Dr. June Hall, affectionately known as Dr. June, has been an educator and presenter for over 20 years. She is a TEDx speaker, media personality, author, and speaker. When faced with trials that negatively impacted her life, her faith in God taught her to APT which is to Accentuate Positive Thinking. She then founded Time to APT, facilitating programs to help others personally and professionally. As a speaker she spreads this message of positivity, effective communication, and making lemon pound cake when life gives you lemons. She has been the keynote speaker for the Mental Health Association of Broward, CARE Foundation, Girl Scouts of America, AABE, colleges, churches and more. As a media personality, she is the expert panelist on shows such as NBC Bloom, CBS Great Day Tampa Bay, podcasts and more. She has received the EPIC (Exceptional People Impacting the Community) Award.
With her masters in Mental Health Counseling and her doctorate in Educational Leadership, she bridges her experiences in the corporate/academic world with her background in counseling to strengthen communication skills, reduce stress, and increase retention in schools and at work. Dr. June teaches and implements emotional wellness as she posits "As long as you still have life, each day offers you an opportunity to do something towards your goal. It's Time to APT; It's Time to take ACTION."

Dr. June Hall, affectionately known as Dr. June, has been an educator and presenter for over 20 years. She is a TEDx speaker, media personality, author, and speaker. When faced with trials that negatively impacted her life, her faith in God taught he... Show more

Përparim Mjeku is Head of Curriculum and Learning Programs at Cyber Academy in Kosovo, where he leads the design and delivery of cybersecurity training programs spanning offensive security, defensive operations, and threat intelligence. His work focuses on building high fidelity lab environments that translate real world attack techniques, from web and enterprise exploitation to mobile and cloud threats into structured, reproducible learning experiences.

Over the past four years, Përparim has developed 15+ cybersecurity courses and trained 50+ students through intensive long term programs, alongside hundreds of participants across bootcamps and workshops delivered to governmental organizations and U.S. and EU based companies.

In addition to teaching, he develops hands on labs and demonstrations built around newly disclosed vulnerabilities, modern attack chains, and software supply chain risks helping practitioners understand not just how real world compromises happen, but how to detect and stop them.

Përparim Mjeku is Head of Curriculum and Learning Programs at Cyber Academy in Kosovo, where he leads the design and delivery of cybersecurity training programs spanning offensive security, defensive operations, and threat intelligence. His work focu... Show more

Dr. Tareq Genedy is a leadership, governance and organizational excellence expert with more than 25 years of professional experience across executive education, consulting and university teaching. He has delivered leadership, performance, governance, customer experience and artificial intelligence programmes for public- and private-sector organizations across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.

He has taught MBA and undergraduate learners at several universities in the UAE and combines academic insight with practical organizational experience. His work focuses on building institutional readiness, responsible autonomy, accountability and sustainable performance.

Dr. Tareq is the author of *How Excellence Builds Autonomy*, which explores how governance, trust, capability and organizational maturity enable responsible empowerment. He is also the Founder and CEO of iSkills Consultancy FZE LLC in Dubai.

Dr. Tareq Genedy is a leadership, governance and organizational excellence expert with more than 25 years of professional experience across executive education, consulting and university teaching. He has delivered leadership, performance, governance,... Show more

Experienced manager, coordinating advisor, and architect with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Besides, I PhD in Enterprise Architecture (EA) and digital transformation from the Open University, Faculty Management, Science & Technology (MST).
Skilled in Team Management and Coordination, Enterprise Architecture (EA), EA Management, IT Governance, and Digital Strategy. A strong business development professional with a Master's degree in Business Process Management & IT from Open University.

Experienced manager, coordinating advisor, and architect with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Besides, I PhD in Enterprise Architecture (EA) and digital transformation from the Open University, Faculty Man... Show more

Felicity Patrick is a Lead Network Architect with more than 20 years building and securing network infrastructure across federal environments, including federal health IT, with prior service as a CIO. A Marine Corps veteran and former CCIE, she is pursuing a PhD in Cyber Leadership at Capitol Technology University, where her research treats documentation failure and technical debt as governance risks. She works at the intersection of hands-on infrastructure and the decisions that govern it.

