Engaging and funny, performance strategist and workplace satisfaction leader Elle O'Flaherty delivers game-changing messages that interweave real-world examples and cutting-edge research. Elle's presentations are full of insights, highly interactive, and fun. She helps clients tailor their professional life to their unique brains, allowing their talents and genius to shine. Following a 17+ year legal career and certifications in ICF-accredited executive, ADHD, and career coaching, Elle founded Interlace Solutions, a coaching firm that taps into clients' potential to accelerate their achievement. Her team coaches executives, executive teams, and professionals with a subspecialty in ADHD coaching.

Elle is a sought-after keynote speaker and facilitator who consistently draws large crowds. Her goal is for participants to walk away with meaty new learning for practical application. Elle has been published in national and international outlets and speaks on productivity, professional motivation, creating ADHD-friendly environments, and innovations to support mental health, among other topics. Elle is a subject matter expert on international agricultural trade, which doesn’t come up a lot. She lives in Washington, DC, with her dog Penny, the most beautiful dog in the world. And a great family, but the dog is hard to beat.

Engaging and funny, performance strategist and workplace satisfaction leader Elle O'Flaherty delivers game-changing messages that interweave real-world examples and cutting-edge research. Elle's presentations are full of insights, highly interactive,... Show more

Debra Cleaver is the Founder & CEO of VoteAmerica, a national nonpartisan nonprofit organization which conducts data-informed campaigns to register and turnout the 100+ million Americans traditionally excluded by partisan political outreach efforts. A serial founder whose previous organizations have included Vote.org (2016), ElectionDay.org (2018), Long Distance Voter (2008), and Swing the State (2004), she's been working at the intersection of technology and democracy since 2004, several years before “civic tech” and “online organization” entered the cultural lexicon. Her various organizations have collectively registered over 4 million people, conducted mass marketing campaigns reaching tens of millions, and pioneered tactics now considered industry standards. She is an alumna of Pomona College and Y Combinator, a former Draper Richards Kaplan Fellow for Social Entrepreneurship. She frequently speaks on issues impacting voter turnout and digital innovations to increase access to the polls, with appearances at events such as SXSW, Netroots Nation, Harvard Law, the Harvard School of Government, University of Michigan, SUMMIT Ideas Festival, Lesbians Who Tech, and Accelerate Good Global.

Debra Cleaver is the Founder & CEO of VoteAmerica, a national nonpartisan nonprofit organization which conducts data-informed campaigns to register and turnout the 100+ million Americans traditionally excluded by partisan political outreach efforts. ... Show more

Muhammed Bello Buhari is a digital rights practitioner and programme specialist working at the intersection of human rights, technology, and civic space across Africa. With a specialized focus on internet shutdowns, surveillance encirclement, and digital democracy in politically fragile and conflict-affected environments, he regularly provides legal and policy commentary on tech accountability and human rights. He holds an LL.B. from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Currently, Muhammed serves as the NAFASI Project Officer at Magamba Network, coordinating a multi-country digital democracy initiative across Sub-Saharan Africa. He previously served as Programmes Officer and Regional Lead for Anglophone West Africa at Paradigm Initiative (PIN), spearheading regional advocacy, strategic litigation support, and digital rights capacity building. Prior to PIN, he had programme coordinationation roles with CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Digital Grassroots, and Call A Lawyer Nigeria.

Muhammed is an alumnus of executive programs at the Lagos Business School and the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria. His work has been recognized through numerous international fellowships, including the 2025 Internet Society (ISOC) Youth Ambassador program, the TechForward Policy Fellowship, Community Privacy Residency Taiwan, the IRI Fortifying Internet Freedom Fellowship, the Advocacy Assembly Internet Shutdowns Advocacy Fellowship, and the Innocent Chukwuma Social Impact Fellowship.

Muhammed Bello Buhari is a digital rights practitioner and programme specialist working at the intersection of human rights, technology, and civic space across Africa. With a specialized focus on internet shutdowns, surveillance encirclement, and dig... Show more

Chris Hidalgo is an Information Security professional with 10 years of academic service experience and 6 years working with information systems. Having completed degrees in Economics and Information Science, Chris' career trajectory has focused on understanding how people decide, evaluate, and trust solutions in their business
operations. In his free time, Chris enjoys gaming, wrangling cats, and doting with his
wife over their son.

