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

Pedram Hayati

Pedram Hayati

Dr Pedram Hayati is the founder and CEO of SecDim, where he helps developers to balance engineering velocity with application security rigor. As a researcher across both offensive security and application security, Pedram has:

* Published 25 + zero-day advisories since 2005
* Reported thousands of vulnerabilities to Fortune 500 companies
* Led the global penetration-testing unit at the world’s second-largest defence contractor

Holding a PhD in Information Security & Machine Learning, Pedram lectures postgraduate cyber-security at the University of New South Wales – Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW ADFA) and founded SecTalks.org, a multinational non-profit security community with more than 25,000 members. His research regularly features on the global stage at Black Hat, DEF CON, FIRSTCon, NDC, and OWASP AppSec.

Dr Pedram Hayati is the founder and CEO of SecDim, where he helps developers to balance engineering velocity with application security rigor. As a researcher across both offensive security and application security, Pedram has: * Published 25 + zer... Show more

Mickie Brewer

Mickie Brewer

I am Mickie Brewer owner of 360Cloud, Inc., a Consulting & Training company that specializes in Office 365/Microsoft 365. Since 2010 I have been helping clients learn and implement SharePoint as well as other M365 apps. As a certified Microsoft Service Adoption Specialist, I lead companies into the Modern Workplace by focusing on user adoption and building more efficiencies for teams and individuals, so the organization realize the full potential and ROI of M365.

Over the years I have built specialties in; training, cloud migrations, designing engaging Intranets, planning site and information architecture as well as security and compliance for records management.

I am a leader in user groups that include both M365 focus and Women in tech.

I love to bring back the focus on people in technology. "Work is no longer a place, but the people and culture they foster." ~ Mickie

I am Mickie Brewer owner of 360Cloud, Inc., a Consulting & Training company that specializes in Office 365/Microsoft 365. Since 2010 I have been helping clients learn and implement SharePoint as well as other M365 apps. As a certified Microsoft Servi... Show more

Valerija Strutinskaja

Valerija Strutinskaja

Valerija je inženjerka tekstilne tehnologije. Čita SF i fantasy oduvijek i jedan od hobija je obilazak konvencija po Hrvatskoj i svijetu.
Kreativne radionice održava s ciljem upoznavanje djece i odraslih sa novim materijalima i ostalim zanimljivostima iz područja hobija i likovnosti.

Valerija je inženjerka tekstilne tehnologije. Čita SF i fantasy oduvijek i jedan od hobija je obilazak konvencija po Hrvatskoj i svijetu. Kreativne radionice održava s ciljem upoznavanje djece i odraslih sa novim materijalima i ostalim zanimljivost... Show more

Alex Radu

Alex Radu

Alex is a VP Education and Community Manager for Engineering Practices, at JPMorganChase in Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the land of the unicorns 🦄. She is an international speaker, product community manager, former product and marketing manager for public cloud, software engineer and conversational developer, among other roles.

In her work as a creative technologist, she combines content, community and engineering, to help people and products grow. Her role acts as a navigator between product, design, engineering and customers, underpinned by data and feedback.

In her personal life, she loves languages, speaking 4, whilst learning her 5th, Korean, with a 1800+ day streak on Duolingo. Alex adores living in Scotland with her family, 6-year old husky, Kai, and 2-year old Maine Coon kitten, Marvin!

As a fervent advocate of diversity in tech, Alex supports various communities, such as codebar, AWS Community Builders, Aspiring Women Speakers, #IamRemarkable, GitHub Campus Experts, Women Techmakers and more!

Alex is a VP Education and Community Manager for Engineering Practices, at JPMorganChase in Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the land of the unicorns 🦄. She is an international speaker, product community manager, former product and marketing manager for publi... Show more

Thomas Chopin

Thomas Chopin

J’aide les équipes et les organisations, en France et particulièrement dans la région nantaise, à adopter l’agilité. Spécialisé dans l’accompagnement des dirigeants et des managers, je les aide à naviguer dans la complexité, à renforcer leur leadership et à structurer leur gouvernance en s’appuyant sur des outils agiles concrets et une prise de décision éclairée.
Je place l’humain au cœur des transformations, convaincu que l’amélioration continue est une opportunité pour chacun. J’encourage un apprentissage permanent et le développement de l’esprit critique, indispensables pour naviguer dans un monde en constante évolution. Mon rôle est d’ouvrir des perspectives, de challenger les certitudes et de créer des environnements propices à l’expérimentation et à l’adaptabilité.

J’aide les équipes et les organisations, en France et particulièrement dans la région nantaise, à adopter l’agilité. Spécialisé dans l’accompagnement des dirigeants et des managers, je les aide à naviguer dans la complexité, à renforcer leur leadersh... Show more

Tom Overton

Tom Overton

A 30-year veteran data guy with experience in enterprise databases, platform migration, application monitoring, audit and compliance, and document automation in environmental, government, telecom, manufacturing and healthcare industries. When not writing queries, I enjoy mentoring, coaching, woodworking, and hiking in our National Parks.

A 30-year veteran data guy with experience in enterprise databases, platform migration, application monitoring, audit and compliance, and document automation in environmental, government, telecom, manufacturing and healthcare industries. When not wr... Show more

Dr. Roderick Logan, DPTh, DAAETS

Dr. Roderick Logan, DPTh, DAAETS

Dr. Roderick Logan is the founder of Making Space to Heal. He guides individuals and leaders who are living between worlds, especially those navigating religious trauma, identity disruption, and the long work of rebuilding trust and coherence after spiritual harm. His work is grounded in a salutogenic orientation that focuses on the origins of health and resilience, and it is shaped by a companion stance: he does not rush people toward false arrival. He dwells in the third space with them and helps them name what others have missed or dismissed.

