Dan Reus believes innovators and ecosystem builders can get much more impact by focusing on how to best engage stakeholders with content, calls to action, and activities that iteratively build capacity. As Founder and Chief Instigator of Openly Disruptive, he and his team help visionary leaders build transformational systems for innovation. Dan has over 20 years experience helping Fortune 100 firms, startups, and ecosystem builders use these approaches to connect with new and existing customers, partners, opportunities, technology and ways to operate in sectors from deep tech to consumer products and services. Dan is based in St Louis and says, “The future will be what we make it!”

Dan Reus believes innovators and ecosystem builders can get much more impact by focusing on how to best engage stakeholders with content, calls to action, and activities that iteratively build capacity. As Founder and Chief Instigator of Openly Disru... Show more

PA Agriculture Emergency Preparedness Director and retired Army officer focused on food security and infrastructure resilience.

PA Agriculture Emergency Preparedness Director and retired Army officer focused on food security and infrastructure resilience. Show more

Guided by purpose, strategy and a love of tech, Cortina Jenelle Caldwell’s entrepreneurial journey has remained true to her north star – to leave her corner of the world a little better off than she found it, a lesson learned early under her grandmother’s wings. Nursing, then social work provided a foundation for understanding social health, community development and resource connection, and Cortina ultimately found her home in business as a way to build solutions for local communities from the ground up. Cortina earned her BS in Business, Social Science and Education, and a MA in Business Management & Leadership (MAML)from Liberty University. As a graduate student, Cortina conducted research on “Branding Authenticity”, and armed with new knowledge of the future of business, Cortina founded Visit & Ventureto address gaps between tourism economies and local economies, earning Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year and a place in 40 Under Forty by the age of 26. Cortina re-branded the original model several times, evolving with community need and responding to first-party data - Cortina Jenelle Branding Agency(2014-2024), and Brand Evangelist™emerged with the age of AI in 2024. Cortina is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society, the Lloyd International Honors College at UNC-Greensboro, and is a Full Stack Web Developer, an ICAgile Certified Pro (Savvy Coders), a Certified Creative Facilitator (PYE Global), and a member of Vantage Ventures & AscendWV, class of 2025. Cortina’s journey reflects a relentless commitment to transform vision into scalable impact through design, technology, and creative strategy, work carried out through the tech-forward approach of Brand Evangelist and its ecosystem. Cortina’s collective body of award-winning work spans decades and ripples throughout Southern Appalachia and abroad, with impact hubs in North Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee, Austrailia and more soon from West Virginia where she calls home.

Guided by purpose, strategy and a love of tech, Cortina Jenelle Caldwell’s entrepreneurial journey has remained true to her north star – to leave her corner of the world a little better off than she found it, a lesson learned early under her grandmot... Show more

Bennie Haelen is a Data and AI architect at Insight where he builds enterprise AI solutions for healthcare, finance, and other sectors. He develops MCP servers, agentic enterprise workflows, and multi-agent AI architectures using Google Cloud Platform, Databricks, Microsoft Azure, and Neo4j. His current focus is query resolution systems that combine knowledge graphs with vector search to translate natural language into governed, auditable SQL. Bennie is the author of two O'Reilly books: "Delta Lake: Up and Running: Modern Data Lakehouse Architectures" and "AI, ML and Generative AI in the Data Lakehouse," covering modern approaches to data engineering and machine learning. He holds three patents and is based in the Denver, Colorado area.

Bennie Haelen is a Data and AI architect at Insight where he builds enterprise AI solutions for healthcare, finance, and other sectors. He develops MCP servers, agentic enterprise workflows, and multi-agent AI architectures using Google Cloud Platfor... Show more

Yaswanth Reddy is a Lead DevOps Engineer at Arealis, where he works on making cloud infrastructure smarter and more reliable with AWS, Kubernetes, and modern CI/CD practices. He loves experimenting with how cloud and AI come together from building scalable pipelines to using embeddings and vector search in real-world systems. Outside of work, he enjoys mentoring engineers and sharing what he learns with the developer community.

