Mahdi Shariff is the Co-founder of Humble AI, a platform that empowers non-technical teams to build, manage, and launch their own AI-enabled tools — without code or complexity. At Humble, Mahdi is driven by a belief that AI should augment human collaboration, not replace it. His mission is to make technology more accessible, inclusive, and human-centred — ensuring the future of work is built not just for people, but by them.

Prior to founding Humble, Mahdi served as VP at a Soros-backed venture, helping global companies and startups scale through data, automation, and high-performing technical teams. He was formerly Chief Strategy Officer at Sunteng, a big data startup that became a leader in programmatic advertising in China, and previously worked in investment banking in London, specialising in AI, CRM, and ad tech M&A.

A Forbes Asia “30 Under 30” awardee, Mahdi is also an angel investor and advisor to Slush, and has spoken at leading global events including Slush, Innovfest, and the London Business School China Forum.

Mahdi speaks on topics at the intersection of AI, education, and entrepreneurship — with a focus on practical implementation, inclusive access, and real-world impact. His recent talks cover areas such as:
• AI in Education – empowering both students and teachers through accessible, human-centric AI tools
• AI in Business – from automation to augmentation, how AI is reshaping workflows and decision-making
• Creating Custom AI Assistants – building tailored tools that support real teams, without code
• Data Security & Ethics in AI – navigating implementation with responsibility and transparency
• Practical AI Frameworks – step-by-step approaches for deploying AI tools in real-world environments
• AI for SMBs – unlocking the power of AI for small teams with limited technical capacity
• Careers in the AI Era – how AI is creating new paths for builders, creatives, and knowledge workers
• No-Code AI Systems – enabling innovation without needing to write a single line of code

Mahdi Shariff is the Co-founder of Humble AI, a platform that empowers non-technical teams to build, manage, and launch their own AI-enabled tools — without code or complexity. At Humble, Mahdi is driven by a belief that AI should augment human colla... Show more

This is not a fictional thriller — it’s a real-life journey from covert operative to global truth-teller. In this raw and revelatory session, Bradley “Hawk” Steyn unpacks his transformation from apartheid-era intelligence operative to a whistleblower who exposed criminality and extremism within powerful state systems.
Using real-world case studies, never-before-shared stories, and visual documentation from his covert years, Bradley offers a deep-dive into the psychological, moral, and systemic toll of standing up against corruption from the inside.
He’ll walk the audience through key turning points: how intelligence was manipulated to target innocent civilians, the moment he chose truth over complicity, and the personal cost of betrayal, surveillance, and exile.
This is a high-impact, high-integrity talk for organizations navigating crisis, ethical leadership, and institutional reform.
Why it matters: In a world where disinformation and institutional mistrust are skyrocketing, this session delivers a rare inside-out perspective on how integrity — even in the darkest corridors of power — can be a catalyst for reform.

This is not a fictional thriller — it’s a real-life journey from covert operative to global truth-teller. In this raw and revelatory session, Bradley “Hawk” Steyn unpacks his transformation from apartheid-era intelligence operative to a whistleblower... Show more

I am passionate about people and how design can enable transformation in organizations. I support innovation projects, digital product design, and service design.

My goal is to assist projects that impact people's daily lives. I have a strong interest in health-related topics, especially those involving patient experience and the organizational transformation of hospitals, as well as subjects related to public innovation and their impact on citizens' everyday lives.

I am passionate about people and how design can enable transformation in organizations. I support innovation projects, digital product design, and service design. My goal is to assist projects that impact people's daily lives. I have a strong inte... Show more

Vivian Otabor, a visionary leader and immigrant advocate, is the founder of Resilient Immigrant and CEO of Agile Career Consulting. With over 15 years of international experience, including work with global titans like Coca-Cola, JPMorgan, and McKinsey, Vivian excels in leadership, career development, and community engagement. Her dedication to empowering Africans is evident through her work, a beacon of hope offering educational workshops, mentorship, career coaching, and impactful initiatives. Vivian's achievements exemplify and represents the potential of Africans with the right resources and support.

