AV Events

Gaurav Bradoo is the Head of Product and Portfolio of Education at Logitech. He is an advocate for designing education products for and with students as a way to boost student engagement and outcomes. Gaurav works at the nexus of human-centered design, engineering and business strategy to create delightful experiences that span physical and digital realms. Prior to his product management experience, he’s worked across disciplines in multiple countries - as an electrical engineer and management consultant in NZ, followed by being a product designer with projects in the US and India. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters degree in Product Design and Innovation.

Dr. Jodie Penrod is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Marshall University, where she leads the institution’s information technology services. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from Ohio University.

Jodie holds several professional certifications, including PROSCI Change Management, Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Professional in Healthcare Information Management Systems (CPHIMS), ITIL-Foundation, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Jodie is also a frequent speaker at educational technology conferences such as InfoComm, EDUCAUSE, Dreamforce, and Oracle Cloud World, where she shares best practices for creating innovative and inclusive learning environments. Her insights have been featured in various publications, including the Chronicle for Higher Education and EDUCAUSE Review.

With two decades of experience in information technology across diverse sectors such as defense, healthcare, and higher education, Jodie possesses a profound understanding of the technical and strategic facets of enterprise information security. Her extensive background enables her to adeptly balance innovation and risk, ensuring that Marshall University remains at the forefront of secure and cutting-edge technology solutions.

Rebecca Sullins started her career in AV as a live Audio Engineer for the theatre. She moved from there into Engineering and Design focusing on large-scale stadiums, performing arts centers, and other production spaces. She's currently working for AmpThink as a Senior Design Engineer who specializes in large, national projects. As a constant volunteer and educator with AVIXA, outreach and mentorship remain a focus of her career.

Bret Vlach is an IT Manager at the College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison. With a career spanning over a decade, Bret has a rich background in both research and accessibility. From 2008 to 2012, Bret served as a lab manager in the Psychology Department, conducting pivotal research on autism. In 2013, Bret transitioned to the role of Accommodations Specialist, supporting students with disabilities at UW-Madison. Since 2021, he has been consulting on AV design in higher education, ensuring accessible and effective learning environments. Bret's expertise in AV technology and commitment to accessibility make him a valuable contributor to conversations on accessible AV designs for classrooms. 

Britt Yenser, CTS is an experienced audiovisual professional and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the AV industry. She is the AV Manager at Northampton Community College and serves on the Board of Directors for HETMA (Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance). Britt is also the creator and host of the award-winning brAVe [space] podcast, where she explores compassion, leadership, and equity. She was named AV Professional of the Year by Higher Ed AV Media in 2023, is one of Commercial Integrator's 40 Influencers Under 40 (2023), and was most recently named AV Professional of the Year by the AV Nation Readers' Choice Awards for 2024.