Presenter: 
Terence Yeoh, Kara Cunzeman, Daniel Marrujo, and G. Nagesh Rao

Overview

In developing technology for the benefit of humanity, it is in times of massive shift that disruptions not only challenge the way we live, work, and thrive, but also create the space for nascent concepts to show their worth. We bring together a futurist, a government leader, and a behind-the-scenes enabler to give their perspective into the great potential that these shifts are providing for individuals, companies, and industries. Join us for a day of future casting in this live panel discussion as we are propelled into the bright future that lies before us.

About The Presenters

Dr. Terence Yeoh is a scientist, engineer, and team leader. He has had the privilege of working with professionals in diverse fields ranging from national security and civil space, semiconductor technology, corporate communications and messaging, and STEM community outreach. He has worked closely with C-Suite executives on a wide range of initiatives, and remains active in professional and community leadership circles. By spanning the these boundaries, he aims to develop technology for the benefit of today’s society and for a better future. Dr. Yeoh is a Senior Member of the IEEE and a member of the IEEE-USA Career and Professional Development Committee. His contact information and background can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeohterence

Kara C. Cunzeman is a policy analyst and lead for strategic foresight for the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation. In her role, Cunzeman is focused on cultivating a formalized approach to futures thinking at Aerospace through the strategic foresight Corporate Strategic Initiative (CSI), helping the enterprise adequately prepare its organizations and capabilities to proactively shape the future through innovative approaches across strategy, acquisition, science and technology portfolio management, policy, and operations. Cunzeman is trailblazing a new product line in strategic foresight for the corporation and is resolute in transforming opportunity mindsets for an abundant future space enterprise. Cunzeman joined Aerospace in 2015, and served five years with Aerospace’s Project West Wing, providing thought leadership and strategic insight into critical issues for the nation spanning global space advancements, technology development, and threat futures to a broad range of customers across Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil sectors.

Prior to working at Aerospace, Cunzeman held roles in space systems engineering, vehicle operations, and space sensor development at Raytheon and General Atomics. Before that, she was at Packer Engineering, where her contributions were key to winning Phase II funding via a NASA Small Business in Innovation Research (SBIR) award for extracting oxygen from lunar soil.

Cunzeman received her bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary engineering and a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics engineering from Purdue University. She is also a certified foresight practitioner and guest instructor at the Institute for the Future and the Center for Intelligence Studies.

Daniel Marrujo is the former Chief Strategy Officer and former Director of the Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) at the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA).

Mr. Marrujo began his career in at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ., developing missile guidance systems for their advanced programs. He then moved to DMEA, in his hometown of Sacramento, CA., working for the Trusted Integrated Circuit (IC) program office. In conjunction with working on the Trusted IC program, he began working towards development of DMEA’s reliability capabilities and was selected to lead the National High Reliability Electronics Virtual Center (HiREV).

Mr. Marrujo also established the NRO’s VS&E program which has executed a number of solutions protecting National Security. As a subject matter expert, he has provided his technical expertise on multiple DARPA, IARPA and National Security Space programs. His focus areas are Microelectronics Obsolescence, State of the Art Microelectronics Acquisition, State of the Practice Microelectronics Sustainment, Advanced Packaging, Supply Chain Risk Management, Semiconductor Reliability, Semiconductor Reverse Engineering and Semiconductor Radiation Effects.

In 2016, Mr. Marrujo was selected as DMEA’s Chief Strategy Officer directly supporting the DMEA directorate. In this position, Mr. Marrujo works with DMEA senior leadership to define and represent the integrated DMEA message and strategic path forward for future engagements.

Mr. Marrujo is a Managing Director for Trusted Strategic Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm which will begin providing services on February 15th, 2020.

Mr. Marrujo holds a master’s degree in Materials Engineering, a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, and a minor in physics from the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA. He is SPRDE Systems Engineering level III and SPRDE Science and Technology Management Level III certified.

G. Nagesh Rao currently serves as Director of Business Technology Solutions (BiTS) at the US Small Business Administration’s Office of the Chief Information Officer. Prior to his promotion, he previously served as Chief Technologist & Entrepreneur in Residence with the US Small Business Administration’s Office of Investment & Innovation.

Over the last 20 years, Nagesh has worked for numerous organizations in the public, private, and not for profit sectors. During his time in the public-sector, he co-developed programmatic endeavors such as i6 Green, Patents for Humanity, USAID’s-SBAR Program, and SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. Furthermore he oversaw the creation and issuance of 5 major interagency policy committee reports, regarding the SBIR/STTR programs, for US Congress on behalf of SBA and White House-OSTP, as well led the revamp and modernization of the SBIR.gov and SBA.gov digital platforms.

Nagesh’s musings (written and oratorical) have been featured and/or quoted via TechCrunch, WAMC-NPR, The Scientist, The National Academies, The Hill, FedTech Magazine, DC Inno, Technical.ly DC, NextGov, Daily Mirror (Sri Lankan version), Financial Times (Sri Lankan version), and The Courier-Journal.

Nagesh is a 2004 Mirzayan Fellow of The National Academies and a 2016 USA Eisenhower Fellow. Among many accolades that Nagesh has received over the years, prominent ones include the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samman & Hind Rattan awards from the NRI Welfare Society, ACT-IAC Collaboration Award, BT 150, DC Inno 50 on Fire, 2019 Gears of Government, and the RPI Alumni Key Award.

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