Shandon Richardson, CPTM, is a Training Supervisor with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and a passionate advocate for learning, leadership development, and employee growth. With 12 years of service in TxDOT's Human Resources Division Workforce Development team, Shandon has served in a variety of roles, including facilitator, program and contract administrator, career development leader, and training supervisor, building a broad perspective on workforce development and organizational learning.

Throughout a career dedicated to developing people and strengthening organizations, Shandon has focused on creating engaging learning experiences that help employees build skills, confidence, and capacity to achieve their goals. Known for a collaborative, people-centered approach, Shandon specializes in designing and facilitating impactful training programs, leading complex projects and initiatives, fostering employee growth and development, and equipping leaders with coaching and engagement tools that support high-performing, cross-functional teams.

Prior to joining TxDOT, Shandon gained leadership development experience across multiple industries, including restaurant, grocery, and federal government organizations. This diverse background provided valuable insight into employee engagement, talent development, and the strategies that help individuals and teams thrive in dynamic environments.

A strong believer in lifelong learning, Shandon is passionate about helping people discover their potential and connecting them with opportunities to grow personally and professionally. This commitment extends to supporting leaders and employees in building meaningful careers while advancing organizational success.

Shandon holds the Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM) credential and multiple facilitation and coaching certifications, including Master Certified Professional Coach. Shandon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from Bellevue University and a Master of Science in Organization, Learning, and Technologies from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Shandon Richardson, CPTM, is a Training Supervisor with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and a passionate advocate for learning, leadership development, and employee growth. With 12 years of service in TxDOT's Human Resources Division W... 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

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

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

Ebony Lawrence is an instructional designer/curriculum developer with Amazon Web Services (AWS). She likes to refer to herself as an “accidental instructional designer,” as her academic background is deeply rooted in public health (BS in health education and MS in health administration), and epidemiology (DrPH). The transition was a natural step, and she has since gained over a decade of valuable experience in higher education, corporate training development, and management consulting. In 2020, Ebony obtained her CPTD and, despite her non-traditional entry into the field, she’s leaned on her diverse background and skills to build her brand.

Ebony Lawrence is an instructional designer/curriculum developer with Amazon Web Services (AWS). She likes to refer to herself as an “accidental instructional designer,” as her academic background is deeply rooted in public health (BS in health educa... Show more

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

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

As the Associate Director of Event Logistics & Student Development at the University of South Florida’s Marshall Student Center, Patrick oversees event logistics, audio/visual production, building operations, budget management, and an extensive team of student leaders and employees. Patrick leads daily operations for high‑impact campus events, manages multimillion‑dollar budgets, directs technology & equipment upgrades, and implements the S.E.E.D. Student Development Curriculum, fostering meaningful student growth aligned with University Objectives & Values.

Patrick is a higher education leader known for elevating student experiences, strengthening operational excellence, and delivering seamless event and facility logistics. With more than a decade of progressive leadership across student affairs, event management, and residential education, he brings a holistic, people‑centered approach to developing teams, optimizing systems, and creating environments where students and staff thrive.

As the Associate Director of Event Logistics & Student Development at the University of South Florida’s Marshall Student Center, Patrick oversees event logistics, audio/visual production, building operations, budget management, and an extensive team ... Show more

Dr. Ashley Y. Carpenter is a scholar and leader in the field of gifted education, currently serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of Professional Development and Publications at the Center for Gifted Education (CFGE) at William & Mary. Her work is defined by a commitment to equity and excellence, focusing on bridging the gap between academic research and classroom practice. Her leadership in the field was recently recognized with the prestigious 2024 Early Leader Award from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), honoring her significant contributions to the growth and development of gifted and talented children.
Dr. Carpenter’s expertise lies at the intersection of underserved gifted populations, twice-exceptional (2e) learners, and the impact of socioeconomic status on talent development. At CFGE, she spearheads national and international professional development initiatives, training educators to implement research-based curricula and inclusive identification practices. She also serves as a key researcher for Project BUMP UP, a federally funded Javits grant focused on increasing math proficiency for high-potential students in high-poverty schools.
A former middle school teacher for 14 years, Dr. Carpenter brings a practical, practitioner-oriented lens to her work. She is a frequent speaker at local and national conferences, where she advocates for the "hidden" gifted student. Through her various roles, Dr. Carpenter continues to foster educational environments where diverse talents are not only recognized but meticulously nurtured.

Dr. Ashley Y. Carpenter is a scholar and leader in the field of gifted education, currently serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director of Professional Development and Publications at the Center for Gifted Education (CFGE) at William &... 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

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

Air Force Veteran | AI Governance Practitioner & Educator | Bridging Security Compliance with Responsible AI Implementation

Air Force Veteran | AI Governance Practitioner & Educator | Bridging Security Compliance with Responsible AI Implementation 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

Dr. Khloud Khalid is the Head of the Department of Design at the European University in the UAE -RAK Campus, bringing over a decade of comprehensive experience as both an academic and an industry professional. As a licensed, award-winning architect, BIM manager, Design Lead, and Experiential Design Consultant holding a Ph.D. in Architecture and Urbanism, her expertise spans advanced digital modeling workflows, sustainable spatial planning, and pedagogical innovation, as evidenced by her extensive research publications. She has actively participated in international conferences and workshops, serving as an invited lecturer in universities across more than ten countries including the UAE, UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Philippines, and wider Europe while continuously advancing academic quality through her roles as a juror, supervisor, and peer reviewer.

