Ava Ahrens is a Journalism student at the University of Iowa and the host of Ava’s Arena, where she dives into the human side of sports through the voices of athletes, innovators, and dreamers. A former basketball, cross country, and track athlete, Ava’s lifelong passion for Big Ten sports, F1, football, and more drives her mission to spotlight the heart and stories behind every game.

Ed Cunningham is the Executive Director at Samuels Yoelin Kantor LLP, where he keeps the firm running smoothly behind the scenes. Ed leads the team’s day-to-day operations and helps SYK stay connected with the broader legal community, always looking for ways to support clients and staff alike. Whether he’s managing the latest project or representing the firm at industry events, Ed’s steady hand and collaborative spirit help shape SYK’s reputation for excellence and adaptability. His focus on people, details, and growth is at the heart of what makes the firm tick.

Jeff Fisher is the principal of Jeff Fisher LogoMotives and a nationally recognized logo designer, author, and educator. With over 40 years in the industry, Jeff’s logos have appeared in more than 350 books on design, and he’s mentored creatives worldwide through his books and speaking engagements. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and longtime advocate for inclusion, Jeff is known for his honest storytelling and down-to-earth wisdom. Whether teaching, designing, or championing causes he believes in, Jeff brings humor, kindness, and authenticity to every conversation. 

Jenn Visocky O’Grady is a professor at Cleveland State University, where she puts out fires, mentors colleagues, and inspires the next wave of creative pros. As the university’s Faculty Mentoring Fellow (and a former department chair), Jenn is the one everyone turns to for advice, pep talks, and practical wisdom. Along with her husband and creative partner Ken, she’s written books like Design Currency, The Information Design Handbook, and A Designer’s Research Manual. Jenn’s work appears in dozens of publications, and she’s a frequent speaker championing the value of great design. She’s also an AIGA Fellow and past national board member. Best of all, Jenn and Ken are dear friends of ours, yes, even vacation friends, and we’re thrilled to have her join us.

Kelly Allison is a director and photographer known for her fearless creativity, bold use of color, and infectious joy for life. As the founder of Kelly Allison Productions, she leads a full-service motion and still photography studio that brings ideas from concept to completion in-house. Kelly thrives on capturing movement, bubbles, spills, laughter, hugs, and gravitates toward visuals that are gooey, splashy, and full of life.

Collaborating with top talent and technicians, Kelly pushes beyond traditional advertising, championing visionary projects that center on the authentic human experience. Her energy inspires everyone on set, from crew to clients, fostering a creative space where people and ideas come alive. Whether behind the camera or leading a team, Kelly is always seeking the perfect light, the right moment, and that one detail that elevates every image.

Ken Visocky O’Grady is a Professor and Graduate Coordinator at the School of Visual Communication Design, guiding students from their first lessons in typography all the way through research-driven design thinking. Ken’s work has been featured in top industry publications like HOW, PRINT, Metropolis, AZURE, GDUSA, and Communication Arts. He’s the co-author of A Designer’s Research Manual, Design Currency, and The Information Design Handbook, books that have shaped designers around the world. Ken has shared his knowledge at more than 30 creative events, including those by AIGA and HOW. On top of all that, Ken (and Jenn) are longtime, dear friends, so close, we even vacation together. We couldn’t be happier to have him join us.

Quinn Ahrens is an engineering major at North Central College and a proud member of the North Central Cardinals football team, the 2022 NCAA Division III National Champions. Whether he’s in the classroom or on the field, Quinn brings focus, grit, and a team-first attitude to everything he does. Known for his work ethic and positive energy, he’s passionate about building things, solving problems, and being part of a winning culture, on campus, in sports, and in life.