Bishop Elias Lorenzo was born in Brooklyn in October 1960 and raised in Sunset Park, where he attended a parish elementary school that helped shape his early understanding of faith, learning, and community life. Growing up in this environment taught him the value of steady routines, careful study, and a sense of responsibility toward others. These early influences encouraged him to develop habits that supported personal growth and service. Over time, the lessons he gained in childhood guided him toward a vocation centered on humility, dedication, and a willingness to learn at every stage.

Bishop Elias continued his education at a Catholic college, where he completed a degree in philosophy before entering a Benedictine monastery to begin religious life. When he professed vows in the mid-1980s, he embraced the rhythm of prayer, work, and community that shapes monastic living. He was later ordained a priest, taking on responsibilities that required thoughtful attention to both spiritual and practical needs. Through these early years, he grew in his understanding of how patient listening and steady guidance foster trust and support within a faith community.

Lorenzo began his ministry as a teacher at a secondary school connected to his monastery. He taught religion, helped organize retreats, and supported students through service programs that encouraged them to grow academically, socially, and spiritually. His work placed him in direct contact with young people, helping him understand their hopes and challenges. As his responsibilities expanded, he also collaborated with administrators and the school’s board. Despite these added tasks, he continued teaching because he believed meaningful leadership begins with personal engagement.

Bishop Elias Lorenzo deepened his ministry through advanced academic studies. He completed graduate work in liturgical theology, gaining insight into how worship nurtures community life and shapes shared experiences of faith. He later pursued studies in counseling, learning practical ways to support individuals facing emotional and personal difficulties. He then completed formal studies in canon law, preparing him to help religious communities navigate governance and pastoral care matters. These combined disciplines strengthened his ability to serve consistently, clearly, and with understanding.

Bishop Elias accepted leadership roles within monastic communities in the United States and abroad. He first served as prior at his home abbey before assuming the same position at an international Benedictine community in Rome. There, he worked with members from many nations, gaining experience in cross-cultural cooperation across diverse environments. He later represented monastic communities in matters requiring communication with the Vatican. These responsibilities broadened his awareness of global religious life and strengthened his appreciation for the varied needs of communities worldwide.

Lorenzo contributed to international Benedictine education by supporting programs that enhanced academic formation and spiritual development in schools across several continents. His background as a teacher helped him connect easily with educators, students, and administrators. In addition to his educational involvement, he participated in humanitarian medical missions in several countries, supporting teams and providing assistance as needed. These experiences reinforced his belief that service thrives when approached with openness, humility, and respect for different cultures.

Bishop Elias R Lorenzo remained committed to promoting safe environments and responsible structures within religious and educational settings. He worked with organizations focused on protecting vulnerable individuals and establishing procedures that encourage transparency and accountability. He also served in diocesan roles requiring thoughtful communication with clergy, religious communities, and laypeople. Through this work, he became known for his steady approach to addressing concerns and his dedication to building trust within institutions.

Bishop Lorenzo was appointed an auxiliary bishop in 2020 and later received episcopal consecration in the cathedral of his archdiocese. In this role, he serves a large county, supporting parishes, pastoral programs, administrative needs, and canonical matters. His daily responsibilities require careful judgment, clear communication, and a willingness to understand the situations of diverse communities. He continues to approach these duties with humility, seeking to guide and support others through steady and thoughtful service.

Bishop Elias Lorenzo offers an example of leadership formed through gradual growth, quiet dedication, and consistent commitment. His life reflects how meaningful influence develops not through sudden recognition but through the accumulation of small, faithful actions. Those who know his journey often observe his attentive manner and his readiness to serve wherever needed. His path encourages others to see that lasting contributions arise from patience, integrity, and a sincere desire to support others' well-being.

Bishop Elias Lorenzo was born in Brooklyn in October 1960 and raised in Sunset Park, where he attended a parish elementary school that helped shape his early understanding of faith, learning, and community life. Growing up in this environment taught ... Show more

Tutaleni, is the driving force behind the growth of Game Development in Namibia and in Africa as a whole, as well as the bridge between South America and Africa when it comes to the Game Development space. After successfully completing the Enter Africa game development program Mr, Ilonga created his own game studio/company called TL Entertainment whereby he created games and was successfully able to import Global Game Jam and Game Jam +, whereby together with the partnership between TL Entertainment and Game Jam+ there was a bridge built between Namibia and Brazil.

