Wednesday, November 6

Networking:  11:00 am – Noon
Program and Lunch:  Noon  –  1:30 pm

•  Prices:  $60 – NCET members  /  $80 – non-members

All NCET events must be paid for in advance.  Unpaid reservations will be canceled automatically.

The Fine Print:

• Advance reservations required. 

• No-shows will be charged the full amount of the reservation unless cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the event.

ERIN KRUG
Panelist
Senior Director of Business Integration | Microsoft

Erin Krug is the Senior Director of Business Integration for Microsoft's Customer Service and Support team. Within the largest customer service organization in the world, she ensures technical efficiencies are converted into smart resourcing decisions, driving real savings and positioning Microsoft at the forefront of innovation. She is a trained Blue EQ facilitator, BPM certified process expert and UNR MBA Alumni. She and her husband Kyle Krug have three children and is active in our community as the Little Flower Catholic School Board President.

ROBERT LIGHTFOOT
Panelist
Director of Digital Marketing & ECommerce | Grand Sierra Resort

JAFETH SANCHEZ, PhD
Panelist
Latino Research Center Director
Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership Graduate Program Director
University of Nevada, Reno | College of Education and Human Development

Dr. Jafeth Sanchez is a three-time graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno (Education ’04, Educational Leadership, ’07, Higher Education Administration ’10). She is an associate professor who has dedicated her career to developing high-quality educational leaders across P-20 educational pathways. In January 2022, she also accepted the role of Director of the Latino Research Center under the University's Office of the Provost. Her research agenda encompasses educational leadership practices, organizational change efforts, gender and ethnic equity, and student outcomes related to access, retention, and completion. She has actively managed and attained grant funding as a principal investigator or coinvestigator for approximately $9 million over the last decade.

Dr. Sanchez previously taught mathematics and was awarded Northern Nevada Math Teacher of the Year in 2012 by the Northern Nevada Math Council. She was also a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar and served as a mentor for its previous scholars across the country. Her passion for educational improvement and access to higher education are embedded in all aspects of her work in teaching, research, and service.

JT STARK
Panelist
Data Analytics Coordinator | Washoe County School District

I received my Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Nevada, Reno, and earned a Dual-Master’s degree in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems from Colorado State University. Most recently, I earned my Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Data Science from the University of Nevada, Reno. My expertise includes predictive analytics, early warning systems, process efficiency, data visualization, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

I spent ten years (2004-2014) working full-time in the tech industry, focusing on project management, and advancing the use of data analytics. My experience during this period, combined with my academic pursuits, fueled my passion for leveraging technology to drive data-informed decision-making. In 2014, I shifted my focus to our local K-12 public school system, where I work to improve education and the school experience for all students. I lead and contribute to district-wide continuous improvements by supporting teachers and principals in enhancing educational outcomes through data analytics.

Since 2015, I have been teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses for the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno. My passion for teaching and engaging with students inspired me to pursue and complete my Ph.D., ensuring my continued involvement in academia and teaching future leaders.

I am a board member for a local non-profit whose mission is to better inform the community through analytics, and I serve as the Data Chair for their Data Advisory Group, leading a team of over 50 experts from various fields, all committed to the responsible and accurate use of data in non-profits. Additionally, I am a Strategic Data Project Fellow at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University (Fall 2024 to Fall 2026), where I focus on improving data analytics in public education by making them actionable through the development of enhanced early warning systems.

JUSTIN CORAN
Panelist
Chief Analytics Officer | Renown Health

Dr. Justin Coran is an executive, data scientist and applied medical sociologist with research interests in AI/ML applications within healthcare, innovative reporting systems, advanced analytic product development, medical decision-making, health care organizations, culturally competent medical care, physician-patient interaction, and healthcare quality.

Justin is the Chief Analytics Officer of Renown Health, Reno’s only not-for-profit, charitable health care network, is one of 100 senior leaders in data science to be nationally recognized, and the only expert from Nevada to win an AI100 Award celebrating the achievements of those making significant advancements in the field of Analytics, Data Science & AI.

In 2023, Justin joined Renown Health as Chief Analytics Officer and was appointed as an adjunct professor in the University of Reno School of Medicine. Leading a division of nearly 60 professionals, Justin is responsible for creating the strategy and vision for data engineering, data analytics, and data science. This role includes crafting healthcare models that drive decision-making, engineering data warehouses, building Renown's data and analytics governance program, re-developing customized reporting systems, enabling self-service analytics, overseeing AI / ML integrations and new AI development, and mentoring the new generation of analytic and data science professionals. As an innovator, Justin has led efforts to monetize data while overseeing development of advanced analytics related to risk stratification, artificial intelligence, machine learning, value-based care, and healthcare quality improvement.

Justin is an accomplished scholar with over 10 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Justin completed his graduate training at the University of Florida where he received his Doctoral degree in medical sociology and Master of Public Health degree in hospital administration and epidemiology. In 2021, Justin completed an executive coaching program at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management.

AMANDA LONG
Panelist
CEO, Owner | Smart Marketing Squad

I'm passionate about marketing that’s rooted in empathy, collaboration and practical impact. With a diverse journey—from working as a paralegal to bootstrapping a successful food blog to leading marketing for a 40+ location franchise—I’ve gained a deep understanding of what it takes to help businesses grow authentically.

Now, I partner with forward-thinking small business owners and small marketing teams to develop actionable strategies tailored to their business goals. I believe in crafting marketing plans that don't just deliver results but also align with your values, engage your community and reflect what makes your business unique.

I’m here to simplify the digital landscape, helping you build a marketing engine that resonates with your audience, supports your team and makes a real impact. When your business thrives, it uplifts everyone around it.