Shannon Maher, dean of the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology, delivered the welcome address and keynote speech for the inaugural WiresConnect conference held by The Wires. Maher’s keynote was titled “The Future of AI and Academia.”
WiresConnect is an invitation-only gathering of visionary designers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry leaders shaping the future of fashion and beauty. Founded by The Wires—a company that owns the B2B2C platforms FashWire, GlossWire, and PawWire—the conference sits at the intersection of fashion, beauty, technology, and culture, offering curated panels, high-impact networking, and showcases that spark meaningful conversations and collaboration.
Kimberly Carney, founder and CEO of The Wires, hosted the event. Previously Carney has been a guest at the Baker School dean’s salon-style series, Visions and Voices. Carney also tagged FIT as the recipient of The Wires’ $1 download promotion for the month of April in which FIT Foundation received $1 for every app download of FashWire, GlossWire, or PawWire for the month of April.
Adjunct instructor Terance Coffee, Marketing Communications, was the event producer of the conference. Guest speakers at the conference included Fern Mallis, creator of New York Fashion Week and FIT Foundation board member, and Daymond John, founder of FUBU and ABC Shark Tank investor.