Hanne R. Ersdal is a designer with over 10 years of experience in the development of industrial products and services. As the head of Eggs Stavanger, she works works to build the office and to promote design. She teaches the subject of Business Design and Development at UiS (University of Stavanger).

On stage, Hanne is full of energy and enthusiasm that is contagious and she has previously participated in the following events and teaching engagements:

2024 - Kaleidoscope, Competence that changes: Energy transformation for a sustainable future, led panel discussion
2024 - Lecturer in Master course Business Design and Development, University of Stavanger 2024 - Lecturer in PhD course, Design Thinking for Transdisciplinary Research, University of Stavanger
2023 - Viking Next Level, Innovate or die, talk
2023 - Laerdal Medical internal Event, Product talk, the Product Trio
2023 - Opportunity Festival, Fomo, Side event, Product talk, led panel discussion
2022 - Tekna X, lecture, Empathy enables technology
2022 - Initiative to create the Master's in Transformation and Innovation, several presentations on design and strategy

Hanne R. Ersdal is a designer with over 10 years of experience in the development of industrial products and services. As the head of Eggs Stavanger, she works works to build the office and to promote design. She teaches the subject of Business Desig... Show more

Kristen Elliott is an author, businesswoman, technology professional, and educator with a background of various analysis and consulting positions. She currently serves as a corporate strategist for a Fortune 100 company and teaches computer science engineering classes at the undergraduate level at a local university.

An ambassador of STEAM, Kristen focuses on the advocacy of others to learn more about software analysis and how the power of the arts fuel creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. She aims to support that mission through teaching, writing, and speaking about various technology concepts and about the power of the arts in a simple and fun way in hopes of others to become empowered to learn more themselves.

She received her MBA at Capital University with a focus in leadership. She also holds two Bachelor degrees (Music and Psychology) from The Ohio State University.

Kristen resides in Columbus, OH with her husband and two children. In her free time, she acts as a freelance violinist and composer. She has performed as a solo act and with multiple local musical groups as a folk, rock, and looper violinist. She has also composed and released two original albums (under the group name "Elliott Collective") and records professional studio strings for several musicians and groups in Ohio.

Learn more about Kristen and her initiatives at www.kristenvelliott.com

Kristen Elliott is an author, businesswoman, technology professional, and educator with a background of various analysis and consulting positions. She currently serves as a corporate strategist for a Fortune 100 company and teaches computer science e... Show more

Jill Tague doesn't teach design — she takes you somewhere.

A Principal UX Designer with 10 years in FinTech, Jill has spent her career making complex systems human. But her talks go further than the screen. She brings design principles to life through travel stories — real moments from real places — that make you feel why something matters before you ever memorize what it's called.

Because the best design lessons aren't definitions. They're experiences you carry with you.

Jill Tague doesn't teach design — she takes you somewhere. A Principal UX Designer with 10 years in FinTech, Jill has spent her career making complex systems human. But her talks go further than the screen. She brings design principles to life thr... Show more

Growth and platform executive with 15+ years across media and technology ecosystems, leading revenue growth, digital transformation, partnerships, and operating model design. Known for building scalable commercial engines, owning multi-market revenue outcomes, and advising cross-sector stakeholders. • Drove 77% year-over-year member subscription growth and 50% growth in one quarter by redesigning acquisition, partnership, and commercial operating models.• Built and scaled digital revenue divisions, generating $400K+ annual digital revenue and 250% monthly growth in competitive broadcast markets.• Delivered approximately $1.3M annually through consultative digital, video, and sponsorship solutions.• Designed and governed scalable CRM and prospect intelligence systems, expanding active pipelines by 700%.• Led and developed teams ranging from market operators to 80+ distributed contributors globally.• Appointed by the FCC to lead national policy work on innovation and access to capital.• Founded and led original platform and IP initiatives with long-term monetization and ecosystem strategy.• Worked with 100s of companies in diverse sectors such as Agencies, CPGs, QSRs, Government, Non-profits, Sports, Auto, Events, Health.

