Schalk is a product design and engineering consultant working on various personal, commercial, and open-source projects. He usually finds himself at the intersection of interaction design and software engineering, having done contract work for National Treasury, The Google Foundation, The Coca Cola Company, Replit, and various others. He has lectured in a senior capacity at the Academy of Digital Arts, Open Window, University of Pretoria and co-created the Interaction Design degree at Cape Town Creative Academy. He also co-founded, and currently serves as administrative director, of Frontend Engineering and Design South Africa (FEDSA).

Schalk is a product design and engineering consultant working on various personal, commercial, and open-source projects. He usually finds himself at the intersection of interaction design and software engineering, having done contract work for Nation... Show more

Full stack developer disguised as Frontend Dev. I build things for fun.

Full stack developer disguised as Frontend Dev. I build things for fun. Show more

Ex-influencer de viajes. Empresario. Nerd.

Durante años, cuando me presentaba ante un desconocido, siempre me decían, ¡qué envidia! Era influencer de viajes, me invitaban e incluso pagaban por viajar. Ahora, cuando digo que soy empersario, se quedan callados y cambian de tema. Como soy un vago, me fascina todo lo que puede hacernos la vida más sencilla, como la tecnología y los negocios. La inteligencia artificial es un gran juguete para producir, pésimo para vender.

Lo mio es disfrutar de la vida. Perdí el miedo la primera vez que mi padre me llevó a juicio. Con ese golpe, fui aprendiendo que lo único que me da sentido es disfrutar y hacer que otros disfruten con la vida, con los viajes. Con los negocios, también. El esfuerzo es obvio que es necesario. El sufrimiento, opcional. Ahora mismo creo y sé que vivimos en el mejor momento de la humanidad.

Cualquiera espabilado puede tener un negocio digital que le de la vida que quiere tener. Yo lo he conseguido. Decenas de clientes también. Quizás tú quieras este camino de vida.

¿Jugamos?

Ex-influencer de viajes. Empresario. Nerd. Durante años, cuando me presentaba ante un desconocido, siempre me decían, ¡qué envidia! Era influencer de viajes, me invitaban e incluso pagaban por viajar. Ahora, cuando digo que soy empersario, se qued... Show more

Fran Ayala is a London-based brand strategist, PR consultant, speaker, comedian and founder of Bitches in Stitches, a global all-femme/them comedy collective featured in Vogue, Rolling Stone and Tatler.

Her work sits at the intersection of storytelling, visibility, power and community. Through FranBrands, she helps founders, creatives and underrepresented voices build brands people understand, remember and recommend — without sanding off their personality to be taken seriously.

Fran has built campaigns for global brands including Microsoft, SAP, Singapore Airlines and HSBC, and speaks on personal branding, confidence, visibility, self-promotion and the courage to be disliked.

Her signature keynote, Dare to Be Disliked, helps women recognise when they’re shrinking for acceptance, reframe backlash and take up space with more clarity, authority and courage.

Fran Ayala is a London-based brand strategist, PR consultant, speaker, comedian and founder of Bitches in Stitches, a global all-femme/them comedy collective featured in Vogue, Rolling Stone and Tatler. Her work sits at the intersection of storyte... Show more

Kewir Jewel is a full-stack developer passionate about building web applications that solve real-world problems. He works with React, Node.js, PHP, Django, and APIs, and enjoys turning ideas and designs into functional, user-focused products. He is also exploring Generative AI and AI agents while continuously developing his technical skills. Jewel is passionate about learning, collaboration, and sharing knowledge with other developers, with a strong interest in using technology to create meaningful impact in Africa.

Kewir Jewel is a full-stack developer passionate about building web applications that solve real-world problems. He works with React, Node.js, PHP, Django, and APIs, and enjoys turning ideas and designs into functional, user-focused products. He is a... Show more

Parth Jansari is a full-stack developer known for his lighthearted approach to growth—often joking that he tries to act mature but ends up creating exciting and visually striking projects. Specializing in front-end development, Parth blends creativity and technical expertise, particularly in Flutter and Angular. As an organizer at GDG Gandhinagar, he also plays an active role in the tech community, sharing his knowledge and passion for building beautiful front-end apps​

Parth Jansari is a full-stack developer known for his lighthearted approach to growth—often joking that he tries to act mature but ends up creating exciting and visually striking projects. Specializing in front-end development, Parth blends creativit... Show more

