FountainHead RI's Summer 2026 Educational Panel and Networking Event

FountainHead RI is hosting a national, cross-state convening focused on how states across the U.S. are preparing for the next wave of AI and data center infrastructure, from power and siting to permitting, capital, and climate constraints. While hosted in Rhode Island, this event is designed for state officials, developers, utilities, investors, and enterprise leaders working across multiple states, offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with the people shaping where and how AI infrastructure gets built.

This event is guaranteed to bring together some of the area's top business and community leaders to learn, grow, and connect.

Event Theme: The AI Infrastructure Race: How States Compete, Build, and Win

Location: The Rhode Island Convention Center (the Exchange Bar)

Who Should Attend:

• Business and community leaders
• Executives and board members
• Technology, data, and infrastructure professionals
• Policy, energy, and economic development stakeholders
• Anyone seeking to better understand AI’s real‑world impact

Timing for Event (this is an in person event):

• 5: 00 pm to 5:30 pm - Check-in / Informal Networking
• 5:30 pm to 5:45 pm - Kickoff and Welcome
• 5:45 pm - 6:30 pm - Panel #1
• 6:30 pm - 6:35 pm - Small break
• 6:35 pm to 7:20 pm - Panel #2
• 7:20 pm to 8:30 pm - Informal Networking

Speakers:

Expert Panel #1: From Policy to Power - How Institutions Are Betting on AI Infrastructure:

1. Moderator - Deanna Reitman - Partner, Foley & Lardner, LLP

1. Panelist #1 - Benjamin Dynkin - Head of AI Governance for Global Markets, Barclays
2. Panelist #2 - Marc Powell - Managing Director, US Infrastructure, Alvarez & Marsal
3. Panelist #3 - Lucio Montes - Data Center Manager, Amazon

Expert Panel #2: Competing to Win - What States and Companies Must do to Lead the AI Infrastructure Race:

1. Moderator - Andrej Danis - Head of Americas, Digital Infrastructure & Telecom, AlixPartners

1. Panelist #1 - Steven Brown - VP of Global Digital Energy, Schneider Electric
2. Panelist #2 - TBD
3. Panelist #3 - Anne Zink - CEO & Founder, 5x5
4. Panelist #4 - Arnell Milhouse - CEO & Co-Founder, yconic

Additional Details:

• Light appetizers provided
• Cash bar available

Thank you to our 2026 community and special event partners for making events, such as this one, possible:

2026 Community Partners:

• Your name here!

Special Event Sponsors:

• Founding Sponsor(s): Your name here!
• Networking Sponsors: Schneider Electric and Alvarez & Marsal
• Arrival & Access Sponsor(s): Colossal LLC
• General Sponsor(s): Mericka Group, Lydonia, CvT, Alix Partners, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

About FHRI:

FountainHead RI mobilizes capital, leadership, and partnerships to deliver lasting impact in Rhode Island and beyond. We accomplish this strategy by investing in people, places, and possibility. Specifically, we host educational panel events throughout the year that encompass informal networking, in addition to conducting live community spotlights via Facebook whereby we host a rising star, industry or community leader for a one-on-one fireside chat to learn more about what they are doing and how others can get involved. We are a nonprofit 501c3 organization, and since our inception, we have grown our community to over 1,500 business and community leaders around the country.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin Street, Providence, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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