Director, The Mill Entrepreneurship Center Salt Lake Community College

Ben Crosby, founder of PhotoNodes and CEO of Specialty Imaging, and 40 North Labs has spent three decades revolutionizing visual technology. His journey began in 1990 with Sports Imaging, where he pioneered digital photography and dye sublimation printing in sports, processing 15 million youth photos annually and innovating personalized photo product technology that became industry standard. In 2002, he founded Specialty Imaging, transforming corporate photography with global brands like Lexus, Cisco, and Siemens. The company achieved a 97% client retention rate and managed over 27 million photo interactions, establishing new benchmarks in corporate visual assets management. Recognizing the growing challenge of extracting value from visual data, He founded 40 North Labs in 2016 and developed PhotoNodes. This revolutionary platform employs groundbreaking multi-modal AI architecture where multiple specialized AI models work in parallel, each analyzing different aspects of visual content - from object recognition to environmental conditions. PhotoNodes is transforming both defense and commercial sectors. In defense, it provides real-time visual intelligence analysis and pattern recognition for critical decision-making. In commercial applications, it enables retail compliance monitoring, manufacturing quality control, and sophisticated marketing asset management across thousands of locations. The platform's multi-modal AI approach enables parallel processing, cross-validation between models, and enhanced accuracy through specialized expertise. This innovation represents a new paradigm in visual intelligence, turning images into actionable insights that drive better decisions across organizations. Looking ahead, he continues to advance visual intelligence technology through enhanced AI capabilities, industry-specific solutions, and global-scale implementation. His work demonstrates how persistent innovation can transform how organizations understand and utilize visual information in an increasingly visual world.

Tara Spalding is a distinguished business strategist, community leader, and investor with 30 years of experience in scaling companies, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving global impact. Her career spans from Silicon Valley startups to international trade, showcasing her expertise in go-to-market strategies, community building, and inclusive business practices. After concluding her role as Chief Experience Officer and Managing Director of International Programs at World Trade Center Utah in 2024, Tara now focuses on operational consulting and private investments for high-impact, scaling companies worldwide. Her leadership has been instrumental in various organizations, including serving as Interim CEO and CPO at Kinect Capital, where she supported entrepreneurs and women-founded businesses. As the founder of Hen House Ventures and former Managing Director of BoomStartup Accelerator, Tara has helped hundreds of tech companies scale rapidly and access crucial early-stage funding. Her Silicon Valley experience, including roles at SugarCRM, GroundWork Open Source, and Magnet Systems, laid the foundation for her expertise in tech-driven growth strategies. Tara actively volunteers with Utah's A Bolder Way Forward program and serves on advisory boards for organizations like B:Side Capital, Utah Tech Innovation Foundation, and the University of Utah UVF Fund II. Her co-authorship of "10 Preparation Stages to Start a Successful Business" reflects her dedication to empowering entrepreneurs. Tara's contributions have been recognized with the 2024 “40 Women Over 40” award and the 2020 Utah Business “30 Women to Watch” award. With a Bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, Tara continues to shape the global business landscape, driving innovation and fostering inclusive growth across industries.

As the Co-founder and Chief Brand Development Officer at Bringit, I am committed to redefining the luggage industry through innovation, strategic partnerships, and a consumer-first approach. With a deep understanding of strategic partnerships, brand management, market trends, and consumer sentiment, I drive initiatives that enhance brand value, increase market share, and create compelling value propositions for both partners, DMO's and travelers. How I Add Value: 🚀 Brand Growth & Market Expansion – I craft and execute strategies that elevate brand recognition, foster customer loyalty, and position Bringit as an industry lead. 🤯Innovation – Passionate about convenient travel solutions, I advocate for smart technology integration that enhance modern travel experiences. 🤝 Strategic Partnerships – I collaborate with hotels, DMO's, airlines, business travelers and travel influencers to expand market reach, ensuring our products align with evolving traveler needs. 📊 Data-Driven Insights – Leveraging consumer sentiment analysis, I identify opportunities for product development, pricing strategies, and enhanced customer engagement. 👥 Leadership & Team Building – With a strong background in cross-functional leadership, I empower teams to innovate, streamline processes, and execute strategies that drive sustainable growth. My Mission: To revolutionize the way people travel by designing smarter, convenient luggage solutions that cater to the ever-evolving needs of modern travelers. I am always open to learning, collaborating, and exploring new opportunities that push the industry forward.

Professor of Health Economics, Kozminski University, Warsaw, Poland Visiting Professor Department of Pharmacotherapy University of Utaj Founder, ISPOR Digital Health Special Interest Group Author, The Digital Transformation of the Healthcare System (Routledge, July 2023) Driven by a passion for improving healthcare, Professor Katarzyna Kolasa has dedicated her academic and business career to advancing health economics and digital health trans-formation. With over 25 years of experience addressing global pricing and reimbursement challenges, Katarzyna Kolasa has held numerous Regional and Global leadership positions at top or-ganizations, including AstraZeneca, BMS, Biogen Idec, Lundbeck, GE Healthcare, Straub Medical, BD, and the Swedish County Council of Kalmar. Prof Kolasa is also a mentor for digital health startups in Europe, sharing her extensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical and medical device ecosystems.

UX/UI/Product Designer | Problem Solver | IA Advocate | Creating Delight I create frictionless user experiences through effective research and innovative design! I have a strong background in branding and UX design, as well as visual design, production design, and digital asset management. I love finding creative solutions to problems, and creating order out of chaos. I take pride in my ability to visually communicate my ideas on a whiteboard, and collaborate with teams to create eye catching designs, and user friendly layouts.

We make the world a better place for those that want to work in a better place. For over 16 years, Salt Studio has served the Salt Lake community as a high end interior design studio, complementing architecture and design firms with expertise in commercial interiors, walls, millwork, casework, space planning, and furniture. As the tech industry returns to the office, we recognize the growing demand for dynamic, inviting, and collaborative spaces that foster creativity and connection.

I don’t just help companies catch up, I help them leap ahead. As the founder of Cameo Labs, I work with high-growth leaders who are tired of quick fixes and want real transformation. From EdTech to SaaS, I help organizations ditch outdated playbooks, align their teams around a vision, and deliver products their customers actually want. Let’s rethink innovation, so you can stop fighting yesterday’s battles and start leading tomorrow’s market.

Dynamic Executive with twenty years of experience helping organizations reach their full potential. Adept in making key decisions and working with other professionals to achieve goals and solve problems. Experienced in managing employee and community programs, and dedicated to successfully directing business operations

I am a quick learner with a track record of solving technology and people problems. I communicate effectively, work flexibly on a team, and am happiest working on solutions to difficult problems and situations. Currently seeking my next opportunity.

Marketing That Moves | Record Sales Growth | Senior Marketing Leader | Strategist | Consultant | Startup Mentor | Applied Marketing | Intentional Branding

Passionate, friendly, solutions oriented marketing and sales executive. Ask me about your non-profit and SME challenges.

Founder. B2B SaaS and ecommerce marketplace expert.

Software Development Professional

Product Manager and Early Stage Startups

President & Chair