Paul Chin Jr is a Hampton Roads native and a curious human. He is passionate about exploring technology, art, and business. He advocates for making technology accessible and growing communities to help one another. He has created new markets, guided start-up validations, and architected enterprise platforms. The future is amazing, and he can't wait to help you build it.

Paul Chin Jr is a Hampton Roads native and a curious human. He is passionate about exploring technology, art, and business. He advocates for making technology accessible and growing communities to help one another. He has created new markets, guided ... Show more

Amanda thrives at the intersection of improvisation and organizational psychology to help transform organizations. She believes the vulnerability required to improvise and create something together on stage as a team can be translated to a professional group of any size. She uses the philosophy of improvisation and the power of "Yes, And" as a catalyst for positive change within an organization. Her active listening approach to coaching focuses on teaching individuals and teams the difference between listening to respond and listening to understand.

Amanda was the Founder/CEO of Dallas Comedy House (2009-2020), where she oversaw day to day operations of DCH. She was the founder and Executive Producer of the Dallas Comedy Festival (2009-2019). She's the Co-founder of ComedyHouse, a professional training and coaching service, and the co-author of the REALway® leadership training program. She's currently a Senior Managing Consultant-HR Strategic Business Partner at IBM Consulting.

Amanda received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Minor in Business Administration from Texas A&M University. She completed her Masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Harvard University in May 2024. She earned her Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior from Harvard University and a Certificate in Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace from Cornell. Amanda is an Adjunct Professor at the SMU Cox School of Business MBA program where she teaches a Management course: Organizational Change and Innovation by Design. She's a graduate of the 2018 Leadership Dallas Cohort with the Dallas Regional Chamber, where she continued her commitment as the Leadership Consultant for 2019-2020 and a member of the 2025 Leadership Texas Cohort.

Amanda thrives at the intersection of improvisation and organizational psychology to help transform organizations. She believes the vulnerability required to improvise and create something together on stage as a team can be translated to a profession... Show more

Chad Gerber is a 10x platinum and gold-selling artist, founder, patented inventor, and communication systems builder focused on the future of AI, infrastructure, and human connection.

Before moving into advanced communications and AI systems, Gerber built his career in music, production, and creative development, working on projects that reached platinum and gold status. That background in sound, latency, signal flow, and human interaction eventually evolved into a deeper focus on how communication itself functions under pressure.

He is now the founder of ShadowGen, an AI-native communication platform designed for unreliable and bandwidth-constrained environments, and Meloscene, an immersive collaboration platform exploring the future of remote presence and digital interaction.

Gerber’s work sits between culture and infrastructure. His talks explore AI, communication breakdown, future systems, creativity, defense, immersive media, and how emerging infrastructure will reshape the way humans connect, collaborate, and operate.

He has spoken on AI and future communication systems in Washington D.C. and internationally, with appearances including the BBC. His perspective combines real-world creative experience, startup building, communication infrastructure, and future-focused thinking in a way that is both accessible and highly relevant to modern audiences.

Chad Gerber is a 10x platinum and gold-selling artist, founder, patented inventor, and communication systems builder focused on the future of AI, infrastructure, and human connection. Before moving into advanced communications and AI systems, Gerb... Show more

Sahithya Balasubramaniam is a Senior Software Engineer who actively contributes to open source and builds innovative microSaaS products. Her products launched on Product Hunt achieved global rankings of 21st and 25th on their respective launch days. She is also a dynamic public speaker and emcee, having delivered 20+ tech talks at leading industry events, notably Google DevFest and the SheBuilds Conference.

Beyond technology, she is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning author of five books, an international writer and poetess, and the Founder and Chief Editor of The Logic – Soul Lens Newsletter, a platform that explores the human side of business, leadership, communication, and technology.

Sahithya Balasubramaniam is a Senior Software Engineer who actively contributes to open source and builds innovative microSaaS products. Her products launched on Product Hunt achieved global rankings of 21st and 25th on their respective launch days. ... Show more

I’m the founder of the Maker Counterculture initiative, exploring the intersection of technology, subversion, and creative resistance. My work focuses on TinyML prototypes and LLM projects, pushing the boundaries of AI and embedded systems.

I’ve been a speaker at ORT, UCA, UTN, UADE, Hope New York, Nerdearla, Ekoparty, TedX and Maker Faire Rome. My work has been featured in Wired, Vice, and BBC.

