CONVERGE INVITED SPEAKERS

Dr. Brandon Allen is an Associate Research Professor in the School of Engineering Education at Purdue University. He is the Co-Director of Diversity and Culture of Inclusion of the NSF ASPIRE (Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification) Engineering Research Center. Dr. Allen also leads the Equity Research Thrust for ASPIRE where he helps develop strategic research plans to address equitability in the pursuits of an electrified transportation system. Dr. Allen hosts K-12 and undergraduate students for summer research opportunities to work with electric vehicles and has led mentoring programs to assist students in engineering disciplines. He has received the Purdue University Societal Impact Fellow Award, the Frances A. Cordova Leadership in Action Award, and the One Brick Higher Award from Purdue University.

Rossana D’Antonio served as Deputy Director for Los Angeles County Public Works providing executive leadership for the development of sustainable communities, resilient housing, jobs, and emergency management. Rossana has extensive background in executive management, business processes, community engagement, and stakeholder outreach. She received an MBA from Pepperdine University and holds registrations in Civil and Geotechnical Engineering. Rossana was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists where she works to ensure protection of the public and the environment. She is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is serving as a member of the Board of Directors. Rossana is a member of the Women’s Media Center SheSource, a braintrust for media experienced experts. She has been featured as a guest in radio, digital media, and is published in print and online.

Dr. Mario Harper specializes in robotics, decision algorithms under uncertainty, and artificial intelligence design, which balances multiple objectives. These algorithms allow him to work on projects improving higher education financing actively, tertiary credit market access, and transportation infrastructure investment for diverse groups of at-risk and high-income communities. Many of his developed artificial intelligence (AI) technologies rely on the strength of insight gained from the breadth of diverse information rather than larger data pools. Dr. Harper believes that AI systems that expressly consider the diversity represented in the people it serves are crucial to understanding and finding better solutions. Dr. Harper holds a Ph.D. from Florida State University.

Mia Morris (she/they) is a DeafDisabled performing artist and Disability Justice Advocate. They had the pleasure of growing up in a dance company that truly believed dance is for everyone. As an adult, Mia was later turned away from nearly all other dance studios for literally and figuratively having the "wrong" body to even make it through the door. They know firsthand how important equitable access to spaces leads to a sense of authentic inclusion. They’ve spent their career sharing their passion for curating safe spaces for authentic self-exploration and expression. Most recently, Mia has served as Executive Director of an access-centered dance nonprofit and guest panelist with organizations such as DanceNYC and DanceUSA, in addition to working with private businesses and individuals looking to find a starting point for a more access-centered mindset.

Dr. Yvette E. Pearson is Founder and Principal Consultant of The PEER Group. She is known globally for her work at the intersections of sustainability, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her university-based and consulting efforts have led to over $40M in funding to support the success of students from minoritized and marginalized identities. A Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), her work has led to changes in policies and practices to advance equity and inclusion in ASCE, ABET and other global organizations. As past chair of ASCE’s Formal Engineering Education Committee, Pearson and her team led the organization’s charge of educating programs on strategies for the inclusion of principles of sustainability in engineering curricula, in large part by promoting a transdisciplinary, convergent approach to attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Pearson’s awards and honors include ASCE’s Professional Practice Ethics & Leadership Award, ABET’s Claire L. Felbinger Award for Diversity & Inclusion, the Society of Women Engineers Distinguished Engineering Educator Award, and ASCE’s President’s Medal. She is a registered Professional Engineer and Commissioner on ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission. Her podcast, Engineering Change, has audiences in over 80 countries. 

Dr. Ivonne Santiago is Co-Director of the ASPIRE (Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification) Engineering Research Center. and Associate Professor Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso. She is passionate about equity in two areas: Access to safe drinking water and access to clean transportation, two key factors for social mobility that she promotes inside and outside the classroom. She is Co-PI of UTEP’s NSF H-AGEP program focusing on mentoring Hispanic doctoral students for academic careers and the Department of Education’s STEMGROW and YES SHE CAN programs that encourage and support Hispanic and female students and students with disabilities to pursue STEM careers. Dr. Santiago is also Chair of the Public Service Board, which manages El Paso Water. Dr. Santiago has received numerous awards including: the 2014 University of Texas System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award; the 2018 ASCE’s Texas Section “Service to the People” award; and the 2019 El Paso Engineer of the Year award by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.

Dr. Gavin Smith is a Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, climate change adaptation, and the integration of research and practice with community engagement and education. Dr. Smith's prior work in the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management led to the formation of the National Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. Recognized globally for his expertise in natural hazards, disasters, and climate change adaptation, he has served as an advisor to three US governors, multiple states, more than 100 local governments, and several nations and has published numerous books, book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, and technical reports addressing these topics. His current research focuses on assessing the state of disaster resilient design curricula at universities in the US and the role of gubernatorial leadership in disasters.