Dr. Gina Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with a double major in Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Dayton, followed by a Master of Science in Instructional Design from the same institution. She completed her Doctor of Education in Instructional Systems Technology with a minor in Learning Science from Indiana University Bloomington in 2015.

Anderson co-founded Luma Brighter Learning, a technology company dedicated to enriching lives globally through innovative learning in transportation and logistics. Under her leadership, the 20-person company has pioneered groundbreaking technologies including the Luma eNugget® and STEM CITY® platforms, which leverage analytics and real-time feedback to revolutionize learning.

Anderson chairs the National Tank Institute Board and was selected for TEDxRaleigh, where her talk “The power of being present” garnered more than 3,000 views in 11 days. In 2025, she authored Thrive: How Learning Can Ignite a New Way Forward, which reached number one on Amazon in Neuroscience. “Success is waking up excited to contribute to something meaningful, using my strengths in a way that helps others grow or move forward,” Anderson said.

Masahiro Arai earned a Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Robotics from Tokyo Denki University before beginning his career as a technical support engineer for software development tools. In that role, serving programmers and advising on project challenges, he learned a crucial lesson about understanding customers. He later progressed through marketing, product management, sales and engineering departments at the same multinational company, gaining experience that would shape his leadership approach.

As Chief Operating Officer of SIOS Technology, Arai oversees operations for the company, which provides high-availability and disaster recovery solutions that protect critical services including healthcare systems, airport operations, emergency response and cybersecurity infrastructures. He also serves as CEO of BayPOS, a retail restaurant management software company.

Despite his senior management position, Arai maintains a hands-on approach to technology. After brainstorming sessions with his management team, he has created proof-of-concept code to illustrate solutions addressing customer and partner feedback. SIOS Technology, which employs approximately 50 people, has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina for six consecutive years.

Michael L. Baur has led ScanSource, a global provider of technology products and solutions, as CEO since January 2000 and previously served as president from the company’s founding in December 1992. With more than 40 years of experience in the IT industry, Baur brings deep institutional knowledge and entrepreneurial vision to his leadership role.

Under his guidance, ScanSource has achieved significant growth through strategic acquisitions, partnerships and organic expansion, strengthening its global footprint and market position in technology distribution. Baur has been instrumental in expanding the company’s product portfolio while maintaining a focus on customer satisfaction and operational excellence.

He has served on ScanSource’s board of directors since December 1995 and was named chair of the board in February 2019. Before founding ScanSource, Baur held senior management positions including president at Argent Technologies and director of merchandising at Gates/FA Distributing. He remains committed to fostering innovation and creating an inclusive workplace culture that supports employee growth and development.

Chad Capece leads Computer Applied Products, a technology company helping small restaurant and retail businesses compete with large enterprise brands through innovative point-of-sale solutions. Under his leadership, the company recently launched Square’s first dealer partnership in North America, bringing Square Point of Sale through a reseller channel.

A College of Charleston graduate with a degree in marine biology, Capece has built his business philosophy around a simple principle. “Take care of your employees and your customers, and the profits will follow,” Capece said.

His approach to leadership focuses on addressing the biggest challenge facing his industry: bringing rapidly changing technology to small businesses to help them compete for customer satisfaction and repeat business. Capece defines success as building a brand that customers are proud to do business with.

Before entering the technology sector, Capece worked making pizzas in high school, where he learned attention to detail. In an unexpected career twist, he once worked as a skiing coach in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, bringing diverse life experiences to his current role leading a 25-person team.

Larry Collett leads Larry Collett Consulting Group, where he specializes in artificial intelligence strategy and implementation. He earned credentials in AI Business Strategy from Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering.

Collett’s career began at Kinney Shoe Corp., where he developed his team-first leadership approach. Today, he addresses one of the technology sector’s most pressing challenges: helping organizations adopt AI responsibly and ethically.