Yaswanth Reddy is a Lead DevOps Engineer at Arealis, where he works on making cloud infrastructure smarter and more reliable with AWS, Kubernetes, and modern CI/CD practices. He loves experimenting with how cloud and AI come together from building sc... Show more

Louis Nyffenegger is a renowned application security expert and the founder of PentesterLab, a leading platform for hands-on security training. With extensive experience in penetration testing, code review, and application security, Louis has worked at organizations like the National Bank of Australia, Australia Post, and Fitbit.

He has delivered talks at prestigious security conferences, including DEFCON, OWASP California, and BSides Canberra, sharing insights on web security, code review techniques, and the intricacies of penetration testing.

As the primary author of PentesterLab’s labs, Louis has designed practical, real-world exercises that help security professionals and developers master vulnerabilities and improve their skills. He also runs AppSecSchool, a YouTube channel dedicated to application security, and writes thought-provoking blog posts to inspire the security community.

Beyond his technical contributions, Louis is passionate about teaching and empowering others to build secure software. He believes in a hands-on approach to security education, emphasising real-world applications and meaningful learning experiences.

Louis Nyffenegger is a renowned application security expert and the founder of PentesterLab, a leading platform for hands-on security training. With extensive experience in penetration testing, code review, and application security, Louis has worked ... Show more

creative, published, father to two, Indian Hindi native non-thorny

creative, published, father to two, Indian Hindi native non-thorny Show more

Growth Coach for professionals and Businesses | Startup Mentor | Scaling Impact-Driven Leadership Without Burnout | International Keynote Speaker | Peak Performance for Leaders in AI age

Growth Coach for professionals and Businesses | Startup Mentor | Scaling Impact-Driven Leadership Without Burnout | International Keynote Speaker | Peak Performance for Leaders in AI age Show more

Phillip Ssempeebwa is an innovative Software Developer and AI Researcher with over three years of experience building intelligent systems, web applications, and scalable digital solutions. His work bridges machine learning, environmental AI, and full-stack engineering—driven by a deep commitment to sustainability and impact.

As an AI Research Fellow at the Deep Learning IndabaX AI Research Lab, Phillip focuses on developing efficient deep learning models for medical imaging, natural language processing, and climate resilience. His projects include a hierarchical chest X-ray diagnosis pipeline using EfficientNet, environmental AI for carbon estimation, and transformer-based models for text authenticity detection.

Phillip also serves as Technical Officer at Computing Palace Technologies and contributes to multiple organizations including Radix Management Consulting and Web Info Net Institute of Technology, where he designs and optimizes web infrastructure, trains teams, and drives digital transformation.

Phillip Ssempeebwa is an innovative Software Developer and AI Researcher with over three years of experience building intelligent systems, web applications, and scalable digital solutions. His work bridges machine learning, environmental AI, and full... Show more

Daniel Theobald is a visionary leader in robotics, AI, and automation, with decades of experience at the forefront of innovation. With 67 issued patents and over 30 patents pending, Daniel has made significant contributions to shaping the future of intelligent technology.

Daniel achieved a perfect academic record at MIT and was chosen by the faculty as "the student who has achieved the highest academic standing and has exceptional potential for impact on technology and society." He was awarded the prestigious Henry Ford II Scholar award, and was chosen as both an NSF and Hertz Foundation Fellow. Daniel founded Vecna.com in 1998, pioneering advancements in robotics and healthcare access. He later co-founded MassRobotics.org, a non-profit organization driving the global robotics industry, and in 2018, founded VecnaRobotics.com, a global leader in autonomous forklift technology.

