Jessica Adanich is an award-winning graphic designer and the Founder & CEO of DesignPod Studio, a creative agency specializing in branding, design, and marketing strategy. With two decades of experience across industries—from consumer goods to tactical and wellness—she helps businesses build strong, recognizable brands that drive growth. Jessica is also a speaker, educator, and thought leader passionate about making branding approachable and impactful.

Jessica Adanich is an award-winning graphic designer and the Founder & CEO of DesignPod Studio, a creative agency specializing in branding, design, and marketing strategy. With two decades of experience across industries—from consumer goods to tactic... Show more

Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca is CEO & President of Aexa Aerospace, a NASA and DoD contractor recognized globally for innovation. He led the first two-way holographic teleportation with astronauts on the International Space Station and has won NASA’s JSC Director’s Innovation Award and Exceptional Software Award. A sought-after futurist and author (AI in a Nutshell, 33 Predictions for the Next 33 Years), Dr. De La Peña bridges aerospace, defense, and commercial technology. His work has been featured by NASA, TIME, and international media, and he regularly speaks at global conferences including DEFCON, NDIA, and the International Astronautical Congress.

Dr. Fernando De La Peña Llaca is CEO & President of Aexa Aerospace, a NASA and DoD contractor recognized globally for innovation. He led the first two-way holographic teleportation with astronauts on the International Space Station and has won NASA’s... Show more

Srdan Reljic is an accomplished technology executive and a cyber security practitioner with a knack for driving innovation and creating strategic value with extensive hands-on experience in applying cloud native and open source technology to infuse security at every level. His interests lie in secure developer enablement, platform and data engineering, and AI and web3 security.

Srdan Reljic is an accomplished technology executive and a cyber security practitioner with a knack for driving innovation and creating strategic value with extensive hands-on experience in applying cloud native and open source technology to infuse s... Show more

Maryna Peikova is a Wartime CEO who led one of Ukraine’s largest retail chains through the chaos of full-scale war, ensuring business survival and protecting thousands of employees and customers under fire. Today, she serves as President of the Global Council for Business Resilience (France), a global NGO that unites leaders, institutions, and communities to build organizational resilience in the face of crises. Drawing on real-time leadership in extreme conditions and over 20 years of international business experience, she provides practical frameworks for leading under pressure, building resilient organizations, and transforming crises into opportunities. Maryna is the author of book "Unbreakable", a playbook on crisis leadership that blends lived experience with global best practices from leading consultancies.

Speaking Topics:
Leading Through War: Lessons of a Wartime CEO
The Future Belongs to the Resilient: Building Crisis-Proof Organizations
Global Crisis Trends and Their Business Implications
Resilience Frameworks: From Preparedness to Recovery
Women in Crisis Leadership
Building Business Resilience in the time of Permacrisis
Use Crisis as opportunity
Building sustainability via building Resilient business&communities

Value for Audience
Maryna delivers not theory, but lived strategies tested in the harshest environments—war, pandemics, supply chain collapse, and economic disruption. She inspires leaders to act decisively, communicate with integrity, and embed resilience into strategy and culture. Her sessions combine compelling storytelling, data-driven insights, and actionable tools for executives, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.

Maryna Peikova is a Wartime CEO who led one of Ukraine’s largest retail chains through the chaos of full-scale war, ensuring business survival and protecting thousands of employees and customers under fire. Today, she serves as President of the Globa... Show more

Sterling Reed is a resilient and visionary entrepreneur committed to empowering the community. As the CEO of BlackWallStreets.store, he is dedicated to creating a thriving digital space for Black entrepreneurs. His career includes leadership roles as CEO of Vibrantek Solutions and the South Lake Technology Resource Center. Driven by a shared mission of community upliftment, Sterling's experiences have fueled his passion for providing a solid foundation for Black-owned businesses to grow. He is an ideal guest for podcasts focused on entrepreneurship, community development, and technology. As a speaker, he can share his journey and insights on building resilient businesses and fostering economic empowerment. He is also a valuable collaborator for brands looking to create events that celebrate and support the Black business community.

Sterling Reed is a resilient and visionary entrepreneur committed to empowering the community. As the CEO of BlackWallStreets.store, he is dedicated to creating a thriving digital space for Black entrepreneurs. His career includes leadership roles as... Show more

LayerX Inc. MLOps Engineer & Search Engineer. Interested in LLM & Information Retrieval. ex: M3, Inc. graduated from Nagoya Univ.

