Leslie Short is the owner of The Cavu Group and the author of "Expand Beyond Your Current Culture." With four decades of experience as a seasoned brand and culture strategist and leadership advisor, she founded The Cavu Group to address critical challenges in building and guiding organizations toward sustainable cultural growth.
Leslie is uniquely skilled at fostering environments that promote continuous evolution and innovation. Her approach emphasizes the importance of listening to and understanding people, whom she recognizes as an organization's greatest asset.
She is deeply committed to creating and maintaining diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive cultures. Leveraging her expertise, she develops inclusive workplace strategies and facilitates transformative discussions that challenge the status quo.
Her work delves into the vital intersections of leadership, culture, accessibility, and social impact, equipping businesses with actionable insights to thrive in today’s dynamic and complex business landscape.

Leslie Short has an accomplished background that includes business, entrepreneurship, marketing, and the arts. Her journey began as a classical ballet dancer, which took her to Europe, where she lived for over a decade. After her dance career, Leslie founded an entertainment business in Japan, which was recognized as the country's best business in 1994.
She held influential roles, including President of Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations at FUBU The Collection, as well as Corporate Operating Strategist at prominent companies both domestically and internationally. Additionally, Leslie launched K.I.M. Media LLC (Keep It Moving) and founded Ascend Bereavement Management, demonstrating her versatility and innovative mindset.

A highly sought-after speaker, Leslie has addressed audiences at prestigious events hosted by Fortune 500 companies, universities, the United Nations, and the European Union, sharing her expertise and insights with a global audience. Leslie is a Chaplain, Certified Mediator, and Conflict Coach.

Leslie Short is the owner of The Cavu Group and the author of "Expand Beyond Your Current Culture." With four decades of experience as a seasoned brand and culture strategist and leadership advisor, she founded The Cavu Group to address critical ch... Show more

Divya Tak is an award winning multidisciplinary creative whose work spans across forms and subjects to explore a sense of wonder, curiosity and belonging. She has published work in multiple mediums, products, games, illustrations, comics, ads, and more. Her own journey has also inspired her to facilitate workshops on technology, creativity and storytelling and the intersection of them all.

Divya Tak is an award winning multidisciplinary creative whose work spans across forms and subjects to explore a sense of wonder, curiosity and belonging. She has published work in multiple mediums, products, games, illustrations, comics, ads, and mo... Show more

Nidhi Chanani is an award-winning author and illustrator of over a dozen books. She was born in Kolkata, India and raised in California. She holds a degree in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. In 2012 she was honored by the Obama Administration as a Champion of Change. Her graphic novels include Pashmina, Jukebox, Super Boba Café and the Shark Princess series. She also has a number of picture books including I will be fierce, Strong, Binny’s Diwali, What Will My Story Be and Quiet Karima. When she’s not making books Nidhi loves to travel and has visited 20 countries. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. nidhichanani.com

Nidhi Chanani is an award-winning author and illustrator of over a dozen books. She was born in Kolkata, India and raised in California. She holds a degree in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. In 2012 she was honored by the Ob... Show more

Dillion S. Phiri is a Zimbabwean-Malawian entrepreneur, filmmaker, and social sculptor based in Johannesburg with 14+ years building creative ecosystems across Africa. As founder of Creative Nestlings, he has cultivated a 100,000+ member pan-African network, directly and indirectly investing $5.4M+ in African creatives.

His work spans co-founding J&B Hive (incubating brands like Bathu and Tshepo The Jeanmaker), serving as Entrepreneur in Residence at I’M IN (facilitating R45M in funding), directing award-winning documentaries (“Seeds of Change,” “Zero to A Hundred”), winning Format’s 2018 photography contest, and documenting 200+ creatives in his “What It Takes” series. Named one of MIPAD’s 100 Most Influential People of African Descent, he launched CRCO in December 2025 a next-generation community management platform for Africa’s creative industries.

