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

When Douglas Beaven deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, with the 993rd Transportation Company, he expected combat dangers. He didn't expect to bring home a deadly enemy.

Now, Douglas and Heather are bringing the discipline and resilience they learned in uniform to the domestic frontlines.

Their forthcoming book, Hard to Swallow: Don't Let Dying Kill You is woven together from journal entries, voice recordings, medical records, and public documents. By alternating between Douglas's and Heather's perspectives, the book captures the devastating diagnosis in real time, with all the uncertainty and urgency of events as they actually unfolded.

More than a medical memoir, Hard to Swallow: Don’t Let Dying Kill You is as much a rallying cry for accountability as it is a tribute to the devotion that gives us life when medicine alone cannot.

When Douglas Beaven deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, with the 993rd Transportation Company, he expected combat dangers. He didn't expect to bring home a deadly enemy. Now, Douglas and Heather are bringing the discipline and resilience they le... Show more

Blake Haygood started teaching high school math in 2007 and later moved into gifted education. As GT Coordinator for Austin ISD, he focuses on: advocacy for gifted learners, curriculum, family/community outreach, and program development and accountability. Blake volunteers extensively with both the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented and the Profoundly Gifted Retreat—presenting at conferences, supporting committees, and serving on their respective boards. Blake was a 2018 ELP and Advocate for the Gifted in 2022.

Blake Haygood started teaching high school math in 2007 and later moved into gifted education. As GT Coordinator for Austin ISD, he focuses on: advocacy for gifted learners, curriculum, family/community outreach, and program development and accountab... Show more

After a 35-year career in education, Nancy McCarville retired in July 2026 with a passion for helping individuals and teams reach their full potential. Her career began as a high school Art teacher, where she quickly realized her desire to have a greater impact on student success beyond the classroom. This led her back to school to earn her 7-12 Special Education endorsement, spending four years supporting students with diverse learning and behavioral needs.

Nancy's ability to understand people, read body language, and navigate challenging situations inspired her to pursue a Master's degree in Educational Administration. For the next 21 years, she served as a Dean of Students, leading efforts in student discipline, Special Education services, policy development, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships with parents, law enforcement, juvenile court systems, and school activity programs.

Throughout her career, Nancy observed that whether in schools, businesses, or organizations, success is built on the same foundation: effective communication, shared goals, mutual respect, and an understanding of individual strengths. She has worked with countless students, families, educators, and professionals who felt stuck, uncertain, or disconnected from their purpose.

After a 35-year career in education, Nancy McCarville retired in July 2026 with a passion for helping individuals and teams reach their full potential. Her career began as a high school Art teacher, where she quickly realized her desire to have a gre... Show more

Peret Gunat Goar is a Nigerian researcher and civic technology practitioner working at the intersection of AI, democracy, gender and inclusive development. She is a PhD researcher in Political Economy and Development Studies at Nasarawa State University and Executive Director of Gender Initiative for Change and Social Transformation (GICSOT).
She is part of the team developing CivicHer-AI, an applied civic technology prototype designed to improve access to civic and electoral information for women and underserved communities in Nigeria. Her work combines academic research, community-based development practice and experimentation with emerging technologies in the Global South.

Peret Gunat Goar is a Nigerian researcher and civic technology practitioner working at the intersection of AI, democracy, gender and inclusive development. She is a PhD researcher in Political Economy and Development Studies at Nasarawa State Univers... Show more

J'ai toujours cultivé une certaine polyvalence dont les différentes facettes s'enrichissent mutuellement.
Coach professionnel et agiliste, j'écoute et je questionne individus et organisations pour les aider à clarifier leurs problématiques et à construire leurs propres solutions.

J'ai toujours cultivé une certaine polyvalence dont les différentes facettes s'enrichissent mutuellement. Coach professionnel et agiliste, j'écoute et je questionne individus et organisations pour les aider à clarifier leurs problématiques et à cons... Show more

Mary Foster is the Heritage and Cultural Arts Program Manager for the City of Allen, Texas, where she oversees programming and interpretation at Allen Heritage Village and supports preservation and interpretation efforts at the historic Allen Cemetery. Her work brings together historic preservation, public programming, community engagement, and parks and recreation to connect residents with the history of their community.

Foster holds a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler and previously served as a museum curator at the 1859 Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum, where she curated exhibits and developed educational programs. She also served as Campaign Director for United Way of Smith County, supporting fundraising efforts for 26 local nonprofit organizations.

With nearly a decade of experience working across museums, history, parks and recreation, and nonprofit organizations, Foster is particularly interested in local and recent history, historic cemeteries, urban archaeology, and finding creative ways to make history meaningful and accessible to the communities where it happened.