Dr. Logan holds a Doctorate in Practical Theology and a Master’s in Counseling. He is a Diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. With more than four decades of experience in trauma-informed care and resilience building, he has been recognized with the Arizona Aging Services Star Award for Innovation by the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

He is the author of "I Was Loved: 10 Statements I Hope My Child Can Say About Their Childhood" and "Finding Everland: Voyage Beyond Religious Trauma: A Psalm-Guided Journey to Resiliency." Dr. Logan and his wife, Melody, have been married for 46 years. They share a family legacy of three children and eight grandchildren, alongside a professional legacy of helping others restore dignity, agency, and a sustainable path forward.

Dr. Roderick Logan is the founder of Making Space to Heal. He guides individuals and leaders who are living between worlds, especially those navigating religious trauma, identity disruption, and the long work of rebuilding trust and coherence after s... Show more

Collin Hogue-Spears

Collin Hogue-Spears

Collin Hogue-Spears is a Senior Director at Black Duck Software, where he leads FedRAMP authorization and global compliance work. He also leads product strategy for Context AI, Black Duck's vulnerability intelligence platform for AI coding assistants and cloud security ecosystems. He has more than 20 years in technology, including AWS GovCloud, where his team secured authorization for $3B in public-sector workloads.

His forthcoming book, From Lab to Life: How AI Works in China (Gatekeeper Press, Summer 2026), examines how China built the world's first governed AI ecosystem, where capability, compliance, and distribution became inseparable. Drawing on Chinese-language regulatory texts, company filings, and technical sources, the book explains how AI governance functions as market infrastructure rather than paperwork after the fact.

He writes and speaks on AI governance, software supply chain security, nation-state cyber operations, and the security risks created when autonomous systems gain enterprise access. He has been quoted in Politico, Dark Reading, CIO.com, and CSO Online. He works from Chinese-language primary sources and focuses on the intersection of regulation, security, and technology deployment.
CISSP | [AWS Certified Security -- Specialty | CISM] | MBA, UMass Amherst

Collin Hogue-Spears is a Senior Director at Black Duck Software, where he leads FedRAMP authorization and global compliance work. He also leads product strategy for Context AI, Black Duck's vulnerability intelligence platform for AI coding assistant... Show more

Andrea Civile

Andrea Civile

Andrea Civile is an L2 Italian researcher and language instructor whose work focuses on the development of pragmatic competence in adult learners, with attention to pragmalinguistic–sociopragmatic alignment, cultural shock, and intercultural adaptation in academic settings. His research—rooted in his doctoral project at the University for Foreigners of Perugia—adopts interlinguistic, intercultural, and cross-cultural perspectives and draws on data from Brazil, Japan, and Italy through a mixed-methods design. He is a member of the Pragmática (inter)linguística, cross-cultural e intercultural group at the University of São Paulo and contributes to research on online language teaching. Alongside his research, he has extensive teaching experience in Italy and abroad.

Andrea Civile is an L2 Italian researcher and language instructor whose work focuses on the development of pragmatic competence in adult learners, with attention to pragmalinguistic–sociopragmatic alignment, cultural shock, and intercultural adaptati... Show more

Tina Mirro

Tina Mirro

Tina Mirro is a seasoned Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform expert with deep experience designing, architecting, and delivering enterprise CRM solutions. A Microsoft‑certified Solution Architect and Data Analyst, she has built her career around transforming complex business challenges into scalable, human‑centered digital systems. Her work spans consulting, solution strategy, and hands‑on platform innovation, including contributions to community‑driven tools that expand Dynamics 365 capabilities.

A long‑time advocate for women in technology and a proud member of the Microsoft Federal Government ecosystem, Tina brings a blend of technical mastery, empathy, and real‑world implementation insight to every stage of digital transformation. Her background includes leadership in anti‑trafficking advocacy and accessibility‑focused volunteer work, reflecting her commitment to technology that empowers people.

Recognized for her passion, clarity, and ability to demystify complex systems, Tina is a dynamic speaker who inspires audiences to embrace modern business applications, rethink customer engagement, and unlock the full potential of the Power Platform.

Tina Mirro is a seasoned Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform expert with deep experience designing, architecting, and delivering enterprise CRM solutions. A Microsoft‑certified Solution Architect and Data Analyst, she has built her career aroun... Show more

Dan Lewis

Dan Lewis

Dan Lewis is a Digital Transformation Leader with 20+ years of experience in IT operations and digital solutions. With over a decade of consulting experience and seven years leading digital transformation in local government, Dan has driven innovation and operational excellence for diverse organizations. At the City of Seattle, he modernized various services, enhancing collaboration and automating workflows for a workforce of over 10,000 employees.

Dan’s expertise lies in leading impactful teams, crafting transformative strategies, and delivering innovative technology solutions that align with business goals. He speaks on topics such as Digital Transformation Strategy, Leadership in Technology, Microsoft 365 and Copilot, Emerging Technology Adoption, IT Governance Best Practices, and AI Governance.

Passionate about helping customers solve real-world challenges through technology, Dan combines deep technical expertise with a focus on positive outcomes for people. When he’s not transforming organizations, Dan enjoys gaming, hosting digital transformation talks, and connecting with audiences on Twitch and LinkedIn.

