TEDxURochester (Medallion - Interpersonal Competence)

Daniel Keating

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieljkeating/

Dan teaches courses in AI, analytics, and product management in the MBA, Masters, and Undergraduate programs at Simon Business School. Beginning in 2023, Dan helped to lead the Simon Business School’s AI Initiative, working to integrate Generative AI across the curriculum and operations. Teaching is a mid-life career change for Dan: he had a 25+ year career in regional and global Technology organizations such as Oracle, Qlik, and smaller marketing and analytics firms. His clients included Apple, SAP, Dell, Abbott Labs, Merck, JP Morgan Chase, and others. Recent speaking engagements on AI include Battery Ventures, Boston (Mar-26), Howard University Business School, Washington DC (Feb-26), Strong Memorial Hospital Rochester NY(Jan-26).

Jacob Factor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-factor-4693bb379/

Jacob’s research interests examine how balancing Western Classical music’s common practices with creativity influence students’ achievement, as well as how experiences with more than one type of instrument can contribute to overall musicianship. Over the past 12 years, Jacob has taught students of all ages, collaborated with teachers to improve instructional practices, and performed on his French horn and guitar in a wide variety of musical settings, including orchestra, wind ensemble, brass ensemble, rock bands, folk groups, as well as eclectic small groups. His most recent project, Sentire, combined horn and electric guitar, for which Jacob wrote original music and arranged popular, folk, jazz, and classical genres for audiences to enjoy. Away from professional settings, Jacob enjoys being outside, as well as exercising his creativity with cooking, wood working, painting, and knitting. To learn more about Jacob or reach him, visit jacobfactormusic.com

Chase Hayden

Chase Hayden is a biomedical engineering student at the University of Rochester who believes in a future centered around designing with empathy, curiosity, humility, and most importantly people at the forefront. Through experiences in curriculum design and delivery, Chase discovered students learn best when they are involved in the creation of the curriculum, rather than just being recipients. This idea of human-centered design (HCD) did not stop here for Chase, which he now brings into his field of engineering to bring awareness to people-first thinking and provide tools to help students and engineers put HCD into practice. For Chase, designing with people at the forefront extends beyond the academics, shaping his work for the American Red Cross, in leadership development, as well as in his passion for music performance. In all these spaces he is driven by the same belief; the best solutions come to be by understanding the people they are meant to serve.

Rynique Lucas

Rynique Lucas is an educator, academic administrator, and lifelong maker interested in how people learn, create, and solve problems. She is pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Development and works in higher education, where she helps faculty and students navigate the intersection of learning, technology, and innovation. Rynique also runs a handmade accessories business, designing and sewing colorful, unconventional bags by hand. Her work across education, technology, and making has led her to question the way we talk about creativity—and why so many people believe they aren't creative. She is particularly interested in what happens when we stop treating creativity as a talent and start recognizing it as a distinctly human capacity.

Sophia Dmytruk

Sophia Dmytruk is a chemical engineering student at the University of Rochester with a passion for solving sustainability challenges through research. She conducts polymer research focused on developing more sustainable methods for breaking down plastics and also works in optical materials research at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. Beyond the lab, Sophia serves as Conference Chair for the University's AIChE chapter, helping organize student participation in the national AIChE conference, and competes on the collegiate varsity swim team. Through her experiences in research, leadership, and athletics, she has developed a deep appreciation for curiosity, collaboration, and tackling complex problems. Outside of academics, Sophia enjoys exploring new restaurants, spending time with friends and family, and taking advantage of any opportunity to be outdoors.