Future Forward - AI & Nonprofits
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL PROGRAM
Anthony HendricksJulie Ann WardBrandon BrownHart BrownRene PageRob CollinsSydney FancherJustin LongJason RinckerKelly Williams
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Anthony Hendricks is a regulatory, data privacy, and high-stakes commercial litigation attorney in Crowe & Dunlevy’s Oklahoma City office and serves as the head of the firm’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Group. Anthony has focused his practice on environmental compliance, regulatory enforcement and permitting, and other “bet-the-company” suits in the areas of data security, privacy, mortgage/financial service, and other complex business litigation.
Anthony counsels clients on the constantly changing field of cybersecurity. He has guided clients in various industries through multiple types of data incidents. Anthony represents clients in all stages of incident response from the investigation, notification, remediation, managing privacy class action risks, and defense of litigation and regulatory inquiry from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and state attorneys general. Anthony advises clients on their reporting obligations and helps them operationalize the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). At the state level, he provides compliance training on the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Consumer Rights Act (CCRA), Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), and Colorado Privacy Act (CPA). He regularly conducts training for senior leadership and corporate boards regarding risk identification and mitigation in the areas of privacy and cyber.
He frequently represents clients in energy and regulatory matters before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, where he consistently serves as first chair in administrative hearings. He is also a member of the firm’s wind group, advising clients on developing and financing wind projects. Anthony has assisted with over 30 wind and solar projects in Oklahoma.
Anthony routinely appears before agencies and various state licensing boards. He has successfully represented and advised individuals facing disciplinary actions from the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy, the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, and the Oklahoma Board of Examiners in Optometry.*
Anthony is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/US (CIPP/US) with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). He is an adjunct professor and teaches a Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Law course and an Information Privacy course at Oklahoma City University Law School.
Julie Ann Ward, PhD, is the founder of J. Ward Solutions, a grant strategy consultancy that helps nonprofits move from reactive grant writing to more sustainable, mission-aligned funding systems. Since launching her full-time consultancy in 2023, she has helped secure more than $32 million in funding for nonprofits, educational institutions, workforce development initiatives, community-based organizations, and public-private partnerships across the country.
Known for her grounded, practical approach, Julie Ann works with organizations to strengthen grant readiness, clarify funding priorities, build long-term grants calendars, and develop compelling proposals rooted in both strategy and storytelling. Her clients work in education, health equity, workforce development, arts and culture, housing, and community development, with a particular focus on serving historically underrepresented communities.
Before founding J. Ward Solutions, Julie Ann spent more than a decade in higher education as a faculty member, researcher, administrator, and academic leader. She holds a PhD in Hispanic Languages and Literatures from the University of California, Berkeley. Her background in teaching, research, and literary translation continues to shape her work: helping organizations communicate complex ideas with clarity, credibility, and human connection.
Julie Ann was Norman, Oklahoma’s inaugural Poet Laureate (2022-26). She is an active leader in the Grant Professionals Association, where she serves as secretary of the Oklahoma Chapter and serves on the board of directors of Tulsa-based nonprofit Poetic Justice. She is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
FIRESIDE CHAT PANEL
Brandon Brown is a technology executive and entrepreneur focused on building commercially scalable AI businesses in the energy sector. He is the CEO of ROAM AI, an operator-founded energy technology company applying artificial intelligence and automation to artificial lift optimization, one of the most persistent and capital-intensive challenges in upstream oil and gas.
ROAM AI was built by operators for operators, with a clear emphasis on deployable technology rather than experimental analytics. Under Brandon’s leadership, the company has developed AI-driven optimization solutions that deliver measurable operational outcomes, including increased oil production, improved system efficiency, and materially extended equipment life. The platform is designed for repeatability, scalability, and integration into real-world operating environments.
Prior to founding ROAM AI, Brandon served as CTO and CIO of Vital Energy, where he led a multi-year digital transformation that repositioned technology as a revenue-enabling business function. His teams delivered AI and machine learning solutions deployed in live operations, including an electric submersible pump optimization program that increased oil production by approximately 3 percent and extended pump life by more than 50 percent. These initiatives contributed directly to operational performance and established Vital as a recognized digital leader in the upstream sector.
