Dr. Sven Seiler leads Storm Reply GmbH (Reply Group) as Managing Director, focusing on cloud software development and strategic consulting. With deep expertise in cloud computing, IoT, and mobility technologies, he directs teams handling software development, cloud migrations, and AWS-based consulting.

His current focus extends across three connected fields: Agentic AI — designing autonomous, multi-agent systems for production environments; Agentic Engineering — the structured, verifiable approach that pairs AI coding agents with specifications, guardrails, and architectural control; and Digital Sovereignty — strategic cloud architectures for regulated industries, including hands-on work with the AWS European Sovereign Cloud.

Beyond his company role, he founded and organizes the AWS User Groups Dortmund (since 2016) and Düsseldorf (since 2022), and founded the Agentic Shift Community in Dortmund (2025). He co-organizes the AWS Community Day DACH and regularly participates in hackathons.

He advocates for integrating cloud computing and AI engineering into academic education, supervises academic research, and co-organizes a "Cloud School" with Bochum University of Applied Sciences to develop future cloud and AI experts. He publishes regularly on Agentic AI, Agentic Engineering, and digital sovereignty at seiler.it.

Dr. Sven Seiler leads Storm Reply GmbH (Reply Group) as Managing Director, focusing on cloud software development and strategic consulting. With deep expertise in cloud computing, IoT, and mobility technologies, he directs teams handling software dev... Show more

George is a Cyber Security Incident Responder with a background in Software Engineering, Leadership, Training and Teaching roles which together span over a decade long background in the IT field. Passionate about pentesting and automating everything Cyber Security related or how he likes to call it: finding ways to work less or not at all. George holds a GPEN and a GCFA certification and is part of GIAC Advisory Board.

Currently George is a Cyber Security Incident Responder at Visma and an Associate Professor at Land Forces Academy in Sibiu, teaching students how to be better blue teamers.

George is responsible for building from the ground up the internal SOAR platform that is used by Visma GSOC to automate every step of the way from the moment the alert comes into their systems until it gets closed by the analyst.

George is a Cyber Security Incident Responder with a background in Software Engineering, Leadership, Training and Teaching roles which together span over a decade long background in the IT field. Passionate about pentesting and automating everything ... Show more

Staff Engineer at AXA France, specialized in front-end development, I aim to solve problems before they even arise!
Passionate about new technologies and debate, I host the podcast "C'est Pas Le Sujet" ("That’s Not the Point").
I constantly try to share my knowledge and challenge it by speaking at numerous events (keynotes, conferences, meetups, etc.) and teaching in several engineering schools.

Staff Engineer at AXA France, specialized in front-end development, I aim to solve problems before they even arise! Passionate about new technologies and debate, I host the podcast "C'est Pas Le Sujet" ("That’s Not the Point"). I constantly try to ... Show more

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

Dr. Kenisha Coon-Santiago is a nationally recognized leadership strategist, keynote speaker, systems change consultant, and author with over 15 years of experience advancing equity-centered transformation across child welfare, government, nonprofit, and organizational leadership spaces. Known for her dynamic storytelling, powerful stage presence, and ability to connect lived experience with actionable leadership strategies, she has become a sought-after voice on resilience, workplace culture, transformational leadership, and sustainable systems change.

Dr. Coon-Santiago specializes in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), leadership development, organizational culture transformation, and evidence-based coaching. She partners with organizations nationwide to help leaders move beyond performative change and build human-centered systems rooted in accountability, belonging, and measurable impact.

As the founder of Kenisha Coon Consulting, she has facilitated leadership trainings, keynote presentations, and systems transformation initiatives for national conferences, executive leadership teams, universities, nonprofit organizations, and public sector agencies. Her work focuses heavily on racial equity, leadership accountability, lived expertise, workforce culture, and advancing equitable outcomes for historically marginalized communities.

Dr. Coon-Santiago recently completed her PhD focused on evidence-based coaching, decision-making, and cultural responsiveness within child welfare systems. Her research explored how coaching and transformational leadership influence equitable decision-making and organizational change.

She is also the author of the memoir And Then She Persisted, a deeply personal and empowering reflection on trauma, resilience, identity, advocacy, and breaking generational cycles. Through both her writing and speaking, Dr. Coon-Santiago challenges audiences to rethink leadership, embrace authenticity, and lead with courage in complex systems.

