4th Annual Leadership Summit:
AI and Cyber Security
What Leaders Need to Know Now: Using AI Effectively and Securely & Cyber Security Reality Check
Every leader is looking for an advantage. Right now, that advantage means understanding how AI is reshaping operations, how cyber threats are evolving and what that means for your organization. Leaders who are staying ahead of these trends are the ones best positioned to move their businesses forward.
That's where we come in. The MBA is bringing together business leaders for this special, half-day experience designed to give the competitive edge when it comes to AI.
JOIN US
Our 4th Annual Leadership Summit will take place on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
About The Event
- Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.
- Program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Breakfast & Lunch Included
- Expert speakers on AI and Cyber Security
- Take home actionable strategies you can immediately apply.
Pricing
Members: $325| Nonmembers: $500
Location
MBA Conference Center
2171 W. 38th Street
Erie, PA 16508
Your 2026 Leadership Summit Topics
AI Focused Discussions:
AI that Pays Off in 30–60 Days
Discover practical AI use cases you can implement immediately to drive measurable results.
Vidhi Kothari — CEO & Co-Founder, Apprend
Background in industrial automation, finance and early-stage startups. Published AI researcher and speaker at the PyTorch Conference. Combines deep operational experience with the commercial vision to build Apprend into an intelligence standard for businesses.
Jonah Sargent — CTO & Co-Founder, Apprend
Stanford AI research background. Architect of Apprend’s core engine — from data integration layers to the knowledge graph that powers the platform. Leads all technical development and research partnerships.
Intro to AI & Agentic Workflows
Understand how modern AI workflows (including agentic systems) can automate tasks and unlock new levels of productivity.
Kevin DiGilio — Founder & CEO, KMD Technology Solutions & AIBI Solutions | CTO, Akuret
Starting as an intern at Lord Corporation, Kevin learned firsthand how engineering, quality, and compliance come together on a manufacturing floor. That experience shaped a 20+ year career building technology solutions for manufacturers, starting with the founding KMD Technology Solutions and eventually AIBI Solutions, and serving as CTO of Akuret. Today his focus is education: helping leaders embrace technology with confidence. He believes the most successful technology is often invisible to the people using it — it just makes their work easier, faster, and more consistent.
Implementing AI in Business & Enterprise Architecture
Learn how to successfully integrate AI into your organization with scalable strategies that align with real business goals.
Michael Reynolds — Co-Founder & CEO, Lato AI
Michael Reynolds is a lifelong entrepreneur with a track record of building and scaling businesses across multiple industries. After early success in mobile technology, app development, and operations, he shifted his focus to artificial intelligence, using that experience to help businesses adopt AI in practical, results-driven ways. His work today centers on developing custom AI solutions that improve efficiency, drive innovation, and support long-term growth.
Using AI Safely & Avoiding Business Risks
Protect your organization by understanding the risks of AI and how to implement it responsibly and securely.
Andrew Jack Bond — Co-Founder, Bond-Rand Technologies
Andrew Jack Bond is the co-founder of Bond-Rand Technologies, leveraging his cross-functional expertise in computer science, economics, and business administration to help executives implement AI responsibly. Building on international labor research presented at global forums like AAAI Dubai and Notre Dame’s RISE AI, he specializes in translating complex technological capabilities into concrete operational strategies. By conducting hands-on organizational analysis, Andrew guides companies in deploying AI to maximize efficiency while prioritizing staff retraining and helping leaders move from uncertainty to measured action.
Cadence Rand — Co-Founder, Bond-Rand Technologies
Cadence Rand is the co-founder of Bond-Rand Technologies, advising executives on the reality that while the impact of AI is inevitable, it will affect every organization differently. Drawing on international workforce research presented at global forums like AAAI Dubai and Notre Dame’s RISE AI, she develops practical frameworks that help companies assess their readiness and adopt AI strategically so they are not left behind. Her work equips business leaders with the economic and structural insights needed to govern transitions safely and turn rapid technological change into a competitive advantage.
