Business & Management

Professionals who specialize in the organization and oversight of business activities, as well as focus on planning, directing, and controlling company operations

Hara Ledaki

Hara Ledaki

I design for user agency, across digital products and interactive narratives.

I’m the co-founder and CEO of Choose Your Fate, an interactive storytelling platform where creators build branching fiction and readers shape the story through their choices. I lead the company’s direction across product, business strategy, growth and the creator ecosystem, while staying hands-on in product design.

Most recently, I was a Principal Product UX/UI Designer at Persado, an enterprise AI platform that helps banks and other regulated brands create, score and optimize marketing language at scale. I designed the experiences where marketing and compliance teams review, approve and test AI-generated language.

I have a decade of experience in product design. I progressed from Product Designer to Head of Product Design at Mind-Alliance, a U.S.-based B2B software company building intelligence tools for law firms and legal teams, where I led a three-person design team. I’ve worked across AI, financial services, marketing and telecommunications, and my background is in Product & Systems Design Engineering.

Alongside my work, I co-organize ProductTank Athens, mentor designers on ADPList, and take part in events and conferences as a speaker or organizer, including the design team for PyCon Greece 2026. I write about design on Medium, with pieces published in UX Collective and Bootcamp.

I tend to gravitate toward the spaces between disciplines: where design meets technology, stories become systems, and products grow into communities.

I design for user agency, across digital products and interactive narratives. I’m the co-founder and CEO of Choose Your Fate, an interactive storytelling platform where creators build branching fiction and readers shape the story through their cho... Show more

Skyler Holobach

Skyler Holobach

Skyler Holobach built the compliance and abuse function at Pardot, now Salesforce, from scratch and spent 7 years deciding which senders got to keep sending. Her team made it through multiple acquisitions and shakeups without losing a single person, and she ranked in the top 10% of leaders at the company the entire time. She led product at SocketLabs next, where she grew revenue 25% year over year and shipped products from 0 to 1.

Today she runs Threadsmith Group, which pulls email senders out of deliverability crises (think Spamhaus listings, or the Monday morning when nothing is landing in the inbox) and fixes the habits that put them there. She has spoken at M3AAWG and Dreamforce more than once, and she chairs the Anti-Harassment committee for the Women of Email board, which has more than 9,000 members across 50 countries.

She writes and ships her own software with Claude Code and was a panelist on "Deciphering the AI Overwhelm" in New York. Years of watching bad actors hunt for every loophole give her a much less starry-eyed take on AI than most panels get. Her portfolio, also built with Claude, lives at holobach.com.

She also speaks on burnout, which she knows from every chair in the room: she has been the manager who caught it in her team before it became a resignation letter, she burned out herself as a high performer, and then she got laid off anyway with the metrics to prove performance was never the problem. Her Unspam talk on the neuroscience of burnout is where those two worlds met.

Off the clock, she trains saber and longsword at Athens School of Arms, crochets, sews, cross stitches, weaves, and has probably picked up another hobby since writing this bio. She holds a BS in Psychology from UGA and lives in Athens, Georgia.

Skyler Holobach built the compliance and abuse function at Pardot, now Salesforce, from scratch and spent 7 years deciding which senders got to keep sending. Her team made it through multiple acquisitions and shakeups without losing a single person, ... Show more

Yulia Kosarenko

Yulia Kosarenko

Yulia Kosarenko is the author of the books "Business Analyst: A Profession and a Mindset" and "Foundations of Business Analytics", speaker, consultant, and corporate trainer.
As the owner of Why Change Consulting Inc., she helps her clients grow mature enterprise architecture and business analysis practices, and plan and execute digital transformation programs.
As the Professor of Business Analytics at Humber College, she encourages her students to look for ways to solve business problems using analytics.
As a business analysis mentor, she leads the BA Mindset Mentorship Circle and encourages business analysts to learn, adapt, and thrive.
Yulia is active in the business analysis, architecture, and analytics communities, publishing articles and videos, joining podcasts, and advocating for applying common sense and critical thinking in all business endeavours.

Yulia Kosarenko is the author of the books "Business Analyst: A Profession and a Mindset" and "Foundations of Business Analytics", speaker, consultant, and corporate trainer. As the owner of Why Change Consulting Inc., she helps her clients grow ma... Show more

George Drazenovic

George Drazenovic

Since early 2020, George Drazenovic has been a faculty member at University Canada West (UCW) in Vancouver, BC, where he has taught subjects including accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and corporate strategy. He also served as Chair of Undergraduate Programs for nearly four years. Before his academic career, he worked in the private sector, leading various ventures in the junior public markets.

