Consumer Goods & Services

Professionals focused on products and services for personal use, working in sectors like retail, customer care, and product development

Harshil Siyani

Harshil Siyani

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

Hela Chhayder

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

Faïçal Congo

Faïçal Congo

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 Wuraola Fadeko - Olayiwola

Kishi Wuraola Fadeko - Olayiwola

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

Arun Pratap Singh

Arun Pratap Singh


Arun Pratap Singh is an IEEE Senior Member and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Distinguished judge and speaker on agentic AI & analytics adoption in enterprise analytics at MIT, Harvard, Yale, Duke, Georgia Tech, the University of California, San Diego, and various IEEE conferences.

He is a contributing author to CIO Magazine, where he writes on analytics maturity frameworks, agentic AI & analytics adoption, and digital transformation. His recent research focuses on multi-agent AI architectures and autonomous decision systems, examining how organizations can scale AI from experimental pilots to production-grade infrastructure.

Arun Pratap Singh is an IEEE Senior Member and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Distinguished judge and speaker on agentic AI & analytics adoption in enterprise analytics at MIT, Harvard, Yale, Duke, Georgia Tech, the ... Show more

Anusha Kovi

Anusha Kovi

Anusha Kovi is a Business Intelligence Engineer at Amazon, where she builds and scales data platforms that power analytics, operational intelligence, and data-driven decision-making across large, distributed systems. She specializes in end-to-end data engineering—designing ETL pipelines and data models, orchestrating workflows with Apache Airflow and AWS, and delivering dashboards that turn raw data into clear insights that drive business outcomes. With 6+ years of experience, she is based in Washington, United States, and holds a Master's degree from Michigan Technological University.

Beyond her engineering role, Anusha is an IEEE-published author, a technical writer on DZone and Hackernoon, and a conference speaker whose work has been accepted at international research conferences and industry events. She’s passionate about making data engineering more accessible, advancing women in technology, and helping organizations build BI infrastructure that keeps pace with an AI-native world. She mentored 200+ students; a frequent judge and evaluator for student and industry innovation programs.

Anusha Kovi is a Business Intelligence Engineer at Amazon, where she builds and scales data platforms that power analytics, operational intelligence, and data-driven decision-making across large, distributed systems. She specializes in end-to-end dat... Show more

Kimetha Dunn

Kimetha Dunn


Kimetha Dunn is a trailblazer in artificial intelligence (AI) and a dedicated advocate for inclusivity in tech. With a background in Speech and Communications, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and a UX/UI Design certificate from General Assembly, Kimetha leads generative AI research at Microsoft, driving product development and mentoring emerging UX professionals. Kimetha is the founder of The Fedeila Group where they empower organizations by providing innovative AI research and ethical AI and EI (emotional intelligence) training. The Fedeila Group's mission is to ensure AI technologies are taught and implemented responsibly and effectively, fostering trust, integrity, and long-term success for all involved. Kimetha has shared her expertise at high-profile events, including Microsoft Ignite 2024, ScaleAI discussions on diversity, Blacks in Technology (BITCON) 2024 on mitigating bias in AI, and most recently as a Speaker with the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) discussing ways to bring resources using technology to our beloved Haitian communities. Kimetha is passionate about uplifting Black women and people in AI and regularly mentors non-traditional students to break into the UX/UI field. She is involved in organizations like Black Women in AI (BWIAI), Blacks in Technology (BIT) Atlanta Chapter and is an active community leader for Interaction Design Foundation Chicago chapter (IxDF) and ADPList Atlanta Chapter. Kimetha lives by the motto. "Speak what you want until you see what you've said."