Growth and platform executive with 15+ years across media and technology ecosystems, leading revenue growth, digital transformation, partnerships, and operating model design. Known for building scalable commercial engines, owning multi-market revenue... Show more

Bringing people together is something that lives on through my workshops and training. Whether they take place online or on-premise, I facilitate workshops and learning experiences that focus on high participation, on learning by doing and verifying that the concepts are integrated. I use Live Online Learning Activities to ensure people get a chance to practice their understanding of the new concepts.

What better way is there to give meaning to what we say than to draw to make our thoughts explicit? When we add visual information to what we’re saying, suddenly our intention becomes much more precise, and we can begin to work on shared understanding. This is why I love bringing people in contact with the power of Visual Thinking, of getting back to our roots and using pen and paper to bring people closer together.

Stories are another option for bringing sensitive topics to the surface, which I recently started to explore through my self-development practice, as well as during numerous Around the world in (less than) 80 days workshops throughout the past years!

Bringing people together is something that lives on through my workshops and training. Whether they take place online or on-premise, I facilitate workshops and learning experiences that focus on high participation, on learning by doing and verifying ... Show more

Tivona “Lady V” Elliott is a Spiritual Release Coach, speaker, and creator of the R.O.A.R. Method, empowering people to release their past, awaken their purpose, and rise into their God-given calling.

Tivona “Lady V” Elliott is a Spiritual Release Coach, speaker, and creator of the R.O.A.R. Method, empowering people to release their past, awaken their purpose, and rise into their God-given calling. Show more

David is a technologist practicing at the intersection of computing and culture. He has worked on problems related to digital identity, reproducible data science, and software preservation, exhibited interdisciplinary art across Europe and the United States, and taught at Stevens Institute of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Art. He currently opines on technology in the public interest at Beyond the Frame and applies those ideas as the CTO of Yorba.

David is a technologist practicing at the intersection of computing and culture. He has worked on problems related to digital identity, reproducible data science, and software preservation, exhibited interdisciplinary art across Europe and the United... Show more

Sanchi Bhardwaj is a Strategic Designer and Design Advisor working at the intersection of governance, public systems, and social innovation. Currently Research & Strategy Lead and Founding Partner at Crossed Design, she has spent 13 years working across the Global South and APAC, advising governments, international development agencies, and multilateral organisations on embedding human-centered design into policy, programs, and institutional thinking. A postgraduate in Strategic Design Management from NID, Sanchi brings a rare combination of design research, systems thinking, and strategic communication to some of the most complex development challenges of our time.
Her work spans behaviour change, sustainability, and social impact — often in contexts where design has never had a seat at the table. She has worked in senior advisory and leadership capacities with organisations such as GIZ, British Council, and Adobe, shaping how design thinking is applied to governance and development at scale. Known for translating complex, multi-stakeholder realities into clear strategic frameworks, she works closely with policy makers, educators, and community leaders to ensure that interventions are not just well-designed but genuinely inclusive. A committed advocate for design-led governance, Sanchi continues to push for design to move from the margins of public systems to the center of decision-making across India and beyond.

Sanchi Bhardwaj is a Strategic Designer and Design Advisor working at the intersection of governance, public systems, and social innovation. Currently Research & Strategy Lead and Founding Partner at Crossed Design, she has spent 13 years working acr... Show more

Lupe is an Elite Software Engineer at Spartans Team at Microsoft focused on web experiences projects. Before Microsoft she was working as a Lead Front End coach at Laboratoria (an Startup in Latin America)

She is also an Aymara Indigenous Software Engineer that constantly researches that place where art meets technology. She tries to reach this goal through the development of open-source projects and performances (those involve body movement, dance, theater, and new technologies).

Lupe is an Elite Software Engineer at Spartans Team at Microsoft focused on web experiences projects. Before Microsoft she was working as a Lead Front End coach at Laboratoria (an Startup in Latin America) She is also an Aymara Indigenous Software... Show more

Christopher Burpee is the Director of Student Centers at University of Chicago. Chris previously worked at both Northwestern University and Northeastern Illinois University. Chris served on the Conference Program Team for the 2022 Annual Conference in Chicago. He has a Masters in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University, and a BFA from DePaul University.