His professional experience spans HR management, recruiting, industry partnerships, business development, financial reporting, capital budgeting, strategic planning, capital markets, regulatory compliance, and investment valuation. He began his role at UCW as an MBA instructor and was later promoted to Associate Professor. In 2021, he was appointed Chair, reporting directly to the VP of Academics. By the end of 2024, student enrollment and faculty numbers had increased more than tenfold under his leadership. He oversaw program strategy, curriculum updates, academic governance, industry outreach, budgeting, and compliance.

He was responsible for managing three undergraduate programs: the Associate of Arts, the Bachelor of Commerce (ACBSP-accredited), and the Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications. These programs supported over 5,500 students and more than 200 faculty members. He served as a voting member on several committees, including Senate, Curriculum, Governance and Standards, Quality Assurance, Admissions Appeals, and Undergraduate Program Working Committees. He completed the consent renewal for each program and contributed to the development and redesign of numerous courses.

He introduced academic leadership roles that supported faculty growth and strengthened student outcomes. He aligned the accounting curriculum with the CPA Western School of Business and added new certification-aligned and technology-focused courses. His efforts brought improvements in curriculum structure, scheduling systems, and the implementation of a new learning management platform. He also mentored faculty, supported DEI initiatives, launched student engagement activities such as Pitch Night, and expanded professional partnerships.

Before joining UCW, he held roles as CFO, CEO, and Director in multiple public companies. He led mining exploration projects and helped secure funding and support for pharmaceutical research and early-stage clinical trials.

George Drazenovic continues to contribute his knowledge and leadership across education, industry, and research with focus and integrity.

Since early 2020, George Drazenovic has been a faculty member at University Canada West (UCW) in Vancouver, BC, where he has taught subjects including accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and corporate strategy. He also served as Chair of Undergrad... Show more

Lakindu Alwis

Lakindu Alwis

Lakindu Widuranga Alwis is an entrepreneur and software engineer, currently serving as the CEO of Akwid Labs, an AI startup that offers AI solutions to businesses, from small enterprises to large-scale organisations. He possesses extensive knowledge and experience in developing AI-powered products. Additionally, Lakindu is a final-year student at SLIIT.

Lakindu Widuranga Alwis is an entrepreneur and software engineer, currently serving as the CEO of Akwid Labs, an AI startup that offers AI solutions to businesses, from small enterprises to large-scale organisations. He possesses extensive knowledge ... Show more

Lukas Hüttis

Lukas Hüttis

Lukas Hüttis is an AI consultant and speaker focused on practical AI workflows, automation and responsible AI use. He helps self-employed professionals, consultants, coaches and trainers turn ad-hoc use of tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude into reliable workflows for recurring tasks.
His approach is hands-on and hype-free: instead of chasing every new tool, he focuses on processes that create real value and can be used independently after implementation.
Lukas has more than a decade of experience with digital products, IT projects and emerging technologies and has trained over 500 participants in courses, workshops and 1:1 settings. Before focusing on AI, he worked extensively in Web3 and blockchain and later published the book “Web3 ohne Bullsh*t”, reflecting critically on the hype around emerging technologies.

Lukas Hüttis is an AI consultant and speaker focused on practical AI workflows, automation and responsible AI use. He helps self-employed professionals, consultants, coaches and trainers turn ad-hoc use of tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude into r... Show more

Andrew Trochinski

Andrew Trochinski

Andrew Trochinski is a Microsoft Dynamics/D365 expert with over 15 years of experience in ERP implementation, supply chain optimization, and process improvement. He holds multiple Microsoft certifications and APICS credentials. Andrew specializes in bridging technical solutions with business impact, delivering practical insights on MS Dynamics/D365 upgrades, integrations, and operational efficiency.

Andrew Trochinski is a Microsoft Dynamics/D365 expert with over 15 years of experience in ERP implementation, supply chain optimization, and process improvement. He holds multiple Microsoft certifications and APICS credentials. Andrew specializes in ... Show more

Mariano Gomez Bent

Mariano Gomez Bent

Mariano is a former Microsoft BizApps and Power Platform MVP and the Chieft Technology Officer at Mekorma. As a technology professional in the Dynamics space for 30 years, Mariano has been a staple at community events like DynamicsCon, Community Summit North America, Scottish Summit, and DynamicsMinds, delivering engaging presentations throughout the world. Mariano is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)

Mariano is a former Microsoft BizApps and Power Platform MVP and the Chieft Technology Officer at Mekorma. As a technology professional in the Dynamics space for 30 years, Mariano has been a staple at community events like DynamicsCon, Community Summ... Show more

Chris Cusumano

Chris Cusumano

Since discovering Power BI in 2018, Chris Cusumano has focused on using data to simplify work, not complicate it. He’s helped teams across airline operations, engineering consulting, auto repair, and SaaS turn fragmented data into clear, usable insights through well-structured models, intuitive visuals, and practical analytics.