Mai-Linh K. Hong is a poet and literary scholar whose work explores how refugees know, navigate, and creatively re-imagine their worlds. Her debut poetry collection, CONTINENTAL DRIFT, won the 2025 Trio Award and will be published by Trio House Press in July 2026. Her current research,"Perilous Telling: Story in the Shadow of the Refugee Regime," theorizes refugee storytelling as knowledge-making under global duress. Dr. Hong's articles and essays on Asian American literature, refugees, race, and human rights appear in Amerasia, Verge, MELUS, Law, Culture, and Humanities, and other journals and edited volumes. She is coeditor and coauthor of THE AUNTIE SEWING SQUAD GUIDE TO MASK MAKING, RADICAL CARE, AND RACIAL JUSTICE (U. of Calif. Press, 2021). Dr. Hong's research has been supported by fellowships from ACLS, AAUW, and the Institute of Citizens & Scholars; her poetry, by Voices of Our Nation, Tin House, and the Vermont Studio Center. She is Assistant Professor of Literature at the University of California, Merced.

Mai-Linh K. Hong is a poet and literary scholar whose work explores how refugees know, navigate, and creatively re-imagine their worlds. Her debut poetry collection, CONTINENTAL DRIFT, won the 2025 Trio Award and will be published by Trio House Press... Show more

Franka Blažić, rođena 1995. u Rijeci, autorica, novinarka i kulturologinja.

Franka Blažić, rođena 1995. u Rijeci, autorica, novinarka i kulturologinja. Show more

Toby Brandenburg - Problem Solver.
Son of Adelaide based father-son founding team of the Electric Air Shipping project.
Creator of the VS/VE maths and design framework for cargo airships. Designer of The Sunship, the world's first sustainable, ultra-heavy lift cargo airship.
Vibe-coder of the EAS Fleet Calculator software.
Former music tutor, creative and performing musician, also former youth worker in remote outback Australian communities.

Toby Brandenburg - Problem Solver. Son of Adelaide based father-son founding team of the Electric Air Shipping project. Creator of the VS/VE maths and design framework for cargo airships. Designer of The Sunship, the world's first sustainable, ultr... 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

Khalid Musa Ahmad is a Nigerian photojournalist, visual storyteller, poet, and communications professional passionate about using technology to amplify human stories and create social impact.

He is the founder of Kx Core, a creative platform focused on visual storytelling, and BAE Book Club, a community that promotes reading, critical thinking, and meaningful conversations among young people.

As the Communications Officer at Havard Hub, Khalid has documented development programmes, humanitarian interventions, governance initiatives, youth empowerment projects, and public health campaigns across Nigeria. His work combines photography, writing, multimedia storytelling, and emerging technologies to make complex issues more accessible and engaging.

Beyond journalism, Khalid is a visual artist who specializes in charcoal portraiture and an advocate for lifelong learning. He is currently expanding his expertise in AI, digital tools, cybersecurity, and user experience design through continuous professional development, with a growing interest in how technology can strengthen journalism, digital verification, and creative communication.

Through his work, Khalid hopes to inspire more young Africans to use creativity, ethical technology, and compelling storytelling to solve problems, build communities, and shape a better future.

Khalid Musa Ahmad is a Nigerian photojournalist, visual storyteller, poet, and communications professional passionate about using technology to amplify human stories and create social impact. He is the founder of Kx Core, a creative platform focu... Show more

Adam is a versatile software engineer and pragmatic problem solver known for translating complex technical concepts into clear, actionable ideas. With a technology-agnostic approach spanning multiple languages and paradigms, Adam specializes in selecting the best tools for the job and adapting rapidly to new project constraints. Thorough, adaptable, and passionate about continuous learning, Adam brings real-world insights on software architecture, team collaboration, and pragmatic tool selection to the stage.

Adam is a versatile software engineer and pragmatic problem solver known for translating complex technical concepts into clear, actionable ideas. With a technology-agnostic approach spanning multiple languages and paradigms, Adam specializes in selec... Show more

Over 15 years of experience in data analytics and data platforms, with a passion for building AI-powered assistant products for manufacturing plants. Focused on delivering scalable, cost-effective solutions that solve complex operational problems and drive real business impact. Guided by curiosity, practicality, and economic feasibility.