As an author, I’ve published the novels El Sueño Colbert, La Gran Monterrey, and Macadam.

I’m the founder of the Maker Counterculture initiative, exploring the intersection of technology, subversion, and creative resistance. My work focuses on TinyML prototypes and LLM projects, pushing the boundaries of AI and embedded systems. I’ve b... Show more

Waskar Paulino is the CTO and co-founder of Ideate, an AI-enhanced creative workspace for design teams. He's a first-generation AfroLatinx technologist, DJ, multidisciplinary artist, and founder of Philacon Valley, a creative tech community in Philadelphia. He previously spoke at PhillyJS about building real-time audio visualizers with JavaScript and a Pioneer DDJ-REV1. He writes about the real learning curve of being a first-time technical founder on his Substack. When he's not writing Convex actions, he's DJing with aPioneer DDJ-REV1.

Waskar Paulino is the CTO and co-founder of Ideate, an AI-enhanced creative workspace for design teams. He's a first-generation AfroLatinx technologist, DJ, multidisciplinary artist, and founder of Philacon Valley, a creative tech community in Philad... Show more

Ashley René is the founder of Presence Over Pixels® and a keynote speaker who helps organizations solve their biggest workplace challenge: keeping humans engaged and productive in an AI-driven world. A former senior leader at Amazon and BNSF Railway, Ashley delivers actionable strategies for digital wellness, human-first leadership, and sustainable high performance.

With her signature "Future of Work Is Human" approach, Ashley transforms how teams think about technology, burnout, and authentic connection. Her talks blend corporate credibility with practical tools that audiences can implement immediately — from Fortune 500 executives to school administrators to conference attendees seeking work-life integration.

Ashley's presentations address today's most pressing workplace issues: Gen Z leadership dynamics, AI adoption without human displacement, cognitive overload management, and building resilient organizational cultures. Her engaging style combines business insights with neuroscience research, delivered without tech-shaming or unrealistic solutions.

Event planners consistently praise Ashley's ability to make complex topics accessible while driving real behavior change. Her content scales from intimate leadership retreats to 5,000-person conferences, always leaving audiences with concrete next steps rather than just inspiration.

When not on stage, Ashley performs as lead singer of rock band Bourbon Jury and champions St. Louis's vibrant arts community.

Ashley René is the founder of Presence Over Pixels® and a keynote speaker who helps organizations solve their biggest workplace challenge: keeping humans engaged and productive in an AI-driven world. A former senior leader at Amazon and BNSF Railway,... Show more

Frank is a seasoned programmer with more than three decades of experience. He has been involved in the NFT space since early 2021, during which time he has developed over 40 smart contracts for a variety of projects. Frank is recognized as a thought leader in the field of low gas contracts and has presented on this topic at several conferences. In addition, Frank has a passion for exploring the possibilities of soulbound tokens, which have the potential to revolutionise the way we think about digital identity. With his deep knowledge and innovative ideas, Frank is always striving to push the boundaries of what is possible with NFTs and soulbound tokens.

Frank is a seasoned programmer with more than three decades of experience. He has been involved in the NFT space since early 2021, during which time he has developed over 40 smart contracts for a variety of projects. Frank is recognized as a thought ... Show more

Anders Norås started out in arts and design, but for the last 25 years he has been creating magic with code instead of paint. Blending creativity with technical skill, he brings a perspective on technology that is as much about people as it is about software.

He has given more than 100 talks at conferences around the world. His presentations are not just lectures, they are experiences. With a sharp delivery and high energy, Anders turns even dry technical material into something lively, memorable and often funny.

Whether you are into computer science, design, media or anything else, Anders offers insights that will make you think and probably make you laugh. He does not just talk about technology. He brings it to life.

Anders Norås started out in arts and design, but for the last 25 years he has been creating magic with code instead of paint. Blending creativity with technical skill, he brings a perspective on technology that is as much about people as it is about ... Show more

Artiste plasticien, Architecte, UX Designer et enfin Coach Agile.
Un parcours atypique, plusieurs pivotages dans ma vie m'ont porté à comprendre que c'est la valorisation de l'humain la plus grande des réalisations.