AI Panel & Live Q&A
Hear directly from industry experts and walk away with insights you can actually use.
Facilitated by Sara Hanks, NWIRC. Panelists include: Jim Buchanan, Vidhi Kothari, Kevin DiGilio, Mike Reynolds and Andrew Jack Bond
AI PANEL FACILITATOR
Sara Hanks — President and CEO, Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC)
Sara Hanks brings more than 20 years of experience in industrial operations, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on helping manufacturers turn technology into real-world results. She is passionate about making AI accessible and actionable, especially for small and mid-sized manufacturers, and her work centers on connecting strategy, people, and technology to drive measurable improvements and continuous growth.
GUEST AI PANELIST
James Buchanan — Founder & President, Synergy Industrial
Jim Buchanan is the Founder and President of Synergy Industrial, helping manufacturers implement practical AI, Industry 4.0 technologies, and operational systems that boost performance and competitiveness. With nearly 40 years of experience across steel, manufacturing, oil & gas, and chemical industries, he has led operational turnarounds, process optimization, and large-scale performance transformations. Known for his hands-on, plant-floor approach, Jim focuses on turning strategy into action and also serves in advisory and fractional executive roles to help companies modernize operations and create measurable value.
Cyber Security Focused Discussions:
“It Happened to Us” – A Real Cyber Incident Story
Gain powerful, real-world lessons from a company that experienced a cyberattack—and what they wish they knew beforehand.
Tom Tredway — President, Erie Molded Packaging
Tom Tredway is President of Erie Molded Packaging, a manufacturer of stock and custom rigid packaging solutions for the food, nutraceutical, and consumer products industries. He joined the company in 2006 as Vice President of Sales and was named President in 2020, leading the company’s growth and operations. Prior to Erie Molded, Tom worked as a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services. He is active in the local and national business community and serves on the board of the Manufacturer & Business Association, in addition to other nonprofit and industry boards.
Cybersecurity Basics (“Cyber Hygiene”)
Learn the essential habits and safeguards every organization needs to prevent the most common cyber threats.
Jonathan Meyn— Vice President of Managed Services, Insight Service Management
Jonathan Meyn leads the commercial practice at Insight Service Management as Vice President of Managed Services. ISM provides tailored cyber and compliance first managed services to businesses of all sizes. He has spent the last 10 years of his career driving technology modernization at industry leaders such as ConnectWise, Xerox and Cyberleaf.
The First 60 Minutes After a Cyber Incident
Know exactly what to do when an attack happens – from response steps to insurance coverage – so you can minimize damage and recover faster.
David Leng — Executive Vice President and Managing Partner, Duncan Financial Group
David Leng is an internationally recognized risk management strategist with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations reduce risk, control insurance costs, and improve performance. He has authored several best-selling books on insurance and risk management, and his strategies have helped businesses uncover more than $60 million in overcharges and unnecessary premiums. He is also a frequent national speaker, sharing practical insights with business and industry audiences.
Joe Bloomstine, ARM — Chief Executive, HUB International
Joe Bloomstine, ARM is a Client Executive at HUB International in Erie, PA. While Joe advises Property, Casualty, Workers Compensation, and Management Liability insurance, he has been very proactive in the cyber insurance marketplace. Joe has been instrumental in working with Clients as well as insurance company executives on policy underwriting guidelines, terms & conditions, and claims processes. He has spoken at conferences regionally and nationally on the subject.
Past Events
2026 Sponsors
We would like to thank all our event sponsors for making the Leadership Summit possible and offering premium services to our attendees!
Premier Sponsor:
Additional Leadership Summit Sponsors:
Position your brand at the forefront of innovation by sponsoring the 4th Annual Leadership Summit. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your support for the future of business.
Contact us now to learn more about being a sponsor.
2025 Leadership Summit
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Fill out the form and one of our team members will reach out to you.