Vivian Otabor, a visionary leader and immigrant advocate, is the founder of Resilient Immigrant and CEO of Agile Career Consulting. With over 15 years of international experience, including work with global titans like Coca-Cola, JPMorgan, and McKins... Show more

Vishal is an AWS Hero, Hashicorp Ambassador, a Senior DevOps Engineer and AWS certified professional, has been building, scaling, and managing highly available, secure, and fault-tolerant cloud infrastructure for over 9+ years.

As a technical speaker and community contributor, Vishal is known for his engaging and insightful presentations and technical posts on the latest trends and best practices in AWS and DevOps. He is the AWS User Group Pune leader, and also connected with various communities in India. He organizes and speaks at various meet-ups and community events. He has presented at many Community days and conferences on technologies like AWS, DevOps, Cybersecurity, Generative AI, and many open-source technologies.

Vishal is an AWS Hero, Hashicorp Ambassador, a Senior DevOps Engineer and AWS certified professional, has been building, scaling, and managing highly available, secure, and fault-tolerant cloud infrastructure for over 9+ years. As a technical spea... Show more

Jess Price is a systems strategist and founder of Paradigm Makers. She makes the invisible visible and designs systems rooted in clarity, dignity, and collective evolution. Known for translating complexity into insight, Jess helps individuals and institutions reimagine how we live and work, so the systems around us reflect the future we actually want to build.

Jess Price is a systems strategist and founder of Paradigm Makers. She makes the invisible visible and designs systems rooted in clarity, dignity, and collective evolution. Known for translating complexity into insight, Jess helps individuals and ins... Show more

Colleen is an Associate Vice President and Michael Baker’s Greater DC / Maryland Planning Practice Lead, with 25 years of experience in transportation and environmental planning and policy. She leads a team of professionals dedicated to accelerating the electrification of the transportation sector through the development of plans, programs, and policies for state and local governments.

Colleen returned to Michael Baker in February 2021 following her employment as the Assistant Director of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Office of Planning and Capital Programming (OPCP). During her tenure at MDOT, Colleen oversaw long-range environmental planning and the planning and deployment of innovative transportation technologies including zero emission vehicles (ZEV) and connected and automated vehicles (CAV). She managed MDOT’s air quality and climate change mitigation programs and participated in national discussions related to the electrification of the transportation sector, sharing her expertise with the White House, the National Governor’s Association (NGA), the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

Colleen is a member of the TRB Standing Committee on Alternative Fuels and Technologies (AMS40). She is the former Chair of the AASHTO Air Quality Climate Change and Energy subcommittee of the Committee on Environment and Sustainability.

Colleen is an Associate Vice President and Michael Baker’s Greater DC / Maryland Planning Practice Lead, with 25 years of experience in transportation and environmental planning and policy. She leads a team of professionals dedicated to accelerating ... Show more

Estudiante de Ingeniería Civil en Ciencias de la Computación con experiencia en proyectos de innovación tecnológica. Voluntaria en NiñasPro y en la comunidad de AWS, he participado en investigaciones académicas en ciberseguridad y eye-tracking en entornos de realidad virtual y en proyectos de seguridad para microemprendedores en comercio electrónico. Me motiva contribuir, enseñar y apoyar a la comunidad tecnológica.

Estudiante de Ingeniería Civil en Ciencias de la Computación con experiencia en proyectos de innovación tecnológica. Voluntaria en NiñasPro y en la comunidad de AWS, he participado en investigaciones académicas en ciberseguridad y eye-tracking en ent... Show more

Jeremy Darling is renowned for leading diverse teams to deliver impactful technical solutions in an ever-evolving technology landscape. His career spans developing data-driven innovations, from COVID-19 analytics to transformative tools in higher education. Beyond his expertise in distributed computing, serverless architectures, and containerization, Jeremy is deeply passionate about fostering human connection in the workplace.

As a mental health advocate and management speaker, Jeremy empowers leaders to navigate sensitive challenges—such as suicide, team loss, and crises—through empathy, resilience, and thoughtful communication. He combines his technical acumen with a focus on emotional well-being to create environments where individuals and teams can thrive.

When he's not guiding teams or delivering talks, Jeremy embraces a holistic approach to life by practicing yoga and exploring the intersections of mental health and wellness.