Chris has presented talks for the 2022 Tandem KEYS conference, the 2024 BSides
Austin conference, and two talks for the StudyGRC Youtube channel. He also
volunteers as co-lead for the Public Speaking Masters group in the Simply Cyber
Community.

Chris Hidalgo is an Information Security professional with 10 years of academic service experience and 6 years working with information systems. Having completed degrees in Economics and Information Science, Chris' career trajectory has focused on un... Show more

Tina Johnson is a professional speaker, domestic violence educator, and Director of Community Engagement at Hope House. Through education, storytelling, strategic outreach, and advocacy-centered podcasting, she empowers survivors, promotes prevention, and helps communities build healthier relationships.

Tina earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mediated Communication from the University of Missouri, with a minor in Public Administration & Policy and a Professional Communication Certificate. She is a 2027 MPA Candidate at the University of Missouri, where she is expanding her expertise in public service, nonprofit leadership, and community impact.

Tina partners with businesses, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to deliver engaging presentations on healthy relationships, workplace well-being, boundaries, domestic violence prevention, and leadership. She is passionate about equipping individuals and organizations with practical tools that inspire lasting change, strengthen communities, and foster hope.

Tina Johnson is a professional speaker, domestic violence educator, and Director of Community Engagement at Hope House. Through education, storytelling, strategic outreach, and advocacy-centered podcasting, she empowers survivors, promotes prevention... Show more

Dr. Jacklyn Sanders is an Assistant Professor of the Practice and Extension Specialist at Prairie View A&M University, where her work focuses on student success, mentorship, leadership development, and community health education. She previously served as Interim Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR).

Dr. Sanders coordinates mentoring initiatives designed to support students across critical stages of their collegiate experience, including first-year transition, peer mentoring, career development, and preparation for life beyond college. Her work includes leadership with the PAWS Mentoring Program and CAFNR’s Mentor Collective initiatives, where she develops mentor training, engagement strategies, and structured opportunities that strengthen students’ sense of belonging, confidence, professional development, and academic success.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Sanders is committed to creating intentional pathways that inform, empower, and elevate students while preparing them to lead, serve, and succeed in their educational and professional pursuits.

Dr. Jacklyn Sanders is an Assistant Professor of the Practice and Extension Specialist at Prairie View A&M University, where her work focuses on student success, mentorship, leadership development, and community health education. She previously serve... Show more

I’m an educator, speaker and psychology-informed consultant with a background in psychology, educology, marketing and business. I was born in Lithuania and have lived in Malta, Greece and Portugal, which means I don’t assume there is one universal experience of being a woman.

My talks glue together psychology, research, cultural observation, real stories and humour, and challenge the norms we were taught to obey without questioning.
I’m not there to give women 10 steps to become a better version of themselves, optimise their morning routine or finally learn how to balance everything. ChatGPT can generate a pretty good list in seconds.
I’m much more interested in sharing a real-life experience they will be talking about after the conference is over.

I’m an educator, speaker and psychology-informed consultant with a background in psychology, educology, marketing and business. I was born in Lithuania and have lived in Malta, Greece and Portugal, which means I don’t assume there is one universal ex... Show more

公立千歳科学技術大学 情報システム工学科 准教授．博士（理工学）．
大学の技師として学習支援システムの企画・設計・開発・運用・保守を担当した後，2013年から研究職に移り，2024年より現職。千歳市バスロケーションシステム（〜2022）などの開発を経て，現在はシステム開発手法，プログラミング教育の研究に従事。
2015年からJavaユーザーグループ北海道を立ち上げ、スタッフとともに年4回のイベント開催に取り組む。

公立千歳科学技術大学 情報システム工学科 准教授．博士（理工学）． 大学の技師として学習支援システムの企画・設計・開発・運用・保守を担当した後，2013年から研究職に移り，2024年より現職。千歳市バスロケーションシステム（〜2022）などの開発を経て，現在はシステム開発手法，プログラミング教育の研究に従事。 2015年からJavaユーザーグループ北海道を立ち上げ、スタッフとともに年4回のイベント開催に取り組む。 Show more

Emerald Akhaumere, a 22-year-old Nigerian trailblazer, is rewriting the narrative in the world of technology. Her journey began at the age of 15, fueled by an unquenchable passion for tech and a fierce determination to make a difference.