Her signature presentations explore topics including:
• Equity-Centered Leadership and Organizational Transformation
• Women in Leadership and Breaking Systemic Barriers
• Resilience, Burnout, and Sustainable Leadership
• The Power of Lived Expertise in Systems Change
• Antiracist Leadership in Action
• Human-Centered Workplace Culture and Belonging
• Transformational Leadership Through Storytelling and Vulnerability

Whether speaking to executives, frontline professionals, emerging leaders, or national audiences, Dr. Coon-Santiago delivers experiences that are inspiring, practical, emotionally impactful, and rooted in real-world systems transformation.

Dr. Kenisha Coon-Santiago is a nationally recognized leadership strategist, keynote speaker, systems change consultant, and author with over 15 years of experience advancing equity-centered transformation across child welfare, government, nonprofit, ... Show more

Cla-petra is a data and AI professional whose work spans data governance, data/business analysis, and intelligent systems. A graduate of the University of San Diego, she currently works as a Data Steward at Luminor, focusing on data quality, governance, stewardship, and the development of reliable data foundations. Alongside her work at Luminor, she freelances as an AI Backend Engineer on a collaborative educational AI project with the University of San Diego, contributing to the development of AI systems designed to support children’s learning experiences. Her work focuses primarily on context-aware AI, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), backend AI architecture, data systems, and the intersection of data quality and intelligent applications.

Cla-petra is a data and AI professional whose work spans data governance, data/business analysis, and intelligent systems. A graduate of the University of San Diego, she currently works as a Data Steward at Luminor, focusing on data quality, governan... Show more

Estudiante del Doctorado en Informática Aplicada en el Posgrado de Informática de la UMSA, Magíster en Ciencia de Datos y Microsoft MVP en IA y Developer Technologies por 6 años. Ha impartido más de 300 conferencias en Latinoamérica, EE. UU., España y Pakistán. Es autora de más de 60 artículos tecnológicos, 3 libros publicados y redacta su cuarto libro. Con 14 certificaciones Microsoft, es Azure Specialist en Codigo Facilito (Mexico) e instructora en LASIN - UMSA. Fue Gold Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, Women Techmakers Ambassador, GitHub Campus Expert y Líder Local de NASA Space Apps Challenge.

Estudiante del Doctorado en Informática Aplicada en el Posgrado de Informática de la UMSA, Magíster en Ciencia de Datos y Microsoft MVP en IA y Developer Technologies por 6 años. Ha impartido más de 300 conferencias en Latinoamérica, EE. UU., España ... Show more

Senior Fullstack Developer and Tech Trainer at Factoría F5. With over eight years of experience in the tech sector, I combine application development, software architecture design, and process optimization with leading high-performance tech bootcamps.

My background has allowed me to work both in software development and specialized training, bringing software engineering practices into real learning environments. I am particularly interested in how automation, artificial intelligence, and agile methodologies can enhance the productivity of development teams without losing sight of code quality, accessibility, and the human factor.

Senior Fullstack Developer and Tech Trainer at Factoría F5. With over eight years of experience in the tech sector, I combine application development, software architecture design, and process optimization with leading high-performance tech bootcamps... Show more

Abdulrafiu Izuafa is an AI/ML engineer, edtech entrepreneur, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). As the co-founder of Notes, he is committed to bridging educational gaps across Africa and the Caribbean through AI-powered learning tools. He currently serves as a Senior AI/ML Consultant at Onyx Data, specializing in Microsoft AI and cloud technologies to drive business innovation.

Passionate about technology and education, Abdulrafiu actively shares insights with the global tech community. His expertise spans AI research, cloud computing, and developer tools, making him a sought-after speaker and mentor. Recognized for his contributions to AI accessibility and inclusive learning, he continues to push boundaries in the intersection of AI, education, and social impact.

Abdulrafiu Izuafa is an AI/ML engineer, edtech entrepreneur, and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP). As the co-founder of Notes, he is committed to bridging educational gaps across Africa and the Caribbean through AI-powered learning tools. H... Show more

I am an IT and Cyber Security professional with over five years of experience across cybersecurity, information security, data protection, digital transformation, IT systems management, online trust and safety, and Internet governance.