With the games that where created not proving to be profitable, Mr Ilonga would take part in a CEP program whereby he would like up with Vaughan, Veronica and Ndamono and together they would form Edu-Game Namibia to create an innovation hub around gaming to ensure that the market because sustainable around gaming and ensure future Namibian generations will be able to profit from it.

With 7 Years’ experience in Gaming Mr Ilonga has won a few awards and also became the flag career for Gaming especially at the Forbes where he and Vaughan would help Edu-Game Namibia make it to the top 3 pitch battle final. Currently Mr Ilonga together with Edu-Game are working on a curriculum to gamify the education system.

List of Achievements
Forbes 30 Under 30 Top 3 Pitch Battle Finalist 2024
Boost Up Pitch Winner 2023
Xbox Games Camp Alumni 2023
Sanlam Bridge Beneficiary 2023
CEP WINNER 2022
Game Industry Africa Awards Winner 2022
Class of 2022 Game Developers Conference SCHOLARS:

Events/Interviews I have Spoken At
Xbox Games Camp - Topic - Why Africa Is The Best Place To Invest When It Comes To Gaming
Africa Partnership For Growth Symposium - Topic - Why Investing In Gaming is Profitable
PathfindinGS -Topic - Gamifying the Namibian Education System
Africa Comicade Topic -Getting Local Businesses to Invest in Game Development
Game Jam Plus Topic -Importance of Game Jam In The Local Ecosystem
African Creative Meeting Topic -E-Sports In Africa
ESQUENTA Topic - Importance of GJ + For the Local Ecosystem
BBC World Service TV Topic - CES 2020: What’s in it for Africa?

Tutaleni, is the driving force behind the growth of Game Development in Namibia and in Africa as a whole, as well as the bridge between South America and Africa when it comes to the Game Development space. After successfully completing the Enter Afri... Show more

Dr Neeti Tripathi is Principal of CIDER International School in Bangladesh, where she leads a large Cambridge and national-curriculum school with a strong focus on innovation, wellbeing, and professional learning.

With nearly two decades of experience across Indian, Cambridge, IB and international contexts, she works at the intersection of AI, pedagogy, and school leadership.

Neeti is a Cambridge Programme Leader and a British Council Action Research Mentor and awardee, guiding educators across South Asia to design evidence-informed, technology-enabled classroom practices. She has designed a gamified open educational resource on teacher professional development, used by educators to build AI-ready, student-centred pedagogy through practical “missions” rather than one-off workshops.

Her current work focuses on moving schools from scattered AI experiments to coherent, mission-aligned strategies that span teaching and learning, assessment, operations, and governance.

As an international speaker, she brings a Global South perspective—showing how schools can use AI responsibly and creatively even in resource-constrained contexts, without losing the human heart of education.

Dr Neeti Tripathi is Principal of CIDER International School in Bangladesh, where she leads a large Cambridge and national-curriculum school with a strong focus on innovation, wellbeing, and professional learning. With nearly two decades of exper... Show more

I’ve always believed that real change starts from the ground up. The problems we see around us—children deprived of education, youth struggling for opportunities, voices going unheard—won’t fix themselves. If we don’t step up, who will?

I still remember the evening that changed something in me. I was in 6th grade, out for dinner with my family, when I saw a boy—probably even younger than me—cleaning tables, picking up leftover food from the ground, and later, washing dishes in the open in chilling winter, all by himself. I just...didn't really knew at that time that this is also something that happens in this world. We were both just kids, but our worlds couldn’t have been more different. I was sitting comfortably with my family, talking about school and dreams, while he was working late into the night, carrying a weight no child should have to bear.

That night, I couldn’t shake the thought—why is life so unfair for some? And more importantly, why do we just accept it as normal? I had always been drawn to debates and discussions about India’s future, but that was the moment I knew—I want to do something real. Not just talk, but act. So that kids like him get the education they deserve, the life they deserve. Because this? This is not the India our freedom fighters fought for.