In 2026, he joined Microsoft as a Senior Data Engineer, leveraging Power BI, Fabric, and AI data agents to drive internal reporting.

Since discovering Power BI in 2018, Chris Cusumano has focused on using data to simplify work, not complicate it. He’s helped teams across airline operations, engineering consulting, auto repair, and SaaS turn fragmented data into clear, usable insig... Show more

Kristin Nobles

Kristin Nobles

Kristin Nobles is an AI for Good founder, social impact strategist, entrepreneur, and capital innovator working at the intersection of technology, healthcare, media, intellectual property, and impact finance.**

As Founder and CEO of B Noble Impact and Noble Care, Kristin has spent more than 25 years building, financing, and positioning companies, technologies, intellectual property, and mission-driven initiatives. Across her career, she has helped structure more than $500 million in capital and transactions**, bringing an operator’s understanding of how technology, leadership, capital, and storytelling must work together to create meaningful scale.

Today, Kristin is the creator of CAREN AI, an AI-powered healthcare copilot being developed to help patients with complex health conditions navigate fragmented healthcare, organize and control their health information, connect with appropriate providers, and contribute to the research and outcomes data needed to improve care.

Her work began with her own experience navigating complex illness and the questions surrounding breast implant-associated illness. That experience evolved into SickTitties.org, Noble Care Research, and a broader mission to use AI, patient-owned data, research, advocacy, and media to help move underserved health conditions from fragmented information toward evidence, access, and ultimately covered care.

Kristin is also an experienced media entrepreneur and executive producer whose work spans podcasts, film, streaming, branded entertainment, advocacy campaigns, and emerging media technologies. Her projects include Close to the Chest, Creating Woodstock, and the development of new media designed to turn awareness into measurable action.

She has spoken on AI for Good and technology-driven impact at the United Nations and international innovation forums, bringing together perspectives that are too often separated: entrepreneur, financier, technologist, patient advocate, artist, and media creator.

In 2026, Kristin was named Women Entrepreneur of the Year by Women in Cloud, recognizing her leadership in technology, entrepreneurship, and impact.

Her signature framework, TLC: Technology, Leadership + Capital, challenges organizations to think beyond innovation as a product and instead build the complete ecosystem required to fund, communicate, distribute, and scale change.

Whether speaking about artificial intelligence, women’s health, impact investing, entrepreneurship, patient-centered innovation, intellectual property, media, or the future of capital, Kristin’s central thesis is simple:

Kristin Nobles is an AI for Good founder, social impact strategist, entrepreneur, and capital innovator working at the intersection of technology, healthcare, media, intellectual property, and impact finance.** As Founder and CEO of B Noble Impact... Show more

Vincent Bertin

Vincent Bertin

Vincent Bertin is Managing Consultant and founder of vbch, the Swiss consultancy he established in Valais in 2019. In 28 years of practice he has worked for clients in 15 countries across industry, luxury, software publishing, and the public sector, managing budgets up to CHF 1 million.

A strategic business analyst and product manager, he works at the intersection of business and generative AI. Two products are live in production, built with retrieval-augmented generation on frontier and open-weight models (Claude, Gemini, Mistral, Kimi) and orchestrated with Dify and n8n. In parallel, he manages the enterprise architecture repository of a Swiss cantonal administration as a product, driving its adoption by more than 600 registered users across 2,400 applications and 500 technologies.

A trainer as much as a consultant, he has trained 3,000 professionals over 20 years, notably at Digicomp, HES-SO, and SAWI, and he is preparing the Swiss federal AI Business Specialist diploma. His background is backed by an MSc from Université Paris Diderot (Paris 7), an Executive MBA from HEC Lausanne, and the CBAP, FSEA M1, PMP, Prosci CCP, and PSPO II certifications.

His long-term consulting mandates are on hold while he serves as Enterprise Architecture Repository Manager. He remains available for conference talks, workshops, training sessions, and visiting lectures.