My work sits at the intersection of cyber risk, digital trust, policy, and technology-enabled transformation. I support organizations and communities to strengthen their security posture, manage digital risks, protect information assets, and build safer, more resilient digital ecosystems.

As The Digital Sentinel, my mission is simple: defending what matters in the digital space. This includes helping individuals, institutions, and communities stay safe, informed, resilient, and empowered online.

I bring a multidisciplinary background that combines technical expertise, governance thinking, policy engagement, and community leadership. My interests and work span cybersecurity awareness, IT risk and control assessment, data protection and privacy, AI security and governance, digital forensics, DNS security, online safety, Internet governance, e-governance, and digital inclusion.

Key Focus Areas:
🔒 Cybersecurity, IT Risk & Information Security
🛡️ Data Protection, Privacy & Digital Trust
🤖 AI Security, AI Governance & Responsible Technology
🧾 Digital Forensics & Cyber Resilience
🌐 DNS Security, Internet Governance & E-Governance
👥 Online Trust & Safety, Digital Literacy & Community Development
📡 Digital Policy, Transformation & Strategic Technology Adoption

Beyond professional practice, I am passionate about mentoring emerging digital leaders, supporting safer online communities, and contributing to initiatives that promote secure, inclusive, and responsible use of the Internet.

I am always open to meaningful collaboration, knowledge sharing, and opportunities that advance cybersecurity, digital trust, Internet resilience, and digital transformation.

I am an IT and Cyber Security professional with over five years of experience across cybersecurity, information security, data protection, digital transformation, IT systems management, online trust and safety, and Internet governance. My work sit... Show more

Lena is a Digital Analytics Specialist working at the intersection of analytics, governance, and AI readiness in the public sector. She holds a Master’s degree in Marketing Analytics from the University of South Florida and has played a key role in delivering analytics solutions for more than 20 mission-driven organizations across the DMV and nationwide, helping transform fragmented data into actionable insights that support large-scale impact.

Currently, she leads analytics strategy for a national nonprofit, focusing on building AI-ready analytics environments through improved data architecture, governance, and adoption of analytics solutions.

Lena is also passionate about mentorship and teaching. She has supported early-career professionals in securing internships and their first roles, and has served as a guest facilitator at the University of South Florida, leading discussions on marketing analytics, customer behavior, and machine learning applications.

Lena is a Digital Analytics Specialist working at the intersection of analytics, governance, and AI readiness in the public sector. She holds a Master’s degree in Marketing Analytics from the University of South Florida and has played a key role in d... Show more

Maman Lourwana Issaka is a telecommunications systems engineer, AI and digital innovation expert, founder of Digital Niger, and Coordinator of the Niger Internet Governance Forum (IGF Niger). His work empowers young people, entrepreneurs, and institutions to harness technology and help shape the decisions that define their digital future. Through Digital Niger and initiatives such as Niger Digital Day, he develops training programmes, mobilises communities, and supports locally relevant digital ventures. His work places particular emphasis on youth and women’s inclusion and expanding access to digital skills across Niger’s regions.
A fellow of the West Africa School on Internet Governance (WASIG) and the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG), he connects grassroots experience with policy discussions on internet governance, artificial intelligence, digital trust, and Africa’s digital sovereignty. As a speaker and trainer, Lourwana makes complex technological issues accessible and translates them into practical action. His talks combine technical expertise, community experience, and an understanding of African digital ecosystems, guided by a clear conviction: Africa must be able to develop its own solutions and actively shape the rules of the digital world.

Maman Lourwana Issaka is a telecommunications systems engineer, AI and digital innovation expert, founder of Digital Niger, and Coordinator of the Niger Internet Governance Forum (IGF Niger). His work empowers young people, entrepreneurs, and institu... Show more

Clementine is a powerful and growing industry voice, advocating for lifelong learning for those embracing a career on the mainframe. A long-time member of the mainframe community, she has been with Interskill Learning since starting in our development office during her university placement. Today, she is the backbone of our customer success in EMEA, championing impactful learning experiences that drive organisational success and professional growth. With a proven track record of driving skills development for organisations of all sizes, she brings a passion for education to every workplace she interacts with. She has a deep understanding of Learning Management Systems (LMS), learning analytics, and the IBM mainframe, enabling her to provide strategic guidance and support to clients. Recognising the need for practical learning solutions, she helps clients balance corporate objectives of efficiency and value with educational solutions that inspire and educate.