Over 15 years of experience in data analytics and data platforms, with a passion for building AI-powered assistant products for manufacturing plants. Focused on delivering scalable, cost-effective solutions that solve complex operational problems and... Show more

Raquel Langworthy is a professional interiors and architecture photographer serving New Jersey, New York, and surrounding regions. She specializes in capturing luxury interiors, architectural design, and lifestyle spaces with a strong focus on natural light and storytelling. Her approach combines editorial styling with technical precision, resulting in imagery that highlights both detail and atmosphere. Raquel works closely with designers, architects, and brands to create authentic visual narratives that reflect each project’s unique identity. Her photography has been widely published in major outlets, establishing her as a trusted creative partner in high-end interior and architectural photography throughout the Tri-State area.

Raquel Langworthy is a professional interiors and architecture photographer serving New Jersey, New York, and surrounding regions. She specializes in capturing luxury interiors, architectural design, and lifestyle spaces with a strong focus on natura... Show more

Magnus Stahre is a software craftsman doing application development for three decades.

He is currently a Staff Software Engineer at Torc Robotics where he works on the simulation team.

Magnus Stahre is a software craftsman doing application development for three decades. He is currently a Staff Software Engineer at Torc Robotics where he works on the simulation team. 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

In over 25 years of creative leadership in branding and marketing, Adam has discovered that the most powerful form of connection, communication, and persuasion is also the oldest—great storytelling. With rich support from neuroscientists, psychologists, and behavioral economists, he shows audiences why that is, and how they can use it to their advantage.

Best of all, the insights in Adam’s keynotes explain phenomena that many people sense are true without knowing why. Armed with the tools, research, and empathy Adam brings to the stage, they emerge as more confident communicators in their personal and professional lives.

Based in Rhode Island, Adam has earned rave reviews by audiences from Boston to Borneo. And with the rise of AI, Adam is determined to empower as many people as possible to become compelling, connection-building storytellers.

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In this high-energy, aha-moment-filled keynote, you’ll learn why stories have such a powerful hold on us, how they work, the transformative effect storytelling can have on your business, and how to do it.

Here are just a few of the benefits you can enjoy immediately:
- Unparalleled ROI
- Increased sales and fundraising revenue
- Greater productivity
- Higher retention
- …and much, much more

Learn more at https://www.rustleandspark.com/story

In over 25 years of creative leadership in branding and marketing, Adam has discovered that the most powerful form of connection, communication, and persuasion is also the oldest—great storytelling. With rich support from neuroscientists, psychologi... Show more

Aaron J. Cunningham is a Berlin-based Lead Creative Technologist and specializing in playable browser-based 3D worlds. He built Spirit Realm, a multiplayer Three.js metaverse with automatic BVH colliders, an art gallery, live chat, and NFT minting, showcased at NFT NYC. His work spans Three.js, immersive websites, Web3, and full-stack development. He turns ambitious visual ideas into polished interactive experiences.

Aaron J. Cunningham is a Berlin-based Lead Creative Technologist and specializing in playable browser-based 3D worlds. He built Spirit Realm, a multiplayer Three.js metaverse with automatic BVH colliders, an art gallery, live chat, and NFT minting,... Show more

Traci Saulsberry is a senior communications executive, leadership coach, and writer. At twenty-seven, she became one of the youngest Black executives at NBC, where she spent fourteen years shaping narratives at the highest levels of entertainment. She later built and led the communications team at Peacock, managing a team of more than thirty people during the platform’s launch and growth.

She is currently a host and narrator for Calm, the world’s leading meditation and sleep app, where she guides original series including Workplace Wellbeing, Professional Growth, and Processing World Events, designed to help audiences navigate life with clarity and care.

As a leadership coach, keynote speaker, and learning facilitator, Saulsberry works with early-career professionals, executives, and business owners, with a focus on helping individuals find and own their voice—particularly while navigating spaces where they are underrepresented. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, where she teaches entertainment publicity.

Traci Saulsberry is a senior communications executive, leadership coach, and writer. At twenty-seven, she became one of the youngest Black executives at NBC, where she spent fourteen years shaping narratives at the highest levels of entertainment. Sh... Show more

James Epale is the Co-Founder and CTO of Nairobi Space of Artificial Intelligence Tools (NSAIT), where he works on practical AI solutions and initiatives that make artificial-intelligence tools more accessible to young African builders.