Artiste plasticien, Architecte, UX Designer et enfin Coach Agile. Un parcours atypique, plusieurs pivotages dans ma vie m'ont porté à comprendre que c'est la valorisation de l'humain la plus grande des réalisations. Show more

Ryan Moore and his crew at the Moore Creative Company enjoy helping others with their DNN solutions. Whether partnering with other agencies or working with end-clients, Ryan is found teaching, training and "diving in to the good stuff," like DNN upgrades, sidegrades, integrations and more.

Ryan is completing an MFA in Communication Arts: Graphic Design with a focus on "The Business of Graphic Design." Several Moore Creative employees are graduates from the similar programs and many are BSA Eagle Scouts.

Ryan speaks at DNN community events, helps support and put on the Day of Training at conventions such as Southern Fried DNN, Day of DNN, DNNCon Baltimore and the past 10 years of DNN Summits in Denver, Florida and Online.

Be sure to ask him about snorkeling with sharks, that George Lucas action figure, DNN Summit LightSabers, and that one tarantula in Belize.

Ryan Moore and his crew at the Moore Creative Company enjoy helping others with their DNN solutions. Whether partnering with other agencies or working with end-clients, Ryan is found teaching, training and "diving in to the good stuff," like DNN upgr... Show more

Kim B Miller is a TEDx speaker, Poet Laureate Emerita, and former corporate executive redefining leadership through bold storytelling, spoken word, and real-world experience.

She challenges audiences to rethink accountability, recognition, and workplace culture while drawing on her extensive experience in parenting and family facilitation to provide insights into communication, coaching, and guiding individuals through complex challenges.

Kim delivered keynotes at the Women’s Leadership Summit at Rochester Institute of Technology, the S.E.A.L. Awards at Northern Virginia Community College, and the YMS B.O.L.D. Moves™ Conference 2026. She has also performed internationally in Paris, France, and on stages such as The Atlas Performing Arts Center (DC) and La Peña Cultural Center (CA).

A dynamic facilitator, Kim leads interactive workshops on leadership, communication, storytelling, culture, and personal growth equipping audiences with practical strategies and unforgettable experiences that drive lasting impact.

Kim B Miller is a TEDx speaker, Poet Laureate Emerita, and former corporate executive redefining leadership through bold storytelling, spoken word, and real-world experience. She challenges audiences to rethink accountability, recognition, and wor... Show more

Celina is a software developer, educator, and artist based in Argentina. She teaches private programming classes and hands-on workshops where she helps beginners build confidence with technology from the very first step. Her work blends technical depth with a strong understanding of how people learn, especially those with little or no digital background.

She has experience in backend development, educational tools, and introductory programming training. Across all her projects, she focuses on clarity, accessibility, and meaningful learning experiences. Celina is passionate about bridging the gap between technical knowledge and human understanding — whether through teaching, building tools, or creating content for new learners.

Outside of engineering, she explores dance and visual arts, which influence her creative approach to problem-solving and communication. She believes that technical work benefits from intuition, empathy, and the courage to experiment.

Celina is a software developer, educator, and artist based in Argentina. She teaches private programming classes and hands-on workshops where she helps beginners build confidence with technology from the very first step. Her work blends technical dep... Show more

Cartographer at heart. Map designer by craft. Leader by experience.
With 23 years in the industry, I bridge design and development, turning complexity into clarity. I bring both hands-on expertise and leadership experience—guiding teams, shaping products, and staying endlessly curious along the way.

Cartographer at heart. Map designer by craft. Leader by experience. With 23 years in the industry, I bridge design and development, turning complexity into clarity. I bring both hands-on expertise and leadership experience—guiding teams, shaping pro... Show more

Valerija je inženjerka tekstilne tehnologije. Čita SF i fantasy oduvijek i jedan od hobija je obilazak konvencija po Hrvatskoj i svijetu.
Kreativne radionice održava s ciljem upoznavanje djece i odraslih sa novim materijalima i ostalim zanimljivostima iz područja hobija i likovnosti.

Valerija je inženjerka tekstilne tehnologije. Čita SF i fantasy oduvijek i jedan od hobija je obilazak konvencija po Hrvatskoj i svijetu. Kreativne radionice održava s ciljem upoznavanje djece i odraslih sa novim materijalima i ostalim zanimljivost... Show more

Démarrant ma carrière en tant que développeur web, je me suis rapidement spécialisé dans l’univers Ruby on Rails. Entrepreneur dans l’âme, il y a dizaine d’années, j’ai créé Human Coders (https://www.humancoders.com/), un centre de formation pour développeuses et développeurs.
Enfin, récemment, j’ai exploré ma facette artistique en m’immergeant dans l’art génératif, mêlant technologie et esthétique. J’adore partager et échanger autour de mes expériences et découvertes.