Clementine thrives at the intersection of technology, professional development, and customer engagement. Outside of work, Clementine is an avid SCUBA diver who loves exploring the wonderful waters of Britain and beyond.

Clementine is a powerful and growing industry voice, advocating for lifelong learning for those embracing a career on the mainframe. A long-time member of the mainframe community, she has been with Interskill Learning since starting in our developmen... Show more

Ugochi Ihe is a digital rights and tech policy advocate working at the intersection of digital safety, inclusion, and systems change. At TechHer NG, she currently serves as the Digital Literacy and Education Lead, where she leads work spanning digital safety prevention & response, policy advocacy, and research, with a focus on advancing safer digital spaces for all women and girls in Nigeria. Her work is grounded in the belief that safety, access, and agency are not optional features of digital participation, but foundational. Ugochi is particularly passionate about building and strengthening the infrastructure needed for women and girls to participate safely and meaningfully in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. She was part of the pioneering team that developed TechHer’s Volunteer Lawyer Network, creating a pro bono legal support system that connects survivors of tech-facilitated gender-based violence to legal support in Nigeria.

Ugochi Ihe is a digital rights and tech policy advocate working at the intersection of digital safety, inclusion, and systems change. At TechHer NG, she currently serves as the Digital Literacy and Education Lead, where she leads work spanning digita... Show more

Professor and Technician in Applied Informatics, graduated from the National Higher Institute of Technical Teachers of UTN. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, he currently teaches at a higher level and specializes in programming languages, Systems Analysis and Design, Databases, AI, Operating Systems, Networks and Free Software. Member of Ubuntu-ar, CaFeLUG, ClementinaOrg and SysArmy, promoter of the use of Free Software in education, organizes and participates in events to disseminate the use of free software and free access to information and knowledge, for which he also develops and share content on your website and social networks. Consultant in migration to Free Software platforms for companies and public or private institutions.

Professor and Technician in Applied Informatics, graduated from the National Higher Institute of Technical Teachers of UTN. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, he currently teaches at a higher level and specializes in programming language... Show more

Fatih Dagdelen is a Microsoft 365 and Power Platform Architect and lecturer based in Cologne, Germany. He helps organizations translate business needs into practical, secure, and scalable solutions, combining enterprise architecture with hands-on engineering experience across global enterprise environments.

His work focuses on Power Platform governance, Copilot Studio, AI agent design, and business process automation. With a strong foundation in Microsoft 365 engineering, he connects solution design with the operational decisions that support long-term success from environment strategy and application lifecycle management to data protection, access governance, and adoption. He is particularly interested in what keeps solutions useful, secure, and maintainable as their use grows.

Fatih holds a Master of Arts in Digital Management and teaches IT Service Management, cloud technologies, and digital transformation. As an architect and lecturer, he makes complex topics accessible through clear explanations, practical scenarios, and lessons from enterprise implementations. He brings an architectural perspective to technical discussions, helping audiences understand both how to build solutions and how to establish the ownership, governance, and operating practices needed to sustain them.

Fatih Dagdelen is a Microsoft 365 and Power Platform Architect and lecturer based in Cologne, Germany. He helps organizations translate business needs into practical, secure, and scalable solutions, combining enterprise architecture with hands-on eng... Show more

Alyssa Dver is the Founder & CEO of the American Confidence Institute and Founder & Chair of the ERG Leadership Alliance, the global professional association for employee resource groups, with a network of 25,000+ member organizations. An 8-time author and 2-time TEDx speaker, Alyssa is a leading expert on the neuroscience of confidence.

She has delivered 100+ keynotes a year to organizations including Amazon, Unilever, Nestlé, L’Oréal, Kohl’s and Staples, translating brain science into practical strategies that help people overcome self-doubt, make confident decisions, navigate uncertainty and lead with greater influence.

Alyssa is a 2026 MSN Top 10 Speaker and Stevie Award winner for Diversity & Inclusion.

