Speakers
2026 Keynote Session
KEYNOTE SUPPORTERS:
Lauren Dunford
CEO & Co-Founder of Guidewheel
Lauren Dunford is the CEO and co-founder of Guidewheel, the FactoryOps platform that democratizes access to Physical AI – connecting any machine in any plant to the cloud to unlock real-time data, boost productivity, and accelerate progress toward net zero.
A World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and repeat Davos speaker, Lauren is known for showing how data and AI can turn factories into engines of both growth and sustainability. Her TED talk, “The future isn’t just coded, it’s built,” calls on the next generation to see manufacturing as the defining career of the future: hands-on, tech-driven, and central to solving climate change.
Before founding Guidewheel, Lauren worked across emerging markets and industrial operations, giving her a rare, practical perspective on how technology succeeds where it matters most – on the factory floor – and how simple visibility can drive measurable ROI at scale.
Carlo Salerno
Managing Director, Education Insights At The Burning Glass Institute
Carlo Salerno is a distinguished expert in research and strategic marketing. With a PhD in Higher Education/Economics, he is a catalyst for company growth, delivering market and consumer insights. Carlo’s work accelerates content marketing, empowers sales teams, and drives product enhancements, resulting in higher solution adoption.
His career has left an indelible mark at The Burning Glass Institute, CampusLogic, and Strada Education Network, where he influenced corporate and marketing growth. Carlo’s consultancy spans government, private sector, and higher education institutions, including notable names like the U.S. Department of Education and American Council on Education. His ability to inform strategies, shape policy, and offer guidance on federal law is unparalleled. From roles like Head of Platform Growth at Pave.com to Director at ESM, Carlo exemplifies innovation and problem-solving in the higher education and student finance arena. His commitment to excellence and diverse experiences makes him a sought-after expert, propelling businesses and organizations to greater success.
Paul Fain
Co-Founder and Editor of Work Shift
Paul Fain, a longtime higher education reporter, is perhaps the nation’s top journalist focused on the nexus of education and work. He writes and runs the must-read newsletter, The Job, and is co-founder of Work Shift, a news site focused on whether education and training are delivering the skilled talent and economic opportunity that society needs. He also hosts The Cusp, a podcast about how artificial intelligence is reshaping work and education. Fain is a member of the advisory board of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s College of Lifetime Learning.
Previously, Paul was the news editor at Inside Higher Ed, where he led the outlet’s coverage of low-income and first-generation students, college completion, community colleges, federal policy, and emerging models of higher education. He also was the founding host of the successful podcast, The Key with Inside Higher Ed. Earlier in his career, Paul was a senior reporter at The Chronicle of Higher Education.
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