Démarrant ma carrière en tant que développeur web, je me suis rapidement spécialisé dans l’univers Ruby on Rails. Entrepreneur dans l’âme, il y a dizaine d’années, j’ai créé Human Coders (https://www.humancoders.com/), un centre de formation pour dév... Show more

Thao Tran is a visionary entrepreneur, digital wellness leader and marketing strategist with over 15 years of global experience shaping campaigns for some of the world’s most recognized brands. She is the Founder & CEO of Ditox, a pioneering digital wellness company that helps businesses, families and individuals reclaim control over their digital lives.

Thao holds a Bachelor of Business & Commerce from Monash University and has further studied Podiatry, Arts, Branding and Psychology at La Trobe University, Monash University and The University of Virginia. Her career spans senior roles in digital content and marketing strategy for global organizations including Qatar Airways, Pearson, L'Oréal Paris and Maybelline New York. Her campaigns have consistently delivered industry-leading results, including record-breaking engagement rates and market share growth.

As a keynote speaker and mental health advocate, Thao has presented on international stages including Google, Women Who Code, Insight Academy and the International Families & Fathers Conference in Los Angeles, where she champions digital wellbeing, mental resilience and inclusive leadership. She also coaches the next generation of leaders as an industry mentor at La Trobe University and is a guest judge for the international Daddying Film Festival & Forum.

Born in Melbourne to Vietnamese refugee parents, Thao brings a unique lens of resilience, inclusion, and creativity to everything she does. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a Finalist in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards and her work has been endorsed by global thought leaders.

Beyond business, Thao is a multidisciplinary creative who has trained in script analysis and presenting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), The Acting Career Center, The Actor's Station, The Hub Studio, performed internationally and has appeared in campaigns and productions including Every Bit Different, the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Sports Entertainment Network, White Fever, Gnomes, and All Her Fault. Her creative and marketing work has been featured in prominent media outlets including The Herald Sun, The Sydney Morning Herald, WHO Magazine, NBCUniversal, BBC, ABC, 3AW, National Library of Australia, United States Tennis Association, Digital Entrepreneur, Voyage LA, Fact Magazine and Business Times Journal, reflecting her influence across media, wellness and creative industries. Her experience in the creative industry inspired her to found Ditox, where she now focuses on digital wellbeing, mental health and fostering human connection across communities, including programs that address mental strength and artist wellbeing.

A visionary entrepreneur and creative leader, Thao inspires audiences to reimagine human connection in the digital age. She has lead Ditox and shaping global brands across Australia, London, New York, Los Angeles, and the Middle East and continues to bridge innovation, wellness and digital culture worldwide.

Currently based in Australia, her company Ditox will be expanding in the United States in 2026/2027.

Thao Tran is a visionary entrepreneur, digital wellness leader and marketing strategist with over 15 years of global experience shaping campaigns for some of the world’s most recognized brands. She is the Founder & CEO of Ditox, a pioneering digital ... Show more

Luka Pejić (1996), an English Language and Literature graduate and a literary translator (English into Croatian)

Luka Pejić (1996), an English Language and Literature graduate and a literary translator (English into Croatian) Show more

Kerem Demirayak is an award-winning creative producer specializing in immersive technologies, spatial computing, and AI-driven media experiences. He leads next-generation interactive media production at FIELD.IO, merging artistic vision with technical expertise in XR, generative design, and real-time systems.

With a proven track record of scaling emerging tech solutions for Fortune 500 brands and cultural institutions, Kerem has brought innovative experiences to life for IBM, BMW, Nike, and more. His work bridges the gap between concept and delivery, transforming immersive and interactive ideas into engaging, real-world experiences. He is also exploring investment opportunities in creative AI and immersive tech infrastructure.

Kerem Demirayak is an award-winning creative producer specializing in immersive technologies, spatial computing, and AI-driven media experiences. He leads next-generation interactive media production at FIELD.IO, merging artistic vision with technica... Show more

Teresa Potts is a Quality/Engineering Leader, Agile Coach, certified Scrum Master, and Quality Engineer. She has been in the software industry for over 18 years.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in music, she got into tech because someone took a chance on her. She took that chance and ran with it. She has worked in the insurance, marketing & advertising, real estate, and financial industries.