Felicity Patrick is a Lead Network Architect with more than 20 years building and securing network infrastructure across federal environments, including federal health IT, with prior service as a CIO. A Marine Corps veteran and former CCIE, she is pu... Show more

Ian Knight is an independent consultant specializing in digital transformation for government and public institutions. His wins include moving a 500-person survey process from email to a single platform, using generative AI to evaluate an $8 million federal program, and replacing an NGO's Rolodex and spreadsheet system with a centralized CRM. Raised in Montana, Ian has worked with Montana nonprofits and the federal government at the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Mongolia. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations Young Professional Briefing Series, a 2025 World Bank Youth Summit Delegate, and a recipient of the U.S. Department of State's Citizen Diplomacy Award. Ian holds a Master of Public Administration and a B.A. in Political Science.

Ian Knight is an independent consultant specializing in digital transformation for government and public institutions. His wins include moving a 500-person survey process from email to a single platform, using generative AI to evaluate an $8 million ... Show more

Tricia Zarevich
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Trustees
Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District

Tricia is a seasoned leader with over 14 years of experience as an Executive Assistant, providing crucial support to Superintendents, Boards of Trustees, and Public Information Officers. Her dedication to education extends far beyond administrative tasks. A true visionary, she founded California's first statewide listserv for Executive and Administrative Assistants in education, which is now run by three EAs, creating a vital collaborative network. Tricia's leadership is characterized by unwavering staff support, a deep community commitment, and a focus on collaborative processes. She actively seeks input from school site staff to ensure the District Office meets their needs. Recognized for her problem-solving skills, professionalism, and passion, Tricia is known for her thoughtful and diplomatic approach. Her collaborative spirit is further demonstrated by her partnerships with organizations like the Small School Districts Association (SSDA), California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA), and her service on the CSBA Executive Assistant Advisory Committee. Is a frequent presenter for ACSA CEL, ACSA Leadership Academy, ACSA EA Trainings, CalSPRA, CSBA, SSDA, and the EA Listserv. Also has co-facilitated a virtual training session for the Arizona School Boards Association Executive Assistants.

Tricia Zarevich Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Trustees Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Tricia is a seasoned leader with over 14 years of experience as an Executive Assistant, providing crucial support to Su... Show more

This is Muhammad Shahbaz, a Senior Solution Architect and Cybersecurity Advisor with 16 years of experience AI, ML, DL, data science transformation and securing IT infrastructures across enterprises, banks, hospitals, and government sectors in Saudi Arabia. I have contributed to modernizing national datacenters, cloud adoption strategies, and cybersecurity frameworks, playing a key role in digital transformation programs aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. My expertise includes designing and securing high-performance infrastructure platforms, implementing advanced network architectures, and deploying automation solutions to enhance resilience and efficiency in AI-enhanced datacenters. In cybersecurity, I have developed governance frameworks, enforced NCA and ISO-aligned standards, performed assessments, and implemented strong data protection measures. My contributions include authoring multiple AI and cybersecurity publications, conducting threat-hunting campaigns, building attack-and-restore simulations, and delivering AI-driven Google projects, including deployments with the Google team in London. These efforts strengthened defenses for national projects including Tawakkalna, SDAIA DEEM Cloud, NCA, the National Data Platform, and the National Data Bank, advancing Saudi Arabia’s vision 2030 digital ecosystem and cybersecurity posture.

This is Muhammad Shahbaz, a Senior Solution Architect and Cybersecurity Advisor with 16 years of experience AI, ML, DL, data science transformation and securing IT infrastructures across enterprises, banks, hospitals, and government sectors in Saudi ... Show more

Maya Moussly is a marketing and brand strategist and part-time university lecturer working at the intersection of industry and academia. She began her career in advertising, contributing to the development of many of Dubai's established brands as well as regional and international clients across MENA. For the past 18 years she has lectured across undergraduate and Executive MBA programmes at universities across MENA, reaching more than 3,200 students. Her pedagogical philosophy is straightforward: the educator is a guide on the side of the learner's journey. In a world where knowledge is increasingly free, the learning happens in the application. From flipped learning to problem-solving challenges to using technology to elevate higher order thinking, every session is interactive, engaging, and designed to make students think harder, not less.
How you use what you know is where learning is truly tested. That is where her sessions always go.
Think differently. Act clearly.

