Moderator
Michael L. Best is Executive Director of the Institute for People and Technology (IPaT) and Professor with the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology where he directs the Technologies and International Development Lab. He holds a Ph.D. from MIT and has served as director of Media Lab Asia in India and head of the eDevelopment group at the MIT Media Lab.

Panelist
Laurie Dean Baird, Managing Director, Ladarium Media Group. Baird is a digital media strategist, researcher, and product innovator operating at the intersection of emerging technology, business strategy, and human behavior. Her roots with Georgia Tech’s Institute for People and Technology include serving as an executive-in-residence for media and entertainment and a strategic consultant. Her work within Georgia Tech centered on civic computing, urban innovation, and cross-platform media ecosystems. She helped lead initiatives like Midtown Buzz, which transformed midtown Atlanta into a living laboratory for mobile and smart-city innovation. She also focused on the launch of FutureMedia, bridging research across six colleges to build strategic partnerships. Laurie has spent over two decades shaping the media landscape, advising brands like HBO, CNN, and ESPN, and launching more than 70 connected device applications. Laurie holds a Master of Science from MIT Sloan School of Management and degrees in physics (digital media) and sociology (film & multimedia) from St. Lawrence University. 

Panelist
Maribeth Gandy Coleman is a Regent's Researcher and Director of Research for the Institute of People and Technology at Georgia Tech. She received a B.S. in Computer Engineering as well as a M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Georgia Tech. In her 20+ as a research faculty member her work has been focused on the intersection of technology for mobile/wearable computing, augmented reality, human computer interaction, assistive technology, and gaming. In her director role, she is responsible for organizational leadership & strategic planning, fundraising, convening & managing diverse teams, industry/academic partnerships, and translational work, including commercialization of intellectual property.

Panelist
Keith Edwards is a Professor in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech, and former director of the GVU Center. His research interests focus primarily on bringing human-centered concerns to core computing infrastructure. For example, he is a pioneer in the exploration of human-centered perspectives on computer networking, cybersecurity, and distributed systems. Lately, his research has expanded into a number of explorations of the social impacts of computing technology, and understanding how technology can support the work of non-profits and NGOs. An ACM Distinguished Scientist, Dr. Edwards has published over 100 scientific articles in major journals and conferences, and is the author of two books. An active inventor, he holds over 50 U.S. and international patents.

Panelist
Caroline Wood is Executive Director of the Office of Corporate Engagement (OCE) at the Georgia Institute of Technology where she has dedicated more than 35 years to advancing the Institute’s mission through transformative corporate partnerships. In her current role, she leads OCE’s front-line team of corporate engagement professionals responsible for connecting Georgia Tech’s research and innovation enterprise with hundreds of corporate partners through a structured, multi-channel engagement framework. A long-standing champion of IPAT’s mission, Caroline ensures dedicated OCE engagement with the Institute and maintains a personal working relationship with IPAT’s executive leadership to align corporate partner priorities with IPAT’s people-centered research agenda.