FountainHead RI's Summer 2026 Educational Panel and Networking Event

FountainHead RI

Powerful convening on AI & data center infrastructure. Rare opportunity to engage directly w/ the people shaping where and how it is built.

Rhode Island Convention Center

FountainHead RI is hosting a national, cross-state convening focused on how states across the U.S. are preparing for the next wave of AI and data center infrastructure, from power and siting to permitting, capital, and climate constraints. While hosted in Rhode Island, this event is designed for state officials, developers, utilities, investors, and enterprise leaders working across multiple states, offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with the people shaping where and how AI infrastructure gets built.This event is guaranteed to bring together some of the area's top business and community leaders to learn, grow, and connect. Event Theme: The AI Infrastructure Race: How States Compete, Build, and WinLocation: The Rhode Island Convention Center (the Exchange Bar) Who Should Attend:<ul><li>Business and community leaders</li><li>Executives and board members</li><li>Technology, data, and infrastructure professionals</li><li>Policy, energy, and economic development stakeholders</li><li>Anyone seeking to better understand AI’s real‑world impact</li></ul> Timing for Event (this is an in person event):<ul><li>5:00 pm to 5:30 pm - Check-in / Informal Networking</li><li>5:30 pm to 5:45 pm - Kickoff and Welcome</li><li>5:45 pm - 6:30 pm - Panel #1</li><li>6:30 pm - 6:35 pm - Small break</li><li>6:35 pm to 7:20 pm - Panel #2</li><li>7:20 pm to 8:30 pm - Informal Networking</li></ul> Speakers:Opening Remarks:<ol><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-pryor-83a6816/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-pryor-83a6816/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Stefan Pryor</a> - Secretary of Commerce, State of Rhode Island</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-wang-b903045b/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-wang-b903045b/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Jerry Wang</a> - Executive Chairman, Faraday Future</li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/swgilk/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/swgilk/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr. Shannon Gilkey</a> - Commissioner, Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner and Member, RI Artificial Task Force</li></ol>Expert Panel #1: From Policy to Power - How Institutions Are Betting on AI Infrastructure:<ol><li>Moderator - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-reitman-12540616?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-reitman-12540616?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Deanna Reitman</a> - Partner, Foley &amp; Lardner, LLP</li></ol><ol><li>Panelist #1 - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamindynkin/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamindynkin/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Benjamin Dynkin</a> - Head of AI Governance for Global Markets, <a href="https://home.barclays/" title="https://home.barclays/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Barclays</a></li><li>Panelist #2 - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-powell-aba39797?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-powell-aba39797?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Marc Powell</a> - Managing Director, US Infrastructure, Alvarez &amp; Marsal</li><li>Panelist #3 - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/luciomontes?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/luciomontes?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Lucio Montes</a> - Sr Data Center Design Manager, AWS</li></ol>Expert Panel #2: Competing to Win - What States and Companies Must do to Lead the AI Infrastructure Race:<ol><li>Moderator - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrej-danis-9940827/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrej-danis-9940827/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Andrej Danis</a> - Head of Americas, Digital Infrastructure &amp; Telecom, <a href="https://www.alixpartners.com/" title="https://www.alixpartners.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">AlixPartners</a></li></ol><ol><li>Panelist #1 - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbrown5/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbrown5/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Steven Brown</a> - VP of Global Digital Energy, <a href="https://www.se.com/ww/en/?utm_source=linkedin&amp;utm_medium=organic_social&amp;utm_campaign=2026_jan_ww_allbu_aaa_lnpage&amp;campaign_objective=awareness&amp;mcl_name=aaa" title="https://www.se.com/ww/en/?utm_source=linkedin&amp;utm_medium=organic_social&amp;utm_campaign=2026_jan_ww_allbu_aaa_lnpage&amp;campaign_objective=awareness&amp;mcl_name=aaa" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Schneider Electric</a></li><li>Panelist #2 - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemzink?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemzink?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Anne Zink</a> - CEO &amp; Founder, 5x5 Technologies</li><li>Panelist #3 - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnellmilhouse?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnellmilhouse?utm_source=share&amp;utm_campaign=share_via&amp;utm_content=profile&amp;utm_medium=ios_app" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Arnell Milhouse</a> - CEO &amp; Co-Founder, yconic</li></ol> Additional Details:<ul><li>Light appetizers provided</li><li>Cash bar available</li></ul> Thank you to our 2026 community and special event partners for making events, such as this one, possible: 2026 Community Partner:<ul><li>BankNewport</li></ul> Special Event Sponsors:<ul><li>Networking Sponsors: Schneider Electric and Alvarez &amp; Marsal</li><li>Arrival &amp; Access Sponsor: Colossal LLC</li><li>General Sponsors: Mericka Group, Lydonia, CvT, Alix Partners, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Faraday&amp;Future Inc.</li></ul> About FHRI: FountainHead RI mobilizes capital, leadership, and partnerships to deliver lasting impact in Rhode Island and beyond. We accomplish this strategy by investing in people, places, and possibility. Specifically, we host educational panel events throughout the year that encompass informal networking, in addition to conducting live community spotlights via Facebook whereby we host a rising star, industry or community leader for a one-on-one fireside chat to learn more about what they are doing and how others can get involved. We are a nonprofit 501c3 organization, and since our inception, we have grown our community to over 1,500 business and community leaders around the country.

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FountainHead RI's Summer 2026 Educational Panel and Networking Event

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FountainHead RI's Summer 2026 Educational Panel and Networking Event

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