Government, Social Sector & Education

Valued individuals involved in shaping public policies, providing essential services, and promoting education, tirelessly looking to improve society and empower citizens

Robin Olsson

Robin Olsson

Robin is a seasoned Agile Team Lead and Senior Consultant with extensive experience in driving strategic transformation, optimisation, and agile product management across the education, data, and public sectors. With a proven track record in leading high-performing teams, Robin has played a key role in guiding Agile and Product Ownership functions, overseeing diverse teams of Agile Coaches, Product Owners, and Scrum Masters to deliver impactful digital transformations.

Throughout their career, Robin has worked on large, medium and small projects, process optimisations, and digital innovations, consistently aligning complex projects with organisational goals to maximise value. Their leadership has enabled seamless change management and agile delivery in both public and private sector environments, including high-stakes governmental projects and data-intensive initiatives. Known for a collaborative, results-focused approach, Robin excels in cross-functional stakeholder management, fostering team alignment, and driving efficiency at every stage of the product lifecycle.

With a unique ability to navigate complex business needs and build agile capabilities within organisations, Robin is dedicated to empowering teams and stakeholders to achieve sustainable transformation and continuous improvement.

Robin is a seasoned Agile Team Lead and Senior Consultant with extensive experience in driving strategic transformation, optimisation, and agile product management across the education, data, and public sectors. With a proven track record in leading ... Show more

Sonia Thomas

Sonia Thomas

Sonia Thomas is a federal compliance expert, resilience strategist, and advocate for intentional living. With a distinguished career spanning leaderships roles at FEMA, and DHS/ICE., Sonia brings a rare combination of technical regulatory rigor and deep human insight to the stage. She specializes in guiding organizations through the complexities of 2 CFR 200, subrecipient monitoring, and high stakes conflict resolution. Beyond the boardroom, Sonia is a passionate speaker on the power of perseverance, drawing on her own journey of transformation to teach audiences how to cultivate resilience, mindfulness, and the restorative philosophy of Hygge in high pressure environments. Whether demystifying federal grants or coaching leaders on creating sanctuary amid chaos, Sonia empowers her audience to navigate professional challenges with humor, clarity, grit and purpose.

Sonia Thomas is a federal compliance expert, resilience strategist, and advocate for intentional living. With a distinguished career spanning leaderships roles at FEMA, and DHS/ICE., Sonia brings a rare combination of technical regulatory rigor and d... Show more

Hina Waseem

Hina Waseem

Hina Waseem is an Enterprise Architect and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) with more than 18 years of experience leading enterprise architecture, cloud modernization, and digital transformation initiatives. Beyond her enterprise role, she is passionate about expanding AI education by connecting industry, universities, governments, nonprofits, and communities to create meaningful opportunities. She has led Microsoft AI awareness initiatives engaging learners across twelve public universities and founded the Future Leaders Academy to help students move beyond AI awareness through continuous learning, leadership, and real-world application.

Hina Waseem is an Enterprise Architect and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) with more than 18 years of experience leading enterprise architecture, cloud modernization, and digital transformation initiatives. Beyond her enterprise role, she is passio... Show more

David Cruz

David Cruz

Mr. Cruz is an associate who provides planning and strategic services to colleges and universities. Mr. Cruz brings a diverse range of experiences from across the entire education sector, with expertise in business operations and information technology management. A strong collaborator and relationship developer, Mr. Cruz is driven toward identifying solutions that create a bridge between institutional knowledge, strategic partnership, and operational success.

Mr. Cruz is an associate who provides planning and strategic services to colleges and universities. Mr. Cruz brings a diverse range of experiences from across the entire education sector, with expertise in business operations and information technolo... Show more

Kimberly MacKinney, Ed.D.

Kimberly MacKinney, Ed.D.