Christopher Burpee is the Director of Student Centers at University of Chicago. Chris previously worked at both Northwestern University and Northeastern Illinois University. Chris served on the Conference Program Team for the 2022 Annual Conference... Show more

Lee Silber is the award-winning author who turns his best selling books into fun and interactive presentations that make people think, laugh, learn, and interact. For more about Lee go: www.leesilber.com

Lee Silber is the award-winning author who turns his best selling books into fun and interactive presentations that make people think, laugh, learn, and interact. For more about Lee go: www.leesilber.com Show more

Marius Hanl works as a fullstack developer and architect with Java/JavaFX and Web technologies.
He is also an Open-Source Contributor to several projects such as JavaFX, Godot, as well as his own Godot Plugin Script-IDE.

In addition to his open source contributions, he is also organizing the Global Game Jam every year in Braunschweig. He is very interested in Game development in his free time.

Marius Hanl works as a fullstack developer and architect with Java/JavaFX and Web technologies. He is also an Open-Source Contributor to several projects such as JavaFX, Godot, as well as his own Godot Plugin Script-IDE. In addition to his open ... Show more

Nahiara Sofía Dumon 18 años, Argentina nacida en Paraná, Entre Ríos. Concurre a la universidad UNL, estudia bioquímica, fue al colegio La Salle, con orientación naturales.
Amante de la ciencia, tecnología, de estudiar, descubrir cosas nuevas.
Participó en un taller de escritura en la biblioteca popular de Paraná, olimpiadas de matemáticas (durante 5 años), de mateclubes, la ONU, en coro en la escuela coral número 1 Mario Monti , en inglés (durante 9 años), lee cuentos propios y de otros autores, concurrió a la escuela de arte (desde los 5 años hasta los 14) sin embargo aún sigue realizando talleres de todo tipo de arte y es autodidacta en pintura con acuarelas.
A logrado llegar a los nacionales de matemáticas con literatura, al zonal de olimpiadas de matemáticas y pasar un año libre de secundaria.

Nahiara Sofía Dumon 18 años, Argentina nacida en Paraná, Entre Ríos. Concurre a la universidad UNL, estudia bioquímica, fue al colegio La Salle, con orientación naturales. Amante de la ciencia, tecnología, de estudiar, descubrir cosas nuevas. Parti... Show more

Stefan Göllner ist Innovationsmanager für Future Skills und KI beim Stifterband. Ein Schwerpunkt seiner Arbeit liegt seit 2020 auf Initiativen zur community-orientierten Weiterentwicklung des KI-Campus – die Lernplattform für Künstliche Intelligenz. Er entwickelt innovative Lernformate und engagiert sich für die partizipative Weiterentwicklung der Lernplattform und den Aufbau eines überregionalen Lern-Ökosystems in den KI-Campus HUBs. Seit 2025 koordiniert er die Taskforce »KI in der Hochschullehre« im Rahmen der Allianz für Future Skills.

Stefan Göllner ist Innovationsmanager für Future Skills und KI beim Stifterband. Ein Schwerpunkt seiner Arbeit liegt seit 2020 auf Initiativen zur community-orientierten Weiterentwicklung des KI-Campus – die Lernplattform für Künstliche Intelligenz. ... Show more

Swarnima is a Product Designer with 5+ years of experience designing consumer products across ecommerce and insurtech. She spent nearly 4 years at Meesho building experiences for Bharat users at scale, and is currently working at Ethos Life.

Beyond product design, she actively contributes to the design community through mentorship, speaker sessions, whiteboarding workshops, and portfolio guidance for aspiring designers. Her areas of interest include AI in product experiences, user psychology, growth design, and building intuitive systems for large-scale users.

She has spoken and mentored across design communities, hackathons, and workshops, often focusing on practical product thinking, real-world design challenges, and navigating careers in design.

Swarnima is a Product Designer with 5+ years of experience designing consumer products across ecommerce and insurtech. She spent nearly 4 years at Meesho building experiences for Bharat users at scale, and is currently working at Ethos Life. Beyon... Show more

Omri Marcus is a creative strategist and tech-concept developer with over 25 years of experience creating global television formats for media giants like Viacom and Red Arrow. Currently, he leads the pioneering AI integration programs at the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School, training producers and screenwriters on multi-agent AI orchestration.

