KipProgram

We turn to Ohio University for our next speaker, a member of the Scripps School of Journalism.

Dan Farkas is a professor of strategic communication at Ohio University, where he teaches research, strategy, content creation, measurement, and analytics courses.
He’s also a business owner when not chasing late homework or his two kids.
His latest venture is Pass PR, which aims to mind the gap between employer needs and employee capacity.
Dan’s been called "A recognized thought leader in the PR….he also is a sought-after speaker on both national and local levels who is an exceptional storyteller drawing on his collective experience as a former journalist and current practitioner and instructor." His book, Strategic Content Marketing: Creating Effective Content in Practice, is out now. You can also hear him on The Strategic Communicator Podcast, part of the Marketing Podcast Network.
In a former life, Dan earned more than 20 awards for his work in television news. His work appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and SI.com.

Our next speaker will explore the legal aspects of AI with the fellows. Welcome her.

Merisa Bowers earned her law degree cm laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and her bachelor of arts in political science with dpartmental honors from the University of Cincinnati.
In 2023, Merisa joined the Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company (OBLIC) as Loss Prevention Counsel after nearly 14 years in private practice. In her role, she assists Ohio lawyers by advancing forward-thinking policies and managing risks with a blend of empathy and strategic planning.
Her thoughtful and strategic approach to advocacy has earned her recognition from her peers, including being named as a Top 40 Under 40 Attorney by the National LGBT Bar Association in 2016 and multiple Super Lawyers Rising Star designations.
She is an active member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, and a 2024 Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellow.
Bowers has provided guidance to her fellow bar members regarding the use of artificial intelligence in their work and in a new world that raises a number of questions about copyright, privacy and libel.