Rachel Casey is the Creative Content Program Director at Florida Polytechnic University, where she oversees the University’s creative content strategy, guiding photography, video production, social media, and digital storytelling initiatives. Since joining Florida Poly in 2021, she has played a key role in defining the University’s visual brand through authentic storytelling that highlights the people, accomplishments, and campus experiences behind one of the nation’s fastest-growing STEM universities. She is also an FAA-certified commercial drone pilot, bringing an aerial perspective to the University’s visual storytelling.
A photographer and filmmaker at heart, Casey leads the University’s visual storytelling through photography, video production, and digital content. Her work focuses on authentically capturing the people, experiences, and milestones that define Florida Poly while supporting student recruitment, executive communications, campus events, and other strategic initiatives.
Before joining Florida Poly, Casey built her career in digital marketing, photography, and brand storytelling, working across the tourism, hospitality, and nonprofit sectors. Her experience developing strategic content for a wide range of organizations continues to influence her creative approach today.
Throughout her career, Casey has been driven by a passion for visual storytelling, using photography, video, and creative strategy to connect people with meaningful experiences.
When she’s not creating content for Florida Poly, Casey is rarely sitting still. She enjoys shooting film with vintage cameras (especially her Nikon F3), baking sourdough, brewing her own kombucha, hosting her monthly book club, and spending time with her husband, two sons, Oliver and Reed, and their two dogs. No matter the project, she’s always drawn to creating, learning, and documenting the moments that matter most.
Education
This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.
Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.
Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.
