XR Futures Forum

Community Forward: The Power of Pathways

October 6-7, 2025

New York, New York

Register Now

A Special Thank You to Our Platinum Sponsors

Join leading educators, community leaders, technologists, and policymakers at Transfr XR Futures Forum 2025—a two-day event at Civic Hall, NYC—where the nation’s most urgent workforce challenges are tackled head-on and hands-on.

Keynotes from best-selling author Chris Gardner and consumer engagement futurist Matt Britton will spark bold thinking, while Innovation Lounges, Power Pod huddles, and hands-on workshops turn big ideas into executable strategies. You’ll leave with a clear roadmap, an energized network, and the momentum to advance a skills-first economy.

XR Futures Forum 2025 is your call to action. After two days of immersive exploration—testing transformative technologies, learning from proven models, and forging powerful ecosystem connections—you’ll be invited to make one focused pledge through Permission to Dream 2.0. This “small” but intentional step is your commitment to bring possibility to life in your community over the next 12 months. Together, we’ll track those pledges, celebrate breakthroughs, and drive forward a future where every person can see, experience, and step into the jobs of tomorrow.

Highlights from Last Year's XR Futures

Agenda

Monday, October 6, 2025

12:00 PM

Registration opens – Level 2, Civic Hall

Light Lunch | Innovation Lounge open – Level 3

1:00 PM

XR Futures Forum 2025 Welcome

1:10 PM

Community Forward: The Power of Pathways

Bharani Rajakumar, Founder and CEO, Transfr

1:45 PM

Speed of Culture: Mobilizing Gen Z for the Skills-First Economy

Matt Britton, Futurist, Author Generation AI, Founder and CEO of Suzy
Learn how real-time cultural insights and immersive tech can turn Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s passions into skills-first pathways that fuel tomorrow’s workforce.

2:30 PM

Grassroots to Government: XR Innovations Driving Community Impact

George Patterson, Senior Executive Director, NYC Public Schools
Scott Stump, CEO, National FFA
Chelle Travis, Executive Director, SkillsUSA
Bharani Rajakumar, Founder and CEO, Transfr

Pioneering voices spanning classrooms, industry, and government reveal how immersive XR innovations are scaling local breakthroughs into national policies that unlock equitable, skills-first opportunities for every learner.

3:15 PM

Afternoon Break

3:30 PM

Immersive Intelligence: Tech-Driven Innovation for the Future of Learning

Hear directly from XR and AI pioneers as they unveil the breakthrough technologies shaping tomorrow’s learning experience in workforce education.

3:50 PM

From Simulation to Skilled Work

Luke Wilson, CEO of ManageXR

Immersive technology is transforming how we learn and how we work. With VR, people can train in realistic simulations, gaining hands-on experience before ever entering the real world. On the job, AR and AI tools continue to support them by providing real-time guidance and improving performance. In this session, Luke will share a vision for how immersive tools are transforming the full arc of workforce development – from first-time learners to seasoned professionals.

4:15 PM

Reimagining Workforce Development: How Local Leaders Drive Scalable Innovation

Jacqueline Allen, Assistant Director, Alabama Industrial Development Training
Jerri Bowles, Customer Success Manager, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
Callie Davis, Policy, Training, and Innovation Manager, Wyoming Workforce Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Hillary Lyle Director of Strategic Initiatives, SCPa Works
Johnnie-Lynn Crosby, Government Relations Manager, Transfr. Inc

Discover how workforce champions are transforming training systems—expanding access to underserved communities, unlocking sustainable funding, and influencing statewide workforce policy. Their strategies offer a clear path toward equity, economic mobility, and scalable impact.

5:00 PM

Transfr Trailblazer Awards

Chris Gardner, CEO of HappYness and Transfr’s Chief Evangelist

Discover how mission-driven leaders are propelling learners from classroom to career at the Transfr Trailblazer Awards—an uplifting showcase honoring the immersive, multimodal programs that deliver real-world impact and transform communities.

