Group

Dr. Kirk Borne is the founder and owner of Data Leadership Group LLC, advisor to AI startups including Prime.ai, career data professional, data science leader, and research astrophysicist. From 2015 to 2021, he was Principal Data Scientist, Data Science Fellow, and Executive Advisor at Booz Allen Hamilton. Previously, he was Professor of Astrophysics and Computational Science at George Mason University. Before that, he spent 20 years supporting data systems activities for NASA space science missions, including the Hubble Telescope. He is a top worldwide social influencer promoting data science and AI for all.

John Lybarger Manager & Product Owner Toyota Motor North America

John Lybarger is a Manager & Product Owner on the Supply Chain & Fulfilment Transformation (SCaFT) team at Toyota Motor North America in Plano, Texas. With over 10 years at Toyota, John has held various roles in R&D and Quality, which have equipped him with a deep understanding of the company’s operations and strategic needs. Since May 2023, he has guided the development and launch of Sim Engine Supply Chain Resiliency (SCR) and Customer Experience (CX) products, effectively navigating supply chain disruptions and enhancing operational efficiency while delivering innovative solutions for Toyota’s customers.

Dr. Markus G. Drouven Technical Director, National Methane Emissions Reduction Initiative U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory

Dr. Markus Drouven is an Oil & Gas Systems Optimization Expert with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). He has over a decade of experience in developing and deploying decision-support solutions for energy systems. Markus is an engineer by training, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and a Master’s degrees in chemical engineering. He also holds a Ph.D. in Process Systems Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Prior to joining NETL, Markus was with EQT Corporation, the largest natural gas producer in the United States, where he was responsible for establishing an in-house optimization engineering team. At NETL, Markus is currently serving as the Technical Director of NETL’s National Methane Emissions Reduction Initiative, NEMRI.

Brett Stewart AI Solutions Director C3.ai

Brett Stewart, PhD is an AI Solutions Director at C3 AI. Drawing from 15 years of manufacturing experience, he partners with customers to develop and implement tailored AI solutions to solve business challenges. Prior to C3 AI, Brett was an optimization engineer at ExxonMobil. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Suman Tripathy Lead Data Scientist C3.ai

Suman Tripathy is a Lead Data Scientist at C3 AI. She is the product lead for C3 Process Optimization. She has been a key developer for the application and progressed it across C3 platform versions V7 and V8. She also managed C3 Process Optimization app deployments across eight different customers and numerous industries. Prior to C3 AI, she attained a B.S.  in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from UC Berkeley as well as an M.S.  in Data Science from Columbia University.

Bruno Scalia C. F. Leite Senior Data Scientist Suzano S.A.

Bruno Scalia C. F. Leite is a senior data scientist specializing in operations research, developing supply chain digital solutions for a leading pulp and paper company. With a robust background in optimizing complex logistical and operational systems, Bruno has consistently driven significant efficiency improvements and cost reductions within the industry. At Suzano S.A., Bruno is pivotal in leveraging advanced analytical methods and tools, including Gurobi, to tackle intricate supply chain challenges. His position combines theoretical aspects of operations research, including linear programming, integer programming, and heuristics, with modern software engineering and data solutions to create efficient decision intelligence systems in a dynamic business environment. Bruno's contributions have streamlined operations and fostered a culture of continuous improvement and innovation both inside and outside the organization. By contributing to established code packages, distributing online short courses, sharing open-source coding examples, writing about modeling, and mentoring projects, he has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of operationalizing operations research and numerical optimization solutions. As a speaker at the Gurobi Summit, Bruno will share valuable insights from his extensive experience in the pulp and paper industry, highlighting real-world applications of Gurobi in optimizing supply chain operations across strategic to operational levels. Attendees can look forward to gaining practical knowledge and innovative strategies to apply in their own operational contexts. Bruno holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), where he dedicated his research to numerical methods and applications of numerical optimization to complex industrial processes. He continues contributing to the academic environment by co-mentoring undergraduate projects inspired by real-world industrial applications of operations research.