Currently, he also serves as Responsible AI Fellow at the Stimson Center and Community Lead at BetterShared, continuing to bridge creativity, technology, and strategic foresight to empower African innovation.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Dillion S. Phiri is a Zimbabwean-Malawian entrepreneur, filmmaker, and social sculptor based in Johannesburg with 14+ years building creative ecosystems across Africa. As founder of Creative Nestlings, he has cultivated a 100,000+ member pan-African ... Show more

creative, published, father to two, Indian Hindi native non-thorny

creative, published, father to two, Indian Hindi native non-thorny Show more

Joselyn’s work bridges clinical practice, creative expression, and research, with a focus on serving inner-city communities in Boston, Cambridge, and Brockton. She has facilitated expressive arts programs in hospitals, museums, schools, and nonprofits—using storytelling, visual arts, and poetry to foster connection, voice, and emotional healing. As a national and international speaker, Joselyn has presented on mental health, expressive therapies, and community-based healing across conferences and institutions. She is the author of a published thesis and a debut poetry book, A Voice Written Through Graffiti, which explores narrative as a form of resistance, reflection, and restoration.

In parallel, she leads The Wellness Portfolio, a mental health and consultation space offering expressive arts resources, seasonal toolkits, workshops, and culturally responsive programming for individuals, communities, and organizations. Her work is grounded in the belief that healing happens through voice, visibility, and the stories we choose to tell.

Signature Topics:
Storytelling as a Healing Practice
Creative Arts for Community Wellness
Culturally Responsive Mental Health
Trauma-Informed Expressive Therapy
Empowering Youth through Art & Voice

Joselyn’s work bridges clinical practice, creative expression, and research, with a focus on serving inner-city communities in Boston, Cambridge, and Brockton. She has facilitated expressive arts programs in hospitals, museums, schools, and nonprofit... Show more

I'm Luca, 27, designer and director of my own design studio.

I trained as a programmer and worked for years as a developer in various agencies. After suffering burnout, I worked as a project manager, where I saw the problems that arise when designers and developers hand over projects and collaborate.

Now I work on various projects in branding, editorial, digital, and print. It is important to me that design is always questioned, strategic, and done with technology and developers in mind.

I'm Luca, 27, designer and director of my own design studio. I trained as a programmer and worked for years as a developer in various agencies. After suffering burnout, I worked as a project manager, where I saw the problems that arise when design... Show more

Brayden Pierce, as the CEO, has been instrumental in driving the company's vision: he invented the ai world model used to codify songs into worlds, the tech architecture, product design, and game direction. With over 20 years of industry experience, he has consistently pushed the boundaries to ensure the company's success. His keen business acumen, combined with his strong leadership skills, has resulted in substantial growth and development for the company.

A true multi-disciplinary polymath, Brayden Pierce's groundbreaking endeavors are rooted in two decades of unparalleled experience across entertainment, marketing, technology, and finance. His exceptional intellect, recognized from an early age as a math prodigy, led to a mastery of complex financial markets and the development of a revolutionary AI process for music, showcasing a profound capacity for innovation and strategic thinking far beyond the artistic realm.

Brayden’s artistic foundation runs deep, stretching back to his early teens and evolving through his mastery as a classically trained singer, multi-instrumentalist, accomplished producer, DJ, and independent label owner. Over 15 years, he went on to front six different bands (from rock to electronic), adorning his musical journey with hundreds of live performance events and millions of online plays.

Tapping into his core mission, Brayden Pierce is orchestrating a profound transformation in how humanity experiences music here on Earth. As the visionary Founder and CEO of Soundromeda, he's spearheading a monumental shift poised to redefine the entertainment landscape. Soundromeda is far more than a platform; it's a revolution that transforms songs into playable action-adventure game worlds. This innovation represents the greatest generational leap in music consumption since the advent of MTV, inviting audiences to not just listen to music, but to inhabit it, explore it, and become an active participant in its narrative.

