Ian Kunkes is the Co-Founder and CEO of EdPros and EdPros Digital, where he leads a team of experts dedicated to advancing accessibility and equity in higher education. With over 15 years of experience in disability services, academic support, and student success, Ian has held leadership roles at large public universities and understands the complex challenges institutions face in meeting compliance and inclusion goals.

At EdPros Digital, Ian focuses on helping colleges, universities, and libraries navigate digital accessibility through document remediation, alternative formatting, and strategic consulting. He is passionate about building scalable systems that empower institutions to create more inclusive learning environments, without overburdening their internal teams.

Known for his collaborative style and systems thinking, Ian works closely with campus partners to design practical, high-impact solutions rooted in empathy, equity, and compliance

Melanie Thornton, MA, CPACC, is serves as Digital Accessibility Consultant and Director of the initiatives on Access and Justice at the University of Arkansas Partners. She provides professional development and technical assistance on topics related to digital accessibility, disability and design, and leadership.

With over 30 years of experience working at the intersection of disability and access, Melanie is passionate about collaborating with organizations to create more accessible environments and to reframe disability as an aspect of diversity. She has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally on topics related to disability and access. She has also worked as an independent consultant for 20 years, leading organizations in strategic planning and conducting program and accessibility reviews.

Annissa has worked in disability services for almost 15 years. She started as a student employee in document conversion and took on the role of the document conversion coordinator at UArizona's Disability Resource Center after graduating from the University of Arizona. Since that time, she has received her master's degree in Higher Education from Northern Arizona University and coordinated captioning and document conversion services at the University of Arizona. She has presented at both the AHEAD and Accessing Higher Ground conferences in recent years.

Bill Burgess is a seasoned veteran in all things digital accessibility. He LOVES excellent design and processes. Accessibility is his go-to element when he is designing, and he loves to share accessible processes with anyone who will listen.

Bill currently serves as the Assistive Technology Specialist at Vanderbilt University where he helps students, staff, and faculty navigate the constantly-changing landscape of technology, especially those systems that affect students with disabilities. on goes here. Additionally, he regularly supports EdPros partners, whether that is through faculty training, reviewing digital resources, or helping coordinate institutional efforts.

Laurie Necasek is a digital accessibility consultant with a strong foundation in disability advocacy, instructional design, and inclusive education. Her expertise is rooted in direct collaboration with individuals with disabilities, ensuring digital content is accessible to diverse needs.

Laurie began her career in 2006 as a clinical mental health social worker. In 2012, she transitioned into higher education as a disability counselor, where she deepened her understanding of digital accessibility. This experience laid the groundwork for her shift into instructional design, where she worked alongside educators to develop online courses that support high-quality, accessible learning.

She partners with organizations to evaluate and enhance the accessibility of their digital content and platforms. Laurie’s versatile background—spanning social work, higher education, and small business—gives her a well-rounded, practical approach to accessibility challenges.

In addition to consulting, Laurie is active in accessibility education through webinars, self-paced training, presentations, and podcast appearances. She remains a dedicated advocate for disability rights and is committed to advancing digital inclusion and equal access for all.