Today, I’m on a journey to understand problems at their root and work towards real solutions. Whether it’s through policy making, leadership, or on-the-ground activism, I want to play my part in shaping an India where no child is left behind, and every young person has a chance to thrive.

I’m always open to discussions, opportunities, and collaborations that align with this vision. If you share the same fire for policy, governance, youth activism, or leadership, let’s connect and build something meaningful together.

I’ve always believed that real change starts from the ground up. The problems we see around us—children deprived of education, youth struggling for opportunities, voices going unheard—won’t fix themselves. If we don’t step up, who will? I still re... Show more

Joe Azzopardi (PhD) is a keynote speaker who helps leaders understand and navigate generational tension in the workplace. He delivers high-impact sessions that unpack why teams misfire across age groups and what leaders can do to strengthen retention, collaboration, and performance. Drawing on cutting-edge generational research and practical frontline insights, Joe equips audiences with actionable tools to lead and communicate effectively across the generations.

Joe Azzopardi (PhD) is a keynote speaker who helps leaders understand and navigate generational tension in the workplace. He delivers high-impact sessions that unpack why teams misfire across age groups and what leaders can do to strengthen retention... Show more

Hi! I am Moeez, a first-generation learner from a small Asian village.

Through college, I completed 6 SWE internships, worked with 9 international educational institutions to teach 2200+ under(represented/privileged) students, founded 1 tech education start-up, founded 1 e-commerce start-up, led 6 college student bodies, pursued 2 global sports semi-professionally, and programmed over 85 technical projects after transitioning from an initial Physics college major

With humble beginnings, the journey has been incredible yet unimaginable, and this is just our first flicker of a brighter blaze we've only unfurled the first pages of our tales :)

Hi! I am Moeez, a first-generation learner from a small Asian village. Through college, I completed 6 SWE internships, worked with 9 international educational institutions to teach 2200+ under(represented/privileged) students, founded 1 tech educ... Show more

Nick Lavery (pronounced Nick Lay-Very) is an active-duty Green Beret in the United States Army Special Forces and the founder & CEO of Precision Components LLC.  After a life-altering injury sustained in combat, he transformed his challenges into a series of curriculums on leadership, resilience, and goal achievement. As one of the most sought-after speakers and mentors in the country, Nick and his team of assets share valuable insights on discipline, work ethic, and teamwork, in turn empowering others to unlock capacity and increase capability. 

Nick has a long and distinguished list of military awards, but to name a few, he has been awarded the Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star with Valor, three Bronze Stars for service, the Bruce Price Leadership award, and the Special Operations Command Excalibur award. 

Nick is the best selling author of Objective Secure- the battle-tested guide to goal achievement, and most significantly, he is a proud husband and father of two boys. 

Nick Lavery (pronounced Nick Lay-Very) is an active-duty Green Beret in the United States Army Special Forces and the founder & CEO of Precision Components LLC.  After a life-altering injury sustained in combat, he transformed his challenges into a s... Show more

Clementine is a powerful and growing industry voice, advocating for lifelong learning for those embracing a career on the mainframe. A long-time member of the mainframe community, she has been with Interskill Learning since starting in our development office during her university placement. Today, she is the backbone of our customer success in EMEAA, championing impactful learning experiences that drive organisational success and professional growth. With a proven track record of driving skills development for organisations of all sizes, she brings a passion for education to every workplace she interacts with. She has a deep understanding of Learning Management Systems (LMS), learning analytics, and the IBM mainframe, enabling her to provide strategic guidance and support to clients. Recognising the need for practical learning solutions, she helps clients balance corporate objectives of efficiency and value with educational solutions that inspire and educate.

Clementine thrives at the intersection of technology, professional development, and customer engagement. Outside of work, Clementine is an avid SCUBA diver who loves exploring the wonderful waters of Britain and beyond.

Clementine is a powerful and growing industry voice, advocating for lifelong learning for those embracing a career on the mainframe. A long-time member of the mainframe community, she has been with Interskill Learning since starting in our developmen... Show more

Educator, systems thinker, and lifelong learner. I lead the Computing Programs at Northeastern University’s Vancouver campus, where I work at the intersection of teaching, leadership, and software development. I care deeply about building systems that scale — whether that’s a capstone project, a degree program, or a set of habits that help students grow.

