Judges

I am a dedicated engineer in the utility industry with a strong focus on power system protection and asset reliability. Outside of his professional role, Leroy enjoys spending time with friends and embracing the outdoors. I am an avid gardener and passionate cook, often blending these interests by preparing meals with ingredients grown in my own backyard. Whether hiking, entertaining, or experimenting in the kitchen, I values creativity, connection, and continuous learning.

Bashir Agboola is Chief Technology Officer and Vice President at the Hospital for Special Surgery, a top hospital for bone and joint care. He has led technology projects at major hospitals, won multiple leadership awards, and often speaks about tech and leadership. Bashir holds degrees in Computer Science, Economics, and Business, and serves on several advisory boards.

Lauren is front-end focused software engineer with over ten years of experience building websites at companies large and small. She started coding as a hobby during high school and is thankful for the chance to share her enthusiasm with today’s students.

Stephen brings over 20 years of experience in high-tech, spanning public and private sectors. As CIO for PA's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, he modernized systems and implemented innovative solutions. Later, as SVP of Technology at Member's 1st Federal Credit Union, he led mobile banking initiatives and digital transformation. Now at AWS as a Customer Solution Manager, he leverages his diverse background to help organizations navigate cloud transformation and drive innovation.

I am an Assistant Professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and I lead an infectious disease research group that studies how our immune systems respond to tuberculosis and other bacterial infections. I am passionate about fostering creativity in science, training the next generation of STEM professionals, and finding new ways to use technology in science and education.

I am an accomplished engineering & design leader with over 15 years of experience in tech in NYC. I most recently worked in engineering leadership at Adobe, building and maintaining cloud infrastructure to enable artists across the world. In 2023, I left big tech to focus on AI and related projects. Since then, I’ve been making art, writing, and making apps with friends.

Robert is a strategy and product leader at COMPLY, the industry standard for regulatory software and services for the financial services. Before that, Robert graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Applied Math and Economics with a secondary degree in Computer Science, and he is attending MIT to pursue his MBA starting this Fall. In his free time, Robert loves to adventure, play sports, and discuss his favorite television shows.

In college I studied TV and Radio, but figured out that I wanted to put computers and media together. I was eventually able to work at a design firm that developed interactive museum exhibits and multiplayer games, and eventually UX design.

In my current role I develop application flows and screen designs for Verizon’s workforce-facing and customer-facing applications. My daily work combines technical, design, and human-centered activity.

I'm a writer, teacher, and social game maker with a background in cognitive science, non-dual meditation, and media. I teach classes and workshops on writing, embodied play, and artificial intelligence. I also run Third Door, providing education and consulting on AI tools for individuals and organizations.

Vivian Boyd is a Supervisor in Con Edison’s Manhattan Substation Electric Construction department, overseeing major electrical installations that keep NYC powered. She has been with the company for nearly six years; Vivian began as a college intern before joining the company's rotational program, the Leadership Development Program. Prior to Con Edison, Vivian attended Mercy University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Business Honors program with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administrations with a concentration in Marketing. Outside of work, she paddles with Con Edison’s dragon boat team, the Electric Dragons, and explores the world through travel.

Corinne is a researcher with a PhD in Educational Communication and Technology from New York University. Corinne's research interests include applying quantitative methods to understand human behavior, impact evaluation, and examining the affordances of immersive technology for education and entertainment.

Jonah Brucker-Cohen, Ph.D. is an artist, writer, and Associate Professor at Lehman College / CUNY. His work has been exhibited at venues such as SFMOMA, Canadian Museum of Contemporary Art, MOMA, ICA London, Whitney Museum of American Art, Palais du Tokyo, Tate Modern, Ars Electronica, Transmediale, and more. His writing has appeared in publications such as WIRED and Make and his Scrapyard Challenge workshops have been held in over 15 countries on 5 continents.

Franziska Brunner is a Swiss researcher based in Vienna, with a focus on ethical tech and inclusive design. Dr. Brunner has contributed to projects on AI ethics, security, and education, including Austria’s national FAIR-AI initiative and http://aurigin.ai/ in Zürich. She supports uxcon vienna’s leadership team and manages international research programs for professors at Fulbright. She’s honored to support youth innovation at Emoti-Con as a mentor and judge.

Isabela Caetano is a Network Consultant Engineer at IND Technology, supporting the implementation of cost-effective, proactive maintenance technology to mitigate wildfires and enhance network reliability and safety on high-voltage systems globally. Previously, she was a Data Scientist at IBM, working on machine learning and analytics for industrial applications. Isabela is also a former Emoti-Con Crowd Favorite winner and Mouse Design League alum.

Kenneth is a passionate connector and lifelong learner based in NYC. I love bringing people together, mentoring, and tackling challenges with optimism. Big fan of tacos, Brooklyn adventures, and free learning opportunities. Always ready to collaborate, share ideas, and spread positive energy.

Lauren is a software engineer focused on writing compilers for quantum computers. She graduated with a double major in Physics and Computer Science from UC Berkeley.

Electrical Engineer & Substation Supervisor. Driving by new technology and inspired by the brilliant minds of students who embrace it.

Vicki is a Senior Product Designer with over 6 years of experience in creating intuitive interfaces and improving user experiences.