Earlier in his career, Brandon built and led Chesapeake Energy’s first Intelligent Operations organization, driving enterprise adoption of data platforms, analytics, and automated workflows. He began his career at Level 3 Communications, developing deep expertise in large-scale infrastructure, cybersecurity, and mission-critical systems supporting global operations.
Today, Brandon is focused on scaling ROAM AI with disciplined growth, capital efficiency, and durable competitive advantage. His background spans nearly three decades of operating at the intersection of technology, industrial systems, and capital discipline. He remains active in industry thought leadership and serves on nonprofit boards, including the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits and the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.
Hart Brown, over the past 20 years, has become a sought after executive, board advisor, and board member with expertise regarding risk, governance, government affairs, technology, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, data centers, energy, water, robotics, low earth orbit, as well an ability to take a macro view on finance,the economy, and the impact to society. His data driven analysis is known to assist organizations and governmental leadership to think beyond what they see today, understand the pivot points, to question the status quo in a transformative way, and avoid learning by surprise in the future to create competitive advantages. His unique background has given him the ability to simplify the complex and implement creative strategies where time is of the essence.
Hart has a unique combination of technical and executive experience, is a Qualified Risk Director (QRD) and has managed joint ventures, acquisitions, and IPOs. He has provided services in over 50 countries to heads of state and governmental agencies during geopolitical incidents, natural disasters, financial shocks, as well as major entertainment events.
Hart has incorporated one-of-a-kind analytical methods as decision support tools for leadership to use in critically important decisions. He developed a first-of-its-kind algorithm to predict behavior in support of congressional initiatives, and created a pioneering multi-agent Al platform in 2018.
He serves as the President at Saxum, and has been referenced in over 100 publications and news outlets such as Fox, Fortune, Forbes, Reuters, MSN, USA Today, TechCrunch, and WIRED. Hart graduated from Texas A&M University, where he received a degree in Radiological Health Engineering (NuclearEngineering/Medicine), and a graduate degree in Safety Engineering.
Rene Page, with over 20 years of leadership experience in information technology, data engineering, and business intelligence, is an enthusiastic and visionary leader who strives to deliver data-driven solutions that enable business growth and transformation. She enjoys building and leading high-performing teams that can tackle complex and challenging projects and strive to help individuals reach their maximum potential.
WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
Rob Collins is executive director of the Oklahoma Media Center. Collins worked most recently as executive editor of the Enid (Okla.) News & Eagle and editor of The Norman (Okla.) Transcript. Also serving as a regional editor for CNHI, he coordinated statewide content for all Oklahoma publications. A fifth-generation Oklahoma resident, Collins also managed CNHI Oklahoma’s Capitol coverage.
Collins received his bachelor’s degree in 1993 at the University of Oklahoma, where he taught media writing from 1998 to 2012 and served on its Publications Board as the Oklahoma Press Association representative.
In 1996, he began his daily newspaper career at The Norman Transcript before serving as managing editor at The Edmond Sun and as editor-in-chief of the weekly Oklahoma Gazette from 2004 through 2011. In Norman, his investigative journalism led to the location and dedication of the unmarked grave of Woody Guthrie’s mother. At the Gazette, his award-winning coverage spearheaded an effort to install artist Charles Banks Wilson’s portrait of Woody Guthrie at the state Capitol.
In 2012, Collins returned to his hometown of Enid where he lives with his wife, Kim, (met this fellow OU journalism grad working at the student-run OU Daily). They have two children. He currently serves as president of the Freedom of Information Oklahoma Board of Directors.
In 2013, FOI-Oklahoma recognized the News & Eagle for its successful lawsuit supporting the public’s First Amendment right of access to sealed court records.
In 2014, the News & Eagle won the Community Journalism Public Service Initiative award from the Associated Press Media Editors after receiving a grant to complete the project.
In 2015, the News & Eagle’s “Under Pressure” series was named co-winner of the Public Service award in the national Best of CNHI contest’s biggest division.
In 2016, the News & Eagle’s “Who’s at Fault?” earthquake series won first in Public Service Reporting and a Writing Sweepstakes award at the Associated Press/Oklahoma News Executives contest.