He is an AI solutions architect and full-stack software developer with experience creating applied software and automation systems. James was part of the team that built Ongea Pesa, a voice-first payment prototype designed to make digital transactions simpler and more accessible. His work focuses on turning emerging AI capabilities into useful systems while addressing the engineering, reliability, and accessibility challenges that arise when AI interacts with real-world workflows.

James Epale is the Co-Founder and CTO of Nairobi Space of Artificial Intelligence Tools (NSAIT), where he works on practical AI solutions and initiatives that make artificial-intelligence tools more accessible to young African builders. He is an A... Show more

Tatyana Arrington is an entertainment journalist, TV host, and founder of What The Film, a film and pop culture platform reaching millions of viewers each month. With more than seven years of experience covering entertainment, she has interviewed talent including Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Keke Palmer, Edward Norton, and Tessa Thompson, and has appeared across platforms including BBC News, NewsNation, Yahoo Entertainment, and more. Her work blends celebrity interviews, cultural commentary, red carpet coverage, and personality driven storytelling designed to make audiences feel closer to the moments shaping entertainment.

Tatyana Arrington is an entertainment journalist, TV host, and founder of What The Film, a film and pop culture platform reaching millions of viewers each month. With more than seven years of experience covering entertainment, she has interviewed tal... Show more

Throughout my career, I have held roles as a Software Engineer, System Engineer, System Analyst, Project Manager, Product Manager, Scrum Master, Front-end Manager, and Film Director. Currently, I am leveraging my expertise to lead software development, drive innovation, and introduce new front-end technology at PAIA Corp. My experience in multimedia integration and cross-functional collaboration has equipped me with valuable skills to effectively mentor and inspire the team, providing young engineers with guidance and hope for their future careers.

Throughout my career, I have held roles as a Software Engineer, System Engineer, System Analyst, Project Manager, Product Manager, Scrum Master, Front-end Manager, and Film Director. Currently, I am leveraging my expertise to lead software developmen... Show more

Menna Khaled, known also as M.K Ramadan, is an Egyptian mechanical engineer, author, Wikimedian, African Wiki Women Initiative ambassador, and researcher at Ain Shams University in Cairo. She is also a volunteer member at Africa Diaspora Network for Builders of Africa's Future 2026 (BAF) program.

Menna Khaled, known also as M.K Ramadan, is an Egyptian mechanical engineer, author, Wikimedian, African Wiki Women Initiative ambassador, and researcher at Ain Shams University in Cairo. She is also a volunteer member at Africa Diaspora Network for... Show more

Steven Goodwin (London, England) has been involved in computing, science, and technology from an early age, building his first synthesizer while still in his teens.

As a systems architect he's designed and built global systems for Unilever, Playfish, and Third Space Learning using a wide range of languages and technologies. He's also highly experienced on the small scale, with work on the iPhone, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi, as well as running teams of between 1 and 30 people.

His position as an industry thought leader in technology implementations includes being a mentor at ed-invent, a start-up consultant, and a futurist. He has given talks around the world on topics as diverse as home automation, HTML5, game development, and quantum superpositions.

Steven Goodwin (London, England) has been involved in computing, science, and technology from an early age, building his first synthesizer while still in his teens. As a systems architect he's designed and built global systems for Unilever, Playfi... Show more

Contributor within the 𝗔𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺, author of the first native 𝗖++ 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁, and contributor to the official
𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿.

Professionally, I build and operate cloud-native data and AI platforms with an emphasis on automation, evaluation, observability, performance, and reliability.

Contributor within the 𝗔𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺, author of the first native 𝗖++ 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁, and contributor to the official 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿. Professionally, I build and operate cloud-na... Show more

Justin Bookey is a former lawyer, an award-winning marketing strategist, and global ping pong player. In his talks and workshops, he guides leaders and teams to maximize their chances for business success, through fun, interactive, and practical lessons.

Justin has learned from some of the best and brightest in several industries while working with leaders at Disney, Sony, Honda, Qualcomm, XPRIZE, and more. After practicing communications law for several years in Washington, DC, he transitioned to web content development. He’s earned Emmy nominations for feature documentaries he produced, and Telly, Viddy, and ADDY awards for digital marketing campaigns he spearheaded.