Maya Moussly is a marketing and brand strategist and part-time university lecturer working at the intersection of industry and academia. She began her career in advertising, contributing to the development of many of Dubai's established brands as wel... Show more

Davi Juvi é Superintendente de Tecnologia da Informação na Secretaria de Estado do Planejamento, Gestão e Patrimônio de Alagoas, com mais de 13 anos de experiência na área de TIC. Atua na modernização tecnológica, governança de TI e gestão de projetos, liderando equipes multidisciplinares responsáveis por desenvolver soluções estratégicas que apoiam diretamente as áreas finalísticas da SEPLAG.

À frente de iniciativas relevantes de transformação digital, destaca-se pela condução do projeto do portal ja.al.gov.br, que registra milhões de acessos anuais, e pela implantação do Portal Alagoas em Dados, contribuindo significativamente para o fortalecimento da cultura orientada a dados no setor público. Sua atuação é pautada em resultados, previsibilidade e geração de valor, sempre integrando boas práticas de mercado à realidade governamental.

Junto à sua equipe, já foi premiado por ações inovadoras em 2023, 2024 e 2025, reforçando o compromisso com a excelência, a inovação e a entrega de soluções de alto impacto. É autor de artigos nas áreas de RPA, Ciência de Dados e inovação no setor público, além de palestrante em eventos e congressos nacionais.

Analista de Sistemas, possui MBA em Gestão de Projetos, pós-graduação em Liderança e Inovação e certificação Professional Scrum Master (PSM I). Sua missão é demonstrar, na prática, como a agilidade pode transformar estruturas públicas complexas em ambientes mais estratégicos, eficientes e inovadores.

Davi Juvi é Superintendente de Tecnologia da Informação na Secretaria de Estado do Planejamento, Gestão e Patrimônio de Alagoas, com mais de 13 anos de experiência na área de TIC. Atua na modernização tecnológica, governança de TI e gestão de projeto... Show more

Olabamiji Ajisomo helps organisations in regulated industries, where a lack of trust in data is a widespread challenge, to build confidence and drive change. Over nine years in technology have taken him from IT support and network infrastructure through cybersecurity and into his current role at Social Work England, a specialist statutory regulator, where he leads an enterprise-wide data transformation agenda, designing governance architecture, deploying technology, and driving change at the highest levels. He holds a BSc in Information Technology and an MSc in Cybersecurity with Advanced Practice (Distinction) from Teesside University.

Olabamiji speaks and facilitates at corporate and industry conferences and contributes to webinars and virtual panels. His workshops are designed to work across the room, giving technical practitioners and leadership teams the depth and context each needs to act. His sessions draw from real experience delivering enterprise-scale data transformation in high-compliance environments.

His commitment to the tech community runs deeper than any single event or platform. As a STEM Ambassador, he volunteers to bring real technology careers to life for young people across the UK. Through Equal Education Chances, a registered UK charity, he works alongside marginalised children and young people, providing mentorship and supporting them to develop the skills and confidence needed to achieve their goals, whatever their circumstances. For Olabamiji, speaking is one part of something larger: a genuine commitment to equipping the next generation to navigate the technology landscape with confidence.

A member of both DAMA International and DAMA UK, he is embedded in the global data management professional community. His central argument is one he returns to repeatedly: cybersecurity and data management are interdependent disciplines, and it is precisely at that intersection where the greatest organisational risk lives and where the most resilient practice begins.

Olabamiji Ajisomo helps organisations in regulated industries, where a lack of trust in data is a widespread challenge, to build confidence and drive change. Over nine years in technology have taken him from IT support and network infrastructure thro... Show more

Lupe is an Elite Software Engineer at Spartans Team at Microsoft focused on web experiences projects. Before Microsoft she was working as a Lead Front End coach at Laboratoria (an Startup in Latin America)

She is also an Aymara Indigenous Software Engineer that constantly researches that place where art meets technology. She tries to reach this goal through the development of open-source projects and performances (those involve body movement, dance, theater, and new technologies).

