Hi! My name is Arin Kimmel. I struggled for years to make friends, win over audiences and express myself in conversations. I didn't have the right words or the right mindset and it was continuously sabotaging my life. Before I got to University I knew something had to change. I read as much as I could about Persuasion, Psychology and People. When I walked onto campus I realized with a shock that I'd gone from the worst communicator I knew to the best! I was making friends left and right. People wanted to hear what I had to say and even crazier…people actually liked listening to me (can you believe it)! But, I didn't stop there... I did Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Philosophy and anything else that could improve my communication. I graduated from University of Waterloo with a degree in Speech Communication and today I specialize in helping individuals just like yourself better express themselves. Anyone can become a better communicator, I'm living proof. You have a story to tell and I'm here to help you share it!

Hi! My name is Arin Kimmel. I struggled for years to make friends, win over audiences and express myself in conversations. I didn't have the right words or the right mindset and it was continuously sabotaging my life. Before I got to University I kne... Show more

Peter C. Miller is the Lead Release Engineer at Skydance Animation, specializing in developing their new Launchpad pipeline.
He excels in dependency management, CI/CD optimization, and tools like Rez.
With prior roles at DreamWorks Animation and Maya-creator Alias|wavefront, he brings decades of 3d software expertise.
Peter is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Peter C. Miller is the Lead Release Engineer at Skydance Animation, specializing in developing their new Launchpad pipeline. He excels in dependency management, CI/CD optimization, and tools like Rez. With prior roles at DreamWorks Animation and Ma... Show more

Innovative Senior Software Development Engineer with extensive experience at Amazon, specializing in AWS, serverless architecture, generative AI applications, and building scalable solutions. Proven track record in leading high-impact projects across spatial computing, compliance auditing, Prime membership growth, and infrastructure readiness, significantly enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiency.

Innovative Senior Software Development Engineer with extensive experience at Amazon, specializing in AWS, serverless architecture, generative AI applications, and building scalable solutions. Proven track record in leading high-impact projects across... Show more

I spent my 20s building things people said were impossible. I didn't have a trust fund or a traditional roadmap; I had a non-linear brain and a relentless obsession with how systems work.

I’ve lived the full spectrum of influence. I have lived out of a car on the streets of NYC and at a lighthouse on the California coast, I have navigated the elite corridors of South West London, and I have stood in the halls of power coaching the Director of the United States Mint on how to command a room. I have built punk venues from the ground up and managed talent for the world’s biggest film franchises.

My non-linear path wasn't a detour. It was an elite training ground. It taught me how to spot the operational leaks that 99% of people miss. It taught me how to scale a movement by 400% with zero financial backing and how to engineer a 3,675% growth spike in a week with just $20 for strategic advertising.

I am an expert in zero-waste scaling, engineering systemic overhauls, and extreme lean operations. I don’t need a $1M budget to find a $1M solution. My experience building venues, brands, events, and organizations from nothing means that I see efficiency leaks that traditional consultants are trained to ignore.

My credits include:

The United States Mint | Coached the 38th Director on executive presence & rhetorical logic at Voice Academy NYC

The New York Times | Featured contributor

The Julliard School | Provided private coaching to dual-enrolled Julliard students

Josh Groban / Madison Square Garden Support: Headliner | Headlined a performance at the Delancey, featuring Iain S. Forrest (Eyeglasses), cellist known for accompanying Josh Groban at Madison Square Garden

Mariah Carey / Star Wars / Avengers: Composer Management | Managed the professional roster at PIVODIO, which included Jonathan Bartz, composer with credits including Mariah Carey, Star Wars and Avengers.

Ed Sheeran Team: Talent Roster Management | Managed the professional roster at PIVODIO, which included Mark Pusey, drummer for Ed Sheeran.

Foo Fighters / Neil Young: Producer Management | Managed the professional roster at PIVODIO, which included Bradley Kohn, producer with credits including Foo Fighters and Neil Young.

The Recording Academy: Booking | Created Unity Fest, Femme Fatale Fest: NYC Edition, and The New York Music Awards (Rockwood Music Hall). Booked Recording Academy member Ryan Cassata to headline Unity Fest and booked Recording Academy member Apollo Flowerchild to co-headline Femme Fatale Fest: NYC Edition and The New York Music Awards.

