Domhnaill Hernon is an award-winning technology, innovation and creativity executive. Domhnaill received an undergrad in Aeronautical Engineering and a PhD in Aerodynamics from the University of Limerick and an executive MBA from Dublin City University, Ireland.  He previously led R&D organizations and developed and executed strategies to overcome the “innovation valley of death”. He is Head of Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T) which is a new initiative he founded to fuse art and engineering/science to develop solutions that humanize technology. Domhnaill’s work has been featured in Wired Magazine, Times Square, SXSW, Nasdaq, MWC, Ars Electronica, TEDx, Inspirefest to name just a few and he advises innovation and cultural programs globally.

Twitter: @DHernonBellLab

Kristi Heeney-Janiak has spent her 25-year career at Hallmark primarily focused on driving leadership, team and organizational excellence.   Kristi has driven results in several roles throughout Customer Development, Retail Training and HR, and in this journey she found passion in coaching and elevating the skillsets of leadership in the organization.  Kristi is currently focused on building a winning culture in the creative community at Hallmark, and recently led a culture initiative by defining their Sense of Purpose. She's also accountable for elevating and driving Creative leadership forward., leading a team who's mission is to invest in, inspire and develop a culture of thinkers, makers and leaders, and leads the strategy for the communities' Creative Leadership Symposium and #my5days initiatives.  

Nicholas King is a Financial Advisor at the New York office of Bernstein Private Wealth Management, primarily working with innovative entrepreneurs and their global families. He advises both US and international high-net-worth individuals, businesses, endowments, and foundations. Driven by a desire to combine his passion for music and business, Nicholas founded the After Arts Group, a thriving community of professionals who share a passion and background in the performing arts. After Arts explores the application of artistic principles in the context of corporate governance. Prior to joining AB in 2018, Nicholas maintained an active career as a concert pianist and performed in major recital halls throughout the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Spain, Hungary, Poland, and France. His performances were enthusiastically received - selling out both The Walt Disney Concert Hall and Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall. With an early interest in philanthropy, Nicholas raised more than $35,000 for Children's Hospital of Los Angeles by the age of 10 and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Recognition. He went on to found the Art of Giving Back, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young musicians and giving back to the community. Nicholas holds a BM in classical piano from The Royal Conservatory of Music; an AD from Oberlin College & Conservatory; and an MM from The Juilliard School. Outside of work, he is an avid baker and an Ursus arctos (Brown bear) enthusiast

Hilary S. Ayala serves as the Director of Con Edison’s Strategic Partnerships Programs. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Ms. Ayala leads the company’s strategic, cause-related charitable contributions program and employee engagement initiatives. Ms. Ayala’s portfolio includes the company’s strategic partnerships program, volunteer corps, board placement program, and employee engagement programs. In former positions at Con Edison, Ms. Ayala served as the company’s principal federal lobbyist in Washington, DC. Ms. Ayala joined Con Edison in 2001. Prior to joining Con Edison, Ms. Ayala worked in the United States Senate before joining the development team at Manhattanville College. 

Ms. Ayala is a graduate of Manhattanville College with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies. She has served on the boards of the Westchester Children’s Museum and the Vineyard Theater. She currently serves on the Youth Committee at Christ Church Greenwich. An outdoor enthusiast, Ms. Ayala may often be found on the trails and slopes of Vermont with her teenage son.

Jinny is a social impact leader with experience delivering data-driven, human-centered insights for the corporate and non-profit sectors. Since joining CECP in 2014, she has been a trusted advisor in equipping corporate social responsibility (CSR) leaders with the tools, best practices, and data insights to drive strategies in environmental, social, and governance (ESG). Jinny also leads the advisement of business and social impact and the strategy for diversity, equity, and inclusion research through CECP’s Accelerate Community. Prior to CECP, Jinny worked with several nonprofits including Grounds for Sculpture, New York Live Arts (formerly Dance Theater Workshop), and The New 42^nd Street/New Victory Theater. She currently resides in Boston, MA.

Kimberly Denise Williams is a Manager in the Government, Regional and Community Affairs Department at Con Edison. In her role she serves as a representative of the company to elected officials and community-based organizations in Washington Heights, Inwood, and Manhattan’s west side.  As part of her responsibilities, she oversees the relationship with over 25 non-profit organizations in these neighborhoods. Kimberly joined Con Edison through the company’s leadership development program and was formerly a supervisor in their Construction Management Department.

Outside of the office, Kimberly has maintained her passion for writing and the arts. She has written articles for several publications and websites. Additionally, she’s penned creative pieces that have been performed by community arts groups. Her volunteer efforts include serving on the Black History Committee at the Lenox Road Baptist Church, Stuyvesant High School’s Black Alumni Diversity Initiative, and previously mentoring through p.s. alumni and OCA NY-Asian Pacific American Advocates. For the last four summers, Kimberly has had the pleasure of mentoring through the Diversity in Arts Leadership Program. Kimberly is a graduate of Harvard University where she studied History and African and African American Studies. She also has a Master of Science in Media and Communications from the London School of Economics. 

Alexis Simmons, a DIAL alumna, is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. She studied at The University of Alabama graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and Communication Studies. Alexis now resides in Brooklyn, New York working as a 5th Grade English Language Arts Teacher. As a teaching artist, she is dedicated to reimaging texts to highlight the transformative power of storytelling.