6:00-7:00 PM

Transfr Trailblazer Awards Reception – Networking and Connections Hour

Join us on Level 3 immediately after the ceremony for the Transfr Trailblazer Awards 
Networking Reception—a relaxed hour to mingle with honorees and peers, spark fresh 
collaborations, and turn the day’s inspiration into tomorrow’s impact.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

8:00 AM

Breakfast (optional)- Level 3

Innovation Lounge open

8:45 AM

Morning Momentum: Launching Day 2

Bharani Rajakumar, Founder and CEO, Transfr

8:55 AM

United for Impact: Forging Coalitions that Empower Justice‑Impacted Futures

Robert David Sr. MS, Violence Prevention Manager, City of Danville

Nico Mulder, Leon County Incentivized Pod Program Facilitator/Re-Entry Case Manager, Leon County Sheriff’s Office

Kimberly Pudlowski, Director, Pre-Employment Transition Services, University of Missouri

Freddie Timmons, Lived Experience Expert and Second Chance Champion

Kate Kimmer, Director of Special Populations Initiatives, Transfr, Inc.

Learn how forging powerful partnerships across government, industry, advocacy, and community can spark sustainable statewide reentry initiatives that break barriers and empower justice‑impacted youth and adults to build brighter, purpose‑driven futures.

9:40 AM

Pathways Forward: Partner Models Driving Career Discovery and Readiness

Eric Black, President and CEO, MDI

Joyce Glasscock, Executive Director, Kansas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (ADD)

Beau Pollock, President and Chief Executive Officer, Trio Electric

Crystal Maguire, Executive Director, Choose Aerospace

Jackie Smalls, SVP Content Strategy & Programs, Transfr. Inc

What does it take to connect people with meaningful careers in today’s rapidly evolving economy? This session brings together leaders co-creating with Transfr to design innovative onramps to opportunity. Representing nonprofits, workforce organizations, and industry alliances, these partners are leveraging immersive learning to address urgent talent needs, expand equitable access, and build scalable, skills-aligned training models. From early career exploration to readiness training for emerging talent, their collaborative efforts highlight how partnership-driven solutions can strengthen communities and prepare learners for the future of work.

10:40 AM

Morning Break

10:50 AM

Fireside Fusion: Connect, Reflect and Gain Trailblazer Insights

Join us for an intimate fireside conversation with our Transfr Trailblazer Award
winners—connect with peers, reflect on their success story, and walk away with actionable
insights to elevate your own program.

Three current sessions and the Innovation Lounge during each time slot. All sessions will
be repeated—attend one from 10:50–11:20 AM and another from 11:25–11:55 AM.

12:00 PM

Lunch Break

1:05 PM

From Classroom to Career: Immersive Learning with Transfr Trek & VR Training

Step into a hands-on model of how Transfr powers career exploration and workforce readiness—from the classroom to the job site. In this interactive, station-based session, participants will be engaged in both Transfr Trek and VR Training experience, seeing firsthand how immersive technology sparks engagement, supports financial literacy and career planning while preparing people for in-demand careers.

Participants will also explore strategies for integrating these tools into education and workforce programs, scaling partnerships, and reducing educator workload while maximizing learner success. You’ll leave with practical insights and ready-to-use strategies for transforming career pathways in your own programs.

2:15 – 2:30 PM

Closing remarks to conclude XR Futures Forum 2025

Featured Speakers

Matt Britton

Futurist, Author Generation AI, Founder & CEO, Suzy

Matt Britton is a futurist and bestselling author exploring the intersection of generational change and emerging technology. His books, YouthNation and the upcoming Generation AI, unpack how Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and AI are transforming culture and business. As CEO of Suzy, he empowers leading brands with real-time consumer insights to drive innovation and navigate constant disruption with confidence.

Chris Gardner

CEO, HappYness, Transfr’s Chief Evangelist

Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur, international best-selling author and an award-winning film producer. Gardner’s autobiography, The Pursuit of HappYness became a New York Times #1 best seller. His new book “Permission to Dream” was selected as “Book Of The Month” by the Wall Street Journal upon its publication.

Jacqueline Allen

Jacqueline Allen is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in public relations and workforce development. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Communications & External Affairs at AIDT, Alabama’s workforce training agency under the Department of Commerce, where she is the lead spokesperson. Since joining AIDT in 2001, Jacqueline has led the agency’s internal and external communications strategy, branding initiatives, and outreach efforts. She oversees teams in AIDT Productions, Curriculum Development, Talent Management, Marketing & Research, and Social Media Services, and plays a pivotal role in recruitment and community engagement—focusing on upskilling job seekers and strengthening connections between industry and K-12 education. Jacqueline is actively involved in workforce and economic development across Alabama.She is a member of the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA), serves on the boards of Alabama SkillsUSAand the Public Relations Council of Alabama, and co-chairs the Workforce Committee for the Governor’s Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council. An alumna of Troy University and the Auburn University Intensive Economic Development Institute, Jacqueline lives in Pike Road, AL, and is the proud mother of two sons, Trey and Eyan.