American Idol: Talent Roster Management | Managed the professional roster at PIVODIO, which included Clark Beckham, American Idol runner-up.

The Voice: Collaborations | Collaborated with finalist Jamal Corrie (Season 18, Team Blake Shelton) at The Bowery Electric and headlined Queerchella, a festival founded by finalist Dan Kiernan (Season 27, Team Kelsea Ballerini).

Chaka Khan / Brandy / Todrick Hall: Producer Management | Managed the professional roster at PIVODIO, which included Kofi Agyei, producer with credits including Chaka Khan, Brandy, and Todrick Hall.

Logic: Featured Artist | My song "Nothing Lasts Forever" was highlighted and featured by Logic on his personal Discord server.

Met Gala / Gossip Girl / Coldplay: Co-Feature | Co-featured in NYC_Storytime media highlights as a recurring collaborator and featured artist within the NYC arts and culture scene.

Matty Beats: Collaboration | Studio collaboration at Rec Philly.

VIAL: Opening Act | Opened for VIAL at Femme Fatale Fest.

Maria Elisabeth von Trapp: Opening Act | Opened for Ms. von Trapp at the F.M. Kirby Center.

The Apollo Theater: Recurring Performer | Performed at The Apollo Theater three times.

Sinfonia Smith Square: Performer | Performed at London’s Sinfonia Smith Square.

Carnegie Hall: Coaching | Achieved placement for Voice Academy NYC student at Carnegie Hall.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Coaching | Coached contracted touring keyboardist for Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Voice Academy NYC.

Vans Warped Tour: Marketing | Represented Gypsy Warrior as a high-visibility brand ambassador and model during the Vans Warped Tour.

Beach Weather / A Rocket to the Moon: Marketing | Led street-team initiatives and grassroots marketing for former lead singer of A Rocket to the Moon and current lead singer of Beach Weather, Nick Santino, at the Vans Warped Tour.

Never Shout Never: Collaboration | Performed with Christofer Drew of Never Shout Never at a backstage performance at the Vans Warped Tour.

Kelly Osbourne: Talent Operations | Managed on-site logistics and talent flow during NYC World Pride.

BroadwayWorld: Featured Contributor | Featured three times in BroadwayWorld.

Digital Growth Architecture: 3,675% Viral Surge | Engineered a high-conversion digital marketing strategy that yielded a 1,361% increase in 24 hours and 3,675% growth within 7 days. Utilized advanced demographic and psychographic research to deploy a high-efficiency, low-spend ($20) ad campaign, proving the power of data-driven targeting over traditional high-budget spend.

Bloomsbury Arts Festival: Operations and Marketing | Contributed to logistics and promotion at London's Bloomsbury Arts Festival.

International Ambassador | Represented Klein College of Media and Communications at an international recruitment event while studying at Imperial College in London through Foundation for International Education.

Foundation House: Original Rhetorical Performance | Authored and premiered an original monologue at Foundation House in London.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Choir Director | Directed a specialized vocal ensemble focused on mental health advocacy and therapeutic music engagement. Developed choral programming to support community wellness and provided creative leadership for a national-tier advocacy organization.

Z Poetry Series: Internationally Published Poet | Featured in the Z-Poetry: An Anthology of International Indie Poetry.

VH1: Collaboration | Co-headlined Harrisburg's Stop The Violence Talent Festival with Yvng Swag from VH1's Wild N' Out.

FRIGID New York: Featured Playwright and Performer | Co-authored and co-starred in the original musical revue "Dead Superstars," featured in the FRIGID New York "Days of the Dead" Festival.

Founder & Executive Director: Unity Fest NYC | Conceptualized and executed a large-scale annual music festival in New York City, built from the ground up with zero initial capital. Leveraged strategic partnerships and community grassroots organizing to raise thousands of dollars for global and national charities, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), NAMI, and anti-gun violence initiatives.

Wolven: Executive Presence Coaching | Provided strategic performance and narrative coaching to the Founder of Wolven.

Founder & Executive Director: The Atlantis Movement | Engineered a bicoastal cultural movement and multi-week festival circuit (The Atlantis Movement) starting from grassroots DIY venues in Philadelphia to 10-day takeovers in New York City. Operating with $0 initial capital, generated thousands in philanthropic revenue for the ACLU, St. Baldrick’s, and local LGBTQ+ shelters. Featured in Rock the Pigeon for pioneering a sustainable, artist-led model of social advocacy and live production.

