STEVEN KING
DIRECTOR
Steven King, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializes in emerging technologies, particularly virtual reality, AI, and interactive media. Holding dual appointments in journalism and business schools, he combines computer science, design, and storytelling. As Chief Innovations Officer at UNC Blue Sky Innovations, he addresses corporate challenges and advances education. He conducts pioneering research with Kenan-Flagler Business School and the Hussman School. With a journalism background, a master's in computer science, and a role as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and foreign governments, Steven King is a versatile professional. He is also a Christian, husband, and father of three residing in Durham, N.C.
ERICK LIVINGSTON
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
With over 26 years of experience, Eric has demonstrated the ability to collaborate with global financial services companies to develop strategies and provide large-scale, globally diverse programs in technology and business. His experience spans strategy development to drive customer experience and efficiency, executive-level portfolio planning, outcome-based business capability prioritization, complex and global program/project management, post-merger integration leadership, and management and enterprise change management leadership. Eric received an MBA and a BA in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also attended Yale University’s Chief Executive Officer Institute.
BROOKE VAN DAM
SCREENWRITER AND PRODUCER
Brooke’s twelve years working in higher education inform her role as the director of partnerships and education at SeeBoundless. She works on innovation, logistics, and communication strategies to ensure their partners are getting the most out of their work with SeeBoundless. Brooke also heads up all of their education projects, whether in VR, AR, or flat video. Her innovative approach to meeting learning outcomes through technology is second to none. Prior to joining SeeBoundless, Brooke was the faculty director for the journalism program at Georgetown University as well as an associate professor. Brooke received her Ph.D. in Sociology from City University London and her MA in International Journalism from the University of Westminster. She is currently a Fulbright Specialist.
STEVE JOHNSON
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Steve is a photojournalist, technologist, professor, and entrepreneur leading the charge in immersive storytelling across news organizations, nonprofits, and universities. Working with fellow journalists to write the manual on immersive storytelling, he has developed standards and practices, ethics guidelines, and tools that are used among news organizations and universities nationwide. Before creating SeeBoundless in 2015, Steve taught journalism at The University of Florida and was a freelance photojournalist for The New York Times, The Miami Herald, Reuters, The Orlando Sentinel, and ESPN.
Y. SEKOU BERMISS, PH.D
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT
Dr. Sekou Bermiss is an Associate Professor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He specializes in strategic management and organizational theory. His research explores how institutional factors influence how firms are perceived by critical stakeholders. He also investigates human capital mobility and its impact on a firm's competitiveness. Dr. Bermiss teaches various courses related to people analytics, human capital management, leadership, and organizational theory. He is a Fellow at the Filene Institute, leading the "War for Talent" Center of Excellence. His award-winning research has been published in prestigious journals and featured in media outlets like Harvard Business Review and The Wall Street Journal. Before academia, he worked at Deloitte Consulting and holds a PhD from Kellogg School of Management.
GRACE WILLARD
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER & CONTENT PRODUCER
At UNC Blue Sky Innovations, Grace designs and manages immersive learning solutions on interpersonal skills training to support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. She collaborates with subject matter experts at Kenan-Flagler Business School, filming professionals and stakeholders in partnering organizations to align business goals and instructional design principles to create microlearning sessions hosted in virtual reality.
NATALIE VIERNES
MANAGER AND PRODUCER
Natalie is originally from Mexico City, Mexico, and joined UNC Blue Sky Innovations as Assistant Director in April 2022. She has more than 18 years of professional experience in higher education. Natalie’s educational background includes a master’s degree from Appalachian State University in Higher Education with a concentration in Leadership and Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics from Emmanuel College. In her spare time, Natalie is an avid traveler and passport stamp collector (she has visited 20+ countries). When she is not traveling, you can find her spending time with her husband and two pups, trying out local restaurants, and hosting game nights with friends.