About the Networking Session:

Join us for a community-focused 1:1 virtual networking session that connects Forum members with OpenAI team members. This session creates space for meaningful, individual conversations on shared interests, AI use cases, and the future of the technology.

Participants will engage in short, one-on-one conversations with peers and OpenAI staff driving AI development. Unlike larger webinars or public events, this session offers a more personal, high-touch way to connect. The goal of this session is to foster focused and impactful dialogue between Forum members and the OpenAI team.

About the Special Guests:

Souki Mansoor, Sora Alpha Artist Program Lead @ OpenAI

Souki Mansoor is an award-winning director and creative technologist, currently leading the Sora artist program at OpenAI. In this role, she manages relationships with a diverse roster of artist collaborators while also designing programming and facilitating feedback loops between artists, engineers, and researchers. Souki has spoken on global stages including Cannes Lions and Berlinale, and at institutions such as the Producer's Guild, United Talent Agency, USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, and the University of British Columbia’s Emerging Media Program. Prior to her work in tech, Souki was an independent documentary filmmaker with work featured at Sundance, Tribeca, TED, Netflix, HBO, Showtime, and more. These days, she describes herself as a “friendly neighborhood tech sherpa” with a penchant for making. Outside of work, she enjoys spoonfuls of cashew butter, making music, and tending to life at home with her husband Axel and their 70-plus houseplants.

Alex Nawar, OpenAI Academy @ OpenAI

Alex Nawar leads OpenAI Academy, an AI literacy initiative dedicated to expanding understanding of AI across diverse communities. Under his leadership, the Academy equips educators, developers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders by providing practical AI training, resources, and connections. Before leading OpenAI Academy, Alex directed global social impact programs on OpenAI’s Global Affairs team and held leadership roles at GiveDirectly, OpenResearch, and Innovations for Poverty Action, where he leveraged technology and research to improve financial inclusion and economic development. Alex holds a BA and MA in Political Science from Boston University.

Cassandra Duchan Solis, Chief of Staff to the Chief Economist @ OpenAI

Cassandra Duchan Solis is Chief of Staff to the Chief Economist at OpenAI, where she helps facilitate research on the economic implications of artificial intelligence and its policy intersections. At OpenAI, she works across research, operations, and external engagement to support projects measuring AI’s effects on productivity, labor markets, and global economic structures. Across her work, Cassandra focuses on building bridges between public and private sectors to ensure that emerging technologies, especially AI, expand economic opportunity. Cassandra's career bridges technology economic policy. She previously worked on AI policy and economic research at the Harvard Kennedy School and served as a Program Manager at Google, supporting tech-enabled social impact initiatives. Her experience spans early-stage investing through roles at various venture capital funds, where she focused on portfolio company operations and investing. Earlier, Cassandra was a Senior Research Assistant at the Federal Reserve Board, where she helped produce the Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (SHED), contributed to inflation forecasting, and co-wrote research to inform key decisionmakers. She has also advised city governments, public finance projects, and economic development efforts through roles at TSNE MissionWorks and the Miami-Dade County. Cassandra holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she earned a Certificate in Public Management and Social Innovation and was a Leadership for Society Scholar. She also holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School as a Zuckerman Fellow and a BA in Economics, cum laude, from the University of Colorado Boulder. 

Access

This event is for Forum members only.

Icebreaker Questions May Include:

1. What inspired your interest in AI?
2. How are you using AI in your work or personal projects?
3. What are the most compelling ways AI can benefit society?
4. What is one challenge in your field that AI might help solve?