2025 Theme:
Build Your Future Career

The Courage Builder Early Career Conference brings together 150 students and leading regional organizations to focus on the skills of today and tomorrow. This year’s event will feature externship, internship, research and volunteer opportunities with a focus on technology and ocean-related opportunities. The conference features 5 dynamic keynote speakers, two engaging panels and multiple chances for intimate and personalized networking with industry partners.

Oh, and did we mention there’s FREE FOOD and PRIZES???….

LET’S GO!!!

PROPOSED SCHEDULE (Subject to change)

1:00-1:30 pm: Registration, Networking, Career Expo, Resume Help, Headshots, Light Refreshments

1:30-1:45 pm: Welcome
Nishita Roy-Pope, CEO, Courage Builder
Peggy Dias, Executive Director of IT Assurance, CITS, UMass Dartmouth
Dr. Mark A. Fuller, Chancellor UMass Dartmouth
Dr. Kimberly Scott, Vice Chancellor Student Affairs, UMass Dartmouth
Dr. Kevin Stokesbury, Dean, School of Marine Science & Technology, UMass Dartmouth

1:45-2:15 pm: Keynote Speakers
Dr. Cinda P. Scott, Co-Director of Ocean Nexus, Marine Biologist, Educator, Ocean Equity Advocate
Akintoye “Toye” Onikoyi, CEO, The Bubbler VR
Monsurat Ottun, Esq., CEO, MOCCA Strategic Consulting & Cyber/AI Integration Strategist

2:15-2:45 pm: Featured Mainstage Panel - Build Your Future “Blue” Ocean Career
Silvana Mercado, Resiliency Manager, RI Commerce
TBD, Fleet Robotics
Kanz Giwa, Intern, Jaia Robotics & Courage Builder Participant, URI Computer Science Student
Dr. Cinda P. Scott, Co-Director of Ocean Nexus, Marine Biologist, Educator, Ocean Equity Advocate
Dr. Alanna Mnich, Faculty & Researcher, UMass Dartmouth SMAST
Nishita Roy-Pope, Founder & CEO, Courage Builder (Moderator)

2:45-3:15 pm: Networking, Career Expo, Headshots, Resume Help, Refreshments

3:15-3:45 pm: Featured Mainstage Panel - Build Your Future Tech Career
Abhishek Shankar, Mathworks
Damien Johnson, Former Intern - AWS, Accenture, John Deere, URI Computer Science Student
TBD, Tech Leader
TBD, Tech Leader
Sam Riley, UMass Dartmouth Marketing Student & Courage Builder Participant (Moderator)

3:45-3:55 pm: Courage Builder - Student Spotlights

Separa Berhanu Hilemariame, UMass Dartmouth Biomedical Engineering Student & Courage Builder Participant
Malaika Pollard, UMass Dartmouth Civil Engineering Student & Courage Builder Participant
Valencia Jean-Louis, UMass Dartmouth Marine Biology Student & Courage Builder Participant
Sam Riley, UMass Dartmouth Marketing Student & Courage Builder Participant

3:55-4:15 pm: Networking, Career Expo, Headshots, Resume Help, Refreshments

4:15-4:30: Keynote Speakers

Nishita Roy-Pope, CEO, Courage Builder
Craig Santos, Senior Director, Mathworks

4:30-4:40 pm: Closing, Student Prizes, Group Photo
David A. Gomes, Esq, Chief Civil Rights Officer / Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights, UMass Dartmouth*
Nishita Roy-Pope, Founder & CEO, Courage Builder

4:40-5:00: Networking, Light Refreshments