Mary Foster is the Heritage and Cultural Arts Program Manager for the City of Allen, Texas, where she oversees programming and interpretation at Allen Heritage Village and supports preservation and interpretation efforts at the historic Allen Cemeter... Show more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sean joined UNCG in the Fall of 2018. He manages UNCG’s Green Fund, measures the university’s carbon footprint, conducts UNCG’s AASHE STARS report, supports the Sustainability Council, writes grants, and provides education and community outreach to help further the University’s sustainability mission. He has over a decade of experience in higher education administration and a background in multi-modal transportation planning, having served as member of the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee, and as the chair of the Alternate Transportation and Fuels Working Group for the Mid-South Regional Greenprint Consortium in Memphis, TN.

Sean joined UNCG in the Fall of 2018. He manages UNCG’s Green Fund, measures the university’s carbon footprint, conducts UNCG’s AASHE STARS report, supports the Sustainability Council, writes grants, and provides education and community outreach to h... Show more

Tanmay S Dikshit
Founder – Cyber Sanskar
is a highly energetic keynote speaker, master trainer, and cyber-intelligence thought leader with over 25+ years of international-level experience in advanced technologies and digital innovation ecosystems. He regularly delivers mission-critical training to military personnel, intelligence units, detectives, and security forces, and is a trusted spokesperson on Cyber Industry & Digital Transformation at leading organizations, universities, and institutions. He actively contributes to academia as a Board of Studies Member and Member of the Departmental Advisory Board, shaping industry-aligned curricula. He has received prestigious Hall of Fame recognition as an Information Security Researcher for responsibly reporting security vulnerabilities across 50+ internal systems of reputed international organizations. His expert insights are regularly featured on reputed radio stations, newspapers, print media, and national TV news channels, and today many of students trained under his guidance are successfully working across the global cyber and technology ecosystem, building impactful careers and strong professional reputations worldwide.

Tanmay S Dikshit Founder – Cyber Sanskar is a highly energetic keynote speaker, master trainer, and cyber-intelligence thought leader with over 25+ years of international-level experience in advanced technologies and digital innovation ecosystems. ... Show more

I am a logistics professional and project manager committed to Internet governance, digital inclusion, and capacity building in Africa. As the Organizational Secretary for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Côte d’Ivoire, I help coordinate multistakeholder initiatives that bring together various stakeholders to address digital issues. I also participate in projects led by House of Africa Côte d’Ivoire and civil society organizations, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence governance, digital rights, innovation, youth empowerment, and digital transformation. Drawing on my experience in project management and stakeholder engagement, I am committed to promoting inclusive digital policies and strengthening cooperation for sustainable digital development in Africa.

I am a logistics professional and project manager committed to Internet governance, digital inclusion, and capacity building in Africa. As the Organizational Secretary for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Côte d’Ivoire, I help coordinate multis... Show more

Shari is an Educational Diagnostician, doctoral student, and parent of a child with a learning disability. Her professional and personal experiences shape her commitment to improving IEP quality and student progress. Her doctoral research focuses on strengthening IEP development, alignment, progress monitoring, and the systems that support meaningful instruction for students with disabilities.

Shari is an Educational Diagnostician, doctoral student, and parent of a child with a learning disability. Her professional and personal experiences shape her commitment to improving IEP quality and student progress. Her doctoral research focuses on ... Show more

Nicole Walker is the Assistant Director of Outreach and Engagement at Louisiana State University's Center for Academic Success, where she leads campus-wide initiatives focused on student success, academic engagement, and belonging. She oversees outreach programming, develops academic success workshops, coordinates bridge and transition programs, and collaborates with campus partners to create meaningful support systems for undergraduate students.

Prior to her work in higher education, Nicole served as a speech-language pathologist, bringing a student-centered approach and strong foundation in communication, learning, and development to her work. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of South Alabama and a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Louisiana State University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Research with a concentration in Higher Education Administration at LSU.

Nicole serves as President of the Louisiana College Learning Center Association (LCLCA), where she works to advance collaboration and professional development among learning center professionals across the state. Her research interests include college readiness, bridge programs, academic support services, student persistence, and the role of learning centers in promoting student success.

A frequent presenter at regional and national conferences, Nicole enjoys sharing practical, evidence-informed strategies that higher education professionals can immediately apply on their own campuses. Her presentations blend research, real-world experience, and interactive learning to create engaging sessions that leave participants with actionable ideas and renewed enthusiasm for supporting students.