Upon moving to LA, Justin stepped up his training with Olympian and world-class table tennis coach Wei Wang. His efforts with her and other national/world champions helped him win medals at the US Open. He learned different leadership cultures while studying in India and teaching in Japan, and has played table tennis on seven continents.

He grew up in Seattle, Washington, and now lives and works in Santa Monica, California, where he also runs PongFit, a nonprofit that builds fitness and community through ping pong.

Justin Bookey is a former lawyer, an award-winning marketing strategist, and global ping pong player. In his talks and workshops, he guides leaders and teams to maximize their chances for business success, through fun, interactive, and practical less... Show more

Viktor Viljac founded Udruga Neutroni in 2021 with four schoolmates, all
of them between 14 and 18 at the time. He builds digital products for
organizations that work with young people, and free tools for students.
The most recent is Bodomat, a calculator that works out eligibility
scores for student housing in Croatia across more than 280 parameters.

Viktor Viljac founded Udruga Neutroni in 2021 with four schoolmates, all of them between 14 and 18 at the time. He builds digital products for organizations that work with young people, and free tools for students. The most recent is Bodomat, a ca... Show more

Software engineer at Enpal!

Software engineer at Enpal! Show more

Davide is a software developer, with a strong interest in games as tools for learning, experimentation, and community building. Over the years, he has collaborated on board games, urban games, and game-related events, often working alongside people who "do this for real". His journey with Game Jams started as a participant and naturally evolved into taking organizational roles, after countless Jams experienced both on-site and online. What began with curiosity during his first hackathon in 2017 quickly turned into an ongoing exploration of how constraints, play, and imperfect environments can spark creativity. Davide enjoys mixing structure with chaos, serious problem-solving with playful experimentation. When he's not developing or designing games, he is part of an improvisational theatre troupe, an experience that strongly influences how he approaches collaboration, facilitation, and embracing the unexpected.

Davide is a software developer, with a strong interest in games as tools for learning, experimentation, and community building. Over the years, he has collaborated on board games, urban games, and game-related events, often working alongside people w... Show more

Ramsey Elkholy is a guitarist, producer, songwriter, and anthropologist who founded the indietronica collective Monotronic in 2016. He conceived the project as a communal platform where instruments interweave into a single expressive force. Rather than spotlighting individual virtuosity, he emphasizes shared intention and group chemistry, encouraging collaborators to shape each track with their own textures, instincts, and creative voice.

Elkholy’s parallel career in anthropology informs that philosophy. He earned a PhD and authored Being and Becoming: Embodiment and Experience Among the Orang Rimba of Sumatra, a study of rainforest foragers in Indonesia. His research explored how identity, environment, and daily practice intertwine. That perspective carries into his music, where rhythm and atmosphere reflect lived experience and collective awareness.

Travel has also played a defining role in his artistic development. After spending three years backpacking across Asia and beyond, studying Indian music in Calcutta, and completing two years of fieldwork in Sumatra, Ramsey Elkholy Monotronic developed a deep sensitivity to polyrhythm and texture. He has described the rainforest at night as a vast, layered symphony. Raised in New York and now based in Los Angeles, he works from a home garage studio.

Monotronic’s 2026 album Waiting for You represents a significant chapter in the collective’s growth. The record features acclaimed bassist Mohini Dey on Close Enough and legendary drummer Omar Hakim throughout the project. Several accompanying videos, including Looking Away and Everything Moves, premiered at number one on VEVO, expanding the band’s reach and visual identity.

The album blends indie rock, pop, and electronic elements into a cohesive, cinematic sound marked by reflective lyrics and polished production. Everything Moves unfolds in a high-energy escape room setting, while Kettle Song pairs dynamic choreography with striking imagery. Many of the songs were written during time spent in Tulum, where coastal landscapes shaped the album’s contemplative mood.

Since releasing their self-titled debut in 2019, Monotronic has earned praise from outlets such as Rolling Stone and Relix. A rotating roster of accomplished musicians has contributed to the project, many of whom have ties to major artists across genres. Singles including Kids of Summer and In Between have drawn a strong critical response, reinforcing Elkholy’s reputation for genre-fluid songwriting and immersive sound design.

Ramsey Elkholy is a guitarist, producer, songwriter, and anthropologist who founded the indietronica collective Monotronic in 2016. He conceived the project as a communal platform where instruments interweave into a single expressive force. Rather th... Show more