Shelly Townsend is a very gifted and imaginative woman who is well-known for her creative thinking. One of London's most esteemed colleges, Imperial College, awarded her a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in 2013. Shely Townsend has dreamed of becoming a fashion designer since she was a young girl. She did, however, pursue a BBA at her father's request. She still wanted to follow her ambition, though, even after all these years. She made the decision to start her brand at that point. On December 25, 2015, Shelly Townsend's birthday, she debuted her first line of Men's Cotton Jackets UK. In Malvern, she set up her brand's headquarters.

Shelly Townsend is a very gifted and imaginative woman who is well-known for her creative thinking. One of London's most esteemed colleges, Imperial College, awarded her a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in 2013. Shely Townsend has dreamed ... Show more

A Symphony of Talent, Service, and Entertainment
T. S. Edwards or Teresa, affectionately known as "MiZZ Entertainment," is a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, weaving a tapestry of diverse experiences and talents. With an MBA from Kennesaw State University and over two decades of distinguished service in the U.S. Air Force, Edwards has seamlessly transitioned from global military operations to commanding stages and boardrooms alike.

As an entrepreneur, author, executive producer, playwright, and music consultant, Edwards brings unparalleled energy and expertise to every endeavor. Her magnetic presence as a speaker and host has electrified audiences across hundreds of events, collaborating with industry titans such as Warner Bros. Discovery, AT&T, and the Technology Association of Georgia.

Edwards' journey from telecommunications professional to entertainment mogul is a testament to her adaptability and passion. As co-founder of Terror Dome Entertainment, LLC, she channels her creative vision into groundbreaking video and music productions. Her commitment to social causes shines through Silence the Tears, a non-profit she founded to support abused children. And From School to Possibilities, a non-profit she found to support minority high school students interested in media and entertainment.

Featured in CanvasRebel and VoyageATL, Edwards' influence extends beyond the spotlight. She dedicates her time as a KSU Executive MBA Program coach and serves on numerous entertainment and technology boards, shaping the future of the industry.

Her artistic repertoire is as diverse as her skill set, spanning television shows, podcasts, plays, movie shorts, and books. The "Adventures of Hildie and Carlos" children's book series stands as a heartwarming tribute to her granddaughter.

In every role - be it entrepreneur, veteran, consultant, mentor, or family woman - T.S. Edwards brings an infectious enthusiasm and unwavering dedication. Those who work with her don't just become clients; they become part of a legacy built on passion, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

T. S. Edwards doesn't just entertain; she inspires, innovates, and ignites the potential in others, truly embodying the essence of "MiZZ Entertainment" in every aspect of her multifaceted career.

A Symphony of Talent, Service, and Entertainment T. S. Edwards or Teresa, affectionately known as "MiZZ Entertainment," is a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, weaving a tapestry of diverse experiences and talents. With an MBA from Kennesa... Show more

Juraj Vasek builds (and occasionally breaks) internal production platforms at the intersection of AI, data, and platform engineering. Previously, he spent several years at Emma Sleep integrating data insights into product R&D to improve quality and accelerate development. He’s worked across data engineering and software engineering roles in startups and global communities. Juraj studied at Minerva University. In his free time, he supports Slovak NGOs bringing STEM to young people.

Juraj Vasek builds (and occasionally breaks) internal production platforms at the intersection of AI, data, and platform engineering. Previously, he spent several years at Emma Sleep integrating data insights into product R&D to improve quality and a... Show more

John Mead is a youth development speaker and entrepreneur dedicated to helping young people recognize their potential and change the trajectory of their lives. For 15 years, John worked inside a juvenile detention center, where he witnessed firsthand how environment, mindset, and opportunity shape the choices young people make.

Those experiences transformed his perspective and inspired him to build a mission focused on empowering youth through empathy, accountability, and growth mindset. Today, John is the founder of MVA Wellness, where he delivers workshops and talks that help students develop self-awareness, resilience, and self-efficacy.

Through powerful storytelling and real-life lessons from working with justice-involved youth, John helps students challenge limiting beliefs and recognize the power they have to rewrite their future. His work focuses on leadership, personal responsibility, and helping young people believe in what is truly possible for their lives.