LayerX Inc. MLOps Engineer & Search Engineer. Interested in LLM & Information Retrieval. ex: M3, Inc. graduated from Nagoya Univ. Show more

Transform your audience's potential into powerful results. Drawing from years of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial success, Robin Oloyede delivers dynamic presentations that help individuals and organizations break through their self-imposed limitations. Featured on Good Morning America and across North America, she combines strategic business acumen with authentic personal development, equipping audiences with proven strategies to transform challenges into opportunities and maximize their untapped potential.

Transform your audience's potential into powerful results. Drawing from years of corporate leadership and entrepreneurial success, Robin Oloyede delivers dynamic presentations that help individuals and organizations break through their self-imposed l... Show more

Lauren V. Davis is a speaker and business strategist who helps entrepreneurs, small and medium business owners, and organizations grow with practical, actionable strategies. Audiences leave her sessions with proven tools they can apply immediately to strengthen visibility, attract loyal customers, and build personal brands that create lasting impact.

Lauren’s entrepreneurial journey began at age 19 when she opened a brick-and-mortar record store that grew into a iconic community hub for 15 years. During that time she built a non-for-profit to help local businesses market themselves in her community. She hosted conferences that rivaled national scale gatherings and knows what it takes to pick a good speaker, and provide a memorable experience. She will take an unforgettable hands-on approach to your audience.

Lauren's real-world experience taught her how to build customer loyalty, create marketing systems that work long-term, and see beyond one-hit-wonder tactics. Today, as a marketing and business strategist, she brings that same real-world perspective to the stage, equipping professionals with strategies that drive sustainable success in branding, marketing, and business growth.

As the founder of Lauren Davis Creative, she has guided speakers, authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs in establishing personal brands that generate consistent engagement and long-term clients. Her work has been featured in Reader’s Digest, Huffington Post, and across global top-rated podcasts. She also hosts The Real Personal Branding Podcast, rated as a top 2% podcast worldwide, where she interviews thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts about building authentic visibility.

Event organizers book Lauren because she delivers more than inspiration—she delivers outcomes. Her presentations are engaging, accessible, and designed for immediate action. Whether delivering a keynote, leading a workshop, or facilitating a mastermind, Lauren ensures audiences walk away with strategies they can implement right away.

Popular topics include:
Building a personal brand that attracts opportunities
Creating a marketing strategy without overwhelm or burnout
Using social media to connect with the right audience
Growing visibility and impact through authentic branding
Practical systems for long-term business growth

Lauren speaks at conferences, association meetings, masterminds, and corporate events across Rockford, Chicago, Northern Illinois, and nationwide. She is equally effective in virtual formats and in-person events, tailoring content to the needs of each audience.

Audiences benefit by gaining:
Clarity in their personal brand and marketing approach
Tools to create immediate traction with customers and clients
Frameworks for social media and marketing that are simple to implement
Confidence to communicate authentically both online and on stage
Long-term strategies that build community, visibility, and loyalty
Lauren knows how to talk to everyone, from well-established associations to low-tech, blue-collar communities and will meet your audience where they are.

Associations, small and medium businesses, and leadership groups turn to Lauren when they want a speaker who delivers actionable insights with relatable energy. Her background as a business owner and strategist allows her to connect with audiences who want practical solutions, not just theory.

When you book Lauren V. Davis as your marketing speaker, your audience will leave with the clarity, confidence, and strategies they need to take their brand and business to the next level.

Keywords: marketing speaker, business coach speaker, personal branding speaker, workshop facilitator, entrepreneur speaker, small business speaker, association conference speaker, mastermind facilitator, social media speaker, Rockford IL, Chicago, Northern Illinois, nationwide speaker.

Lauren V. Davis is a speaker and business strategist who helps entrepreneurs, small and medium business owners, and organizations grow with practical, actionable strategies. Audiences leave her sessions with proven tools they can apply immediately to... Show more

Joy Egbu is a Web Developer and Web3 Product Lead passionate about building impactful digital products. She is the Co-founder of Rubikcon Nexus and Suplar, where she and her team are redesigning how people work, transact, and manage supply chains across Africa..