Speaker profile & keynote information:
- ACI Speaker Sheet: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/sites/104766/themes/2167161924/downloads/db4566f-2c00-23f-baa-5afd52c43476_Alyssa_Dver_-_Speaker_Sheet.pdf

- ERG Leadership Alliance Speaker Sheet: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/sites/2147517889/themes/2158595139/downloads/cff34b0-3d4d-8752-da12-62c415c20b50_ERG_Leadership_Alliance_Keynotes.pdf

Alyssa Dver is the Founder & CEO of the American Confidence Institute and Founder & Chair of the ERG Leadership Alliance, the global professional association for employee resource groups, with a network of 25,000+ member organizations. An 8-time auth... Show more

Joe Azzopardi (PhD) is a keynote speaker who helps leaders understand and navigate generational tension in the workplace. He delivers high-impact sessions that unpack why teams misfire across age groups and what leaders can do to strengthen retention, collaboration, and performance. Drawing on cutting-edge generational research and practical frontline insights, Joe equips audiences with actionable tools to lead and communicate effectively across the generations.

Joe Azzopardi (PhD) is a keynote speaker who helps leaders understand and navigate generational tension in the workplace. He delivers high-impact sessions that unpack why teams misfire across age groups and what leaders can do to strengthen retention... Show more

Stella Ihenacho is an Enterprise AI Delivery Leader, institution builder, and TEDx speaker who works across enterprise transformation, leadership development, and economic mobility.

At Red Hat, Stella leads the Release Train Engineers supporting the Data & AI organization, helping translate strategy into coordinated delivery across teams and initiatives. Her work focuses on AI-enabled operating models, enterprise agility, leadership alignment, and the systems organizations need to deliver value in an era of rapid technological change.

Beyond the enterprise, Stella builds institutions that expand access and advancement. She serves as Chief Operating Officer of the African Immigrant Collective, a global leadership ecosystem helping African immigrants thrive professionally, economically, and civically. She is also Co-Founder and Agile Faculty Lead at NSTAR Technologies, where she helps professionals reposition their experience, develop market-relevant capabilities, and advance into higher-impact careers.

A Nigerian-born, first-generation immigrant, Stella brings a distinctive perspective on leadership, reinvention, and building pathways where none previously existed. Her speaking integrates enterprise AI delivery, the future of work, leadership, career mobility, and the African immigrant experience.

Stella is a 2026 Women in Technology Woman to Watch Honoree, a TEDx speaker, and a contributor to global conversations on Agile leadership and enterprise transformation. Her central message is clear: leadership is not only about finding your place within existing systems—it is also about building better systems that allow others to advance.

Stella Ihenacho is an Enterprise AI Delivery Leader, institution builder, and TEDx speaker who works across enterprise transformation, leadership development, and economic mobility. At Red Hat, Stella leads the Release Train Engineers supporting t... Show more

Nyah Macklin is a seasoned researcher and speaker on topics around AI, ML, Ethics, Governance, and Responsibility. Nyah serves as a Senior Developer Advocate for Artificial Intelligence at Neo4j, specializing in context engineering, knowledge graphs, and AI-driven developer tooling where Nyah has built high-impact technical communities and led initiatives that advance a critical understanding of AI and its use cases. They are also the Founder & CTO of Afros in AI, a technical community dedicated to showcasing the multifaceted nature of artificial intelligence. Beyond Nyah's technical expertise, Nyah has a background in government leadership and technology policy, having served as Chief of Staff in the U.S. state government, where they helped shape tech-driven legislative initiatives and equity-driven legislation. When not immersed in their work, Nyah cares about empowering, teaching, and tutoring engineers, live-streaming technical deep dives, and building open-source tools that make software more accessible, explainable, and community-driven.

Nyah Macklin is a seasoned researcher and speaker on topics around AI, ML, Ethics, Governance, and Responsibility. Nyah serves as a Senior Developer Advocate for Artificial Intelligence at Neo4j, specializing in context engineering, knowledge graphs,... Show more

Igor Minarkov is a Senior Frontend Consultant with over 10 years of experience building and leading web products across international teams. He has worked as a Team Lead and senior engineer across multiple companies, focusing on frontend architecture, scalable applications, and modernizing complex systems.

He also led the development of a space-tech startup, working alongside an experienced team that included a former Google innovation tech lead and professionals with NASA backgrounds.