John Mead is a youth development speaker and entrepreneur dedicated to helping young people recognize their potential and change the trajectory of their lives. For 15 years, John worked inside a juvenile detention center, where he witnessed firsthand... Show more

Bruce Abernethy is a seasoned developer with over 30 years of experience in corporate, consulting, and product companies. He has developed, written, presented, and taught front-end development as user interface technologies have evolved since 1992. He is currently the Software Development Manager for a financial services company in Grand Rapids, Michigan - leading two teams working on active development in Flutter and supporting back-end technologies.

Bruce Abernethy is a seasoned developer with over 30 years of experience in corporate, consulting, and product companies. He has developed, written, presented, and taught front-end development as user interface technologies have evolved since 1992. ... Show more

Bennett D. Bennett (he/him) is currently Cultural Strategy Director, US at GUT. In this role, Bennett oversees inclusion strategy and trend curation, ensuring GUT’s clients and teams meet the moment in multicultural, lifestyle, and entertainment projects. Bringing a multi-disciplined background, his past lives as a creative director, journalist, talent advocate, and content strategist combine to help future-forward brands create intentional, non-traditional campaigns and content.

A career-long advocate of talent equity for media professionals from marginalized groups, he’s a founder of the nonprofit 600 & Rising, and the inclusion summit Allyship and Action.
Bennett’s decade-plus in marketing and media have has included stints at Interbrand, BBDO New York, The Drum, Saatchi & Saatchi, and 22Squared. A 2013 MAIP Alum, Bennett’s been honored as a 2017 ADWEEK Young Influential and one of the 4As 100 People Who Make Advertising Great.

Bennett D. Bennett (he/him) is currently Cultural Strategy Director, US at GUT. In this role, Bennett oversees inclusion strategy and trend curation, ensuring GUT’s clients and teams meet the moment in multicultural, lifestyle, and entertainment proj... Show more

An award-winning bilingual journalist, TV personality, mom, speaker and Latina content creator featured on Good Morning America, Today, Despierta América, Hoy Día, CNN en Español and other shows, Jeannette Kaplun is the founder of bilingual lifestyle magazine Hispana Global, where she offers inspiration, tips and information in English and Spanish. Previously she cofounded multimedia parenting company Todobebé and was one of the first Latina mom bloggers. She was a Special Advisor to The Bank of America Institute for Women's Entrepreneurship at Cornell and was included in the Forbes #Next1000 2021 list. Her latest venture is Midlife Elevated, which hosts workshops for women over 40. Find her on social media @jeannettekaplun.

An award-winning bilingual journalist, TV personality, mom, speaker and Latina content creator featured on Good Morning America, Today, Despierta América, Hoy Día, CNN en Español and other shows, Jeannette Kaplun is the founder of bilingual lifestyle... Show more

After 28 years driving industrial hyper-efficiency for a global water bottling giant, I experienced a profound wake-up call regarding the fragility and ecological cost of our optimization models. Today, as the co-founder of Permabilis, a purpose-driven R&D pre-seed startup, and holding an Executive PhD from Paris-Dauphine, I challenge corporate leaders to move beyond the 'cult of efficiency' to build systemic robustness in practice. I guide organizations toward regenerative economics and 'Responsible Plastic' trajectories, leveraging decentralized technologies not just to optimize, but to fundamentally transform behaviors and industrial ecosystems.

After 28 years driving industrial hyper-efficiency for a global water bottling giant, I experienced a profound wake-up call regarding the fragility and ecological cost of our optimization models. Today, as the co-founder of Permabilis, a purpose-driv... Show more

Jimmy Clare is an autistic keynote speaker, podcaster, and founder of CrazyFitnessGuy®, a wellness platform that makes neurodiversity, mental health, and sustainable habits practical for everyday life. Growing up autistic with a non‑verbal learning disorder, Jimmy was bullied in school, faced multiple surgeries and health challenges, and was often told what he would never be able to do. Instead of letting those experiences define him, he learned to turn adversity into fuel and now helps audiences do the same.

Through his keynotes and the CrazyFitnessGuy® Show, Jimmy blends lived experience, humor, and clear frameworks to help people build realistic habits, rethink what “healthy” can look like, and support neurodivergent colleagues, students, and family members more effectively. His sessions translate big ideas about inclusion, resilience, and wellness into small, concrete actions that busy people can actually use.

