Speakers

Justin Cunningham is a resilient leader with an entrepreneurial mindset. His technical skills and operational proficiency have been developed over 18 years of work in advanced education and global experience. While he excels at using innovation to push colleges out of their comfort zone, he also has a passion for new product development.

Josh Skolnick is a caring leader who dedicates his career to empowering local communities to change the status quo by developing innovative solutions to longstanding challenges. Skolnick is particularly passionate about finding ways for philanthropy to invest in public sector innovation and help close our local and national opportunity divides.

Dr. Raghunath Kanakala is a purpose-driven leader fueled by curiosity and commitment to making a meaningful impact. He brings a thoughtful blend of vision and adaptability to every challenge — two qualities that are essential for working in higher education.

Dr. Karen Stills is a dedicated leader who leverages her own experience as a first-generation student to empower diverse learners. Starting as an administrative assistant at Dallas College, Dr. Stills worked her way up to her current leadership role.

Dr. Madeline Burillo-Hopkins is a dynamic and inspirational leader with over 30 years of experience in higher education, dedicated to leveraging education as a transformative tool for the future. She is the current president of Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, where she directs campus operations, leads strategic planning and actively engages with community and business stakeholders.

H. Louis Burrell III is a disciplined leader with over 25 years of human resources experience across various industries. Motivated by the desire to create positive work environments, Burrell believes that high-performing cultures start with strong leadership supported by a strategic human resources team.

Dr. Pamela Luckett-Smith is a collaborative leader passionate about building and guiding teams to achieve what once seemed impossible. Throughout her 30-year career, she has learned the value of forming community partnerships and digital transformation.