Designer and user researcher using human centred approaches to developing services, products and content. Also co-founder of a social enterprise, Unwaste.io, using data and technology to create circular economies for plastic waste. Experience in untangling complex problems in healthcare, public services and social innovation. Advocate of Women in Tech.

Designer and user researcher using human centred approaches to developing services, products and content. Also co-founder of a social enterprise, Unwaste.io, using data and technology to create circular economies for plastic waste. Experience in unta... Show more

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

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

Kolapo Imam is the Founder and Lead Facilitator at Prodcademy, an institute focused on raising the next generation of Product Leaders. He is a Product Manager with experience in building API products that power payments, virtual accounts, and funds transfer across Africa. His work focuses on developer experience, product strategy, and cross-functional delivery of scalable fintech infrastructure.

Prior to this, Kolapo served as a Product Marketing Manager at Nexford University, leading initiatives across product adoption, B2B positioning, and competitive intelligence. He has also worked in product and growth roles at PropertyPro Nigeria, Versus Africa, and through multiple consulting projects.

With a unique background spanning product marketing, technical product management, and tech sales, Kolapo brings a deep understanding of how to build and position business, enterprise and consumer products for growth. In 2022, he was nominated by HackerNoon for Product Management, Business Growth and Strategy.

Kolapo Imam is the Founder and Lead Facilitator at Prodcademy, an institute focused on raising the next generation of Product Leaders. He is a Product Manager with experience in building API products that power payments, virtual accounts, and funds t... Show more

Denette Dunn is a dedicated sustainability expert and public speaker with a wealth of experience in both public service and the private sector. She previously served as a vice mayor and currently represents the Pine District as a council member.

As a council member, Denette established the Pine Citizens Advisory Committee to address the specific concerns of her district. Since its inception, the committee has grown to include more than 100 members, demonstrating her ability to foster collaboration and strengthen community involvement in local governance.

Dunn’s professional experience spans both the private and public sectors. She worked as the Municipal Services Manager at Republic Services, overseeing municipal contracts valued at over $85 million across the southwest region. In addition to this role, she was a registered lobbyist, advocating for legislation promoting effective and sustainable partnerships between private companies and municipalities.

Her leadership extends to numerous boards and commissions, including the WESTMARC Board and the Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission. Denette also served as president and legislative liaison for the Arizona Recycling Coalition, where she contributed to advancing sustainable practices and policies throughout the state.

Before her work in public service, Denette held various marketing, sales, and management roles. From 2007 to 2011, she worked as the Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Hudson Baylor Corporation, overseeing material recovery operations and managing public relations efforts. She also worked closely with municipal and state officials to secure grants and sponsorships for various initiatives.

After her time at Hudson Baylor, Denette continued her career at Republic Services, managing contracts and contributing to legislative advocacy. Later, at Dickson Sweeping, she helped expand the company’s operations in Arizona and Nevada, working on projects such as compressed natural gas fuel stations.

Since 2019, Denette Dunn has served as a Peoria Council member, working to support the city’s growth and sustainability. She also supports charitable organizations, including Hart Pantry, West Valley Connect, and You Matter Too, an anti-bullying nonprofit.

Denette Dunn is a dedicated sustainability expert and public speaker with a wealth of experience in both public service and the private sector. She previously served as a vice mayor and currently represents the Pine District as a council member. A... Show more

Meet Rona! She's a whirlwind of vibrant energy and connection. With her engaging style, she brings a sense of joy to workplaces everywhere. As an expert in Purposeful and Attuned Play, Rona blends the core elements of leadership and engagement with the magic of play, transforming workplace dynamics and boosting personal satisfaction.

Rona's unique mix of corporate savvy and wellbeing wisdom, paired with her deep understanding of play and flow, allows her to translate complex ideas into relatable and enjoyable stories. Her sessions are dynamic, packed with practical tools to weave play into daily work life, fostering an environment where creativity and collaboration flourish.

In her role as coach and consultant, Rona has left a lasting mark on countless organizations. She's nurtured creative thinking, honed leadership skills, and deepened connections through enhanced communication. Her tailor-made programs are grounded in evidence-based practices, boosting team morale and connectivity while encouraging a fresh reimagining of workplace culture.

Rona has been featured in Shondaland, Nebraska Bride, Pierless Magazine, Town and Country, Corporate Wellness Magazine and seen and heard on TV and radio stations from San Diego and San Francisco to New York .

With the Playful Mind Project, Rona positions herself as a key partner for organizations ready to breathe new life into their corporate environments. Ready to make work fun again?