On stage he starts where transformations actually fail: with the problem, framed in its context, before the solution is built. Or, in his own words: "I love the problem more than the solution."

vincent.bertin@vbch.ch | https://www.vbch.ch with two GenAI products live from Internet

Vincent Bertin is Managing Consultant and founder of vbch, the Swiss consultancy he established in Valais in 2019. In 28 years of practice he has worked for clients in 15 countries across industry, luxury, software publishing, and the public sector, ... Show more

Scott Showalter

Scott Showalter

Scott has a passion for helping people design, grow and automate their products and their lives so that they can focus on what's truly important and have a greater impact on this planet.

By day, he coaches leaders and teams on product growth at Ford, by night he coaches IT professionals and entrepreneurs on income growth and career advancement, and on the weekends he has been known to perform laugh-out-loud stand-up comedy.

Scott's dynamic presentation style delivers learning in many ways for many different types of learners, and he threads humor throughout his sessions to help drive every point home and make each one memorable.

When he's not busy helping people level up their careers or helping teams and leaders build world-changing products, he can be found building multiple businesses and streams of income both inside and outside tech. But more likely he's actually playing Lego.

Scott has a passion for helping people design, grow and automate their products and their lives so that they can focus on what's truly important and have a greater impact on this planet. By day, he coaches leaders and teams on product growth at Fo... Show more

Jorge Sánchez López

Jorge Sánchez López

Jorge Sánchez López es CEO de Mobiliza Consulting & Academy, speaker, asesor en gobernanza de inteligencia artificial, ciberseguridad y transformación organizativa, y profesional especializado en ayudar a organizaciones a tomar mejores decisiones en entornos complejos.

Cuenta con más de 35 años de experiencia profesional en proyectos de tecnología, transformación y gestión, trabajando con organizaciones de diferentes sectores y acompañando a equipos, directivos y organizaciones en procesos de cambio.

Su trabajo actual se sitúa en la intersección entre inteligencia artificial, gobierno, riesgo, ciberseguridad y capacidad de decisión .

Es especialista en ISO/IEC 42001, ISO/IEC 27001 y ENS , además de contar con experiencia en marcos de gestión y transformación como ITIL, PRINCE2 y Agile.

Es fundador de Agile DISruptivo (ADIS) , evento internacional dedicado a la evolución de las organizaciones y las nuevas formas de trabajo.

En los últimos años ha centrado su trabajo intelectual en una cuestión que considera fundamental para las organizaciones que incorporan inteligencia artificial:

La tecnología puede acelerar una decisión, pero no puede corregir por sí sola un sistema de decisión mal diseñado.

A partir de esta idea desarrolla Arquitectura de Decisión® , una línea de pensamiento que analiza cómo las organizaciones generan, degradan, capturan y pierden capacidad de decisión.

Sus ponencias combinan experiencia profesional, casos reales, pensamiento crítico y herramientas prácticas. Su objetivo no es presentar la tecnología como solución universal, sino ayudar a entender qué cambia realmente cuando una organización introduce nuevas tecnologías, nuevos riesgos y nuevas formas de decidir.

Habla sobre gobernanza de IA, inteligencia artificial responsable, ciberseguridad, riesgo, transformación organizativa, liderazgo y arquitectura de decisiones.

Jorge Sánchez López es CEO de Mobiliza Consulting & Academy, speaker, asesor en gobernanza de inteligencia artificial, ciberseguridad y transformación organizativa, y profesional especializado en ayudar a organizaciones a tomar mejores decisiones e... Show more

El Mehdi Boumhicha

El Mehdi Boumhicha

Passionate about the intersection of mathematics and technology, I've chosen the path of software engineering.Chess enthusiast and avid traveler, I explore diverse cultures and ways of thinking.
I thrive on collaborative projects, focusing on Javascript Ecosystem. I ventured into the tech startup world, eventually leading the Tech at MaVoie.org. Fascinated by AI, my goal is to contribute to impactful projects, particularly in finance, and education. Now immersed in SaaS development impact. 🚀
#AI #StartupLeader #TechEnthusiast #SaaS #MicroSaaS

Passionate about the intersection of mathematics and technology, I've chosen the path of software engineering.Chess enthusiast and avid traveler, I explore diverse cultures and ways of thinking. I thrive on collaborative projects, focusing on Javasc... Show more

Gaurav Singh

Gaurav Singh

Gaurav Singh, Founder of CognixAI Labs, bootstraps agentic AI automating B2B ops (70-80% time cuts via n8n/RAG/LLMs). Ex-EOXS AI Engineer (94% accuracy gains); built production K8s operators, Node.js/PostgreSQL backends, Docker deploys. HackVerse 2024 winner. Deploys Llama3/GPT-4o swarms for healthcare/e-com at edge scale—now tracing them with OpenSearch CRDs.

