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Karsten Heise Senior Director of Strategic Programs and Innovation, GOED Carson City
Karsten Heise joined the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) in April 2012, initially as Technology Commercialization Director and then continued as Director of Strategic Programs. He leads Innovation-Based Economic Development (IBED) in Nevada. As part of IBED, he created and managed Nevada’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Venture Capital Program. He also leads and oversees the ‘Nevada Knowledge Fund’ to spur commercialization at the state’s research institutions, foster Research & Development engagements with the private sector, and support local entrepreneurial ecosystems and individual startups. In addition, Karsten is deeply familiar with the European vocational training system, having completed his banking apprenticeship in Germany. This experience inspired the development of the ‘Learn and Earn Advanced career Pathway’ (LEAP) framework in Nevada, which progressed to become the standard template for developing career pathway models in the state. He is deeply passionate about continuously developing new workforce development approaches dealing with the consequences of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Prior to joining the GOED, Karsten spent five years in China working as an external consultant to Baron Group Beijing and as a member of the senior management team at Asia Assets Limited, Beijing. Before relocating to Beijing, Karsten worked for 10 years in the international equity divisions of London-based leading Wall Street investment banks Morgan Stanley, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ), and most recently, Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB). As Vice President at CSFB, he specialized in alternative investments, structured products, and international equities. His clients were entrepreneurs, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, insurance companies, pension funds, asset managers, and banks. Karsten speaks German and Mandarin Chinese. Karsten completed his university education in the United Kingdom with a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Economics from the University of Buckingham, a Master of Science with Distinction in International Business & Finance from the University of Reading, and a Master of Philosophy with Merit in Modern Chinese Studies, Chinese Economy from the University of Cambridge - Wolfson College. He is also an alumnus of the Investment Management Evening Program at London Business School and completed graduate research studies at Peking University, China. Email: kheise@goed.nv.gov
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Dr. Pavel Solin Founder NCLab University of Nevada Reno Professor
Dr. Solin is a fierce advocate of self-paced learning and competency-based education (CBE), believing that the current prevailing model of higher education, which is also called "assembly-line education", was established during the 2nd industrial revolution, and not changed since. It won't change on its own, despite overwhelming evidence shows that it does not work. That is why he founded NCLab (http://nclab.com). NCLab provides an alternative to traditional higher education in the form of self-paced, competency-based training programs. These programs are aligned with leading industry certifications in high-demand areas including Data Analytics, SQL, Software Development, Math, Automation, and others. They are being adopted by a growing number of colleges and universities in the U.S. and other countries. Dr. Solin is also a full professor of computational and applied math at the University of Nevada, Reno, author, speaker, organizer of international scientific events, and editor of international scientific journals. Email: pavel@nclab.com
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Tammy Westergard MLS, CWDP Senior Workforce Librarian-in-Residence Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development
With a multiyear charter, she champions the use of 3D and virtual reality content to enhance labor market literacy and deployment of the New Career assessment to help people get a baseline of their Industry 4.0 abilities. Tammy Westergard’s dedication lies in empowering individuals to secure better jobs with tangible wage growth, with a belief that libraries are great places for this work. Formerly the Nevada State Librarian, she holds a credential with the National Association of Certified Workforce Development Professionals and is an instructor at San Jose State University’s School of Information. Tammy is the 2023 President of the Nevada Library Association (NLA), was named NLA’s 2020 Librarian of the Year, and Library Journal named her an Agent of Change Mover and Shaker. Acknowledging her achievements, the University of Nevada, Reno Alumni Association included Tammy as one of five honorees in 2023 for professional excellence. She also contributes as an International Advisory Board Member of the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation, also known as the Havel Center. Email: tawestergard@goed.nv.gov |
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John Talkington
John Talkington is an accomplished engineering and construction executive with a deep passion for technology-driven solutions that create positive impact. Born in Texarkana, Texas, he spent his formative years in Amarillo before earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University.
He began his career with Fluor Corporation in 1973 as a field engineer and progressed to the role of project director, overseeing large-scale engineering and construction projects across a wide range of industries. His work has spanned oil refineries, power plants, chemical plants, a coal gasification plant in South Africa, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, criminal justice and corrections facilities, a resort and high-rise commercial project in the Philippines, mining operations in Chile and Canada, and manufacturing facilities in China. The projects under his leadership ranged in total installed cost from $20 million to $5 billion USD, requiring expertise in complex systems, workforce management, and technology integration.