Daniel’s work extends beyond healthcare and industrial robotics into sustainable agriculture through TwistedFields.com, a research farm in beautiful San Gregorio, CA which provides free consulting and test space to startups in the agtech space. In 2024 he seed funded Rotate8.com, an amazing farm robotics company that is building multi-purpose solar-powered farming robots that farmers can actually afford.

Daniel does significant pro-bono work. He helps a number of VC firms with technical due diligence, and mentors numerous founders and startups. He provides free consulting to organizations trying to automate. He helps them differentiate robust, scalable solutions from hype, believing that automation project success benefits the industry as a whole. For larger projects, Daniel and his team at Mekable.com provide expert consulting, simulation and automation product/process development to help organizations large and small navigate their automation journey with confidence.

Daniel is a leader on the integration of AI, Robotics, and IoT into society, inspiring audiences to explore the transformative potential of technology to create a sustainable, equitable future.

Daniel Theobald is a visionary leader in robotics, AI, and automation, with decades of experience at the forefront of innovation. With 67 issued patents and over 30 patents pending, Daniel has made significant contributions to shaping the future of i... Show more

Aakash is a US patent holder, multiple hackathon winner, pulished author and an open source advocate. He has completed his engineering from Savitribai University and a PGP from IIM Indore. He is passionate about building products for the next billion users and creating a positive social change through technology.

Aakash is a US patent holder, multiple hackathon winner, pulished author and an open source advocate. He has completed his engineering from Savitribai University and a PGP from IIM Indore. He is passionate about building products for the next billio... Show more

Co-founder at edge AI sensors in agritech/fintech,

Founder at consulting and IoT/smart cities firm, with clients in government and global intergovernmental organizations

Founding team at oceanic clean tech company focused on oceanic sovereign AI infrastructure

-Drafted one of Canada's AI policies
-PhD in IoT and AI integration into smart cities.
-28+ global awards in IoT and (edge) AI including from Microsoft, NVidia, OpenAI
-AI consultant at FAO
-Consulted on AI Federal Oceanic Policy and Strategy
-Advised firms and startups on defense, security, and AI strategy.
-Leading efforts in responsible and governance AI for smart cities, agritech, and healthcare
-Developed (IoT/AI/Digital twins/emerging tech) programs within smart city programs for Canadian municipalities

Co-founder at edge AI sensors in agritech/fintech, Founder at consulting and IoT/smart cities firm, with clients in government and global intergovernmental organizations Founding team at oceanic clean tech company focused on oceanic sovereign A... Show more

I have had an unusual journey into cybersecurity, working my way up from long-haul commercial driver to nationally recognized cybersecurity expert in the transportation sector.
I regularly mentor new or aspiring cybersecurity professionals and help them chart their own course into the industry, no matter where they are starting from.

As a thought leader and trusted advisor, I deliver expert recommendations that help organizations navigate and mitigate cybersecurity risks while aligning with their strategic objectives. My approach to leadership and innovation ensures that the digital transformation journey is both secure and aligned with best practices, driving efficiency and resilience across the enterprise.

In my current role at NMFTA I spearhead research initiatives and lead teams dedicated to developing cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies, methodologies, and strategies to safeguard information systems and networks. I collaborate extensively with academic institutions, industry partners, and government agencies to advance cybersecurity practices and knowledge.
I provide expert insights and recommendations to organizations, enhancing their security posture and helping them navigate the constantly evolving landscape of cyber threats.

With a rare combination of CISSP, CCSP, and CISM certifications alongside an active Class A CDL, I bring a unique perspective to the intersection of cybersecurity and transportation and I specialize in translating complex technical matters into approachable, understandable language no matter what the level of technical understanding my audience has.