300+ Original Compositions | Executed a high-intensity creative sprint, authoring 300 original songs in a single year, resulting in the release of 24 EPs and 2 LPs. Achieved global distribution across 101 countries and secured international radio play.

David Guetta: Producer Management | Managed the professional roster at PIVODIO, which included James Grover (YCONN), producer with credits including David Guetta.

Cassandra Jenkins: Headliner | Headlined a Trans Day of Visibility Ball; opened for by Cassandra Jenkins

My educational background includes Imperial College London, Berklee College of Music, and Temple University.

I spent my 20s building things people said were impossible. I didn't have a trust fund or a traditional roadmap; I had a non-linear brain and a relentless obsession with how systems work. I’ve lived the full spectrum of influence. I have lived out... Show more

Dylan Gamez is the Marketing and Public Relations Director for The Hacienda in New Port Richey and Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora- built in 1927 and 1883 respectively. Dylan started her career in hospitality at Walt Disney World while finishing her degree in Broadcast Journalism at UCF. Dylan splits her time between Mount Dora and New Port Richey, but reside in Fruitland Park with her husband, Barrett and their three dogs and two cats. Dylan is currently on the Marketing Committee for VISITFLORIDA, Vice President of New Port Richey Main Street and deeply involved with Florida’s Sports Coast- Pasco’s Tourism Board, Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations and nonprofits. Dylan was recently named one of the 50 Most Dynamic Women in the Tampa Bay Area by the Laker-Lutz News and won an award from the Secretary of State for a marketing video she produced for New Port Richey Main Street. She most recently was a speaker at the VISIT FLORIDA Conference on Tourism

Dylan Gamez is the Marketing and Public Relations Director for The Hacienda in New Port Richey and Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora- built in 1927 and 1883 respectively. Dylan started her career in hospitality at Walt Disney World while finishing her degre... Show more

Francisco Bernardo, PhD, is a research engineer and designer focused on Human-centred computaional toolkits for user innovation. He has extensive work experience in the industry, academia, and at their interface, where he conducts applied research at the intersection of art and creative technology.

Francisco Bernardo, PhD, is a research engineer and designer focused on Human-centred computaional toolkits for user innovation. He has extensive work experience in the industry, academia, and at their interface, where he conducts applied research at... Show more

Ken Perlstein is a New York-based actor, writer, and comedian whose work includes theater, television, film, and stand-up comedy. His career reflects versatility and dedication, with a focus on character-driven stories that strike a balance between humor and drama in meaningful ways.

He was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he studied acting and directing at the University of Michigan. In 1994, he relocated to New York to pursue his professional career. His first role in the industry was as an NBC page. This position provided him with a close view of television production and offered valuable lessons in discipline and craft that would serve as a foundation for his future.

Ken went on to complete his MFA in Acting through The Actors Studio MFA Program at The New School. During this time, he trained with members of The Actors Studio and refined his skills under the guidance of accomplished professionals, further developing his artistic abilities.

His stage work includes performances in productions such as Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Lost in Yonkers. His television credits include recurring roles on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and guest appearances on series such as Succession, The Americans, City on a Hill, Person of Interest, and FBI.

Beyond acting, he has taken on writing, producing, and directing. He created, directed, and starred in the independent film "January," which was screened at the Millennial Film Festival and the Miami Independent Film Festival. Perlstein also wrote and executive-produced the pilot "How Am I Doing?", which was presented at festivals across the country and is now available online. Both projects earned recognition for his acting and directing. He is currently developing a new series and preparing its pitch deck.

His stand-up comedy career spans more than two decades, with performances at New York City venues such as Caroline’s, Comic Strip Live, Stand Up New York, and the British Comedy Festival. He has also performed throughout the tri-state area and Los Angeles, often blending personal storytelling with sharp character work.

Outside of entertainment, he works as a certified peer recovery specialist with a Bronx-based mobile crisis unit. In this role, Ken supports individuals in crisis, providing guidance and connecting them with resources in collaboration with licensed social workers. This work demonstrates his commitment to advocacy and service, extending beyond his performance.

He is also known for his skill in impressions and has an athletic background in football, wrestling, and swimming, with his current fitness focus on swimming and cross-training.