Jeremy Darling is renowned for leading diverse teams to deliver impactful technical solutions in an ever-evolving technology landscape. His career spans developing data-driven innovations, from COVID-19 analytics to transformative tools in higher edu... Show more

Andrew is equal parts tech enthusiast, educator, and the kind of person who can’t resist pressing buttons just to see what happens (sometimes even twice). A former classroom teacher with nearly a decade of experience crafting learning experiences for techies of all ages, he traded chalkboards for the keyboards of the tech industry in 2020 and hasn’t looked back. Since then, he’s worn many hats—Community Manager, Developer Advocate, and now Developer Educator at Twilio—where he helps developers connect the dots between imagination and implementation. When he’s not building (or breaking :sweat_smile:) things with tech, you’ll find Andrew soaking up the west coast vibes on Vancouver Island, Canada—where he tries (and often fails) to look outdoorsy.

Andrew is equal parts tech enthusiast, educator, and the kind of person who can’t resist pressing buttons just to see what happens (sometimes even twice). A former classroom teacher with nearly a decade of experience crafting learning experiences for... Show more

Dr. Mahipal Jadeja received his Ph.D. degree from Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DA-IICT) in the field of Theoretical Computer Science. He currently works at MNIT Jaipur as an assistant professor. His research interests include Theoretical Computer Science, Social Network Analysis, Machine Learning on Graphs (Graph Neural Networks) and Generative AI in education. He has published several journal articles, book chapters and a reference book (Springer) in these domains. His research work is presented at reputed international conferences including GSB-SIGIR 2015 (Chile), WAAC 2016 (Japan), SCAI-ICTIR 2017 (Netherlands) and ICAAE 2023 (Australia). He has supervised 3 Ph.D. students, 12 M.Tech students and currently, he is supervising 4 Ph.D. students and 3 M.Tech students. On his YouTube Channel-CS Simplified, he has uploaded more than 150 academic videos. To date, the channel has received more than 3,50,000 views. He has also developed a Massive Open Online Courese (MOOC) on Python Programming, which has attracted over 1500 learners and boasts an impressive average rating of 4.8 out of 5. Dr. Mahipal Jadeja has delivered numerous expert talks at prestigious venues including a session on AI-powered advancements in education, organised by Dr. Rea Lavi from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT), the top-ranked institute of the world (QS #1 since 2012).

Dr. Mahipal Jadeja received his Ph.D. degree from Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DA-IICT) in the field of Theoretical Computer Science. He currently works at MNIT Jaipur as an assistant professor. His research... Show more

Aktuell berufsbegleitend Studierender (M.Ed. Wirtschaftswissenschaft, Universität Freiburg) und Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (Universität Duisburg-Essen).
Als langjähriges Mitglied des studentischen Akkreditierungspools konnte ich in den zurückliegenden vier Jahren zahlreiche Akkreditierungsverfahren begleiten und erhielt auf diese Weise umfassende Einblicke in die deutsche wie auch internationale Hochschullandschaft. Hierbei konnte ich von einer Vielzahl an best practices erfahren und habe hierbei schnell gemerkt, dass der Wissenstransfer zwischen den Hochschulen in diesem Bereich nur sehr eingeschränkt vonstatten geht. Als studentischer Gutachter hatte ich die Möglichkeit, einen Beitrag dazu zu leisten, dass sich dies ändert.

Aktuell berufsbegleitend Studierender (M.Ed. Wirtschaftswissenschaft, Universität Freiburg) und Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (Universität Duisburg-Essen). Als langjähriges Mitglied des studentischen Akkreditierungspools konnte ich in den zurücklie... Show more

Renzo Wouters is enterprise architect bij het Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid in Nederland. Met meer dan 15 jaar ervaring in enterprise architectuur, richt hij zich op het verbeteren van samenwerking binnen het publieke domein — met name binnen de Strafrechtketen. Renzo werkt aan de ontwikkeling van een waardegedreven en interoperabel digitaal ecosysteem dat publieke dienstverlening versterkt en maatschappelijke meerwaarde centraal stelt. Hij combineert conceptuele modellering (zoals DEMO) met visie op publieke waarde en ecosystemisch denken.