Brayden Pierce stands as a singular figure, not merely shaping the future of music but etching his legacy into the very fabric of the cosmos. His journey culminates in an unprecedented achievement: with his original composition, "Capture the Moon," he has made history as the first Electronic Dance Music (EDM) song to be permanently enshrined on the Moon. This track is a testament to his human ingenuity and artistic ambition, now a foundational piece within the Lunaprise lunar art museum; designed to resonate beyond Earth for a billion years. This historic collaboration between cutting-edge technology and profound creativity establishes Pierce as a pioneer whose work bridges the earthly and the celestial.

This rich tapestry of experience and unwavering dedication to the artistic frontier culminates in his mission to build a New Renaissance of Music through Soundromeda, ensuring that his sonic legacy, whether soaring to the Moon or inspiring millions within immersive sonic realms, will echo through history for generations to come.

Brayden Pierce, as the CEO, has been instrumental in driving the company's vision: he invented the ai world model used to codify songs into worlds, the tech architecture, product design, and game direction. With over 20 years of industry experience, ... Show more

Currently pursuing a B.Tech in Computer Science, I’ve always had a strong passion for design. While my academic journey has focused on technology, my creative instincts have consistently drawn me towards art. Having a partner who is a UX Designer inspired me further and gave me the push to dive deeper into this field. Want to do something big in life.

Currently pursuing a B.Tech in Computer Science, I’ve always had a strong passion for design. While my academic journey has focused on technology, my creative instincts have consistently drawn me towards art. Having a partner who is a UX Designer ins... Show more

An Artistic Engineer, Product Designer! Advocating Business to Users & Users to Business by designing easy, appealing, accessible software!

An Artistic Engineer, Product Designer! Advocating Business to Users & Users to Business by designing easy, appealing, accessible software! Show more

Fulltime open source ambassador and part-time open source lobbyist. Cross community communicator. Tenor in a Pop&Jazz choir. Born in the year of the moon landing. Managing director at Gesellschaft zur Entwicklung von Dingen.

Fulltime open source ambassador and part-time open source lobbyist. Cross community communicator. Tenor in a Pop&Jazz choir. Born in the year of the moon landing. Managing director at Gesellschaft zur Entwicklung von Dingen. Show more

The First Impact Fashion Designer to have her design land on the moon, Nova Lorraine has made history for fashion, sustainability and technology. Named one of the Most Inspirational Women of Web3 and AI, Nova Lorraine is an award-winning Fashion Designer and Futurist. Renowned for her design prowess, has been featured in Forbes, and Inc, with her designs featured in Essence, Italian Vogue, and "The View" to name a few.

Jamaican born Nova Lorraine, is a recipient of the Web3 Creator Future Award, the Metaverse Champion Award, and the LAMINA1 NFT Artist Award, cementing her as a trailblazer in both artistic and digital domains. Named a Top 100 Women of the Future, Nova is the author and podcast host of "Unleash Your Supernova" and Co-Host of the "AI for Creatives" podcast.

Having founded Raine Magazine in 2007, Nova has interviewed hundreds of celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Priyanka Chopra, and Mark Cuban, to name a few. She is currently building the House of Nova, the future of couture.

The First Impact Fashion Designer to have her design land on the moon, Nova Lorraine has made history for fashion, sustainability and technology. Named one of the Most Inspirational Women of Web3 and AI, Nova Lorraine is an award-winning Fashion Desi... Show more

Obelyn, awarded local cosplayer and a member of Rikon 2025 cosplay competition judge committee.

Obelyn, awarded local cosplayer and a member of Rikon 2025 cosplay competition judge committee. Show more

Athr is a futurist architect artist polymath who wants to revolutionize the world with creativity!

As a thought leader in Seattle’s architecture and NFT art community, Athr uses technology and design to craft immersive worlds that push the boundaries of art and storytelling. Their hyper surreal digital master paintings and interactive game worlds envision more equitable and creative futures.

Their visionary approach, has attracted major collaborations with institutions like Adobe, SnapChat and the Seattle NFT Museum, positioning them at the forefront of a new creative era where technology and art converge seamlessly.

They are fascinated by architecture's connection with gaming and just dropped their first solo gaming project "City of Gods" on the Monaverse web3 platform.

