SaLisa L. Berrien is the Founder and CEO of COI Energy with over 25 years of experience in energy technology. She has been a trailblazer in climate technology and played a pivotal role in the global growth of EnerNOC in the Demand Response industry. Additionally, she is the founder of STRIVE Inc., an organization that promotes STEM leadership development among students, and the COI Ladder Institute, which offers empowerment services to women and BIPOC founders. Throughout her career, she has awarded over 50 scholarships to students and established a fund to support African descent students in Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
SaLisa holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh, an Executive MBA from Saint Joseph’s University, and is completing a Corporate Innovation Certificate at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She has been a guest speaker at events like SXSW, IEEE – Tampa Bay, and Morgan Stanley’s Sustainable Futures Summit. In 2019, she joined the Board of Trustees at the University of Pittsburgh, and in 2022, she became a mentor for W.E.
Dr. Sudeendra Thirtha Koushik, an experienced innovator with a PhD in Innovation Management, serves as the Chief Innovator at Innovation by Design and is the President-Elect at IEEE TEMS. With over 32 years of experience, he has held key roles at Philips and Volvo, specializing in business-centric innovation and fostering people-focused organizational cultures.
With about 48 patents to his name and a track record of successful innovation projects, Dr. Koushik is a trailblazer in the field of consumer electronics. He has published papers in esteemed journals and conferences, further cementing his reputation as a thought leader in innovation management. Apart from his professional endeavors, Dr. Koushik is deeply committed to education and serves as a visiting faculty at institutions like the National Institute of Design.
Dr. Sudeendra Thirtha Koushik, an experienced innovator with a PhD in Innovation Management, serves as the Chief Innovator at Innovation by Design and is the President-Elect at IEEE TEMS. With over 32 years of experience, he has held key roles at Philips and Volvo, specializing in business-centric innovation and fostering people-focused organizational cultures.
With about 48 patents to his name and a track record of successful innovation projects, Dr. Koushik is a trailblazer in the field of consumer electronics. He has published papers in esteemed journals and conferences, further cementing his reputation as a thought leader in innovation management. Apart from his professional endeavors, Dr. Koushik is deeply committed to education and serves as a visiting faculty at institutions like the National Institute of Design.
With over 35 years of experience at Copa Airlines, Rafael’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement is evident. His educational background in Electromechanical Engineering from Technological University of Panama has provided him with a solid foundation to excel in his career in the aviation industry.
Rafael’s journey within Copa Airlines has been marked by progression and leadership. Before assuming his current role as Vice President of Technical Operations, Rafael served in several crucial capacities, including as Reliability Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Planning Manager, Director of Engineering, and Senior Director of Technical Procurement & Contracts. Each role has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of airline operations, contributing to his effectiveness in his current position.
With over 35 years of experience at Copa Airlines, Rafael’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement is evident. His educational background in Electromechanical Engineering from Technological University of Panama has provided him with a solid foundation to excel in his career in the aviation industry.
Rafael’s journey within Copa Airlines has been marked by progression and leadership. Before assuming his current role as Vice President of Technical Operations, Rafael served in several crucial capacities, including as Reliability Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Planning Manager, Director of Engineering, and Senior Director of Technical Procurement & Contracts. Each role has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of airline operations, contributing to his effectiveness in his current position.
Hellen Almeida is a professional with over 15 years of experience in project management and market development. As Head of Markets for PMI Latin America, she is dedicated to driving growth and innovation in the region’s project management landscape.
Hellen holds a degree in Business Administration with solid skills in GenAI and Data Landscape tools. She is a dynamic leader known for her ability to inspire teams and achieve results.
Hellen is an expert in AI tools being developed for project management, leveraging her experience to drive strategic initiatives and improve project outcomes. With a strong background in business development and a passion for community engagement, she is committed to making a significant impact in the industry.
Hellen Almeida is a professional with over 15 years of experience in project management and market development. As Head of Markets for PMI Latin America, she is dedicated to driving growth and innovation in the region’s project management landscape.
Hellen is an expert in AI tools being developed for project management, leveraging her experience to drive strategic initiatives and improve project outcomes. With a strong background in business development and a passion for community engagement, she is committed to making a significant impact in the industry.