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

Merav Mofaz

Merav Mofaz

Merav Mofaz is part of the fast-track PhD program for excellent students in Tel Aviv University, conducting a study that deals with continuous monitoring and early detection of health and wellbeing related events using smartphones and smartwatches. Merav is an excellence award-winning lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering. In addition, she works as data scientist in Microsoft Education group where she develops advanced models for personalized learning and diagnosing at-risk students.

Merav Mofaz is part of the fast-track PhD program for excellent students in Tel Aviv University, conducting a study that deals with continuous monitoring and early detection of health and wellbeing related events using smartphones and smartwatches. M... Show more

Jazmin Johnson

Jazmin Johnson

Jazmin Johnson is a higher education professional, supervisor, and leadership educator with experience in residence life, student leadership development, fraternity and sorority advising, and organizational effectiveness. She currently serves as a Community Coordinator at Kennesaw State University, where she oversees residential communities, supervises student staff, manages crisis response, and designs educational initiatives that help students build the skills needed for success both inside and outside the classroom.

Passionate about developing emerging professionals, Jazmin enjoys creating engaging presentations that bridge theory and practice. Her sessions focus on supervision, managing up, accountability, leadership development, communication, and building healthy workplace cultures. She is particularly interested in equipping entry-level professionals with practical strategies for navigating organizational dynamics, advocating for themselves, and leading effectively regardless of their title.

Outside of her professional role, Jazmin advises collegiate members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., mentors emerging leaders, and combines her background in software engineering with student affairs to create innovative systems that improve organizational operations and engagement.

Whether facilitating a conference session, leading a workshop, or mentoring one-on-one, Jazmin strives to create learning experiences that are interactive, actionable, and immediately applicable. Her goal is for every participant to leave with greater confidence, practical tools, and a clearer understanding of how to lead with authenticity, purpose, and impact.

Jazmin Johnson is a higher education professional, supervisor, and leadership educator with experience in residence life, student leadership development, fraternity and sorority advising, and organizational effectiveness. She currently serves as a Co... Show more

Godwin Ogazi

Godwin Ogazi

My journey has been largely around technology, digital skills, education and using technology to solve practical problems.

Through Soteria Technologies, I have had the opportunity to work on initiatives around digital literacy, education technology, ICT infrastructure, Internet governance and community digital access.

But one thing I have learned is that having a good technology solution is only one part of the journey.

You also have to understand the people you are serving, build relationships, manage resources, find sustainable ways to operate, build partnerships and create systems that allow the work to continue.

That is why I chose this topic.

I want us to look beyond the excitement of building the product and talk about what it really takes to turn that product into a functioning and sustainable organization.

My journey has been largely around technology, digital skills, education and using technology to solve practical problems. Through Soteria Technologies, I have had the opportunity to work on initiatives around digital literacy, education technolog... Show more

Laura Oxsen

Laura Oxsen

Laura has over 12 years of experience in civil engineering with a focus on water. She holds dual credentials as a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Learning & Development Specialist, and currently serves as Organizational Development Lead at Grayling Engineers. She founded Oxsen Learning to address the skill gaps she observed firsthand in engineering firms, particularly around CAD proficiency and project communication.

Laura has over 12 years of experience in civil engineering with a focus on water. She holds dual credentials as a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Learning & Development Specialist, and currently serves as Organizational Development Lead ... Show more

Al Smith

Al Smith

I'm a Principal Architect at Microsoft specializing in the Microsoft Power Platform, Dynamics 365, Microsoft Copilot, and agentic AI solutions for U.S. State and Local Government.

Throughout my career, I've been driven by a simple belief: the people who understand a business problem best should have a meaningful voice in building the solution. That's why I'm so passionate about Microsoft's low-code and no-code platform. I love helping organizations empower business users to work alongside professional developers to create applications, automations, and AI experiences that solve real problems and deliver measurable value.

For more than two decades, I've worked with government organizations to modernize business processes, improve citizen services, and accelerate digital transformation. I've partnered with agencies of every size to design solutions that combine enterprise architecture, modern application development, automation, data, and artificial intelligence into practical outcomes that users can embrace.

My favorite conversations are the ones where technology becomes accessible. Whether I'm presenting on Power Platform, Dynamics 365, Copilot Studio, or the latest advancements in agentic AI, my goal is always the same: to make complex technology approachable, demonstrate what's possible, and give people the confidence to build solutions they didn't think they could create themselves.

I believe the future of software development isn't about replacing professional developers—it's about expanding who gets to participate in creating great software. When analysts, subject matter experts, makers, architects, and developers collaborate using the Microsoft Power Platform, organizations build better solutions, faster. That's the future I'm excited to help shape.