At Rubikcon Nexus, Joy leads product as Chief Product Officer, working with the token designer to create incentives and systems to encourage and incentivize users to carry out the right behaviour. At Suplar, she wears the hat of Chief of Operations, making sure ideas move from strategy to execution and that the team runs smoothly.

With a background in product development and a strong interest in mental wellness, Joy blends technical skill with purpose in everything she creates. Outside of building, she writes about tech, wellness, and personal growth — and enjoys helping others break into Web3.

Joy Egbu is a Web Developer and Web3 Product Lead passionate about building impactful digital products. She is the Co-founder of Rubikcon Nexus and Suplar, where she and her team are redesigning how people work, transact, and manage supply chains acr... Show more

As a Senior Engineering Leader at Walmart and a Forbes-recognized expert in AI-driven digital transformation, I’d love to contribute a guest article on how modern enterprises can scale AI platforms securely using MCP Server and microservices.

With over 16+ years of experience in web development, web usability, product management, and program management, I am a senior engineering leader who can quickly build high-performing teams and deliver complex software applications across various industries. I hold certifications in software architecture, engineering management, and system security, and I am passionate about solving challenging business and technology problems through innovative approaches to big data, low latency, and distributed applications.

I'm passionate about giving back through mentoring, writing, and speaking on how software engineering leadership shapes business impact and society change using AI. Feel free to connect at ajitsahu@outlook.com or book time with me via https://adplist.org/members/ajit-sahu or contact me by submitting a query at https://ajittech.com/contact

As a Senior Engineering Leader at Walmart and a Forbes-recognized expert in AI-driven digital transformation, I’d love to contribute a guest article on how modern enterprises can scale AI platforms securely using MCP Server and microservices. With... Show more

Vontavius Hurd is an award-winning marketing strategist, licensed real estate agent, and creator of the Presence to Profits Blueprint™ framework. He helps entrepreneurs, business owners, real estate pros, and organizations grow strategically so they stay relevant and never become extinct. When he’s not speaking, he runs his marketing agency, sells out impactful webinars and workshops, and partners with brands as a lifestyle and travel influencer. Off the clock, you’ll probably find him gaming or streaming.

Vontavius Hurd is an award-winning marketing strategist, licensed real estate agent, and creator of the Presence to Profits Blueprint™ framework. He helps entrepreneurs, business owners, real estate pros, and organizations grow strategically so they ... Show more

My approach combines technical rigor with pragmatic problem-solving, taking projects from rapid prototyping to industrial-grade production.

Throughout my career, I have designed and developed innovative solutions in various domains:

- Telecommunication process management, optimizing information flows and service quality
- Intelligent, automated real estate recommendation using Mapbox APIs
- Batch processing of flat files containing electronic payment transaction records

My approach combines technical rigor with pragmatic problem-solving, taking projects from rapid prototyping to industrial-grade production. Throughout my career, I have designed and developed innovative solutions in various domains: - Telecommu... Show more

Highly accomplished senior solutions architect with a proven track record of driving significant revenue growth and building thriving technical communities. My expertise spans Kubernetes (K8s), Application & Data Integration, Database technologies, and advanced data architectures including data warehousing, data lakes, ETL/ELT, and open table formats (Apache Hudi, Iceberg, Delta Lake) across all major cloud platforms. With 15x+ certifications and 3x Patent Author credits, I am adept at translating complex technical concepts into impactful solutions for diverse audiences, from C-level executives to technical teams.

Highly accomplished senior solutions architect with a proven track record of driving significant revenue growth and building thriving technical communities. My expertise spans Kubernetes (K8s), Application & Data Integration, Database technologies, a... Show more

Head of Design | Product Designer | Design Thinking | User Experience (UX) Coaching | System Design ~ Your Digital MacGyver a fix-it-with-a-pocketknife-and-duct-tape guy.

Head of Design | Product Designer | Design Thinking | User Experience (UX) Coaching | System Design ~ Your Digital MacGyver a fix-it-with-a-pocketknife-and-duct-tape guy. Show more

Markus supports organizations in unlocking the potential of data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies through strategic guidance and practical enablement.

As an advisor with over 15 years of experience, he combines deep technical expertise with a strong business mindset - helping teams and executives overcome complex challenges and develop future-ready solutions.