His commitment to community service spans numerous leadership roles. Collett serves as vice chair on the board of REV Federal Credit Union and holds board positions with the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, Summerville YMCA, Summerville DREAM and Dorchester 2 Education Foundation. He is a member of the town of Summerville/Dorchester County Vision Plan 2040 Steering Committee and is a Rotarian with Summerville Rotary Club.

Among his recognitions, Collett received the Edward R. Murrow Award and the Richard Heinson Memorial Award for Outstanding First Year Rotarian. “Surround yourself with the right people and you’ll achieve great things,” Collett said, reflecting his collaborative leadership philosophy.

Brian Daughhetee leads ANC Group Inc., a technology services firm specializing in managed IT and cybersecurity solutions for K-12 schools, legal practices, manufacturing companies and educational institutions across South Carolina. Under his leadership, the company has earned recognition as the state’s No.2 Best Place to Work and top-ranked IT employer, while also being named to the SC 50 Fastest Growing Companies list.

Daughhetee’s technology career began unexpectedly at Washington’s Cispus Learning Center, where he served as Ropes Course Director before teaching himself computer network management. “The best advice I ever received was to ‘play to your strengths and hire for your weaknesses,’” Daughhetee said.

His civic involvement includes serving as a Mauldin city councilman from 2001 to 2005 and chairing the Mauldin Cultural Center Board. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Towson State University and a master’s degree in managerial sciences from Indian Wesleyan University.

Mike Gianoni’s five-decade technology career began in high school in Bristol, Conn., where the first-generation American’s passion for engineering sparked. His journey through IT, financial services, cloud services and business transformation led him to Blackbaud in 2014, where he serves as president, chief executive officer and board member.

Under Gianoni’s leadership, the Charleston-based SaaS company has gained recognition as a Fortune Change the World Company and Forbes Most Innovative Growth Company. Blackbaud serves nonprofits, education sectors and organizations committed to social responsibility worldwide. Millions in over 100 countries use its software, with over $100 billion raised, granted or managed annually.

Gianoni led Blackbaud’s transition to a remote-first workplace and serves as chairman of Teradata’s board of directors. Previously, he held leadership roles at Fiserv, CheckFree Investment Services and DST.

A University of New Haven graduate with degrees in engineering, business and an MBA, Gianoni serves on the International African American Museum’s board and supports Charleston Animal Society and Warrior Sailing.

Rachel Hayden brings nearly 30 years of IT leadership experience to her role as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at ScanSource in Greenville. Her career has focused on transforming IT organizations from cost centers into proactive enablers of business growth across manufacturing, consumer goods, telecommunications and financial services sectors.

Hayden has held executive technology positions with multiple Fortune 500 companies including PepsiCo, Wachovia, Coca-Cola, Perdue Farms and Berry Plastics. Her global leadership experience spans cross-border projects and multi-site operations across North America, South America, Asia-Pacific and EMEA regions.

Before joining ScanSource in 2021, Hayden served as VP and Chief Information Officer at Just Born Inc., the ninth-largest U.S. confectionery company. She previously led global business systems for Berry Plastics, a $7 billion global manufacturer, overseeing IT strategy and implementation for 31 plant facilities across 17 countries. Hayden is a member of Chief, a private network.

Nick Hook has built a career in environmental services and vegetation management spanning more than two decades. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Mechanization and Business from Clemson University in 2003, Hook began as an NPDES Compliance Coordinator at CR Jackson Inc., managing compliance programs under Clean Water Act regulations.

Hook joined what is now Opterra Solutions, Inc. in 2008 as Stormwater Manager. He advanced through progressively senior roles, including Director of ECO Group, where he oversaw vegetation maintenance and stormwater facilities services across the Southeast. Hook later served as VP of Equipment and Strategy, VP of Operations and Chief Operating Officer before being named Chief Executive Officer in September 2021.

Throughout his tenure at the Lexington-based company, Hook has guided operations in vegetation management, right-of-way maintenance, clearing and mechanical mulching services. His leadership reflects expertise in both operational strategy and environmental compliance gained through varied roles in the industry.