I have had an unusual journey into cybersecurity, working my way up from long-haul commercial driver to nationally recognized cybersecurity expert in the transportation sector. I regularly mentor new or aspiring cybersecurity professionals and help... Show more

Sulayman Bah is a machine learning and deep learning engineer and software developer from The Gambia, and an electrical engineering student at USET. He builds AI-powered applications with Python, PyTorch, Streamlit, the Gemini API, Supabase, and ChromaDB, with a focus on local impact: legal rights, civic education, financial inclusion, farming, and transit. He has built 20+ PyTorch image model projects and completed Andrew Ng’s Machine Learning course, and he is currently exploring multi-agent systems and MCP for credit and lending use cases. Sulayman is passionate about teaching, having tutored peers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and IT since school.

Sulayman Bah is a machine learning and deep learning engineer and software developer from The Gambia, and an electrical engineering student at USET. He builds AI-powered applications with Python, PyTorch, Streamlit, the Gemini API, Supabase, and Chro... Show more

Claire Nielsen's work draws on three pillars of expertise: operational diagnostics, communication signals, and the leadership lens. Her approach begins by exploring the relationship between people doing the work and how the work actually gets done. She works alongside teams in active kitchens to identify the underlying sources of operational friction, addressing structural drift and communication pathway breakdown using systems-based diagnostic tools. The result is more sustainable kitchen operations and proactive leadership practices. Claire is passionate about empowering people with practical approaches that reduce interpersonal friction, improve morale, reduce turnover, and balance clear expectations of the work with the ever-changing realities of school nutrition.

Claire Nielsen's work draws on three pillars of expertise: operational diagnostics, communication signals, and the leadership lens. Her approach begins by exploring the relationship between people doing the work and how the work actually gets done. S... Show more

Jurg van Vliet is CEO and co-founder of Aknostic in Utrecht. He has run workloads on AWS since 2007 and co-wrote three O'Reilly books about it. He founded and ran 30MHz, an agricultural sensor platform. He founded Clouds of Europe, a community of practitioners who document how to run production on European and open-source clouds. He also co-created KEIT, the Kubernetes Emissions Insights Tool. He studied computer science at the University of Amsterdam.

Jurg van Vliet is CEO and co-founder of Aknostic in Utrecht. He has run workloads on AWS since 2007 and co-wrote three O'Reilly books about it. He founded and ran 30MHz, an agricultural sensor platform. He founded Clouds of Europe, a community of pra... Show more

Kessiny Neal is a Community Coordinator in Housing & Residence Life at Kennesaw State University, where she supports residential communities and supervises a team of 25 Resident Assistants and Community Assistants. With a passion for student development, leadership, and the residential experience, Kessiny has built her career around helping students and emerging professionals recognize their strengths and turn their experiences into meaningful growth.

A 2022 graduate of Middle Georgia State University, Kessiny earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and was deeply involved in campus leadership and student engagement. During her undergraduate experience, she served as Student Government Vice President, Campus Activities Board President, Resident Assistant, Community Assistant, Knights Lead Ambassador, Emerging Leaders Ambassador, and a tutor in the Mathematics Academic Resource Center. These experiences sparked her passion for student leadership and ultimately led her to pursue a career in higher education and Residence Life.

Kessiny went on to earn a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. Her professional experience includes serving in multiple Residence Life roles, from Resident Assistant and Community Assistant to Community Coordinator, giving her a unique perspective on the connection between student leadership, professional development, and higher education.

Kessiny is actively involved in the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) and has been recognized for her contributions to the field, including receiving the Paul Jahr SEAHO Scholarship, placing in the SEAHO Entry-Level Case Study Competition, and being selected for the Regional Entry-Level Institute. Her professional interests center on leadership development, resilience, student staff supervision, professional identity, and supporting emerging professionals in higher education.

Through her work, Kessiny strives to create spaces where people can grow, reflect, and recognize that the experiences they gain along the way are often preparing them for more than they realize.