Dr. Kimberly MacKinney believes leadership is never a solo endeavor. Throughout her career in education, she has witnessed the transformative power of women who encourage, challenge, and champion one another. From her earliest days in schools to her current role as Executive Director of Secondary Schools, she has been guided by a commitment to service, advocacy, and creating opportunities for others to thrive.
A passionate mentor and community builder, Kimberly has dedicated her career to empowering young people and developing the next generation of leaders. As a classroom teacher, she created California’s first high school Women’s Studies course, reflecting her belief that every student deserves to see themselves represented, valued, and capable of making an impact. Her work has consistently centered on expanding access, fostering belonging, and advocating for students whose voices are too often unheard.
Kimberly’s leadership extends beyond schools into the organizations and communities she serves. Whether mentoring young women through the American Legion Auxiliary California Girls State program, supporting aspiring leaders through statewide professional networks such as ACSA and CALSA, or championing causes close to her heart like the Pancreatic Cancer Network, she is driven by a belief that leadership is most powerful when it is shared. She credits much of her own growth to the collective wisdom, encouragement, and friendship of women who invested in her along the way, and she remains committed to paying that investment forward.
A lifelong learner and advocate for educational excellence, Kimberly holds degrees from California State University, Long Beach, California State University, San Bernardino, and the University of Southern California. She has been recognized by local, state, and national organizations for her contributions to education and leadership, but considers her greatest accomplishments to be the people she has supported, mentored, and empowered throughout her journey.
Kimberly lives in Riverside, California, with her partner, Daniel, and their goldendoodles, Sanders and Taters.

Dr. Kimberly MacKinney believes leadership is never a solo endeavor. Throughout her career in education, she has witnessed the transformative power of women who encourage, challenge, and champion one another. From her earliest days in schools to her ... Show more

Alin Zamfiroiu

Alin Zamfiroiu

Alin ZAMFIROIU finished his PhD in Economic Informatics in 2014 at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania. He is currently an Associate Professor at Department of Economic Informatics and Cybernetics in Bucharest University of Economic Studies and a Senior Researcher at “National Institute for Research & Development in Informatics, Bucharest”. In 2025 he served as a Visiting Professor in Cybersecurity at Utah Tech University.

Alin ZAMFIROIU finished his PhD in Economic Informatics in 2014 at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania. He is currently an Associate Professor at Department of Economic Informatics and Cybernetics in Bucharest University of Economi... Show more

Elena Simciuc

Elena Simciuc

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

Brad McNatt

Brad McNatt

Brad McNatt is a Senior Agentic AI Solutions Engineer at Microsoft, helping Defense Industrial Base and Federal organizations accelerate innovation with AI while maintaining enterprise security and compliance. He partners with leaders to modernize application development through the Power Platform & Copilot Studio, enabling faster decision-making and mission impact.

Brad McNatt is a Senior Agentic AI Solutions Engineer at Microsoft, helping Defense Industrial Base and Federal organizations accelerate innovation with AI while maintaining enterprise security and compliance. He partners with leaders to modernize ap... Show more

Muhammad Faiz Mohd Hassan

Muhammad Faiz Mohd Hassan

Program, partnerships, and ecosystem management professional with 10+ years of experience across startup development, developer community growth, business development, venture support, and stakeholder engagement in Malaysia. Proven track record in designing and scaling startup programs, onboarding strategic partners, building talent pipelines, and managing multi-stakeholder initiatives involving corporates, universities, government-linked organizations, and community partners. Currently leads technology partnerships, developer development programs, university engagement and collaborations, talents for startups program and MYStartup pre-accelerators under the MYStartup initiative at Cradle Fund.

Program, partnerships, and ecosystem management professional with 10+ years of experience across startup development, developer community growth, business development, venture support, and stakeholder engagement in Malaysia. Proven track record in de... Show more

Dara Melnyk

Dara Melnyk

Dara Melnyk specializes in innovative university models and change management. She writes the "Global Innovators", a regular column for University World News, co-hosts the "Innovative Universities" webinar, and is working on a book about innovative higher education.

