2026 Power Summit Speakers

The Hon. Nancy Atlas

U.S. District Judge, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas Houston Division (Ret.)

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

Susan Blount

Chair, University of Texas Law School Foundation and Retired General Counsel, Prudential Financial, Inc.

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.

Steven T. Collis

Professor, University of Texas, School of Law

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.

Noel Francisco

47th Solicitor General of the United States

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.

Dr. Laurie Hill

General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Altos Labs, Inc.

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.

The Hon. Barbara Lynn

United States District Court Judge, Northern District of Texas

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.

Cynthia “Cynt” Marshall

Former CEO, Dallas Mavericks

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

Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, BNSF Railway

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

Elizabeth (Liz) Ngonzi, MMH

Board Member and Founding Ethics Chair, American Society for AI and Originator and Editor-in-Chief, the AI for Humanity Anthology and Platform

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

Partner and Chair, Management Committee, Sidley Austin LLP

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

Partner-in-Charge, Jones Day Houston

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

Amy Purdy

Paralympian Silver Medalist

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

Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation partner, Haynes Boone

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

Global Managing Partner and Executive Committee Chair, Reed Smith

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

Jennifer T. Salinas

Executive VP, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Cerence AI

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.

The Hon. Diane P. Wood

Director, The American Law Institute, Senior Lecturer, University of Chicago Law School

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.

Debbie Wemyss

Founder, DW Consulting Solutions

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.