Meet Rona! She's a whirlwind of vibrant energy and connection. With her engaging style, she brings a sense of joy to workplaces everywhere. As an expert in Purposeful and Attuned Play, Rona blends the core elements of leadership and engagement with t... Show more

Sandi Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, transformational speaker, educator, and author dedicated to helping women heal, grow, and live life on purpose. With over a decade of experience as a professional school counselor and community therapist, Sandi blends clinical insight, faith, and real-world wisdom to empower others to rewrite their narratives and reclaim their peace.

Her passion for helping others is deeply rooted in her own journey of resilience. After facing seasons of personal loss, emotional struggle, and identity shifts, Sandi chose healing over hiding. She now uses her story as a testament that wholeness is possible—and that it’s never too late to begin again.

As a speaker, Sandi is known for her warmth, authenticity, and ability to create safe spaces for real conversations. She speaks on topics such as compassion fatigue, burnout, emotional resilience, solution-focused counseling, and the power of building authentic friendships in a disconnected world. Whether in a conference setting or an intimate retreat, she invites her audience into deeper connection—with themselves and with others.

Through her retreats, books, and speaking engagements, Sandi continues to inspire others to move from surviving to thriving with intention and purpose.

Sandi Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, transformational speaker, educator, and author dedicated to helping women heal, grow, and live life on purpose. With over a decade of experience as a professional school counselor and comm... Show more

The most impactful thing a speaker can do, is to facilitate an experience, and help participants to draw a correlation between the experience, what they learned and how they will apply it in their life. Because of this, each talk involves both interaction with the audience and personal reflection time.

In her interactive workshops and keynote addresses, Caitlin quickly quells the, “I could never do improv!” fear and makes accessible, the principles professional actors use, to be better communicators, teammates, and leaders.
Disarming and energetic, Caitlin opens up the most skeptical attendees, allowing them to learn through applying the Improv Approach, and even crack a smile along the way.

Caitlin Drago’s mission is to create cultures of empathy, creativity, and trust, beginning with how people communicate and connect.

She is an LA-based actor turned upstate NY-based certified leadership coach, trainer, facilitator, and author of Approaching Improv – Communication and Connection in Business and Beyond. Acting taught her to be present, self-aware, empathetic and to prioritize connection with others. Improv taught her to listen, trust her gut and deal with the unexpected in a positive and creative way. She currently works with leaders and teams to help them to listen to one another, communicate and connect, using improvisation as a platform for interactive learning.

Caitlin spent ten years studying improv at places like the nationally accredited Upright Citizen’s Brigade and has spent the last nine years working with leaders and their teams across industries, including, but not limited to higher education, hospitality, tech, marketing, healthcare and real estate. She’s been featured in Medium’s Authority Magazine, Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle, a variety of podcasts and has spoken at various conferences, including the Talent Development Think Tank, the International TWA Conference, CNY SHRM, and DisruptHR Rochester.

Past clients include:
Gartner
Rochester Regional Health System
Starbucks
Fee Brothers

Testimonials:

“Caitlin's energy, enthusiasm, and sprinkling of humor eased the tensions in our group and the entire experience was packed with valuable team collaboration insights. We found ourselves using this technique the very same day we learned it.”

S.M. Digitronik Labs

“We focused on communication in a completely different way. Not a seminar-feel, but a fun, engaging way to demonstrate the importance of being open and positive. I stepped
outside my comfort zone. As an introvert, the idea of improv was horrifying. But it was fun!”

J.G., VWR

"Caitlin did an excellent job facilitating a workshop for my team. From the time we first met to preparation and the actual workshop, she was helpful and engaging and was highly focused on ensuring my workshop went the way I had envisioned. My team had excellent feedback afterwards and I can say it had an immediate positive impact on how my team interacted and felt about communication."

I.G., Gartner

The most impactful thing a speaker can do, is to facilitate an experience, and help participants to draw a correlation between the experience, what they learned and how they will apply it in their life. Because of this, each talk involves both intera... Show more

Pai da Cecília e do Inácio, esposo da Ana Lúcia, membro da Comunidade de Vida Cristã (CVX), curitibano e sofredor do Coritiba. Desde a pandemia, optou por morar na zona rural de Piraquara (Região Metropolitana da capital paranaense), onde cria galinhas, joga bola com os filhos, colhe amoras, figos e Physalis e está cavando (bem aos poucos!) um pequeno lago para os futuros gansos da família. Jornalista e economista, sempre trabalhou em organizações com forte impacto social. Atualmente, é responsável por ajudar o Grupo Marista, uma instituição de mais de 7 mil colaboradores e com uma história bicentenária, em sua estratégia ESG, articulando iniciativas transversais e proprietárias das Frentes de Missão (unidades de negócio) PUCPR, Saúde, FTD Educação e Centro Marista de Defesa da Infância; e monitorando indicadores e avaliando a evolução da maturidade - sempre procurando nutrir uma mentalidade ágil, com foco nas pessoas, na entrega de valor e na melhoria contínua.