Dan Lewis is a Digital Transformation Leader with 20+ years of experience in IT operations and digital solutions. With over a decade of consulting experience and seven years leading digital transformation in local government, Dan has driven innovatio... Show more

Tomasz Osmanowski

Tomasz Osmanowski

I started my journey in software development in 2002, inspired by Stephen Prat's book "C++ Primer Plus" when I was 13 years old. Today, as a Regional Fujitsu Distinguished Engineer, I lead IT projects from proof of concept through to delivery and maintenance phases. My experience spans various business sectors, including retail, legal, and defense, and encompasses frameworks such as .NET, Angular, React, and SQL, as well as platforms like Azure, AWS, and Kubernetes (K8s).

I am a Microsoft MVP and a Microsoft MCT. I mentor students from high school and up through an education program I created myself, with its products now thriving independently thanks to collaboration within our TechMentoringPL group. I strongly believe in the benefits of lifelong learning and sharing knowledge, aiming to make IT less intimidating for young adults, future tech leaders - this is the goal of the TechMentoringPL group. To keep my skills sharp, I am currently pursuing the Executive Education program at UC Berkeley Haas.

I started my journey in software development in 2002, inspired by Stephen Prat's book "C++ Primer Plus" when I was 13 years old. Today, as a Regional Fujitsu Distinguished Engineer, I lead IT projects from proof of concept through to delivery and mai... Show more

Kevin Cueva

Kevin Cueva

Soy Kevin Cueva, Ingeniero en tecnologías de la información, maestrante en Big Data y Data Science, mi experiencia se centra en el desarrollo de soluciones tecnológicas estratégicas, con un enfoque especializado en Inteligencia Artificial, Ciencia de Datos, MultiCloud, Cybersecurity y automatización de procesos. A lo largo de mi trayectoria, he tenido la oportunidad de desempeñarme como Software Development Consultant en Business IT, donde diseño e implemento soluciones personalizadas para optimizar operaciones y aumentar la productividad de los clientes.

Además de mi perfil técnico, he demostrado un fuerte liderazgo y un compromiso activo con el desarrollo social y comunitario. He co-fundado y liderado iniciativas de investigación y desarrollo como el Semillero Nexus Community y la Red de Investigación en Ingeniería e Informática (RI3), cuyo propósito es promover la innovación en la tecnología a nivel internacional. Mi experiencia se extiende a roles de gestión y liderazgo en organizaciones de impacto como la Fundación SUMAE y la Red Juvenil de Liderazgo Ecuador (RJLE), LIDERA Ecuador, AIESEC Ecuador, entre otras. He participado en proyectos de alto impacto, como el desarrollo del primer metaverso del Ecuador para la ciudad de Riobamba , y como capacitador voluntario para la ONU en el manejo de software y digitalización de documentos, también como parte de organización de campamento Electoral y eventos de alto prestigio nacional.

Mis habilidades técnicas abarcan un amplio espectro, incluyendo el desarrollo Full-Stack (Python, Java, JavaScript, .Net) y el manejo de herramientas de Visualización de Datos y Business Intelligence como Power BI y RStudio. Poseo conocimientos en DevOps, Cloud Computing (Azure, AWS), redes y ciberseguridad, lo que me permite abordar proyectos desde una perspectiva integral. Soy una persona autodidacta y proactiva, orientada a la resolución de problemas y al aprendizaje continuo, lo que me impulsa a generar un impacto positivo a través de la tecnología y el trabajo colaborativo. Me encanta viajar, explorar la fotografía y aprender continuamente, estar en muchas cosas siendo responsable.

Soy Kevin Cueva, Ingeniero en tecnologías de la información, maestrante en Big Data y Data Science, mi experiencia se centra en el desarrollo de soluciones tecnológicas estratégicas, con un enfoque especializado en Inteligencia Artificial, Ciencia de... Show more

Aadil Latif

Aadil Latif

I am Aadil Latif, Founder of TechXNinjas, a community driven initiative focused on empowering learners through mentorship, skill development, and real-world exposure in technology, with a strong emphasis on Cloud, AI, and modern developer tools.
I was also a Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador at the Beta levels, where I actively contributed to building tech communities, promoting Microsoft technologies, and strengthening my skills in technical evangelism, public speaking, and leadership across the Microsoft ecosystem.

I am also a Speaker at the AI and Copilot Innovations Summit India 2024, where I delivered a session on Harnessing AI and Copilot on 14th September 2024 in Gurugram. During my talk, I explored how AI, Microsoft Copilot, and automation are transforming healthcare, finance, education, and business, with a focus on productivity, responsible AI, ethical considerations, and real world case studies.

My interests span Cloud computing, Generative AI, Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI, and web development, where I combine creativity with logical problem solving to build scalable and impactful solutions. I remain committed to continuous learning, community building, and personal growth, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle through cycling and reading.

I am Aadil Latif, Founder of TechXNinjas, a community driven initiative focused on empowering learners through mentorship, skill development, and real-world exposure in technology, with a strong emphasis on Cloud, AI, and modern developer tools. I w... Show more

Csongor Vogel

Csongor Vogel

I'm a Staff Mobile Software Engineer at talabat, the leading food delivery platform in the MENA region (part of Delivery Hero), and a Google Developer Expert in Flutter & Dart. Based in Dubai and originally from Hungary, I combine engineering leadership with a strong focus on mentorship and developer enablement.

As a developer community organizer (Flutter Abu Dhabi and Dubai ), I'm passionate about helping startups adopt the right technologies early and scale their engineering practices effectively from the beginning.

My current focus is on integrating AI solutions into the Software Developer Life Cycle and building other agentic workflows.