Kessiny Neal is a Community Coordinator in Housing & Residence Life at Kennesaw State University, where she supports residential communities and supervises a team of 25 Resident Assistants and Community Assistants. With a passion for student developm... Show more

Experte en durabilité et en gestion de projets, j'accompagne depuis de nombreuses années la transformation des filières agricoles au Cameroun. Titulaire d'un Master II en Contrôle Qualité et d'un Master en Biochimie, j'ai débuté ma carrière dans l'audit des référentiels et l'amélioration des procédés, avant de me spécialiser dans la certification et les programmes de cacao durable, notamment chez Barry Callebaut Cameroun.
J'y ai conduit des programmes couvrant la certification de groupes de producteurs, la formation des agriculteurs, la prévention du travail des enfants, l'autonomisation économique des femmes et la digitalisation des paiements aux producteurs.
Aujourd'hui à la tête de la durabilité de MOI FOODS Cameroon (Mewah Group), j'ai construit le programme cacao de l'entreprise et je pilote sa mise en conformité avec le règlement européen sur la déforestation (EUDR)

Experte en durabilité et en gestion de projets, j'accompagne depuis de nombreuses années la transformation des filières agricoles au Cameroun. Titulaire d'un Master II en Contrôle Qualité et d'un Master en Biochimie, j'ai débuté ma carrière dans l'au... Show more

Dr. Gloire Rubambiza conducts research in AI platforms/infrastructure at IBM. Before IBM, he was a PhD student and University Fellow at Cornell, where he led research in hybrid cloud computing for digital agriculture as a member of the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture. He has presented at KubeCon EU and NA in 2024, regularly publishes in ACM, USENIX, and IEEE venues, and won the Best Doctoral Presentation at the ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference in 2023.

Dr. Gloire Rubambiza conducts research in AI platforms/infrastructure at IBM. Before IBM, he was a PhD student and University Fellow at Cornell, where he led research in hybrid cloud computing for digital agriculture as a member of the Cornell Instit... Show more

Thapelo Vundla is a Computer Engineering student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) with a foundational background in Arduino systems. Driven by a passion for creating impactful, accessible solutions, he serves as the hardware development lead for GreenGuard, a project that secured 2nd place at a regional MICT hackathon.

While Thapelo represents the project on stage, GreenGuard is a collaborative triumph built alongside a talented, multidisciplinary team: Vhutali Tsanwani (Master’s in Computer Science candidate at UWC specializing in Machine Learning and Informatics), Ntando Ndawonde (Advanced Diploma in Computer Engineering student at CPUT), Tidimatso Malatji (BSc Mathematics and Statistical Science student at UWC focusing on Data Science), and Kabelo Mkhwebane (B.Tech in Computer Engineering student at CPUT specializing in Cybersecurity and Data Engineering). Together, they focus on transforming raw, edge-computed environment metrics into low-cost, community-first tools that empower small-scale farmers and safeguard local food security.

Thapelo Vundla is a Computer Engineering student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) with a foundational background in Arduino systems. Driven by a passion for creating impactful, accessible solutions, he serves as the hardware developm... Show more

Jeewan Singh is a Senior Business Analyst who enjoys making sense of messy problems—both in spreadsheets and in real life. With a Master’s degree in Business Analytics and years of hands-on experience, he works at the intersection of strategy, data, and decision-making.

When he’s not translating business needs into practical solutions, you’ll find him creating content, making YouTube videos, or playing (and occasionally overplaying) multiple sports. His curiosity for both structure and creativity shapes how he approaches work and life.

Jeewan Singh is a Senior Business Analyst who enjoys making sense of messy problems—both in spreadsheets and in real life. With a Master’s degree in Business Analytics and years of hands-on experience, he works at the intersection of strategy, data, ... Show more

Khairul Arifin is a Software Engineer (Data Science Focus) at Reckon Digital, where he develops optimization and analytics solutions for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). His work focuses on multi-objective optimization, decision analytics, and data-driven systems that help policymakers balance competing priorities such as cost, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.