Once in the field, she earned an Associate’s degree in Computer Programming and a Master of Business Administration in Engineering Management. Always learning, she also earned a Scrum Master certification and Google Project Management certificate.

In 2025, she created her own tech consulting company, Stir the Pott Consulting, LLC. She currently works as an Agile Coach for Youngsoft Inc.

She enjoys being a part of tech groups in her community and beyond. She plays the viola in the Mason Symphony Orchestra, is a member of the Michigan Motor Maids (women’s motorcycle riding club), and is a dog owner. She volunteers as a Lucid Legend, author/editor for Kprofiles.com (kpop website), and Wikipedia for topics she cares about.

Teresa Potts is a Quality/Engineering Leader, Agile Coach, certified Scrum Master, and Quality Engineer. She has been in the software industry for over 18 years. After earning a bachelor’s degree in music, she got into tech because someone took a... Show more

PolyAnnie is a multidisciplinary artist exploring the intersection of art, embodiment, and digital systems. Blending live performance, digital media, and blockchain, she uses her body as both creator and canvas, documenting her work as lived experience.

Her practice extends beyond creation into the exploration of value, ownership, and how creative ecosystems function. Through her work with NFTs, she examines not just what art is, but how it moves, connects, and exists within evolving systems.

Rooted in intuition and self-expression, her work reflects an ongoing process of becoming- where art, life, and technology continuously shape one another.

PolyAnnie is a multidisciplinary artist exploring the intersection of art, embodiment, and digital systems. Blending live performance, digital media, and blockchain, she uses her body as both creator and canvas, documenting her work as lived experien... Show more

Frank Malaba is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, photographer, and creative facilitator working between Oslo, Norway and Cape Town, South Africa. His work moves fluidly across theatre, performance, poetry, and natural light photography, guided by a central question: How does the body remember, and what stories does it insist on carrying?

Drawing from Southern African oral traditions, queer lived experience, and a deep commitment to dignity and presence, Frank creates narrative spaces where memory becomes a form of knowledge. His solo works, including Stories of My Bones and The Chaos of Belonging, have toured internationally, inviting audiences into intimate encounters with ancestry, identity, and the quiet rituals that shape us.

As a photographer, Frank documents everyday rituals and marginalised lives with tenderness and clarity. His 2025 exhibition Rituals opened in Cape Town to critical acclaim, and his ongoing project I Met a Mermaid explores African water spirituality, homelessness, and the ocean as a site of survival and myth.

He is also the founder and curator of Uncovered: Stories in Oslo (Avdekket: Fortellinger i Oslo), a live storytelling platform centred on true, lived narratives. His facilitation practice blends embodiment, listening, and community building, creating spaces where people can speak from the truth of their lived experience.

Across all mediums, Frank works from the belief that storytelling is not performance, it is presence, witness, and a return to the body as archive.

Frank Malaba is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, photographer, and creative facilitator working between Oslo, Norway and Cape Town, South Africa. His work moves fluidly across theatre, performance, poetry, and natural light photography, guide... Show more

Design, for me, has always been a way to make complexity feel human.

I’m Gauri Thakur, a UI/UX and Product Designer with experience across India and the UK. I focus on creating experiences that are intuitive, accessible, and built with clarity helping people navigate products without friction and with intent. I enjoy seeing ideas move from concept to reality, especially when they meaningfully improve how someone interacts with a system or achieves their goal.

My journey into design started early, driven by curiosity more than structure. I learned by building, experimenting, and observing—before formally studying UX in the UK, where I completed my Master’s with distinction while navigating the realities of funding my own education. That experience shaped not just my design practice, but how I approach problem-solving with resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of ownership.

Today, I bring together research, systems thinking, and creative problem-solving to design products that don’t just work, but make sense. I’m particularly interested in accessibility, user psychology, and how design decisions scale across real-world contexts. Outside of work, I find inspiration in philosophy, sketching, cooking, and long conversations and I spend time mentoring students, supporting them as they find their own path into design.

Design, for me, has always been a way to make complexity feel human. I’m Gauri Thakur, a UI/UX and Product Designer with experience across India and the UK. I focus on creating experiences that are intuitive, accessible, and built with clarity hel... Show more

I published a book:
NFT School For Artists
An Artist’s Guide To Creating And Selling Non-Fungible Tokens, Building A Community, And Making A Living With Digital Royalties Even if You Have No Experience

The book helps artists understand and use NFT technology in their lives and work. I also do one-on-one consulting on this topic.
I love talking to artists and helping them to get into space.