I enjoy sharing my knowledge by speaking at conferences and meetups, as well as teaching students in Hungary's first Flutter University class.

In more details:
- https://github.com/gerfalcon

I'm a Staff Mobile Software Engineer at talabat, the leading food delivery platform in the MENA region (part of Delivery Hero), and a Google Developer Expert in Flutter & Dart. Based in Dubai and originally from Hungary, I combine engineering leaders... Show more

Pedro Alex Taya Yactayo

Pedro Alex Taya Yactayo

Ingeniero de Sistemas por la UAI, Magister en Administración y Gestión Pública por la UAI, Actualmente curso el doctorado en Ingeniería de Sistemas en la UNAC, con una línea de investigación orientada a la aplicación de Inteligencia Artificial, Implementación de Entornos Virtuales de Aprendizaje, Modelos Predictivos, Gamificación e Investigación Científica para la personalización del aprendizaje en contextos educativos del Perú, cuento con Diplomados en Docencia Universitaria, Ingeniería de Software, Inteligencia Artificial y Ciencia de Datos, Diplomado Especializado: Inteligencia Artificial Aplicada a la Gestión Pública, Certificados internacionales Microsoft, Speaker e Influencer de Microsoft, Docente Universitario, Especialista en IA Generativa y Microsoft 365, Arquitecto de Software, más de 30 años de experiencia en tecnología orientada a la educación, CEO & FOUNDER de MATT INNOVA SOLUTION empresa peruana dedicada a la innovación tecnológica, desarrollo de soluciones empresariales y educativa, Administrador de la Comunidad Profesional Microsoft Cañete (MUG CAÑETE), autor principal de los libros “Manual del Docente Innovador Aplicando IA Generativa”, “El Arte del Prompt Educativo con ChatGPT”, "ChatGPT: de básico a experto". Músico de Instrumentos de Viento (Quenas, Zampoñas), practico MMA con especialidad en LutaLivre cinturón naranja (Teams Perros Sarnosos Cañete-Perú).
Mis redes sociales son:
👍 Facebook: facebook.com/ing.alextaya
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alextaya
🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/IngAlexTaya
🎵TikTok: tiktok.com/@alextaya
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/alex_taya

Ingeniero de Sistemas por la UAI, Magister en Administración y Gestión Pública por la UAI, Actualmente curso el doctorado en Ingeniería de Sistemas en la UNAC, con una línea de investigación orientada a la aplicación de Inteligencia Artificial, Imple... Show more

Philip Obiorah

Philip Obiorah

Philip Obiorah is a Data Scientist, Co-Organizer PyData Milton Keynes , Lead of GDG Cloud Port Harcourt, a Google Explore ML Facilitator, and a researcher with interests in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing. He is a former Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom, and currently serves as a Learning Development Coach in Computing at the University of Buckingham. An Oracle Certified Professional and a member of the British Computer Society, Philip has a diverse academic and professional background.

Philip holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Port Harcourt. In addition, he has earned two Master's degrees: an MSc in Applied Data Science from the University of Buckingham, graduating with distinction, and an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Port Harcourt. He also holds a BA in Philosophy from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.

Philip is deeply committed to community development and has volunteered extensively to mentor participants in AI and data science programs through initiatives like AI School Africa, the Google Africa Developers Scholarship, and Google Explore ML with Crowdsource. His academic contributions include several research publications, notably "Topic Modeling Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation & Multinomial Logistic Regression," published in the Journal of Digital Innovations & Contemporary Research in Science, Engineering & Technology (Vol. 10, No. 4).

Philip’s efforts have earned him numerous accolades. He was a Global Nominee at NASA SpaceApps 2018 and received the Tech Social Impact Icon (Green) Award in 2022 from Techrity. He was also honored with a special plaque from Google Developer Groups for fostering a vibrant developer community at GDG Cloud Port Harcourt.

Passionate about teaching, community building, and bridging the gap between academia and the tech industry, Philip is dedicated to continuing his impactful journey and achieving even greater milestones in the future.

Philip Obiorah is a Data Scientist, Co-Organizer PyData Milton Keynes , Lead of GDG Cloud Port Harcourt, a Google Explore ML Facilitator, and a researcher with interests in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing. He is a former Graduate Te... Show more

Ursula Spencer

Ursula Spencer

Ursula Spencer is an eDiscovery and information governance SME with deep roots in enterprise Microsoft ecosystems. She pioneered and led the Federal Reserve System’s eDiscovery function following the 2008 financial crisis, designing defensible data collection and review workflows across 12 Reserve Banks. Her work supported Congressional investigations, regulatory audits, and high risk litigation, reducing manual processing by over 80 percent while maintaining NIST and FISMA aligned audit readiness. She has since led system wide migrations to Microsoft 365, designed governance ready collaboration environments, and advised public and private sector organizations on secure, people centered M365 adoption.

Today, Ursula designs secure, people centered adoption strategies for public sector, education, and enterprise organizations. She specializes in translating emerging technologies including AI, XR, VR, and AR into governed, scalable solutions that accelerate transformation while protecting data and compliance posture. Her approach blends deep technical expertise with change leadership, helping organizations safely navigate AI’s inflection point.

An award winning technologist, she has spoken at Politico LIVE, Microsoft Elevate and Innovate, BaddieCon, CIAA Tech Summit House, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where she shares practical frameworks for AI readiness, collaboration at scale, and career reinvention in emerging tech.