Carolyn Mooney CEO Nextmv

Carolyn Mooney is CEO of Nextmv, a DecisionOps platform that accelerates optimization AI teams with tools for deployment, testing, CI/CD, collaboration, and management of decision models. Previously, she analyzed simulations at Lockheed and Zoomer, and also ran Grubhub’s Systems Engineering team, impacting all of Grubhub’s fulfillment systems. Outside of work, she is usually coaching volleyball or playing with her pup, Wally.

Ryan O'Neil CTO Nextmv

Ryan O'Neil is CTO of Nextmv, a DecisionOps platform that accelerates optimization AI teams with tools for deployment, testing, CI/CD, collaboration, and management of decision models. Previously, he led the Decision Engineering department at Grubhub and Zoomer, which owned forecasting, scheduling, routing, and simulation. Additionally, Ryan worked as an Operations Research Analyst at MITRE, and led software teams at The Washington Post, Yhat, and Polimetrix. During this, he earned a PhD in Operations Research at George Mason University, and wrote his dissertation on real time routing for pickup and delivery problems.‍

Dr. Jay Foraker Lead Data Scientist Aimpoint Digital

Jay is a Lead Data Scientist with 10+ years of experience leading teams of operations research analysts. He has supervised 21 different capstone projects focused on resource allocation, supply chain management, discrete event simulation, data visualization, and scheduling. He is passionate about helping organizations use data to make better decisions and improve their operations.

Jay joins Aimpoint Digital after retiring as a Navy Captain. During his more than 30 years of service, Jay served as a Naval Flight Officer, accumulating over 2400 flight hours in T-34C, T-43A, E-6A, and E-6B aircraft. He also served as a catapult and arresting gear officer on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), where he contributed to the safe launch and recovery of over 17,000 flights, including 1,500 combat missions in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. His last tour in the Navy was as a Permanent Military Professor in the Mathematics Department at the United States Naval Academy. Jay holds the following degrees: a Ph.D. in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, an MS from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a BS from the United States Naval Academy.

Dr. Linlin Yang Principal Data Scientist Aimpoint Digital

Linlin is a Principal Data Scientist at Aimpoint Digital with 7+ years of advanced analytics experience in the Oil & Gas industry. She brings to the team technical background in mathematical programming as well as a passion for developing practical business decision-support solutions.

Prior to joining Aimpoint, Linlin worked in various roles advocating and creating engagement opportunities for advanced analytics within ExxonMobil downstream. She worked closely with business, engineering, and research teams to create optimization and machine learning solutions for improved decision-making in areas spanning manufacturing to commercial. Linlin earned a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and a Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University focused on the field of Process Systems Engineering.

Patricia Randall Director Princeton Consultants

Patricia specializes in designing, developing, and implementing large-scale, high-impact systems that leverage optimization and machine learning to enhance business decision-making at strategic, tactical, and operational levels. Her engineering background enables her to translate complex mathematical models into practical business solutions across various industries, including transportation, manufacturing, biotech, finance, and advertising. In her optimization and analytics projects, Patricia collaborates on-site with client executives and subject matter experts. She leads a multidisciplinary team of optimizers, software developers, data scientists, and mathematicians. Together, they employ diverse approaches and algorithms to create functional models that deliver optimal results for complex, real-world problems. These models are custom designed to capture the unique nuances of each client's business operations. Since joining Princeton in 2007, Patricia has advanced to the role of Director. In this position, she leads teams to ensure complete client satisfaction and success. She holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University. As a speaker at Gurobi Days in Dallas in February 2020, Patricia presented "Optimization Powers a New Operating Universe at Birchbox," highlighting her experience in applying optimization techniques to real-world business challenges.

Caroline Daugherty Data Translator Pfizer

Caroline Daugherty, Data Translator with Pfizer’s Operations & Insights team, has experience developing custom data science and optimization solutions for applications ranging from manufacturing to quality control. She enjoys leveraging complex data to unlock insights and drive business value.

Abby Garrett Freeman Data Translator, Pfizer Pfizer

Abby Garrett Freeman, Lead Data Translator with Pfizer’s Operations & Insights team, has spent the last 3 years developing custom software to make insights generated from optimization, machine learning, and descriptive analytics accessible to all leadership levels at Pfizer, from floor managers up to Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla.