Pai da Cecília e do Inácio, esposo da Ana Lúcia, membro da Comunidade de Vida Cristã (CVX), curitibano e sofredor do Coritiba. Desde a pandemia, optou por morar na zona rural de Piraquara (Região Metropolitana da capital paranaense), onde cria galinh... Show more

Ivonne Chaves, widely known as #shirivo, is a trailblazing software engineer, architect, and cloud technology expert based in Costa Rica. With over 16 years of experience in software, data, and cloud development, she has continuously pushed the envelope in tech innovation. Her open-source projects, showcased on her public GitHub profile, exemplify her passion—ranging from innovative cognitive services applications to cutting-edge cloud solution implementations. These projects not only highlight her technical prowess but also reinforce her commitment to using technology to solve real-world challenges and foster community collaboration.

Beyond her coding commitments, Ivonne plays an influential role as a Microsoft Technical Trainer and an international speaker. Drawing on her academic foundation from renowned institutions in Costa Rica, she bridges the gap between complex technical environments and accessible, transformative learning experiences. Her work demonstrates a seamless blend of rigorous theoretical insight and practical problem-solving skills, inspiring many to explore innovative approaches in technology and data solutions.

Ivonne's extensive experience isn't confined to Costa Rica; her career has taken her around the world, enriching her perspective and broadening her impact. Through international projects and speaking engagements across multiple continents, she has collaborated with diverse teams, adapted cutting-edge solutions to various cultural and business contexts, and shared her expertise on a global stage. This worldly experience has not only honed her technical skills but also deepened her understanding of global market dynamics, enabling her to mentor and empower professionals worldwide.

This combination of local commitment and global experience positions Ivonne as a uniquely versatile leader in the tech community—one who champions both innovation and inclusivity in the ever-evolving digital landscape. #shirivo #helloshirivo

Ivonne Chaves, widely known as #shirivo, is a trailblazing software engineer, architect, and cloud technology expert based in Costa Rica. With over 16 years of experience in software, data, and cloud development, she has continuously pushed the envel... Show more

Curtis Cox is a seasoned Career Brand Strategist and the founder of Curtis Careers, a leading career consulting platform dedicated to helping professionals and businesses elevate their brands, scale their careers, and unlock new opportunities. With deep expertise in career branding, professional development, and career scaling, Curtis has guided countless individuals in navigating career transitions, building powerful personal brands, and positioning themselves as leaders in their industries.

Through Curtis Careers, Curtis provides strategic career coaching, workforce development solutions, and executive branding services tailored for millennial professionals, corporate teams, and entrepreneurs. His mission is to equip individuals with the tools to thrive in competitive job markets and achieve long-term career success.

As a sought-after speaker and thought leader, Curtis shares valuable insights on career growth, professional branding, and networking. Whether hosting workshops, leading career-focused discussions, or delivering impactful keynote talks, he is dedicated to empowering professionals to turn ambition into achievement.

Curtis Cox is a seasoned Career Brand Strategist and the founder of Curtis Careers, a leading career consulting platform dedicated to helping professionals and businesses elevate their brands, scale their careers, and unlock new opportunities. With d... Show more

Mit über 20 Jahren Führungserfahrung in Top-Unternehmen kombiniere ich Business, Produktmanagement und IT-Expertise zu praxisnaher Beratung – immer auf Augenhöhe

Was mich auszeichnet
Verständnis für Führung: Ich spreche die Sprache von IT, Business und Strategie und kenne die Dynamiken von Startups, Mittelstand und Konzernen.
Strategischer Brückenbauer: Wo Zusammenarbeit stockt, setze ich an und schaffe verbindende Lösungen.
Schnelle Empathie & frischer Humor: Meine Kunden schätzen, wie rasch ich Empathie entwickle und mit überraschenden Perspektivwechseln Impulse gebe.