My background blends academia, entrepreneurship, and international experience. Before joining Northeastern, I ran a publishing business in Russia for over a decade — leading a team, streamlining operations, and building internal tools long before low-code platforms became popular. These days, I bring that same bias toward clarity, efficiency, and real-world results into how I teach and lead.

As a computer science educator, I’ve mentored hundreds of students through project-based learning, often partnering with industry and nonprofit clients. I’ve designed and taught 60+ capstone projects, developed AI-focused pathways, and created structures to help students turn their academic work into something meaningful — sometimes even startup-worthy.

I’ve been lecturing, facilitating workshops, and giving talks for over two decades — in universities, industry settings, and more recently, on stage as a Toastmaster. What makes that meaningful to me is the personal journey: I used to stutter as a kid and avoided speaking up whenever I could. These days, I find joy in clarity — not just in what I say, but in helping others articulate ideas that matter. Whether I’m teaching a technical concept or sharing a story from the classroom, I aim for engagement over perfection.

I speak and write about computer science education in the age of AI, teaching across cultures, building entrepreneurial mindsets, and how to preserve cognitive rigor without burning people out. My talks are grounded in classroom experience but often go beyond pedagogy — into leadership, mindset, and systems design.

Outside of work, I’m into distance running, slow travel, strange programming languages, and learning Spanish (with a thick Argentinian accent, apparently). I’m also raising a curious and sporty teenager, which is probably the most humbling teaching gig of all.

Educator, systems thinker, and lifelong learner. I lead the Computing Programs at Northeastern University’s Vancouver campus, where I work at the intersection of teaching, leadership, and software development. I care deeply about building systems tha... Show more

Fátima Blancas is the founder and CEO of iTProve Corporation. For the last fourteen years, she has been a consultant on Microsoft Technology, from SharePoint 2007 to SharePoint Online, Office 365, and Microsoft Teams.

She was born and raised, and continues to live, in Mexico City. Fátima is a graduate of the La Salle University, Mexico City Campus. She believes in sharing knowledge to make this world a better place to live in.

She loves to speak about Technology and Education. She has participated as a Guest Speaker at several conferences. She also created the Office 365 Academia Community.
Join her at LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
LinkedIn: fatimablancas
Facebook: /fatimablancasv
Twitter: JaydithBV

Fátima Blancas is the founder and CEO of iTProve Corporation. For the last fourteen years, she has been a consultant on Microsoft Technology, from SharePoint 2007 to SharePoint Online, Office 365, and Microsoft Teams. She was born and raised, and ... Show more

Ken is a Java Champion and member of the java Community Process Executive Committee. He is also the organizer of the annual JChampions Conference, He retired from the classroom after 31 years teaching software development at Dawson College, 25 of those years as the chair and program coordinator of the Computer Science Technology Program. He is currently a Research Scholar in Residence at the college. His first book, Transitioning to Java, was recently published by Packt and he is hard at work on his second book. He has spoken at numerous conferences where his presentations have focused on simplicity.

Ken is a Java Champion and member of the java Community Process Executive Committee. He is also the organizer of the annual JChampions Conference, He retired from the classroom after 31 years teaching software development at Dawson College, 25 of tho... Show more

Priyal is the Founder of Hirednex and a seasoned HR professional turned Employability Skills Trainer. With a solid background in Human Resources, Priyal brings deep insights into what employers seek in candidates beyond technical knowledge. As part of CSR initiatives like UN Women, Priyal has led impactful job fairs and soft skills training sessions across educational institutions. Currently championing the use of Microsoft Copilot in soft skills development, Priyal combines HR acumen with AI-powered tools to empower students and job seekers with essential, real-world workplace competencies.

Priyal is the Founder of Hirednex and a seasoned HR professional turned Employability Skills Trainer. With a solid background in Human Resources, Priyal brings deep insights into what employers seek in candidates beyond technical knowledge. As part o... Show more

Designer with experience in both corporate and educational environments, specialized in UX/UI and web development. Passionate about collaboration, she actively participates in tech and STEAM communities, where she helps create spaces that bring together art, education, and technology. Her work is guided by a strong commitment to inclusion and collective learning.

