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

As a developer with over twenty years of experience, I have fallen in love with Web3 from all perspectives. I have deployed contracts and created minting experiences for many clients while founding my collection. Besides being a web3 founder, I have also established La Barbería Webis, bridging the gap between Blockchain education and alpha to Spanish and English speakers.

As a developer with over twenty years of experience, I have fallen in love with Web3 from all perspectives. I have deployed contracts and created minting experiences for many clients while founding my collection. Besides being a web3 founder, I have ... Show more

Kelvin Denzel Miles aka Poison Peso De' Gretzsky was born in Brooklyn , NY , when my mom passed my grandparents thought it would be better for me to be raised in North Carolina. I was a great student and learned how to be a man from my grandfather. Art was always my thing and just being a creative person. Music was always my passion from singing in youth church to choir at school. Other than that is was athletics and education. My father was and still lives in brooklyn and i tell him little things about nfts all the time. NFTS changed and are changing my life. Co-Founder of United Realities "URL to the IRL"

Kelvin Denzel Miles aka Poison Peso De' Gretzsky was born in Brooklyn , NY , when my mom passed my grandparents thought it would be better for me to be raised in North Carolina. I was a great student and learned how to be a man from my grandfather. A... Show more

Jim Hernandez is an experienced NFT Project Manager dedicated to building strong teams and onboarding more people into Web3. With over 30 years in high-volume retail recruiting, luxury retail management, and personal styling, he brings a unique blend of expertise to the space.

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in the South Bronx, Jim has traveled extensively for work, including four years in Hawaii. Now based in Scottsdale, Arizona, he enjoys life with his wife and son while continuing to grow his NFT project and Web3 presence.

Jim Hernandez is an experienced NFT Project Manager dedicated to building strong teams and onboarding more people into Web3. With over 30 years in high-volume retail recruiting, luxury retail management, and personal styling, he brings a unique blend... Show more

Horacio Corral is a game translation professor with over 10 years of experience and the founder of Tacet Books, a publishing house with over 1,000 books published. Creator of the Supercourse on Game Translation, he has also participated in several editions of the LocJAMs, gaining practical experience in localization. Recently, he led the translation process for the game Portal do Triunfo, developed by the Sala Maker at Fatec Carapicuíba under the supervision of Professor Érika Caramello, managing a team of translators to adapt the game for an international audience. In addition, he teaches courses such as those at Faculdade LabPub, where he shares his expertise with students and professionals in the field.

Horacio Corral is a game translation professor with over 10 years of experience and the founder of Tacet Books, a publishing house with over 1,000 books published. Creator of the Supercourse on Game Translation, he has also participated in several ed... Show more

Jessica Ellis-Wilson, FACMPE, is the founder and principal of Practical Management & Leadership Consulting. Jessica also serves as Chair of the National Diversity Committee for American Mensa, Co-Chair for the Divisions of Practice Management and Compliance for the Nan Gallagher Law Group, Managing and Artistic Director of the WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company, and co-Managing Producer for Danu Pictures.

A Board-Certified Fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives and a Past President of Massachusetts/Rhode Island MGMA, Jessica has guided myriad organizations through periods of uncertainty and upheaval, collaborating with leadership teams to bring about transformative change. Jessica offers leadership consulting, executive coaching, organizational growth, and cultural transformation, with a special focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, as well as facilitating leadership development workshops and Board and Executive retreats.

Jessica is regularly invited to speak nationally on a variety of healthcare, leadership, and humanitarian topics.

Jessica Ellis-Wilson, FACMPE, is the founder and principal of Practical Management & Leadership Consulting. Jessica also serves as Chair of the National Diversity Committee for American Mensa, Co-Chair for the Divisions of Practice Management and Com... Show more

I have been coaching individuals, teams, emerging leaders and leaders, as well as product owners for the last seven years, the previous 20+ years I worked in the Software Industry in a wide variety of roles.

I also enjoy providing training, mentoring coaches, product owners and team members in Agile, Product Ownership, and Team Psychological Safety.

I have been coaching individuals, teams, emerging leaders and leaders, as well as product owners for the last seven years, the previous 20+ years I worked in the Software Industry in a wide variety of roles. I also enjoy providing training, mento... Show more

Logan is a meditation coach with a passion for helping individuals and organizations cultivate inner peace, focus, and well-being. His journey into mindfulness began with a personal health challenge that led him to explore meditation and its transformative power. Logan's diverse background includes working with renowned artist Tyler Hobbs, leading workshops for companies and schools, and facilitating meditation retreats. He brings a unique blend of mindfulness and creative expertise to his work, guiding clients towards a deeper understanding of themselves and their potential. Logan is committed to authenticity, collaboration, and excellence in all his endeavors.

