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2012 Keynote Speakers

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 1:00pm

Karen Cator

Director of the Office of Educational Technology

Karen Cator is the Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. She has devoted her career to creating the best possible learning environments for this generation of students. Prior to joining the department, Cator directed Apple's leadership and advocacy efforts in education. In this role, she focused on the intersection of education policy and research, emerging technologies, and the reality faced by teachers, students and administrators.

Cator joined Apple in 1997 from the public education sector, most recently leading technology planning and implementation in Juneau, Alaska. She also served as Special Assistant for Telecommunications for the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska. Cator holds a Masters in school administration from the University of Oregon and Bachelors in early childhood education from Springfield College. She is the past chair of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and has served on the several boards including the Software & Information Industry Association—Education.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 10:00am

Mike Rayburn

Adventurer, Business Owner, Comedian, World-Class Guitarist, Author, Philanthropist

Mike Rayburn is a captivating keynote artist with a presentation completely unlike any you've ever seen! Having been called "the World's Funniest Guitar Virtuoso," Mike uses his astounding guitar creations, uproarious songs, and veteran presentation skills to encourage, challenge and inspire his audiences to leap beyond their perceived limitations. Mike draws from a wealth of life experience as an adventurer, business owner, comedian, world-class guitarist, author, philanthropist, husband, and father, to deliver a presentation, which is motivational, hilarious, and musically amazing!

Just to set foot on the stage at Carnegie Hall is a career moment for any performer. Mike Rayburn is one of a handful of people in the world to become a regular headliner at Carnegie Hall and to have recorded a live "Mike Rayburn at Carnegie Hall" CD. However, Mike performs most often for the world's leading corporations and associations, doing more than 100 presentations every year. His program is so unique he has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, Billboard, Gig, Programming, American Entertainment, and Successful Meetings magazines.

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