I'm a Principal Architect at Microsoft specializing in the Microsoft Power Platform, Dynamics 365, Microsoft Copilot, and agentic AI solutions for U.S. State and Local Government. Throughout my career, I've been driven by a simple belief: the peop... 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

Viktor Viljac

Viktor Viljac

Viktor Viljac founded Udruga Neutroni in 2021 with four schoolmates, all
of them between 14 and 18 at the time. He builds digital products for
organizations that work with young people, and free tools for students.
The most recent is Bodomat, a calculator that works out eligibility
scores for student housing in Croatia across more than 280 parameters.

Viktor Viljac founded Udruga Neutroni in 2021 with four schoolmates, all of them between 14 and 18 at the time. He builds digital products for organizations that work with young people, and free tools for students. The most recent is Bodomat, a ca... 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

Quinn Fitzgerald

Quinn Fitzgerald

Quinn Fitzgerald is a founder coach and mission-driven entrepreneur who helps early-stage founders lead with clarity, resilience, and intention. She founded and sold Flare, a VC-backed women’s safety tech company recognized by Time as a Best Invention and by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies. Previously, Quinn served in the Obama White House and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School, where she won the New Venture Competition.

She coaches a referral-only roster of founders - backed by firms like YC, Khosla, Collaborative Fund, Techstars, and Lowercarbon - and runs a collaborative Fundraising Sprint for early-stage founders. Her approach blends tactical business support and startup expertise with deep inner work. Quinn has spoken at SXSW, Harvard, Forbes, Bain Capital Ventures, Chief, CBS’ Innovation Nation, and more.

Quinn Fitzgerald is a founder coach and mission-driven entrepreneur who helps early-stage founders lead with clarity, resilience, and intention. She founded and sold Flare, a VC-backed women’s safety tech company recognized by Time as a Best Inventio... Show more

Lisa Micou

Lisa Micou

Prior to becoming the Senior Assessment Strategist at Riverside Insights, Dr. Lisa Micou championed students’ social-emotional needs as the Intervention & Training Specialist for Social Emotional Learning in a large division in VA, as a nationally certified school psychologist at both the elementary and high school levels in suburban Chicago and VA, and as an SEL4VA Leadership Team Member. She received her master’s and doctorate in psychology at Northern Illinois University and earned her post-master’s certificate in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Richmond where she now serves as an adjunct professor.

Prior to becoming the Senior Assessment Strategist at Riverside Insights, Dr. Lisa Micou championed students’ social-emotional needs as the Intervention & Training Specialist for Social Emotional Learning in a large division in VA, as a nationally ce... Show more

Lister Potter

Lister Potter

Lister Potter is a CTO, consultant, and elected Mayor focused on designing systems that scale — in software and in governance.

He leads the architecture of a next-generation multi-tenant platform built around a repository-centric workflow where documentation, architecture decisions, backlog, and code live together. His work explores what it means to build AI-native development environments where clarity and structure are designed in from the start.

Across technology leadership and civic governance, Lister applies the same principle: tools don’t solve systemic problems — well-forged systems do.

Lister Potter is a CTO, consultant, and elected Mayor focused on designing systems that scale — in software and in governance. He leads the architecture of a next-generation multi-tenant platform built around a repository-centric workflow where do... Show more

Julie Hong

Julie Hong

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

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

Kenyetta Clarke

Kenyetta Clarke

I am a Alabama Native. Military Army Veteran. I am Natural Hair and Microlocs Specialist, licensed instructor and Salon Owner with over 15yrs in the Natural Hair Industry.
I have a huge 30,000+ social Media following with clients all over the US.

I am a Alabama Native. Military Army Veteran. I am Natural Hair and Microlocs Specialist, licensed instructor and Salon Owner with over 15yrs in the Natural Hair Industry. I have a huge 30,000+ social Media following with clients all over the US. Show more

Audrey Long

Audrey Long

Audrey Long is a Gaming Cloud Security Architect at Microsoft apart of the Microsoft Gaming Security team. With a keen eye for creating secure coding solutions and performing comprehensive security risk assessments, Audrey excels in threat modeling and evaluating security in architecture. Her expertise extends to implementing robust security practices that safeguard digital landscapes.
Passionate about making security accessible, Audrey is dedicated to empowering software engineers and inspiring girls to pursue careers in STEM. She holds a DoD secret clearance and a Master of Science degree in Cyber Security from Johns Hopkins. Additionally, Audrey is a proud ambassador for Google's Women Techmakers program, championing diversity and inclusion in tech.
As an international speaker, Audrey has shared her insights and expertise at conferences and events around the world, inspiring audiences with her knowledge and passion for cybersecurity.

Audrey Long is a Gaming Cloud Security Architect at Microsoft apart of the Microsoft Gaming Security team. With a keen eye for creating secure coding solutions and performing comprehensive security risk assessments, Audrey excels in threat modeling a... Show more

Roiber Avendaño

Roiber Avendaño

Soy Product Designer con foco en UX/UI y más de 5 años diseñando interfaces digitales que funcionen para personas reales, en contextos reales.