Now living in New York City with his family, Ken Perlstein continues to pursue acting, writing, comedy, and advocacy, creating meaningful projects while remaining active in both his artistic career and his community.

Ken Perlstein is a New York-based actor, writer, and comedian whose work includes theater, television, film, and stand-up comedy. His career reflects versatility and dedication, with a focus on character-driven stories that strike a balance between h... Show more

Passionate about technology and design. The background in both fields led her to become a ux/ui designer and Frontend developer and become the point of contact of those worlds.
She likes organizing meetups with GDG Turin and share her knowledge.

Passionate about technology and design. The background in both fields led her to become a ux/ui designer and Frontend developer and become the point of contact of those worlds. She likes organizing meetups with GDG Turin and share her knowledge. Show more

Nitin Deckha (he/him) holds a PhD in Anthropology from Rice University, Houston, Texas, a Master’s Certificate in Adult Training and Development from the Schulich Executive Education Centre, York University, Toronto, and is a Certified Training Development Professional (CTDP). As Principal of Enliven Learning, Nitin sprouts ideas and strategies to guide learners, clients and organizations  in the areas of leadership development, intercultural competence, and the future of work, including human-AI integration. Nitin has more than 15 years’ experience of postsecondary course development and teaching, including in the areas of anthropology, intercultural communication, and the transformation of work, and has taught at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, University of Guelph-Humber, in Canada, and Hochschule Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, in Germany. He has spoken at a range of conferences and events, including recently at the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA), Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL), and National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP). Nitin is based in Toronto, Canada, where he is an active volunteer, organizer, and fundraiser.

Nitin Deckha (he/him) holds a PhD in Anthropology from Rice University, Houston, Texas, a Master’s Certificate in Adult Training and Development from the Schulich Executive Education Centre, York University, Toronto, and is a Certified Training Devel... Show more

Lenna is the CEO and founder of Clay Nation, a multi-dimensional clay animation and production studio at the intersection of Art and Technology. Lenna is a Cardano powerhouse, former IOHK & Mastercard and 2022 Forbes 30 under 30 lister, for arts and culture.

Lenna is the CEO and founder of Clay Nation, a multi-dimensional clay animation and production studio at the intersection of Art and Technology. Lenna is a Cardano powerhouse, former IOHK & Mastercard and 2022 Forbes 30 under 30 lister, for arts and ... Show more

Hi there! I'm the Senior Product Designer for the New Games Squad in the NYT :) I do UI UX for our new games, I've worked on Connections, Strands and Pips!

Hi there! I'm the Senior Product Designer for the New Games Squad in the NYT :) I do UI UX for our new games, I've worked on Connections, Strands and Pips! Show more

Tech professional from a non-Tech background. Musician. Composer.

Tech professional from a non-Tech background. Musician. Composer. Show more

From a young age Aditya has been fond of libraries where he used to spend all his time after classes to study science and computer science. He learnt hacking in grade 9th using termux and then went on to continue learning Python and C++ getting a six years of programming experience as of now. Aditya has not only been a climate advocate but an action taker with his projects like the smart drainage system he built in 2022 gaining him massive recognition as a child scientist in NCSC, he presented it as a solution for the 2019 urban flood of Patna. Thereafter, he went on to compete in international Hackathons including Epoch by the HackClub in Delhi and NASA Space Apps by NASA at Mountain View California on full funding. He was part of the class of 2028 at Minerva University, California with their highest scholarship. He was also accepted at TETR College of Business, Dubai - a highly selective business college - with 87% scholarship to study business with Computer Science. Currently Aditya is a freshman at IIT Jodhpur doing a BS degree in Applied AI and Data Science after he returned to India in 2025 from Minerva University due to ongoing family financial conditions. Aditya graduated from high school in 2023 with a motive to not join IIT just like people of his age but to be at a place from where he can really create the change he want to see in the future. He was one of the deputy head boy of Gyan Niketan, Patna leading over 4700 students. He helped organising the Bihar Entrepreneurship Summit 2025, the largest historical Entrepreneurship Summit in Bihar till date with microentrepreneurs hand picked from each of the 534 blocks of Bihar. Aditya has also volunteered in TechCrunch (America's largest Tech showcase event) as PointAI's representative and in CalHacks (America's largest collegiate hackathon). Currently, he serves as the captain of Moonshot Pirates India chapter, an initiative that serves as a platform to create change with the youth. He is the lead of social media management, project design and execution at Moonshot Pirates India. He also makes music and write lyrics that can potentially drive change and inspire people in addition to technology, he believes that the integration of technology with creativity goes a long long way.