Emerald's tech odyssey has been nothing short of remarkable. Her early involvement in SWENext kindled her love for the field, setting the stage for an incredible transformation. From these roots, she ascended to become a Collegiate Member and a Collegiate Club Lead, championing inclusivity in STEM.

Emerald's accomplishments in the SWE Recruitment Challenge, where she clinched top positions multiple times, speak volumes about her zeal for SWE's mission and the advancement of women in tech. She believes that innovation thrives in diversity, and she's a living testament to this ideology.

But her journey didn't stop there. Emerald's commitment transcends borders; she proudly serves as a SWE Global Ambassador, amplifying the organization's impact and values globally. She's passionate about fostering a global community that empowers women to thrive in the tech universe.

As the newly appointed GDSC Lead at BAZE University, Emerald is poised to make an indelible mark. Her leadership and dedication are set to empower a new generation of tech enthusiasts.

Emerald's story is a testament to the incredible potential that emerges when passion meets dedication. She's breaking barriers, paving the way for underrepresented voices in tech, and proving that age is no limit when it comes to making waves in the world of technology.

Emerald Akhaumere, a 22-year-old Nigerian trailblazer, is rewriting the narrative in the world of technology. Her journey began at the age of 15, fueled by an unquenchable passion for tech and a fierce determination to make a difference. Emerald's... Show more

Karen Kenyatta Russell, JD ☘ speaks on winning: voting, democracy, leadership and finding your people. Bill Russell taught her how to win. Now she teaches audiences how to win too.

The daughter of NBA icon Bill Russell and Black Panther Rose Swisher, Karen is a Harvard-trained attorney, resistance historian and tech & AI strategist, and Founder & CEO of Start Winning With Me. She has delivered keynotes, moderated panels and facilitated hard conversations, gave a TEDx talk on mentoring, and served as NBC KING 5's on-air legal analyst. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Seattle Times, Boston Globe and Huffington Post.

Karen Kenyatta Russell, JD ☘ speaks on winning: voting, democracy, leadership and finding your people. Bill Russell taught her how to win. Now she teaches audiences how to win too. The daughter of NBA icon Bill Russell and Black Panther Rose Swish... Show more

With over five years of specialized experience in utility billing, Racquel Pinto currently serves as a Water Billing Clerk in the City of Evanston, dedicated to operational excellence. Beyond her primary role, she is a deeply engaged leader within the industry, serving on the ISAWWA Technology and Women in Water committees and contributing to the Legacy Project for Women in Local Government committee. A passionate advocate for equity, Racquel has also participated with the REDI and Black Implementation Group committees to help shape a more inclusive future for her city. When she isn't collaborating with committees or working on diversity initiatives, Racquel enjoys exploring the world through international cuisine and traveling with her family.

With over five years of specialized experience in utility billing, Racquel Pinto currently serves as a Water Billing Clerk in the City of Evanston, dedicated to operational excellence. Beyond her primary role, she is a deeply engaged leader within th... Show more

Mari Anne’s housing career began in 1999 as a resident advisor for a privately-owned residence hall on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. She joined University Housing in 2004 and has held a variety of roles with an eye toward student service during her 22 year tenure. As the director of Housing Information & Marketing, she leads residence hall occupancy management, marketing, communications, and assessment. In addition, Mari Anne champions strategic initiatives to support both students and staff who call University Housing home. Most recently she partnered with other housing executives to implement a culture & climate action plan focusing on staff support structures and developing the next level of strategic leaders in University Housing. Mari Anne received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication & Political Science and a Master of Education with an emphasis in Leadership: Training & Development from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Mari Anne has served as an external consultant on occupancy management and assignment operations, is a certified facilitator for Crucial Conversations and regularly collaborates to train others in providing excellent customer service within the campus community.