For a closer look at his perspective on software engineering, AI, and the future of technology, check out one of his recent interviews with Xraised: https://xraised.com/videos/igor-minarkov-ai-engineering-pull-request-dying/

Today, Igor works across multiple international engineering teams, with a particular interest in frontend architecture, clean system boundaries, and building software that remains maintainable as teams and products scale. He also serves as an Associate Professor at a renowned IT faculty, bringing his real-world engineering experience into academia.

Igor Minarkov is a Senior Frontend Consultant with over 10 years of experience building and leading web products across international teams. He has worked as a Team Lead and senior engineer across multiple companies, focusing on frontend architecture... Show more

Felicity Patrick is a Lead Network Architect with more than 20 years building and securing network infrastructure across federal environments, including federal health IT, with prior service as a CIO. A Marine Corps veteran and former CCIE, she is pursuing a PhD in Cyber Leadership at Capitol Technology University, where her research treats documentation failure and technical debt as governance risks. She works at the intersection of hands-on infrastructure and the decisions that govern it.

Felicity Patrick is a Lead Network Architect with more than 20 years building and securing network infrastructure across federal environments, including federal health IT, with prior service as a CIO. A Marine Corps veteran and former CCIE, she is pu... Show more

Himanshu Jain is the Director Software Engineering at HMH. He led AI strategy, platform engineering, and global service delivery. With more than 20 years of experience across AI & Automation, Cloud, and Software Engineering, he has established Global Capability Centers in India and Colombia, set up AI Centers of Excellence, and scaled engineering operations for global impact.

At hmh, Himanshu drives the company’s AI Accelerator Platform leveraging Generative AI, Agentic AI, and multi-component orchestration to build intelligent and scalable EdTech solutions.
He leads strategic initiatives including AWS partnership programs, pre-sales solutioning, and AI product innovation in previos previous organizations.

He also held senior leadership roles at Salient Process India Private Limited, Tata Elxsi Limited, and Infosys Technologies Limited. A frequent speaker and jury member at national tech events, Himanshu is passionate about shaping the future of enterprise AI.

Himanshu Jain is the Director Software Engineering at HMH. He led AI strategy, platform engineering, and global service delivery. With more than 20 years of experience across AI & Automation, Cloud, and Software Engineering, he has established Global... Show more

Lirone Glikman is an international speaker, bestselling author, and consultant on business networking and personal branding using AI, and business development for startups and high-tech companies. She has consulted and spoken to developers, founders, and women leaders in 28 countries, sharing her methodology for achieving business results through authentic connections.

She is the author of the amazon bestseller "The Super Connector's Playbook". With over 20 years of global experience across Europe, Australia, and the U.S., she brings both corporate and startup perspectives to the tech world. Lirone contributes to leading global magazines and serves as an executive director at a UN-affiliated NGO supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Lirone Glikman is an international speaker, bestselling author, and consultant on business networking and personal branding using AI, and business development for startups and high-tech companies. She has consulted and spoken to developers, founders,... Show more

Abdel Aziz Oumar El-Bashi is a digital communications specialist and elections observer, currently serving as Communications Officer at the Policy Lab for Civic Innovation and Community Solutions. Trained in law, with over six years of experience in digital marketing, branding, and strategic communications, he is a member of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Alliance and a participant in the 2026 UNESCO MIL Hackathon challenge, where he contributed to technology-driven responses to disinformation. As an election observer, he has witnessed several elections firsthand, gaining direct insight into how disinformation, online harassment, and toxic digital environments shape civic discourse, voter confidence, and participation. He previously served as Chapter Executive Vice President of JCI Yaoundé Universities, was named Best Member of JCI Cameroon for the first half of 2020, and is a Gold Award holder of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), and an alumnus of the Aspire Institute Training Program. His advocacy centers on digital literacy, safe civic spaces, and inclusive participation, ensuring that women, youth, and marginalized voices can engage in democratic processes without fear or harm.