Previously, Dara served as Head of the Research Group at the Skolkovo Education Development Centre (SEDeC), Moscow School of Management Skolovo. After leaving Russia in 2022, Dara worked as an independent advisor in Central Asia. There, she ran executive programs for university leaders and strategy sessions for universities and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan.

Dara holds a PhD from Maastricht University, with her doctoral thesis titled "Success Factors of Innovative Universities".

Dara Melnyk specializes in innovative university models and change management. She writes the "Global Innovators", a regular column for University World News, co-hosts the "Innovative Universities" webinar, and is working on a book about innovative h... Show more

Jackson Bostian

Jackson Bostian

Jackson Bostian is an Assistant Professor of User Experience Design at William Peace University, where he teaches both UX and game development and serves as co-chair of the university's AI Task Force. His background focuses heavily on designing and developing for XR technologies and immersive spaces, with a concentration on embodiment, interaction philosophy, and game UX. Jackson spends his spare time reading, cooking, and wondering why people keep walking away when he starts talking about design systems.

Jackson Bostian is an Assistant Professor of User Experience Design at William Peace University, where he teaches both UX and game development and serves as co-chair of the university's AI Task Force. His background focuses heavily on designing and d... Show more

Nihar Madkaiker

Nihar Madkaiker

Nihar is a technophile and enterprising innovator building pathbreaking edtech products at iXRLabs, where he is Co-founder & CPO, leading products, strategy, and alliances.

He has delivered sessions at leading institutions including Charles Sturt University, the IITs (Delhi, Kharagpur, Gandhinagar, and Jodhpur), Amity University, and Symbiosis Institute. A management graduate from MDI Gurgaon specialising in Strategy and Operations, he has a knack for crafting compelling products across multiple clients and organisations.

Deeply involved in edtech, Nihar works to supplement and improve education through cutting-edge technology. A self-made expert in virtual and extended reality, he holds a special interest in immersive storytelling through VR.

Passionate about education and its impact on society, he has driven several social initiatives. As a founding member of the education NGO Fascination, he worked to improve learning outcomes in underserved parts of India, and launched 'Pustak', a social initiative providing quality, diverse reading material to students.

Beyond education and technology, Nihar is an avid birdwatcher who can often be found photographing wildlife, and a history buff drawn to lesser-known historical sites that escape public awareness.

Nihar is a technophile and enterprising innovator building pathbreaking edtech products at iXRLabs, where he is Co-founder & CPO, leading products, strategy, and alliances. He has delivered sessions at leading institutions including Charles Sturt... Show more

Mosongo Danfold

Mosongo Danfold

Mosongo Danfold is a Tech Policy Advocate & Cybersecurity and Forensics Engineer. He is the founder of TECH.PATHS, an initiative that equips African youth with digital literacy, mentorship, and pathways into technology careers. Often referred to as a tech diplomat and statesman, he works at the intersection of cybersecurity, digital governance, and youth empowerment. His work bridges technical cybersecurity expertise with practical policy design, always advocating for ethical, sovereign, and inclusive digital futures. The role of young Africans in shaping the continent's technology agenda.

Mosongo Danfold is a Tech Policy Advocate & Cybersecurity and Forensics Engineer. He is the founder of TECH.PATHS, an initiative that equips African youth with digital literacy, mentorship, and pathways into technology careers. Often referred to as a... Show more

Sam Stockbridge

Sam Stockbridge

Hi! My name is Sam. I'm a proud Minnesotan covering the 2026 midterm elections in Orlando, Florida. Before this, I covered the 89th Texas Legislature in Austin, Texas and reported on local government, schools, state agencies, campaign finance and more for four years in Ketchikan, Alaska. I also love bringing coding and data visualization into the newsroom and helping share my enthusiasm with the rest of the world!

