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Genuine Connect 2025 at a Glance

    Meet Our Leadership Team...

    Ignacio Torras

    Dr. Lorna Ortiz

    Dr. Lorna Ortiz

    CEO, Tricon Energy

    Founder and Executive Director, Genuine World Cup

    LinkedIn

    Dr. Lorna Ortiz

    Dr. Lorna Ortiz

    Dr. Lorna Ortiz

    CCO, GeoKiln Energy 

    Founder & President, 

    The Genuine Foundation

    LinkedIn

    Jose Velasco

    Dr. Lorna Ortiz

    Jose Velasco

    SVP, Strategic Operations

    Autism Society of America


    LinkedIn

    Special Remarks: Judge Lina Hidalgo

    About Judge HIdalgo



    Judge Lina Hidalgo is the head of Harris County’s governing body. She is the first woman to be elected County Judge and only the second to be elected to the Commissioners Court. Harris County is the third largest county in our nation. The Harris County Judge and four County Commissioners oversee a $4.3 billion budget that helps fund key county services and institutions. Judge Hidalgo’s leadership has been recognized through numerous awards and national honors. She also been named to the TIME Magazine 100 Next list as well as Forbes 30 Under 30. Meet Judge Hidalgo... 

    Special Remarks: David Baldwin

    About David

    David Baldwin joined SCF Partners in 1991 and currently is responsible for the firm’s energy transition initiatives.  In this role, he is responsible for SCF’s energy transition strategy, including identifying new platform investments, and helping SCF’s existing companies develop exposure to new energy growth markets. David’s civic activities include Greentown Labs, Pursuit Center, and Baylor College of Medicine, including serving as the Chairman of their Board of Trustees. In 2016, he and his wife Maire created “Pursuit for Those with Disabilities”, where they led 300 volunteers in a cross-country bicycle ride that raised $13 mm to help build a new state-of-the-art campus for Pursuit Center. Meet David...


    Featured Keynote: Dani Bowman

    About Dani

    Dani Bowman is a young and talented animator, artist, and entrepreneur on the Autism Spectrum who is passionate about using her skills to help others and her dedication to inclusion and diversity. Despite being diagnosed with autism at age 3 and nonverbal until 6 Dani has overcome these challenges to become an accomplished artist, animator,and inspiring speaker. She founded her own company, DaniMation, when she was just 14 years old, and DaniMation UK in 2019. Dani has taught animation to over 3000 students with autism and premiered 14 short films at San Diego ComicCon. As a national speaker and cast member of Love on the Spectrum, Dani uses her platform to inspire and mentor others. Meet Dani...

    2025 Conference Themes

    Genuine in Focus: Data and Insights

    Genuine in Focus: Data and Insights

    Genuine in Focus: Data and Insights

    Experts from diverse fields will share insights on how we can help shape solutions to improve the lives of the Genuine community.

    Employment as a Differentiator

    Genuine in Focus: Data and Insights

    Genuine in Focus: Data and Insights

    Real world examples and expertise on how Genuine inclusion fosters organizational capabilities and opportunity.

    Driving Inclusion Through Sports

    Genuine in Focus: Data and Insights

    Driving Inclusion Through Sports

    Driving inclusion through sports and building on the La Liga Genuine Methodology around the world.

    2025 Panels

    Thank you to our panelists!

