Meet Our Speakers

Andrea (Dre) Wallace is co-founder and CEO of Opnr, a tech platform transforming the live music industry by helping organizers discover artists and sell more tickets through fan-powered data. A professional musician turned tech founder, she brings a unique blend of industry insight and entrepreneurial experience. Andrea previously founded Fourtifeye, an entertainment-tech startup that was later acquired, and has a background in tech, data, and innovation. Under her leadership, Opnr supports hundreds of organizers and thousands of artists nationwide. Andrea is deeply involved in the national startup ecosystem and currently serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Start Garden. She also sits on the boards of the Michigan Music Alliance and SiTE:LAB, and has been recognized with Crain’s 40 Under 40 and Women of Influence honors. She attended Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University.

Jamiel Robinson is a serial entrepreneur and President & CEO of Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB), where he leads initiatives advancing Black entrepreneurship and equitable economic development. His expertise spans business development, ecosystem building, and creating scalable programs that connect entrepreneurs to capital, resources, and opportunity. As both a systems-level leader and active business owner, Jamiel brings real-time insight into the challenges and opportunities of growing and sustaining businesses in underrepresented communities. He is a passionate advocate for inclusive growth and is committed to building pathways for long-term success and wealth creation.

Joe Carr focuses on freshwater innovation by supporting funding submissions and fostering strategic collaborations that drive technology development in rural areas and universities. 

Carr has a successful track record in fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship, with extensive experience in launching and scaling successful businesses, coupled with a deep understanding of community needs. His unique qualifications have helped clients create and retain nearly 700 jobs, attract over $56 million in investment, and launch over 120 new companies. Carr has led multiple award-winning programs, including a tech initiative that broke funding and award records.

Paola R. Mendivil is a bilingual business development leader and community connector dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for West Michigan entrepreneurs. As Bilingual Business Development Officer at Grow, she helps small business owners access affordable capital, with a focus on underserved and immigrant communities. Paola also serves as Vice President of Catering for her family’s restaurant, El Granjero Mexican Grill, grounding her work in real small business experience. She is an active member of the Latina Network, serves on the Board of the Arts Marketplace, and is recognized for her leadership across Michigan. She was named to Crain’s Grand Rapids 40 Under 40 and received the Detroit Lions Hispanic Leadership Award.

Rooted in West Michigan, Paul brings a strong commitment to local community informed by nonprofit leadership and 3.5 years of service as the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. With more than 15 years of manufacturing industry experience, he focuses on building collaborative partnerships that advance industry growth and strengthen workforce development across the region.

Sara Acker is the Head of HR at Ludus, a fast-growing SaaS company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She focuses on all things people in the ever-evolving—and often unpredictable—world of technology. Sara is passionate about employee wellness and believes strongly in the role employers play in helping individuals become the best version of themselves.

She is married to a coach—arguably the more patient one in the relationship—and together they have raised five, now-grown children. In her free time, Sara enjoys exercising, reading, and traveling, ideally with her dog by her side. She loves thinking big, dislikes small talk, and is a self-proclaimed (very) awkward hugger.

Her happy place is anywhere in, on, or near the water, which recently inspired her move from Grand Rapids to Muskegon.

Tamara L. Jackson-Gatewood, MBA is a senior financial services executive and community development leader with over 20 years of experience advancing equitable access to capital and strengthening small business ecosystems. As Director of Lending at Michigan Women Forward, she leads statewide lending strategy, portfolio management, and technical assistance to support underserved entrepreneurs. Tamara brings deep expertise in underwriting, risk management, and borrower readiness, with a focus on long-term business success. Her career spans leadership roles in banking and community development, and she is a dedicated mentor, board member, and advocate for building a more inclusive and sustainable economic future. She contributes her expertise to organizations such as SCORE and Habitat for Humanity and has served on multiple boards and policy-focused committees across Michigan, alongside her lifelong involvement in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

As the Industry Council Lead and primary contact for West Michigan Tech Talent (WMTT), I am committed to fostering growth, development, and talent retention within the West Michigan tech community. My role leverages my background in inside sales, cross-team collaboration, and fundraising to strengthen industry connections and support workforce development initiatives. Before I worked in Workforce Development, I worked in Advanced Manufacturing and Custom Automation both with customers and internal teams.