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Check out athr.komi.io for more ~!

Athr is a futurist architect artist polymath who wants to revolutionize the world with creativity! As a thought leader in Seattle’s architecture and NFT art community, Athr uses technology and design to craft immersive worlds that push the bounda... Show more

Adam Grzanka is a Polish television presenter, comedian, event host and writer based in Kraków. He is known for hosting programs including “Dwie Stolice” and “1200 Muzeów,” as well as for his stand-up performances and cultural projects connected with Nowa Huta. His work combines humor, improvisation and positive audience interaction.

Adam Grzanka is a Polish television presenter, comedian, event host and writer based in Kraków. He is known for hosting programs including “Dwie Stolice” and “1200 Muzeów,” as well as for his stand-up performances and cultural projects connected with... Show more

Clara is an independent public philosopher and cultural critic whose work examines the subconscious systems, practices, and beliefs that quietly structure contemporary life. She focuses on the shadow sides of culture: the unspoken assumptions and deeper forces that shape how we live, relate, and organize society. Drawing on interdisciplinary methods, she connects philosophy, cultural analysis, and concept design to surface what usually remains hidden. Through her brand Metanoia, she develops projects that translate these inquiries into tangible experiences. She is currently preparing her debut dining pop-up as one such exploration.

Clara is an independent public philosopher and cultural critic whose work examines the subconscious systems, practices, and beliefs that quietly structure contemporary life. She focuses on the shadow sides of culture: the unspoken assumptions and dee... Show more

Dugogodišnji streličar iz Rijeke. Instruktor rukovanja srednje teškim i teškim povijesnim vojnim lukovima i samostrelima. Predavač o povijesnom oružju, načinu i tehnikama korištenja. Djelovanje unutar povijesne udruge O.S.V. i osnivač grupe Š.T.S. Zorya, škole za autentično povijesno streličarstvo.

Dugogodišnji streličar iz Rijeke. Instruktor rukovanja srednje teškim i teškim povijesnim vojnim lukovima i samostrelima. Predavač o povijesnom oružju, načinu i tehnikama korištenja. Djelovanje unutar povijesne udruge O.S.V. i osnivač grupe Š.T.S. Zo... Show more

Srebrenka Peregrin pripovijeda po knjižnicama, školama i vrtićima, na različitim kulturno-turističkim događanjima i SF&F konvencijama. Prevodi beletristku i piše kratke priče, od kojih je nekolicina nagrađena (metaFORA, Fairytalez, Sfera). Su-autorica je zbirki "Bajkarice", "Bajkari" i "Bajkarenje" te autorica romana o Frini, kurtizani u usponu.

Srebrenka Peregrin pripovijeda po knjižnicama, školama i vrtićima, na različitim kulturno-turističkim događanjima i SF&F konvencijama. Prevodi beletristku i piše kratke priče, od kojih je nekolicina nagrađena (metaFORA, Fairytalez, Sfera). Su-autoric... Show more

Dann Paniccia is a comedy creator, writer, filmmaker, and founder of The Savage Savant and The Workaround Group. A former stand-up comedian and longtime business and training leader, Dann now focuses on using emerging technology to make ambitious creative ideas possible for independent creators.

Through The Savage Savant, he produces original comedy, short-form entertainment, satirical news segments, visual storytelling, and AI-assisted productions for a growing audience across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. His content has generated millions of views and reached millions of accounts.

Dann’s work explores the intersection of human creativity, storytelling, and generative AI. He advocates for using AI not as a substitute for artists, writers, performers, or filmmakers, but as a tool that helps people overcome traditional barriers involving budget, access, staffing, and technical resources. His goal is to help the next generation of creators understand that the most valuable creative skills remain imagination, judgment, persistence, and a strong point of view.

