How businesses and startups are using AI, the skills you need, and your path to AI literacy.

Find Your AI Edge. Whether you’re a business leader navigating new technologies, a student exploring career options, or a faculty/staff member preparing the future workforce, this series is for you. Together, we’ll explore how AI is transforming work in Santa Barbara and beyond and discover practical tools, career skills, and real examples you can use right away. Join us: We’re in this together!

November 7, 2025 • 12:30–2 PM • SBCC, BC Forum
Bridge the AI literacy gap: Discover how SB County businesses are expanding the AI frontier—and the future-ready skills you need.

Santa Barbara County businesses are expanding the AI frontier, creating both challenges and opportunities for the workforce. At AI Unlocked: Shaping the Future, business leaders, students, faculty, and employees will come together to explore how AI is transforming local industries—and the future-ready skills everyone will need to succeed.

Through real-world insights, you’ll learn how businesses are adapting, what employers are looking for, and how to navigate your own path to AI literacy. Whether you’re running a business, preparing for your career, or teaching and supporting students, this conversation will provide tools and perspectives to keep pace in an AI-driven world.

Who Should Attend?

• Business Owners
• Entrepreneurs
• Students
• Educators
• Employees

Why Attend?

• Chart Your Own Path to AI Literacy
• Learn From Local Business Leaders
• Gain AI Tools to Use Right Away
• Cultivate AI Career Readiness
• Build Confidence with Using AI

Event Details

• What: Panel discussion + Q&A + networking with refreshments
• When: Friday, November 7, 2025 • 12:30–2 PM
• Where: SBCC West Campus, Fe Bland Forum (BC Forum), in person only
• Free event, free parking, RSVP required

Presented by SBCC Scheinfeld Center, Career Center, South Coast Chamber of Commerce, and the EDC Small Business Development Center.

Meet the Panelists

Dr. Ray Bowman is a recognized leader in trade, innovation, and small business development. As Director of the Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Small Business Development Center Network, he supports over 2,100 businesses annually. Appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, he chairs the Southern California District Export Council. An expert in blending technology and entrepreneurship, Dr. Bowman serves on national SBDC committees dedicated to AI integration and mentoring California State University Channel Islands students in the Google AI Internship Program. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and has received multiple SBA awards for excellence and innovation, as well as the 2023 NASBITE Trade Educator of the Year award. His work and commentary have appeared in major media such as ABC, NBC, NPR, Yahoo, and the Los Angeles Times. https://edcollaborative.com/

Alan Jaeger is Chief Technology Officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, where he leads technology innovation and strategic partnerships. As a driving force behind FATHOMWERX, a public-private innovation lab and resource center, and the Ventura Tech Bridge accelerator, Alan supports the development of AI and advanced technology solutions for national security and maritime needs. With over 24 years of experience spanning government, industry, and academia, he is recognized for fostering public-private collaboration, supporting startup incubators, and earning awards for innovation and partnership, including the Economic Development Association’s 2020 “Public-Private Partnership” award, the Pacific Coast Business Times Central Coast “Innovation Award”, and the 2024 “Breaking New Ground Incubator” award. https://www.fathomwerx.com/

Ganesh Persad serves as Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Cottage Health. His expertise spans digital transformation, clinical systems, and enterprise technology initiatives that improve patient and workforce experiences. As CIO, Ganesh serves as Cottage Health’s chief strategist and senior leader for all information systems, guiding the transformation and implementation of technology solutions across the organization. A key member of the executive leadership team, he leads IT strategy, strategic planning, and innovation while fostering a forward-thinking technology culture that champions
innovation. He holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Rutgers University. https://www.cottagehealth.org/

Meet the Panelists​​

John Keister is CEO of MixMode—a growth-stage, AI-based cybersecurity company headquartered in Santa Barbara. John has more than 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, serving as founder, executive, board director, and investor in both public and private technology companies. He has also served as the founder of two information technology companies that successfully went public. https://mixmode.ai/

Celine Lightfoot is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Beni, an AI-powered startup making secondhand shopping as effortless as buying new. With over a decade of software-engineering experience, she leads Beni’s technology and product strategy, applying AI to connect shoppers with resale options from marketplaces like Poshmark, Depop, and The RealReal. Under her leadership, Beni has raised $6 million and helped shift over $5 million in purchases from new to resale. A UCSB alumna, Celine is passionate about building technology that unites innovation, sustainability, and consumer behavior—driving practical, climate-positive solutions at the intersection of AI and commerce. https://www.joinbeni.com/

Evan McCall is the founder of RazeMath, an AI-powered education platform redefining how college students learn math. Instead of simply providing answers, RazeMath uses generative AI to guide students through step-by-step reasoning, building intuition and confidence. The platform also gives educators real-time insights into student performance, helping improve outcomes and classroom efficiency. Under Evan’s leadership, RazeMath has been adopted in university math courses across two UC campuses and won the 2025 UCSB New Venture Challenge. Passionate about transforming learning through technology, Evan is committed to making high-quality math education more engaging, equitable, and effective for all students. https://razemath.com/

EVENT #1. AI Unlocked: Powering Productivity

October 10, 2025 • 12:30–2 PM • BC Forum
Discover how AI saves time, cuts costs, and boosts efficiency with real-world examples from Santa Barbara businesses.

​​Meet the Panelists​​

Casey O’Toole is the founder of LinkyBot, a fully managed LinkedIn outreach service powered by AI that has helped generate over $100M in client sales. A 5-time entrepreneur with a background in economics and data science, Casey blends real-world business savvy with cutting-edge automation. He’s passionate about making AI accessible for small businesses—without the jargon or complexity. With 15+ years across tech and marketing, he’s built scalable systems that deliver results in days, not months. Whether you’re a solopreneur or scaling startup, Casey’s mission is simple: help people grow smarter by letting AI do the heavy lifting. https://www.skool.com/linkedin-ai-mastery-lab

Deborah Cujiño Deras is an international speaker, Strategic Leadership & Efficiency trainer, and AI educator with over 25 years of experience helping professionals achieve success with ease and grace. As founder of Synergy Unlimited LLC, she has trained leaders at Google, Netflix, and Verizon with her signature blend of peak performance strategy and intuitive leadership. An adjunct professor at Santa Barbara City College, she is pioneering a generative AI certificate to prepare students and entrepreneurs for the future of work. She also teaches business plan, pitch, and marketing at Women’s Economic Ventures. Currently pursuing her doctorate, Deborah also writes on resilience and empowerment. https://talk.ac/deborahderas

Eric Egolf is the CEO of CIO Solutions, a multi-regional managed services company specializing in technology management and cloud computing. With a forward-thinking vision and a deep understanding of the key forces shaping the information technology industry, Eric ensures CIO Solutions remains at the forefront by continually embracing new technologies and adapting to industry trends. Under his leadership, CIO Solutions delivers comprehensive technology management services—including strategic consulting, systems management, responsive support, cybersecurity, and robust cloud solutions—while fostering long-lasting partnerships with clients throughout Central California and beyond.  https://www.ciosolutions.com

Questions?

Please contact the Scheinfeld Center director, Julie Samson, with any questions: 805.965.0581 ext. 3643, or jasamson@sbcc.edu.  SBCC students: To receive updates about our current events please join the Scheinfeld Innovators Community LinkedIn group. Receive updates on Scheinfeld Center updates in your inbox, subscribe to the Scheinfeld Center’s monthly e-news.