Dr. Khloud Khalid is the Head of the Department of Design at the European University in the UAE -RAK Campus, bringing over a decade of comprehensive experience as both an academic and an industry professional. As a licensed, award-winning architect, ... Show more

David is a catalyst leader with a strong executive presence and a passion for building networks that inspire confidence and drive innovation. His decades in public sector IT have defined his approach to inclusive innovation, ensuring that products, features, and infrastructure are not only high-quality but also valuable to individuals, businesses, and communities. David’s expertise includes DevOps, user experience (UX), service design, and accessibility. These skills enable him to enhance transparency, increase productivity, deliver value, and boost customer engagement.

David holds an M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction from DePaul University and is a certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO) by Rutgers/PTI. He actively participates in several professional organizations: the Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI), the Government Management Information Science (GMIS), and the Service Design in Government Community of Practice. Additionally, he has served as a mentor in the General Services Administration (GSA) User Experience Community of Practice.

David is a catalyst leader with a strong executive presence and a passion for building networks that inspire confidence and drive innovation. His decades in public sector IT have defined his approach to inclusive innovation, ensuring that products, f... Show more

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

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

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

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

CEO | Palestrante | Head de Agilidade & Inovação | Professor | Conselheiro.

CEO | Palestrante | Head de Agilidade & Inovação | Professor | Conselheiro. Show more

Interessata alla ricerca e all'innovazione di approcci e metodi per lo sviluppo delle persone e delle organizzazioni, dopo diversi anni di esperienza gestionale nell’ambito del marketing e del project management ha deciso di dedicarsi al Coaching individuale, di team e organizzazioni.

Grazie alla sua conoscenza diretta dei meccanismi di funzionamento delle organizzazioni, Beatrice lavora con professionisti aiutandoli a rafforzare la loro consapevolezza organizzativa, a sviluppare sinergie tra bisogni e obiettivi organizzativi e personali.

È Certified Practitioner Coach (EIA), Certified Agile Coach (IC-Agile), membro dell’Associazione Italiana Coach Professionisti e di EMCC Global. Come Coach e trainer affianca gruppi e individui facilitando fasi di transizione e supportando cambiamenti nella gestione di sé, dei team e dell’organizzazione.

Nei suoi interventi adotta approcci sperimentali per lo sviluppo delle competenze relazionali e della leadership, utilizza strumenti di facilitazione esperta, serious play, training frontale ed esperienziale.
Oltre al coaching si dedica alla ricerca sul Coaching Organizzativo, in collaborazione con il gruppo di ricerca AICP.

Interessata alla ricerca e all'innovazione di approcci e metodi per lo sviluppo delle persone e delle organizzazioni, dopo diversi anni di esperienza gestionale nell’ambito del marketing e del project management ha deciso di dedicarsi al Coaching ind... Show more

Emily Williams is a Social Media Specialist for Enrollment Services Communications and Marketing (ESCOMM), partnering with Undergraduate Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, the Bursar’s Office, Scholarships & Financial Aid, and New Student Programs. In addition to managing multiple social media channels with a combined follower count of over 36K, Emily serves as the advisor for the Kennesaw State Brand Ambassador team. A former Ambassador herself, Emily joined the program in 2019 as a student and has since played a key role in transforming it from a small, unfunded initiative into a strategic team of 35 students that support recruitment, storytelling, and brand engagement. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Gender & Women's Studies from KSU in Spring 2023 and a Master of Science in Digital & Social Media Communication from the University of West Georgia in Spring 2026.

Emily Williams is a Social Media Specialist for Enrollment Services Communications and Marketing (ESCOMM), partnering with Undergraduate Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, the Bursar’s Office, Scholarships & Financial Aid, and New Student Programs. ... Show more

Myself Venkata Suresh Babu Kamma a Senior Oracle ERP Cloud Architect with over 20+ years of experience designing, implementing, and governing large-scale enterprise ERP systems across public sector, transportation, higher education, utilities, and regulated capital-program environments.
I am specializes in Oracle ERP Cloud Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Grants Management, Project Costing, Project Billing, Contracts, General Ledger, and Subledger Accounting, with a governance-first architectural approach. My work emphasizes embedding compliance, audit readiness, predictive forecasting, and long-term sustainability directly into ERP system design.
I have led and advised ERP initiatives involving federal and state grants, multi-year capital and infrastructure programs, multi-entity funding structures, and high-scrutiny audit environments. I am expertised with spans both greenfield Oracle ERP Cloud implementations and modernization of complex legacy ERP environments.

I have contributed an enterprise ERP architect focused on governance-driven system design for public sector organizations. My work integrates funding structures, execution controls, financial integration, and predictive oversight into scalable ERP architectures that support long-term accountability and public stewardship. My Original contributions synthesizes his architectural models and governance frameworks developed through hands-on leadership of complex ERP initiatives.