Blending strategic execution with human storytelling, Omri focuses on building agentic workflows that maintain a unique creative edge. As Mike Reiss of The Simpsons noted, he is also "the funniest man in Israel."

The reality behind the credentials:
I spend my days trying to keep the soul inside stories while using tools that are designed to strip it away. As an AI consultant to global enterprises, I don't "theorize" about AI—I build the workflows that screenwriters, directors, and brands use to actually work.

My focus isn't on the "future of AI." It’s on the immediate, practical struggle of staying human in a production room that is increasingly run by statistical models. Having served as an Emmy juror for years, I know what "great" looks like—and it isn't a statistical average. I’m currently showing the industry why our flaws, blind spots, and irrational creative choices are the only things left that matter, and how to weaponize them to win in an AI-saturated market.

Omri Marcus is a creative strategist and tech-concept developer with over 25 years of experience creating global television formats for media giants like Viacom and Red Arrow. Currently, he leads the pioneering AI integration programs at the Sam Spie... Show more

I'm a designer focused on the future and philosophy of the interface.

I've helped independent developers, startups, corporations, and civic organizations invent or improve human-centered experiences.

My work is enriched by conversations with creative practitioners from across disciplines on the Design Notes podcast, and regular writing about design theory on Interface Café.

I'm a designer focused on the future and philosophy of the interface. I've helped independent developers, startups, corporations, and civic organizations invent or improve human-centered experiences. My work is enriched by conversations with cr... Show more

José Alberto Colón-Rodríguez is a bilingual news producer and content strategist with a Master in Journalism and Innovation (focus in AI) and an AI Certificate from FIU. Currently serving as the News Producer for Noticias Jacksonville at Telemundo Jacksonville, he brings a wealth of experience from previous roles at Telemundo Puerto Rico, Houston, and Philadelphia. José Alberto masters Artificial Intelligence tools for audiovisual production, newsroom automation, and data analytics. His profile seamlessly blends editorial rigor with a technological vision tailored for the next generation of news consumers.

José Alberto Colón-Rodríguez is a bilingual news producer and content strategist with a Master in Journalism and Innovation (focus in AI) and an AI Certificate from FIU. Currently serving as the News Producer for Noticias Jacksonville at Telemundo Ja... Show more

Jill Tague (she/her) is a UX and product designer and founder of Design and Travel LLC. After years designing digital products at financial institutions like Edward Jones, Capital One, and Boeing Employee Credit Union, she turned a layoff into a launchpad — and hasn’t looked back.

Jill’s travels have taken her from the rainforests of Costa Rica to the cobblestoned streets of Estonia, and what changed her wasn’t the scenery. It was the trash on the ground, the makeshift shacks, and the powerful street art that appeared in Tallinn when Russia invaded Ukraine. Those moments of discomfort and beauty cracked something open in her — and made her a more honest, grounded, and empathetic designer.

In her talks, Jill explores how stepping outside comfort and privilege reshapes how we design for real people — not idealized users. She believes the best UX research sometimes happens when you’re humbled by the world around you.

She’s on a mission to convince designers that gratitude and discomfort are two of the most underrated tools in their kit.

Jill Tague (she/her) is a UX and product designer and founder of Design and Travel LLC. After years designing digital products at financial institutions like Edward Jones, Capital One, and Boeing Employee Credit Union, she turned a layoff into a laun... Show more

UX/UI Designer con una lunga esperienza nella progettazione di prodotti digitali, con focus su etica, accessibilità e ricerca utente. Docente e speaker, porta in ogni progetto un approccio centrato sulle persone e una visione creativa maturata anche attraverso il suo percorso artistico.

UX/UI Designer con una lunga esperienza nella progettazione di prodotti digitali, con focus su etica, accessibilità e ricerca utente. Docente e speaker, porta in ogni progetto un approccio centrato sulle persone e una visione creativa maturata anche ... Show more

Jay Krymis is a film and television actor and producer with experience both in front of the camera and behind it. His career includes acting, production, and industry leadership, giving him a practical understanding of how entertainment projects are created, developed, and completed.

