Speakers

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff has been a leading transit executive for more than a decade. He spent 22 years on the staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee, including 14 years as Democratic Staff Director on the Transportation Subcommittee.

From 2009‑2014 Rogoff led the Federal Transit Administration under President Obama, and from 2014‑2016 he was the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Tom Captain is the recently retired and long time leader for Deloitte’s global Aerospace and Defense sector practice. In his role, Tom was the senior leader, interfacing with client executives, the media, and industry organizations, while also serving on clients assignments. In his 36 years with Deloitte, Tom specialized in aircraft launch programs, operational restructuring, strategy, due diligence, cost reduction, M&A, financing, product development, engineering, operations, productivity improvement, information systems, and PMO. He is one of the most cited, well known, and respected experts in the sector.

Joshua Heim is the arts program manager at the City of Bellevue, and was previously the cultural arts administrator for the City of Redmond. Before that, he spent 10 years in the heritage and museum field, starting his career at Kaho‘oilina, a scholarly journal in Honolulu, dedicated to preserving the Hawaiian language and supporting Hawaiian language immersion schools. He went on to work at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle, where he developed community-based exhibitions and managed the award winning YouthCAN program, recipient of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award.

Elaina Herber is an experienced chief executive officer and entrepreneurial community leader with a knack for creating value in a variety of service industries, including family entertainment centers and recreation, hospitality and restaurant services, and high‑tech. Mrs. Herber has over 20 years of experience as an innovator and business developer. She holds a master’s degree in Technology Management, and through her 15 years of experience in IT, established global technology partnerships and launched innovative solutions with many of the world’s most visible High‑Tech companies, such as Lucent Technologies, AT&T, Qwest Communications, SAP, and Microsoft.

Steve McConnell is the author of some of software development’s most respected and bestselling books. His first book, Code Complete, is a software industry classic that is often described as the best‑reviewed, bestselling software development book of all time. Steve’s books have sold more than 1 million copies and have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

Steve is the founder and CEO of Construx Software, which helps leading edge companies improve their software development capabilities through private, on‑site seminars, online courses, and customized consulting engagements.

A former college professor, newspaper reporter and lead narrative designer for a computer game studio, Robert Ferrigno is the author of fourteen thrillers. His first novel, The Horse Latitudes, was called “the fiction debut of the season” by Time magazine; although, to be fair, it was only May.

His most recent books are the Assassin trilogy (Prayers for the Assassin, Sins of the Assassin, Heart of the Assassin) set thirty-five years in the future, after a civil war has left the United States divided into two nations, a Muslim republic and a Christian Bible Belt. Fun ensues.

In this digital age, the virtual and physical “you” are inextricably linked. Cybersecurity is often discussed in the context of corporations, but what about the individual? We will unpack the issue from the personal perspective and discuss cybercrime trends targeting individuals, how you (and others) could be a weak link for your business, and practical ways to protect yourself, your family, and your data.

Frances Dewing is the CEO and Co-Founder of Rubica, a high‑growth, venture‑backed company, focused on bringing advanced cybersecurity to individuals. She regularly consults to boards, Fortune 100 executives, and HNW private client groups on cybersecurity issues and best practices. Since the company’s inception, Frances built and directed Rubica’s core operations teams, including cyber operations, customer support, finance, legal, diversity initiatives, and human resources.

Since joining El Gaucho and his father and founder, Paul Mackay, in 2003, the two worked together to build a special place for people to celebrate their lives. Over the years, Chad developed strategic direction to promote continual growth, and in July 2017 announced the evolution to Fire & Vine Hospitality. The operating company manages the El Gaucho family of restaurants and the Inn at El Gaucho, an operating partnership with Chef Jason Wilson’s restaurants and new properties set to open in 2017 and 2018. His primary responsibilities include developing the company’s people and structure and continuing to foster the El Gaucho legacy of service to our guests and community. As a dedicated member of the Seattle community, Chad is active in the Washington State Hospitality Association and Visit Seattle, as Finance Chair and Board Chair.

A successful entrepreneur and passionate impact leader, Spencer Oberg is an active partner in several for profit and non profit companies. He is an accomplished public speaker, with a TED Talk under his belt, an educator who has created and hosted entrepreneurship seminars and events, and the president of several Toastmasters clubs.

Spencer also spent a total of 8 years in prison. His experience with the criminal justice system taught him that we have much to learn about how to successfully deal with crime and other social issues, and from this he developed a passion for informing public opinion on criminal justice reform.

Karen Olson is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass. An innovator who has spent more than 25 years developing compelling customer experiences, Karen has received national attention for launching a series of digital experiences at the Space Needle, to help keep its landmark experience tech-forward, in the news and, more importantly, in the hearts and minds of its guests.

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Blair Payson joined Olson Kundig in 2004 and has worked on both architectural and exhibit design projects, including the Century Project for the Space Needle, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center, and [storefront] Olson Kundig, as well as several residential projects across the Western United States and Mexico. A maker at heart, Blair is an architect who revels in the details.