Kimetha Dunn is a trailblazer in artificial intelligence (AI) and a dedicated advocate for inclusivity in tech. With a background in Speech and Communications, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and a UX/UI Design certificate from G... Show more

Jesimiel Williams

Jesimiel Williams

Hi, I’m Jesimiel Williams. I’m an innovative Creative with experience in Design, UX and Content Development and Marketing. In 7 years, and through possibly hundreds of visuals, interfaces and written content, I’ve learned to craft interactions toward consumer-centric values, and as such have developed an understanding of consumer trends and how to optimize experiences and stories to drive adoption and growth for tech products. I’ve worked and consulted for brands in AI, Telecoms, Mobility, Edtech and many other spheres in Africa, Europe and the US including Lara.ng, Stutern, Chess in Slums Africa and many others, whilst also building a product for accessible Mental Health for Africa called Uncloudy.

Hi, I’m Jesimiel Williams. I’m an innovative Creative with experience in Design, UX and Content Development and Marketing. In 7 years, and through possibly hundreds of visuals, interfaces and written content, I’ve learned to craft interactions toward... Show more

Toby Mankertz

Toby Mankertz

My expertise in facilitating transformational change is underscored by a robust portfolio in various sectors including manufacturing, food & beverage and professional services. Our team's success in implementing ERP systems and leveraging analytical skills has consistently driven operational efficiencies and competitive advantage for our customers

I have the pleasure of also being the Global Industry Expert Lead for Manufacturing at Columbus. I am part of a strong team of technology-agnostic industry experts who collectively possess an extensive understanding of the industry's dynamics, trends, challenges, best practices and thought leadership. We aim to apply this effectively in daily operations, problem-solving, decision-making and collaborative efforts with our clients.

My expertise in facilitating transformational change is underscored by a robust portfolio in various sectors including manufacturing, food & beverage and professional services. Our team's success in implementing ERP systems and leveraging analytical ... Show more

Giovanni Giamminola

Giovanni Giamminola

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

Cíntia Guberovic

Cíntia Guberovic

Sou KCP (Kanban Coaching Professional) e atuo como Superintendente de Governança, Planejamento e Performance no PagBank. Tenho carreira de +20 em TI com foco em agilidade nos últimos 12 anos. Hoje sou responsável pela expansão da agilidade organizacional, Gestão de Projetos e Portfolio do PagBank, através da disseminação de melhores práticas como alavanca de negócios, utilizando conceitos de Business Agility, Kanban e KMM como ferramentas de crescimento exponencial e maturidade organizacional, melhorando a assertividade no atingimento dos objetivos em níveis estratégicos e táticos. Sou também responsável pela gestão e alavancagem do plano de desenvolvimento profissional dos especialistas em agilidade, projetos e portfolio de um dos maiores bancos digitais do Brasil.

Sou KCP (Kanban Coaching Professional) e atuo como Superintendente de Governança, Planejamento e Performance no PagBank. Tenho carreira de +20 em TI com foco em agilidade nos últimos 12 anos. Hoje sou responsável pela expansão da agilidade organizaci... Show more

Kari Langkamp

Kari Langkamp

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 Zaragoza Cardenales

Paola Zaragoza Cardenales

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 Reis

Vitor Reis

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

Yewande Oyebo

Yewande Oyebo

Hi, I’m Yewande.
a digital products expert, storyteller, and global tech strategist.
I help brands create digital experiences that solve real problems and drive growth. I also help professionals navigate career transitions without compromising wellness.
I advocate for digital wellness, helping people feel in control again and use technology with purpose, not pressure

Hi, I’m Yewande. a digital products expert, storyteller, and global tech strategist. I help brands create digital experiences that solve real problems and drive growth. I also help professionals navigate career transitions without compromising we... Show more

Bishesh Khadka

Bishesh Khadka

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

Michael Baeyens

Michael Baeyens

A reference in the world of design and product, creator of La Conf Qui Tue Le Game, and a key contributor to the rise of user- and product-centered culture at France Télévisions for over 10 years, Michael Baeyens (“Mitch”) is currently National Director of Product and Design Practices at eXalt, leading a community of more than 200 product and design professionals (since June 2024).

Following the success of Human After All — closing keynote at UX Conf 2023 (800+ attendees) and subsequently performed 8 times across France for a total audience of over 3,500 — Mitch established himself as a distinctive voice on the ethical, cultural and strategic impacts of AI, drawing a parallel between the career of Daft Punk and our relationship with automation, robotics and generative systems.