Three things I believe in are:
- Telling your story
- Personal Branding
- Building a Community

This is the only true way you will ever be able to live off your art.

In 2023, I spoke at a conference - https://web3tales.io/ - NFT minting workshop.
In 2024, I spoke at the NFT NYC - https://bit.ly/4aQnu2K - on the topic of Ai, Art, and NFTs.
In 2025, I spoke at the NFT NYC - My topic was selected - An Artist's Guide on Building Community and Success.

I collect digital art as NFTs.

Looking forward to more opportunities to share my knowledge and vision :)

I published a book: NFT School For Artists An Artist’s Guide To Creating And Selling Non-Fungible Tokens, Building A Community, And Making A Living With Digital Royalties Even if You Have No Experience The book helps artists understand and use N... Show more

Marisa Burn is a entrepreneur, and creative professional based in Zürich, Switzerland. She is the Co-Lead of Digital Learning Cultures at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), where she develops innovative digital learning strategies and leads the CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) in Digital Learning and Teaching Cultures. In this role, she explores the future of education, shaping teaching methods to meet the needs of a new generation of learners.

As the Co-Founder and Head of Innovation & Process at House of Change Burn Pichler, Marisa helps organizations navigate digital transformation and creative processes. She is also the Co-Founder of the holistic design agency Burninglights, where she specializes in creating holistic experiences, fostering collaboration, and designing authentic branding and mindful lifestyle solutions.

Marisa holds a degree in Postindustrial Design with a focus on Process Design and Interaction Leading from HyperWerk FHNW. Her artistic pursuits span multiple disciplines, including music, performance art, painting, and sculpture. As an interdisciplinary artist and activist, she co-founded the Peace Club, an initiative that organizes events fostering genuine human connections and promoting a more intentional way of living.

With over 20 years of experience as an independent entrepreneur, Marisa brings a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and mindfulness to everything she does, driving forward-thinking approaches in both business and education.

Marisa Burn is a entrepreneur, and creative professional based in Zürich, Switzerland. She is the Co-Lead of Digital Learning Cultures at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), where she develops innovative digital learning strategies and leads the CA... Show more

Jonny Selimović, a.k.a. his artist name, Jonny Music, is an Organ Cover Artist who has produced over 920 organ covers of popular tunes and soundtrack music and counting for over 10 years. For a long time, he's had a profound and long-lasting passion for music and its powerful effects on positively changing lives, including music/rhythm games like the Rock Band and Guitar Hero series. Bonus fact: He has two mascots representing his music artist brand: his ponysona, Silver Whistle, and his mouse fursona, Jonny Musemiš.

Jonny Selimović, a.k.a. his artist name, Jonny Music, is an Organ Cover Artist who has produced over 920 organ covers of popular tunes and soundtrack music and counting for over 10 years. For a long time, he's had a profound and long-lasting passion ... Show more

Howard Podeswa is a thought leader in the intersection of agile and business analysis, and a widely requested speaker at international BA and agile events, including BA & Beyond (2025, 2023), BA Istanbul 2021 (Keynote), BA World Boston 2024, PMI Silicon Valley 2023, European BA World (Frankfurt) and Norway Developers Conference (NDC). For over twenty years, he has been helping large organizations optimize their BA and product ownership practices for agile software development. He is a widely-read author whose books have become staple references, most recently: The Agile Guide to Business Analysis and Planning From Strategic Plan to Continuous Value Delivery (Addison-Wesley, 2021). Other works include UML for the IT Business Analyst, and The Business Analyst’s Handbook.

Through his company, Noble Inc., he has served clients worldwide, including ISO, Moody’s, the Mayo Clinic, TELUS, REI, LabCorp and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He has been an adviser to professional-association initiatives, including PMI’s Guide to Business Analysis, the BABOK and IIBA’s Nimble program, and has recently been collaborating with Ivar Jacobson International on The Story Mapping Gameboard - a new resource hosted on a free version of Essence Workbench.