Gaurav Singh, Founder of CognixAI Labs, bootstraps agentic AI automating B2B ops (70-80% time cuts via n8n/RAG/LLMs). Ex-EOXS AI Engineer (94% accuracy gains); built production K8s operators, Node.js/PostgreSQL backends, Docker deploys. HackVerse 202... Show more

José Manuel Pomares Medrano

José Manuel Pomares Medrano

MVP 2023 Data Platform, Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst, and LinkedIn Learning Instructor since 2013. I develop business intelligence projects with Power BI and Excel for companies and have been providing training in Power BI, Excel, and VBA for 13 years at business schools, official engineering and economics colleges.

MVP 2023 Data Platform, Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst, and LinkedIn Learning Instructor since 2013. I develop business intelligence projects with Power BI and Excel for companies and have been providing training in Power BI, Excel, and VB... Show more

Nathan Platter

Nathan Platter

Nathan Platter (Lincoln, NE) builds decision-ready data and AI systems for growth leaders, with a focus on human-in-the-loop design in production and regulated ops. He recently spoke at brainstorm Denver (Sep 10, 2026) with a solo talk and live build. Next month he presents for DAMA Rocky Mountain Chapter at the University of Denver. Through SettleUp, LotBeacon, Marketplace Copilot, and agentic systems work, he designs tools that check themselves before a human signs off so operations run more like Iron Man than unchecked automation. His day-to-day is Principal, Analytics & AI | Revenue & GTM Intelligence: roadmaps, prioritization, and systems that leave an audit trail you can defend.

Nathan Platter (Lincoln, NE) builds decision-ready data and AI systems for growth leaders, with a focus on human-in-the-loop design in production and regulated ops. He recently spoke at brainstorm Denver (Sep 10, 2026) with a solo talk and live build... Show more

Kushaagra Goyal

Kushaagra Goyal

Kushaagra Goyal is an accomplished technology leader with deep expertise in engineering and AI infrastructure. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (2016), and a Master’s degree from Stanford University, where he developed a strong foundation in industry best practices and innovative technology solutions.

Kushaagra began his career as a Software Engineer at Rubrik, contributing to patent-recognized projects in the USA. He later joined Databricks Inc., where he advanced compute infrastructure for Managed Spark Clusters, delivering scalable, high-performance solutions for big data applications.
Post that, as Chief Technology Officer at Gan.ai, a pioneering GenAI startup, Kushaagra spearheaded the development of foundational text-to-speech models for Indic languages. He architected the company’s AI-driven backend infrastructure and led a team of 20 engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence. His strategic leadership accelerated product development and positioned Gan.ai at the forefront of generative AI advancements.

Currently, he leads the development of storage and compute platforms at Rubrik, focusing on large-scale data and AI applications. His work is instrumental in building resilient, high-performance systems that drive enterprise innovation.

Kushaagra is passionate about computational infrastructure for AI and combines deep technical expertise with strategic insight. He actively shares knowledge on AI model hosting advancements and is dedicated to exploring new frontiers in scalable, impactful AI technologies.

Patents:
1. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210279108A1/
2. https://patents.google.com/patent/US11126508B2/en

Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vQKDnM0AAAAJ&hl=en

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushaagra-goyal/

Email:
kushaagra@alumni.stanford.edu / kushaagragoyal7@gmail.com

Kushaagra Goyal is an accomplished technology leader with deep expertise in engineering and AI infrastructure. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (2016), and a Master’s degree from Stanford University, where h... Show more

Chike Eduputa

Chike Eduputa

Chike Eduputa is a technology leader and Director specialising in AI, automation, and the future of work. He is the Head of Microsoft at Capgemini Invent UK. He works with government organisations and global companies to transform how work gets done by combining Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Copilot and AI agents into intelligent digital ecosystems.

With a strong focus on bridging strategy and delivery, Chike leads complex transformation programmes that turn AI ambition into measurable business outcomes. His work spans governance at scale, automation with AI agents, and building modern data-driven platforms.

He is an active member and regular speaker in the Microsoft community and is passionate about helping organisations move from experimentation to real-world impact with AI.

Chike Eduputa is a technology leader and Director specialising in AI, automation, and the future of work. He is the Head of Microsoft at Capgemini Invent UK. He works with government organisations and global companies to transform how work gets done ... Show more

Eugene Cheng

Eugene Cheng

Eugene Cheng is the founder and managing director of HighSpark, a Singapore B2B communication and presentation training company. He works with executives and teams on presentations, business storytelling and high-stakes communication, and speaks on presenting with clarity and using AI to communicate. Eugene was named in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2020), his presentations have been viewed over 3 million times, and he has been featured in Forbes, The Straits Times and Yahoo. Website: https://highspark.co. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itseugene/

Eugene Cheng is the founder and managing director of HighSpark, a Singapore B2B communication and presentation training company. He works with executives and teams on presentations, business storytelling and high-stakes communication, and speaks on p... Show more

Michael Allison

Michael Allison

Michael W. Allison works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, education, and organizational performance. He is the Founder and CEO of the Adversity Leadership Institute, an AI product builder, leadership strategist, educator, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and U.S. Marine Corps Purple Heart recipient.