From a young age Aditya has been fond of libraries where he used to spend all his time after classes to study science and computer science. He learnt hacking in grade 9th using termux and then went on to continue learning Python and C++ getting a six... Show more

An Undergraduate B.tech Student, pursuing career in Data Science

An Undergraduate B.tech Student, pursuing career in Data Science Show more

Passionate Engineering Manager at Datadog, mentoring aspiring engineers and advocating for the importance of soft skills in achieving success. Sometimes I like to define myself as "proud holistic hobbyist".

Passionate Engineering Manager at Datadog, mentoring aspiring engineers and advocating for the importance of soft skills in achieving success. Sometimes I like to define myself as "proud holistic hobbyist". Show more

Sketchnoteuse depuis 2016, plasticienne textile, facilitatrice collaborative et visuelle,
Membre d'Agilemans

Sketchnoteuse depuis 2016, plasticienne textile, facilitatrice collaborative et visuelle, Membre d'Agilemans Show more

Bachelor in Arts of Representation. With certifications in Social Engineering, Red Team & OSINT. Team Leader of Fr1endly RATs, the Social Engineering unit at Dreamlab Technologies Chile.
Specializing and developing techniques and methodologies for simulations of Phishing attacks, Vishing, Pretexting, Physical Intrusions and Red Team.

Bachelor in Arts of Representation. With certifications in Social Engineering, Red Team & OSINT. Team Leader of Fr1endly RATs, the Social Engineering unit at Dreamlab Technologies Chile. Specializing and developing techniques and methodologies for ... Show more

Level 1 Italian Teacher in the Chicagoland area since 2011.

Level 1 Italian Teacher in the Chicagoland area since 2011. Show more

Angelo is a System Engineer at Corner Banca SA. He embraced Kubernetes and container technology starting in 2017, but his experience spans IoT, VoIP, and highly available systems for Internet Service Providers. He loves technology, is a big fan of home automation, and can't stop integrating and measuring the performance of every device at home.

Angelo is a System Engineer at Corner Banca SA. He embraced Kubernetes and container technology starting in 2017, but his experience spans IoT, VoIP, and highly available systems for Internet Service Providers. He loves technology, is a big fan of ho... Show more

Billy “Issim” Ramsey is a multiplatform artist, entrepreneur and activist that utilizes arts experiences to catalyze and unify "the village". African-rooted step, acting, directing, hosting/MC, spoken word performance, workshop development and implementation, radio production, vocal and instrumental performer are the several roles Ramsey plays.

Billy is the co-founder and artistic director of Arizona Talking Drum Performance Studio Network, co-founder and artistic director for BlackPoet Ventures, LLC. He holds a Bachelors of Communications/Public Relations from University of Michigan-Dearborn and a lifelong learner in the art of life. He is the owner of newly founded B Spoke Consults, a creative consultation company.

Issim was introduced to early performance opportunities beginning at the age of 10 as a drummer for Phoenix based gospel group The Mighty Voices of Wonder and continued to find spaces for opportunities that have stretched over three decades. HIs ability to segue between local artist and international acts and individuals has blessed him to share stages and spaces with Stevie Wonder, Erika Badu, Musiq Soulchild, Rodney”Darkchild” Jerkins, Father MC, Sistah Souljah, Daniel Bernard Romain, Taalam Acey, LL Cool J, Rosa Parks, Barbara Morrison, Marcus Belgrave, Myron Glasper and others

The art of village building and people bridging has been one of the most unique and rewarding experiences fostering the intention of service to communities and families, including his own 12 children, many of whom are also practitioners and lovers of the arts.

He has worked with organizations such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Phoenix Union High School District, State of Arizona, Maricopa Youth Advocacy Program, City of Phoenix, City of Glendale, Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts, AZ MLK Organizing Committee and a list of others.