Marcelo Reis Optimization Director BITKA Analytics

Marcelo Reis is Optimization Director at BITKA Analytics and one of the company's founders. He has a degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Viçosa and a master's degree in Algorithms and Combinatorial Optimization from PUC-Rio. He has scientific papers published in several academic journals, including the Mathematical Programming journal. He has more than 20 years of experience in Advanced Analytics, having worked on several projects for large Brazilian and multinational companies.

Ron Norris Director of Innovation Georgia-Pacific

As a catalyst for change, Ron Norris is dedicated to reshaping how work gets done. Renowned for his opportunity-focused leadership, Ron is known for sparking transformative conversations in forums around the world. Ron is at the forefront of creating innovative ways to utilize technology to assist both new and existing employees. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, Machine Learning (ML), Machine Teaching (MT), and Causal AI, he enhances operational efficiency and empowers employees to perform their best in all areas of the organization. With extensive experience in operations, manufacturing, and sales and marketing, Ron drives business growth and profitability. Throughout his career, Ron has led cross-functional teams and driven organizational transformation, breaking down complex concepts to make them understandable and actionable for all. "The work remains the same. What changes is how we participate in getting the work done."

Mohit Aggarwal Director of Asset Optimization BrightNight

Mohit Aggarwal is a seasoned expert in machine learning and advanced analytics with over 15 years of experience in the energy sector. He holds a PhD in process systems engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from IIT Delhi. Currently, as the Director of Asset Optimization at BrightNight Energy, he plays a key role in developing a cutting-edge optimization platform for the design and operation of renewable energy power plants.

Throughout his career, Mohit has held pivotal roles at renowned organizations such as Air Products, Bloom Energy, and Arm. At Air Products, he developed a real-time optimization application for the world’s largest hydrogen pipeline. At Bloom Energy, he established and led the advanced analytics and controls team, enabling the scalable operation of thousands of fuel cell energy systems. Additionally, his entrepreneurial experience includes founding a tech startup, where he built a consumer website for book reviews, gaining valuable insights into product and business development.

Mohit’s expertise lies at the intersection of energy systems, software engineering, and machine learning, and he continues to be driven by a passion for solving real-world challenges through innovative technologies.

Daniel Fylstra Founder and CEO Frontline Systems

Daniel Fylstra is founder and CEO of Frontline Systems Inc. (https://solver.com), developers of the Solver in Microsoft Excel that enables optimization for over 1 billion spreadsheet users, and the very first Gurobi ISV partner fifteen years ago in 2009.  Earlier in his career, Dan was founder and Chairman of VisiCorp, the company that brought the first electronic spreadsheet, VisiCalc, to market with Apple Computer in 1979.  Dan was also co-founder and Chairman of Compass Modeling Solutions in 1994, offering the first Windows-based GUI for the AMPL modeling language, and co-founder and initial President of Sierra Sciences, a biotech anti-aging research firm in 1999. Frontline Systems, a Silver Sponsor of the Decision Intelligence Summit, offers its products Analytic Solver for Microsoft Excel and its cloud-based RASON algebraic modeling language, both handling large-scale optimization models up to millions of variables and constraints, using the Gurobi Solver.  With its Gurobi Solver Connector, Frontline offers an easy way for any customer using the Gurobi Solver from any source, to also use their Gurobi Solver with Microsoft Excel-based spreadsheet optimization models.

Yash Puranik Principal Data Scientist Aimpoint Digital

Yash is a Principal Data Scientist with deep expertise in the development and implementation of optimization and machine learning algorithms. Yash is particularly interested in helping clients derive value by leveraging data science and optimization techniques to solve practical problems. Prior to joining Aimpoint Digital, Yash was an Optimization Research Scientist at The Optimization Firm, where he contributed to the development of state-of-the-art optimization solver BARON. Before this, Yash was a Research Scientist at Rockwell Automation, where Yash developed novel algorithms for learning on streaming data, which led to multiple patents. Yash obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.