Lupe is an Elite Software Engineer at Spartans Team at Microsoft focused on web experiences projects. Before Microsoft she was working as a Lead Front End coach at Laboratoria (an Startup in Latin America) She is also an Aymara Indigenous Software... Show more

Connar McCasland is an instructor at the University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity. Her career spans public and private sectors, particularly excelling in cybersecurity for county and city government entities. Before her teaching career, she held a leadership role in local government, where she spearheaded a county’s cybersecurity program. There, she led and organized significant cybersecurity projects and assisted smaller government offices with their cybersecurity programs. While in this role, employees often told her that cybersecurity was “only IT’s problem” and “too difficult to understand.” Since then, she has made it her mission to show people how critical cybersecurity is in the current digital age and make it accessible and easy to understand. Before working for the Center, she worked for Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), where she traveled across the U.S. and its territories, training IT departments, emergency management, first responders, and average citizens in cybersecurity and cyber preparedness. Beyond her professional achievements, Connar actively works to empower and promote other IT and cybersecurity professionals, participating in international organizations such as ISACA and Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS). She holds a B.A.S. in Cybersecurity from Pensacola State College and an M.S. in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity with a specialization in Network Defense from Capella University. She serves on the Board of Directors for the nonprofit IT Gulf Coast and is the Social Media Coordinator for the WiCyS Florida Affiliate.

Connar McCasland is an instructor at the University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity. Her career spans public and private sectors, particularly excelling in cybersecurity for county and city government entities. Before her teaching career, sh... Show more

Kari Adams is a recognized leader in inclusive education, systems change, and equity-focused leadership. As the Inclusive Leadership Center Director at Chapman University’s Thompson Policy Institute, Kari leads the Coalition of Inclusive School Leaders, partnering with school administrators to develop inclusive systems that center students with disabilities, particularly those most marginalized. With nearly two decades of experience, Kari’s work has focused on dismantling barriers, building educator capacity, and improving outcomes for diverse learners. Her previous role as a special education coordinator at Newport-Mesa Unified School District involved district-wide initiatives in inclusion, literacy, and leadership development. Kari’s expertise lies in aligning systems for meaningful change, fostering safe and supportive school environments, and amplifying the voices of students often pushed to the margins. She currently serves as President of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 17, continuing her mission to advance equitable opportunities for all students.

Kari Adams is a recognized leader in inclusive education, systems change, and equity-focused leadership. As the Inclusive Leadership Center Director at Chapman University’s Thompson Policy Institute, Kari leads the Coalition of Inclusive School Leade... Show more

Lindsay Ellis Lee, Ph.D., is an educational psychologist, researcher, educator, and consultant specializing in gifted education, neurodiversity, creativity, and educational technology. She serves as a faculty member at Elmbridge University and is the Founder and Director of Advanced Learning Research & Consulting, LLC. Dr. Lee's work explores the intersection of gifted education, neurodiversity, creativity, and human-centered technology integration, with a focus on expanding access, opportunity, and talent development through strengths-based learning design. She has published research in leading gifted education and creativity journals, serves as Chair-Elect of the National Association for Gifted Children's Research & Evaluation Network, and collaborates with schools, universities, and educational organizations on research, program evaluation, and professional learning initiatives.

Lindsay Ellis Lee, Ph.D., is an educational psychologist, researcher, educator, and consultant specializing in gifted education, neurodiversity, creativity, and educational technology. She serves as a faculty member at Elmbridge University and is the... Show more

David is a catalyst leader with a strong executive presence and a passion for building networks that inspire confidence and drive innovation. His decades in public sector IT have defined his approach to inclusive innovation, ensuring that products, features, and infrastructure are not only high-quality but also valuable to individuals, businesses, and communities. David’s expertise includes DevOps, user experience (UX), service design, and accessibility. These skills enable him to enhance transparency, increase productivity, deliver value, and boost customer engagement.

David holds an M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction from DePaul University and is a certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) by Rutgers/PTI. He actively participates in several professional organizations: the Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI), the Government Management Information Science (GMIS), and the Service Design in Government Community of Practice. Additionally, he has served as a mentor in the General Services Administration (GSA) User Experience Community of Practice.

David is a catalyst leader with a strong executive presence and a passion for building networks that inspire confidence and drive innovation. His decades in public sector IT have defined his approach to inclusive innovation, ensuring that products, f... Show more

Louise Humpington brings nearly three decades of experience across commercial law (Financial Services Litigation), international development, human rights, and AI ethics and governance. She has worked in some of the world's most demanding governance environments, including as Country Director for Oxfam in Papua New Guinea and as a Non-Executive Director of Amnesty International UK. Her work focuses on applying those legal, regulatory and human impact lenses to the design, development, and deployment of AI and in interrogating the principles of fairness and accountability to that live within their datasets. She argues that governance must be viewed as a mycelium network and that ethical considerations are no longer a cultural nicety. They are foundational to mitigate risk, avoid legal and bottom line liability, and ensuring that real world harms are caught before damage is done. Governance must be preventative, not a mop up exercise.