Billy came to the Fathers and Families Coalition of America in the midst of life trials as the father in need of resources, networks and guidance. He found his way into the work shortly after his introduction as a facilitator, consultant and art maker, bringing awareness to topic matter by involving participants in scripting and producing original theatrical productions where they learned new skill sets of acting and production as well as new ways of expression and creation. Beyond doing, they found their sacred space to share and BE.

He has returned to FFCA Conferences over the years as a presenter, facilitator, artist and attendee.

Most recent works are in the area of Trauma Informed Practices, where he and cohorts have developed and utilized CELEBRATION CIRCLES, to inform participants of all ages about the triggers and onsets of trauma, the biological effects and signs, but most importantly building communities of awareness and resilience.

Billy “Issim” Ramsey is a multiplatform artist, entrepreneur and activist that utilizes arts experiences to catalyze and unify "the village". African-rooted step, acting, directing, hosting/MC, spoken word performance, workshop development and imple... Show more

Christian Crumlish is Director of Product at Kind and was Director of the Product Chapter at the late, lamented 18F. He brings over two decades of experience in UX design, product management, and information architecture to the challenge of building ethical AI systems.

At Kind, Christian defines the product and UX practices, leads a project for VA.gov, improving the online experience for veterans submitting and tracking disability benefits reviews, and explores the possibilities of AI-enhances product management practices.

At 18F, Christian worked on federal digital services including the launch of ClimateCorps.gov and passport modernization efforts for Consular Affairs at the State Department, learning how to navigate complex stakeholder interests while keeping user needs central. This public service perspective informs his conviction that AI systems should be built for human flourishing, not just engagement metrics.

At 7 Cups, Christian lead product development for chat-based mental health and peer support platforms, where the intersection of technology and human welfare wasn’t theoretical—it was the core challenge of every product decision.

This experience shapes his approach to AI development: technology should amplify human capability without replacing human judgment, strengthen systems without creating dependencies, and maintain professional boundaries even when business metrics might reward boundary violations.

Christian is author of “Product Management for UX People” and has been a regular speaker at IA Summit/IAC conferences for nearly two decade. His writing combines technical depth with accessible explanation—a skill honed through years of translating between engineers, designers, and business stakeholders.

Currently, Christian is building Piper Morgan, a product management AI assistant designed with ethics-first architecture. This project demonstrates that privacy-preserving AI isn’t just theoretically possible but empirically validated—achieving 80.3% clustering accuracy using only metadata relationships, with zero content analysis required.

His “Building Piper Morgan” blog series documents this work in public, sharing both successes and methodology. The approach emphasizes systematic engineering over good intentions, architectural enforcement over policy guidelines, and information architecture principles as essential tools for AI safety.

Christian’s work sits at the intersection of product management, information architecture, and ethical AI development—proving that human-centered design principles scale to AI systems when properly architected into the information structure itself.

In his copious spare time he writes and records music with his band, Layers of Meta, and released a debut album in 2025 called No One Does it Solo Only.

Christian Crumlish is Director of Product at Kind and was Director of the Product Chapter at the late, lamented 18F. He brings over two decades of experience in UX design, product management, and information architecture to the challenge of building ... Show more

Micaela's dream is to make the world better by building organizational cultures of compassion, kindness and empathy. She is an engaging and adept Storyteller and uses her professional and personal experiences to inspire others with a pragmatic approach to solving problems. She educates, guides, influences and instructs individual leaders and teams on how to get organized and get moving.

Micaela is driven by her innate curiosity to understand how people think, learn and make decisions in large organizations. Her approach to transformation is both pragmatic and philosophical, focused on infusing a knowledge sharing, servant leader-based culture into community ecosystems of expert builders, makers and innovators. She has learned that organizational and cultural transformations succeed with servant leaders who, instead of dictating behavior, enable and incentivize teams to openly collaborate, communicate, make hard choices, 'think' not 'do' and build community cultures of compassion, kindness and empathy.

Micaela's dream is to make the world better by building organizational cultures of compassion, kindness and empathy. She is an engaging and adept Storyteller and uses her professional and personal experiences to inspire others with a pragmatic approa... Show more

I'm Alice Nedosekina, a product and design leader who accidentally stumbled into product design from a financial analyst role - and it turned out to be the best detour of my career.

My background in economics and data analysis gave me something most designers don't have: I can read a P&L, understand technical constraints, and build a business case as easily as I can sketch an interface. This weird combination has been my secret weapon for 13+ years, helping me design experiences that actually ship and deliver results.