Renzo Wouters is enterprise architect bij het Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid in Nederland. Met meer dan 15 jaar ervaring in enterprise architectuur, richt hij zich op het verbeteren van samenwerking binnen het publieke domein — met name binnen... Show more

Brian Alementi is an acclaimed Inspirational Keynote Speaker, award-winning leader, and certified Master Trainer renowned for engaging presentations that combine inspiration with practical, actionable insights. With a rich background in guiding and elevating teams, Brian brings his experience as a previous leader within a Fortune 500 company’s Hall of Fame learning and development division, where his dedication to growth and excellence shaped high-performing teams across the organization. His impact reaches far and wide, with numerous features on major television networks and invitations to speak on prominent stages, including TEDx. Brian’s influence continues to expand as he empowers audiences to unlock their full potential and achieve remarkable results.

His sessions blend dynamic energy, expertise, and actionable takeaways, making them impactful and memorable. His MVP Performance Model aligns individual drive with team goals, creating a foundation for extraordinary achievement. With his PG3 Leadership Model, Brian cultivates a culture of resilience, collaboration, and growth within organizations. In addition, his inspirational talk focuses on the importance of unleashing the magic within individuals and teams to elevate a positive growth mindset for success. These frameworks enable companies to positively shape their culture to boost productivity, morale, and performance.

With over three decades of public speaking experience, he has empowered audiences by delivering transformative sessions that provide clear, practical strategies for enhancing productivity and connection. Known for his infectious energy and authentic delivery, Brian resonates across industries, making his sessions both unforgettable and actionable.

A testament to his commitment, Brian’s personal life reflects the drive and resilience he talks to. With the accomplishment of completing several marathons, a strong marriage of over twenty years, and the joy of raising two remarkable children, Brian brings a genuine authenticity to every talk, inspiring audiences to pursue their goals with passion and purpose

Brian Alementi is an acclaimed Inspirational Keynote Speaker, award-winning leader, and certified Master Trainer renowned for engaging presentations that combine inspiration with practical, actionable insights. With a rich background in guiding and e... Show more

Graduação em Ciências Econômicas e em Direito. Especialista em Segurança Pública e Especialista em Direito Público. Mestre em Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento (UFSC). Doutor em Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento (UFSC). Coordenador do Escritório de Gestão de Processos na Secretaria de Estado do Planejamento. Trabalhou na Controladoria-Geral do Estado atuando na função de Coordenador de Informações Estratégicas, foi Gestor do Portfólio de Projetos, Presidente da Comissão de Implementação da LGPD, Presidente da Comissão de Inovação e membro do Comitê Estratégico de Governança e Integridade. Gerente de Apoio Operacional na Diretoria Administrativa e Financeira da Secretaria de Estado da Segurança Pública; Gerente do Complexo Administrativo na Diretoria Administrativa e Financeira da Secretaria de Estado da Segurança Pública; Gestor de Sistemas de Conhecimento na Coordenação-Geral de Inteligência da SENASP/MJ; Chefe da Divisão de Informática e Tecnologia da Diretoria de Informação e Inteligência - Secretaria de Estado da Segurança Pública de Santa Catarina, conduzindo a Gestão Técnica do Projeto de Criação e Institucionalização do Sistema Integrado de Segurança Pública (SISP-SC).

Graduação em Ciências Econômicas e em Direito. Especialista em Segurança Pública e Especialista em Direito Público. Mestre em Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento (UFSC). Doutor em Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento (UFSC). Coordenador do Escritório ... Show more

Vishal Shah is a seasoned Data Analyst with over three years of experience in harnessing machine learning, data modeling, and big data technologies to drive transformative insights across diverse sectors. Currently, he serves as a Business Data Analyst at the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, where he designs predictive models and scalable data pipelines to enhance wildlife management and public safety. A Master’s graduate in Computer Science from New York University, Vishal has led innovative projects—from real-time stock market analytics to AI-driven public safety systems—demonstrating a unique ability to bridge advanced AI methodologies with practical, high-impact applications.

