steam fest 2026

Chief Visionary Officer

Mike Johns, a "Futurist for the Culture," is a world-renowned management consultant, public speaker, and thought leader specializing in the seamless integration of technology into everyday life. As the founder of Digital Mind State, a consultancy firm focusing on the convergence of cutting-edge technologies like AI, Web 3, and 6G, he works closely with industry giants such as T-Mobile, Shell, iHeart Radio, Microsoft, and now Audacy to craft forward-thinking go-to-market strategies and business models. His global impact is evident through his work with Hansen Technology on the development of an Android-powered set-top box for US distribution. A respected voice in the industry, Mike serves as a member of the FCC's "Access to Innovation" advisory board and has been appointed twice as a CES Innovation Awards Judge for 2024-25. His commitment to shaping the future of technology extends to his role as a consultant for the Korea Electronic Association, UK's 6G Symposium and as a Professor of Future Literacy at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he inspires the next generation of innovators. Mike is also the Visionaire behind STEAM Festival.

CEO/Executive Director

Seth has been described by many as a Renaissance Man. He is an Entrepreneur, Filmmaker, Photographer, Video Artist, Transhumanist, and Student of the Future as it pertains to technology and the next wave of consciousness and human evloution. He is the founder of Pergent AI a PLM that is focused on expanding consciousness, personal growth and conflict resolution. The AI will also be used as the communications hub for STEAM Fest.

In the 2000's, he was actively involved in the electronic music and art scene in Chicago as a photographer and video artist. He co-founded MFChicago a video and music collective. He performed for many famous DJ's including Bassnectar, Derrick Carter, Paul Johnson, Matt Farina, and provided visual art live with Mixmaster Mike of the Beastie boys at Lollapalooza. As a resident member of the Chicago Art Department he was a participant at the first iPhone art exibition in the world called "iPhone Therfore I Art" he held residencies at Sonnotech and played at venues including the House of Blues, Metro and Smart Bar as well as performing regularly at many underground warehouse parties including the now renouned Freakeasy, which is the Chicago crew who developed Entheon Village at Burning Man. In 2011 Seth spent two years in Peru filming two documentaries on the Mountain and Ayahuasca shaman of Peru. His films The Path of the Sun were self published on the VHX platform and have sold over 20,000 copies in over 50 countries. Seth also holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management now a part of ASU. He has worked in leadership roles at a Fortune 500, managed over $50mm in assets as an RIA at the coveted Investment Bank William Blair and founded a hedge fund in 2017. Seth is perfectly suited for the role of CEO/Executive Director where he can apply his knowledge and expereince in business with his creative arts skills.

Chief Relations Officer

Prior to becoming a founding member of STEAM Jordan has over a decade of operations, strategic planning, business development, and financial management experience. Beginning with his educational and professional background of neurological medical research. Jordan returned to his upbringing in Private Equity analysis, taking strategic involvement in rising companies. Possessing a demonstrated ability to navigate through critical and challenging situations, Jordan is skilled in aligning business capabilities with obtaining strategic goals in a timely fashion without compromising consumer and staff satisfaction.

Chief Business Officer

Will Rudolphi is a Jack of all trades dot-connector of minds and businesses as well as a seasoned veteran in building ventures across various industries. Having helped take an EV company public via the NASDAQ in 2022 at over $1bn valuation, Will thrives on developing long-term business partnerships and forward-thinking initiatives. With his primary focus being in the EV battery technology sector, he also has significant experience in capital raising for startups and real estate ventures having raised over $38M. Will is an inversion thinker who believes human connection and interaction is how business moves more efficiently. Being a previous collegiate baseball athlete, the mindset of every day being game day is a driving force behind all his ventures in the EV, AI, and tech spaces. Being an SME in EV corporate and business development, Will focuses on missions that matter in the evolution and forward-progress of humankind.  description.