Mari Anne’s housing career began in 1999 as a resident advisor for a privately-owned residence hall on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. She joined University Housing in 2004 and has held a variety of roles with an eye toward studen... Show more

Haroon Rafique is the Manager of Development Operations at the Student Information Systems department in the Information Technology Services portfolio at University of Toronto. Haroon has 28+ years experience in information technology with 22 of them at institutes of higher learning. Haroon focuses on leadership and mentoring on the people side of things and on system design, development and management of emerging technologies on the technology side of things.

He holds a Masters of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

Haroon Rafique is the Manager of Development Operations at the Student Information Systems department in the Information Technology Services portfolio at University of Toronto. Haroon has 28+ years experience in information technology with 22 of them... Show more

Hadir Farrag is the Non-Native Arabic Lead and an educational trainer based in Abu Dhabi, holding an official UAE teaching license for non-native Arabic speakers. She specializes in transforming language curricula and classrooms by integrating modern educational technologies and AI tools.
As a certified trainer, a recognized BSME network speaker, and a Twinkl collaborator, Hadir has successfully designed and delivered impactful professional development workshops to over 1,500 educators worldwide. She also leads a vibrant professional community on LinkedIn with more than 3,000 engaged teachers. Holding a Prompt Engineering Professional certification, Hadir is deeply committed to pioneering innovative, high-impact learning experiences that bridge technology with linguistic proficiency.

Hadir Farrag is the Non-Native Arabic Lead and an educational trainer based in Abu Dhabi, holding an official UAE teaching license for non-native Arabic speakers. She specializes in transforming language curricula and classrooms by integrating modern... Show more

I am a highly accomplished Android developer, boasting over 4 years of professional experience and a profound understanding of mobile application development. I have consistently demonstrated my expertise in this field throughout my career, delivering exceptional results for various projects. Motivation is a driving force in my work. I approach every project with enthusiasm and a determination to surpass expectations. This zeal translates into innovative solutions and a constant drive for improvement. My creative mindset enables me to think outside the box, bringing fresh ideas and unique perspectives to the development process.

*Established and currently leading a groundbreaking international project in Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) dedicated to providing advanced IT education for children aged 6-14.
Created strategic partnerships with schools, community organizations, and technology companies to deliver high-quality education programs.
Implemented a unique pedagogical approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, collaborative projects, and critical thinking, engaging children through gamification and adaptive learning techniques.
Managed a diverse team of educators, managers, and technology experts to ensure program excellence and scalability.

*As a passionate advocate for gender equality in the tech industry, I am honored to serve as a Google's Women Techmakers Ambassador. I'm dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for women in the world of technology.

*My mission is to encourage women to break the glass ceiling and create change in the tech sector. I'm also currently a Country Leader BIH for WomanTech Network. I contributed by uniting 150K women from 181 countries to join the network, get inspired, discover their purpose, and make a positive impact.

A firm believer that it is never too late at any stage of life to turn things around! There is something everyone can do/contribute at work/life with a unique skill set. With /around/through technology we can amplify the impact even more and at speed! This is not just my story, this is my mission! I am driven by a deep desire to use my skills and experience to make a lasting impact in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on the world, one step at a time.

I am a highly accomplished Android developer, boasting over 4 years of professional experience and a profound understanding of mobile application development. I have consistently demonstrated my expertise in this field throughout my career, deliverin... Show more

Michael Grajera is a Software Engineer and AI/ML Systems Lead at Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), where he develops AI-enabled software and developer tooling for complex operational systems. His work focuses on applying artificial intelligence to real-world engineering problems, including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), local language models, developer productivity, and trustworthy AI.

Alongside his industry work, Michael is pursuing a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Utah State University, where his research focuses on reliable activity intelligence and human-AI decision support in operational environments. His research emphasizes explainable AI, uncertainty quantification, and human-in-the-loop systems that help people make better decisions rather than replacing them.