Jimmy likes to joke that he is “the poor Matt Damon of the speaking world”—no Hollywood budget, no stunt doubles, just a real guy who shows up, tells the truth, and helps people laugh while they rethink what they are capable of. Event organizers value his no‑fluff style, professionalism, and flexibility. He collaborates on goals and audience needs, adapts to different room setups and formats, and delivers engaging content that works for both students and professionals. Jimmy is a strong fit for events focused on autism and neurodiversity, mental health and wellness, bullying and resilience, and inclusive workplace culture.

Jimmy Clare is an autistic keynote speaker, podcaster, and founder of CrazyFitnessGuy®, a wellness platform that makes neurodiversity, mental health, and sustainable habits practical for everyday life. Growing up autistic with a non‑verbal learning d... Show more

Sam Jenkins is a community strategist, facilitator, and inclusive event design expert with over a decade of experience leading large-scale public programs, workforce initiatives, and cultural events. She currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator in local government while also running Empowering Communities, a consulting practice focused on helping organizations move beyond performative efforts and into practical, people-centered action.

Sam’s work sits at the intersection of leadership, culture, and lived experience. She specializes in supporting front-line staff, building psychologically safe teams, and designing events and initiatives that actually reflect the communities they serve. Her background in parks and recreation, combined with her systems-level DEI work, gives her a rare perspective that resonates with both leadership and on-the-ground staff.

Known for her engaging, honest, and highly interactive style, Sam blends real-world scenarios, storytelling, and actionable tools participants can use immediately. She does not shy away from hard conversations, but she always grounds them in compassion, clarity, and practicality.

Sam has facilitated workshops, panels, and trainings for government agencies, nonprofits, and professional associations, and she consistently receives feedback for creating spaces that feel both challenging and supportive. Her sessions are especially impactful for audiences navigating burnout, change fatigue, and the pressure to “get it right” without enough guidance or support.

Sam Jenkins is a community strategist, facilitator, and inclusive event design expert with over a decade of experience leading large-scale public programs, workforce initiatives, and cultural events. She currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and I... Show more

Michael Benjamin is an entrepreneur, burn survivor, and founder of a fast growing chocolate manufacturing company.

After surviving a catastrophic explosion that left him in a coma with severe burns, Michael returned home to twin boys who did not recognize him. Instead of rebuilding quietly, he chose to build publicly. Companies. Teams. Responsibility.

Today he leads multiple businesses while raising five children under five with his wife, Rivka. He has navigated missed payroll, rapid growth, capital pressure, and high stakes decisions with no safety net and no room to collapse.

Michael speaks to leaders and founders about performing under pressure. Not theory. Not motivation. Real decisions when fear, fatigue, and responsibility collide.

Audiences walk away with a clear framework for leading through crisis, building resilience that is operational not emotional, and making bold moves when retreat would be easier.

His message is simple:

Pressure Is the Environment. Perform Anyway.

Michael Benjamin is an entrepreneur, burn survivor, and founder of a fast growing chocolate manufacturing company. After surviving a catastrophic explosion that left him in a coma with severe burns, Michael returned home to twin boys who did not r... Show more

Blair advanced through multiple roles at MCA, showcasing expertise in Dynamics AX/365 implementations and architecting simple solutions for complex problems. With a strong foundation in multi-site manufacturing and configure to order, I've been instrumental in spreading the "Why D365" movement and making customers happy. Passionate about driving value and aligning business strategy with process efficiency, technology and desired outcomes. Big fan of manufacturing/distribution and uncovering the 'why' behind the 'what' before we just 'do' it.

Blair advanced through multiple roles at MCA, showcasing expertise in Dynamics AX/365 implementations and architecting simple solutions for complex problems. With a strong foundation in multi-site manufacturing and configure to order, I've been instr... Show more

Adam is a tinkerer by nature and an educator at heart. He started out his career creating curriculum on various tools in web development tech and delivering them to universities, high schools, and libraries through a platform he built called Braincubator. For Adam, Developer Relations is the sweet spot for professional skillsets and personal passion where he gets to explore building new technologies with broader communities. He's owned and operated in engineering and developer relations at big companies and early stage start ups too.

Adam is a tinkerer by nature and an educator at heart. He started out his career creating curriculum on various tools in web development tech and delivering them to universities, high schools, and libraries through a platform he built called Braincub... Show more

Harshil Siyani builds production AI systems that non-technical teams depend on daily. He currently works at News Corp Australia's Editorial Innovation team, where he built a multi-agent document processing pipeline from scratch, handling hundreds of large documents monthly. Over 11 architecture iterations the pipeline's completion rate went from 53% to 85%. His work spans the full AI model landscape including Gemini, GPT-4, and Claude, with a focus on making multi-agent orchestration reliable enough for real-world use in domains where accuracy has consequences.