Mit über 20 Jahren Führungserfahrung in Top-Unternehmen kombiniere ich Business, Produktmanagement und IT-Expertise zu praxisnaher Beratung – immer auf Augenhöhe Was mich auszeichnet Verständnis für Führung: Ich spreche die Sprache von IT, Busine... Show more

Renee G. Carr, EdD is multilingual, including Spanish, French, and Greek. She is a trainer, and consultant with over 10 years of training experience, successful managing in hybrid, on-site, and virtual environments. She successfully trained adults on social-emotional learning curriculum across the country, presented at multiple conferences, and provided training of researchers at a government contractor. Her experience includes training interpreters, registration staff, law students, and other participants on federal programs.

The premise of her first book Accountability in the Classroom: Using Social-Emotional Learning to Guide School Improvement came from her dissertation topic, and it was published in 2021. The idea behind her second book Kids Before Content: An Educator's Guide on Social-Emotional Learning Competencies came from both her dissertation and her experiences with recommending a pilot social-emotional learning program.

Renee G. Carr, EdD is multilingual, including Spanish, French, and Greek. She is a trainer, and consultant with over 10 years of training experience, successful managing in hybrid, on-site, and virtual environments. She successfully trained adults on... Show more

Ananya R is a visionary leader in the realm of technology and community empowerment, currently serving as the Global Community Manager at She Loves Tech, the acceleration platform for women in technology. With a passion for building inclusive ecosystems, Ananya is committed to fostering greater visibility, creating funding opportunities, and nurturing a supportive community for women in technology worldwide.

Ananya's journey in community building and advocacy traces back to her impactful role as the Community Manager at Google Developers India. Here, she took charge of over 500 Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC) spanning across 180+ cities. In this capacity, Ananya orchestrated strategies to expand the GDSC network, meticulously nurturing relationships with student leads to their learning journeys and professional growth. Her strategic efforts led to a remarkable increase in diversity within GDSC, ensuring that women and underrepresented groups found their voices and avenues for advancement in the tech community.

Fuelled by her unwavering commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Ananya serves as an #IamRemarkable Gold Facilitator. Her dedication to uplifting women in technology is epitomized by her pivotal role as the driving force behind the Women in Tech wing at Tinkerhub foundation. Through this groundbreaking initiative, Ananya created a nurturing and inclusive platform, Tink-Her-Hack1.0, Kerala's largest women's hackathon. This transformative event not only bridged the gender gap in technology but also empowered thousands of women to showcase their skills, creativity, and potential. Under Ananya's leadership,

Ananya's impact extends beyond her professional accolades; she is a beacon of inspiration and change in the tech community. Her Tedx and other riveting talks and thought-provoking insights have graced various institutions and platforms, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams in technology.

In recognition of her unwavering dedication, Ananya has been honored with the Outstanding Women in Engineering Award 2018 in Kerala, a testament to her exemplary contributions to the field.Through her leadership, mentorship, and advocacy, Ananya R is driving positive change and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable tech industry.

Ananya R is a visionary leader in the realm of technology and community empowerment, currently serving as the Global Community Manager at She Loves Tech, the acceleration platform for women in technology. With a passion for building inclusive ecosyst... Show more

Over the past 15 years, Keith Schumacher has become recognized as one of the leading voices in father engagement in the educational setting. Keith did not enter the educational arena as a teacher or principal, he came in as a dad. As the father of two adopted daughters and the husband of a teacher, he quickly recognized the absence of other dads participating in family engagement activities at the local school. He also noticed that there were few, if any male role models among school staff members.
After initially being turned away from the PTA, he learned about the Watch D.O.G.S. program and proposed it to the principal of his local school. He quickly became a leader in father engagement at the local, and then state and national level. He served for ten years as a National Family and Community Engagement Coordinator with the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) organization. This was done while simultaneously serving as a senior captain with the Atlanta Fire-Rescue Department. Upon his retirement from Atlanta Fire-Rescue in 2019, he began serving full-time with the All Pro Dad Chapters program and did so for four and a half years.
In these roles, Keith has spoken at hundreds of state and national conferences including the American Association of School Administrators, National PTA, American School Counselors Association and the National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement. Keith has literally worked with hundreds of local schools and school districts in overcoming the traditional stereotypes of fathers and perceived their lack of engagement in local schools.
In 2023, Keith launched The National Alliance for Father Friendly Schools. This nonprofit organization serves as a resource for training and information on father friendly practices and programs for local schools and school districts. NAFFS can direct school administrators in more actively engaging all family members but, especially being inclusive of fathers and father figures.
Keith is working to create a culture and environment in which schools provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where fathers regularly engage and participate in the daily activities of local schools. This includes supporting students who do not have an easily recognizable father figure in their life as well.
As a national leader, Keith’s goal is to give every child an opportunity to have strong positive role models leading them to the greatest success possible.