His technology work includes creating AI-enabled SaaS platforms, intelligent agents, and conversational bots, with a focus on how people actually use, trust, and make decisions with emerging technology. He helps leaders move beyond the excitement surrounding AI and confront the harder questions: What problem are we solving? Who owns the decision? Where must human judgment remain? How will people adopt the technology, and how will results be measured?

Michael brings more than two decades of experience across combat leadership, government, higher education, entrepreneurship, business, and organizational development. He has led Marines in Iraq, managed multimillion-dollar government initiatives, directed higher education programs, and scaled an INC 5000 franchise through a successful exit. He holds a BA and MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Through Adversity Leadership® and his Decision, Direction, and Destination framework, Michael brings technology strategy and human leadership together. His work helps organizations adopt innovation without losing clarity, accountability, sound judgment, or the people responsible for making it work.

Michael W. Allison works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, education, and organizational performance. He is the Founder and CEO of the Adversity Leadership Institute, an AI product builder, leadership strategist, educator, b... Show more

Margot Halstead

Margot Halstead

Margot F.W. Halstead, MCC, PMP, MBA, is a leadership and communication strategist and an APMG-certified Change Management Practitioner whose work focuses on the human dynamics that determine whether change efforts succeed or stall. With more than two decades of experience supporting leaders across higher education, corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector organizations, Margot specializes in helping decision-makers navigate complexity, pressure, and resistance without losing alignment or momentum.

Her work integrates formal change management practice, project leadership, and interpersonal communication, offering leaders a practical lens for understanding how internal reactions shape behavior, culture, and outcomes. She is the creator of the Owning Your IT (Internal Tendencies) framework, which translates human behavior into repeatable models leaders can use to guide change intentionally and sustainably.

She is the creator of the Owning Your IT (Internal Tendencies) framework, which translates human behavior into repeatable models leaders can use to guide change intentionally and sustainably. She holds an MBA from Marymount University, is credentialed as a Master Certified Coach (MCC) through the International Coaching Federation, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and is the author of Owning Your IT.

Margot F.W. Halstead, MCC, PMP, MBA, is a leadership and communication strategist and an APMG-certified Change Management Practitioner whose work focuses on the human dynamics that determine whether change efforts succeed or stall. With more than two... Show more

Andrea Bolin

Andrea Bolin

Andrea Bolin partners with organizations ready to strengthen leadership alignment, sharpen strategy, and build cultures that drive measurable performance.

Drawing on more than 30 years of executive experience, Andrea understands the operational realities leaders face. Her work integrates strategic planning, leadership development, and team dynamics to create clarity at every level of the organization.

Her speaking and consulting engagements focus on:
• The Culture Catalyst — Your Leadership Brand and Workplace Culture
• The Leadership Advantage— How Authentic Leaders Build Trust, Influence, and Results

Andrea’s background in enterprise-wide strategy and large-scale leadership development equips her to work effectively with executive teams, mid-level leaders, and cross-functional groups.

She helps organizations move from vision to execution — with culture and leadership working in alignment.

Drawing on more than 30 years of executive experience, Andrea understands the operational realities leaders face. Her work integrates strategic planning, leadership development, and team dynamics to create clarity at every level of the organization.
She helps organizations move from vision to execution — with culture and leadership working in alignment.

Andrea Bolin partners with organizations ready to strengthen leadership alignment, sharpen strategy, and build cultures that drive measurable performance. Drawing on more than 30 years of executive experience, Andrea understands the operational re... Show more

Dan Popescu

Dan Popescu

I combine execution, people-first leadership, and structured thinking to build scalable educational and community-driven projects. My background spans IT and entrepreneurship, giving me a unique perspective on building sustainable ventures.
QA Tester, Community Builder in Iasi and Bucharest, Entrepreneur or Mentor- many hats, same person.

I’m particularly interested in projects at the intersection of education, technology, and human connection.