Ursula Spencer is an eDiscovery and information governance SME with deep roots in enterprise Microsoft ecosystems. She pioneered and led the Federal Reserve System’s eDiscovery function following the 2008 financial crisis, designing defensible data c... Show more

Ajayi Raphael Temitope

Ajayi Raphael Temitope

Ajayi Raphael Temitope is a business leader, institution builder, and speaker focused on education, entrepreneurship, and Africa's emerging technology landscape.

He currently serves as Country Manager, Nigeria at Swanfield Business School — a Pan-African institution developing ethical, globally minded business leaders. He brings to the stage over a decade of hands-on experience building and scaling ventures across technology, creative services, and education, including Nova Limited, which served clients across six countries and reached 8-figure annual revenue, and Noble Learn School of Tech, which impacted thousands of students across Nigerian institutions.

Recognised among the Top 50 Entrepreneurs by the Regis Ohia Foundation, featured in Daily Times Nigeria, and a ForbesBLK member, Raphael speaks from experience, not theory. His sessions bridge the gap between ideas and execution, and between education systems and real-world business outcomes.

He has spoken at the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Business Tech & Scale Conference, SCART Conference, Tech The Slum, and university platforms across Lagos.

Ajayi Raphael Temitope is a business leader, institution builder, and speaker focused on education, entrepreneurship, and Africa's emerging technology landscape. He currently serves as Country Manager, Nigeria at Swanfield Business School — a Pan-... Show more

Jessie Robbins

Jessie Robbins

Jessie is the Power Platform service owner at Hennepin County as a member of the Enterprise Strategic Solutions team for the past five years. She began her journey at the county as a developer and quickly found her passion in the Power Platform space. Starting her technology career as what is now known as a citizen developer, Jessie has grown into a leader who empowers others to build tools that make work better—for everyone. Her mission is simple: enable people to create meaningful solutions that improve how they work every day.

Jessie is the Power Platform service owner at Hennepin County as a member of the Enterprise Strategic Solutions team for the past five years. She began her journey at the county as a developer and quickly found her passion in the Power Platform space... Show more

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & Chief Executive Officer, Fathers & Families Coalition of America
Author | Founder, Borinqueño Within Press | Certified Executive Coach | Clinical Social Worker | Veteran | Researcher | Policy Architect | Curriculum Developer | International Trainer

"I am a Boricua. A dad. A soldier. A professional social worker. An advocate. A teacher. A professor. A counselor. And a friend. And with every role, I lead with love and serve with purpose."

Biography
Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC, is a globally celebrated architect of fatherhood engagement, social policy reform, and transformative leadership development. For over four decades, he has shaped public health, child welfare, mental health, and professional education—building bridges across disciplines, communities, and continents. His career is defined by multidimensional leadership and a relentless pursuit of equity, healing, and opportunity for all. A proud father, soldier, social worker, and visionary educator, he has devoted his life to helping people rediscover hope, dignity, and purpose. His reach spans early childhood education, public health, leadership development, and fatherhood advocacy—fields that, in his hands, become pathways toward healing and intergenerational equity.

"Insights give way to dreams—developing vision—creating purpose that ends in your why."

Foundations: Service, Resilience, and Cultural Identity
Born into a low-income household and shaped by the adversity of the child welfare system, James began his journey at age 17 as a U.S. Army Combat Medic. By 22, he became one of the youngest Substance Abuse Counselors in the Department of Defense, retiring with honors and meritorious distinction in the reserves. Over more than two decades of military service, he developed expertise in trauma response, behavioral health, and law enforcement. This experience forged his devotion to discipline, compassion, and advocacy for the vulnerable.

James's service has been recognized at the highest levels: he is the recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Call to Service Award (President Barack Obama), Points of Light Award (President George H. W. Bush), Meritorious Service Medal (U.S. Department of Defense), and Congressional Certificates from Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Barbara Lee, and Diane E. Watson. He is deeply honored by the Ceremonial Elder Proclamation from the Qutekcak Native Tribe of Alaska, the National Social Worker Leadership Resolution (FFCA), and hundreds of additional accolades from national, state, tribal, and community organizations.

Architect of Systems Change: Building Movements, Securing Hope
As founder and CEO of the Fathers & Families Coalition of America (FFCA), Dr. Rodríguez transformed a grassroots Arizona network into an international force with offices in California and Puerto Rico, and active partnerships across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Australia. He was instrumental in creating one of the nation's first TANF-funded fatherhood programs, a model that generated over $75 million in resources and has been replicated nationwide. Under his leadership, FFCA's International Families & Fathers Conference—now in its 27th year—has become a global destination for educators, policymakers, and innovators, advancing justice and family well-being.

A founding steering committee member of the Fatherhood Research & Practice Network (FRPN) at Temple University, James has shaped federal research and policy, serving as principal investigator and senior research consultant on projects for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, CDC, NIMH, and the Oregon Center for Applied Science. His work has driven advances in public health, trauma-informed care, and family resilience.

Signature Curriculum Development and Thought Leadership
James is a master architect of transformational curricula and professional development, including the Advanced Practitioner Credential™ Course (NASW Arizona-approved), OAR Leadership Institute™ (Ownership • Accountability • Responsibility), FFCA DiSC Model™, Ikigai & The Power of Kintsugi™, and SAMHSA-approved Fatherhood and Mental Health Curriculum. He also developed the Strengthening Families Through Nurturing Leadership model. His trainings are lauded for blending cognitive science, neuroplasticity, emotional intelligence, trauma-informed care, and actionable leadership strategies, and have reached over 30,000 professionals—social workers, educators, clinicians, nonprofit leaders, and public officials—across the U.S. and four continents. Over 85% of program graduates report improved outcomes, including higher client engagement and service completion.