Over the past 15 years, Keith Schumacher has become recognized as one of the leading voices in father engagement in the educational setting. Keith did not enter the educational arena as a teacher or principal, he came in as a dad. As the father of tw... Show more

Ann Cammaro is the Founder and CEO of Antarexxa Space Global, a pioneering organization dedicated to bridging the gap between spacefaring nations and emerging space countries based in Bali, Indonesia. As a passionate space advocate, educator, and strategist, Ann has championed space advocacy since 2014, expanding her impact globally through Antarexxa since 2020. Under her leadership, the company has delivered space education programs virtually to participants across 76 countries and 67 cities in Indonesia, inspiring youth, educators, and professionals to cultivate interest in the New Space economy and pursue careers in the growing space industry; most importantly to leverage space technology to improve quality of life on Earth and address global challenges.

With over a decade of experience in marketing and communication, strategic international business development, government relations, and multi-stakeholder project coordination, Ann brings a unique blend of expertise to the space sector. Her work spans industries such as infrastructure, education, cybersecurity, aerospace and defense, renewable energy, biotechnology, and environmental conservation, with a proven track record in intergovernmental and interagency collaboration.

Ann is deeply committed to fostering international collaboration, workforce development, and diversity in STEAM fields, with a focus on empowering local talent in Indonesia and beyond. Her initiatives include international study space tours, championing local teams for international competitions, and connecting Indonesian talents with global opportunities in space exploration and industry. Ann’s vision is to create a future where emerging nations play a pivotal role in shaping the space ecosystem, from Earth to the Moon and beyond.

Currently serving as a NASA Harvard-Smithsonian SciX Lead Ambassador for 2025-2027, her primary role is to promote scientific literacy and encourage academic contributions to space exploration. Ann is also the spokesperson for the recently established Indonesia Space Association, advocating for Indonesia's strategic development as a significant global space player in the near future.

Ann Cammaro is the Founder and CEO of Antarexxa Space Global, a pioneering organization dedicated to bridging the gap between spacefaring nations and emerging space countries based in Bali, Indonesia. As a passionate space advocate, educator, and str... Show more

Eshan Chattaraj has his 10+ years of experience in professional industry both in Govt and private leading MNCs comprising the area of Android Development and Python Data Analytics. Eshan is also a public Speaker in where he has been invited in many prestigious oganisations and institutions like AICTE, Niser, IISER, NIT and IITs, ISI and most of the Tier 1 Colleges. Eshan is also a Research Scholar in the field of Android, ML/AI. Institutions tagged with him are like IIT, Kharagpur and The Institution of Engineers (India). Some of the Prestigious Clients he made contributions are Google, Microsoft, Wipro Tech, Capgemini, Coca-Cola, United Health, Optum, Shaadi.com, MagicBricks, Fittr etc.
He done his graduation in Computer Science Engineering and Legal background at Corporate Laws. He has given talk in prestigious organisations like IIT/IIM, IISER, NISER, ATAL, AICTE divisional, Hackathon, ISI, Atomic Research, Law Societies and GDG etc
He has been awarded and recognized from Govt of India and CID, WB

Eshan Chattaraj has his 10+ years of experience in professional industry both in Govt and private leading MNCs comprising the area of Android Development and Python Data Analytics. Eshan is also a public Speaker in where he has been invited in many p... Show more

Eric Burden is an IT Sr Consultant with NTT DATA Services, currently serving as the Data Conversion and Reporting lead for the state of Arkansas' CCWIS project. In this role, Eric blends his Social Work experience and deep technical know-how to ensure timely delivery and development of an effective child welfare information system. Prior to this, Eric worked with the United Way of the Mid-South (Memphis) on their Driving the Dream Initiative, aimed at deploying a shared client referral and database platform to break down service silos in the Memphis social service sector. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Data Reporting for Mississippi’s Department of Child Protection Services. Eric combines his technical expertise with his education in social work (MSW from Jackson State University) to engage process improvement from people to systems. On a personal note, Eric and his wife have two children (a son and a daughter) and a very spoiled dog. They enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, hiking, kayaking, playing in creeks, finding bugs, and gardening.

Eric Burden is an IT Sr Consultant with NTT DATA Services, currently serving as the Data Conversion and Reporting lead for the state of Arkansas' CCWIS project. In this role, Eric blends his Social Work experience and deep technical know-how to ensur... Show more

Armagan is the founder of Coyotiv GmbH, and is currently on a mission to bring a scalable and nimble engineering culture to startups and enterprises.