I combine execution, people-first leadership, and structured thinking to build scalable educational and community-driven projects. My background spans IT and entrepreneurship, giving me a unique perspective on building sustainable ventures. QA Test... Show more

Vajira Samararatne

Vajira Samararatne

More than 300,000 members, over $30 million paid in claims, and a 98 percent customer satisfaction rate describe the company Vajira Samararatne has built. An entrepreneur, business consultant, and business executive, he founded CoverageX, a rapidly growing provider of vehicle protection plans and home warranty services with strong third-party review scores. His model is customer-first by design, resting on transparency, direct support, and simplified claims management in a field long faulted for complicated contracts and uneven service.

CoverageX operates across two product lines that share a customer concern: the unpredictable cost of keeping essential things working.

On the automotive side, repair bills have risen with advances in automotive technology, electronic systems, sensors, and drivetrain complexity. CoverageX vehicle service contracts are designed to help owners manage those unexpected costs. The company illustrates the exposure with a specific figure, citing an average engine repair cost of approximately $9,292 for a driver without protection coverage, which reframes a service contract as practical financial planning rather than an optional luxury.

On the home side, Vajira Samararatne moved the company into home warranty services so it could serve homeowners facing repair and replacement bills on household systems and appliances. Those plans cover heating systems, cooling systems, plumbing infrastructure, electrical systems, refrigerators, and water heaters, with optional add-ons available for swimming pools, spas, guest houses, wine coolers, and additional air conditioning units. Rather than requiring several disconnected policies, the company folds systems and appliance protection into one comprehensive plan that customers tailor with add-ons.

Automotive coverage is organized into four primary tiers.

Essential focuses on core mechanical systems, covering engines, transmissions, drivetrains, seals, gaskets, and applicable turbocharger components. Signature expands into electrical systems, air conditioning, and suspension components. Premium introduces advanced technology coverage and broader system protection. Executive is exclusionary, meaning systems are covered unless they are specifically listed as exceptions.

Locked-in pricing runs alongside the tiers. Under this feature, promoted throughout Vajira Samararatne's tenure, CoverageX says customers can maintain their coverage rate for life as long as their policy stays active, a response to buyers worried about rising service costs and future premium increases.

Protection companies have historically leaned on contracts and exclusions, leaving consumers unsure what coverage really meant. Vajira Samararatne founded CoverageX with the opposite instinct: protection services should feel supportive, not complicated, and clarity became the company's identity.

CoverageX states openly how vehicle service contracts work, what they include, and what they leave out. It also puts out educational material on claims procedures, roadside assistance, repair coordination, and the maintenance responsibilities customers retain. In practice, that philosophy shows up as online quotes delivered in minutes, roadside assistance included with vehicle protection plans, claims support available 24 hours a day, year-round, and approved repairs paid directly to repair facilities.

Scale in this industry depends on operational structure. Customer support, claims management, and payment systems have to work together, and CoverageX formalized that into a four-step claims process.

The member contacts the claims department and reports the issue. Qualifying automotive claims may include temporary transportation support while the vehicle is out of service. Claims advisors then review the coverage and coordinate with the repair facility. Finally, CoverageX pays the approved repair shop directly.

That last step is a deliberate choice. Direct payment means customers are not forced to absorb a large out-of-pocket repair expense and then wait on reimbursement.

Under Vajira Samararatne, customer experience functions as a central business strategy rather than a support function. Many companies advertise good service. CoverageX puts service quality at the front of its public identity.

Company materials report a 98 percent customer satisfaction rate and a 4.5-star rating on both Google and Trustpilot, and the company promotes an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau as part of its trust-building work. The 30-day money-back guarantee serves the same purpose from the buyer's side, lowering the risk for new customers and easing hesitation among consumers uncertain about protection plans.

Relationships with established automotive and service brands form another pillar of Vajira Samararatne's leadership. Publicly listed partners include AAMCO, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Meineke, Pep Boys, Take 5 Oil Change, and Valvoline.

Each relationship strengthens the operational network while adding recognizable names to the service ecosystem customers rely on. That matters because CoverageX operates nationwide, and access to reliable repair and service networks is what keeps the experience consistent from one part of the country to another.

The through line in Vajira Samararatne's work is straightforward. He has built a business in which the promises made at the point of sale- clear terms, fixed pricing, fast support, and direct payment- are the same promises the operation is engineered to keep.

More than 300,000 members, over $30 million paid in claims, and a 98 percent customer satisfaction rate describe the company Vajira Samararatne has built. An entrepreneur, business consultant, and business executive, he founded CoverageX, a rapidly g... Show more

Saravanan K Nagarajan

Saravanan K Nagarajan

Saravanan is an Architect working at Rabobank, Netherlands and one of the leads of the Architecture, SAP and Sustainability communities.