Logan is a meditation coach with a passion for helping individuals and organizations cultivate inner peace, focus, and well-being. His journey into mindfulness began with a personal health challenge that led him to explore meditation and its transfor... Show more

With over 27 years of experience working at the intersection of technology, art, marketing, and business, I offer a comprehensive and sensible perspective on the impact of technological advancements in companies, people, and industries.

With over 27 years of experience working at the intersection of technology, art, marketing, and business, I offer a comprehensive and sensible perspective on the impact of technological advancements in companies, people, and industries. Show more

After 12 years in the hospitality industry Chandra took a leap of faith and pivoted to the tech sales industry as a Sales Development Rep/SDR for a tech startup. Within three years of tech sales experience, she has supercharged her career with rapid growth by trusting her authenticity. She is now an Enterprise seller for Microsoft that has developed a versatile skill set that combines the warmth and grit of hospitality, empathy, consultative challenger selling, hybrid teamwork, leadership, and innovation.

She has been recognized as a culture creator & shifter by companies like Marriott International & Outreach. She is passionate about authenticity, empathy and self-care. She is also a public speaker who enjoys sharing her insights and learnings with others. Her proudest work is being a mother to her 5-year-old son.

After 12 years in the hospitality industry Chandra took a leap of faith and pivoted to the tech sales industry as a Sales Development Rep/SDR for a tech startup. Within three years of tech sales experience, she has supercharged her career with rapid ... Show more

Tech for Nature

Tech for Nature Show more

Renée Dalo is a dynamic keynote speaker, educator, and coach who transforms how creative entrepreneurs approach their businesses and lives. Renowned for her approachable and intelligent style (with an extra dash of humor!), Renée combines real-world experience, actionable strategies, and a touch of inspiration to help her audiences thrive.

Renée’s speaking career spans over a decade, with seven consecutive years as a top-rated presenter at Wedding MBA, keynotes at events like NACE Evolve, and workshops at leading conferences such as The Special Event, Alt Summit, and Be Sage. Her ability to connect with audiences, provide real solutions, and make even complex topics accessible has made her one of the most sought-after voices in the wedding and events industry.

With over 13 years of experience as the founder of Moxie Bright Events, Renée knows firsthand the challenges faced by wedding professionals. As a Certified Co-Active Life and Business Coach (CPCC), she also brings unique insights into personal development and the mindset shifts needed to succeed. Her sessions empower entrepreneurs to work smarter, communicate effectively, and embrace their full potential with confidence and moxie.

Renée’s speaking topics are as varied as her expertise, covering everything from building better habits for success to overcoming overwhelm and burnout, from mastering the art of storytelling to creating strong relationships between wedding planners and vendors. She specializes in breaking down complex ideas into actionable takeaways, whether she’s teaching wedding pros how to manage Gen Z clients, navigate tough transitions, or lead with intention on the big day and beyond.

One of Renée’s core philosophies is that personal growth is the foundation of professional success. Whether she’s coaching creatives to express themselves with clarity, helping introverts shine in an extroverted industry, or sharing her journey through pivots and challenges, her sessions always inspire actionable change.

Renée’s accolades include winning Speaker of the Year from the National Association of Catering and Events (NACE), Palm Springs Chapter, recognition by Honeybook’s 20 On The Rise and BizBash’s Most Influential Event Pros, and the upcoming release of her first book, The Coordination Cure. On stage, she delivers every talk with warmth, insight, and her signature wit, leaving audiences inspired to take their next big leap.

Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker to energize your next event, a workshop leader to bring actionable value to your attendees, or a coach to inspire your team, Renée Dalo delivers.

Renée Dalo is a dynamic keynote speaker, educator, and coach who transforms how creative entrepreneurs approach their businesses and lives. Renowned for her approachable and intelligent style (with an extra dash of humor!), Renée combines real-world ... Show more

Cortina Jenelle Caldwell, MAML is on a mission to make the world, or at least her corner of it, a better place. Since the age of 12, Cortina has been a student of creativity and entrepreneurship, learning at the hands of elders, mentors and teachers in the rural South about how to serve, how to build good business and how to be a leader in life. Having to overcome the challenges of being born to teenage parents, the strife of poverty and the slippery slope of wanting to “make it out”, Cortina had an early passion to build the life God envisioned for her and go beyond the limitations imposed upon her by society. The early teachings to pursue an education, keep God first in all things and be a good human paid off and her life is an ongoing testament to the power of hard work, strategy, resilience, authenticity and working from the heart. Since 2004, Cortina has been speaking to audiences all over the world, seeking to ignite hope and courage in others. Notable achievements in her career include:

EPA & Tuskegee University, Environmental Justice Fellow, 2024;
River City Company, Emerging Producers Fellow, 2024;
ArtsBuild Periscope CHA Fellow, 2024;
Certified ICAgile Professional, 2023;
KNOW Global, Notable Women: Asheville, 2020;
Tzedek Impact Award, 2019;
Certified Grant Writing Professional, 2018;
Certified Creative Facilitator, 2016;
Masters of Art in Business Management & Leadership, 2015;
40 Under Forty: Asheville, 2013;
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2012;
Phi Alpha Honor Society, 2008; and
Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, 2005.

Cortina Jenelle Caldwell, MAML is on a mission to make the world, or at least her corner of it, a better place. Since the age of 12, Cortina has been a student of creativity and entrepreneurship, learning at the hands of elders, mentors and teachers ... Show more

Hermen is an accomplished visual thinking expert and design strategist. He collaborates with executives globally to align people and activate vision, strategy, and transformation. His visual approach unlocks the human brain's processing power and boosts inventiveness and co-creation in teams.

Hermen has worked with numerous Fortune 500 clients in Europe, the United States, Africa, China, and the Middle East for the past decade. Besides client work, Hermen teaches thousands of students worldwide to structure and communicate ideas in his online Visual Thinking course. He regularly volunteers to use his skills and experience to create a positive impact.

Hermen is an accomplished visual thinking expert and design strategist. He collaborates with executives globally to align people and activate vision, strategy, and transformation. His visual approach unlocks the human brain's processing power and boo... Show more

Akanshi is a community person, an Android developer & a design enthusiast. She is currently working at Gojek as a Platform Engineer (Android) in the UX Engineering team.
She is active in communities as a speaker, mentor, organizer, contributor and a participant. She enjoys participating in hackathons, read and learn about tools and developments in the field of UI/UX, contribute on stack overflow and listening to good music.
She also likes to write about her tech and non-tech thoughts, create artworks and loves animals!

Akanshi is a community person, an Android developer & a design enthusiast. She is currently working at Gojek as a Platform Engineer (Android) in the UX Engineering team. She is active in communities as a speaker, mentor, organizer, contributor and a... Show more

Before working in the Microsoft industry, Laura was working in the charity sector as a Project Assistant/Office 365 Specialist for 3 years and before that was in various support roles. She fully entered the Microsoft industry when accepting a job offer with HCL in Nov 2021. She then completed the CIT Program in March 2022, and it's been the most amazing ride of her life so far.

She loves all things creative, and Microsoft related and can't wait to see what the future holds. Laura spends her time outside of work, blogging about the Power Platform community and her journey in the hope to inspire and support others. She likes to merge her love of tech with her love of art & design, to try to bring even more fun to the topics and activities she presents to the community. Her career and general way of life have always been built around the concepts of inspiration, support, and simplifying everything! She hopes to use these concepts to make a positive impact on the Microsoft community and whoever else dares to listen.

Before working in the Microsoft industry, Laura was working in the charity sector as a Project Assistant/Office 365 Specialist for 3 years and before that was in various support roles. She fully entered the Microsoft industry when accepting a job off... Show more

Kelly J Andrews is a developer advocate and has been tinkering with computers for over 35 years.

He enjoys teaching new developers how to navigate through the industry, work out their insecurities, and build everyone up together.

You'll also find him doing magic somewhere.

Kelly J Andrews is a developer advocate and has been tinkering with computers for over 35 years. He enjoys teaching new developers how to navigate through the industry, work out their insecurities, and build everyone up together. You'll also fi... Show more

Product Designer, Art Director and Public Speaker with over 6 years of experience in the fields of product design, advertising, and marketing. Over the last couple of years, he’s had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, from small local courier companies to top-notch NY-based startups like Hive or Oncimmune. Continuously exceeding clients’ expectations, he has helped many great companies build better products and reach their brand-related goals.

As a Public Speaker, he has presented his ideas at events such as UXDX Berlin, Dribbble Meetup or Creative Mikser. The latter, hosted by British Council and the City of Warsaw, was a meetup dedicated to designing for inclusion and accessibility, a subject Wojciech is truly passionate about and experienced in.

A proud member of one of the best design teams in the world (the Netguru PD team has been rated the #1 trending design team on Dribbble globally multiple times). When not working on commercial projects, our team analyzes market trends, deepens the knowledge of accessibility design, or just watches Friends.