Vishal Shah is a seasoned Data Analyst with over three years of experience in harnessing machine learning, data modeling, and big data technologies to drive transformative insights across diverse sectors. Currently, he serves as a Business Data Analy... Show more

Stephanie is a Forbes-featured author of the best-selling networking book, Confident Introvert and host of the podcast/event series, redefining what it means to be successful with less hustle and more fun, meaning and wellness, Holistic Ambition. Stephanie has helped thousands of people celebrate their strengths, step into their authentic confidence, and make meaningful connections through building out community over 1k in-person events at organizations like YPOSF, speaking at places like Harvard University, years behind-the-scenes at TEDx, and 1:1 coaching.

Stephanie is a Forbes-featured author of the best-selling networking book, Confident Introvert and host of the podcast/event series, redefining what it means to be successful with less hustle and more fun, meaning and wellness, Holistic Ambition. Ste... Show more

Erin Mikail Staples is a very online individual passionate about facilitating better connections online and off. She’s forever thinking about how we can communicate, educate and elevate others through collaborative experiences.

Currently, Erin is a Senior Developer Community Advocate at Label Studio. At Label Studio — she empowers the open source community through education and advocacy efforts. Outside of her day job, Erin is a comedian, graduate technical advisor, content creator, triathlete, avid reader, and dog parent.

Most importantly, she believes in the power of being unabashedly "into things" and works to help friends, strangers, colleagues, community builders, students, and whoever else might cross her path find their thing.

Erin Mikail Staples is a very online individual passionate about facilitating better connections online and off. She’s forever thinking about how we can communicate, educate and elevate others through collaborative experiences. Currently, Erin is ... Show more

Ashleigh Pandora Montford is a dynamic entrepreneur, strategist, and Founder/CEO of The Opia Designs Company, specializing in business development, grant writing, and marketing. Super passionate about growth and community impact, she empowers individuals and organizations to scale their visions through strategic funding and innovative solutions.

Ashleigh Pandora Montford is a dynamic entrepreneur, strategist, and Founder/CEO of The Opia Designs Company, specializing in business development, grant writing, and marketing. Super passionate about growth and community impact, she empowers individ... Show more

Kolapo Imam is the Founder and Lead Facilitator at Prodcademy, an institute focused on raising the next generation of Product Leaders. He is a Product Manager with experience in building API products that power payments, virtual accounts, and funds transfer across Africa. His work focuses on developer experience, product strategy, and cross-functional delivery of scalable fintech infrastructure.

Prior to this, Kolapo served as a Product Marketing Manager at Nexford University, leading initiatives across product adoption, B2B positioning, and competitive intelligence. He has also worked in product and growth roles at PropertyPro Nigeria, Versus Africa, and through multiple consulting projects.

With a unique background spanning product marketing, technical product management, and tech sales, Kolapo brings a deep understanding of how to build and position business, enterprise and consumer products for growth. In 2022, he was nominated by HackerNoon for Product Management, Business Growth and Strategy.

Kolapo Imam is the Founder and Lead Facilitator at Prodcademy, an institute focused on raising the next generation of Product Leaders. He is a Product Manager with experience in building API products that power payments, virtual accounts, and funds t... Show more

Before I ever encountered Agile, I spent nearly a decade navigating the worlds of Project and Product Management, constantly problem-solving, managing competing priorities, and bumping up against the same frustrating patterns: legacy systems, outdated processes, and organizational cultures resistant to change. It often felt like great work was possible, but buried beneath layers of complexity and inertia.

Then, I discovered Agile, not just as a methodology but as a new way of seeing. Suddenly, what had felt immovable started to shift. Change no longer seemed like an abstract hope; it became accessible, actionable, and human. But that’s when the real work began.

Agile isn't just a set of practices; it's a language, mindset, and way of operating that challenges our deepest assumptions about control, predictability, and progress. Bringing that into organizations often felt like painting with watercolors on iron steel.

To cut through, I began creating visuals and frameworks that made complex concepts simple and abstract ideas tangible. This became a superpower: turning clarity into capability. That’s how The Agile Xpert was born. A platform dedicated to helping coaches and teams move beyond buzzwords to real, resonant transformation.