Louise Humpington brings nearly three decades of experience across commercial law (Financial Services Litigation), international development, human rights, and AI ethics and governance. She has worked in some of the world's most demanding governance ... Show more

Christopher Burpee is the Director of Student Centers at University of Chicago. Chris previously worked at both Northwestern University and Northeastern Illinois University. Chris served on the Conference Program Team for the 2022 Annual Conference in Chicago. He has a Masters in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University, and a BFA from DePaul University.

Christopher Burpee is the Director of Student Centers at University of Chicago. Chris previously worked at both Northwestern University and Northeastern Illinois University. Chris served on the Conference Program Team for the 2022 Annual Conference... 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

Prajakta is a passionate advocate for open source, education, and community empowerment. With a deep commitment to fostering innovation and growth, she has dedicated herself to mentoring and teaching individuals across India, both online and in-person. Prajakta’s work is centered around creating inclusive platforms that allow others to learn, grow, and thrive in the tech ecosystem.

She is the co-founder of Techvalley, a dynamic initiative focused on building a thriving community of tech enthusiasts. As an active mentor and judge, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of tech talent by guiding students through hackathons and pitching events. Her dedication to education and skill development has also led her to serve as a National Skill Development Corporation mentor, where she helps bridge the gap between education and industry.

Prajakta’s community-building efforts extend to various global and local initiatives. She is a former AngelHack Ambassador, a core member of FOSS United Pune, and a Girlscript Ambassador, where she champions diversity and inclusion in tech. She has also made significant contributions to the blockchain and decentralised tech community as a core member of Dapps.co and Hackers Meet-up.

At her university, Prajakta took the initiative to start Co-Dev, a technical community dedicated to collaboration and growth. She has been an active Microsoft Student Ambassador, connecting students with opportunities and resources, and her leadership in fostering open-source culture has left a lasting impact.

Driven by a passion for empowering others through education, mentoring, and hands-on experience, Prajakta is committed to creating a future where technology is accessible, inclusive, and impactful for all.

Prajakta is a passionate advocate for open source, education, and community empowerment. With a deep commitment to fostering innovation and growth, she has dedicated herself to mentoring and teaching individuals across India, both online and in-perso... Show more

Elena Simciuc — CEO of LevelUP Academy, PhD in Economics. Expert with 15+ years of experience in managing innovation projects (budgets exceeding €3.5 million). Specialist in attracting non-reimbursable EU funding for digital projects. A practitioner who personally implements AI bots and agents for HR, education, and marketing. International speaker and Web Summit participant.

Elena Simciuc — CEO of LevelUP Academy, PhD in Economics. Expert with 15+ years of experience in managing innovation projects (budgets exceeding €3.5 million). Specialist in attracting non-reimbursable EU funding for digital projects. A practitioner ... Show more

Domitila Barros is one of the most credentialed and compelling voices in global sustainability. Born in the Linha do Tiro favela in Recife, Brazil, she moved to Germany at age 15 and built a career at the intersection of climate justice, ESG strategy, social entrepreneurship, and ocean conservation.
She holds a Master of Arts in Political and Social Science from Freie Universität Berlin and has completed executive programmes at Wharton Business School (Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania), WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management (SensAbility Leadership), and Harvard & MIT (Brazil Conference 2026, Invited Speaker).
In 2022, she became the first racialised migrant woman elected Miss Germany. She immediately reframed the title as a platform for climate advocacy, achieving 250,000+ media appearances internationally in that year alone.
Her global stage experience includes: Brazil Conference at Harvard & MIT (2026), Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 and 2026, SensAbility WHU (2023, 2024, 2026), European Parliament (2024), G20 Sustainability Working Group (2024), COP 2025, Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis (2024, 2025), German Foreign Ministry alongside Annalena Baerbock (2023), and the Wharton Lauder Institute (2022, 2025).
She serves as jury member for the UNESCO BNE Prize and the German National Sustainability Prize (Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis). She is a PADI AmbassaDiver, BAUM Environmental Prize laureate (2026), and Greenpeace International sustainability ambassador with Amazon field experience.
Her book Rebel Dreamer (Ullstein Verlag, 2023) is an Amazon bestseller. Media: Vogue Italia, Forbes Germany, ZDF, SAT1, RTL, Globo. Instagram: 1.1M followers, 5M+ monthly views.
Languages: Portuguese, German, English, Spanish. Based between Berlin, Dubai (UAE), Koh Samui, and Recife.