Nicole Walker is the Assistant Director of Outreach and Engagement at Louisiana State University's Center for Academic Success, where she leads campus-wide initiatives focused on student success, academic engagement, and belonging. She oversees outre... Show more

Inspired by the celebration of Postdoc Appreciation Week in the USA and the UK, the PAW Germany Coordination Team, consisting of coordinators from Hanover and Munich, played a key role in launching PAW Germany in 2022, a nationwide initiative to celebrate the incredible work of postdocs. By bringing together researchers, research institutions, postdoc coordinators and research administrators from across Germany, the PAW Coordination Team helps to create a special program of events and a social media campaign each year to celebrate the contribution of postdocs to research and academic life, and to provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences. Postdoc Appreciation Week Germany aims to recognise and empower postdocs to excel in their careers, drive scientific progress, make meaningful contributions to their fields, and ultimately shape a better future for science and society.

Inspired by the celebration of Postdoc Appreciation Week in the USA and the UK, the PAW Germany Coordination Team, consisting of coordinators from Hanover and Munich, played a key role in launching PAW Germany in 2022, a nationwide initiative to cele... Show more

Mojeed began his journey in global sustainability after winning a national climate change contest, which led to a UNESCO-sponsored research tour in Germany. There, he worked alongside Nigeria’s Ministries of Environment and Education, supported by leaders like then-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, gaining firsthand experience in driving real-world impact at the intersection of policy and global challenges.

Building on that foundation, after having his Bachelor's in Mathematics, he pursued a Master’s in Informatics & Analytics, where he earned a perfect CGPA. He has applied his skills at companies such as Deloitte and KPMG, leading machine learning innovation projects that bridged technology with business transformation.

Today, as CEO of DataGlobal Hub & AI Every Time, he has extended that mission into Data & AI education and accessibility. I have hosted Global Data & AI conferences featuring leaders from OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon; partnered with organizations like Microsoft, Packt, and DataCamp; and empowered thousands worldwide through education. Their work has been published on Business Insider, Yahoo News, and more than 900 media outlets globally. This unique blend of sustainability, academic excellence, corporate innovation, and global entrepreneurship positions him to lead a mission-driven company shaping the future of Data and AI. He is also the Chief Data Officer (CDO) of The Strategemist.

He is not just building a company, he is leading a movement born from lived experience, fueled by technical depth, and sustained by a mission to create impact that matters.

Mojeed began his journey in global sustainability after winning a national climate change contest, which led to a UNESCO-sponsored research tour in Germany. There, he worked alongside Nigeria’s Ministries of Environment and Education, supported by le... Show more

Camilo Mussi iniciou sua trajetória como piloto de caça da Força Aérea Brasileira e construiu, ao longo de 47 anos de serviço público, uma carreira marcada pela liderança de transformações complexas.

Como CIO do INEP, liderou a implantação do ENEM Digital, realizado simultaneamente em 101 cidades, em um contexto de prazo inadiável, pandemia e ausência de precedentes.

Atualmente, é Subsecretário de Tecnologia da Informação Digital do Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária, onde lidera iniciativas de transformação digital, inteligência artificial, cibersegurança e modernização de serviços estratégicos para o agronegócio brasileiro. Em um único mandato, sua gestão entregou 30 sistemas digitais, entre eles o e-Phyto, que transformou a certificação fitossanitária para exportação.

Atuou também na FAB, no Banco Central, na ANVISA, na ANTAQ e no MDS. É mestre em Computação Aplicada, professor universitário há 22 anos e advogado.

Foi eleito CIO – Personalidade Mais Influente na área de TI, em 2023 e 2025; CIO Destaque da Educação, em 2020; e selecionado entre os líderes de transformação digital do governo federal pela ENAP e pelo Ministério da Economia, em 2019.

É autor do livro “Liderar é Servir”, porque, para ele, liderança nunca foi sobre o posto, mas sobre propósito, serviço e legado.

Camilo Mussi iniciou sua trajetória como piloto de caça da Força Aérea Brasileira e construiu, ao longo de 47 anos de serviço público, uma carreira marcada pela liderança de transformações complexas. Como CIO do INEP, liderou a implantação do ENEM... Show more

I have been a successful Deputy Chief of Police, State Representative, serial entrepreneur, COO, consultant, and am presently the CEO of a non-profit business. So basically, I've led everything but a conga line (though I not ruling it out).

I describe myself as the kind of leader who’s learned the hard way, laughed through the mess, and lived to tell the story—with a microphone in hand.

From the board room to the back alley, break room to the ballot box, my unique perspective and track record of success speak to my leadership style which is as practical as it is punchy.