Designer with experience in both corporate and educational environments, specialized in UX/UI and web development. Passionate about collaboration, she actively participates in tech and STEAM communities, where she helps create spaces that bring toget... Show more

I'm a PhD candidate in topic of AI governance at Trinity College Dublin, funded by Research Ireland Centre for Research Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality (d-real). I also volunteer for Thai Netizen Network, a digital civil rights group based in Bangkok, and help maintain SPDX system bill of materials projects.

My interest is in software engineering standards and how it can facilitate interactions between the technical layer and the legal layer for an accountable AI. Part of my PhD work is around system trustworthiness and accountability vocabulary.

I'm a PhD candidate in topic of AI governance at Trinity College Dublin, funded by Research Ireland Centre for Research Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality (d-real). I also volunteer for Thai Netizen Network, a digital civil rights group based in ... Show more

Daniel Bonatti é cientista político e mestre em Gestão de Políticas Públicas, com trajetória de mais de 14 anos dedicada à modernização do Estado e à inovação na gestão pública. Atualmente, dirige a Diretoria de Mobilidade Interna da Secretaria de Gestão e Governo Digital do Estado de São Paulo, onde conduz a reestruturação da frota pública e a consolidação da Política de Mobilidade Interna, pautada em eficiência, sustentabilidade e transformação digital. Sua atuação combina visão estratégica, experiência administrativa e compromisso com a construção de um governo mais ágil e orientado a resultados.

Daniel Bonatti é cientista político e mestre em Gestão de Políticas Públicas, com trajetória de mais de 14 anos dedicada à modernização do Estado e à inovação na gestão pública. Atualmente, dirige a Diretoria de Mobilidade Interna da Secretaria de Ge... Show more

Jennifer Gorospe Tull is an Executive Consultant with the Equity, Disproportionality, and Design team at the South County SELPA. She has provided support in comprehensive settings as a school psychologist, program specialist and special education coordinator in districts (PreK-12) across Southern California and Washington D.C. Jennifer was a lecturer for the Department of Counseling and School Psychology at San Diego State University. Her experiences make her a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Jennifer Gorospe Tull is an Executive Consultant with the Equity, Disproportionality, and Design team at the South County SELPA. She has provided support in comprehensive settings as a school psychologist, program specialist and special education coo... Show more

Priti is an instructor teaching courses like public speaking and information systems, leveraging microlearning to break down complex topics into manageable, impactful lessons while enhancing her own expertise. She actively experiments with AI and ML in areas such as accessibility and developer productivity. As a Computer Vision Research Lead at Women in AI Canada, she also leads a Google Developer Group, driving key initiatives in AI and ML.

Priti is an instructor teaching courses like public speaking and information systems, leveraging microlearning to break down complex topics into manageable, impactful lessons while enhancing her own expertise. She actively experiments with AI and ML ... Show more

Alessandra Kenner ist seit 2012 als Hochschuldidaktikerin an der FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg tätig. Sie beschäftigt sie sich theoretisch und praktisch mit den Themen gute, innovative Lehrkonzepte, Tutoring und Mentoring im Hochschulkontext und der Etablierung einer Feedbackkultur. Darüber hinaus ist sie als freiberufliche Trainerin tätig.

Alessandra Kenner ist seit 2012 als Hochschuldidaktikerin an der FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg tätig. Sie beschäftigt sie sich theoretisch und praktisch mit den Themen gute, innovative Lehrkonzepte, Tutoring und Mentoring im Hochschulkontext und der Etablier... Show more

Aliu Toheeb Olaitan is a Tech Educator, Innovator, and the Lead Partner at Bravpuls Technologies. With expertise in Blockchain, AI, and Web Development, he is passionate about emerging technologies and their intersection with education and community development, empowering individuals to embrace tech-driven solutions for a sustainable future.

Aliu Toheeb Olaitan is a Tech Educator, Innovator, and the Lead Partner at Bravpuls Technologies. With expertise in Blockchain, AI, and Web Development, he is passionate about emerging technologies and their intersection with education and community ... Show more

Katrina R. Johnson, EMBA
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Outreach

Katrina R. Johnson, EMBA, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Outreach, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2010 with the mission: “Giving Everyone A New Start.” Horizon Outreach provides employment, workforce development, reentry services, housing assistance, and fatherhood/parenting education to strengthen families and support economic mobility.

