As the Founder and CEO of The Designers Group, Blima Ehrentreu combines her creativity and talent to reform the design industry. Her passion for empowering women, giving back to the community, and championing women in the workforce earned her a spot on Globest’s Women of Influence in 2020 & 2022.
The Designers Group’s diverse project portfolio spans the residential and commercial sectors, and Inc. Magazine ranked The Designers Group no.15 among the top fastest-growing private companies in the New York Metro Area in 2021. As a key industry leader, The Designers Group is at the forefront of cutting-edge interior design, specializing in high-end interior spaces for commercial, residential, and healthcare portfolios.
Blima has launched a number of programs to support the brand’s impact-driven ethos, including, TDG Gives Back, a pro-bono offering that provides design services to nonprofits and charities, TDG Furniture Exchange, a furniture exchange charity program which matches those in need of furniture with donors who have furniture to give, currently this program operates in three countries and over eight cities, and most recently, TDG Insider, an internship initiative that immerses young, aspiring designers into the field through a thoughtfully-curated shadowing program.

As the Founder and CEO of The Designers Group, Blima Ehrentreu combines her creativity and talent to reform the design industry. Her passion for empowering women, giving back to the community, and championing women in the workforce earned her a spot ... Show more

Brett Scott is a journalist, campaigner, monetary anthropologist and former financial broker. He is the author of Cloudmoney: Cash, Cards, Crypto and the War for our Wallets (Penguin: 2022), and The Heretic's Guide to Global Finance (Pluto Press: 2013). He publishes the Altered States of Monetary Consciousness newsletter and tweets as @suitpossum

Brett Scott is a journalist, campaigner, monetary anthropologist and former financial broker. He is the author of Cloudmoney: Cash, Cards, Crypto and the War for our Wallets (Penguin: 2022), and The Heretic's Guide to Global Finance (Pluto Press: 201... Show more

Michael Carducci is an independent, hands-on software architect with a reputation for doing the impossible. His 25 years of industry experience includes over 15 years in architect roles including Chief Architect at startups and fortune 500 firms. Michael is also a sought-after speaker at conferences and events around the world.

In addition to his experience in the technology industry, Michael has earned equal recognition and renown as an award-winning professional magician and mentalist. This pursuit has earned him a unique perspective on problem-solving, human psychology, and communication.

When not on the road speaking, coding, or performing; Michael can be found exploring the mountains of Colorado on two wheels, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, or deep underwater exploring shipwrecks and reefs.

Michael Carducci is an independent, hands-on software architect with a reputation for doing the impossible. His 25 years of industry experience includes over 15 years in architect roles including Chief Architect at startups and fortune 500 firms. Mic... Show more

I work as a director in the Value & Solution Engineering group for BMC Intelligent Z Optimization and Transformation. My team of Solution Engineers works with clients all over the world helping them realize their Developer Experience dreams, which feeds right into maximizing their ability to contribute to DevOps and a more agile mainframe experience. There is nothing more exciting than to have a client jump up and realize that they are not actually hindered by the platform, it is the assumptions about the platform that hold them back. Many people have stated that, after starting a DevOps journey, that they actually build and deploy code faster than their distributed partners, which is awesome to hear!

In my spare time, I have 4 adult children and a wife that is an accomplished stage and technical director. Between ballet, stage, and music, much of our time is taken up by the arts, but my wife and I have taken up off-roading in our lifted Jeep, so we can literally get away from it all and climb over big rocks, just because they are there. My technical passions outside of mainframe DevOps center around AI and Virtual Reality, because I do see a revolution coming in how we build, consume, and leverage the digital world.

I work as a director in the Value & Solution Engineering group for BMC Intelligent Z Optimization and Transformation. My team of Solution Engineers works with clients all over the world helping them realize their Developer Experience dreams, which fe... Show more

Passionate about telling stories through events and digital experiences.
I have developed strong skills, attention to detail and accurate expertise in 360 communication.

My “superpower” ? Definitely my artistic sensibility. This extra touch which allows me to listen and be curious enough to curate and promote creative minds worldwide.

Passionate about telling stories through events and digital experiences. I have developed strong skills, attention to detail and accurate expertise in 360 communication. My “superpower” ? Definitely my artistic sensibility. This extra touch which... Show more

LeQueen has been in the natural hair industry full time for two decades. She is a cosmetologist (Pivot Point Alumni) and barber, and specializes in all types of locs, curl sculpting and other natural styles. Recognizing the need for more advanced education in the loc field, she continuously works on bridging locs and cosmetology to improve understanding for her students.

LeQueen has been in the natural hair industry full time for two decades. She is a cosmetologist (Pivot Point Alumni) and barber, and specializes in all types of locs, curl sculpting and other natural styles. Recognizing the need for more advanced edu... Show more

I'm 38, Belgian, storyboarder who became sticker placer which went into production, made friends with prepress machines than opened up to structural design.

I'm 38, Belgian, storyboarder who became sticker placer which went into production, made friends with prepress machines than opened up to structural design. Show more

I am a self-taught designer who loves to experiment and play around with my designs. I love challenging designs that help me discover interesting insights and drive revenue.

I am a self-taught designer who loves to experiment and play around with my designs. I love challenging designs that help me discover interesting insights and drive revenue. Show more

Founder of the AllStarsWomen NFT Club and DAO initiative to help close the gender gap.

Board Member and Chief Metaverse officer at Verse Estate, hyper realistic metaverse.

Mentor at Brinc/Animoca Brands accelerator program empowering game changers in web3.

Beyond Inclusion Ambassador, XR Bootcamp supported by Meta.

Member of WomenTech Network that unites ‪100 000‬ Women in Tech to Foster Innovation with Purpose and member of Forbes Women Forum.

Founder of the AllStarsWomen NFT Club and DAO initiative to help close the gender gap. Board Member and Chief Metaverse officer at Verse Estate, hyper realistic metaverse. Mentor at Brinc/Animoca Brands accelerator program empowering game cha... Show more

Hey, I’m Octophina!

I’ve been smell-blind since I was a toddler. I’ve had an eating disorder and body dysmorphia since my dad’s first suicide attempt when I was 15. I’ve experienced multiple episodes of major depression since my early 20s. My mom struggled with depression on her own when I was a toddler and my dad has battled alcohol addiction for decades. I suffered a miscarriage, and lost a loved one to cancer.

After getting to the edge of suicide, I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and bipolar disorder in my early 30s.

But this isn’t my story.

Being creative empowers me to re-sculpt my identity, re-design my reality, and re-write my story.

In addition to being what today’s standards define as “mentally ill,” I’m also a trained journalist, smell-blind food designer and stylist with over a decade of experience in the international food space, certified Mind Body Eating coach by The Institute for the Psychology of Eating, TEDx speaker, and Forbes 30 under 30 social entrepreneur.

I sold the art I made while recovering from suicidal depression in 2021 as NFTs and the profits supported me for 6 months.

But my history doesn’t define my story. I do.

Creativity is my go-to tool for self-empowerment, which helps me practice self-care, clear out my mental cache, and process difficult emotions and experiences.

This is how I turn my pain into power and use my challenges as catalysts for growth.

Hey, I’m Octophina! I’ve been smell-blind since I was a toddler. I’ve had an eating disorder and body dysmorphia since my dad’s first suicide attempt when I was 15. I’ve experienced multiple episodes of major depression since my early 20s. My mom... Show more