Soy Trabajador Social, y eso cambia cómo miro los productos, antes de pensar en flujos, arquitecturas e interfaces, pienso en quién queda afuera de ellas. Ese recorrido me llevó a especializarme en accesibilidad y usabilidad de plataformas de gobierno digital, que es lo que investigo actualmente en mi maestría.

Combino evaluaciones técnicas con metodologías de Diseño Centrado en el Usuario para entender no solo qué falla en una plataforma, sino por qué falla para determinadas personas. Cuento con certificación en WCAG 2.2 otorgada por la IAAP (International Association of Accessibility Professionals).

Creo que una buena experiencia de usuario no puede existir sin accesibilidad, y que la accesibilidad digital no es una lista de criterios que cumplir, claro que es un punto de partida.

Soy Product Designer con foco en UX/UI y más de 5 años diseñando interfaces digitales que funcionen para personas reales, en contextos reales. Soy Trabajador Social, y eso cambia cómo miro los productos, antes de pensar en flujos, arquitecturas e ... Show more

Espen Holtebu

Espen Holtebu

Espen Holtebu started his career as a solar engineer before moving into data engineering. A strong foundation in SQL and analytical thinking made the transition natural and fun.

Today Espen works with modern data platforms in the public sector, helping teams navigate the shift from legacy, GUI‑based tooling to code‑driven, transparent workflows. He focuses on practical enablement, organizational change, and building sustainable ways of working with data at scale.

Outside of work, Espen enjoys fishing and spending time in nature with his family.

Espen Holtebu started his career as a solar engineer before moving into data engineering. A strong foundation in SQL and analytical thinking made the transition natural and fun. Today Espen works with modern data platforms in the public sector, he... Show more

Jorge Sánchez López

Jorge Sánchez López

Impulsando el cambio desde la acción, acumulo más de 35 años de experiencia liderando proyectos estratégicos en empresas del sector tecnológico, industrial, servicios y tercer sector. Ha acompañado a cientos de equipos y líderes en su evolución hacia modelos más ágiles, humanos y sostenibles.

Fundador de Agile DISruptivo (ADIS), evento internacional con +30 expertos y cientos de asistentes. En la primera Edición, sigue creciento con mas ediciones.

Mentor y catalizador de procesos de cambio en organizaciones complejas y ecosistemas digitales.

Ha dirigido iniciativas de transformación en empresas de telecomunicaciones, salud, e-commerce, servicios públicos, empresas y organizaciones sociales.

Especialidades
- Agile Coaching y Liderazgo Adaptativo
- Transformación cultural y gestión del cambio
- Innovación empresarial y metodologías disruptivas
- OKRs, Scrum, Kanban, Design Thinking, Agile HR
- Ciberseguridad, calidad y gestión IT (ISO 27001, ITIL, PRINCE2)

Formador y Embajador del Conocimiento
- CEO y Co-Fundador de Mobiliza Consulting & Academy
- Formador oficial certificado por Scrum Manager, CertiProf, PECB
- Cibercooperante INCIBE y Embajador CertiProf
- Máster en Formación del Profesorado y Licenciado en Informática (UPV)
- Colegiado COIICV e ISACA

Misión
Facilitar que organizaciones y profesionales prosperen en entornos inciertos, aplicando metodologías ágiles, inteligencia colectiva y liderazgo transformador. Cree firmemente que escuchar, co-crear y experimentar son los pilares de la evolución real.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨 𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐬:
Blog: Mobiliza Academy
YouTube: AgileValencia
Certificaciones: Scrum Manager, Certiprof, PECB

Impulsando el cambio desde la acción, acumulo más de 35 años de experiencia liderando proyectos estratégicos en empresas del sector tecnológico, industrial, servicios y tercer sector. Ha acompañado a cientos de equipos y líderes en su evolución hacia... Show more

Om Asnani

Om Asnani

Building Outskill, worlds largest Generative AI education platform, We've trained 10 Million professionals on Generative AI across 150+ countries

Building Outskill, worlds largest Generative AI education platform, We've trained 10 Million professionals on Generative AI across 150+ countries Show more

Mike Oanes

Mike Oanes

As a Business Analyst for Olmsted County, Mike has successfully worked as a resource for the Project Management Office and both elicited requirements for projects but also provided Project Management for department specific projects.
Mike has entered the world as a hobby beekeeper and would like to share how this important insect and its successful colony of 30,000 worker bees, one queen, and many drones could benefit our work lives.
Mike has an MBA from the University of St Thomas, in St Paul, MN and grew up on a farm in southern Minnesota.

As a Business Analyst for Olmsted County, Mike has successfully worked as a resource for the Project Management Office and both elicited requirements for projects but also provided Project Management for department specific projects. Mike has ente... 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

Muhammad Shahbaz

Muhammad Shahbaz

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

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

Laura Marieke Rieth

Laura Marieke Rieth

B.A. Soziale Arbeit

B.A. Soziale Arbeit 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

Olabamiji Ajisomo

Olabamiji Ajisomo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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