This Summit will include an opportunity to hear from and engage with various speakers listed below.
Time: 9:00-11:30AM EST
*By registering, we will send a Zoom webinar link prior to the event.
Presenters include:
Colonel Lisa Reyn Mann, native of Fair Play, South Carolina, commissioned in the Engineer branch on May 27, 2000, upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Col. Mann recently served as the Headquarters G3, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Washington DC. In this assignment, she was responsible for operations, training, and plans for the enterprise.
Col. Mann’s first assignments were Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion Construction Officer, and Detachment Commander in the 84th Engineer Battalion at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. In June 2005, she attended the Engineer Captain’s Career Course, earning distinguished graduate recognition and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla.
After serving as an exchange officer at the FIRST Naval Construction Division, Col. Mann served as the Battalion Construction Officer, 46th Engineer Battalion at Fort Polk, Louisiana. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008-2010, she assumed command of the A/46th Engineer Battalion in February 2009 and transitioned the unit to the 93d Engineer Company in February 2010. After graduating from Command and General Staff College in 2011, she became the 10th Special Forces Group Engineer. In June 2013, she was selected to serve as the Executive Officer for the 10th Special Forces Group Support Battalion. In June 2014, she briefly served as an Engineer Observer Coach Trainer for the Mission Command Training Program, before being selected as the Aide-de-Camp to the 53rd Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, US Army Corps of Engineers.
From May 2016 through May 2018, Col. Mann served as a Mission Assurance action officer on the Joint Staff, J33, Directorate for Nuclear, Homeland Defense, and Current Operations. Bringing her career full circle, from June 2018 to June 2020, Col. Mann commanded the 84th Engineer Battalion. After completing a Senior Staff College Fellowship at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Col. Mann served in her most recent position as the Headquarters G3, US Army Corps of Engineers from June 2021 to June 2023.
Col. Mann’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (Gold).
Dr. Ali Farooqui, a private practice psychiatrist at Integrative Psychiatry in Louisville and is clinical faculty at the University of Louisville Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences where he is involved in research and teaching doctors and medical students. He is also the psychiatrist for Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. His practice focus is on the treatment of mental illness with the use of medications, therapy, and interventional approaches such as brain stimulation and infusions. He attended college and medical school at the University of Kentucky.
Dr. Farooqui holds leadership positions in multiple national organizations such as National Network of Depression Centers, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Clinical Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Society, as well as in regional professional and community organizations such as the Kentucky Medical association, Kentucky psychiatric Medical Association, Southern Psychiatric Association, Greater Louisville Medical Society, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Executive Chef Teresa White, a U.S. Army veteran, parent & chef. She joined Dare to Care Food Bank in 2017, initially serving in Partner Development, training agency representatives in food safety, onboarding with the food bank, and USDA policies, in addition to monitoring agencies for compliance, and authored the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Manual for the main warehouse. Before coming to Dare to Care Food Bank, she was a healthcare chef for more than 15 years and accepted the role of Executive Chef at the Dare to Care Food Bank Community Kitchen in the summer of 2020. She now oversees production for the Kids Café program, Innovation program, Silver Suppers, RX meals, and the newly approved freeze-dried meals program. These programs fill the gap for many Kentuckiana families by preparing meals for distribution throughout the network, and by preparing and preserving seasonal produce for future use, dramatically reducing waste. Ms. White holds an associate degree in culinary arts and a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Sullivan University.”
Dr. Charlie Zhang, a professor at the Department of Geographic & Environmental Sciences, University of Louisville (UofL). Also, he is a Ph.D. faculty member of the Urban Planning & Public Affairs and a member of the Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences at UofL. Dr. Zhang earned a Ph.D. degree in 2006 from the University of South Carolina, Columbia. At UofL, Dr. Zhang teaches courses including urban geography, population geography, geographic information systems (GIS), and spatial statistics. Dr. Zhang has published extensively on topics ranging from urban crime to housing eviction and from environmental justice to health disparities.
Brelin Tilford, Shaping Stories Through Video Artistry. Born and raised in Louisville, KY, Brelin Tilford is carving his path as a creative dynamo in the thriving video industry. As CEO of Media Pros Productions, a powerhouse known for crafting top-tier corporate and independent film projects, Brelin’s touch is nothing short of magic.
With an artistic vision that knows no bounds, Brelin serves as the Creative Director and hands-on CEO, bringing a fresh perspective to every project. His knack for innovation and thinking beyond conventions elevates the art of storytelling to new heights.
For more than a decade, Brelin has woven his creative threads into the tapestry of entertainment and Fortune 500 landscapes. From collaborating with the likes of Usher, Jack Harlow, Vivica Fox, Ne-Yo, Ken Griffey Jr., and the hilarious Gary Owens, his portfolio reflects a journey rich with iconic names and unforgettable narratives.
Brelin’s impact isn’t confined to the silver screen. As the trailblazing founder of the Trailblazer program, he’s guiding budding creatives to unlock their potential by delving into the intricacies of cinematic production. This program offers an invaluable peek behind the curtain, giving young talents the tools to shine in the industry.
His adventure has seen him as the mastermind behind the Hideaway Music Festival, capturing the thrill as a videographer for ESPN, uncovering history at the Roots 101 African History Museum, and weaving visual magic for the Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly, Nimbus, and numerous other celebrated agencies.
Brelin has not only honed his craft but also imparted his wisdom, nurturing fellow students in the realms of broadcasting and entertainment. His story branches from being a photographer-editor at WAVE-TV, NBC’s Louisville affiliate, to immersing himself in the energy of the Kentucky Derby as a Camera Op. Brelin’s lens has also painted the vivid canvas of the Midwest Music Festival at the Yum Center, and his touch has left an indelible mark on the University of Louisville athletics department.
Brelin Tilford isn’t just a videographer; he’s a storyteller who paints with pixels, a creative visionary who thrives on pushing boundaries, and a mentor guiding the next generation of talents. As he continues to illuminate screens and minds, we’re captivated by the journey he’s unfolding in the realm of video creativity.