Jay's work includes award-recognized acting roles and strategic involvement in television and film development. He first gained wider recognition through his role in the critically acclaimed film Traffic, which earned ensemble recognition at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. That appearance became an important point in his early acting career, placing him among a cast known for realism and depth.

Jay has also earned Best Supporting Actor honors in various circuits. His acting work has spanned a range of roles that require adaptability and discipline. Whether appearing in film or television, his performances have often reflected a grounded approach, with a focus on authenticity rather than spectacle. This steady style has helped him remain active in a competitive industry.

As his acting career developed, he expanded into production, where he could take a more direct role in shaping creative outcomes. His production work includes projects such as In the Big House and collaborations with major media entities like Viacom. These experiences gave him broader knowledge of the business side of entertainment, including development pipelines and distribution considerations.

In his production work, Jay has shown the ability to recognize workable concepts and guide them through execution. He sees this transition as an expansion of his abilities rather than a departure from acting. By working behind the scenes, he gained influence over storytelling decisions, casting direction, and overall project strategy.

A major part of his professional life is connected to casting and talent development. As co-owner of the Booked Talent casting agency, which he operates with his wife, he helps connect performers with opportunities. The agency also focuses on matching talent with projects that fit their skills and long-term potential.

Jay's contributions have received civic and institutional recognition from the City of West Hollywood, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and the California State Senate. These acknowledgments reflect his community involvement and his positive role beyond individual film and television projects.

Jay Krymis has built a career across acting, producing, and casting, with each part supporting the others. His work reflects consistency, range, and long-term commitment within the entertainment industry.

Jay Krymis is a film and television actor and producer with experience both in front of the camera and behind it. His career includes acting, production, and industry leadership, giving him a practical understanding of how entertainment projects are ... Show more

Gift Kingsley is a media personality, broadcast journalist, television presenter, and digital content creator passionate about storytelling and audience engagement.

Her work spans television presenting, red carpet hosting, event hosting, social media management, and digital media production. Through both on-screen and behind-the-scenes experience, she has developed a unique perspective on how storytelling, personality, and cultural awareness shape audience engagement in today’s digital landscape.

As a content creator and entrepreneur, Gift is particularly interested in how media can be used not just for visibility but for meaningful conversations and community building. She is passionate about helping creators, brands, and media professionals understand the deeper dynamics behind audience connection in the modern media space.

Gift Kingsley is a media personality, broadcast journalist, television presenter, and digital content creator passionate about storytelling and audience engagement. Her work spans television presenting, red carpet hosting, event hosting, social me... Show more

Rebecca Grier, Ph.D. is a behavioural scientist with 20 years experience in product development across various business sectors. Most recently she was the lead for Customer-Driven: EMEA at Microsoft, with the goal to change product making culture to be more customer obsessed. Previously she moved Ford to consider people with disabilities in the design of their autonomous vehicles and the US DoD to include user experience in testing of systems. She currently lives in Dublin with her husband and son.

Rebecca Grier, Ph.D. is a behavioural scientist with 20 years experience in product development across various business sectors. Most recently she was the lead for Customer-Driven: EMEA at Microsoft, with the goal to change product making culture to ... Show more

Shannon Jenkins, founder of Connect Create Labs, is a UX designer, artist, and creative community-builder who uses design to make technology feel more human. With a background in customer experience, education, and design leadership, she transforms complex ideas into digital experiences that spark connection and trust. She has spoken at conferences like Render ATL, where she championed Privacy by Design, and has led live design sessions and mentored rising creatives across the tech industry. Her work lives at the intersection of creativity, empathy, and transformation—and through her talks, Shannon invites audiences to rethink what’s possible when we dare to evolve beyond yesterday.

Shannon Jenkins, founder of Connect Create Labs, is a UX designer, artist, and creative community-builder who uses design to make technology feel more human. With a background in customer experience, education, and design leadership, she transforms c... Show more

Full-stack application creator. Musician. With degrees in philosophy and librarianship. A father, a husband, a brother, a son. Human, after all.