He has extensive experience in the leadership, execution, and scaling of projects across the data, AI, and blockchain domains. Over recent years, he has advised renowned companies on the adoption and integration of cutting-edge technologies. In addition, he serves as a university lecturer, delivering hands-on education in data engineering and decentralized data platforms.

Whether through projects, keynotes, or mentoring programs - his mission is to make digital innovation understandable, actionable, and impactful.

https://linktr.ee/markusbegerow

Markus supports organizations in unlocking the potential of data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies through strategic guidance and practical enablement. As an advisor with over 15 years of experience, he combines deep technical ... Show more

Carola Verschoor is a transformation designer with over 30 years of experience across diverse sectors and cultures. Driven by a deep commitment to inspire actionable change and nurture meaningful connections, Carola's work transcends traditional boundaries. She is an inspiring speaker who engages her audience with a passion for creativity and innovation. Carola is on a mission to help (re)volutionize change and co-create impactful transformations. She is a thought leader and published author on the topics of innovation, strategy, creativity, transformation and design.
https://linktr.ee/carolaverschoor

Carola Verschoor is a transformation designer with over 30 years of experience across diverse sectors and cultures. Driven by a deep commitment to inspire actionable change and nurture meaningful connections, Carola's work transcends traditional boun... Show more

Alexus Washington is a Creative Director, Strategist, and Multidisciplinary Designer based in Atlanta by way of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With over a decade of experience, she helps brands turn raw ideas into visual stories that resonate—mixing culture, clarity, and creativity every step of the way.
Her creative roots run deep. She got her start photographing weddings with her mom and designing flyers as a teenager—learning early how to see the big picture and sweat the small stuff. That hustle eventually turned into a full-blown obsession with design, communication, and strategy that help people connect with a brand.
While studying Communication with a focus on Culture and Media at the University of South Florida, Alexus noticed how few Black women held creative leadership roles in advertising and design. That realization stuck—and helped shape her purpose: to make space for more people who look like her and build creative work that reflects the world we actually live in.
After college, Alexus threw herself into entrepreneurship, growing a handful of small businesses that taught her how to build, pivot, and lead with vision. That lived experience sparked her passion for helping other women-led and BIPOC-owned teams and companies turn big ideas into tangible, powerful brands.
Today, she runs TrellVision Studio as its founder and Creative Director, leading brand strategy, content development, and campaign direction for small businesses, startups, and community-centered teams. Whether she’s crafting pitch decks, shaping a visual identity, or launching a brand from scratch, she brings creative strategy with style, substance, and soul.
She believes good design doesn’t just look good—it connects, converts, and leaves a mark.

Alexus Washington is a Creative Director, Strategist, and Multidisciplinary Designer based in Atlanta by way of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With over a decade of experience, she helps brands turn raw ideas into visual stories that resonate—mixing cultu... Show more

I have been professionally working with Drupal since 2010. Originally from Poland, I have spent most of my career building e-commerce applications dedicated to the Scandinavian market. Today, I work with Centarro, the creator of Drupal Commerce.

I have been professionally working with Drupal since 2010. Originally from Poland, I have spent most of my career building e-commerce applications dedicated to the Scandinavian market. Today, I work with Centarro, the creator of Drupal Commerce. Show more

Hi, I'am Leah, an Physiotherapist As a dedicated physiotherapist, I am committed to helping individuals recover, regain mobility, and live pain-free. I use evidence-based treatments and personalized rehabilitation plans to address a wide range of conditions, from sports injuries to chronic pain.

My approach focuses on restoring function, improving movement, and enhancing overall well-being, with the goal of empowering my clients to take control of their health and achieve their full potential.

Hi, I'am Leah, an Physiotherapist As a dedicated physiotherapist, I am committed to helping individuals recover, regain mobility, and live pain-free. I use evidence-based treatments and personalized rehabilitation plans to address a wide range of con... Show more

Limor Hadas-Sonnenschein is the Head of Product for Mobile Apps at zooplus, Europe’s leading online pet retailer, where she drives the vision, strategy, and execution of mobile experiences for millions of pet lovers across the continent.
With over a decade of experience in digital product management, Limor blends sharp business acumen with a deep passion for UX and customer value. She’s led high-performing, cross-functional teams through transformative app journeys—from onboarding optimization to churn prevention, retention strategies, and mobile growth.
Known for her dynamic stage presence and engaging moderation style, She brings not only expertise but also energy, humor, and real-world insights into what makes mobile products thrive.