Certified as an Executive Coach, Master Trainer for The John R. Wooden Course™, Certified DiSC® Trainer, Life Coach, Ikigai Coach, and Schema Therapy Practitioner, Dr. Rodríguez's leadership development institutes have set new standards for excellence in behavioral health and family services.

Academic Impact, Mentorship, and Global Teaching
Dr. Rodríguez's educational reach is extraordinary. He has served as faculty, lecturer, or keynote at:

University of Southern California
Arizona State University
Morehouse College
Howard University
Columbia University
Yale University
University of Houston
Clark Atlanta University
Mesa Community College
Central Arizona College
Cornell University
Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico
University of the West Indies (Jamaica)
University of Guelph (Canada)
Malcolm X College
Sobo Tribal Nation
Navajo Nation
Qutekcak Native Tribe (Alaska)
Numerous First Nations and international partners
He developed and directed over 30 undergraduate and graduate courses, established statewide programs, and has keynoted and taught from Ivy League classrooms to tribal communities. He serves on the editorial board of PHYLON: The Clark Atlanta University Review of Race and Culture, which he joined upon the appointment of Dr. Obie Clayton, Jr., and supports scholarship on race, family, and social change.

Policy Leadership, Board Service, and Community Engagement
Dr. Rodríguez's policy influence extends to every level of government. He has developed legislation for Connecticut's Fatherhood Initiative, served on Arizona and California TANF/family-strengthening task forces, and advised the New York City Mayor's Fatherhood Advisory Council, DYCD, and ACS. He has shaped policy in partnership with SAMHSA, Region II Head Start, the State of Maryland, and the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. He has provided expert testimony before the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee. He collaborates with Congressman Danny K. Davis and hosts national Fireside Policy Roundtables on equity, child support, and education reform.

His board service is cross-sectoral and visionary, including:

100 Black Men – Arizona Chapter
AGAPE Adoption Agency
Maricopa County Human Services
Fatherhood Corrections Network
Black Family Preservation Institute
And numerous national, state, and tribal boards
Public Health, Equity, and Systems Innovation
James has led multiple national initiatives addressing mental health equity, early childhood wellness, and culturally responsive care—serving Latino, African American, Somali, First Nations, and other underserved communities. His work with the Somali Association of Arizona, the Hispanic/Latino and African American Parent Depression Research Project, and tribal partners has been recognized for its transformative impact on systems and inclusion.

Author, Storyteller, and Purpose-Driven Advocate
As founder of Borinqueño Within Press and author of the forthcoming The Purpose Within—Rise Out of the Ashes Like the Phoenix, Dr. Rodríguez's story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the enduring power of purpose. He weaves together memoir, leadership philosophy, and spiritual reflection, inspiring audiences to discover their own capacity to lead and transform.

Personal Values, Humanity, and Enduring Legacy
Above all, Dr. Rodríguez is a father, grandfather, and mentor. He draws daily inspiration from his children—Antonio (Cassandra), Amber Rodríguez-Young, LMSW (Daric), and Jazmín Rodríguez—and his grandchildren, Ariston and Adalena. His life and work are an expression of core values: love, empathy, humility, and a drive to uplift others. Whether leading a boardroom, inspiring a conference, or building coalitions for social change, James delivers wisdom, practical strategies, and hope—leaving every audience moved to action.

"Leadership is not about titles. It is about being water—shaping, flowing, and giving life wherever you go." — Bruce Lee.

If your organization seeks a keynote speaker, leadership institute facilitator, or strategic advisor who brings unparalleled experience, intellectual rigor, cultural fluency, and a proven record of impact, Dr. James C. Rodríguez is the transformative presence your audience deserves.

Contact:
james.rodriguez@fathersandfamiliescoalition.org
www.fathersandfamiliescoalition.org

"Never The End, Never Goodbye, Just I love You." – Your Friend, James

Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC President & Chief Executive Officer, Fathers & Families Coalition of America Author | Founder, Borinqueño Within Press | Certified Executive Coach | Clinical Social Worker | Veteran | Researcher | Policy Architect ... Show more

Roksana Inga Rybicka

Roksana Inga Rybicka

Studentin an der EUV, Peer Tutorin für wissenschaftliche Schreiben & Lernen, Directorin für IT bei ELSA

Roksana ist eine leidenschaftliche Studentin im Bereich Rechtswissenschaften und steht kurz vor dem Abschluss ihres Studiums. Neben ihrem Engagement in der akademischen Welt ist sie auch eine begeisterte Webdesignerin und Programmiererin, mit einem besonderen Interesse an den Schnittstellen von Technologie und Recht. Als Peer Tutorin und Director für IT bei ELSA kombiniert sie ihre Liebe zu digitalen Innovationen mit ihrer Expertise im Bereich Bildung und Lehre. Sie engagiert sich zudem in internationalen Netzwerken und hat sich auf die Förderung von Zugänglichkeit und Empowerment spezialisiert.Sie liebt es, kreative Methoden wie Gamification in der Lehre zu integrieren, um Studierende aktiv in ihre Lernprozesse einzubinden und auf die Herausforderungen der digitalen Zukunft vorzubereiten.

