The GRIT Conference

From AI experts to social media rockstars to lauded restaurateurs and more, the GRIT panelists are leading innovators in their industries.

Jess Belfry

SCORE Savannah Mentor

Jesse Blanco

Founder of Eat It and Like It

Jen Bonnett

Executive Director of The Creative Coast

Mae Bowley

Executive Director of Re:Purpose Savannah

Charlie Brazil

Regional Manager at Historic Tours of America

Alton Brecker

CEO of Bar Bubbly Savannah

Diganto Choudhury

Business Development Director at Einride

Amanda Russ Cifaldi

Owner of Pomodori Italian Eatery

Chris Davis

Principal, GoBlock USA

Nick Deffley

Director of Sustainability, City of Savannah

Jesse Dillon

VP of Business Development at SEDA

Kewaan Drayton

CEO of Red Eye Film Productions

Blake Ellis

Founding Partner, CommerceV3

Jennifer Arvin Furlong

Host of Communication TwentyFourSeven Podcast

Robert Gadd

Cofounder and President of OnPoint Digital

Shannon GaNun

Director of Development for The Current

Whitney Gilliard

CEO of Gilliard & Co.

Graham Gintz

CEO + Founder of Knightley, MD at Atlanta Venture Club

Mary Githens

CEO of Latin Chicks

Bill Glenn

Partner at Fernwood Holdings

Steve Perricone

Managing Partner, Pilot Mountain Ventures

Jim Goodlet

Board Director, Angel Investor, CEO, CTO and Chief Information Architect

Jennifer Graham

Founder of Shelter From The Rain

Patt Gunn

Founder and CEO of Underground Tours of Savannah

Whitney Hall

CEO of HallofSneakz

Shawn Hill

Owner of SK Media

Yvonne Jouffrault

Advisor to Paris startups via the Ring for Success Team + Serena Squad

David (dj) Johnson

CEO and Creative Director of Undertone FX

Alethia Jones

Owner and Principal Consultant for AYJ Consulting Services

Glenn Kauffman

XR Developer

Shanice Lawrence

Motivational Speaker, Founder of ShesAMotivator.com

Jason Loia

Co-Founder of Dolfin Ventures

Ayana Gunn

Owner, Savannah Wellness Lounge and Sunflower Skin Bar

Malissa MacKay

Senior Industry Engagement Manager for the Georgia Center of Innovation Logistics Team

Taylor McKnight

Founder of Perk Shop

Mike Morgan

CEO Really-Virtual

Bridget Gaynor

Professor of Visual Effects, SCAD

Zoe Chow

Instructor, Girls Code

Lou Thomann

Owner, Yaupon Wellness Company

Ambria Berksteiner

Owner, Operation One STEM at a Time

Bill Nussey

Partner, Engage and Tech Square Ventures & Author and Podcast Host of Freeing Energy

Tim O’Sako

CEO of Covenant Technology Group

Lesli Ott

Founder & CEO of Menther

Kristen Ravenel

Chief Operating Officer of Ubicept

Zoe Rinker

Executive Director of The Savannah Tree Foundation

Katie Rodgers-Hubbard

Founder of Lite Foot Company

Julianne Roseman

Principal, Plug and Play Tech Center

Katie Schuck

Location Specialist at Savannah Regional Film Commission

Tim Cone

CEISMC Program Director, Georgia Tech Savannah

Blakely Scott

Sr. UX Designer at CO-OP Financial Services

Phillip Scroggin II

Founder and Chief Marketing Nerd at SoI Insights

Bob Shinn

Genesis Surrogate

James Sidletsky

Assistant Professor at University of South Carolina-Beaufort

Monique Silén

Owner/Operator of Kayak Kafé

Dwayne Stephens

Built Environment Consultant

Moncello Stewart

President of the Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce

Meredith Stone

Architectural Designer | GMSHAY Realtor ® | Vantosh Realty

Richard Ward

Venture Altruist

Trey Wilder

Founder of Treylor Park Restaurant Group

Shawn Woods

Owner of Lewoo Equity Partners

Teri Yarbrow

Owner and Creative Director of Magika and Magika VRx Professor of Digital Media and Immersive Reality