Dann Paniccia is a comedy creator, writer, filmmaker, and founder of The Savage Savant and The Workaround Group. A former stand-up comedian and longtime business and training leader, Dann now focuses on using emerging technology to make ambitious cre... Show more

Renowned, award-winning, pioneering, & widely exhibited Digital & Crypto Artist/Animator, known for her unique style in 3dCG and a critical discourse. recipient of top awards/grants from the likes of Rockefeller Fund, has exhibited her AR art at Smithsonian & other museums. Hailed as “trailblazer in digital art, the “Digital Hijacker” and “the definition of digital fine arts” by the press, her influential #arthacks made Forbes’ Best of AR Art, was Adobe Artist-in-Resident, and is in the BBC documentary When Art Goes Digital. Her Crypto & NFT Art has sold into top collections on Superrare, is held in DAOs, exhibited in first NFT museum show, and most recently her Quantum NFT drop sold out in less than a minute. She has also sold thousands of Generative NFTs for impact on Opensea.

Renowned, award-winning, pioneering, & widely exhibited Digital & Crypto Artist/Animator, known for her unique style in 3dCG and a critical discourse. recipient of top awards/grants from the likes of Rockefeller Fund, has exhibited her AR art at Smit... Show more

I'm part of the Imaginary Institute team and co-facilitate the learning experience of the Apple Developer Academy in Naples as Design Mentor.

I graduated in Communication Design and after that, I have been creating interactive experiences and working with Product Design for different Apple Platforms and websites, for almost 5 years.


I am passionate about pixel perfection and iterative processes, and in the last year I have been deeply exploring the domain of App Icons for Apple Platforms, in particular visionOS and vector-based App Icons.

I'm part of the Imaginary Institute team and co-facilitate the learning experience of the Apple Developer Academy in Naples as Design Mentor. I graduated in Communication Design and after that, I have been creating interactive experiences and wor... Show more

A designer, writer and technologist, Juliana Castro Varón is the senior design editor of AI Initiatives at The New York Times, and a cartoonist for The New Yorker. She’s the founder and now board member of Cita Press, a publisher of dozens of books by women, currently sponsored by Educopia and funded by Mellon. Juliana has received fellowships from Fulbright and Harvard, where she’s an affiliate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.

A designer, writer and technologist, Juliana Castro Varón is the senior design editor of AI Initiatives at The New York Times, and a cartoonist for The New Yorker. She’s the founder and now board member of Cita Press, a publisher of dozens of books b... Show more

I’m a Digital Project Coordinator with experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives across tech, academia, EU-funded programs, and product environments.

My core strength is turning complexity into structured delivery. I coordinate stakeholders, clarify scope, manage dependencies, and ensure that projects move from ambiguity to execution. I’m comfortable working between technical teams, leadership, and external partners, translating needs into clear plans and measurable outcomes. I am now focusing on Technical / Digital Project Management roles within product and tech-driven organizations in the Skåneregion.

Empowered with more than a decade of project management and executive at the Visual Culture Research Center, and the Kyiv Biennial.
Fluent in English and professionally proficient in Swedish.

I’m a Digital Project Coordinator with experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives across tech, academia, EU-funded programs, and product environments. My core strength is turning complexity into structured delivery. I coordinate sta... Show more

Scott J. Sholder is a partner with Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP. The Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation group, he focuses his practice on litigation, counseling, and dispute resolution in connection with entertainment, media, and intellectual property matters. Scott represents and advises clients across various industries in copyright, trademark, right-of-publicity, unfair competition, domain name, and commercial and business disputes, as well as defamation defense. He has appeared in federal and state courts around the country as well as administrative and arbitral tribunals and has handled cases from pre-suit negotiations through trial and post-trial procedures. His clients range from major media and entertainment companies and A-list talent to closely held and startup businesses and individuals in need of advice on intellectual property or guidance concerning brewing or existing legal conflicts. Scott is a skilled advocate and understands the risks, benefits, and practical considerations inherent in these cases and knows how to make use of available leverage and industry knowledge to reach a favorable conclusion. He utilizes a principled yet practical approach to litigation with an eye toward efficient resolution in line with the client’s business needs and financial realities. A frequent writer and speaker on issues related to copyright and trademark in the entertainment and digital media space, with a recent focus on NFTs and generative AI, Scott is a regular contributor to the CDAS legal blog as well as other major legal publications and has published several law review articles.