Jacqueline Allen

Assistant Director, Alabama Industrial Development Training

Eric Black

Eric Black is the President & CEO of Minnesota Diversified Industries, where he oversees all aspects of the $45 million social enterprise non-profit.  MDI aims to provide inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities and is headquartered in Minneapolis, with 4 manufacturing sites. The organization employs 500 people, with 50% having a disability, and offers corrugated plastic packaging solutions, kitting services, and medical-device assembly.  MDI’s Unified Work training program is teaching employability skills internationally to people of all abilities with barriers to employment. Eric is a board member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and its affiliated Foundation, Twin Cities R!SE, Cookie Cart, Monitors Foundation, and TCBANDD. Eric obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri-S&T, and an MBA from the University of St Ambrose, Iowa. He currently resides in Eden Prairie, MN, along with his wife, Tawanna Black, and their children, Traviata and Christian.

Eric Black

President & CEO at Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI)

Jerri Bowles

As a seasoned professional with nearly 10 years of experience in workforce development, and 30 years in customer service, Jerri brings a customer-centric vision to the role of Customer Success Manager. Jerri is committed to excellence in workforce development and remains passionate about helping individuals achieve sustainable, meaningful employment. Throughout Jerri’s career, she has successfully led cross-functional teams and collaborated with key stakeholders, government agencies, and community organizations to align workforce strategies that enhance organizational performance and create opportunities for diverse populations, including dislocated workers, veterans, low-income individuals, and youth. Key accomplishments include launching a rapid response call center in March 2020 that resulted in over 5,000 Missouri citizens having another route to filing their unemployment claims. This also led to the creation of a completely virtual team that provides one on one focused attention to those on UI who are selected to participate. This team has seen increased job placement rates, reduction in length of time on unemployment, and successful upskilling through a partnership with Coursera. In addition to program development, Jerri excels in building sustainable partnerships that expand workforce opportunities. As a leader, Jerri is passionate about mentoring teams, driving innovation, and fostering an inclusive, adaptable, and future-ready workforce. Jerri is committed to empower every Missourian with the skills and education needed for success.

Jerri Bowles

Customer Success Manager, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

Johnnie-Lynn Crosby

Johnnie-Lynn currently serves in Government Relations at Transfr, bringing more than 23 years of experience in workforce development and a deep commitment to expanding equitable access to career pathways across the Eastern United States. Throughout her career, Ms. Crosby has been actively engaged in regional and multi-state workforce initiatives, consistently championing innovative strategies that align education, training, and industry. Prior to joining Transfr, she led a 14-county regional team in the development of sector partnerships for Diversified Manufacturing, and also directed a multi-agency business solutions team, fostering employer engagement and cross-sector collaboration. A graduate of Purdue University Global, Ms. Crosby holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is passionate about designing and advancing high-quality, inclusive workforce solutions. She believes that through accessible resources, strong industry partnerships, and a shared commitment to innovation, the United States can continue to lead in economic and workforce development.

Johnnie-Lynn Crosby

Government Engagement Manager Transfr, Inc.

Callie Davis

Growing up in the Mountain West, Callie Davis learned early that innovation isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. As the Policy, Training, and Innovation Manager for the Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Callie embraces this creativity to deliver initiatives that support youth as they explore their futures. Armed with a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and licensed as both a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Vocational Evaluator, Callie draws on decades of experience working in frontier communities to bring the world of work to Wyoming youth—braiding technology with good old hands-on experience.

Callie Davis, MRC, CRC, CVE

Policy, Training, and Innovation Manager, Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Robert T. David Sr.

Robert is a nationally recognized leader in community violence intervention, gang prevention, and youth development. He currently serves as the Violence Prevention Manager for the City of Danville, Virginia, where he is the architect of Project Imagine, an award-winning, trauma-informed model designed to empower high-risk youth through workforce readiness, mentorship, and strategic support systems. A veteran of the United States Air Force and a former juvenile probation officer, Mr. David has held key leadership roles across the fields of juvenile justice, behavioral health, and public sector innovation. His work has earned numerous accolades, including the 2023 National Youth Workforce Professional of the Year and the 2025 VCU Wilder Award for Excellence in Virginia Government. An accomplished author, speaker, and subject matter expert with the National Gang Center, Robert was awarded the prestigious Bicentennial Swedish-American Exchange Fellowship in 2024 to advance international collaboration in violence prevention.