In 2020, Collins added full-time editing duties in Norman and additionally served as executive editor of Etown magazine in Enid.
Sydney Fancher served as the Director of Partnerships for Information & Referral at Fortell AI, leading national strategy to strengthen 211s, government agencies, and community-based organizations through high‑impact collaboration and operational improvement. She brings deep expertise in call center operations, nonprofit management, and government partnership development, helping agencies navigate high‑volume service delivery, complex client needs, and rising expectations around care coordination and BPO services. Known for a practical, problem‑first approach, she advances partnerships that reduce administrative burden, enhance data quality, and support modernized, human‑centered service models.
A committed advocate for social equity, Sydney holds a BA concentration of Social Justice in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma and an AA in History. She is an Inform USA 2025 Nominee Finalist for Networker of the Year and serves on Goodwill Central Oklahoma’s Generation Good board. Recognized for her optimism and proactive leadership, she excels at driving meaningful change and strengthening communities.
Justin Long is an executive leader with 25+ years of experience spanning SaaS delivery, operations, technology transformation, nonprofit strategy and coaching, and AI enablement across energy, HCM, and growth-stage businesses.
Justin joined LYT Group as Chief Strategy Officer, where he leads firmwide strategy, innovation, and AI integration while owning delivery for the Strategy, Operations & AI service line.
He also serves as Founder and Managing Partner of CedarWorks, an operational advisory firm helping SaaS and growth-stage companies accelerate revenue, reduce churn, and build scalable internal systems.
Prior to LYT, Justin served as EVP & Vice President of Implementation and Client Success at Paycom, leading delivery teams across 25,000 clients and driving over $1.5 billion in client impact. His work centered on employee adoption strategies that maximized ROI and fueled long-term retention.
Earlier in his career, Justin served as Director of IT Business Systems at Love's Travel Stops, where he led a multi-stage SAP transformation and drove the company's digital evolution — spanning mobile applications, CRM platforms, and a first-in-industry customer portal.
His foundation in refined products trading at Musket Corporation sharpened his ability to manage risk, optimize operations, and execute with precision under pressure.
Justin's foundation runs deep — beginning at CITGO Petroleum as an Information Analyst implementing SAP solutions, then moving to the trading floor as a Senior Refined Products Scheduler managing two of CITGO's highest-volume terminals. At Musket Corporation, he traded refined products before joining the Trading Risk Control team, where he co-led development of a VaR and mark-to-market system tracking daily P&L, hedge positions, and price exposure. That combination of commodity trading, risk discipline, and enterprise technology is the lens through which he approaches every complex operational challenge today.
Jason Rincker, Director of Revenue for Stronghold Data, is always looking for the next adventure. With over 28 years of professional development experience, his natural chemistry with others makes him excel at building successful business relationships.
Highly proactive and positive, Jason spends his free time volunteering and networking in the community. He loves spending time with his family, playing baseball, running, and cycling. He believes in living a life full of experiences and can frequently be heard repeating “You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”
Kelly Williams, PhD, joined The City of Oklahoma City as their first Chief Innovation Officer in April of 2023. In this role she helps solve problems and improve efficiency across the city. She began her career as Oklahoma City University’s Director for Institutional Research, where she supported data-informed decision making and strategic planning across campus. She then served in a variety of leadership roles at the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, including a year as the agency’s Director, helping ensure that the Authority ran smoothly to support more than 350,000 licensed patients and more than 12,000 commercial licensees. After leaving OMMA, Williams served as the COO at the United Way of Central Oklahoma, supporting over 50 local non-profit partners addressing OKC’s most pressing needs.
Dr. Williams graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Oklahoma City University before earning Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Quantitative Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Williams currently serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership Oklahoma City’s YLX program, which is dedicated to supporting rising youth leaders in the city and acts as Co-Chair of the 2023-2025 cohorts of their Leadership Skills program. Previously, she served five years on the Board of Directors at Family Builders, an agency focused on healing families that have experienced abuse, with terms as Board Vice President and President with the organization. She also served four years on the United Way of Central Oklahoma's Research and Community Initiatives Board.
Williams is a life-long Oklahoman and currently resides in Oklahoma City with her husband, two children, and three dogs.