Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Monica McGill, CEO and Founder of CSEdResearch.org

Keynote: Navigating the Technological Tide: How Leveraging Past Perspectives Can Help You Create Sound Software for Everyone

In the ever-expanding landscape of our digital existence, artificial intelligence (AI) is seamlessly integrating into the fabric of our lives, much like a dye diffusing through water. While technological progress is not a novel concept, insights from the past offer invaluable lessons about how innovation shapes our world. Drawing from these historical lenses, my keynote talk aims to provide a framework within the realm of computer science that encompasses AI and technological advancements. Join me on a journey to delve into its nuanced impact on present and future developers, emphasizing the importance of adopting critical perspectives and providing you with some basic tools on how to do so. Leveraging these insights can imbue your projects with depth, reflection, and profound meaning in the ever-evolving landscape of computing and AI.

Bio: Dr. Monica McGill is passionate about computing education research, which motivated her to found the Institute for Advancing Computing Education (IACE) as a non-profit. She has led the organization in conducting equity-focused K-12 CS education research funded by grants and contracts from various national and international organizations, including the National Science Foundation, Google, Amazon Future Engineer, CSTA, Code.org, and more. Monica earned her B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics from University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, M.S. in Computer Science from George Washington University, and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University as a non-traditional student. Prior to forming IACE, she worked for several years in industry as a computer scientist and then as a twice-tenured professor of computer science and game design/development for over 15 years.

She has authored/co-authored 85+ articles related to computing education and is currently working as a primary investigator on several National Science Foundation (NSF) grants exploring CS education in the US. She also served as inaugural chair for the ACM-W North America committee, on the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Board and Sjögren’s Foundation board and as an associate editor of the ACM Transactions on Computing Education.

Monica enjoys embarking on travel adventures with her husband Dan, sometimes bringing along their dogs, Coco and Benny, and sometimes road-tripping cross country to visit one of their daughters.

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Keynote Speaker: Kevin Juhnke, Enterprise Architect

Topic: Perspectives on Technology’s impact on Financial Services and the Future Workforce

A variety of experiences over a 30+ year career in the computing field at Principal Financial provides for a life-long journey with many fascinating insights. Mr. Juhnke will focus his thoughts on:

  • Business and market challenges in Financial Services and their impact on an organization’s Technology Strategies
  • The impact key maturing and emerging technologies have on the Financial Services industry including…
    • Cloud Advancements
    • Generative AI
    • Blockchain
    • “Citizen” Development

He conclude his thoughts with perspectives on areas where educators can help position students to be more marketable and impactful in financial services tech jobs after graduation.

Bio: Kevin Juhnke is a Director of Enterprise Architecture at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, IA and a ‘90 graduate of Graceland College (University) with a BS in Computer Science and Math. Kevin has been at Principal for the entirety of his career, beginning as a COBOL developer, transitioning to leadership roles in Technology R&D, and eventually settling into the realm of Enterprise Architecture.

For the last 20+ years, Kevin has led the Enterprise Architecture practice of various divisions within Principal including Corporate Finance, Enterprise CRM, Principal Asset Management, Principal International and is currently the lead Enterprise Architect for Principal Retirement and Income Solutions (i.e. Principal’s Retirement Division).

In the role of Enterprise Architect, Kevin spends his days identifying and shaping technology strategy, enabling transition of business and technology strategy to execution, and driving modernization of technology portfolios to enable future business strategies. Some days with more success than others.

Image of Kevin Juhnke