Robert T. David Sr. MS

Violence Prevention Manager City Manager’s Office, City of Danville

Joyce Glasscock

Joyce Glasscock serves as Executive Director for the Kansas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. Joyce’s prior experience spans work in government and politics, including in government relations roles with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, as a state governor’s chief of staff, and in Washington, D.C., as press secretary to a member of Congress, legislative correspondent for a U.S. Senator, and communications director at the U.S. Department of Commerce/Economic Development Administration. 

Joyce’s political campaign experience includes leading a successful gubernatorial campaign, staffing a presidential campaign, and serving as press secretary for a U.S. Senate campaign. Joyce leads an effort among Kansas youth development organizations—who have partnered for the first time in the state’s history—to advance career discovery efforts for middle school-age youth. Joyce holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Master of Science degree in Mass Communications from Kansas State University.

Joyce Glasscock

Executive Director, Kansas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs

 

Kate Kimmer

Prior to joining Transfr, Kate led multidisciplinary team responses to human trafficking and victim services. In 2014, she was awarded the Rotary Peace Fellowship for her commitment to social justice and pursued her MA in Tokyo, Japan, until 2016. Upon returning to the US in 2016, Kate continued to serve in anti-human trafficking leadership positions until she joined Transfr in 2022. Because many trafficking survivors often face criminal charges during and after their victimization — a phenomenon known in the field as “victim-offender intersectionality” — Kate spent 2017-2022 working on projects across the U.S. to connect trafficking survivors with felony backgrounds to meaningful reentry opportunities, support systems, and criminal record relief. In 2020, she contributed to Punishing Gender Past and Present: Examining the Criminal Justice System Across Gendered Experiences with a chapter she authored on the criminalization of survivors of trafficking in the U.S. After seeing how many survivors needed economic opportunity to successfully exit cycles of violence, poverty, and incarceration, Kate welcomed the opportunity to join the Transfr team. She has since shifted her career focus to the economic empowerment of historically and presently marginalized communities, including justice-impacted youth and adults, BIPOC communities, and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.Kate partners with diverse stakeholders across the country, using community, innovation, and new technologies to connect people to career pathways that offer real opportunities for individuals, families, and communities to thrive.

Kate Kimmer, MA

Director of Special Populations Initiatives, Transfr, Inc.

Hillary Lyle

Hillary is a skilled workforce development leader with a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, building cross-sector partnerships, and creating innovative, equity-focused employment solutions. As Director of Strategic Initiatives at SCPa Works, she leads transformative projects across an eight-county region, including spearheading reentry and fair chance hiring efforts, leading organization-wide funding diversification strategies, and designing workforce programs that are responsive to community needs. With over a decade of experience spanning federal and state workforce programs, grant management, and public service delivery, Hillary excels in aligning public systems with real-world needs—especially for youth and justice-involved populations. Her experiences with the justice system, both personally and professionally, drive her commitment to her work. A skilled facilitator and systems thinker, Hillary brings a strong foundation in public administration, nonprofit management, and policy advocacy. She earned both her Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science in Community, Environment, and Development from Penn State University. Hillary’s leadership extends beyond her role at SCPa Works—she actively contributes to workforce strategy through multiple state and national workforce organizations. In all of her work, Hillary is passionate about transforming systems to be more inclusive, responsive, and impactful.

Hillary Lyle

Director of Strategic Initiatives, SCPa Works

 

Crystal Maguire

Crystal Maguire manages day-to-day operations and implements strategic initiatives for Choose Aerospace, a non-profit dedicated to promoting careers in aviation maintenance and expanding access to aerospace professions nationwide.

In addition to her work with Choose Aerospace, Maguire serves as Executive Director of the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC), where she leads advocacy efforts on behalf of FAA-certificated aviation maintenance technician schools. She also holds the role of Vice President of Operations for the Aerospace Maintenance Council, a nonprofit that elevates awareness of maintenance careers through its flagship event, the Aerospace Maintenance Competition.