Limor Hadas-Sonnenschein is the Head of Product for Mobile Apps at zooplus, Europe’s leading online pet retailer, where she drives the vision, strategy, and execution of mobile experiences for millions of pet lovers across the continent. With over a... Show more

In the course of the last five years, Patrick became an hands-on Apache Kafka expert and dedicated educator with a proven track record of successfully teaching audiences of varying expertise levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Known for his engaging teaching style and ability to simplify complex concepts with a playful touch he consistently receives positive feedback.

As a passionate advocate for knowledge-sharing, he actively contributes to the Rhine-Main Area tech community. He regularly participates in meet-up events focused on event streaming, providing a platform for learning and discussion.

Beyond teaching, Patrick leverages his Kafka knowledge in hands-on projects, enriching his training sessions with real-world experiences. This practical expertise enhances the value of his teachings, ensuring participants not only grasp theoretical concepts but also acquire skills directly applicable to their projects.

In the course of the last five years, Patrick became an hands-on Apache Kafka expert and dedicated educator with a proven track record of successfully teaching audiences of varying expertise levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Known for... Show more

Meet celebrity hairstylist and barber, Contressa Oliver. As a published licensed master cosmetologist, barber, and instructor in the state of Georgia, Contressa is a serial entrepreneur and a mogul in the beauty industry. While working for companies such as the very popular Regis Corporation, Contressa has earned a reputation in the beauty industry and is a member of the Professional Beauty Association. As an educator for the Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show, Contressa is able to showcase her skills while continuously spreading her knowledge to cosmetologists and instructors worldwide. Her work has been featured on MSN and Rolling Out.

With over 25 years under her belt, Contressa teaches for the Georgia Department of Education and for the Technical College System of Georgia. "As a high school educator, teaching the cosmetology pathway is a great way for students to not only get a jump start on earning college credits but also a great opportunity for students to gain knowledge and hands-on experience. Students graduate from high school with a certificate(s), diploma, and/or an associate’s degree that allows them to go straight into their career field.

"Teaching post-secondary education allows me to prep students for their state board licensure exams and teach them the rules and regulations of their state. My number one priority is building their confidence, pushing them to their highest potential, and helping them accomplish their goals. I’ve served as a judge and advisor for Georgia’s SkillsUSA Cosmetology for the past two years. By having experience in both areas, I can properly train students for regional, state, and national competitions."

Contressa is the founder and CEO of Noble Glam Hair Collection LLC, an e-commerce beauty supply store that services customers worldwide. She is also the founder of REVILO Gives, Inc., a nonprofit organization that bridges the gap between beauty and wellness and shares helpful articles for men and women to spread awareness on ways to increase inward health, leading to longer outward beauty.

Meet celebrity hairstylist and barber, Contressa Oliver. As a published licensed master cosmetologist, barber, and instructor in the state of Georgia, Contressa is a serial entrepreneur and a mogul in the beauty industry. While working for companie... Show more

Kriti is a Kaggle Grandmaster, with 7 years of analytics experience across Fortune 500 giants specialising in BFSI, CPG and Healthcare.

TECH TALKS
TECH TALKS and FEATURES

** Featured in 'Women in AI Ethics'[https://womeninaiethics.org/directory/]

** Featured on the Podcast 'Would you Data scientist' on Responsible AI: https://omny.fm/shows/would-you-data-scientist/kriti-doneria-responsible-ai-and-data-and-decision

** Talk on Cognitive Biases and Ethics in AI at #IWD2021 #WTMUK&I here: https://youtu.be/MMSBVoeNfdw?t=9234

** Watch Kriti's talk on Cognitive Biases and Ethics in AI at #IWD2021 #WTMCasablanca #GDGMorocco here:
https://youtu.be/iUGiwmE2hwo?t=4677

** Talk on Introduction to Data Sonification at #TechKnowday #Womenshistorymonth celebration 2021 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZHJhcOEl4U

** Talk on Explainable AI at ODSC Delhi meetup 2019 here: https://learnai.odsc.com/courses/explainable-ai-and-interpret-ability-of-ai-solutions-strategic-overview-challenges-and-caveats