I challenge audiences with thought provoking, engaging, and energetic presentations that leave attendees feeling empowered and enlightened reminding them that "Excellence lives in the area where most people fear to tread." Session titles like, "Tech Creep and the Chaos of Convenience" and "You can't Google what you don't know...you don't know," create interest and audiences are traditionally more engaged and enthusiastic.

If you are looking for a dynamic, insightful, thought-provoking speaker, I would like to be your choice.

Thank you for your time reviewing my fit for your event and if you need additional information you can find it at TCClements.net.

I have been a successful Deputy Chief of Police, State Representative, serial entrepreneur, COO, consultant, and am presently the CEO of a non-profit business. So basically, I've led everything but a conga line (though I not ruling it out). I des... Show more

A Full-Stack engineering leader and a Certified Associate Cloud Architect with 9 years of experience in software engineering, leading cross-functional teams across finance, e-commerce, logistics, digital marketing, and healthcare. Delivered enterprise-grade web applications for clients in Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and the United Kingdom. Expertise in React, Node.js, Python Flask, and cloud platforms. Proven ability to analyze customer needs, build high-quality software, and empower businesses. Active community advocate, passionate about tech education.

A Full-Stack engineering leader and a Certified Associate Cloud Architect with 9 years of experience in software engineering, leading cross-functional teams across finance, e-commerce, logistics, digital marketing, and healthcare. Delivered enterpris... Show more

Edith Ijeh operates at the intersection of workforce strategy, technical labor mobility, and informal economy formalization across African and international markets. As a bilingual creativity coach and cross-cultural strategist fluent in both Anglophone and Francophone economic zones, she enables organizations, development partners, and industrial firms to navigate complex labor landscapes and build resilient, future-ready workforces.

Grounded in over a decade of dedicated humanitarian service and impact-driven initiatives, Edith’s work focuses on restoring human dignity and driving grassroots economic empowerment. She strongly advocates that the blue-collar and skilled trade sector is an economic engine, not a charity sector. Through Skills HR Africa and digital platforms like the Connect Nigeria app, she bridges critical economic gaps by standardizing artisan qualifications (such as National Trade Tests), connecting verified technical talent directly to enterprise opportunities, dismantling systemic barriers for skilled women in industrial fields, and designing structured systems to leverage expatriate expertise for local talent development.

Key Stage Themes & Core Focus Areas
The Blue-Collar Sector as a Commercial Powerhouse

Reframing technical and artisanal labor from social welfare or charity into bankable, scalable, and highly profitable human capital.

Digital Talent Ecosystems & Technical Integration

Leveraging technology platforms like Connect Nigeria to verify, map, and deploy skilled artisans, creating direct digital pipelines between informal technical labor and formal corporate supply chains.

Dismantling Barriers for Skilled Women in Industrial Enterprise

Addressing systemic discrimination and procurement bias that prevent verified female artisans, mechanics, and technicians from accessing corporate contracts, major industrial sites, and technical employment.

Expatriate-to-Local Knowledge Transfer & Workforce Development

Structuring mandatory shadow programs, cross-cultural training, and formal mentorship models that use foreign technical expatriates to upskill, certify, and empower local African talent.

Humanitarian Leadership & Impact-Driven Community Building

Combining grassroots advocacy with institutional reform to protect worker dignity, build resilience, and transform vulnerable populations into structured technical communities.

Bilingual Cross-Cultural Trade & Regional Mobility (Anglophone–Francophone)

Facilitating workforce integration, policy alignment, and communication across English and French-speaking trade corridors.

Creativity Coaching & Practical Vocational Thought Leadership

Author of NOW THAT YOU ARE SKILLED! a practical guide assisting technical workers and artisans with contract compliance, workplace safety, pricing models, and transitioning from raw skill to business enterprise.

Signature Keynote & Panel Topics
Skilled Labor is Enterprise, Not Charity: Unlocking Economic Value in the Blue-Collar Economy

Focus: Why governments, corporate leaders, and investors must treat technical skills development as a high-return commercial strategy rather than a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project.

Digitizing the Informal Workforce: How Platforms like Connect Nigeria Standardize & Scale African Talent

Focus: Using digital infrastructure to verify qualifications, streamline artisan procurement, and bridge the gap between unstructured labor and enterprise demand.

Breaking the Industrial Glass Ceiling: Integrating Skilled Women into Corporate Supply Chains

Focus: Overcoming systemic barriers that exclude female technical talent from corporate projects, job sites, and industrial contracts and how to build inclusive, high-performing technical teams.

The Expatriate Advantage: Structuring Expatriate Knowledge Transfer to Build Local Capacity

Focus: Practical models for organizations to pair foreign expatriate experts with local African artisans to ensure sustainable knowledge transfer, skill upgrading, and long-term local talent retention.