Hi! My name is Sam. I'm a proud Minnesotan covering the 2026 midterm elections in Orlando, Florida. Before this, I covered the 89th Texas Legislature in Austin, Texas and reported on local government, schools, state agencies, campaign finance and mor... Show more

Claudio Oliveira

Claudio Oliveira

Mestre em Gestão de Riscos pelo Departamento de Computação Aplicada da Universidade de Brasília (UnB), com especializações em Gestão da Segurança da Informação e Comunicações (UnB), Regulação de Telecomunicações (Inatel) e Gestão Pública (IFSC). Possui 18 anos de experiência no setor privado de telecomunicações, atuando em funções técnicas e de gestão antes de ingressar no serviço público.
É servidor de carreira da Anatel desde 2007, onde ocupou diversos cargos estratégicos: Gerente Operacional de Redes na área de Gestão da Informação, Gerente da Unidade Operacional no Maranhão , Assessor na Secretaria do Conselho Diretor, Assessor e Gerente substituto na Gerência de Canais de Relacionamento com os Consumidores, e atualmente, ocupa o cargo de Gerente de Planejamento, Desenvolvimento e Segurança de Sistemas na Superintendência de Gestão Interna da Informação.

Mestre em Gestão de Riscos pelo Departamento de Computação Aplicada da Universidade de Brasília (UnB), com especializações em Gestão da Segurança da Informação e Comunicações (UnB), Regulação de Telecomunicações (Inatel) e Gestão Pública (IFSC). Poss... Show more

Anja Lorenz

Anja Lorenz

Anja Lorenz ist Instructional Designerin am Institut für Interaktive Systeme an der Technischen Hochschule Lübeck. Nach ihrem Studium der Medieninformatik an der Technischen Universität Dresden setzte sie ihre wissenschaftlichen Schwerpunkte in den Bereichen E-Learning, Social Media und Open Education. Seit 2013 entwickelt und erforscht sie MOOCs in unterschiedlichen Formaten und engagiert sich für OER und Open Access. Sie hofft, dass die Internetkompetenz im Wissenschaftsbetrieb bald dafür sorgt, dass sie keine Vitas mehr schreiben muss.

Anja Lorenz ist Instructional Designerin am Institut für Interaktive Systeme an der Technischen Hochschule Lübeck. Nach ihrem Studium der Medieninformatik an der Technischen Universität Dresden setzte sie ihre wissenschaftlichen Schwerpunkte in den B... Show more

Tricia Zarevich

Tricia Zarevich

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

Davi Juvi de Almeida

Davi Juvi de Almeida

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

Husam Hammadeen

Husam Hammadeen

Eng. Husam Hammadeen is a senior Facilities and Assets Management professional with experience in the education sector across the UAE. He leads the Facilities and Assets Management Department, overseeing multiple school campuses, capital projects, maintenance operations, and sustainability initiatives.

With over 15 years of experience, he has delivered infrastructure upgrades, refurbishment programs, and energy efficiency projects, focusing on improving building performance, reducing operational costs, and ensuring safe and efficient learning environments.

He achieved LEED Gold (USGBC) for two school campuses in 2023, with three more progressing toward LEED Platinum. He has also achieved up to 50% reduction in Energy Use Intensity (EUI).

He is a committee member for school infrastructure engineering projects at the Presidential Court and contributes to sustainability strategies, including energy efficiency and lifecycle asset management aligned with green building standards in the UAE.

He has spoken at RetrofitTech Abu Dhabi, Future School Summit, and The Big 5.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, an Executive Management Program certificate from NYUAD, and is PMP and CFM certified.

Eng. Husam Hammadeen is a senior Facilities and Assets Management professional with experience in the education sector across the UAE. He leads the Facilities and Assets Management Department, overseeing multiple school campuses, capital projects, ma... Show more

Kari Adams

Kari Adams

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

Shubhendu Shubham

Shubhendu Shubham

Shubhendu is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with a specialization in cloud security,Red Teaming. With five years of experience, he has honed his skills in threat hunting, drawing inspiration from his survival instincts developed while watching Bear Grylls shows. Shubhendu is an active open-source contributor to popular repositories like Docker Extensions and Microsoft Sentinel, DevSecOps Repo.

