Academy ConferenceLatAm 2015

Biografías Ponentes

Guest Keynote Speakers
	Leslie Kues Vice President, Gartner Consulting Leslie has over fifteen years of experience in strategy consulting, technology implementation consulting and software product marketing. Leslie worked for Microsoft on the SharePoint product management team and for an analytical software startup focused on media and content. She was a member of PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ strategy practice and held an internal strategy position in the CEO’s office. Leslie also has extensive systems implementation consulting experience.

	David Ford Managing Partner, Gartner Consulting David has more than ten years of experience working on a variety of internal and external business, sales, marketing and operational strategies in industries ranging from software providers and outsourcing providers to architecture, engineering and construction and high-tech electronics. David also sits on the board of directors of FAFCO, Inc., a manufacturer of polymer heat exchangers.

	Héctor Rodríguez Chief Executive Officer YACHAY E.P., a Government-Owned Company According with a main policy of the current Ecuadorian Government about having young people in charge of running the Public Institutions in the State, Héctor is one of them as Chief Executive Officer, his expertise is on Public Policies and since his starting at the Government of President Rafael Correa, he has been involved in the development of important public policies in the National Development Plan, also for the new direction Higher Education in Ecuador has taken nowadays. As a new challenge, Héctor is managing the most important and innovative project of the last century in Ecuador, in which the research, academy, State, public and private sector converge all together in a brand new Smart City and the first planned city in Latin America.

	Jesús García Business Development - América Digital With a professional career of more than 15 years in the ICT sector, Jesus is passionate and fully committed on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through the effective use of technology for business and education. He has worked for international consulting firms and held various positions at the World Bank. Additionally, his first hand experience to develop and manage his own business, allowed him to contribute to the Cisco Entrepreneur Institute and to publish a book on entrepreneurial topics from a practical perspective. He has served as speaker at numerous occasions for public and private audiences and enjoys interacting with young audiences on entrepreneurship and ICT related topics.

	Richard Weeks President and cofounder of Network Development Group Inc. (NDG) Richard Weeks has been working in Information Technology for over thirty years. Richard is President and cofounder of Network Development Group Inc. (NDG). For the past fifteen years NDG has developed software for hosting computer labs for distance learning.


Cisco Speakers
	Gregory P. Prynn Senior Director, Corporate Affairs - Cisco Greg Prynn is Senior Director, Corporate Affairs, and part of the Corporate Affairs Global Field Operations (GFO). He is responsible for the US, Canada, and Latin America Field Operations, as well as the global Technical Field Engagement team. Greg drives relationships with external strategic customers and partners to enhance geographical CSR strategies and field implementations for Cisco’s CSR programs and initiatives in the Americas.

	Jackie Barker Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs - Cisco Jackie Barker is responsible for the strategic development and growth of Cisco’s award-winning Networking Academy. Cisco Networking Academy is one of the largest public private partnerships in the world. With established educational institutions in over 170 countries it trains tomorrow’s ICT workforce using a variety of next generation teaching and learning practices.

	Rebecca De La Vega CSR Manager - Cisco Rebecca De La Vega is responsible for the development and implementation of corporate social responsibility programs and initiatives that multiply social impact. Before joining Cisco, Rebecca worked in several federal government departments in the areas of social communication, advertising and marketing, as well as in the private sector organization. In addition, she conducted educational activities in various institutions of higher education. Rebeca graduated from the Technological Institute of Superior Studies of Monterrey where she obtained a degree in Communication Sciences and an MBA with Marketing concentration.

	José Pablo Esquivel Technical Manager - Cisco Tech leader with over 10 years of industry experience. With a broad experience in education and the use of technology in education. International experience specially in Latin America,Caribbean and Spain. Background in Electronic Engineering, educational technology and applications of technology to social projects and CSR. Specialties: Network infrastructure \| Security and collaboration \| e-Learning and Distance Learning \| Content and Knowledge Management \| Innovation and Entrepreneurship \| International Keynote Speaker, Presenter.

	Echo Rantanen Technical Manager – USA/Canada, Corporate Affairs, Cisco Echo Rantanen is the Technical Manager covering the USA and Canada and is responsible for Instructor Professional Development, Instructor Trainer Qualification and the technical field engagement of programs and projects for Cisco’s Corporate Social Responsibility including Cisco Networking Academy. Echo graduated from Colorado State University, USA with a Master’s of Science in Information Systems. Echo has worked as a Subject Matter Expert on projects such as assessment and curriculum development, entrepreneurship, Cisco Packet Tracer, Cybersecurity and The Internet of Everything. Echo has industry experience as well as 14 years’ experience teaching computer science and networking, including 10 years teaching Cisco Networking Academy courses at the college level.

	Jorge Leiton Product Manager, Corporate Affairs - Cisco Jorge joined Cisco in 2012 and became a member of the Networking Academy Quality Management Team as the Regional Lead for America. In August 2013 he became Partner Technical Manager now working with Cisco’s partners to identify potential opportunities to expand the current offerings and bring new content into NetSpace. He’s currently a member of the Product Management Team with functions that include defining the overall product strategy, roadmap and product lifecycle for courses like IT Essentials and Get Connected as well as lead Product Manager for all partner course initiatives. Jorge holds a CCIE in Routing and Switching since 2010 and he joins us from Heredia, Costa Rica.