Michael enjoys bridging the gap between AI research and practical software engineering. His presentations focus on lessons learned from building AI systems that engineers can actually deploy, maintain, and trust in production

Michael Grajera is a Software Engineer and AI/ML Systems Lead at Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), where he develops AI-enabled software and developer tooling for complex operational systems. His work focuses on applying artificial intelligence to rea... Show more

Emefa A. Kpegba est Ingénieure Génie Logiciel et Experte en Transformation Numérique. Elle est une professionnelle polyvalente et passionnée par les technologies numériques en général, l'Intelligence Artificielle, les IoT et la Robotique en particulier.
Actuellement, elle occupe le poste de Conseillère Technique en Compétences Numériques à la GIZ sur le projet ProDigiT, où elle met son expertise au service de l’accompagnement des partenaires sur le développement des compétences digitales pour une transformation digitale compétitive.
Emefa A. Kpegba est également engagée dans l'éducation et la formation, en tant que Digital Skills Tutor, où elle partage ses connaissances et accompagne les apprenants dans l'acquisition de compétences numériques essentielles pour le monde actuel.
Elle est en outre membre fondateur de GDG Lome (Google Developers Groups Lome) pour rassembler une communauté Tech active au Togo. Emefa est également une Ambassadrice des Women Techmakers (WTM), une initiative de Google visant à promouvoir l'inclusion des femmes dans le domaine de la technologie. À ce titre, elle participe à des événements, des ateliers et des programmes associatifs, pour encourager et soutenir les femmes et les jeunes dans les carrières Tech.
Engagée dans l'innovation et l'inclusion, Emefa allie expertise technique et vision d'un avenir autonomisé par le numérique.

Emefa A. Kpegba est Ingénieure Génie Logiciel et Experte en Transformation Numérique. Elle est une professionnelle polyvalente et passionnée par les technologies numériques en général, l'Intelligence Artificielle, les IoT et la Robotique en particuli... Show more

Venkata Kartheek Reddy Somasani is an accomplished Information Technology Security and Cybersecurity Engineer with over nine years of specialized experience designing, implementing, and securing enterprise-scale network infrastructures across on-premises and cloud environments. Based in Dallas, Texas, he has built a distinguished career focused on protecting critical public sector systems and safeguarding sensitive government operations.
Since May 2018, Venkata has served the City of Dallas through KC Synergy Solutions Inc., where he plays a pivotal role in securing vital municipal infrastructure. His responsibilities include comprehensive cybersecurity defense for the Dallas Police Department and Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), ensuring the protection of sensitive law enforcement data through multi-layered security controls such as OKTA two-factor authentication, advanced VPN architectures, and strict CJIS compliance. He has engineered secure, disaster-resilient communication channels between CAD911 dispatch systems and the Texas Department of Public Safety, ensuring uninterrupted emergency response coordination statewide.
One of Venkata’s most significant accomplishments is the architecture of a secure, multi-zoned SCADA network for Dallas’s freshwater, wastewater, and stormwater treatment facilities. By implementing air-gapped environments, zero-internet-access zones, and IDS/IPS protections, he has directly safeguarded critical public health infrastructure from cyber threats. His expertise was further demonstrated during a major ransomware incident, where he successfully detected, contained, and eradicated malware by isolating compromised systems and blocking communication with the Royal ransomware group.
Venkata’s technical expertise spans Cisco ASA, Firepower Threat Defense, SD-WAN, Palo Alto firewalls, F5 BIG-IP, and web application firewalls. He has architected secure hybrid cloud environments using AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, and IPSEC tunnels, supported by AWS architect level certifications. He holds a Master’s degree in Information Assurance and maintains advanced certifications, including CJIS Level 4 and Cisco Firepower NGFW, consistently ensuring compliance with NIST and federal cybersecurity standards.

Venkata Kartheek Reddy Somasani is an accomplished Information Technology Security and Cybersecurity Engineer with over nine years of specialized experience designing, implementing, and securing enterprise-scale network infrastructures across on-prem... Show more

I am currently the Associate Director for Residence Life at Furman University. I have been at Furman since 2022, and I supervise both full-time and student staff. I specialize in Student Staff Training and Selection.