He holds five Azure certifications and has been recognized as a Kusto Golden Awardee, earning the title of Principal Detective Agent. His blog was ranked 24th in the Azure Blog-A-Thon 2021 by Microsoft.

Shubhendu is also a community leader, organizing multiple meetups such as Docker Bangalore and the Azure Developer Community. As a subject matter expert on Hack The Box, he enjoys playing Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges.

Shubhendu is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with a specialization in cloud security,Red Teaming. With five years of experience, he has honed his skills in threat hunting, drawing inspiration from his survival instincts developed while watchin... Show more

Domitila Barros

Domitila Barros

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

Monifa Mcknight

Monifa Mcknight

Dr. Monifa McKnight is an accomplished executive leader, governance strategist, and former Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the United States. With more than 25 years of experience leading complex institutions, she is known for guiding organizations through high-stakes transitions, strengthening governance, and building resilient, people-centered leadership cultures. As Founder of McKnight Lotus Leadership Group, she advises executives and boards on leadership strategy, crisis navigation, and sustainable performance. She also serves as a leadership coach for the University of Maryland’s Central Office Leadership Academy (COLA) and holds board roles with Bowie State University, Africa University, and the National Capital Area Council of Scouting America.

Dr. Monifa McKnight is an accomplished executive leader, governance strategist, and former Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the United States. With more than 25 years of experience leading com... Show more

Wanda Möller

Wanda Möller

Wanda Möller

Aktuell Themen: Zukunftsfähige Lehrprofessionalität

Wanda Möller Aktuell Themen: Zukunftsfähige Lehrprofessionalität Show more

Richard Watkins, PhD

Richard Watkins, PhD

Dr. Richard L. Watkins is a scientist, strategist, and advocate working at the intersection of research, policy, and society. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), where he is responsible for setting the organization’s overall direction and service strategy. He leads the development of SPAN’s consulting offerings and operational infrastructure, with a focus on impact across education, innovation, and public health.

Dr. Watkins holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in Psychology from Fayetteville State University. His scientific background informs a systems-level approach to policy advising and program design, particularly in areas such as school safety, mental health, and science-based governance.

A dynamic communicator and bridge-builder, Dr. Watkins also hosts The Richard Watkins Podcast, a platform for thought leaders across disciplines. His work continues to shape public conversations and institutional strategies through science, equity, and community engagement.

Dr. Richard L. Watkins is a scientist, strategist, and advocate working at the intersection of research, policy, and society. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), where he is responsible for setting ... Show more

Emily Selim

Emily Selim

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

Ayubu Mohamed

Ayubu Mohamed

Ayubu Mohamed is a Technical Program Manager at Swahilipot Hub Foundation and a digital talent ecosystem builder working at the intersection of technology, data, and youth opportunity creation.

He designs programs that equip young people with digital skills and structured pathways into meaningful careers in the digital economy. His work focuses on building data-driven, people-centered systems that integrate digital literacy, analytics, and AI to improve youth program design and outcomes.

He is also a Career and Transformative Coach under the ICF Global Foundation Scholarship and a Directorate Member at the Global Entrepreneurs and Leaders Academy, contributing to leadership and ecosystem development across Africa.

Ayubu Mohamed is a Technical Program Manager at Swahilipot Hub Foundation and a digital talent ecosystem builder working at the intersection of technology, data, and youth opportunity creation. He designs programs that equip young people with dig... Show more

Hemanth Tadepalli

Hemanth Tadepalli

Hemanth Tadepalli serves as the Cybersecurity & Compliance Subject Matter Expert (SME) at May Mobility, a company revolutionizing mobility through advanced autonomous vehicle technology. His career spans notable roles at prestigious organizations, including management consulting firm AlixPartners, cybersecurity leader Mandiant, tech giant Google, and Michigan-based cybersecurity startup SensCy.