Talk Title Suggestions for CFP Submissions
From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: How Sustainability Shapes the Future of Business
Justice First: Why ESG Without the Global South Is Not ESG at All
The Ocean as Governance: Marine Conservation as a Model for Climate Leadership
Circular Power: Favela Innovation and What the Global North Gets Wrong About Sustainability
Post-COP Reality: What Brazil's Climate Moment Means for Global Markets
Decolonising ESG: Rethinking Who Gets to Define the Green Economy

Tags / Topics for Sessionize profile
Sustainability, Climate Justice, ESG, Global South, Ocean Conservation, Circular Economy, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Social Innovation, Corporate Governance, Nature Finance, Keynote

Domitila Barros is one of the most credentialed and compelling voices in global sustainability. Born in the Linha do Tiro favela in Recife, Brazil, she moved to Germany at age 15 and built a career at the intersection of climate justice, ESG strategy... Show more

Shanell Guardo is a Principal TPM Manager at Microsoft, where she leads initiatives focused on AI enablement, platform reliability, and operational transformation across Azure engineering systems. Her work spans engineering leadership, cloud transformation, developer productivity, and scalable technology delivery in highly complex environments.

Prior to Microsoft, Shanell served as an officer in the United States Air Force, leading operational and technology teams supporting mission-critical healthcare and infrastructure systems. Her career has centered on solving complex problems, leading through ambiguity, and building systems that improve both operational outcomes and user experience.

Shanell is also the Founder and Managing Principal of KinTech LLC and founder of KinTrades, a workforce technology platform focused on expanding access to skilled trades careers through skills-first hiring, workforce innovation, and community partnerships.

She frequently speaks on AI adoption, engineering transformation, leadership, workforce innovation, and navigating career growth across technical and nontraditional paths. Shanell is passionate about helping organizations and individuals embrace change, lead with purpose, and create meaningful impact through technology.

Shanell Guardo is a Principal TPM Manager at Microsoft, where she leads initiatives focused on AI enablement, platform reliability, and operational transformation across Azure engineering systems. Her work spans engineering leadership, cloud transfor... Show more

Carlos Montoya works at the intersection of climate science, international development, social innovation, and science communication. He currently leads communications for the World Climate Research Programme at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), translating complex climate science into actionable insights for global audiences. He is also the founder of an international NGO that has operated across 20 countries and actively develops AI-driven initiatives to expand access to education, skills, and employment opportunities for young people.

What I bring to conferences:
- Practical frameworks for communicating climate risk and science
- Real-world lessons from international development and multilateral systems
- Case studies from building and scaling a 20-country NGO
- Strategies for engaging non-technical audiences in complex topics

Speaking Topics:

Climate & Sustainability
- Turning Climate Science into Action: How to Communicate Risk Across Cultures
- From Data to Decisions: Bridging Climate Research and Policy

International Development:
- Using AI to Connect Young People with Education, Training, and Employment
- Inclusive Trade in Practice: Lessons from Rural Colombia to Global Markets
- Designing Institutions That Work for Everyone (Not Just Donors)
- What Multilateral Systems Get Wrong About the Global South

Social Entrepreneurship & Leadership:
- Building an International NGO at 19: What I Got Wrong (and Right)
- Youth Leadership in Global Institutions: Beyond Token Participation
- Scaling Social Impact Across 20 Countries Without Losing Focus

Communications & Strategy
- Translating Climate Science for Non-Technical Decision Makers
- Science Communication That Actually Changes Behavior
- Building Global Audiences Around Complex Missions

Signature Talks:
"Turning Climate Science into Action"
"Building Impact at Scale: Lessons from 20 Countries"
"Science Communication That Drives Policy Change"
"Building Pathways, Not Barriers: AI, Volunteering, and Youth Empowerment"

Languages
- English · Spanish - Fluent
- French - B2

Based in: Geneva, Switzerland

Available for: Keynotes, panels, workshops, and webinars

Carlos Montoya works at the intersection of climate science, international development, social innovation, and science communication. He currently leads communications for the World Climate Research Programme at the World Meteorological Organization ... Show more

Currently leading technical team.
I was a full-stack developer for 20 years in both large and small companies.
Over the last 8 years, my focus has shifted to leadership, organizational culture, advocating for "entry-level" profiles, light and inverted hierarchies, comprehensive work flexibility, and working in companies that prioritize people.

