2026 Power Summit Speakers

Retired Judge Nancy Atlas served as a United States District Judge from 1995 to 2022, in the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.

Jennifer is a lawyer and advocate with over 25 years of leadership in state and federal government relations and deep expertise in policy and advocacy.

Susan Blount served as General Counsel of Prudential Financial, a leading provider of insurance, retirement and asset management products and services from 2005 to 2015.

Nadira Clarke manages complex, high-stakes criminal and civil environmental matters for companies and individuals.

A law professor at the University of Texas School of Law, Steven T. Collis is one of the leading academics in the nation on religious freedom, productive discourse, and other First Amendment topics.

Shahed is a seasoned strategic advisor who counsels executives, boards of directors and companies on bolstering stakeholder trust and navigating high stakes moments successfully.

Noel Francisco served as the 47th Solicitor General of the United States, from 2017 to 2020. He represents clients in a broad array of civil and criminal litigation, challenges to federal and state laws and regulations, and government investigations and enforcement actions.

Hilda Galvan is the former Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day, Dallas. A nationally recognized trial lawyer, Hilda represented plaintiffs and defendants in intellectual litigation in courts across the country for more than 25 years.

Hon. Vanessa D. Gilmore (USDJ Ret.) has had a distinguished 27-year career as a United States district judge in the Southern District of Texas.

Cecily Small Gooch specializes in partnering with legal counsel, corporate executives, and boards of directors on diverse matters covering the breadth of FTI Consulting’s services, including corporate finance and restructuring, forensic and litigation consulting, and strategic communications.

Beth Hecht is the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Xeris Biopharma (NASDAQ: XERS), a fast-growing biopharmaceutical Company committed to improving patient lives by developing and commercializing innovative products across a range of therapies.

Dr. Laurie Hill is the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Altos Labs, Inc. Altos Labs is a biotechnology company focused on restoring cell health and resilience through cell rejuvenation to reverse disease, injury, and the disabilities that occur throughout life.

Hon. Barbara M. G. Lynn (ret.) brings more than two decades of distinguished federal judicial service to the table. She served as a Senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas.

Cynt Marshall has been a dynamic force in business over a 36-year career at AT&T and almost seven years as the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. Cynt has been a champion for achieving business results through inclusion and a relentless focus on people and operational excellence.  

Jill Mulligan was appointed executive vice president and chief legal officer in 2022 with responsibility for legal and regulatory matters. 

Elizabeth (Liz) Ngonzi is a human-centered AI strategist, educator, and global speaker focused on how artificial intelligence is reshaping governance, workforce development, and leadership.

Yvette Ostoloza is the Chair of the Management Committee of Sidley Austin LLP, a US $3.4 billion premier global law firm with 21 offices on four continents and 2,300 lawyers. She is the first woman or Hispanic to lead any top six AmLaw revenue firm.

Nicole Perry is Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day's Houston Office and successfully leads trial teams with more than 19 years of experience.

Elizabeth Prelogar leads Cooley’s Supreme Court and appellate practice group and is widely considered one of the nation’s top appellate lawyers.

Amy Purdy is known for her accomplishments in multiple areas, from sports to entertainment. As a Paralympian, she secured a bronze medal in 2014 and a silver medal in 2018 in snowboard cross.

Michael Qian is a Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation partner at Haynes Boone, based in Dallas and Washington DC. He served twice as a law clerk at the Supreme Court, to Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Casey Ryan is the Global Managing Partner and Executive Committee Chair of Reed Smith.

Jennifer T. Salinas is an accomplished executive and legal leader, currently serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Cerence AI, a market leader in conversational AI for the automotive and mobility ecosystem.

Sarah Shadonix is an attorney-turned-entrepreneur and the founder of Scout & Cellar, which she grew from an idea into one of the largest direct-to-consumer wine companies in the country and the first B Corp Certified winery in Texas. 

Kalpana Srinivasan is a managing partner of Susman Godfrey and one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers. She is widely recognized for her leadership in high-stakes litigation and her role guiding one of the country’s premier trial firms.

Tina Tchen is an attorney, activist, and lifelong advocate for women and girls.

Betty Ungerman is Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer of Lennox International Inc. (NYSE LII), a leading global provider of climate-control solutions in the heating, air conditioning and refrigeration markets, with approximately 11,000 employees.

Diane P. Wood is the Director of The American Law Institute and  a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School, where she teaches in the areas of federal civil procedure, antitrust law, and international trade and business.  Previously she served on the  U.S.

A New Englander, Debbie Wemyss (weemz) resides in West Palm Beach, FL having enjoyed a 25+ year career in PR, marketing, and fundraising for corporations and nonprofits.

Attorney and award-winning author Pamela Samuels Young has penned more than a dozen novels.