Ms. Johnson is a United States Air Force Veteran and a 2008 Executive MBA graduate of Auburn University. She has over 35 years of combined corporate and nonprofit experience, including overseeing $320 million in corporate finance portfolios and leading high-quality fatherhood programming. She is a sought-after keynote speaker for college commencement ceremonies and local graduations throughout the Houston region, delivering motivational messages that inspire future leaders.

Ms. Johnson has over 35 years of combined corporate and nonprofit experience, overseeing $320 million in corporate accounts and leading high-quality fatherhood programming. Under her leadership, Horizon Outreach has secured and successfully managed more than $15 million in federal and private funding, serving over 12,500 families and individuals, including more than 9,000 fathers and 3,500 veterans. She has also been sought out by federal grantors to provide technical assistance to other grantees to strengthen workforce development programming.

Horizon Outreach provides reentry services and workforce development support to fathers throughout the Houston area. Horizon Outreach provides fathers in Houston, Texas with a “New Start” through fatherhood education, workforce training, and industry-recognized credentials—including Forklift, Flagger, Commercial Truck Driving, and TWIC—supporting sustainable employment and strengthening long-term family stability.

Horizon Outreach has been recognized for reducing recidivism among reentry fathers, reducing homelessness among veteran families, and increasing access to permanent affordable housing for vulnerable populations. Accolades include a Congressional Certificate of Recognition, two City of Houston designations (Horizon Eagle Day & Horizon Outreach Day), and Mayoral recognition for reducing veteran homelessness. Nationally, Horizon Outreach received the “Earkle Award” for Elevated Session Attendance.

Ms. Johnson has also served as Team Captain for Houston’s Annual Homeless Count, supervising over 500 volunteers to identify and provide resource access to homeless veterans, families, and children. She enjoys serving others, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Katrina R. Johnson, EMBA Founder & Chief Executive Officer Horizon Outreach Katrina R. Johnson, EMBA, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Outreach, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2010 with the mission: “Giving Everyone A... Show more

Dr. Amanda Fernandez is a seasoned education leader with a dynamic career spanning traditional district and county office roles, charter schools, and higher education. She brings extensive experience in designing and leading programs that elevate student achievement, educator development, and organizational effectiveness.

Dr. Fernandez has successfully led cross-functional departments, developed teacher mentoring programs, and collaborated with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) as part of a multi-industry task force to design innovative credentialing pathways. Her work reflects a deep commitment to building sustainable systems that support both teaching and leadership pipelines.

Currently serving as Chief Fiscal Officer for a network of charter schools, Dr. Fernandez oversees financial operations, strategic budgeting, and alignment of fiscal resources with educational priorities. She also leads the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) process and facilitates the Parent Advisory Committee, ensuring inclusive engagement and data-driven decision-making.

A Board Certified Coach (BCC) and ACSA Leadership Coach, Dr. Fernandez is passionate about empowering education leaders to create cultures of trust, learning, and impact, where feedback is valued, teams are developed, and every dollar advances student success.

Dr. Amanda Fernandez is a seasoned education leader with a dynamic career spanning traditional district and county office roles, charter schools, and higher education. She brings extensive experience in designing and leading programs that elevate stu... Show more

A Security researcher acknowledged by Nepal's Government and Also by Tech giants like Microsoft. A Saviour of 3 Crore+ Citizen's data from nation's database breach. Worked with many Organizations including renowned ITU.

A Security researcher acknowledged by Nepal's Government and Also by Tech giants like Microsoft. A Saviour of 3 Crore+ Citizen's data from nation's database breach. Worked with many Organizations including renowned ITU. Show more

Emily Hemingway is the Founding Executive Director of TechSTL and the Wedge Innovation Center. A 20-year veteran in building innovation ecosystems around the country, Emily is driving economic growth across the St. Louis metro by catalyzing tech jobs, tech startups, and tech innovation. She is the lead organizer for STL TechWeek.