Since then, he has created and delivered two major conferences:

UI0 – Interface Zero: The Rise of Invisible Products in the Age of AI,
an exploration of how AI agents are reshaping product design by shifting from user-facing interfaces to products designed for agent-consumers. The talk examines the deep impact of this paradigm shift on design and product roles, methods and responsibilities. UI0 has been presented more than 16 times across France and internationally (including LPC Paris and PMF Zurich), reaching over 8,000 attendees and generating more than 8,000 video views.

FAMOUS – Lessons Learned on Brand, Values and Resilience from the Most Iconic (and Maybe the Most Underrated) Product of Our Times (FLUPA 2025),
a cultural and strategic analysis of Taylor Swift’s career as a product ecosystem, extracting concrete lessons on brand consistency, long-term vision, value systems and resilience that modern product teams can apply to their own work.

Recognized for mastering the art of storytelling, Mitch brings audiences along through a distinctive mix of sharp insight, humor, personal anecdotes and pop culture references. Sitting at the intersection of strategic planning, design leadership and product expertise, he delivers talks that are both intellectually rigorous and highly engaging — making him an unmissable speaker on the future of product, design and culture in the age of AI.

A reference in the world of design and product, creator of La Conf Qui Tue Le Game, and a key contributor to the rise of user- and product-centered culture at France Télévisions for over 10 years, Michael Baeyens (“Mitch”) is currently National Direc... Show more

Pranay Chanda

Pranay Chanda

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

Steph Houle

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 Vanderstraeten

Tiemen Vanderstraeten

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

Ethan Ruby

Ethan Ruby

Ethan Ruby, Esq., is a licensed attorney in New York and an independent insurance adjuster with a focus on labor law, insurance defense, and high-exposure claims. He built his academic and professional foundation at the Bronx High School of Science, Binghamton University, and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Currently serving as a Senior Claim Specialist at National Claim Services, he brings experience in litigation, mediation, and risk transfer. His qualifications also include licenses in real estate, notary services, and adjusting.

Ethan was born in 1995 and raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in a bilingual household with dual citizenship in the United States and France. Growing up, he was influenced by his parents, who ran a successful hospitality business in New York City. Their example shaped his approach to leadership and commitment to hard work.

While in high school, Attorney Ethan Ruby participated in athletics and was part of a state-champion mock trial team. He began college in New Orleans, where he took part in community programs that mentored young boys who had lost their fathers. He later transferred and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Law in December 2017.

His legal experience began before law school, working as a paralegal at a business immigration firm and interning at the New York County Supreme Court. These early roles gave him exposure to litigation and court operations. In law school, he participated in the mediation clinic, resolving civil and small claims matters, and served as an Associate Editor for a legal journal. He also interned at organizations focused on legal aid and defense.

After passing the New York Bar in 2021, Ethan worked in law firms handling labor law, negligence defense, and insurance litigation. His responsibilities included legal drafting, client preparation, discovery, and court appearances. In 2023, he advanced to managing high-exposure cases involving complex liability and risk transfer.

Since September 2024, he has overseen labor law and construction-related claims, working closely with clients, investigators, and legal teams. Ethan Ruby continues to apply his legal knowledge and practical experience with clarity and professionalism.

Ethan Ruby, Esq., is a licensed attorney in New York and an independent insurance adjuster with a focus on labor law, insurance defense, and high-exposure claims. He built his academic and professional foundation at the Bronx High School of Science, ... Show more

Shirin Salemnia

Shirin Salemnia

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

Leslie Short


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

Michelle Carter

Michelle Carter

Third generation funeral director, award winning journalist

Third generation funeral director, award winning journalist Show more

Michael Farley

Michael Farley

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

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

Britany Acre

Britany Acre

Focused on building strong, transparent, and long-lasting relationships, Britany is a Senior Account Strategist at Last Call Media. With a high-level view of our client's needs and goals, she serves as the integral bridge between the sales team, project team and clients.

