Leadership and Technology Conference set for March 20

Oakland University’s Center for Student Activities & Leadership Development, in collaboration with the Student Technology Center, will host the second annual Leadership and Technology Conference from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, in the Oakland Center.

The event kicks off with a keynote address from Scott Monty, head of social media at Ford Motor Company, to be followed with a series of informative presentations from area business, nonprofit and civic leaders, including:

• Byron Brooks, vice president of sales for Pepsi Co.
• Kenneth Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley
• Phillip Bertolini, chief information officer, Oakland County Government
• Debra Dansby, senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation
• Dara Munson, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Detroit
• Kevin Schneider, CEO of Educational Systems Inc.
• Ryan Hertz, executive director of the Pontiac Hope Hospitality & Warming Center
• Bryan Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hills

These distinguished individuals will offer valuable insight on a wide variety of topics, including leadership, technology, networking and career advancement.

Additionally, the afternoon will feature a team case-study competition (limited to the first 40 people who sign up) and “geo-caching” on the grounds of OU. In the team case-study competition, participants will be presented with a problem and create a presentation using technology to explain their solution before a panel of judges. The winning team will receive a prize.

The geo-caching competition involves participants using a Global Positioning System to find various campus locations in a scavenger hunt.

While the conference is free to the OU community, students from other universities can participate for $25 if registered before March 1, $30 thereafter. A complimentary lunch is included. Those interested in attending can register at the conference Web site.