Harshil has presented at multiple Google Developer Group events including GDG Melbourne DevFest and GDG Canberra DevFest, and has been a panelist at ACS Canberra on AI capability and rapid prototyping. He won the People's Choice Award at a company-wide hackathon for an AI-powered cybersecurity code scanner. With 5+ years of experience across Python, TypeScript, and React, he specialises in taking AI systems from prototype to production, particularly in environments where the end users aren't engineers and the stakes are real.

Harshil Siyani builds production AI systems that non-technical teams depend on daily. He currently works at News Corp Australia's Editorial Innovation team, where he built a multi-agent document processing pipeline from scratch, handling hundreds of ... Show more

Hela Chhayder, Founder of STEP INSIGHT and Director of AI Strategy and Govtech at GOV CAMPUS, is an AI & data strategy expert with over 15 years of experience in AI, data science, and analytics. She has led large-scale data initiatives for public and private sector organizations across the MENA region, specializing in AI-driven transformation, data strategy frameworks, and advanced analytics.

As the founder of STEP INSIGHT, she has advised multinational clients on AI Strategy, Governance, and upskilling activation. As the director of AI strategy and Govtech at GOV CAMPUS, Hela runs multiple training sessions and projects for governmental entities across the UAE and Qatar on govtech, digital transformation, Data strategy, and the importance of Data in the governmental sector.

Hela holds an Executive MBA from Hult International Business School and an engineering degree in statistics and data analysis from Carthage University.

Hela Chhayder, Founder of STEP INSIGHT and Director of AI Strategy and Govtech at GOV CAMPUS, is an AI & data strategy expert with over 15 years of experience in AI, data science, and analytics. She has led large-scale data initiatives for public and... Show more

Faical Yannick P. Congo holds a PhD in Cloud Computing and Data Systems and developed a strong research background in collaboration with NIST and Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA), focusing on cloud architectures, data platforms, and standardization-driven approaches.

He has led and contributed to large-scale cloud, data, and AI initiatives within major international organizations including OCP Nutricrops, Sodexo, and Alain Afflelou, working in regulated, multi-region, and business-critical environments.

In parallel, Faical has built entrepreneurial ventures in the United States, France, and Africa, delivering AI and digital solutions across multiple industries, from agriculture and services to retail and industrial sectors. His work consistently emphasizes vendor-agnostic architectures, open technologies, and long-term platform autonomy.

His current focus lies at the intersection of Private AI, cloud-native platforms, Kubernetes, and DevSecOps standards, with a particular emphasis on compute-driven AI standardization (CPU/GPU), agent-based architectures, and sovereign AI operating models.

Faical Yannick P. Congo holds a PhD in Cloud Computing and Data Systems and developed a strong research background in collaboration with NIST and Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA), focusing on cloud architectures, data platforms, and standardization... Show more

Kishi is a community builder, strategist, and ecosystem operator focused on helping people and organizations build communities that are intentional, sustainable, and commercially viable.

She is the Founder of The CM Guide, a community and resource hub created to support community managers across different career stages with tools, education, and real-world frameworks for building and managing communities effectively.

With hands-on experience across community operations, programming, engagement strategy, and career development, Kishi has worked closely with early-career professionals, founders, and community teams navigating growth, structure, and long-term sustainability. Her work includes helping communities move from ad-hoc engagement to systems-driven strategy aligned with business and ecosystem goals.

Kishi is particularly passionate about career development for early graduates and career switchers, especially those building from non-traditional backgrounds. Through her newsletter, speaking engagements, and community programs, she provides practical guidance on entering the community profession, building transferable skills, and positioning for global opportunities.
Her influence extends beyond digital spaces into in-person community experiences, workshops, and events, where she facilitates conversations around leadership, resilience, and the realities of managing communities while building a career and personal life. She is recognized for her grounded perspective on community work—balancing empathy, structure, and measurable impact.
Kishi continues to contribute to the global community ecosystem through thought leadership, mentorship, and participation in professional community initiatives, while actively building platforms that support the next generation of community leaders.
Speaker Topics / Areas of Expertise
Topics I Speak On
Community & Ecosystem Building
Building and scaling communities from zero to impact

