2025 EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE
Executive Leadership Conference
Embracing AI: Leading the Future, Today
Artificial Intelligence is no longer on the horizon—it’s here, reshaping the way we live, work, and lead. Held on May 16, 2025, the Federation of Houston Professional Women (FHPW) Executive Leadership Conference brought together business leaders, technologists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and professionals to explore AI’s immediate and long-term impact across industries.
The day was anchored in real-world insights and forward-looking conversations. With panels focused on AI’s influence in finance, healthcare, technology, governance, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, attendees walked away with tangible strategies and a deeper understanding of how AI is redefining leadership, innovation, and growth.
Rather than hype, the conference centered on honest, grounded dialogue—highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of an AI-driven world. Expert speakers shared actionable takeaways, breakthrough applications, and hard-won lessons from their respective fields. Whether you're leading a company, pivoting in your career, or launching something new, the insights were both practical and empowering.
FHPW hosted this conference in response to a growing need: AI is not just an emerging trend; it’s becoming foundational to success in every sector. The event served as a critical space for exploration, connection, and learning—helping individuals and organizations stay ahead of the curve.
The future isn’t waiting—and neither are we.
Mistress of Ceremony:
Amy Stonesifer, Program Manager Digital Experience, Memorial Hermann Health System
Keynote on Workforce and AI:
- Katie Mehnert, CEO, ALLY Energy
Finance and AI:
- Asif Dakri, CEO, Wallis Bank
- Ken Hogan, Managing Director, Head of FX & Global Banking, Texas Capital Bank
- Lauren Sparks, Founder & CEO, Third Party Resources Inc.
Technology and AI:
- Neera Talbert, Managing Director of Data & AI for Industry Transformation, Microsoft
- George Crawford, CIO/CISO & Partner, Catapult Energy Services
- Nadia Bollinger, VP Solutions, HP Inc.
- Ben Coleman, Research Scientist, Google DeepMind
Governance and AI:
- Amy Stonesifer, Program Manager Digital Experience, Memorial Hermann Health System
- Anja Stanojcic, AI Key Account Manager at Applied AI Center of Excellence (ACE), Occidental Petroleum Corp
- Dr. Marian Zaki, Instructional Associate Professor of Computer Scientist Engineering, Texas A&M
- Laura Spector, Visual Artist
- Marie Laplante, Project Manager NASA Johnson Space Center Crew and Thermal Systems Division & Membership Director, FHPW
Entrepreneurship and AI:
- Kristal Cassey, Chief Visionary Officer, Unicorn Service Solutions
- Jessica Bolaños, Co-Founder & CEO, Goodspero
- Luis Cruz, President, The Zig
- Nayab Contractor, President, FHPW & Co-Founder, What Now Labs
Healthcare and AI:
- Jacqueline Havelka, Founder, InformAI
- Anoop Vijayan, Director of Information Services, Texas Children's Hospital
- Kimberly Barnish, Project Manager, Ceribell
- Jill Almaguer, Sr. Program Manager, Project Management Office, Memorial Hermann Health System & Vice President, FHPW Educational Foundation