Her background in project management, DE&I, and digital consultancy has cultivated her passion for client service through collaboration, communication, and stewardship - this is the most rewarding part of her role.

Focused on building strong, transparent, and long-lasting relationships, Britany is a Senior Account Strategist at Last Call Media. With a high-level view of our client's needs and goals, she serves as the integral bridge between the sales team, proj... Show more

Kylie Bragdon

Kylie Bragdon

Dr. Kylie Bragdon, Ed.D., is a transformational leadership expert and workforce strategist committed to solving one of today’s most pressing challenges: 75% of businesses are struggling to find employees with the right skills. Drawing on her background as an educator and executive leader, Dr. Bragdon empowers organizations to close the talent gap by building innovative, future-ready training solutions.

She is widely recognized for her ability to translate complex challenges into actionable strategies, blending real-world leadership experience with cutting-edge approaches to workforce development. With deep expertise in upskilling, organizational change, and talent pipeline design, she equips leaders with the tools to foster resilience, cultivate high-performing teams, and drive sustainable growth.

Dr. Bragdon’s work is rooted in the belief that the future of work will be built, not found. Her mission is to change the world with kindness by helping organizations create environments where people and performance thrive together.

Dr. Kylie Bragdon, Ed.D., is a transformational leadership expert and workforce strategist committed to solving one of today’s most pressing challenges: 75% of businesses are struggling to find employees with the right skills. Drawing on her backgr... Show more

Terra L. Fletcher

Terra L. Fletcher

Terra L. Fletcher is a fractional CMO and marketing strategist known for helping businesses achieve sustainable growth. With 17 years of experience, she specializes in simplifying complex marketing strategies and empowering organizations to rebrand, scale, and succeed. Terra is the author of Flex Your Marketing and a dynamic speaker who has inspired audiences nationwide with her actionable insights and values-first approach.

Terra L. Fletcher is a fractional CMO and marketing strategist known for helping businesses achieve sustainable growth. With 17 years of experience, she specializes in simplifying complex marketing strategies and empowering organizations to rebrand, ... Show more

Marinka Natale

Marinka Natale

Marinka Natale works at the intersection of cloud, data, AI, and human decision-making, helping organizations question momentum before scaling complexity. Her work centers on asking the questions others avoid—examining not just what technology enables, but whether it is aligned with what people, organizations, and systems actually need.

With experience across healthcare, analytics, emerging technology, and applied research, Marinka brings a systems-level perspective that connects technical architecture with governance, incentives, and real-world outcomes. She is known for challenging default assumptions around innovation, particularly when new tools amplify noise rather than clarity.

Marinka is the Chair of the IEEE Cloud Summit and the founder of LynxIQ, where she advises organizations on designing cloud and AI systems with intention, accountability, and long-term value in mind. Her work emphasizes discernment, restraint, and responsibility as essential components of meaningful technological progress.

Marinka Natale works at the intersection of cloud, data, AI, and human decision-making, helping organizations question momentum before scaling complexity. Her work centers on asking the questions others avoid—examining not just what technology enable... Show more

Jazmin Rivera

Jazmin Rivera

Jazmin Rivera is a CPR and emergency preparedness educator, instructor, and advocate dedicated to training everyday people to act decisively in life-threatening situations. With hands-on experience teaching individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and community organizations, Jazmin equips her audiences with the critical skills and confidence needed to save lives when every second counts.

Her mission is simple but vital: to ensure that no one hesitates during a cardiac emergency. Through engaging presentations, real-world scenarios, and practical demonstrations, Jazmin shows that prepared hands and quick action can mean the difference between life and death.

Jazmin’s work has empowered countless participants to become first responders in their own communities, bridging the gap between bystander uncertainty and life-saving action. Whether delivering keynotes, workshops, or interactive demonstrations, her presentations leave audiences alert, equipped, and ready to act.

Jazmin Rivera is a CPR and emergency preparedness educator, instructor, and advocate dedicated to training everyday people to act decisively in life-threatening situations. With hands-on experience teaching individuals, families, schools, workplaces,... Show more

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