Full-stack application creator. Musician. With degrees in philosophy and librarianship. A father, a husband, a brother, a son. Human, after all. Show more

Tyler Suard is a Python software developer in the field of Machine Learning and AI. He loves spaceships, giant robots, and his cat Ridley.

Tyler Suard is a Python software developer in the field of Machine Learning and AI. He loves spaceships, giant robots, and his cat Ridley. Show more

I am Kshitij raj sharma from Nepal , An OSM enthusiastic , Open Source Spatial Developer , Geomatics Engineer. I love maps and love contributing & making tools that benefits humankind

I am Kshitij raj sharma from Nepal , An OSM enthusiastic , Open Source Spatial Developer , Geomatics Engineer. I love maps and love contributing & making tools that benefits humankind Show more

Arvind Lodaya is a seasoned design and innovation expert with over 30 years of experience shaping products, brands, and strategies. A National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad alumnus, he runs a design, innovation and branding consultancy in Bengaluru. His expertise lies in strategic branding, product and service design, and fostering innovation cultures in organizations.
Throughout his career, Arvind has held leadership positions, including Ogilvy Advertising’s design consulting unit in India, Co-Founder of Deccan Centre for Innovation & Design, Professor at IIT Kanpur, Ambedkar Univ Delhi, Srishti and Vidyashilp in Bengaluru. He led impactful projects such as the corporate rebranding of ICICI and strategic design for prominent brands across diverse industries. Beyond his consulting work, Arvind is deeply involved in education and advisory roles, teaching at leading institutes in India and abroad and contributing to the growth of several startups.
His current focus encompasses systemic practice and multisolving, impact entrepreneurship, design thinking and embedding deep values in design. He actively engages with organizations to deploy design and innovation for impact and address complex global challenges. He is currently leading a Systems Practice Fellowship for emerging social leaders for SELCO Foundation.

Arvind Lodaya is a seasoned design and innovation expert with over 30 years of experience shaping products, brands, and strategies. A National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad alumnus, he runs a design, innovation and branding consultancy in Benga... Show more

Je facilite l’adoption de cadres de travail adaptés aux enjeux métiers, en cultivant une culture de collaboration, de transparence et d’amélioration continue. Mon approche du coaching produit vise à renforcer la vision, prioriser intelligemment et maximiser l’impact des livrables, tout en fédérant les parties prenantes autour d’objectifs communs.
Convaincu que la performance passe par l’humain, je mets en place des méthodologies de travail favorisant l’intelligence collective, l’autonomie et la responsabilisation des équipes. J’interviens aussi bien sur la structuration des pratiques que sur le développement des postures, avec un souci constant d’efficacité et de sens.
En parallèle, j’exploite le pouvoir du visuel à travers le scribing (facilitation graphique) pour clarifier les idées, dynamiser les échanges et ancrer les messages clés. Le dessin devient alors un véritable levier d’engagement, de compréhension et de mémorisation, au service de la transformation.

Je facilite l’adoption de cadres de travail adaptés aux enjeux métiers, en cultivant une culture de collaboration, de transparence et d’amélioration continue. Mon approche du coaching produit vise à renforcer la vision, prioriser intelligemment et ma... Show more

Divya Napa comes from a lineage of weavers and grew up in Cotonou, Benin for 14 years, where African wax prints, bold color, and carefully chosen objects were just everyday life. She later studied film in London, sharpening an eye that was always drawn to color, light, and feeling over formula.

She co-founded dn&co, where she helps design studios and agencies build steady client pipelines through LinkedIn. Before that, she was a Teach For India Fellow and led instructional design at Bridge International Academies, creating curriculum reaching 10,000+ students.

At DesignUp 2026, she traces her design eye back to where it started, a house in Cotonou she left at 14 but has never stopped seeing through.

Divya Napa comes from a lineage of weavers and grew up in Cotonou, Benin for 14 years, where African wax prints, bold color, and carefully chosen objects were just everyday life. She later studied film in London, sharpening an eye that was always dra... Show more