Currently based in London, Khairul works on WFP's ENHANCE analytics platform, building tools that generate and analyze Pareto-optimal diet solutions across multiple objectives. His recent projects include developing multi-criteria decision-making frameworks, optimization dashboards, and interactive visualizations that help decision-makers explore trade-offs rather than relying on a single "best" answer.

Before moving into software engineering and data science, he worked in strategy, consulting, and marketing roles at Toyota Astra, British American Tobacco, Samsung North America, and Boston Consulting Group. He holds a Master's degree in Analytics (Special Topics: AI in Marketing) from New York University, where he graduated with distinction as a full-ride merit scholar.

Khairul is passionate about making advanced optimization techniques accessible to practitioners and showing how Python can solve real-world problems at humanitarian scale.

Khairul Arifin is a Software Engineer (Data Science Focus) at Reckon Digital, where he develops optimization and analytics solutions for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). His work focuses on multi-objective optimization, decision analyti... Show more

Consultant specializing in Gender, climate justice, Social inclusion, and Human rights. With over ten years of field experience in the Congo Basin (Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, DRC) in forest governance, natural resource management, human rights, land rights, climate change, and public policy in Central Africa. Experience working with international organizations, donors, and civil society organizations. Focused on the legal, economic, and sociocultural barriers that limit rural women, youth, local, and indigenous peoples' access to land and resources and block their participation in natural resource management.

Consultant specializing in Gender, climate justice, Social inclusion, and Human rights. With over ten years of field experience in the Congo Basin (Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, DRC) in forest governance, natural resource management, human righ... Show more

Alex B. Hill highlights the intersections of power, privilege, and race in regards to health equity, access to basic services, and the social and political determinants of health. He is Project Director for the Detroit Food Map Initiative, Property Praxis, Detroit Atlas Collaboration, and DetroitData. Alex started DETROITography (detroitography.com) in 2013 to bring together various Detroit mapmakers and cartographers to showcase their work and encourage community members to start mapping their own city. He teaches in urban studies, public health, and geography at Wayne State University and Michigan State University. Alex is the author and cartographer of the books, Detroit in 50 Maps (2021) and Great Lakes in 50 Maps (2025) from Belt Publishing. He is a regular contributor to Model D Media, Flintside, Detroit PBS and the Detroit Free Press.

Alex B. Hill highlights the intersections of power, privilege, and race in regards to health equity, access to basic services, and the social and political determinants of health. He is Project Director for the Detroit Food Map Initiative, Property P... Show more

Joshua Ofori Boateng is a Research Assistant Professor at Iowa State University whose work advances open, programmable, and AI-native 5G/6G wireless systems. His research spans Open RAN, wireless living labs, reliable networks, and intelligent connectivity, with a focus on bringing next-generation wireless technology to real-world, rural, and agricultural communities.

Joshua Ofori Boateng is a Research Assistant Professor at Iowa State University whose work advances open, programmable, and AI-native 5G/6G wireless systems. His research spans Open RAN, wireless living labs, reliable networks, and intelligent connec... Show more

Soy pentester y red teamer, cuanto con algunas certificaciones en el ámbito del hacking web, me gusta la investigación y aprender cosas nuevas (o que he olvidado), he trabajando en varios sectores desde la banca hasta mi trabajo actual en Beta San Miguel, que es la azucarera más grande de México (yo tampoco conocía ese mercado), en beta me mis funciones son:

Protección de Infraestructura Crítica: Responsable de la seguridad ofensiva y defensiva de la red de 12 ingenios azucareros, asegurando la continuidad operativa mediante el hardening de Directorio Activo y la gestión de endpoints (Bitdefender).
Análisis de Seguridad Ofensiva: Ejecución de Pentesting y auditorías técnicas constantes, detectando vulnerabilidades críticas y diseñando planes de remediación para prevenir incidentes de Ransomware en entornos industriales (OT) e IT.

