Born and raised in New Iberia near Jefferson Island, Jace Dugas began his career in manufacturing at Fredericks Machine. As Operations Manager, he worked with all departments to streamline the company’s manufacturing and quality processes. Toward the end of 2019, he decided to advance his career by starting his own business, concentrating on 3D scanning and 3D printing. In addition to owning Additive Innovators, Jace is also the Founder / CVO of the Louisiana Additive Manufacturing Association, “LAMA.”

Currently, Additive Innovators is Louisiana’s only commercial 3D scanning and printing equipment provider. It covers the Gulf Coast with its 3D printing equipment and the entire USA with its 3D Scanning equipment. While it proudly says that its largest customer is LSU, it also works with many other customers, such as Tabasco, Exxon, Shell, and Baker Hughes.

Jace’s goal for Additive Innovators is to help Louisiana businesses grow into Industry 4.0 with the proper equipment and processes and to put Louisiana back on top with the latest technological advances- while keeping and protecting our intellectual properties by making our products here in the USA with USA-made equipment.

Johnathon is a healthcare strategist and business development expert with a passion for improving healthcare operations. After losing three family members to pancreatic cancer by age 16, he committed his career to fixing the system’s inefficiencies. He began as a speech-language pathologist in nursing homes before transitioning into marketing, operations, and strategy—earning a Master’s in Healthcare Administration along the way.

Johnathon has managed over 100 business development professionals, consulted with 50+ hospitals, and was the top-rated director for leadership and team building. As a consultant, he became the highest-rated in his organization. He now helps healthcare organizations scale, optimize, and succeed in a complex industry.

Mark Raymond, Jr. is the founder and CEO of The Split Second Foundation (SSF). Based in New Orleans, SSF is a nonprofit healthcare startup dedicated to promoting the holistic wellness of individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive care, resources, and education to those affected, fostering resilience and enhancing their quality of life. From fitness programs designed to improve mobility and strength to mental health services offering counseling and emotional support, SSF addresses all aspects of well-being. The dedicated team of professionals provides personalized care, guiding individuals through case management, resource navigation, and advocacy. SSF strives to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

Mark’s commitment to fighting for justice and equity was intensified following a shallow diving accident in 2016, in which he damaged the vertebrae by the base of his neck and lost the ability to walk. This life-changing experience illuminated the reality of disparities in access, and there were very few community resources to turn to for help. His new disability and lack of support ultimately pushed him to advocate for millions of others by transforming the split-second that led to his injury into a life filled with awareness, hope, and action. He founded Split Second Foundation to make people aware of a growing population of individuals impacted by disability, advocate for their rights, fund cutting-edge research, and provide clear-cut steps to immediately improve their quality of life.

Mark has a deep-rooted history of serving the community. He has played a vital role in advancing various equity-centered efforts across the Greater New Orleans area and beyond. From renaming historic streets and landmarks in New Orleans to creating a more accessible and robust rehabilitative health infrastructure in the Gulf South, Mark’s aptitude for cultivating relationships and driving coordinated, healing-centered change has been vital to the advancement of those most disadvantaged. He also serves on several federal, state, and local boards and commissions to represent and advocate for people living with disabilities.

Dr. Yue Liu is the Associate Director and Assistant Professor of Research at the Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center (AGGRC) at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. His expertise spans open-source hardware development, interdisciplinary technology innovation, genetic resource management for aquatic species, grantsmanship, student mentorship, and strategic development for nonprofit organizations.

Beyond academia, Yue is passionate in advocacy and support for children with disabilities and special needs. As the father of a daughter with a developmental disability, he has worked with dozens of therapists and educators over the years, gaining firsthand experience in special education and intervention strategies. He believes that a community-driven open-source hardware movement is a vital solution to challenges in education, STEM fields, and disability services. Outside his university work, Yue is an avid tennis player, a certified yoga instructor, and an entrepreneur for multiple small businesses, including Zero Kelvin, Faundare Family Financial Strategies, and Faundare Capital.