A software architect well versed in both the backend and frontend systems, he focuses on building resilient cloud systems. He loves open source and is the author of cote, a library for building microservices with Node.js, among many others. In his free time, he loves to hack stuff with JavaScript, ranging from musical gadgets to brain signals processing.

Armagan is a public speaker, a mentor and a lecturer. He also leads Lonca, a software craftspersonship school for women engineers, and teaches JavaScript at Coyotiv School of Software Engineering.

Armagan is the founder of Coyotiv GmbH, and is currently on a mission to bring a scalable and nimble engineering culture to startups and enterprises. A software architect well versed in both the backend and frontend systems, he focuses on building... Show more

Jen Kramer has been teaching & practicing web design for over 20 years. Most recently, she is a Lecturer at Harvard University Extension School in the Master's of Liberal Arts in Digital Media Design program, where she teaches five courses per year on front-end web development. She's also a prolific video author, creating over 40 training courses for LinkedIn Learning/Lynda.com, Frontend Masters, O'Reilly Media, and others. She earned her MS in Internet Strategy Management from Marlboro College.

Jen Kramer has been teaching & practicing web design for over 20 years. Most recently, she is a Lecturer at Harvard University Extension School in the Master's of Liberal Arts in Digital Media Design program, where she teaches five courses per year o... Show more

Amy Barthelemy is the solo founder of GovParti (govparti.net), a free civic intelligence platform covering all 3,127 US counties. The platform stores data from almost50 federal sources locally, functioning as a living civic archive resilient to federal data removal. She is a published researcher (SSRN: 10928268), Latina first-generation American, military spouse, and mom.

Amy Barthelemy is the solo founder of GovParti (govparti.net), a free civic intelligence platform covering all 3,127 US counties. The platform stores data from almost50 federal sources locally, functioning as a living civic archive resilient to feder... Show more

Mark Kithinji is a software engineer and co-founder of an AI-driven agriculture platform focused on improving decision-making for farm managers across African contexts. His work centers on building production systems under real-world constraints, including limited infrastructure, incomplete datasets and strict cost ceilings.

He has led the development of data-driven and cloud-based solutions ranging from high-concurrency web platforms to machine learning systems tailored for smallholder agriculture. His recent work explores practical approaches to model design, system resilience and translating complex technical outputs into usable insights for non-technical users.

Mark is particularly interested in how architectural decisions change when constraints are treated as requirements rather than limitations.

Mark Kithinji is a software engineer and co-founder of an AI-driven agriculture platform focused on improving decision-making for farm managers across African contexts. His work centers on building production systems under real-world constraints, inc... Show more

Paul is a data and AI practitioner focused on how machine learning and intelligent automation can reshape the way organisations make decisions. His work centres on moving analytics beyond static reporting toward systems that anticipate outcomes, adapt to change, and support better decisions at scale.

He has contributed to initiatives where forecasting, automation, and decision-support systems reduced operational friction, improved planning accuracy, and enabled teams to respond more effectively to real-world constraints. Paul is particularly interested in how AI can be embedded into everyday processes so that insights translate directly into action, rather than living in dashboards or reports.

Drawing from experience across analytics, engineering, and system design, Paul approaches AI adoption with a strong emphasis on practicality and sustainability. He highlights the importance of building machine learning solutions that can operate reliably in production, evolve over time, and align with organisational realities rather than experimental ideals.

As a speaker, Paul shares grounded perspectives on applied AI and machine learning, focusing on lessons learned, architectural thinking, and the cultural and operational shifts required to make AI successful. His goal is to help audiences cut through hype and understand what meaningful, responsible AI impact looks like in practice.

Paul is a data and AI practitioner focused on how machine learning and intelligent automation can reshape the way organisations make decisions. His work centres on moving analytics beyond static reporting toward systems that anticipate outcomes, adap... Show more

Jacob Baime ICC's career trajectory showcases his unwavering dedication to pro-Israel advocacy, which is marked by significant leadership roles and contributions to educational initiatives.

Former Role: National Field Director, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
Baime excelled as the National Field Director at AIPAC, where he led a team focused on strategic initiatives across university campuses, significantly enhancing AIPAC's impact across the nation. His role involved the management of extensive training programs for students, reflecting his dedication to nurturing future leaders in the pro-Israel movement.

Previous Positions: As an Area Director of AIPAC's New England Region and political Aide to the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, he deepened his understanding of political strategies and enhanced his ability to influence U.S.-Israel policy discussions. His experiences contributed to his expertise in fostering significant dialogue on international relations and public service.

This prestigious fellowship highlights Jacob's ongoing commitment to his personal and professional growth. It focuses on leadership development and a deeper exploration of global issues concerning Israel.