Emily Hemingway is the Founding Executive Director of TechSTL and the Wedge Innovation Center. A 20-year veteran in building innovation ecosystems around the country, Emily is driving economic growth across the St. Louis metro by catalyzing tech jobs... Show more

Sean Bugler leads innovation and experience efforts for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, reimagining how teams work, share, and get things done. With a background in collaboration tech and passion for untangling legacy constraints, he works with teams to move past the status quo and toward smarter, more human ways of working. An alum of Arizona State University’s Technological Entrepreneurship & Management program, he now helps shape its future as an industry advisor.

Sean Bugler leads innovation and experience efforts for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, reimagining how teams work, share, and get things done. With a background in collaboration tech and passion for untangling legacy constraints, he work... Show more

Ben Jones is the Co-Founder and CEO of Data Literacy, a training and education company that's on a mission to help people learn the language of data and AI.

Ben is the author of ten books on data and AI, including AI Literacy Fundamentals (Data Literacy Press, 2024), Avoiding Data Pitfalls (Wiley, 2019), Data Literacy Fundamentals (DLP, 2020) and Leading in the Age of Data (DLP, 2023).

Ben also teaches data visualization at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, and has presented to, trained or worked with companies, nonprofits, and government agencies around the world, including at the highest level of the US Intelligence Community.

While leading the popular Tableau Public Platform for several years, Ben recognized the large gap between people’s knowledge of data and what needed to know in order to do their job successfully. He started Data Literacy to help address this urgent need. You can read more about his founder’s story in his published journal, The Introspective Entrepreneur.

To balance out the digital side of life, Ben loves hiking and backpacking on the beautiful trails of the Pacific Northwest. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA (2000) and an MBA from California Lutheran University (2011).

Ben Jones is the Co-Founder and CEO of Data Literacy, a training and education company that's on a mission to help people learn the language of data and AI. Ben is the author of ten books on data and AI, including AI Literacy Fundamentals (Data L... Show more

After an atypical career in law, the arts and video games, I chose to retrain in development. My desire to promote continuous improvement and communication led me to become a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Systemic Professional Coach and Responsible Digital Lead. As a professional facilitator for the Fresque du Climat et du Numérique, I am constantly learning about the ecological transition, responsible digital technologies and sociology. Involved in Time For The Planet and supporting women in the digital world. As a theater practitioner, I find it a way of creatively exploring and communicating. What drives me: helping companies and individuals to integrate climate and social issues into their practices.

After an atypical career in law, the arts and video games, I chose to retrain in development. My desire to promote continuous improvement and communication led me to become a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Systemic Professional Coach and Responsible Digi... Show more

Caleb Roose (MDiv) is the founder and coach of Good Enough Dads (goodenoughdads.com), where he provides holistic life, career, and parenting coaching for fathers. In addition to his coaching and speaking on fatherhood, he also manages research and training at the Fuller Youth Institute and coauthors resources. Caleb lives with his wife and three young children near Pasadena, CA.

Caleb Roose (MDiv) is the founder and coach of Good Enough Dads (goodenoughdads.com), where he provides holistic life, career, and parenting coaching for fathers. In addition to his coaching and speaking on fatherhood, he also manages research and tr... Show more

I am Doleh Usman Khan, and I have been working for over five years in the fields of gender research, youth empowerment, and community development. As a Silver Medalist in Gender Studies from the University of Sindh, I have served with organizations such as FAO, Research and Development Foundation (RDF), HANDS Pakistan, and Community World Service Asia, where my work has focused on vocational training, gender equality, monitoring and evaluation, and humanitarian response.

Through these roles, I have contributed to training more than 1,300 youth and 250 women across Sindh in tailoring, beautician trades, and other livelihood skills, enabling them to achieve decent work and economic independence. My research and advocacy extend to areas such as the Transgender Protection Act (2018), domestic violence case studies, and gender-responsive development policies.

Internationally, I have represented youth voices at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (UNCC Bangkok) and the World Youth Forum, presenting evidence and success stories on gender-inclusive vocational training. I am passionate about data-driven problem solving, participatory research, and policy engagement to create sustainable opportunities for women and youth in the MENA and South Asia region.