With a strong belief in lifelong learning and workforce development, Talkington is committed to leveraging technology for the greater good, particularly in shaping the future of work. His global career has provided him with firsthand insights into workforce trends, skills development, and the evolving role of technology in industries worldwide. He has lived and worked extensively across the globe, including South Africa, Alaska, the Philippines, China, Canada, and multiple U.S. states.
Currently, Talkington serves as a part-time consultant with Fluor Corporation while also contributing to workforce development initiatives such as the Aspen Young Leaders Program (AYLP) and Individual Career Mapping (ICM). Through these efforts, he helps young leaders, educators, and policymakers understand how technology, skills training, and career navigation tools can better prepare individuals for success in an ever-changing world of work. His passion for education, workforce readiness, and technological innovation continues to drive his contributions to these critical areas. |
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Mark Andersen Co-Founder and President, Lifeliqe, Inc Mark Andersen is Co-founder and President of Lifeliqe, a workforce tech startup delivering virtual field trips and training simulations in virtual reality (VR) to learners who are upskilling and reskilling. Lifeliqe was chosen as a key partner in the first-in-the-U.S. workforce development workforce recovery initiative in Nevada (“Project SANDI”). As such, Lifeliqe delivers training simulations in VR for priority industries, including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades. Lifeliqe is partnering with Nevada’s four Community Colleges in their certification programs. Previously, Mark was the Business School Chairman at Anglo-American University in Prague, where he taught for five years. For the past twenty-plus years, Mark has worked as a marketing leader for tech startups in Silicon Valley. Before getting his MBA from Northwestern University (Kellogg), Mark co-founded a successful startup, Gumby’s Pizza.
Email: Mark@lifeliqe.com |
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Michal Mizerak
Michal Mizerák is an innovative product leader and workforce development strategist with extensive experience in virtual reality (VR), 3D interactive training, and workforce upskilling. As a consultant and subject matter expert at Lifeliqe, he plays a pivotal role in shaping immersive learning experiences that enhance career readiness in healthcare, manufacturing, and technology industries. His expertise in designing short-term, entry-based certifications for the U.S. market ensures that workforce training solutions align with evolving industry needs. Previously, Michal served as Chief Product Officer at Lifeliqe, where he led the product lifecycle from ideation to launch, ensuring that VR-based training simulations and online courses provided maximum value to learners and employers alike. His work in workforce development was instrumental in the Supporting and Advancing Nevada’s Dislocated Individuals (SANDI) initiative, which helped workers affected by the pandemic reskill for high-growth careers. He managed the development of VR-based training for career pathways in dialysis patient care, certified nursing assistance, and advanced manufacturing, collaborating with public libraries, community colleges, and workforce ecosystem partners to create accessible and engaging learning environments. Michal’s expertise spans user experience (UX) design, digital content creation, and strategic workforce innovation. Prior to his leadership roles at Lifeliqe, he was a UX Designer and Creative Lead, optimizing digital learning experiences and driving engagement in extended reality (XR) projects. His early career at Corinth focused on competitive analysis and visual storytelling for educational technologies. Michal holds a Master’s degree with distinction in Business Management and Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management from Mendel University in Brno. His work continues to shape next-generation workforce training solutions through technology-driven, industry-aligned learning experiences. Email: Michal.mizerak@lifeliqe.com |
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Heorhij Scerbak
Heorhij Scerbak is a dedicated professional in the IT sector, passionate about working with people and continuously pushing boundaries. With a background in team leadership, small business management, and sales, Heorhij brings a wealth of experience to every collaboration. For Lifeliqe he prioritizes working with partners that have a clear vision—one that allows for direct contribution and growth. Additionally, a modern leadership approach, a safe and open workplace environment, and a culture where dialogue and innovative ideas are encouraged are essential aspects of any potential collaboration. Bringing passion, perseverance, empathy, and a strong drive to achieve goals, Heorhij is committed to making a meaningful impact in every professional endeavor. Email: Heorhij.scerbak@lifeliqe.com |