As a committee member, he plays a crucial role in steering educational programs that promote a comprehensive understanding of Israel, demonstrating his commitment to informed discourse.

Jacob Baime ICC's expertise is rooted in his ability to foster and maintain support for the U.S.-Israel relationship through innovative strategies and leadership. His impact on pro-Israel advocacy extends from grassroots movements to national campaigns, significantly influencing the narrative and activities on college campuses and beyond.

His path from grassroots activism to leading the Israel on Campus Coalition encapsulates his profound dedication to supporting and enhancing the U.S.-Israel relationship through strategic leadership and education, impacting both current and future generations of advocates.

Jacob Baime ICC's career trajectory showcases his unwavering dedication to pro-Israel advocacy, which is marked by significant leadership roles and contributions to educational initiatives. Former Role: National Field Director, American Israel Pub... Show more

Community architect, Open Source, and DI&B advocate

Community architect, Open Source, and DI&B advocate Show more

Neringa Young is the Founder of Build Stuff conferences, which she personally manages – recruiting and working with the team, looking for the partners, creating marketing strategies and implementation of the conference promotion. She is also helping with logistics and creating the content of the event. For each year she invites 80 leading speakers from the Tech industry from around the world to come to the Baltics for this 5-day event.
The success of her leadership is seen through the results of the event which every year attracts more than 1400 software developers, with the same participants returning every year as the event grows.
Outside of the workplace, Neringa is involved with initiatives like Women Go Tech where she mentors young women, providing them with advice and direction for their careers in the tech sector.
She is the founder and manager of FIX.Events which runs meetings, training, conferences, private and public events for private & corporate clients.
During her university studies, she was simultaneous working as a Telemarketing sales representative. In just 2 years (2009), she was promoted on the basis of good results to become the Sales team lead at Lintel. At the age of 22, she was responsible for over 100 telemarketing sales managers. Her responsibilities included – hiring staff, training staff, coaching, organizing work across the wider team and implementing company sales strategies.
At AB TEO (now Telia), she initiated, formed and managed a team that is composed of both technical- and sales-personnel to boost sales in line with the company’s sales strategy. Her responsibilities included human resource management – hiring staff, training, coaching, organizing teamwork and working with sales strategies.
During the time she was working at AB TEO, she also published her Master thesis on an HR Topic: "Coaching for the Development of Organizational Personnel (Case of an X Organization, Lithuania)"; 2012 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION REFORM AND MANAGEMENT, INNOVATION (ERMI 2012), VOL 1 Pages: 54-60 Published: 2013; Conference: International, Conference on Education Reform and Management Innovation (ERMI 2012) Location: Shenzhen, PEOPLES R CHINA Date: DEC 04-05, 2012.

Neringa Young is the Founder of Build Stuff conferences, which she personally manages – recruiting and working with the team, looking for the partners, creating marketing strategies and implementation of the conference promotion. She is also helping ... Show more

Josef Břečka has been working in HR for 8 years and currently leads business strategy development at Bohemia Interactive. He has helped many candidates find better jobs and supported companies in setting up more effective HR processes. Today, he connects the world of education and shows that learning can be simple through games.

Josef Břečka has been working in HR for 8 years and currently leads business strategy development at Bohemia Interactive. He has helped many candidates find better jobs and supported companies in setting up more effective HR processes. Today, he conn... Show more

I am an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, with over thirty years of experience in medical education and academic leadership. I hold a Ph.D. in Anatomy from Manipal University, India, and specialize in clinical anatomy, reproductive biology, and molecular pathology. I teach across medical, dental, pharmacy, and allied health programs and serve as Course Chair, Unit Coordinator, and Lead Faculty within the integrated MBBS curriculum. I am a highly published researcher and a recipient of multiple awards for academic and teaching excellence.
In addition to my academic responsibilities, I provide leadership in community engagement and sustainability initiatives. I lead the LEAF (Linking Education and Farming) initiative at the University of Sharjah and spearhead multidisciplinary projects focused on food‑waste composting, plastic recycling, organic farming, and zero‑waste campus practices. Through these initiatives, I facilitate experiential learning and have trained many students in applied sustainability and environmental stewardship. Notably, I guide the first successful cultivation of black wheat in the UAE, contributing to national food security and sustainable agricultural practices. Through sustained collaborations with governmental organizations, non‑governmental agencies, and community outreach programs, I continue to advance sustainability education, social responsibility, and environmental awareness within the University of Sharjah and the wider community.