I am currently the Associate Director for Residence Life at Furman University. I have been at Furman since 2022, and I supervise both full-time and student staff. I specialize in Student Staff Training and Selection. Show more

Subash Rajaseelan is Chief of Staff at SigIQ.ai, where he works on EverTutor, a voice-first AI tutor for K-12 students, and built the company's AI-native go-to-market engine. He was previously the founding product manager at Thinkverse, an adaptive AI math tutor used by 15,000+ students across 30+ schools. At Northeastern University, where he earned an MS in Engineering Management, he co-founded the Aspiring Product Managers Club (1,200+ members). He speaks on AI in K-12 education, voice-first AI tutoring, and breaking into product management. Recent talks include the MTSS Summit (2025), the Boston AI Forum (2025), and the Northeastern Product Conference (2025, 2026). He is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Subash Rajaseelan is Chief of Staff at SigIQ.ai, where he works on EverTutor, a voice-first AI tutor for K-12 students, and built the company's AI-native go-to-market engine. He was previously the founding product manager at Thinkverse, an adaptive A... Show more

He wears many different hats. In universities, he is an assistant professor. In enterprises, he is an AI-enabled service consultant. In elementary school, he is a STEM teacher. In public, he is a cloud advocate, especially for Azure.

He wears many different hats. In universities, he is an assistant professor. In enterprises, he is an AI-enabled service consultant. In elementary school, he is a STEM teacher. In public, he is a cloud advocate, especially for Azure. Show more

Twenty years of behaviour change practice with UNICEF, the World Bank, WHO, FAO and IOM.

Builds AI agents and the adoption programmes that get them used. Architect of Sarah, a WhatsApp coaching agent that ran a 30-day programme for 43 leaders at a microfinance bank.

Runs AI capability and foresight work for banks, insurers, energy companies and universities across Pakistan.

Creator of the ADOPT method for AI adoption.

Twenty years of behaviour change practice with UNICEF, the World Bank, WHO, FAO and IOM. Builds AI agents and the adoption programmes that get them used. Architect of Sarah, a WhatsApp coaching agent that ran a 30-day programme for 43 leaders at a... Show more

Ciara Taylor is an Author, Speaker, Leadership Strategist, and Certified Executive Coach, and founder of Still Becoming, a platform dedicated to helping women reconnect with themselves and recognize that they are a commitment worth keeping.

After navigating seasons of profound loss, motherhood, health challenges, career achievement, and personal transition, Ciara realized that while she had continued showing up for everyone and everything around her, she had stopped asking an important question: What do I need?

That realization became the foundation for Still Becoming and her Commitment Worth Keeping Framework—Reconnect, Discover, Commit—a practical approach that helps women reconnect with themselves, discover what they need in their current season, and take intentional action to stay committed to themselves.

Ciara is also the author of Mommy, You Got This! A Mother’s Journey Through Survival, Healing, and Becoming and brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership, organizational development, coaching, and facilitating transformational learning experiences.

Through her writing and speaking, Ciara reminds women that becoming isn't about having everything figured out. It is a lifelong practice of continuing to grow, evolve, and remain committed to yourself along the way.

Ciara Taylor is an Author, Speaker, Leadership Strategist, and Certified Executive Coach, and founder of Still Becoming, a platform dedicated to helping women reconnect with themselves and recognize that they are a commitment worth keeping. After ... Show more

Paul Prathap (Prathap Latchmanan) spent nineteen years in uniform, from the age of eighteen, seventeen of them as a regular. His last command was a military police battalion of 650 soldiers and 80 working dogs, through more than 2,000 live operations. He completed his regular service in August 2026 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

He founded Men-Kind, a Singapore practice in executive coaching and leadership development, with 1,100+ coaching hours across 300+ clients. He is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and a doctoral researcher in crisis leadership (PhD in Defence and Security, in progress) at Cranfield University. His analysis of Singapore's crisis controls ran in the Lowy Institute's The Interpreter in September 2026.