Alongside his work in software development, Podeswa is also a practicing, professional artist whose work has been shown extensively in commercial and public galleries, and featured in leading art journals including Art Forum, MOMUS and International Architecture and Design. Podeswa’s work often begins with personal history as a catalyst for meditations on art historical legacy, physics, theories of perception and the state of the world. His paintings are held in numerous private and public collections including BMO Financial Group (Canada), Luciano Benetton Collection (Italy) and Ciba-Geigy AG (Basel).

Contacts/Links
• To contact Howard for speaking engagements, training and coaching services, please email howardpodeswa@nobleinc.ca or message him on LinkedIn @howardpodeswa
• Courses and Webinars: www.nobleinc.ca
• Art and BA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mvBLDeHnSw

Art links:

• Art home page: https://www.howardpodeswa.com
• Art Forum review: https://www.artforum.com/events/howard-podeswa-251083/
• Public exhibition - A Brief History: https://www.kofflerarts.org/whatson/exhibitions/exhibition/a-brief-history

Howard Podeswa is a thought leader in the intersection of agile and business analysis, and a widely requested speaker at international BA and agile events, including BA & Beyond (2025, 2023), BA Istanbul 2021 (Keynote), BA World Boston 2024, PMI Sili... Show more

I am a low-code/no-code developer with strong expertise in designing and implementing intelligent agents built with Copilot Studio.
At Cloudia Research Spa, I work within the Innovation team, where I design AI solutions aimed at improving processes, automations, and decision‑making models.
I focus on:

-designing agents in Copilot Studio
-multi‑agent architectures and A2A patterns
-AI‑driven process orchestration
-integration between Copilot Studio, Power Platform, and Microsoft Fabric
-governance, security, and enterprise applications of generative AI

I have presented my projects at the Microsoft AI Conference at Microsoft House (Milan), where I showcased real‑world use cases and practical approaches for responsible and effective AI adoption in organizations.
As a speaker, I deliver highly practical content, including demos, architectures, and ready‑to‑use solutions, with the goal of helping companies embrace a conscious and productive use of Artificial Intelligence.

Besides my passion for technology, I am also a rock musician. Music is a fundamental part of my life and offers me a space to express my creativity.
I love being alone and believe that time spent in solitude is essential for recharging and cultivating new ideas. This allows me to approach each project with renewed enthusiasm and dedication.

I am a low-code/no-code developer with strong expertise in designing and implementing intelligent agents built with Copilot Studio. At Cloudia Research Spa, I work within the Innovation team, where I design AI solutions aimed at improving processes,... Show more

Kassie Gibbons is a usability and design expert with RBA. Trained in user experience and human-centered design, she takes a human-first approach when tackling design challenges. As a former high school educator, she brings unique perspectives from the classroom to create products that are accessible, inclusive, and empowering.

Kassie Gibbons is a usability and design expert with RBA. Trained in user experience and human-centered design, she takes a human-first approach when tackling design challenges. As a former high school educator, she brings unique perspectives from th... Show more

Aarica J. Smith is a multi-certified Salesforce Consultant, Board Source Certified Consultant and SCRUM Certified project management and operations professional. Aarica thrives in concept development, using her consulting and management tools to transform ambiguous environments and concepts into actionable plans or implementations. She is highly creative when it comes to developing results-driven solutions, while ensuring alignment with necessary organization leaders of all levels.

Some of the work that she has accomplished with small businesses includes:

- Created company-wide and department-specific operational systems to streamline the business based on systems, not individual team members
- Developed a various company programs, including a diverse supplier program and employee professional development program
- Project managed cross-functional projects, engaging with external and internal key stakeholders to ensure on-time deliverables and successful project metrics
- Led change management initiatives with c-suite executives and department leaders.

In her previous roles of a non-profit professional, she has overseen a multi-million-dollar foundation grant to pilot national arts strategy to over 4K Boys & Girls Clubs globally, managed over $32M in corporate accounts, and grew a local cycling fundraising event from $450K to nearly a $1M event, making it the #4 premiere cycling fundraising event (out of 93 national events) for the organization.

A firm believer in education, Aarica earned her Master of Arts degree in Arts Administration from Savannah College of Art and Design, and her Bachelor of Arts in Economics, with a minor in French from Spelman College. In her spare time, she loves to travel the world with her family, experience amazing food, and volunteer in her community with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Aarica J. Smith is a multi-certified Salesforce Consultant, Board Source Certified Consultant and SCRUM Certified project management and operations professional. Aarica thrives in concept development, using her consulting and management tools to tran... Show more