Product Designer, Art Director and Public Speaker with over 6 years of experience in the fields of product design, advertising, and marketing. Over the last couple of years, he’s had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, from small lo... Show more

A trained actor with a curious background: from Theatre Studies, to Q/A, to Business Intelligence development, to full stack web development, I am the resident specialist PHP Developer Advocate at Global Cloud Communications giant Vonage. I founded Birmingham, UK's current PHP usergroup BrumPHP, hosted the Fusion Meetup Series, and organised the TechMids Developer Conference. I mentor, write and speak on PHP, JavaScript, DevOps, DevRel and tech culture. I pretended to be a DJ on the way.

A trained actor with a curious background: from Theatre Studies, to Q/A, to Business Intelligence development, to full stack web development, I am the resident specialist PHP Developer Advocate at Global Cloud Communications giant Vonage. I founded B... Show more

Jason Plumb (he/him) is a hacker, artist, experimenter, polyglot programmer, and dad from Portland, OR, USA. He is co-maintainer of OpenTelemetry Android and an approver in various OpenTelemetry java projects. When not at work, Jason volunteers with Futel to install and maintain a network of free public payphones. He also builds synthesizers, experiments with sound, screens classic cult films, and rides steel-frame bicycles.

Jason Plumb (he/him) is a hacker, artist, experimenter, polyglot programmer, and dad from Portland, OR, USA. He is co-maintainer of OpenTelemetry Android and an approver in various OpenTelemetry java projects. When not at work, Jason volunteers with ... Show more

Van Tran Nguyen (she/her) is a Vietnamese American artist-scholar, practicing filmmaker, curator, and multimedia artist. In 2017, Tran Nguyen earned a master's degree in fine arts from the State University of New York, at Buffalo. Then in 2021, she earned her doctorate in the Philosophy of Electronic Art at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

Her research investigates Asian American performance and media(tions) of the diaspora. Tran Nguyen’s monograph, No Bodies Home: Mediations of Performance in Exile explores Cold War technological advancement and argues that racialized and gendered bodies of the Asian diaspora are the material and technological output of warfare. Her first short film, ERIE COUNTY SMILE, was released in 2021 and is available for public access via the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Her first full-length feature film, THE MOTHERLOAD, premiered at the Hawaii International Film Festival with support from the Vilcek Foundation’s New American Perspectives.

In the fall of 2021, she was appointed the Maya Brin Institute for New Performance and Technology Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is currently an Early Career Fellow at the UCLA Center on Race & Digital Justice. In the fall of 2024, she joined the Department of Performing Arts at Georgetown University as the Assistant Professor of Performance and Media. Dr. Tran Nguyen teaches courses across theory and practice including performance, digital filmmaking, and film & media history.

Van Tran Nguyen (she/her) is a Vietnamese American artist-scholar, practicing filmmaker, curator, and multimedia artist. In 2017, Tran Nguyen earned a master's degree in fine arts from the State University of New York, at Buffalo. Then in 2021, she e... Show more

grace shinhae jun is a mother, wife, artist, educator, and scholar. The daughter of a South Korean immigrant and a North Korean refugee, she comes from a lineage of deep love and commitment to serve the people. She has performed nationally and internationally with bkSOUL performance collective which she founded in 2001. Her research and artistic practices are grounded in Hip Hop culture and cross cultural collaborations that challenge the systems of violence and oppression steeped in anti-Blackness. Her scholarship includes publications in the Oxford Handbook of Hip Hop Dance Studies, the International Association for the Study of Popular Music Journal, and is the co-editor for Dance Studies Association’s 2022 ​​Conversations Across the Field of Dance Studies. She is an Assistant Professor of Dance at San Diego City College, teaches with transcenDANCE Youth Arts, and at UCSD where she was the recipient of the 2022/2023 Barbara and Paul Saltman Distinguished Teaching Award. Ph.D. Drama & Theatre UCSD/UCI, MFA Dance Sarah Lawrence College.

grace shinhae jun is a mother, wife, artist, educator, and scholar. The daughter of a South Korean immigrant and a North Korean refugee, she comes from a lineage of deep love and commitment to serve the people. She has performed nationally and intern... Show more

Eleonora Buonocore is Associate Professor of Italian Studies at the University of Calgary, Alberta (Canada). She holds a PhD in Medieval Philosophy from University of Siena, (2009) and in 2016 she completed her second PhD from Yale University. In 2017 she was Visiting Assistant Professor of Italian at Colby College, before moving to Canada. In 2022 she won the Student Union award for excellence in teaching at the University of Calgary. In 2021-22 she was a fellow at the Calgary Institute for the Humanities working on her monograph on the concept of memory in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Her research lies at the intersection between philosophy and literature in the Medieval world, in Dante and in early Renaissance thought. She co- edited a volume of Studium (2021) in which she also published an article on Dante’s Convivio and Monarchia as well as she has published on Italian women writers such as Carolina Invernizio and on Italian Film.