Studentin an der EUV, Peer Tutorin für wissenschaftliche Schreiben & Lernen, Directorin für IT bei ELSA Roksana ist eine leidenschaftliche Studentin im Bereich Rechtswissenschaften und steht kurz vor dem Abschluss ihres Studiums. Neben ihrem Engag... Show more

Paul Innella

Paul Innella

Paul Innella, CEO of TDI, is a globally recognized cybersecurity executive with over 30 years of experience advising critical infrastructure, government, and enterprise organizations. He pioneered Cybersecurity Performance Management (CPM), a strategic approach to measuring cybersecurity effectiveness in operational environments. Paul has guided top institutions including DARPA, the U.S. Navy, Deutsche Bank, and the IMF. His insights have appeared in Forbes, Financial Times, CNBC, and ABC News. He holds CISSP-ISSMP, CISM, and NSA IAM certifications and completed executive programs at Cambridge, IMD, and Edinburgh Business School. He also chairs White Hat USA, supporting Children’s National Medical Center.

Paul Innella, CEO of TDI, is a globally recognized cybersecurity executive with over 30 years of experience advising critical infrastructure, government, and enterprise organizations. He pioneered Cybersecurity Performance Management (CPM), a strateg... Show more

Harshavardhan Malla

Harshavardhan Malla

Harshavardhan Malla is an Information Systems Security Engineer at the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), supporting the security, reliability, and compliance of mission-critical government IT systems. His work focuses on infrastructure hardening, vulnerability remediation, and operational security across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud-adjacent environments.

He regularly works with established security and regulatory frameworks such as NIST and CJIS, ensuring systems meet mandated standards while remaining stable and maintainable. His interests include secure system design, compliance automation, and improving the long-term resilience of public-sector technology platforms.

In addition to his public-sector role, Harshavardhan is a 3× Co-Founder, including Digitailor, an AI-powered career optimization platform.

Harshavardhan Malla is an Information Systems Security Engineer at the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), supporting the security, reliability, and compliance of mission-critical government IT systems. His work focuses on infrastructure har... Show more

Prayer Nwagboso

Prayer Nwagboso

Prayer Chinaza Nwagboso is a Nigerian humanitarian leader, social entrepreneur, and global advocate advancing equitable access to education, gender equality, and sustainable community development across underserved and crisis-affected regions.
She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Naza Agape Foundation, a multi-country nonprofit organization committed to delivering tuition-free education, humanitarian support, and livelihood opportunities to vulnerable children, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and women. Since its establishment in 2018, the foundation has impacted over 20,000 beneficiaries across Africa and Asia, supported by a growing network of more than 500 volunteers worldwide.
Nwagboso’s work is distinguished by her grassroots-to-global approach, having initiated education programs within internally displaced communities in Northern Nigeria, creating access to structured learning where none previously existed. Her model integrates education, welfare, and empowerment, aligning with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Her impact has received international recognition, with features by leading global media platforms including BBC News Africa and BBC Pidgin, highlighting her work in expanding educational access and restoring dignity to displaced and underserved populations.
As Co-founder of Girlified, Nwagboso leads innovative solutions addressing period poverty and environmental sustainability, producing eco-friendly menstrual products and supporting thousands of girls to remain in school with dignity.

She serves in global leadership and advocacy capacities, including as a State Chair within the G100 SDG Wing Nigeria and a Cabinet Minister of the Republic of Women (ROW), contributing to international dialogues on inclusive development, women’s empowerment, and social justice.
A graduate of Covenant University with a background in Mass Communication, Nwagboso is also a published author of “Victory at Last: How I Conquered Low Self-Esteem,” a work reflecting her commitment to personal transformation and youth empowerment.

Her contributions have earned her international awards and recognitions, positioning her as one of the emerging voices in Africa’s next generation of humanitarian and development leaders.
Driven by a vision to build scalable, tuition-free education systems across Africa, Prayer Nwagboso continues to lead initiatives that bridge systemic gaps, empower communities, and create sustainable pathways for future generations.

She's passionate the girl child education and desires to build tuition free schools in Africa.

Prayer Chinaza Nwagboso is a Nigerian humanitarian leader, social entrepreneur, and global advocate advancing equitable access to education, gender equality, and sustainable community development across underserved and crisis-affected regions. She i... Show more

Ingo Kleiber

Ingo Kleiber

Ingo Kleiber studied English, political science, and economics at Heidelberg University, pursuing a teaching degree. After working at the Heidelberg School of Education, he is now a Senior Expert for Digital Education and Educational Technology at the Vice-Rectorate for Teaching and Studies of the University of Cologne.

Ingo Kleiber studied English, political science, and economics at Heidelberg University, pursuing a teaching degree. After working at the Heidelberg School of Education, he is now a Senior Expert for Digital Education and Educational Technology at th... Show more

Noemi Nagy

Noemi Nagy

Dr. Noémi Nagy is an Assistant Professor of Career & Technical/Workforce Education at the University of South Florida and Affiliate Faculty at the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship. Her research focuses on workforce development, and the psychology of sustainable careers in rapidly changing industries such as technology and cybersecurity. Her research is international and cross-disciplinary and she works with researchers from Switzerland, Germany, Singapore, UK, the U.S. and Australia.
She’s the author of the internationally recognized Career Resources Model, featured in the London School of Economics Business Review, which breaks down the 13 trainable factors that make or break a successful career. Her research goes way beyond theory: it covers how people actually find jobs (job search behavior, published in PNAS), how they shape their roles to fit their strengths (job crafting), and how they can take charge of their careers instead of waiting for luck or management to do it for them.
Altogether, Dr. Nagy’s research has been cited over 800 times around the world and has earned multiple international awards for its real-world impact. She takes what works in Switzerland’s high-trust, precision-driven innovation scene and brings it to Tampa Bay’s fast-growing tech and cybersecurity community, helping professionals and teams build the mindset, motivation, and structure to grow stronger, stay relevant, and perform at their best.
Dr. Nagy is also an active contributor to the local tech community: she won first place at the Tampa Bay Developers Hackathon in 2022 (Best Architecture & Best Visual Design) and hosted the Tampa Devs Career Forum at USF’s College of Education in 2023, where she teaches her model to students, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Dr. Noémi Nagy is an Assistant Professor of Career & Technical/Workforce Education at the University of South Florida and Affiliate Faculty at the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship. Her research focuses on workforce development, and the psychology of... Show more