I am Doleh Usman Khan, and I have been working for over five years in the fields of gender research, youth empowerment, and community development. As a Silver Medalist in Gender Studies from the University of Sindh, I have served with organizations s... Show more

Dr. Ewa Antczak is an internationally recognized Behavioral Scientist, psychologist, and AI innovator dedicated to creating safer and more empathetic digital environments. With over two decades of professional experience, she has guided more than 15,000 individuals through her clinical and educational work, with expertise in emotional intelligence, gifted behavior, and youth mental health.
A published author of several books and peer-reviewed papers on behavior and attitude change, she completed her doctorate at the age of 24 while serving as a researcher and lecturer at the Polish Academy of Sciences and University of Social Sciences and Humanities, specializing in personality and the role of narrative mode in behavior change.
She is the founder of Felixa, a pioneering AI-powered platform that proactively detects and transforms harmful behavior in online communities, strengthening trust, collaboration, and inclusion. Her work uniquely bridges behavioral science with advanced technology, setting new standards for how societies can address digital safety and human well-being.
Dr. Antczak also created IdealMe, a personal development system that builds emotional intelligence and resilience in individuals and teams, and Talk2Alex, an app that has supported thousands of young people in regulating emotions and behaviors, particularly during the pandemic. She also serves on the Boards of Resilient Children Canada and the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO).
A frequent speaker at global conferences, Dr. Antczak continues to influence leaders, innovators, and policymakers at the intersection of psychology, technology, and human progress.

Dr. Ewa Antczak is an internationally recognized Behavioral Scientist, psychologist, and AI innovator dedicated to creating safer and more empathetic digital environments. With over two decades of professional experience, she has guided more than 15,... Show more

Ghassan Barakat has demonstrated a rare ability to move between sectors such as finance, law, technology, and philanthropy, applying strategy while keeping community needs at the forefront. Whether launching startups, growing multi-million-dollar platforms, or supporting charitable initiatives, he has always emphasized systems that strengthen people's lives and leave a lasting legacy.

In 2022, Jason founded Nolos Cabinet Multidisciplinaire Inc., serving as Founder & CEO. Nolos was created to integrate FinTech, InsurTech, and LegalTech under a single platform. This venture aims to democratize financial and legal services, particularly for middle-class families. The company combines a Quebec-based legal firm, a notarial study, and a national financial MGA distributing solutions from Canada's leading institutions. With his leadership, Nolos has expanded through acquisitions and new partnerships. Among these was the acquisition of Skylegal in 2022, followed by creating a charitable foundation in 2023 to help families access justice and financial protection during estate and legacy planning. More recently, Jason acquired a technology firm that builds software for public and private organizations, further enhancing the B2B reach of the Nolos platform.

Before establishing Nolos, Ghassan gained experience as a Strategic Senior Consultant, working with Chubb Insurance and other major industry players. From 2003 to 2021, he was President and Principal Officer with AMF of La Capitale Services Conseils, where he grew assets under management from $300 million to over $3 billion, serving public sector employees with specialized solutions. In 2017, he became President of La Capitale Financial Security, where he expanded national operations for disability and personal finance services, redesigned compensation structures, and created an inclusive and high-performance culture. He also served as President of SSQ Financial Group Distribution, where he modernized retirement planning, oversaw post-merger alignment, and improved client experience and compliance.

Philanthropy has been a central part of Jason Barakat's life for over two decades. He has supported the Guignolet de Saint-Vincent de Paul tradition and contributed to various charitable efforts connected to public institutions and retirement planning. In 2021, he partnered with Peartree Canada to advance philanthropic planning for organizations and families. He later launched the Nolos Foundation, which is dedicated to expanding access to Justice & Family Legacy Planning. Jason is also a volunteer leader for nonprofit boards and interfaith humanitarian initiatives.

Jason studied at Concordia University, John Molson School of Business, focusing on finance, business law, and theology. He has also completed studies in securities, investments, estate planning, insurance, venture capital, and strategic philanthropy, earning certifications in these areas.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Ghassan Barakat is a devoted husband and father of two. His family provides daily motivation and guides his values of love, faith, and responsibility, shaping his personal and professional life. With empathy, service, and humility, he remains committed to leaving a legacy for his children, his community, and future generations.

Ghassan Barakat has demonstrated a rare ability to move between sectors such as finance, law, technology, and philanthropy, applying strategy while keeping community needs at the forefront. Whether launching startups, growing multi-million-dollar pla... Show more