Caleb Smith
Founder
North Carolina Esports Academy
Caleb Smith grew up in Durham, North Carolina. After graduating high school he headed to Germany and played competitive soccer for a few years. Upon his return to the states he founded North Carolina Esports Academy, a hands on esports and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education company. Caleb led the company to receiving the 2022 Cary Chamber of Commerce Innovation in Business Award while also becoming a 2022 Triangle Business Journal 40 under 40 winner and a 2023 Forbes 30 under 30 winner for the education category. Caleb created EdTech Unite to be able to service and provide opportunities to youth regardless of their current circumstances.
Narkie Nartey
Founder
The Wakaboomee Program
Narkie Nartey is the Founder of The Wakaboomee Program 501(c)3 A STEAM, Wellness & Entrepreneurship Non-Profit, VP of Marketing of the GDBCC, President of RTP Rotary Club, Member of the Town of Morrisville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Committee, and Mentor for GTI/SKEEMA Mentorship Program at NCSU. Narkie has a fiery passion for helping others, connecting community Leaders, managing various social media platforms and working strategically to create real change by closing the digital divide in underserved communities.
Girish Hoogar
Global Head of Engineering, Cloud & Software
Lenovo
Charvel Sumpter
Chairperson Marketing and Communications
NC Collaborative
Charvel pursed a careers in education and administration during her early college degree. Charvel went back to school after relocation to NC and persued digital marketing at Wake Tech Community college. Charvel has spent the last 5 years helping small business have a online presence with her company Sumpter Virtual Solutions. Charvel currently serves as the Marketing and Communications Chair for the NC Collaborative we’re she has pursed her passion of community and marketing.