OHIO Makers Summit

Jason Preston is a professional basketball player and hoops mentor known for his underdog rise from Ohio University to being drafted by the LA Clippers. Through both long-form and short-form videos, he shares high-IQ basketball insights that help players understand the game at a deeper level, building a large digital audience of nearly half a million followers. His work demonstrates how professional athletes can translate on-court experience and pro-level training resources into accessible, educational content that informs and inspires the next generation. Off the court, Jason graduated cum laude from Ohio University and serves as an ambassador for the American Lung Association to honor his late mother, Judith.

Micaylah Preston is a marketing consultant and culture strategist working at the intersection of brands, athletes, and creators. Through social media, campaign development, and entertainment marketing, she helps shape how talent shows up online by building strategies that connect cultural insight with impactful, audience-first content. Her work spans influencer strategy, talent sourcing, and marketing campaigns for global brands, demonstrating how creators and athletes can collaborate with brands in authentic, scalable ways. A dual-degree summa cum laude graduate of Ohio University, Micaylah brings an industry and creator-minded perspective focused on building meaningful partnerships, elevating underrepresented voices, and helping the next generation succeed in the creator economy.

Bronson Allison is a travel and adventure content creator and founder of the “Live More” brand. Through short-form video and social media storytelling, he highlights destinations, experiences and local culture, building a large digital audience around accessible, experience-driven content. His work demonstrates how creators can use social platforms to inform, inspire and engage communities at scale.

Amber Hunt is an award-winning investigative journalist, author and podcast creator whose work has contributed to Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage at the Detroit Free Press and The Cincinnati Enquirer. She is the host and co-creator of the podcasts “Accused” and “Crimes of the Centuries.” Through long-form audio and independent media ventures, her work explores storytelling, accountability and audience engagement across digital platforms. 

Amanda Rossman is a multimedia journalist, podcast producer and photographer based in Cincinnati. A former staff member at The Cincinnati Enquirer, her work contributed to Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting and has earned Regional Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards. She is the co-creator and producer of the podcast "Accused" and founder of Rossmann Multimedia. Through audio, visual and digital storytelling, her work explores crime, justice and community narratives across platforms.

Kat Tenbarge is an award-winning independent journalist and founder of Spitfire News, a reader-supported newsletter covering internet culture, media and politics. An Ohio University alum, she previously reported for NBC News and Business Insider, where she built a national profile covering influencers and digital communities. Through newsletters, social platforms and multimedia storytelling, her work examines how online ecosystems shape culture, power and public discourse.

Kristy Wedel is an analytics strategist and learning experience leader specializing in artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making. With more than 15 years of experience across industries including healthcare, banking and government, she designs systems that help people and AI work more effectively together. Through workshops, speaking engagements and applied research, her work focuses on making AI accessible, ethical and actionable for organizations and communities.