Community strategy beyond engagement: structure, systems, and sustainability

Community-led growth for non-product and service-based organizations

Designing inclusive and high-trust communities

Community operations, governance, and metrics that actually matter
Career Development & Early-Career Growth
Starting and growing a career in community management

Career strategy for early graduates and career switchers

Navigating tech careers without traditional access or privilege

Positioning yourself for global opportunities (programs, fellowships, roles)

Turning skills, projects, and communities into career leverage
Personal Development & Leadership
Building confidence, clarity, and professional identity early in your career

Leadership without titles: influence, ownership, and initiative

Managing burnout, boundaries, and growth in community-facing roles
Project & Program Management
Running large-scale community programs and initiatives

Project management fundamentals for community and non-technical roles

Cross-functional collaboration between community, product, and engineering

Planning, execution, and stakeholder management for community programs

Currently serving as the Chapter Director for CMX Ogun, Nigeria, Kishi is dedicated to advancing the community management profession by creating opportunities for growth and collaboration among professionals.

Kishi is a community builder, strategist, and ecosystem operator focused on helping people and organizations build communities that are intentional, sustainable, and commercially viable. She is the Founder of The CM Guide, a community and resourc... Show more

Giovanni Giamminola is a strategic advisor, author, and researcher specialising in AI-driven
management, cognitive governance, and strategic transformation. He brings over twenty years of
executive experience as CEO in Europe and North America, having led entrepreneurial and
multinational organisations operating at multi-billion-euro scale.
He holds a degree in Economics from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and completed
executive education programs at Harvard Business School. His professional background combines
hands-on leadership experience with deep expertise in the design and implementation of large-scale
digital and AI-enabled transformation initiatives, with a specific focus on how artificial intelligence
reshapes decision-making, governance structures, and leadership practices.
Giovanni works with boards and senior leadership teams to design advanced decision architectures
that integrate artificial intelligence, cognitive models, and organisational systems, with the objective
of improving the quality, robustness, and accountability of strategic reasoning in complex
environments.
He is the founder of Systemic Zero, the framework underpinning his work on Cognitive
Governance: a discipline focused on governing hybrid human–AI decision systems and preserving
managerial agency in the age of intelligent machines. His work explores how organisations can
move beyond AI as a productivity tool and treat it as a structural component of strategic cognition.
Giovanni is the author of The Augmented Manager (https://a.co/d/2h5pyox) and The Augmented
Brand, and his publications contribute to the international debate on how AI is redefining strategy,
leadership, competitive positioning, and models of organisational governance. He regularly
contributes to executive education initiatives and public forums on AI, leadership, and the future of
management.

Giovanni Giamminola is a strategic advisor, author, and researcher specialising in AI-driven management, cognitive governance, and strategic transformation. He brings over twenty years of executive experience as CEO in Europe and North America, h... Show more

Kari Langkamp is a Master Certified Coach who helps people stop waiting and start living as their Future Selves now. Her work is grounded, practical, and deeply human, supporting clients who feel a quiet pull toward their next chapter and want to move forward in a way that actually feels like them.

Kari Langkamp is a Master Certified Coach who helps people stop waiting and start living as their Future Selves now. Her work is grounded, practical, and deeply human, supporting clients who feel a quiet pull toward their next chapter and want to mov... Show more

Paola Gabriela Zaragoza Cardenales is a New York-barred attorney and academic specializing in intellectual property and corporate law. She holds an SJD from Indiana University, an LLM from UC Berkeley, and a JD-BBA from the University of Puerto Rico. She founded Zaragoza Cardenales LLC, offering legal services to entrepreneurs, and teaches at the University of Puerto Rico. 

Paola Gabriela Zaragoza Cardenales is a New York-barred attorney and academic specializing in intellectual property and corporate law. She holds an SJD from Indiana University, an LLM from UC Berkeley, and a JD-BBA from the University of Puerto Rico.... Show more

Vitor works at Delivery Hero as Sr. Director of Engineering, leading an organization of 80 FTEs and 10 teams in the Driver App and Order Processing domains for the Logistics department. He previously worked in Enterprise Resource Planning, Finance, and Education companies of all sizes. Outside of work, he learns about wine, geography and history, stays active with tennis and calisthenics, and is on a journey to learn to become an epic dad for his two boys (ages 3 and 1).