Maguire is of counsel to the finance and acquisitions team at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, a Denver-based law firm, where she advises aviation clients on commercial transactions and corporate matters. A former columnist for Aviation Week’s InsideMRO, she is also a frequent contributor to several industry publications.

Her previous experience includes twelve years at Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C., where she specialized in aviation regulatory compliance and held leadership positions with client associations, including Vice President of Operations for the Aeronautical Repair Station Association and Director of Government Affairs and Washington Counsel for the Associated Equipment Distributors.

Maguire earned a Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Tulsa and a Juris Doctor from American University, Washington College of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Virginia and Oklahoma. She resides in Tulsa with her husband, Troy, and their two tweens, Miles and Emma.

Crystal Maguire

Executive Director, Choose Aerospace

Nico Mulder

Nico Mulder, a Michigan native and alumna of Ferris State University, is the facilitator of programming in the Leon County Sheriff’s Office’s incentivized pod at the Leon County Detention Facility; a role she proudly says is the greatest privilege in the world. Beyond using Transfr’s VR suite to help incarcerated individuals with vocational training, she also leads Moral Reconation Therapy and 7 Habits on the Inside, both cognitive-based programs designed to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Nico also holds a Correctional Behavioral Health certification from the American Correctional Association. In the pod, she empowers her students to operate in their “peak state,” guided by mission statements they create in class. Her own mission statement? She has two: “Be at least 1% better every day” and “Leave things better than you found them.”

Nico Mulder

Leon County Incentivized Pod Program Facilitator/Re-Entry Case Manager, Leon County Sheriff’s Office

George Patterson

George Patterson is a distinguished education leader with over two decades of experience in intercultural competency, teacher effectiveness, leadership development, and community engagement. His career spans multiple roles, including Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Senior Director, and Senior Executive Director. A steadfast advocate for equity, opportunity, and access, Mr. Patterson has dedicated his career to transforming educational outcomes for historically underserved students and communities.

As the Senior Executive Director of Community Schools and the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) and My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) Initiatives for New York City Public Schools, Mr. Patterson has been instrumental in scaling programs that drive academic success and holistic support for students of color. Under his leadership, New York City’s MBK initiative was nominated as a National Model Community by President Obama’s MBK Alliance, a testament to his success in fostering mentorship, postsecondary readiness, and community partnerships that improve life outcomes for young men and women of color.

Currently leading the Office of Community Schools, Mr. Patterson oversees the strategic vision and implementation of 421 Community Schools across the city. His work ensures these schools serve as dynamic neighborhood hubs that integrate vital community resources, enhance student achievement, and provide integrated services for families. Through innovative, community-driven strategies, he has strengthened the role of Community Schools in addressing the diverse needs of students while positioning them as models of excellence.

Mr. Patterson, founding member of Black Ed-Fluencers United, spearheaded the creation of NYCPS’s first ever Black Studies Curriculum, securing a $27 million City Council investment now being implemented across districts citywide.

Mr. Patterson’s leadership and commitment to educational equity have earned him numerous accolades, including Educator of the Year from the Brooklyn Alliance and formal recognitions from the New York City Council, New York State Assembly, and other organizations for his outstanding contributions to public education. His impact continues to shape policy, practice, and opportunities for scholars and families across New York City.

George Patterson

Senior Vice President, Learning Experience Team, Transfr, Inc.

Kimberly (Gee) Pudlowski

As Director of the University of Missouri’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Program, Kimberly leads statewide initiatives that help youth with disabilities build pathways toward meaningful employment and independence. Throughout her career, Kim has been dedicated to equipping young people with disabilities with the tools, confidence, and support they need to succeed in the workplace. She is passionate about connecting education with real-world opportunity and is especially excited about how Transfr’s virtual reality technology opens new doors in that space. At the XR Futures Forum, Kim will share how her team uses immersive tools to prepare students for the rapidly evolving world of work. She believes that every student—regardless of disability—deserves a future full of possibility.

Kimberly (Gee) Pudlowski, MS, CRC, LPC

Director, Pre-Employment Transition Services, University of Missouri

Bharani Rajakumar

Bharani Rajakumar is an accomplished entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Transfr Inc., a cutting-edge company revolutionizing job training through virtual reality simulations. With a deep passion for education and a drive to make a positive impact, Bharani has emerged as a leading figure in the industry, leveraging immersive technology to bridge the skills gap and empower individuals to succeed in high-demand fields.

