2024 MACC Conference Keynote Speakers and Expert Panel
Architecting for AI: A New Paradigm in Business Value
David Yunger, CEO of Vaital
David Yunger is CEO of Vaital, a global AI strategy and software services consultancy. David and his team are on a mission to transform data into growth for every industry.
A 25-year innovator across technology, learning, and workforce development, Yunger has consulted with more than 1,000 CXOs on strategic use of AI to improve business operations and accelerate their growth.
David previously served as Vice President at Pearson, leading the company’s strategic alliance with Microsoft – and driving Pearson’s digital transformation to the cloud. He and his colleagues created employability for millions of learners annually via thousands of channel partners in 180 countries. Yunger has engaged as a consultant to the Fortune 50, most notably with Microsoft's Worldwide Public Sector organization, having brokered policy dialogues and architected solutions with governments and corporations across the globe. At Microsoft, he served as Senior Manager in the Unlimited Potential Group, launched by Bill Gates as part of his "Creative Capitalism" mandate: to both deliver profits and serve the world's poor. At UPG, David created products and services enabling new businesses which drove economic opportunity for the next 6 billion people – through affordable, sustainable, and scalable technology.
David is a member of Forbes Technology Council and a contributing author and speaker on AI. A former educator and Fulbright Scholar, Yunger holds an MBA from Seattle University. He resides in Bellevue, Washington.
A 25-year innovator across technology, learning, and workforce development, Yunger has consulted with more than 1,000 CXOs on strategic use of AI to improve business operations and accelerate their growth.
David previously served as Vice President at Pearson, leading the company’s strategic alliance with Microsoft – and driving Pearson’s digital transformation to the cloud. He and his colleagues created employability for millions of learners annually via thousands of channel partners in 180 countries. Yunger has engaged as a consultant to the Fortune 50, most notably with Microsoft's Worldwide Public Sector organization, having brokered policy dialogues and architected solutions with governments and corporations across the globe. At Microsoft, he served as Senior Manager in the Unlimited Potential Group, launched by Bill Gates as part of his "Creative Capitalism" mandate: to both deliver profits and serve the world's poor. At UPG, David created products and services enabling new businesses which drove economic opportunity for the next 6 billion people – through affordable, sustainable, and scalable technology.
David is a member of Forbes Technology Council and a contributing author and speaker on AI. A former educator and Fulbright Scholar, Yunger holds an MBA from Seattle University. He resides in Bellevue, Washington.
Dr. Rajeev Bukralia, Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Rajeev Bukralia is a tenured associate professor and graduate research faculty in the Computer Information Science (CIS) Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Dr. Bukralia serves as the graduate program coordinator for all CIS graduate programs and program director for the MS in data science program.
He is the faculty founder of and advisor to DREAM (Data Resources for Eager & Analytical Minds), an award-winning student organization dedicated to data science and artificial intelligence (AI). DREAM has over 300 student members.
Dr. Bukralia is a recipient of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Board of Trustees Outstanding Educator award and the South Dakota Board of Regents faculty award. Dr. Bukralia is co-founder and chair of the Twin Cities Professional Chapter of the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery). He serves as chair of the Midwest Undergraduate Data Analytics Competition (MUDAC).
He earned doctoral and master’s degrees in information systems from Dakota State University. His research interests include data science, artificial intelligence, ethics of AI, and IT strategy. Dr. Bukralia is active in industry; he has participated in data science trainings/workshops at Google, Microsoft, and UC-Berkeley and served as a research fellow in large companies. He is a thought leader in data science education and and serves as a distinguished volunteer for MinneAnalytics, a non-profit, industry-focused organization dedicated to data science.
He is the faculty founder of and advisor to DREAM (Data Resources for Eager & Analytical Minds), an award-winning student organization dedicated to data science and artificial intelligence (AI). DREAM has over 300 student members.
Dr. Bukralia is a recipient of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Board of Trustees Outstanding Educator award and the South Dakota Board of Regents faculty award. Dr. Bukralia is co-founder and chair of the Twin Cities Professional Chapter of the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery). He serves as chair of the Midwest Undergraduate Data Analytics Competition (MUDAC).
He earned doctoral and master’s degrees in information systems from Dakota State University. His research interests include data science, artificial intelligence, ethics of AI, and IT strategy. Dr. Bukralia is active in industry; he has participated in data science trainings/workshops at Google, Microsoft, and UC-Berkeley and served as a research fellow in large companies. He is a thought leader in data science education and and serves as a distinguished volunteer for MinneAnalytics, a non-profit, industry-focused organization dedicated to data science.
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