I've worked across the spectrum - from launching a challenger bank from scratch (70% waitlist conversion) to scaling design systems across 5+ product lines at a global fintech. I've designed for millions of users across 20+ countries, led teams of up to 6 designers, and worked with everyone from C-suite executives to engineers in the trenches.

What gets me excited? Complex problems. Give me cross-border payments, blockchain platforms, or regulatory constraints, and I'm energised. I love finding the elegant solution that balances what users want, what technology can deliver, and what makes business sense.

I've delivered measurable impact: 7-17% increases in conversion rates, 50% faster sales cycles, 13% jumps in digital adoption. But beyond the numbers, I'm proud of building teams, mentoring designers, and establishing design operations that help companies scale.
Currently, I'm Head of UX at R3, working on enterprise blockchain and CBDC platforms that are reshaping how institutions think about digital currency. Before this, I spent 2+ years at Nium leading design across international markets, launched a neobank, worked with Standard Chartered's innovation lab, and led digital transformation for ODEON Cinemas.

I also spent three years at an agency working with clients like Sony, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, and BDO - which taught me how to quickly understand different business models and deliver quality under pressure.

I'm technical enough to understand front-end constraints (I can code in HTML/CSS/React when needed), research-driven (34 user studies at Nium alone), and early to adopt new tools (been using AI in design workflows since before it was trendy).

Based in the UK and always interested in opportunities where I can build something meaningful, lead great teams, and solve problems that actually matter.

I'm Alice Nedosekina, a product and design leader who accidentally stumbled into product design from a financial analyst role - and it turned out to be the best detour of my career. My background in economics and data analysis gave me something mo... Show more

Jason Prunty is a senior AI product leader with 15+ years developing enterprise solutions across fintech, wealth management, and SaaS. As Founder of WithSocialAI, he builds AI-powered collaboration products that enhance team productivity.

Jason taught advanced UX design at Thomas Jefferson University (2015-2018) and serves as Board VP at Fleisher Art Memorial. He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering (Rochester), Architecture (CUNY), and Fine Arts (SVA).

Through Designing Intelligence, he explores why the most powerful AI systems enhance human judgment rather than replace it.

Jason Prunty is a senior AI product leader with 15+ years developing enterprise solutions across fintech, wealth management, and SaaS. As Founder of WithSocialAI, he builds AI-powered collaboration products that enhance team productivity. Jason ta... Show more

Norman Badger has dedicated more than thirty years to building a career with Publix, the employee-owned grocery company in the United States. His professional journey reflects a commitment to steady growth and a focus on leadership. From his early days working in hourly positions to advancing into senior leadership, he has consistently shown dedication to his work and the people around him. Today, he serves as Senior Vice President of Retail Operations, where he oversees the company’s stores and ensures that operational and service standards are maintained across the retail network.

Publix operates more than 1,400 stores in eight southeastern states, with the majority located in Florida, as well as in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. His career with the company began in 1995 as a front-service clerk in Aiken, South Carolina. After holding several hourly roles, he became a store manager in 2007, where he was responsible for budgets, staffing, customer service, and merchandising. In 2014, he was promoted to District Manager, overseeing multiple stores, guiding managers, and ensuring company policies were followed. By 2017, he was named Regional Director, where he managed several districts and focused on long-term planning, growth, and leadership development.

In 2020, Norman Badger, Publix, was promoted to Vice President of Product Business Development for the Bakery and Meat departments. In this role, he led efforts to expand product lines, strengthen supplier relationships, negotiate agreements, and improve merchandising and supply chain processes. His work focused on aligning customer needs with company goals. In 2024, he was promoted again to Senior Vice President of Retail Operations, where he continues to oversee store operations across all regions. His leadership encompasses supporting teams, driving operational consistency, and contributing to the company's long-term direction. He values the people he works with and is grateful for the opportunities he has received throughout his career.