In his spare time, Scott plays bass guitar in the CDAS house band REDACTED, writes short fiction in the dark fantasy/horror genre, and creates NFT on-chain art under the pseudonym MetalheaD. His works are listed on Makersplace, Objkt, and Exchange, and he was selected to be part of the first cohort of the Makersplace Artist Launchpad Program. His glitch work was selected to be displayed at a recent NYC glitch art event, and he enjoys creating and sharing new works on his social media channels as often as possible.

Scott J. Sholder is a partner with Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP. The Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation group, he focuses his practice on litigation, counseling, and dispute resolution in connection with entertainment, media, and intellectu... Show more

Phil Choo is a Professor of Graphic Design at Penn State University and a recognized leader in the integration of service design with ecological literacy. With over 10 years of advanced experience in higher education, Professor Choo specializes in developing interdisciplinary curricula that frame design as a vital tool for civic engagement and environmental stewardship. He successfully spearheaded the collaboration between the Penn State Graphic Design program and the Frost Museum of Entomology, leading students through a rigorous, four-phased workflow (Discovery, Definition, Development, and Delivery) to visualize complex biological data. His pedagogical models focus on creating high-impact public exhibitions that combine visual communication with curated biological specimens, establishing a replicable standard for multi-sensory sustainability education in higher education.

Phil Choo is a Professor of Graphic Design at Penn State University and a recognized leader in the integration of service design with ecological literacy. With over 10 years of advanced experience in higher education, Professor Choo specializes in de... Show more

Bringing Dyslexic Design Thinking to the world.

Bringing Dyslexic Design Thinking to the world. Show more

Founding designer at SigNoz and independent researcher. Previously did things at Deepsource, Solana, and Openhouse. Shutterbug, Violinist, voracious reader, and a Star Wars nerd with a knack for mixing and playing around.

Founding designer at SigNoz and independent researcher. Previously did things at Deepsource, Solana, and Openhouse. Shutterbug, Violinist, voracious reader, and a Star Wars nerd with a knack for mixing and playing around. Show more

FAITH THOMAS is a multidisciplinary digital creator and storyteller with a passion for
building meaningful connections through art and media. Faith has been passionate about video
games for as long as she can remember — and somewhere along the way, that passion turned
into a career. As a content creator in the gaming space with the tag TheCreativeAmalgamation,
Faith found a way to connect with a community that shares that same love for the craft. That
creativity doesn't stop at gaming, though. Faith has brought fresh ideas and innovative thinking
to every role she's held, including serving as COO of a nonprofit.

The topics she speaks on are how to implement play into your everyday life and how reconnecting with your inner child and creativity helps build other aspects of your life and work.

FAITH THOMAS is a multidisciplinary digital creator and storyteller with a passion for building meaningful connections through art and media. Faith has been passionate about video games for as long as she can remember — and somewhere along the way,... Show more

Meet Monique, a seasoned Production Management Specialist with over a decade of experience in creative content writing, video production, and editing. Monique has worked at studios such as Skydance Animation, Netflix Feature Animation, Blue Sky Studios, and Zero VFX where she encouraged cross-team collaboration among Line Producers and Supervisors, as well as streamlined and simplified the creative process. She spearheaded the creation of comprehensive internal reports on project progress and issues, while proposing effective solutions. Monique was also the go-to person for internal and external studio executives

Meet Monique, a seasoned Production Management Specialist with over a decade of experience in creative content writing, video production, and editing. Monique has worked at studios such as Skydance Animation, Netflix Feature Animation, Blue Sky Studi... Show more

Graham Wilson is the Director of Cultural Policy Research, also known as RCCIL. His work focuses on exploring the transformative power of creativity and innovation within cultural industries.

Graham Wilson is the Director of Cultural Policy Research, also known as RCCIL. His work focuses on exploring the transformative power of creativity and innovation within cultural industries. Show more