Currently leading technical team. I was a full-stack developer for 20 years in both large and small companies. Over the last 8 years, my focus has shifted to leadership, organizational culture, advocating for "entry-level" profiles, light and inver... Show more

Mike Gifford is an open standards and practices lead at CivicActions and a thought leader on digital accessibility in the public sector. He is also a W3C Invited Expert and recognized authoring tool accessibility expert.

Previously, he was the Founder and President of OpenConcept Consulting Inc., a web development agency specializing in building open source solutions for the open web. Mike has served as a Drupal Core Accessibility Maintainer in 2012.

Mike Gifford is an open standards and practices lead at CivicActions and a thought leader on digital accessibility in the public sector. He is also a W3C Invited Expert and recognized authoring tool accessibility expert. Previously, he was the Fou... Show more

Khrystyna Kurganska is an entrepreneur, founder, and mental health advocate working at the intersection of business, social impact, psychology, sensory experience, and human recovery.
For more than 15 years, she has built businesses in perfumery, aroma marketing, and multisensory brand experience. Her professional background explores how scent, memory, environment, and emotion shape the way people feel, behave, connect, and recover.
Since 2022, she has led DOLADU, an NGO supporting psychological rehabilitation, psychosocial recovery, and reintegration for military personnel, veterans, their families, and people affected by war in Ukraine.

Khrystyna Kurganska is an entrepreneur, founder, and mental health advocate working at the intersection of business, social impact, psychology, sensory experience, and human recovery. For more than 15 years, she has built businesses in perfumery, ar... Show more

Named the 2025 ACSA Special Education Administrator of the Year, Dr. Julie Hong is an award-winning educational leader, author, and systems designer with over 21 years of experience across general, special, and alternative education. She currently serves as Director of Instructional Support, Innovation, and Competitive Advantage at the Riverside County Office of Education, where she leads systems that unify Alternative Education, Special Education, and career pathways through student-centered, future-ready design. She is the author of Toward Pedagogy-First AI Integration: A Conceptual Framework Grounded in Relevance to Rigor Flow and Pedagogy in the Loop. Her work advances a human-centered approach to AI integration that aligns with UNESCO’s emphasis on ethical, inclusive, and human-centered AI in education. She has led transformative change across three school districts and two county offices, building instructional coherence in diverse settings. Her work centers on AI Integrated Learning, Project-Based Learning, Universal Design for Learning, and Design Thinking. Dr. Hong also serves as Vice President of Membership for ACSA Region XIX, Past President-Elect of the SWAA Charter, board member for Mosaic Legacy, and CAAPLE mentor to aspiring administrators. She is known for Sparking Joy in Education and reimagining schools through purpose, people, and possibility.

Named the 2025 ACSA Special Education Administrator of the Year, Dr. Julie Hong is an award-winning educational leader, author, and systems designer with over 21 years of experience across general, special, and alternative education. She currently se... Show more

Daniel F. Leston is an engineer, policy expert, and author working at the intersection of technology, sovereignty, and development across Europe and Africa. An IBM alumni and former advisor to the Spanish Ministry of Science , he has spent two decades leading digital and energy transformation initiatives. Founder of Gurumbe Capital, he focuses on decentralized infrastructure and open-source models as tools for true strategic autonomy. He is based in Nairobi.

Daniel F. Leston is an engineer, policy expert, and author working at the intersection of technology, sovereignty, and development across Europe and Africa. An IBM alumni and former advisor to the Spanish Ministry of Science , he has spent two decade... Show more

I am passionate about creating a sense of belonging and social-emotional wellbeing in schools for both children and adults. I've served in public education for over 25 years as a primary classroom teacher, site administrator, independent study program designer and leader, charter school administrator. I’ve worked in district office administration, and most recently as a county office specialist serving Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. I also serve as a coach for 21CSLA and have coached teachers and leaders in many capacities for 15 years. I am trained as a Resilience Coach with Dovetail Learning, and as a trainer for Mental Health First Aid. I am a professional photographer and laser maker, and in my spare time, I enjoy practicing yoga, cooking nutritious food, and traveling to new places.

I am passionate about creating a sense of belonging and social-emotional wellbeing in schools for both children and adults. I've served in public education for over 25 years as a primary classroom teacher, site administrator, independent study progra... Show more