He was born in Jacksonville, FL, and married his high school sweetheart in 2001. They have a son and have lived in several cities, including Atlanta, Charleston, and Raleigh, before moving back to Florida. Family is an integral part of his life, and they enjoy traveling and spending time together. Sports are another meaningful part of his personal life. He and his son are fans of the Steelers and Penn State, and they attend games every season as part of a tradition that strengthens their bond. In 2023, they traveled to Glendale, Arizona, to watch the Kansas City Chiefs play the Eagles, an experience they both enjoyed. His son plays JV football in several positions and also participates in basketball. Watching him compete brings pride, and over time, he has collected keepsakes from their trips, each one representing a cherished memory of their shared experiences.

Norman Badger of Florida values both his professional achievements and his personal life, striking a balance between leadership responsibilities and the meaningful time he shares with his family.

Norman Badger has dedicated more than thirty years to building a career with Publix, the employee-owned grocery company in the United States. His professional journey reflects a commitment to steady growth and a focus on leadership. From his early da... Show more

Chris is an experienced nonprofit professional who has spent the last 15 years as a dedicated educator, network builder, and advocate for non-profit organizations. Chris is currently the Head of Programs at the Interledger Foundation. He oversees all aspects of the programatic activity of the foundation.

Chris is an experienced nonprofit professional who has spent the last 15 years as a dedicated educator, network builder, and advocate for non-profit organizations. Chris is currently the Head of Programs at the Interledger Foundation. He oversees all... Show more

Dax Pandhi is the creator of Gaea, the industry’s leading terrain design platform, used by major film and game studios, as well as scientific institutions like NASA, to craft hyper-realistic landscapes for AAA games, VFX, virtual production, and scientific research.

As the co-founder of QuadSpinner and its Chief Software Architect, Dax has led his team in pioneering geological simulation, erosion modeling, and terrain generation, redefining how digital worlds are built.

Previously, he worked as an environment artist on projects such as Call of Duty: Ghosts, Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome, and an unreleased God of War title. He is a former Microsoft MVP for WPF.

Dax frequently speaks at industry events such as SIGGRAPH, EUE, Mundos Digitales, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He also shares insights on QuadSpinner’s YouTube channel, where his past work in environment design education remains available. Currently, he divides his time between leading Gaea’s development across three continents and advancing wildlife conservation efforts.

Dax Pandhi is the creator of Gaea, the industry’s leading terrain design platform, used by major film and game studios, as well as scientific institutions like NASA, to craft hyper-realistic landscapes for AAA games, VFX, virtual production, and scie... Show more

Opher is a multidisciplinary creator, with expertise spanning web development, design, music, and game development.

He currently leads development as principal engineer at Hud.io, imbuing magic into the field of development tools and observability. Previously, as director of technical innovation and creative developer at Eko, Opher worked at the intersection of art and technology, collaborating with development teams as well as design, art, and film-making teams to redefine interactive media on the web. His notable work includes open source projects like react-animation-orchestrator, Lance JS multiplayer server and the VR film Broken Night, which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival in NYC.

Opher is a multidisciplinary creator, with expertise spanning web development, design, music, and game development. He currently leads development as principal engineer at Hud.io, imbuing magic into the field of development tools and observability... Show more

I am a recent graduate in Product Design from the Institute of Design, Nirma University (IDNU). With a passion for stories and reading, I naturally gravitate towards deep research and exploration in my design process. To me, every object tells a story—reflecting time, mood, and human behavior. I view design as a narrative: it begins with a thought, develops like a storyline, and eventually becomes part of something larger, shaping experiences and connections.

I am a recent graduate in Product Design from the Institute of Design, Nirma University (IDNU). With a passion for stories and reading, I naturally gravitate towards deep research and exploration in my design process. To me, every object tells a stor... Show more

Tin (Martin Salias) es artista y forma parte del colectivo Lagar.

Lleva más de 40 años desarrollando software y ha trabajado en proyectos a lo largo de América, Australia y Europa, para organizaciones tan variadas como las Naciones Unidas o Microsoft Corp. Ha desarrollado en diversas plataformas y lenguajes como Assembler, C/C++, Java, .NET, Cobol, Fortran, Python y Ruby. 

Es Certified Trainer de Scrum Alliance, y dedica gran parte de su tiempo a iniciativas sociales como Proyecto Nahual.

Tin (Martin Salias) es artista y forma parte del colectivo Lagar. Lleva más de 40 años desarrollando software y ha trabajado en proyectos a lo largo de América, Australia y Europa, para organizaciones tan variadas como las Naciones Unidas o Micros... Show more