Sheena Yap Chan

Sheena Yap Chan

Sheena Yap Chan is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategist, and award-winning podcaster renowned for her expertise in elevating leadership and self-confidence through media. She is the founder and host of the acclaimed podcast, The Tao of Self-Confidence, where she interviews women about their journeys to self-confidence. With over one million downloads, her podcast ranks among the top 0.5% most popular shows globally and features over 800 interviews, including conversations with celebrities and eight-figure CEOs. Sheena's influence extends beyond podcasting. Her debut book, The Tao of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within, published by Wiley, is a Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestseller. It is also recognized as one of the top 20 best self-confidence books of all time by Book Authority, the world's leading site for book recommendations. Her work has been featured on prominent platforms such as MindValley, FOX, NBC News, and the Manila Times. Sheena is dedicated to closing the gender confidence gap through her training and programs, aiming to elevate women into leadership roles across all industries. She has delivered impactful speeches for organizations like Live Nation, NASA, and UKG, sharing her insights on self-confidence and leadership.

Sheena Yap Chan is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategist, and award-winning podcaster renowned for her expertise in elevating leadership and self-confidence through media. She is the founder and host of the acclaimed p... Show more

Wilson Guenther

Wilson Guenther

Press: Featured in National Law Review and Atlanta Today, with syndication across the EIN Presswire network of 800+ outlets, and praised by industry analyst Jeff Kagan as "a clear example of how quickly the AI landscape is evolving and new opportunities are emerging" (March 2026).

Wilson Guenther is the Founder, CEO and CTO of Drivia — what Wilson calls "the personalization infrastructure of the AI era." Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, adopted at age 10 by an American family, Wilson arrived in the United States on New Year's Eve 2013. He taught himself to code in college and shipped 1,891+ commits across six live software products from his dorm room — no funding, no co-founders.

Drivia is the Canvas-class adaptive AI platform powering enterprise learning, higher ed, and public-sector workforce training. JAX, Drivia's adaptive AI tutor, runs Q-learning + Bayesian Knowledge Tracing on top of a UCB1 router across six AI models (Claude, Gemini, OpenAI, Grok, DeepSeek, Groq) with circuit breakers — co-architected with Frank Morales, a Boeing Fellow. Drivia is currently in active multi-million-dollar contract negotiation with TechServ Corporation as channel partner across healthcare, public safety, workforce, and city/county program markets. Accelerators: NVIDIA Inception, AMD Instinct, AWS Activate.

Wilson is also the author of the Drift Thesis — original IP on context decay and adaptive intelligence — and the System Architect newsletter on LinkedIn (16,100% growth in seven days). He has 2.2M+ combined social following (TikTok 1.1M, Instagram 633K, Facebook 471K) with one video at 44 million views, has appeared on Family Feud (Steve Harvey), Rich House Poor House (UK), and KVUE Austin News, and has consulted for Linktree and Beacons.

Wilson speaks on adaptive AI engineering, multi-model routing and inference cost engineering, the Drift Thesis (context decay, hallucination root cause), distribution as a moat for AI builders, and immigrant founder origin.

Press: Featured in National Law Review and Atlanta Today, with syndication across the EIN Presswire network of 800+ outlets, and praised by industry analyst Jeff Kagan as "a clear example of how quickly the AI landscape is evolving and new opportunit... Show more

Jacqueline Stockwell

Jacqueline Stockwell

Jacqueline “Jaki” Stockwell is the CEO & Founder of Leadership Through Data, a global company who provide information management training and consultancy to both public and private sectors.

Alongside running the business, Jaki is also a professional speaker and is invited to attend international conferences and events. Jaki’s sessions are all about teaching information managers how to deliver fun, engaging and informative presentations to their colleagues in their respective businesses. As information managers know, it’s important that everyone in a business understands what information management is, however getting them to listen and comply is undeniably difficult. Jaki’s teaching methods empower information managers to think differently and use psychology along with a combination of styles to get their message across; after all, one size doesn’t fit all.

As well as being an international speaker, Jaki’s creative and inspirational leadership style and proactive approach to information management has led her to mentor others. She is quoted by clients and industry peers who say that “her positive attitude is infectious” and “she is totally human in her approach”.

Jacqueline’s aim in her career is to simplify information management what is unfortunately viewed as a complex and uninteresting topic, into relevant practical and enjoyable solutions which can be understood and implemented by all. The safety and security of information is both key to successful businesses but also a threat to their success if not managed effectively.

Whether in business or in her personal life, Jaki is always mindful of her sustainability efforts. At home she loves to upcycle and breathe new life into preloved furniture and décor. She loves to craft and sew and enjoys gardening and growing fruit and vegetables - no matter how successful the harvest may be .

Jacqueline “Jaki” Stockwell is the CEO & Founder of Leadership Through Data, a global company who provide information management training and consultancy to both public and private sectors. Alongside running the business, Jaki is also a profession... Show more

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