Myself Venkata Suresh Babu Kamma a Senior Oracle ERP Cloud Architect with over 20+ years of experience designing, implementing, and governing large-scale enterprise ERP systems across public sector, transportation, higher education, utilities, and re... Show more

Aline holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Würzburg and a Master’s degree from RWTH Aachen University. Since 2021, Aline is a Scientific Associate at the Center for Learning and Teaching Services, where she coordinated various Projects, including the "#Digitalkompetenz.nrw" project to enhance digital skills.

Aline holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Würzburg and a Master’s degree from RWTH Aachen University. Since 2021, Aline is a Scientific Associate at the Center for Learning and Teaching Services, where she coordinated various ... Show more

Todd Fletcher is a cybersecurity consultant and PhD student with over 25 years of experience in IT leadership, network, application, public government IT leadership, and security engineering. He currently works as a Professional Services Principal Consultant at CrowdStrike, a leading provider of cloud-native endpoint and workload protection solutions.

As a consultant, he assists information security teams from various sectors to assess their security posture, and develop plans to close security gaps while achieving technical and executive success. He is skilled in agile project management, systems automation, SIEM, SOAR, penetration tools, and security program development based on the NIST framework. He also conducts cloud security and automation with Azure DevSecOps.

In addition to his consulting role, he is pursuing a PhD in cyberpsychology, where he explores the psychological aspects of cybersecurity, such as user behavior, motivation, trust, and risk perception. He is passionate about pushing the boundaries of how to drive successful security initiatives from both a technical and psychological perspective with organizations across many industries.

Todd Fletcher is a cybersecurity consultant and PhD student with over 25 years of experience in IT leadership, network, application, public government IT leadership, and security engineering. He currently works as a Professional Services Principal Co... Show more

Catherine Dimmack is an award-winning keynote speaker, facilitator and transformation leader with more than seven years leading digital transformation, customer experience and service design across Queensland Government. She helps leaders and organisations slow down just enough to think differently — asking better questions, testing assumptions before investing, and understanding the whole system before optimising a part of it. Her keynotes and workshops are practical, story-led and immediately applicable. Catherine speaks at conferences, leadership programs and workshops across government, technology, digital transformation, customer experience and professional associations.

Catherine Dimmack is an award-winning keynote speaker, facilitator and transformation leader with more than seven years leading digital transformation, customer experience and service design across Queensland Government. She helps leaders and organis... Show more

Senior Microsoft cloud security engineer with over 25 years of experience in enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and U.S. government environments. A U.S. Air Force veteran and retired member of the Illinois Air National Guard, with a strong focus on mentoring career transitions into cybersecurity. Experienced instructor and writer focused on practical, real-world security guidance. This will be his fifth year attending DEF CON.

Senior Microsoft cloud security engineer with over 25 years of experience in enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and U.S. government environments. A U.S. Air Force veteran and retired member of the Illinois Air National Guard, with a strong focus on mentor... Show more

Dr. Seema Sidhu is a transformative district leader and the 2026 AUHSD ACSA Central Office Administrator of the Year. Currently serving as the Director of Learning and Development for the Anaheim Union High School District, Dr. Sidhu oversees the strategic "braiding" of millions in state and federal programs to move the needle on equity and justice. A former English teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal, her career is defined by a refusal to accept the status quo of top-down governance. Dr. Sidhu is recognized for bringing innovation to compliance, dismantling administrative silos to institutionalize authentic democratic school governance. Her leadership in operationalizing the "Voice to Action" Equity Transformation Cycle has resulted in historic academic gains for English Learners and at-promise youth. A recipient of the Woman of Distinction Award from the California State Senate, Dr. Sidhu is a sought-after speaker on AI implementation, strategic planning, and the power of shared leadership. She holds an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne and is dedicated to equipping leaders with the tools to transform school systems and level up through student voice and agency.

Dr. Seema Sidhu is a transformative district leader and the 2026 AUHSD ACSA Central Office Administrator of the Year. Currently serving as the Director of Learning and Development for the Anaheim Union High School District, Dr. Sidhu oversees the str... Show more

I created Maddie's Hot Take - as social media profile with millions of views, and a Substack with over 40,000 followers.

I'm on national television almost every day as a Democratic strategist or political analyst - and I make a habit out of walking straight into the lion's den.

I spent over a year as a liberal debater on right-wing news channels, and I love to share what I've learned about politics, human nature and bringing people together. I've debated Scott Jennings on CNN and many prominent primetime news anchors. I have always been invited because I treat people with respect and kindness -- and I know how to be myself in difficult and stressful situations.

I'm also an attorney and jury consultant, specializing in human behavior and choice theory.

I wasn't always good at public speaking - but I wanted to share my thoughts and ideas so badly with the world, that I had to train myself how to do it. As a neurodivergent person in this space, I think I have a lot to offer folks who might struggle, just like I did.

I created Maddie's Hot Take - as social media profile with millions of views, and a Substack with over 40,000 followers. I'm on national television almost every day as a Democratic strategist or political analyst - and I make a habit out of walkin... Show more