He has more than 25 years of experience in diverse IT and business roles with different banks across the world.

His passion is in Architecture, ERP solutions and Sustainable IT.

Saravanan is an Architect working at Rabobank, Netherlands and one of the leads of the Architecture, SAP and Sustainability communities. He has more than 25 years of experience in diverse IT and business roles with different banks across the world... Show more

Brad Mathis

Brad Mathis

Brad Mathis is a Senior Information Security Consultant at Keller Schroeder with over 40 years of experience in information technology, working across multiple industries including financial services and healthcare.

Brad specializes in cybersecurity governance, risk management, and vCISO advisory services, helping organizations move beyond tools and start making informed, business-driven risk decisions.

His work focuses on security assessments, vulnerability management, and building practical, measurable approaches to risk reduction.

As both a former client of Keller Schroeder and a long-time consultant, Brad brings a pragmatic, real-world perspective to cybersecurity challenges, bridging the gap between technical teams and business leadership.

He holds multiple industry certifications, including CISSP, CGEIT, CRISC, and GIAC credentials (GPEN, GCCC, GSTRT), with a focus on governance, risk, and strategic security leadership.

Outside of cybersecurity, Brad is an active community leader, serving in Rotary and on local boards, with a strong commitment to service and education.

Brad Mathis is a Senior Information Security Consultant at Keller Schroeder with over 40 years of experience in information technology, working across multiple industries including financial services and healthcare. Brad specializes in cybersecuri... Show more

Lilian Stenholt

Lilian Stenholt

Lilian Stenholt combines tech know-how with a communicator’s mindset – breaking down complexity and building Power Platform solutions that just make sense. With 20+ years of experience in the software world and as a recognised Power App Champion, she’s been leading the charge on governance, UX, and business impact for over a decade.

With a background in both communications and software development, Lilian has a knack for breaking down complex concepts in ways that make sense. Since transitioning to the Power Platform in 2017, she has become an expert in Power Platform Governance as well as creating holistic , user-friendly Power solutions.

Over her career, she has focused on creating tailored digital solutions, with a deep dedication to understanding end-user needs. When building Power solutions, Lilian is especially passionate about creating solutions that ensure a seamless and intuitive experience for the users.

Lilian brings practical insights and a genuine enthusiasm for helping others make the most of the Power Platform, while keeping the user experience at the forefront.

Lilian Stenholt combines tech know-how with a communicator’s mindset – breaking down complexity and building Power Platform solutions that just make sense. With 20+ years of experience in the software world and as a recognised Power App Champion, she... Show more

Candyce Edelen

Candyce Edelen

Candyce Edelen is a seasoned entrepreneur with valuable experience from co-founding two fintech companies, including one that made the Deloitte Fast 50 list in 2004. Since 2007, she has led PropelGrowth, helping financial and tech firms develop go-to-market strategies, with 13 clients achieving successful exits during this time.

In 2018, she pivoted her focus and used LinkedIn to rapidly build a new pipeline. This success led her to teach hundreds of small business owners and sellers how to attract leads and build effective sales pipelines reliably.

Candyce Edelen is a seasoned entrepreneur with valuable experience from co-founding two fintech companies, including one that made the Deloitte Fast 50 list in 2004. Since 2007, she has led PropelGrowth, helping financial and tech firms develop go-to... Show more

Mike Breeze

Mike Breeze

Mike Breeze is a leadership speaker, author, and former law enforcement officer who has spent more than two decades fascinated by one question: Why do people do what they do?

As the author of Behavior Follows Reinforcement, Mike helps leaders recognize how everyday communication, expectations, and reinforcement shape the behavior of the people around them. His approach gives audiences a practical way to think differently about leadership, workplace communication, employee engagement, and difficult conversations.

Mike's perspective comes from an unconventional career spanning law enforcement, business, and more than two decades working professionally with audiences across the country. Those experiences have given him a unique perspective on how people think, respond, communicate, and influence one another.

Combining humor, audience interaction, storytelling, and behavioral principles, Mike makes complex ideas easy to understand, practical, and memorable.

His signature message, Behavior Follows Reinforcement™, challenges leaders to ask a simple but powerful question: What am I reinforcing?

Mike has presented for professional associations, conferences, schools, and organizations across the country, delivering keynotes and interactive workshops designed to leave audiences engaged and looking at human behavior from a different perspective.

Mike Breeze is a leadership speaker, author, and former law enforcement officer who has spent more than two decades fascinated by one question: Why do people do what they do? As the author of Behavior Follows Reinforcement, Mike helps leaders reco... Show more

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