Bharani’s entrepreneurial journey began with the co-founding of LearnBop, an intelligent math tutoring software that garnered significant recognition and ultimately led to its acquisition. This early success fueled Bharani’s ambition to push the boundaries of technology-enabled learning and create meaningful solutions to address the evolving needs of the workforce.

Driven by a vision of democratizing access to quality job training, Bharani founded Transfr with the goal of equipping individuals with the critical skills required for well-paying careers. Transfr’s innovative approach combines virtual reality with immersive, hands-on training, providing learners with realistic experiences and empowering them to excel in fields such as manufacturing and skilled trades. Through strategic partnerships with community organizations, workforce development groups, and educational institutions, Bharani has positioned Transfr as a catalyst for economic development, working towards a future where all individuals have opportunities for upward mobility.

Bharani’s exceptional leadership and commitment to excellence have garnered industry recognition. Furthermore, Bharani’s unwavering dedication and entrepreneurial acumen earned him a finalist spot for Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in the New York City region in 2024. In 2024, Transfr was recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the world by Fast Company in the field of education and ranked 106th on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, which recognizes the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

Bharani holds a B.S. in finance from the University of Florida and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.

Bharani Rajakumar

Founder and CEO, Transfr, Inc.

Jackie Smalls

Jackie leads the Learning Experience team, shaping content strategy and end-to-end programming to support classroom to career pathways. She is focused on fostering multi-sector partnerships to cultivate an ecosystem that develops career pathways for the future of work, aligning training and education with industry and strong employer engagement. With over decades of experience in education, Jackie has held leadership roles at Discovery Education and served as Chief Program Officer at Code.org, where she advanced K–12 Computer Science education. She continues to serve on Code.org’s Executive Board of Directors and is a proud U.S. Army veteran. Jackie holds a Biology degree from South Carolina State University and an M.Ed. from Loyola College.

Jackie Smalls

Senior Vice President, Learning Experience Team, Transfr, Inc.

Scott Stump

Scott Stump leads the National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. 

Prior to this role, Stump served as assistant secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education within the United States Department of Education. Previously, Stump was chief operating officer with Vivayic Inc. 

Before joining Vivayic, Stump was assistant provost and state director for career and technical education (CTE) with the Colorado Community College System. Over his tenure with the system, Stump served as state FFA advisor, agriculture program director, and interim president of Northeastern Junior College. While state CTE director, Stump served as an officer for Advance CTE. Through this role, he served on the National SkillsUSA Board of Directors as the Advance CTE liaison. 

Stump received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University. He began his career teaching agricultural education and biology. His experience also includes managing the National FFA Officers and the National FFA Convention.

Scott Stump

Chief Executive Officer, National FFA Organization and Foundation

Freddie Timmons

I entered prison at 16 and walked out 28 years later at 45. My story reflects both personal accountability and systemic failure. As someone who lived nearly three decades inside, I’ve witnessed how early intervention, mentorship, and compassion could’ve changed my path. I speak now not to seek sympathy, but to offer insight—from the inside out.

To professionals, educators, and law enforcement: you have unmatched power to influence change. My life underscores the importance of rehabilitation, not just punishment. I believe in second chances because I lived to see mine. We need to look beyond the sentence and into the person.

If my journey helps inform policy, reshape community approaches, or prevent even one young person from taking my path, then every year I lost has purpose. I’m not the exception—I’m the example of what’s possible when we value transformation over condemnation.

Freddie Timmons

Lived Experience Expert and Second Chance Champion

Chelle Travis

Chelle Travis is the executive director of SkillsUSA, a national organization of more than 440,000 teachers and students operating within the framework of career and technical education (CTE). Travis was appointed in 2019 and leads a staff of 40 that manages a federation of more than 50 state and territorial SkillsUSA associations, one of which (Tennessee) Travis formerly led as its director. The work she’s accomplished in two decades of advancing the cause of career and technical education makes Travis a perfect fit to help SkillsUSA, the #1 workforce development organization for students, continue to achieve its mission: to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members.

Travis’ professional experience is rooted in a wide variety of academic settings, from secondary institutions to universities to technical and community colleges. Prior to becoming executive director of SkillsUSA, she served as the senior director of workforce and economic development at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), where she built valuable partnerships with employers, workforce agencies and postsecondary institutions. Prior to her work at THEC, Travis served as associate vice chancellor for students for the Tennessee Board of Regents College System. There, she provided leadership in promoting student initiatives across 40 technical and community colleges.