I am an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, with over thirty years of experience in medical education and academic leadership. I hold a Ph.D. in Anatomy from Manipal University, India, an... Show more

Information Security specialist and cybersecurity enthusiast with a robust background in offensive operations and digital investigations. His expertise is backed by industry-standard certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Pentest+, Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM), and CERT Incident Response Process Professional.

After years of experience in the Brazilian corporate sector, he currently serves as a Police Agent at the Civil Police of the Federal District (PCDF). In this role, he leads the design and implementation of Offensive Security (Red Team) solutions and Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) operations.

As a key member of the CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team), he acts as a senior analyst, responding to critical cyber events with high social impact. His current research focuses on the industrialization of cybercrime and the development of automated forensic pipelines for large-scale threat hunting.

Information Security specialist and cybersecurity enthusiast with a robust background in offensive operations and digital investigations. His expertise is backed by industry-standard certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Pentest+,... Show more

Verónica Recchia is a lawyer and psychologist focused on the intersection between artificial intelligence, decision-making and human cognition. Her work explores how algorithmic systems reshape perception, judgment and responsibility.

She lectures at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and UTN FRBA, and is co-founder of the EIA LATAM Committee (Ethical Committee for Artificial Intelligence), an ongoing project aimed at developing ethical frameworks for the region.

Her approach moves beyond the idea of AI as a tool, framing it instead as part of a hybrid decision system where human and machine cognition interact.

She is the author of Agilidad y Talento. Egoísmo y Altruismo del Poder (A pesar de la MENTE CLICK) (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNXD3GJQ
), and is currently developing MenteClick.ia (The Continuity of the Species) (ISBN: 978-631-01-1706-5). She also leads, together with co-authors, the ongoing work EIA LATAM Manifesto (ISBN: 978-631-01-4930-1).

Verónica Recchia is a lawyer and psychologist focused on the intersection between artificial intelligence, decision-making and human cognition. Her work explores how algorithmic systems reshape perception, judgment and responsibility. She lectures... Show more

Amanda Brock is CEO of OpenUK and has built one of the most recognised and impactful organisations in open source. She is also the Executive Producer of State of Open Con 25 taking place 4 - 5 February 2025 in London having founded and produced the ‘23 and ‘24 events building to over 800 attendees, and over 200 speakers.

A lawyer with 25 years’ experience, 5 as GC of Canonical, she’s been instrumental in shaping open source’s legal frameworks, as she was in shaping internet law during the early 2000’s.
Regularly contributing to tech press, she edited “Open Source: Law, Policy and Practice”, (2022).

Amanda is a sought-after and contagious international keynote speaker, speaking at tech events and international events like COP29 on topics from open source software to AI. A regular contributor to the tech press across a wider range of areas, Amanda is the editor of Open Source Law, Policy and Practice (2nd edition) published by Oxford University Press in October ‘22, with open access thanks to the Vietsch Foundation https://amandabrock.com/books

Current Advisory: UK Cabinet Office Open Standards Board; UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure; UKRI Exascale; KDE; commercial boards – Mimoto, Scarf, FerretDB and Space Aye; and is Fellow Open Forum Academy; Distinguished Fellow Rust Foundation; European Representative, OIN.

Past Advisory includes: Chair, UN Technology and Innovation Labs Open Source and IP Advisory Group’; OASIS Open Projects Initiative; British Computer Society Inaugural Influence Board; UK Government Energy Sector Digitalisation Task Force; elected Board Member Open Source Initiative; and Commercial Advisory Boards at Beamery and Everseen.

Recognition: Computer Weekly’s 50 Most Influential Women in UK TechC(2023, 2024) listed as #20 in 2024; Computing IT Leaders 100 (2023, 2024); ‘ INvolve HERoes list “(2023, 2024); “Women Who Will”, Changemaker (2023); INvolve Heroes (2022, 2023); and Novi Awards Advocate for Change in Gender Equality Honouree (2024); Ambassador Open Charge Alliance. Amanda was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Women, Influence & Power in Law UK 2022.

Judging: IDG Foundry CIO 100 2023, 2024); and Senior Judge, First Enable Role Model List by Dow (2024) having been a Judge in the We are Tech Women Rising Star Awards in (2021, 2022).

linkedin.com/in/amandabrocktech
@amandabrockUK
@openuk_uk
https://openuk.uk
https://amandabrock.com/

Amanda Brock is CEO of OpenUK and has built one of the most recognised and impactful organisations in open source. She is also the Executive Producer of State of Open Con 25 taking place 4 - 5 February 2025 in London having founded and produced the ‘... Show more