Abdel Aziz Oumar El-Bashi is a digital communications specialist and elections observer, currently serving as Communications Officer at the Policy Lab for Civic Innovation and Community Solutions. Trained in law, with over six years of experience in ... Show more

Israel Olatunji Tijani is a Data Scientist, ICT4D specialist, and Head of AI Policy and Research at ChatVE, a civic-technology think tank operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence, internet governance, emerging technologies, and climate change. As a data scientist and AI audit specialist with five years of experience building and deploying custom AI solutions, he works at the intersection of applied AI, public interest technology, research, and African socio-cultural contexts. Tijani bridges high-level ethical frameworks with practical, human-rights-centered technical infrastructure across the Global South. His contribution towards the advancement of transformational AI development in Africa earned him a nomination in the AI for Social Good category during the Ghana AI Summit and Awards in 2025

A 2022 fellow of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Tijani's scholarly contributions are internationally recognized. He presented his landmark research paper, "Who Governs Peace? The Algorithm that Feeds or the Hand that Scrolls," at the Silicon Valley Peace Conference 2026 in California, examining AI’s role in peace tech through proactive conflict de-escalation and social listening. He has also authored IEEE-published work, “Ethics-by-Design for AI: Navigating the Double-Edged Scalpel”, a paper from the International Conference on Data Mining in Washington, D.C., in 2025. Furthermore, his commitment to advancing global information integrity earned him official recognition from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs in January 2025 for co-creating transparent, responsible research tools.

Tijani holds professional credentials spanning Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and EC-Council. He further expanded his command over frontier technologies by earning the BlueDot Impact Future of AI Professional Certification in October 2026, which examines paths toward AGI and their societal implications. Through technical execution, empirical research, and multi-stakeholder policy advocacy, Tijani continues to shape global dialogues on responsible AI deployment, digital sovereignty, climate action, and peacebuilding.

Tijani is an alumnus of Lagos Business School, EDC, Pan-Atlantic University, and the West Africa School on Internet Governance (WASIG).

Israel Olatunji Tijani is a Data Scientist, ICT4D specialist, and Head of AI Policy and Research at ChatVE, a civic-technology think tank operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence, internet governance, emerging technologies, and climat... Show more

Jihan Johnston-McGlotten is a visionary Cultural Technologist, Entrepreneur, and Ph.D.-trained HCI researcher with more than 20 years of experience across emerging tech, entertainment, education, and gaming.

She is Managing Director of Beyond Code Centers at Beyond Code Collective, a national nonprofit that bridges inspiration, training, and employment in tech for learners of every generation. She is also the founder of BeatBotics, where she uses AI, emerging tech, and digital media to build experiences that are innovative and empathetic.

A three-time award-winning keynote speaker, mother, mentor, and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Jihan is passionate about making technology more humane. Wherever she goes, she is always reimagining the role of play in how we live, learn, and work.

Jihan Johnston-McGlotten is a visionary Cultural Technologist, Entrepreneur, and Ph.D.-trained HCI researcher with more than 20 years of experience across emerging tech, entertainment, education, and gaming. She is Managing Director of Beyond Code... Show more

Amber Vanderburg is a multi-award winning businessperson, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the international learning development company, The Pathwayz Group, which has led 800,000+ learners in more than 75 countries in action-focused learning journeys. Amber's history in talent development includes authoring top-reviewed online learning courses for platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, Lecturio, and PluralSight, acting as Director of a national education leadership company, and coaching with professional sports team academies in Asia. In 2022, she published her first business adventure book "Uniquely Better" about building higher team performance.

Speaking engagements:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMNcx7Jwk9Sp6WxuvrfOOBqdP9440SKl0

Amber Vanderburg is a multi-award winning businessperson, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the international learning development company, The Pathwayz Group, which has led 800,000+ learners in more than 75 countries in action-focused learning... Show more

New professional in the New Student & Family Programs office at The University of Florida

New professional in the New Student & Family Programs office at The University of Florida Show more

David is a Senior Data Scientist working in UK Government, where he applies AI and machine learning to real-world public sector challenges. He holds an MSc in AI & Data Science (Distinction) and BSc in Software Engineering.

His research on deploying deep learning for automated radiology reports was published in the Journal of Informatics and Web Engineering (JIWE) and earned Best Presenter Award at NexSymp 2025 in Malaysia. Beyond government work, he founded SheerFit, an AI-powered wellness platform serving users across communities.

David's work focuses on building production AI systems that actually work in resource-constrained environments, not just in labs. He's passionate about honest conversations about what it really takes to deploy AI in the real world: the failures, the compromises, and the unglamorous solutions that actually ship.

David is a Senior Data Scientist working in UK Government, where he applies AI and machine learning to real-world public sector challenges. He holds an MSc in AI & Data Science (Distinction) and BSc in Software Engineering. His research on deployi... Show more