Soy pentester y red teamer, cuanto con algunas certificaciones en el ámbito del hacking web, me gusta la investigación y aprender cosas nuevas (o que he olvidado), he trabajando en varios sectores desde la banca hasta mi trabajo actual en Beta San Mi... Show more

Alicia is a software developer, musician, and natural resources engineer from Chile. Through consultancies and open-source contributions, she has built digital products committed to social and environmental impact, and her background also includes agroecology and environmental education. Her current work focuses on product engineering and harness engineering: designing the systems, scaffolding, and workflows that make AI agent output trustworthy at scale, so teams can move from reviewing code line by line to gardening the systems that produce it.

Alicia is a software developer, musician, and natural resources engineer from Chile. Through consultancies and open-source contributions, she has built digital products committed to social and environmental impact, and her background also includes ag... Show more

Elad is a Tech Lead at TeraSky CTO Office, a global provider of multi-cloud, cloud-native, and innovative IT solutions. With an experience in principal engineering positions at Agmatix, Jfrog, IDI, and Finjan Security, his primary areas of expertise revolve around software architecture and DevOps practices. He is a proactive advocate for fostering a DevOps culture, enabling organizations to improve their software architecture and streamline operations in cloud-native environments.

Elad is a Tech Lead at TeraSky CTO Office, a global provider of multi-cloud, cloud-native, and innovative IT solutions. With an experience in principal engineering positions at Agmatix, Jfrog, IDI, and Finjan Security, his primary areas of expertise ... Show more

Dale Spoonemore is the creator of the Seed to Spoon gardening app (1M+ downloads), now the Director of Marketing Technology for JPPA (Park Seed, Jackson & Perkins, Northern Brewer, Van Dykes Restoration & others). He’s a developer, speaker, and advocate for using tech and mental health tools to make life better for everyone—from gardeners to coders.

Dale Spoonemore is the creator of the Seed to Spoon gardening app (1M+ downloads), now the Director of Marketing Technology for JPPA (Park Seed, Jackson & Perkins, Northern Brewer, Van Dykes Restoration & others). He’s a developer, speaker, and advoc... Show more

Dr. Tiemo Arndt is a senior executive in the paper, packaging, and fiber-based materials industry with more than two decades of experience spanning research, innovation management, technology transfer, and industrial leadership. His career combines a strong scientific foundation with extensive operational and strategic expertise, making him a recognized leader in the development of sustainable packaging and circular economy solutions. Dr. Tiemo Arndt studied Forestry Science and Wood Technology and later earned a doctorate in Process Engineering at Technische Universität Dresden.

Since 2026, Dr. Tiemo Arndt has been Managing Director of Packwell Schwepnitz GmbH & Co. KG, a company of the Palm Group. The Palm Group is one of Europe’s leading companies in corrugated packaging, paper production, and circular economy solutions, operating an integrated business model that combines paper recycling, paper manufacturing, and packaging production. In this role, Arndt is responsible for guiding the company’s strategic and operational development while supporting the group’s commitment to sustainable growth, resource efficiency, and innovation.

Before moving into executive management, Dr. Tiemo Arndt held a variety of leadership positions at Papiertechnische Stiftung (PTS), one of Europe’s leading research and service organizations for the paper industry. In his most recent role at PTS as Head of Research & Transfer, he led interdisciplinary teams and collaborated closely with industry partners to develop practical solutions addressing efficiency, sustainability, and digital transformation across the paper value chain.

From 2023 to 2025, Arndt served as Managing Director of Reflex GmbH & Co. KG, where he was responsible for the strategic development and modernization of the company’s paper manufacturing operations. During this period, he focused on strengthening competitiveness through innovation, operational excellence, sustainability initiatives, and the development of specialty paper solutions tailored to evolving market demands.

Dr. Tiemo Arndt is a senior executive in the paper, packaging, and fiber-based materials industry with more than two decades of experience spanning research, innovation management, technology transfer, and industrial leadership. His career combines a... Show more