Emerging Technology In Business and Industry

Keynote Speaker: Ricardo Sarmiento

President and Co-owner, Loko AI

Mr. Sarmiento has over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, executive, investor, and consultant in the private, public and non-profit sectors around the world. Currently, he is President and co-owner of one of the world's fastest growing Generative AI technology companies. 

He is a sought after speaker, consultant, and advisor internationaly and is recognized for his leadership and innovative stragetic thinking in developing and implementing advanced technology solutions (Generative AI) that increase profitability. 

 

John Mooney, PhD

Professor of Information Systems Technology Management, Academic Research Fellow, MIT Sloan Center for IS Research

Dr. John G. Mooney is the Professor of Information Systems Technology Management, Academic Research Fellow, MIT Sloan Center for IS Research. He also serves as the Graziadio School academic director to Pepperdine University’s Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports. Dr. Mooney holds a BS in computer science and a master of management science both from University College Dublin, and a PhD in information systems and business strategy from UC Irvine. He was named a Fellow of the Association for Information Systems in December 2018, received the George L. Graziadio "Outstanding Faculty" award in April 2018 and the Pepperdine University Howard A. White award for teaching excellence in 2020.

Dr. Mooney was a visiting scholar at the MIT Sloan Center for Information Systems Research from 2010-2011 and continued his affiliation as research associate until 2016. He currently serves as chair of the Association for Information Systems Leader Excellence Award Committee, as a member of the External Advisory Board for Lero – the Irish Software Research Centre (funded by Science Foundation Ireland), and as external examiner for IT, Operations and Project Management at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. He serves as a member of the editorial boards of MIS Quarterly Executive, the Journal of Strategic Information Systems, the eService Journal and the Journal of Global Responsibility. He was a co-founder of Realex Payments and served as a non-executive director until its acquisition in 2015. His current research interests include management of digital innovation and business executive responsibilities for managing digital platforms and information resources.

At the Graziadio School, Dr. Mooney previously served as executive director of the Institute for Entertainment, Media and Sports from 2015-2018, associate dean of Academic Affairs and Online Programs from 2014-2015; department chair for Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Information Systems and Decision Sciences from 2012-2014; and as associate dean for academic programs at the Graziadio School from 2005-2010. In the latter role, his responsibilities included leadership and oversight of the development and delivery of the Graziadio School’s portfolio of degree and certificate programs. He co-founded the AACSB Associate Deans Affinity Group in 2008 and served as its founding chair. In collaboration with Deborah Spake, John developed AACSB’s “Seminar for New Associate Deans” in 2011. He was vice president for chapters and affiliated organizations at the Association for Information Systems (AIS) from 2004-2007, and served as conference co-chair for the 37th International Conference on Information Systems that was held in December 2016 in Dublin, Ireland.

John is married to Dr. Angela Tripoli, who coaches executives and professionals through life and career transitions. They are blessed with an amazing daughter, who is pursuing a computer science major at UCLA. John volunteers his time as a “Lead Trail Boss” and “Lead Land Steward” at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

Elizabeth Adams

CEO, EMA Advisory Services

Elizabeth M. Adams is a highly-sought-after resource for executives, small business owners, non-profits, educational institutions, and community leaders who are looking to expand their knowledge of AI Ethics and Leadership of Responsible AI™. As a scholar-practitioner, Elizabeth has developed her expertise working with technical and non-technical leaders, creating alliances with community that translate theory into results. Elizabeth is pursuing an executive doctoral degree at Pepperdine University with a research focus on Leadership of Responsible AI. She serves as the Global Chief Culture & Ethics Officer for Women in AI and is the Founder/CEO of EMA Advisory Services.

Demosthenes Vardiabasis, PhD

Professor of Economics and International Business 

Dr. Vardiabasis has over 35 years of experience as a professor, entrepreneur, executive, and
consultant. He has founded several companies and has served as a chairman and CEO of the IQ
Now Corporation, which was acquired by a public company and of Health Windows, which
provided services to such companies as American Express, Hilton, Yamaha, and Honeywell. As
a consultant, Dr. Vardiabasis has worked with companies representing a wide range of industries,
including: Baxter Healthcare, Northwest Airlines, ICTS Europe, Edison Utilities, Northgate
Supermarkets, El Proyecto, Brinks, Greek National Tourism Organization, Korean government,
Latin Business Association, and the Arthritis Foundation. He has been an advisor and board
member of several start-up companies. He served as a member of the U.S. committee to assist
Russian Reform and of the National Policy Forum, chaired by U. S. Senator Phil Gramm. He
was appointed as Economic Commissioner in California by Governor Schwarzenegger.

He was the Chairman of the Entertainment and Tourism Industry committee for the State of
California during Governors, A. Schwarzenegger and J. Brown.

Dr. Vardiabasis, is the Chairman of the China Investment Group which among other projects,
acquired the rights to represent the development of Paramount theme parks in China.

Through his company, Global Strategic Edge, he is currently working with executives and
entrepreneurs on business strategy and creative operational solutions.

Dr. Vardiabasis has published extensively in refereed journals, business magazines, and
conference proceedings. He is the editor of a five-volume book on economics, published by
Salem Press and has contributed to the book International Trade: Global Commodity Price
Stabilization, published by Quorum Books. A number of his articles have appeared in Annual
Editions in Marketing, Business Insights, International Journal of Management, Mergers and
Acquisitions, Journal of Commerce, Southwestern Economic Review, Business to Business,
Journal of Economic Review, Japanese Management News, Developments in Marketing
Science, Management Insight, and the Los Angeles Times.

Cole Short, PhD

Assistant Professor of Strategy

Dr. Short’s research frequently leverages financial and natural language data to examine perceptions of the firm and how strategic leaders can manage these perceptions to enhance performance. His work has covered topics such as strategic information disclosure, crisis and impression management, and how executive characteristics adapt and influence strategic decisions. He has published research in several leading academic journals such as Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Management, Academy of Management Discoveries, and Journal of Business Venturing Insights. Dr. Short has received several research and service awards, including the Highly Cited Paper distinction by Thomson Reuters and several best paper and outstanding reviewer awards at international conferences.

Dr. Short’s professional background includes strategy consulting, medical diagnostics and information technology investing, and volunteer service as a first responder. He received his PhD in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from the University of Georgia, his MA in Economics from Boston University, and his BA in International Studies from Baylor University. Dr. Short has also completed professional education in applied data science and machine learning through the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife and children, hiking, writing, and working on crafting the perfect cup of coffee. Dr. Short is also passionate about international education and has mentored exchange students for several years. He previously served as a reserve firefighter and completed his NREMT certification in Central Texas.