Travis has collaborated with every category of CTE stakeholder to design curricula, develop programs, draft legislation and more. The ultimate goal of these and current efforts is the same: to help students realize their full personal and professional potential while elevating the value of CTE to the forefront of educational discourse.

Travis holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance, and a master’s degree in business administration, from Middle Tennessee State University. She is a doctoral student at Tennessee State University.

Chelle Travis

Executive Director, SkillsUSA

Venue

Civic Hall, 124 E 14th Street New York, NY 10003

Civic Hall is a vibrant community hub in the heart of Manhattan, designed for collaboration, innovation, and engagement—and it’s also home to Transfr’s New York office. Conveniently located at 124 E 14th St, it’s easily accessible via the 14th Street–Union Square station, served by the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, and R subway lines.

Accommodations

We’re pleased to offer discounted rates at three excellent hotels:

  • Moxy East Village
  • Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea
  • Hilton Garden Inn Midtown/Park Avenue

 

To book, use the discount code and link provided in your registration confirmation email. Rooms are limited, so we recommend booking early to secure your spot.

Travel

New York City is easily accessible by air, train, bus, or car:

Air Travel: The city is served by three major airports—John F. Kennedy (JFK, 16.5 miles), LaGuardia (LGA, 9.6 miles), and Newark Liberty (EWR, 15.9 miles)—offering a wide range of domestic and international flights.

Train: Amtrak services Penn Station with connections from across the country. Regional trains, including Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), also provide convenient access.

Bus: Numerous bus companies operate services to and from New York City, offering affordable travel options from various locations.

Car: New York is accessible via major highways. Parking is not available at Civic Hall.

Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors!

XR Futures Forum wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our sponsors—visionary partners helping to shape the future of immersive learning and workforce development. Their investments and innovations are powering real change in education, employment, and opportunity.

Platinum Sponsors

Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere.

To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

ManageXR is a deployment platform for VR and AR devices – our mission is to ensure successful deployments by providing control over the entire fleet. Transfr relies on ManageXR to manage its VR devices by curating an ideal user experience with a custom home screen that’s intuitive for first-time users and eliminates access to unapproved content. To keep devices updated as content and software advances, Transfr remotely delivers app updates and automates device management workflows to maintain an updated experience. ManageXR serves as the foundational infrastructure powering Transfr’s deployment, enabling them to scale career education nationwide.

Start deploying XR at scale with ManageXR. Get started for free today.

 

Gold Sponsors

XR Futures 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

The Forum is ideal for organizational leaders, directors, educators, and government officials who are utilizing Transfr to empower youth and adults on their journey to upward mobility.

XR Futures Forum 2025 is where the future of workforce training takes shape. Join trailblazers using immersive technology to drive access, reentry, and innovation; build meaningful connections with changemakers ready to collaborate; get hands-on with cutting-edge XR and AI tools; and be inspired by the Transfr Trailblazer Awards. This isn’t just a conference—it’s a national movement for equity, opportunity, and the future of education and work.

Yes, we’ve drafted a customizable email template to help you build your case for obtaining approval to attend.

To register for XR Futures, click this link.

Registration for all Transfr customers is complimentary. When registering, please use the customer code: XRFF25CUSTOMER to adjust your total at no cost to you.

Yes! Discounted rates have been secured for attendees at Moxy East Village, Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea, and Hilton Garden Inn Midtown/Park Avenue.

You’ll receive a discount code and booking link in your registration confirmation to use when booking your stay. Rooms are limited, so early booking is recommended.

If you’ve registered but can no longer attend, please notify us at events@transfrvr.com. This helps us manage attendance and ensure a great experience for all.

Business casual is recommended, but please dress in what makes you feel comfortable. October weather in New York is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from 52°F (11°C) at night to 63°F (17°C) during the day, so we suggest bringing a jacket.

Yes. XR Futures Forum is designed to be fully accessible. We offer services such as hearing loops, wheelchair-friendly access and restrooms, and can accommodate dietary or other needs.

If you have specific requirements, please email us in advance at events@transfrvr.com.

Yes. You’ll receive a Certificate of Attendance following the event’s closing remarks. Certificates may be picked up at the registration desk and are a valuable addition to your professional development records.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Transfr’s events team: events@transfrvr.com