** Talk in AI/ML track at Google Devfest New Delhi,2019, on Cognitive biases in AI: https://commudle.com/gdg-new-delhi/events/devfest-19/session-discussions?speaker_resource=63

Kriti is a Kaggle Grandmaster, with 7 years of analytics experience across Fortune 500 giants specialising in BFSI, CPG and Healthcare. TECH TALKS TECH TALKS and FEATURES ** Featured in 'Women in AI Ethics'[https://womeninaiethics.org/direct... Show more

I'm a tech community architect and storyteller based in Nairobi, Kenya. Over the last five years, I've built and led vibrant communities—helping hundreds of developers, security enthusiasts, and innovators find their voice.

My passion is making complex DevOps and Infosec topics accessible, actionable, and fun. Whether I'm organizing events, creating content, or mentoring, I focus on building bridges between people and technology.

I'm a tech community architect and storyteller based in Nairobi, Kenya. Over the last five years, I've built and led vibrant communities—helping hundreds of developers, security enthusiasts, and innovators find their voice. My passion is making co... Show more

Hans, originally from the Netherlands and now based in Miami, holds an MBA from Erasmus University Rotterdam and an MA in Brand Management. He's the author of the bestseller, "The Why Whisperer: How to Motivate and Align Teams That Get Your Strategy Done," an insightful guide for leaders aiming to build engaged teams for exceptional results and double-digit growth. Early in his career, Hans held various roles in Brand Activation, Development, Sales, and Innovation Management at leading Packaged Consumer Goods companies including Kimberly-Clark and Sara Lee. In 2008, he combined his passion for adventure travel with commercial management as Managing Director of Sawadee Reizen in Amsterdam. In 2010, Hans moved to Toronto, becoming President and CEO of Quark Expeditions, a polar cruise company. Under his leadership, the company was featured as a “best in class” business case in David Meerman Scott’s book The New Rules of Sales & Service. In 2015, Hans oversaw all adventure brands within TUI Travel, a portfolio successfully sold in 2017. Following this, he served as CEO and President of Victory Cruise Lines, a boutique luxury cruise startup, which was also sold in 2019. Most recently, Hans was President of International Businesses at Albatros Travel, managing brands such as Albatros Expeditions and Albatros Arctic Circle, and held a Senior Vice President position at Four Seasons. Hans now leads his own consultancy, Flying Dutchman Consultancy, specializing in strategic and commercial growth challenges. With experience living and working in seven countries, he's known for creating exceptional customer experiences. His ventures range from commanding a nuclear icebreaker to the North Pole to organizing marathons in extraordinary locations, including the Great Wall of China, expedition cruises in the Peruvian Amazon, and camping in Antarctica.

Hans, originally from the Netherlands and now based in Miami, holds an MBA from Erasmus University Rotterdam and an MA in Brand Management. He's the author of the bestseller, "The Why Whisperer: How to Motivate and Align Teams That Get Your Strategy ... Show more

Andrew Smart is the CEO and owner of Core Catalyst Food Sciences and Duke Sandwich Company, based in Greenville, South Carolina. With years of experience in food manufacturing and brand development, he has established a strong reputation for his commitment to quality and innovation. His leadership is defined by his focus on the products his companies create and the people contributing to their success.

Since 2005, Andrew has served as the CEO of DiscoverFresh Foods, which produces homemade-style food products like dips, spreads, granola, and desserts. DiscoverFresh has a high food safety standard and holds a Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification. Beyond food manufacturing, DiscoverFresh offers product development, marketing, and creative design services, helping brands efficiently bring new products to market. The company has partnered with major brands like Hidden Valley® Ranch, Texas Pete® Hot Sauce, and Louisiana Hot Sauce, offering solutions to meet diverse needs in the food industry.

Andrew’s approach to leadership centers on building strong teams and fostering an environment of growth and development. He believes that the people behind a company drive its success. At DiscoverFresh, the “Serve, Connect, and Make a Difference” mission guides every aspect of the business, from the relationships the company builds with clients to the opportunities it creates for employees. His commitment to nurturing talent and maintaining a positive company culture has been instrumental in DiscoverFresh’s success.