Bridging the Divide: Cross-Border Workforce Mobility Across Anglophone and Francophone Corridors

Focus: Strategies for navigating language, policy, and qualification barriers to enable seamless labor movement and cross-border trade.

Contact & Professional Details
Location: Lagos, Nigeria (Available for global, continental, and virtual engagements)

Languages: English (Native/Anglophone), French (Working Proficiency/Francophone)

Engagement Roles: Keynote Speaker, Panelist, Creativity Coach, Workshop Facilitator, TVET & Workforce Advisor

Inquiries & Strategic Partnerships: edithnijeh@gmail.com

Whether collaborating with international development agencies, trade ministries, digital platforms, or grassroots technical communities, her mission is clear: to ensure Africa’s skilled artisans and technical workforce receive the investment, recognition, and global opportunities they deserve.

📩 Open to strategic partnerships, ocean-economy workforce advisory roles, and cross-border technical initiatives.

Edith Ijeh operates at the intersection of workforce strategy, technical labor mobility, and informal economy formalization across African and international markets. As a bilingual creativity coach and cross-cultural strategist fluent in both Angloph... Show more

I'm a local government official in the Information Department of the City of Hiroshima. I'm a leading expert on DX human resource development for local government officials and hold a Master of Science in Instructional Systems. I'm currently a doctoral student at the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hiroshima City University, researching DX skill surveys of local government officials and developing an individualized optimal learning system based on instructional design theory. I previously served as a board member of the Japan Registered Information Security Specialist Association (JP-RISSA), having completed my term.

I'm a local government official in the Information Department of the City of Hiroshima. I'm a leading expert on DX human resource development for local government officials and hold a Master of Science in Instructional Systems. I'm currently a doctor... Show more

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

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

IT instructor and vocational training (FPE) trainer with more than 20 years of professional experience in technology. My background spans software development, systems, Cloud, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

I currently focus on technical training and continuous learning, combining hands-on experience with technologies such as AWS, Azure, Python, C#/.NET, DevOps and Infrastructure as Code.

I am particularly interested in making complex technical concepts practical and accessible, helping learners develop skills they can apply to real-world IT environments.

IT instructor and vocational training (FPE) trainer with more than 20 years of professional experience in technology. My background spans software development, systems, Cloud, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. I currently focus on technic... Show more

Project and Digital Transformation Leader with over 8 years of experience driving modernization and operational efficiency in the public sector. Expert in the implementation of governance frameworks (COBIT, ISO 27001) and cybersecurity, essential to ensure operational continuity and the protection of citizens’ sensitive data. Proven track record in public sector digitalization, positioning a municipality among the top 2 nationwide, and cybersecurity speaker.

Project and Digital Transformation Leader with over 8 years of experience driving modernization and operational efficiency in the public sector. Expert in the implementation of governance frameworks (COBIT, ISO 27001) and cybersecurity, essential to ... Show more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Motivated by entrepreneurship and innovation. Currently positioned as an Agilist and Innovation Consultant, with more than 15 years of experience in the area of Consulting and Agile Project Management. I also worked as a University Professor, Lecturer, collaborating in the main Brazilian public bodies; as well as in the main companies in Portugal.

Master in Computer Engineering and Web Technology and Postgraduate in Software Engineering and Project Management.

Motivated by entrepreneurship and innovation. Currently positioned as an Agilist and Innovation Consultant, with more than 15 years of experience in the area of Consulting and Agile Project Management. I also worked as a University Professor, Lecture... Show more

Kelsey Ratcliffe is the Founder of KR Criminal Profiling & Analysis and a commercial security consultant with over 15 years of law enforcement experience. A former Lieutenant, child abuse investigator, hostage negotiator, and incident commander, she specializes in workplace violence prevention, behavioral threat assessment, de-escalation strategies, and employee wellness.

Kelsey helps organizations identify concerning behaviors before they escalate into violence, develop practical prevention strategies, and create safer environments for employees, customers, and stakeholders. Her presentations combine real-world experience, behavioral science, and actionable de-escalation tools that audiences can immediately apply in the workplace.

She has delivered training to construction, corporate, educational, and community audiences on topics including workplace violence prevention, behavioral indicators of risk, conflict de-escalation, and resilience through mindfulness practices.

Kelsey Ratcliffe is the Founder of KR Criminal Profiling & Analysis and a commercial security consultant with over 15 years of law enforcement experience. A former Lieutenant, child abuse investigator, hostage negotiator, and incident commander, she ... Show more