He speaks on what holds, and what gives, when the pressure arrives: crisis readiness, leading in brittle and anxious conditions, and leadership identity under pressure. Formats: keynote, panel or fireside, and keynote plus workshop. Organisations served include MINDEF, the National University of Singapore, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Unilever.

menkind.life/speaking

Paul Prathap (Prathap Latchmanan) spent nineteen years in uniform, from the age of eighteen, seventeen of them as a regular. His last command was a military police battalion of 650 soldiers and 80 working dogs, through more than 2,000 live operations... Show more

🇮🇹 Con oltre 10 anni di esperienza tra consulenza e aziende digitali, oggi ricopre il ruolo di Experience Strategy & Service Designer Manager presso uno dei principali gruppi italiani di logistica, spedizioni, pagamenti e servizi finanziari dove si occupa di progettare e innovare servizi con l’obiettivo di migliorare concretamente l’esperienza e la vita delle persone. È Ambassador di SheTech, organizzazione non profit impegnata a promuovere la parità di genere nel mondo tech e digital attraverso networking, formazione e sensibilizzazione, contribuendo a creare nuove opportunità e ad abbattere stereotipi e barriere di accesso al settore. Ha inoltre collaborato per diversi anni con l’Università di Roma Tre come assistente di cattedra e cultore della materia nell’ambito della Comunicazione d’impresa, affiancando alla propria esperienza professionale un forte interesse per la formazione e la condivisione delle competenze. È membro della community delle Unstoppable Women di StartupItalia, una rete dedicata a valorizzare il talento e l’imprenditorialità femminile.

🇬🇧 With over 10 years of experience across consulting and digital companies, she currently works as Experience Strategy & Service Designer Manager at one of Italy’s leading groups in logistics, shipping, payments, and financial services, where she focuses on designing and innovating services with the goal of making a tangible difference to people’s experiences and lives. She is an Ambassador for SheTech, a non-profit organization committed to promoting gender equality in the tech and digital sectors through networking, training, and awareness-raising, helping to create new opportunities and break down stereotypes and barriers to entering the industry. She also collaborated for several years with Roma Tre University as a teaching assistant and subject-matter expert in Corporate Communication, combining her professional experience with a strong interest in education and knowledge sharing. She is a member of StartupItalia’s Unstoppable Women community, a network dedicated to promoting female talent and entrepreneurship.

🇮🇹 Con oltre 10 anni di esperienza tra consulenza e aziende digitali, oggi ricopre il ruolo di Experience Strategy & Service Designer Manager presso uno dei principali gruppi italiani di logistica, spedizioni, pagamenti e servizi finanziari dove si... Show more

Andreas Sexauer ist Mitarbeiter am Zentrum für Mediales Lernen (ZML) des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT). Neben Themen der Medienproduktion und Digitalen Lehre entwickelt er dort im Rahmen des Projekts GenAI@KIT den kompetenten Einsatz generativer KI am KIT mit. Dazu zählen unter anderem die Herstellung der Möglichkeit zur Arbeit mit individuell angepassten KI-Chatbots in allen Lehrveranstaltungen des KIT. Diese sogenannten Custom Chatbots können spezifisch in einer Lehrveranstaltung eingesetzt werden. Dabei können die Lehrpersonen selbst bestimmen, mit welchem Wissenskorpus, z.B. dem eigenen Skript, und mit welchem Verhalten diese Custom Chatbots mit den Studierenden interagieren. In einer Kooperation mit dem KI-Campus ist Andreas einer der Autoren des Prompt-Labor 2: Generative KI in der Hochschullehre – Anwendungen. Dort hat er das Kapitel „Informationsvisualisierung mit KI" beigetragen. Darüber hinaus setzt er sich intensiv mit der Thematik Agentic AI auseinander und wirkt dabei im Hochschulforum Digitalisierung in einer Arbeitsgruppe dazu mit. Im Hochschulnetzwerk Digitalisierung der Lehre in Baden-Württemberg ist er Mitglied der Special Interest Group Learning Analytics und Künstliche Intelligenz (LAKI).

Andreas Sexauer ist Mitarbeiter am Zentrum für Mediales Lernen (ZML) des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT). Neben Themen der Medienproduktion und Digitalen Lehre entwickelt er dort im Rahmen des Projekts GenAI@KIT den kompetenten Einsatz gen... Show more

Portia Richardson is a transformational leadership and education speaker, social impact strategist, educator, and founder who helps leaders and educators lead well, strengthen culture, and create meaningful impact without losing themselves in the process.