In 2018, recognizing the growing need for specialized food safety testing, Andrew founded Core Catalyst Food Sciences. The laboratory, ISO-IEC 17025-certified, provides essential testing services to food manufacturers, helping them ensure their products meet rigorous safety and quality standards. Core Catalyst’s services include shelf-life testing, challenge trials, and food safety consultations. By offering these services, Core Catalyst assists food companies in bringing safe, high-quality products to market. Clients of Core Catalyst include U.S. Waffle Company, Lean Kitchen Company, and Signature Seasonings, among others.

In addition to his work in the food industry, Andrew Smart of Greenville, SC, is dedicated to supporting education and community development. He has been involved with Clemson University and Wingate University, making significant contributions. In 2022, he and his wife, Julie, made a $2 million donation to Wingate University Athletics to fund the construction of a new training facility for student-athletes. This donation reflects their belief in the value of education and their desire to support the next generation of leaders.

Andrew and Julie, who work as the director of the Doctor of Education program at Anderson University, have two children, Drew and Claire. As a family, they prioritize community involvement and supporting causes that promote education, personal development, and growth. His leadership and philanthropic efforts reflect his commitment to making a meaningful impact in the food industry and the communities where he lives and works. He makes a lasting difference in his businesses and community through his dedication to quality, service, and innovation.

Andrew Smart is the CEO and owner of Core Catalyst Food Sciences and Duke Sandwich Company, based in Greenville, South Carolina. With years of experience in food manufacturing and brand development, he has established a strong reputation for his comm... Show more

I have over 8 years work experience as a Data Warehouse and BI Developer using the Microsoft BI Stack (SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and Power BI), Azure Data Services and Microsoft Fabric to design and build enterprise reports and dashboards across Banking, Financial Services Industry to Investments, Retail and Manufacturing Industries. I'm also a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Data and Analytics Engineer and Data Analyst Associate with years of experience working with SQL Server and Power BI.

I have over 8 years work experience as a Data Warehouse and BI Developer using the Microsoft BI Stack (SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and Power BI), Azure Data Service... Show more

Hawa Who is a Cybersecurity Analyst at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center under Carnegie Mellon University, where she protects high-performance computing systems and national research infrastructure. With a background that spans digital security, literature, and fashion, Hawa brings a multidimensional approach to problem-solving in tech. She is also the founder of Hawa Who Shop, a luxury streetwear brand inspired by Casablanca and Pucci, and the self-published author of Petals of My Heart, a poetic exploration of healing, identity, and love.

Born in Ghana and raised in New York City, Hawa’s global perspective and artistic lens inform her cybersecurity work, especially in risk communication, user trust, and ethical tech design. She uses her platform to advocate for greater diversity and emotional intelligence in STEM fields, empowering the next generation of Black women in tech to lead with purpose, not just credentials.

Whether she’s securing systems, telling stories, or curating aesthetics, Hawa builds experiences that are as intentional as they are innovative.

Hawa Who is a Cybersecurity Analyst at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center under Carnegie Mellon University, where she protects high-performance computing systems and national research infrastructure. With a background that spans digital security, l... Show more

Yolanda is a product designer with experience in B2C tech startups, where she’s led design across mobile and web platforms. Her work focuses on simplifying complex systems and creating cohesive, intuitive experiences that elevate user trust and engagement.

She enjoys collaborating across disciplines, shaping design strategies, and refining the details that tie it all together. Yolanda also mentors emerging designers and career changers, something she finds deeply rewarding. Outside of work, she’s a curious learner and always exploring new ways to connect ideas across fields.

Yolanda is a product designer with experience in B2C tech startups, where she’s led design across mobile and web platforms. Her work focuses on simplifying complex systems and creating cohesive, intuitive experiences that elevate user trust and engag... Show more

Stephanie is a Forbes-featured author of the best-selling networking book, Confident Introvert and host of the podcast/event series, redefining what it means to be successful with less hustle and more fun, meaning and wellness, Holistic Ambition. Stephanie has helped thousands of people celebrate their strengths, step into their authentic confidence, and make meaningful connections through building out community over 1k in-person events at organizations like YPOSF, speaking at places like Harvard University, years behind-the-scenes at TEDx, and 1:1 coaching.

Stephanie is a Forbes-featured author of the best-selling networking book, Confident Introvert and host of the podcast/event series, redefining what it means to be successful with less hustle and more fun, meaning and wellness, Holistic Ambition. Ste... Show more