Dilip Dubey | 9:35–10:10 a.m.

Dilip Dubey is an AI pioneer, entrepreneur, and investor. Best known for his contributions to AI-driven business transformation, Dilip has founded and scaled multiple companies, creating over $500 million in shareholder value. He has implemented over 100 AI business value release projects for companies and social impact organizations in various sectors, including YPO companies. He has also mentored and invested in over 22 AI companies and 3 AI funds.

Dilip has been awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and been inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. He holds multiple patents in AI and data technology, and his companies have repeatedly earned spots on the Inc. 500 list.

Dilip brings a unique insight and will show you how to leverage AI for business transformation. In an interactive setting, he will dive into case studies of YPO-owned and mid-market companies while sharing costs, resources, AI technologies, use cases, timelines, challenges, frameworks, metrics/KPIs, and ROI. He will also share his experience investing in start-ups and at-scale AI companies around the world. You will walk away knowing how to find hidden new opportunities within traditional businesses and how to create massive value through his groundbreaking approach.

Entrepreneurship Panel Discussion | 10:15 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

The Panel Discussion on Entrepreneurship is scheduled for an hour.  Entrepreneurs from our region will discussed important entrepreneurial issues.  The panel discussion will be moderated by Achsha Jones.

Pierce Fitzpatrick

Pierce Fitzpatrick, MBA ’18, is an entrepreneur in the sporting goods and recreational vehicle industries. While earning his MBA at EMU, he founded High Route Gear, a premium ultralight-backpacking equipment brand. He later co-founded No Dirty Earth LLC and Blu Technology LLC, whose off-grid RV water filtration system was recognized by Fast Company Magazine as a World Changing Idea in 2021. Today, Pierce partners with innovative sporting goods brands to build and scale their sales channels.

Jeeva Nadarajah

Jeeva Nadarajah is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of Serendip, a company dedicated to helping early-stage businesses and midsize companies build software efficiently and affordably. With a sharp strategy mindset and a deep commitment to innovation, Serendip partners with incubators, accelerators, and non-profit to transform ideas into impactful solutions. An alumna of Eastern Michigan University, Jeeva’s career spans multiple industries, including advertising, automotive, logistics, healthcare, finance, and education. She began her journey as a software engineer in 200 steadily advancing into leadership roles before launching Serendip in 2019. Her experience across diverse sectors gives her a unique perspective on building adaptable and user-focused technology solutions.

Jonathan Marceau

Jonathan Marceau is the founder of Spelling Safari, an innovative platform that personalizes spelling education for elementary students. Inspired during his student teaching semester, Jonathan spent over a decade refining the classroom-based paper/pencil system that became the foundation for the web app. Launched in August 2024, Spelling Safari automates assessments and grading to save educators time while offering students a fun learning experience that increases student growth by up to 50%. After 20 years as an award-winning educator and proven leader, Jonathan's entrepreneurial achievements include top-three placements in four pitch competitions, including the EMU Executive Certificate in Entrepreneurship program. Since its launch, Spelling Safari has grown to serve hundreds of homeschool and elementary educators and thousands of their students. 

Steven ‘Solar Steve’ Sherman

I am an energy systems engineer and entrepreneur passionate about jolting the world to a sustainable energy present. I believe our current use and paradigm of energy is the root cause of many of today’s problems; but that there is also tremendous opportunity for us to solve these challenges together with new thinking and people-centric technology. I see energy systems based on abundant, affordable solar photovoltaic power & reliable, safe lithium energy storage, deployed in a distributed and democratic manner, as one key solution and opportunity. I currently run a company, Superior Energy, specializing in design, engineering, and installation of these systems, as well as developing novel energy concepts.

Justin Onwenu | 11:30 – 12:10 p.m.

For years and in the aftermath of COVID, Justin has been laser focused on creating pathways for better work, higher wages, and wealth generation. He's excited to continue this work with a new role designed to support and invest in Detroiters while empowering their start ups/small businesses. 

Justin is a Columbia Law School graduate where he served as Student Body President. He previously served as a community organizer in Detroit where he advocated for clean air, clean, affordable water and public health protections for all communities. This included securing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state’s only refinery to protect school children from poor air quality, connecting residents to resources in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and leading efforts to write and pass legislation that protects vital drinking water sources.

He has served as the youngest member of the Inaugural Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice and Black Leadership Advisory Council, both under the direction of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He has also served as a convention delegate and appointee to the DNC's Environment and Climate Crisis Council where he helped draft policy recommendations for the 2020 democratic platform. 

His work and opeds have been featured in The New York Times, The Hill, NPR, Bloomberg, The Guardian and The Detroit News. He holds a BA in International Health and Policy from Rice University where he served as Student Body President and helped lead Houston based emergency response efforts in the face of Hurricane Harvey.

 Joseph M. Sesi & Catherine R. Sesi

 In 2009, EMU received a generous gift from the estate of Catherine Sesi, family owners of the Sesi Lincoln Mercury Mazda Volvo dealership and longtime friends of Ypsilanti and EMU, to endow the annual entrepreneurship conference. Her family, including son Joseph (EMU alumnus) and nephew Naz maintain the auto dealership in the area while keeping strong ties to the Eastern Michigan University.

 Robert J. Skandalaris

Mr. Skandalaris began his career as a Certified Public Accountant after graduating with a masters in accounting from Eastern Michigan University. In 2001, Mr. Skandalaris co-founded Quantum Ventures of Michigan, LLC, a privately held company specializing in the acquisition and development of middle market firms. Mr. Skandalaris is the author of Rebuilding the American Dream. In 2009 EMU received a generous gift from him to start the Business Plan Competition. His contributions were recognized at the 49th EMU Annual Alumni Awards Dinner in 2010. He lives in Bloomfield Hills with his wife Julie.