Presentation: Using AI to Support the Research Lifecycle and the Impact of the Changing Federal Funding Landscape

Greg Ritter has over 30 years of experience in higher education. After teaching at the University of Iowa, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Richmond, he managed academic technology for Gallaudet University, the university for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. During more than 15 years at educational technology company Blackboard Inc., he held various leadership roles in professional services, business development, product management, and corporate strategy. In 2019, Greg joined Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he leads US higher education strategy for research data management and libraries.

As interim director, she leads the institute’s mission to advance ethical government, expand opportunity and fair treatment, and promote responsible citizenship.

Since joining the institute in 2003, Baker has directed several of its signature experiential learning and mentoring programs, including the Paul Simon Springfield Internship Program, the Youth Leadership Mentorship Program, Women’s Civic Day at the Illinois State Capitol, and graduate fellowship opportunities. Through these initiatives, she has helped prepare students for careers in public service, public policy and state government, with many alumni going on to become civic leaders, elected officials and policy professionals. She also teaches internship courses in political science and social work, as well as healthcare policy at the SIU School of Medicine.

Before joining SIU Carbondale, Baker held numerous executive leadership positions in Illinois state government. She served as secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services from 2001 to 2003, director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security from 1999 to 2000, assistant director of the Illinois Department of Public Aid from 1995 to 1998, legislative liaison to the Illinois House for the Office of the Governor from 1991 to 1995, and director of legislative affairs for the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation from 1990 to 1991.

Baker earned a Doctorate of Public Administration (2004), a Master of Arts in Gerontology (1987), and a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (1985), all from the University of Illinois Springfield. She also completed the Senior Executive Program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1993 and was named a Council of State Governments Henry Toll Fellow in 2000.

Jessica is the Energy Policy Director at the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) – an organization with a mission to advance equitable public policies that ensure a healthy environment across Illinois through collaboration, building power, and advocacy. In this role she collaborates closely with policymakers, IEC members, and partners, particularly those that make up the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, to provide thoughtful energy policy solutions across Illinois related to the power sector, data centers, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and building electrification. Jessica is a passionate environmentalist, policy advocate, and project manager with a decade of nonprofit experience in clean energy, climate finance, and sustainability. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Public Policy from Duke University.

Brad Tietz is the Director of State Policy for the Data Center Coalition (DCC), bringing 17 years of experience in state and local government affairs, public policy, and economic development. In this role, he leads the organization’s public policy, advocacy and engagement strategies across the Midwest, focusing on policies that support the growth and sustainability of the data center industry. Before joining DCC, Brad served as the Vice President of Government Relations and Strategy at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, where he managed legislative agendas and advocated for a diverse business community at the state and local levels. His career also includes roles as a Director for Illinois Government and Regulatory Affairs at Faegre Drinker, as Legislative Director for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and as a senior legislative analyst with the Illinois House of Representatives. Notably, he was instrumental in the legislative passage of the Illinois Data Center Tax Incentive. Brad holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Cheryl R. (Cheri) Welge is Manager of Economic Development for Ameren Illinois, where she serves on the company’s Economic Development leadership team and leads business attraction efforts across the Ameren Illinois service territory. Cheryl is responsible for developing strategies that support business attraction, community development, energy solutions, and large load customer growth. In her current role, she works closely with utility, community, and industry stakeholders to support the siting and development of major economic development projects, with a particular focus on large load projects, including data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities, and other energy-intensive investments. Cheryl leads Ameren Illinois’ business attraction team and provides strategic guidance on site readiness, infrastructure planning, and the utility requirements associated with large load projects. She has more than 37 years of experience in utility economic development and previously worked in local government. Cheryl is a Certified Business Retention & Expansion Consultant, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and Ameren’s Management Development Program. A past Chairman of the Illinois Economic Development Association (IEDA) and recipient of the organization’s Distinguished Economic Developer Award, Cheryl remains actively involved in advancing economic development initiatives throughout Illinois.