Hemanth’s research focuses on advancing cybersecurity in critical areas such as autonomous vehicle security, Internet of Things (IoT) security, threat intelligence, risk management, API security, and election security. He was appointed by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to the Advisory Task Force overseeing statewide election security and integrity. Throughout his career, Hemanth has consistently demonstrated expertise in implementing and maintaining security measures to safeguard systems, networks, and data from cyber threats.

In addition to his technical contributions, Hemanth has published numerous articles on cybersecurity and emerging technologies, showcasing his thought leadership. He is a sought-after speaker, invited to present at prominent cybersecurity conferences, serve as a distinguished panelist, and share insights on technology-focused podcasts. His impactful work has earned him accolades, including the 40 Under 40 recognition from Oakland County, Michigan, and the Governor’s Service Award for his philanthropic efforts and community service in cybersecurity.

Hemanth earned his bachelor's degree from Kettering University in Computer Science with a concentration in cybersecurity and minors in Pre-Law, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. He also pursued his Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information from the University of California, Berkeley, further advancing his research and expertise in the field. Hemanth currently serves in office for the City of Troy and is a Board of Director for Kettering University.

Hemanth Tadepalli serves as the Cybersecurity & Compliance Subject Matter Expert (SME) at May Mobility, a company revolutionizing mobility through advanced autonomous vehicle technology. His career spans notable roles at prestigious organizations, in... Show more

Heather Williams

Heather Williams

Heather joined the California AfterSchool Network (CAN) team as the Policy and Outreach Director in December 2018. She previously worked for the Expanded Learning Division at the California Department of Education where she oversaw the development and implementation of strategic plan efforts that reshaped the Division to focus on providing high-quality expanded learning opportunities for California’s youth. She currently oversees CAN’s work around advocacy and policy,
data and research, communications and events, and other outreach efforts. Heather has over 14 years of publicly policy experience starting with her participation in the California Executive Fellowship program, and specifically over 10 years supporting afterschool/expanded learning programs. Heather received her BA in Political Science from CSU Fullerton and was part of the 8th cohort of White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellows.

Heather joined the California AfterSchool Network (CAN) team as the Policy and Outreach Director in December 2018. She previously worked for the Expanded Learning Division at the California Department of Education where she oversaw the development an... Show more

Andrea Moysén

Andrea Moysén

Andrea Moysen ist in der Wissens- und Technologietransferabteilung der Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften die Schnittstelle zwischen Internationalisierung und dem Projekt „Transfer und Transformation“. Ein strategisches Ziel des Projekts besteht darin, Forschungsprojekte und die Entstehung von Wissen für verschiedene Zielgruppen zugänglich und erlebbar zu machen. Als zertifizierte interkulturelle Trainerin fördert sie die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Menschen mit vielfältigen kulturellen und beruflichen Hintergründen und schafft so wichtige Voraussetzungen für einen offenen und inklusiven Wissensaustausch. Ihr Masterabschluss in Interkultureller Wirtschaftskommunikation befähigt sie dazu, komplexe Inhalte zielgruppengerecht aufzubereiten und in unterschiedlichen Kontexten verständlich zu vermitteln. Derzeit erweitert sie ihr Profil durch ein Zweitstudium der Psychologie. Dadurch baut sie ihre Kompetenzen im Verständnis von menschlichem Verhalten, Motivation sowie Team- und Gruppendynamiken weiter aus. Dies ist ein entscheidender Beitrag, um Wissenstransfer wirksam, partizipativ und nachhaltig zu gestalten.

Andrea Moysen ist in der Wissens- und Technologietransferabteilung der Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften die Schnittstelle zwischen Internationalisierung und dem Projekt „Transfer und Transformation“. Ein strategisches Ziel des Proje... Show more

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