Vitor works at Delivery Hero as Sr. Director of Engineering, leading an organization of 80 FTEs and 10 teams in the Driver App and Order Processing domains for the Logistics department. He previously worked in Enterprise Resource Planning, Finance, ... Show more

Bishesh Khadka is the Founder and CEO of Imprezia, a YC backed startup building monetization infra for AIapplications. Imprezia helps developers monetize chatbots, copilots, and agentic workflows using privacy-safe, contextual ads embedded directly into AI-generated experiences.

Previously, Bishesh built large-scale infrastructure and monetization systems at Meta and Amazon, where he saw firsthand how existing adtech and subscription models fail to map cleanly onto conversational AI. He started Imprezia to address the growing gap between how users interact with the internet today and how developers get paid for building high-quality AI products.

His work focuses on AI-native business models, real-time intent monetization, and developer-first infrastructure. Bishesh frequently speaks about the future of the internet, the breakdown of traditional monetization models, and how developers can build sustainable AI products without sacrificing user trust or experience.

Bishesh Khadka is the Founder and CEO of Imprezia, a YC backed startup building monetization infra for AIapplications. Imprezia helps developers monetize chatbots, copilots, and agentic workflows using privacy-safe, contextual ads embedded directly i... Show more

Technology Modernization Leader with over 25 years of experience partnering with C-suites around digital strategy and transformation of their global enterprises into modern businesses translating data into actionable insights.

Deep expertise in cutting edge technology solutions built on Human Centered Product Engineering, Data Science & Statistics, Cloud platforms, Big data, AI & Analytics, and Generative AI/ML algorithms.

Technology Modernization Leader with over 25 years of experience partnering with C-suites around digital strategy and transformation of their global enterprises into modern businesses translating data into actionable insights. Deep expertise in cu... Show more

Steph Houle is a design leader, coach, and consultant with over 15 years of experience shaping digital products from startups to Fortune 1 companies alike, including Walmart, Macy’s, and Calvin Klein. She blends her background in UX/UI and product design leadership with a deep commitment to human-centered design practices, helping teams and individuals navigate complexity with clarity, creativity, and resilience.

Through her coaching practice, Steph guides women and creative leaders to cultivate self-expression, intuitive authority, and sustainable ways of working. Her talks invite audiences into both practical frameworks and reflective pauses, bridging design methodologies with personal leadership.

Steph Houle is a design leader, coach, and consultant with over 15 years of experience shaping digital products from startups to Fortune 1 companies alike, including Walmart, Macy’s, and Calvin Klein. She blends her background in UX/UI and product de... Show more

Tiemen is an AI engineer at Datashift. After earning a master’s in civil engineering and an advanced master’s in Artificial Intelligence (AI), he learned a broad set of development and analytical skills. Afterwards he joined Datashift to continue his career in this fascinating field of data. Within datashift Tiemen’s focus in on developing GenAI-applications that have a clear link to the business. His manages is to introduce new technologies and integrate them with existing processes. When not developing transformative solutions for the business he enjoys running, cycling or skiing.

Tiemen is an AI engineer at Datashift. After earning a master’s in civil engineering and an advanced master’s in Artificial Intelligence (AI), he learned a broad set of development and analytical skills. Afterwards he joined Datashift to continue his... Show more

25 Years of Industry Experience delivering large scale digital transformations for multiple Fortune 100 companies using Pattern-based, Open Architecture Frameworks and AI first, Context-Aware Data and Digital Platforms.

25 Years of Industry Experience delivering large scale digital transformations for multiple Fortune 100 companies using Pattern-based, Open Architecture Frameworks and AI first, Context-Aware Data and Digital Platforms. Show more

Shirin is a thought leader, tech pioneer, and media innovator. As Founder of WhizGirls Academy and PlayWerks, she empowers young women to code, create, and lead with confidence. A TEDx speaker, USC professor, and award-winning visionary, Shirin inspires the next generation of innovators through technology, entrepreneurship, and storytelling.

Shirin is a thought leader, tech pioneer, and media innovator. As Founder of WhizGirls Academy and PlayWerks, she empowers young women to code, create, and lead with confidence. A TEDx speaker, USC professor, and award-winning visionary, Shirin inspi... Show more

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

Third generation funeral director, award winning journalist

Third generation funeral director, award winning journalist Show more

Product design leadership with a focus on wellness and behavior change.

Product design leadership with a focus on wellness and behavior change. Show more