    Panel 1 : Data and Insights-Shaping Solutions

    moderator: Michael A. Giongo

    moderator: Michael A. Giongo

    moderator: Michael A. Giongo

    Professional Sports Data Analyst & Strategist

    Giongo Strategy and Performance Consulting

    LinkedIn

    Dr. Luz Maria Garcini

    moderator: Michael A. Giongo

    moderator: Michael A. Giongo

    Director of Community and Public Health, Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University

    LinkedIn

    Judge Lina Hidalgo

    moderator: Michael A. Giongo

    Judge Lina Hidalgo

    Harris County Judge

    Visit Website



    Charles Njuguna

    moderator: Michael A. Giongo

    Judge Lina Hidalgo

    President and CEO 

    Pursuit Center

    LinkedIn

    Dr. Ruth N. López Turley

    Dr. Ruth N. López Turley

    Dr. Ruth N. López Turley

    Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University

    LinkedIn

    Jose Velasco

    Dr. Ruth N. López Turley

    Dr. Ruth N. López Turley

    SVP, Strategic Operations

    Autism Society of America

    LinkedIn

    Panel 2 : Employment -Enterprise and Government

    Moderator: JOSE VELASCO

    Moderator: JOSE VELASCO

    Moderator: JOSE VELASCO

    SVP, Strategic Operations

    Autism Society of America

    LinkedIn

    Tom D'ERI

    Moderator: JOSE VELASCO

    Moderator: JOSE VELASCO

    Co-Founder of Rising Tide Car Wash | Forbes 30 Under 30 | Author of The Power of Potential

    LinkedIn



    Rissa McGurn

    Moderator: JOSE VELASCO

    Melinda Paninski

    Senior Advisor, Diversity Talent Management

    Chevron

    LinkedIn

    Melinda Paninski

    Moderator: JOSE VELASCO

    Melinda Paninski

    Communications and Partnerships Manager - Vocational Rehabilitation Division
    Texas Workforce Commission 

    LinkedIn

    Panel 3 : Entrepreneurs in the Ecosystem

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    CCO, GeoKiln Energy 

    Founder & President, 

    The Genuine Foundation

    LinkedIn

    Rod BAtson

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    CEO

     Howdy Homemade Ice Cream

    LinkedIn

    Guy Benham

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    Dani Bowman

    Owner & CEO at Jessie's Bites

    LinkedIn


    Dani Bowman

    Dani Bowman

    Dani Bowman

    CEO and Founder, DaniMation Entertainment


    LinkedIn

    Mike giongo

    Dani Bowman

    Mike giongo

     Professional Sports Data Analyst & Strategist

    Giongo Strategy and Performance Consulting

    LinkedIn

    Panel 4 : Sports as a Venue for Inclusion

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    CCO, GeoKiln Energy 

    Founder & President, 

    The Genuine Foundation

    LinkedIn

    Joao Gomiero

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    Co Founder Project Inspire | Professional Athlete Rickmond Kickers

    LinkedIn

    Linda Mastrandrea

    moderator: Dr. Lorna ortiz

    Linda Mastrandrea

    Manager of Accessibility
    FIFA World Cup 2026

    LinkedIn


    Majd Steitieh

    Iganitio Torras

    Linda Mastrandrea

    Director, Soccer Growth 

    U.S. Soccer 

    LinkedIn

    Iganitio Torras

    Iganitio Torras

    Iganitio Torras

     CEO Tricon Energy 

    Founder Executive Director

    Genuine World Cup
    LinkedIn

    A Great Experience for Everyone!

    Sensory Break Room

    COMMUNICATION PReferences

    COMMUNICATION PReferences

    Guests who need a quiet space to take a break are welcome to visit our sensory break room located near the auditorium. Our friendly staff is here to help with any of your needs.

    COMMUNICATION PReferences

    COMMUNICATION PReferences

    COMMUNICATION PReferences

    Color Communication Stickers at the Conference

    are a system first developed in Autistic spaces and conferences. They help people tell others about their communication preferences.

    Agenda

    Spend the day with us at the Anderson Clarke Center at Rice University! Our Agenda is packed with amazing speakers and experts from across the US. We can't wait for you to meet them!

    Agenda

    Getting here and more...

    Whether you are local to Houston, or coming from out of town, we're here to answer your questions on Genuine Connect logistics. 

    Details

    Contributors and Sponsors

    Copyright © 2025 Genuine Foundation - All Rights Reserved.


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