As the Founder and Executive Director of Tumaini DC, Portia brings more than 15 years of experience across education, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development. Her work has reached thousands of students, educators, and leaders across the U.S. and globally, with a focus on developing people, strengthening school and organizational culture, and creating environments where people can thrive.

Portia speaks at the intersection of transformational and servant leadership, educator wellness, school climate and culture, social-emotional learning, purpose, and sustainable impact. She brings the perspective of someone who has been in the classroom, built organizations, led teams, coached leaders, and worked alongside communities.

Her style is honest, relatable, practical, and rooted in real experience. Whether speaking to educators, school and district leaders, executives, or social impact organizations, Portia challenges people to think beyond what they accomplish and pay attention to how they lead, how people experience their leadership, and the culture they create along the way.

Her core belief is simple: We transform organizations and communities by first transforming the way we lead and care for people—including ourselves.

Portia Richardson is a transformational leadership and education speaker, social impact strategist, educator, and founder who helps leaders and educators lead well, strengthen culture, and create meaningful impact without losing themselves in the pro... Show more

David's distinguished career spans over four decades, ignited by his foray into the world of information technology back in 1983. He has taken on a multitude of technical and managerial roles across diverse sectors, including the private sector, Federal government, state government, and higher education. His wealth of experience and invaluable insights garnered from these diverse domains make him a force to be reckoned with.

In 1993, David joined the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a Novell Server Administrator for Administrative Data Processing. Over the years, he proved himself as a leader, ultimately assuming the position of Assistant Dean for Information Technology and HIPAA Security Officer for the UNC Adams School of Dentistry from 2011 to 2022. David's dedication to the University and his management of information technology professionals since 1996 are testaments to his exceptional leadership and loyalty.

Education lies at the core of David's personal journey, and his academic achievements speak volumes about his commitment to excellence. A graduate of Hampton University with a bachelor's degree in Mass Media Arts, David legitimized his technical expertise by obtaining a master's degree in Computer Networking and a Post Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance from East Carolina University. Not stopping there, he solidified his position by earning a Certified Government Chief Information Officer certificate from the UNC School of Government.

In 2022, David added two prestigious and highly respected certifications to his repertoire: the Certified Information Systems Security Professional from ISC2 and the Certified Information Security Manager from ISACA.

David's passion for continuous learning and dedication to professional associations have solidified his status as a leader. He is a member of the Epsilon Pi Tau technical honor society, the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, and the Information Systems Security Association.

His affiliation with the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated exemplifies his commitment to scholarship, community and service.

David's distinguished career spans over four decades, ignited by his foray into the world of information technology back in 1983. He has taken on a multitude of technical and managerial roles across diverse sectors, including the private sector, Fede... Show more

Marcel Schade studied chemical engineering at TU Dortmund University and is a research associate at TU Dortmund University as well as an external PhD student at the University of Wuppertal.
He is currently working on the JuModel and Access@DigitalLabs projects, funded by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education. His work focuses on digital teaching, particularly in cross-reality laboratories, engineering education and accessibility.

Marcel Schade studied chemical engineering at TU Dortmund University and is a research associate at TU Dortmund University as well as an external PhD student at the University of Wuppertal. He is currently working on the JuModel and Access@DigitalLa... Show more

Alex B. Hill highlights the intersections of power, privilege, and race in regards to health equity, access to basic services, and the social and political determinants of health. He is Project Director for the Detroit Food Map Initiative, Property Praxis, Detroit Atlas Collaboration, and DetroitData. Alex started DETROITography (detroitography.com) in 2013 to bring together various Detroit mapmakers and cartographers to showcase their work and encourage community members to start mapping their own city. He teaches in urban studies, public health, and geography at Wayne State University and Michigan State University. Alex is the author and cartographer of the books, Detroit in 50 Maps (2021) and Great Lakes in 50 Maps (2025) from Belt Publishing. He is a regular contributor to Model D Media, Flintside, Detroit PBS and the Detroit Free Press.

Alex B. Hill highlights the intersections of power, privilege, and race in regards to health equity, access to basic services, and the social and political determinants of health. He is Project Director for the Detroit Food Map Initiative, Property P... Show more