Eleonora Buonocore is Associate Professor of Italian Studies at the University of Calgary, Alberta (Canada). She holds a PhD in Medieval Philosophy from University of Siena, (2009) and in 2016 she completed her second PhD from Yale University. In 201... Show more

As an independent and committed product designer, I explore new design practices to put my knowledge at the service of a more desirable future for the environment, society and individuals.

As an independent and committed product designer, I explore new design practices to put my knowledge at the service of a more desirable future for the environment, society and individuals. Show more

I am an animation student local to my beloved downtown Toronto, and have a passion for bringing people together!
I have previously vended and panelled at the rebooted iteration of Dashcon, Dashcon2, to much success and hilarity. I love all things internet nerdy and art nerdy!

I am an animation student local to my beloved downtown Toronto, and have a passion for bringing people together! I have previously vended and panelled at the rebooted iteration of Dashcon, Dashcon2, to much success and hilarity. I love all things i... Show more

Trinity Paige Encarnacion (she/her) is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. There, she is also a First-Year Writing Instructor and Ethnic Studies TA. Her creative work can be found in Pinch and Periphery.

Trinity Paige Encarnacion (she/her) is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. There, she is also a First-Year Writing Instructor and Ethnic Studies TA. Her creative work can be found... Show more

Pratiti is a doctoral student in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature. Their work lies in the interaction of Bengali migration, Global Asias and sound studies, and they examine how music creates community in bengali diasporas. They are a minor in RIDGS and Early Modern Studies, with their interest lying also in disability studies and early modern music cultures. They are the lead convenor of the Global Asias Collaborative.

Pratiti is a doctoral student in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature. Their work lies in the interaction of Bengali migration, Global Asias and sound studies, and they examine how music creates community in bengali diasporas. They are a minor... Show more

Dr. Theodore S. Gonzalves is a scholar of comparative cultural studies and a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. A Fulbright scholar and former interim director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, he has taught in the United States, Spain, and the Philippines since 1991. His acclaimed book Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects (2023) earned the Smithsonian Secretary’s Research Prize. An accomplished musician and past president of the Association for Asian American Studies, Dr. Gonzalves was appointed to the Organization of American Historians’ Distinguished Lectureship Program and currently serves on the board of the American Council of Learned Societies.

Dr. Theodore S. Gonzalves is a scholar of comparative cultural studies and a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. A Fulbright scholar and former interim director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, he has ta... Show more

Arnab Banerji is an Associate Professor of Theatre History and Dramatic Literature at Loyola
Marymount University located in the unceded lands of the Gabrilieno Tongva people also known
as Los Angeles. He is the author of Contemporary Group Theatre from Kolkata, India
(Routledge 2020). Arnab’s essays and reviews have been published in Theatre Journal, Theatre
Topics, Asian Theatre Journal, TDR, BOOM California, Ecumenica, Theatre Symposium,
Sanglap, Cerebration, and SERAS. His current research is in performances by the Indian diaspora, translations of Indian vernacular plays, and contemporary Bengali theatre.

Arnab Banerji is an Associate Professor of Theatre History and Dramatic Literature at Loyola Marymount University located in the unceded lands of the Gabrilieno Tongva people also known as Los Angeles. He is the author of Contemporary Group Theatre... Show more

Chali Lee (he/him/any) is a queer, Hmong-American artist-scholar from Fresno, CA, whose work merges research and experimental filmmaking to explore queer Hmong identity and spiritual epistemologies. Rooted in a commitment to honoring marginalized histories, shaping present realities, and imagining future worlds, Chali’s practice engages themes of intersectionality, ghosts and hauntings, spiritual and digital drag, and historical reimagination through film, storytelling, and performance art. His work seeks to open alternative ways of knowing, being, and remembering through the lens of a queer Hmong experience.

Chali Lee (he/him/any) is a queer, Hmong-American artist-scholar from Fresno, CA, whose work merges research and experimental filmmaking to explore queer Hmong identity and spiritual epistemologies. Rooted in a commitment to honoring marginalized his... Show more