Today, I work as an enterprise agility coach and leadership consultant through my practice, Agile-Leigh, partnering with senior leaders, teams, and organizations ready to rethink what’s possible. Whether I’m coaching executives, facilitating change, or speaking on stage, I bring a deep curiosity, strategic insight, and a passion for making agility not only understood but lived.

My work focuses on:

Agile Coaching: Translating Agile into culture, behavior, and sustainable practice.

Systems Thinking: Helping organizations see the bigger picture and untangle complexity.

Agile Leadership: Supporting leaders in shifting mindsets, not just metrics.

Visual Facilitation: Using design and storytelling to spark insight and engagement.

Whether you're new to Agile or leading an enterprise-wide transformation, my mission is simple: to help you see clearly, think differently, and lead with confidence in a world of constant change.

Before I ever encountered Agile, I spent nearly a decade navigating the worlds of Project and Product Management, constantly problem-solving, managing competing priorities, and bumping up against the same frustrating patterns: legacy systems, outdate... Show more

Denette Dunn is a dedicated sustainability expert and public speaker with a wealth of experience in both public service and the private sector. She previously served as a vice mayor and currently represents the Pine District as a council member.

As a council member, Denette established the Pine Citizens Advisory Committee to address the specific concerns of her district. Since its inception, the committee has grown to include more than 100 members, demonstrating her ability to foster collaboration and strengthen community involvement in local governance.

Dunn’s professional experience spans both the private and public sectors. She worked as the Municipal Services Manager at Republic Services, overseeing municipal contracts valued at over $85 million across the southwest region. In addition to this role, she was a registered lobbyist, advocating for legislation promoting effective and sustainable partnerships between private companies and municipalities.

Her leadership extends to numerous boards and commissions, including the WESTMARC Board and the Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission. Denette also served as president and legislative liaison for the Arizona Recycling Coalition, where she contributed to advancing sustainable practices and policies throughout the state.

Before her work in public service, Denette held various marketing, sales, and management roles. From 2007 to 2011, she worked as the Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Hudson Baylor Corporation, overseeing material recovery operations and managing public relations efforts. She also worked closely with municipal and state officials to secure grants and sponsorships for various initiatives.

After her time at Hudson Baylor, Denette continued her career at Republic Services, managing contracts and contributing to legislative advocacy. Later, at Dickson Sweeping, she helped expand the company’s operations in Arizona and Nevada, working on projects such as compressed natural gas fuel stations.

Since 2019, Denette Dunn has served as a Peoria Council member, working to support the city’s growth and sustainability. She also supports charitable organizations, including Hart Pantry, West Valley Connect, and You Matter Too, an anti-bullying nonprofit.

Denette Dunn is a dedicated sustainability expert and public speaker with a wealth of experience in both public service and the private sector. She previously served as a vice mayor and currently represents the Pine District as a council member. A... Show more

Meet Rona! She's a whirlwind of vibrant energy and connection. With her engaging style, she brings a sense of joy to workplaces everywhere. As an expert in Purposeful and Attuned Play, Rona blends the core elements of leadership and engagement with the magic of play, transforming workplace dynamics and boosting personal satisfaction.

Rona's unique mix of corporate savvy and wellbeing wisdom, paired with her deep understanding of play and flow, allows her to translate complex ideas into relatable and enjoyable stories. Her sessions are dynamic, packed with practical tools to weave play into daily work life, fostering an environment where creativity and collaboration flourish.

In her role as coach and consultant, Rona has left a lasting mark on countless organizations. She's nurtured creative thinking, honed leadership skills, and deepened connections through enhanced communication. Her tailor-made programs are grounded in evidence-based practices, boosting team morale and connectivity while encouraging a fresh reimagining of workplace culture.

Rona has been featured in Shondaland, Nebraska Bride, Pierless Magazine, Town and Country, Corporate Wellness Magazine and seen and heard on TV and radio stations from San Diego and San Francisco to New York .

With the Playful Mind Project, Rona positions herself as a key partner for organizations ready to breathe new life into their corporate environments. Ready to make work fun again?

Meet Rona! She's a whirlwind of vibrant energy and connection. With her engaging style, she brings a sense of joy to workplaces everywhere. As an expert in Purposeful and Attuned Play, Rona blends the core elements of leadership and engagement with t... Show more

Sandi Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, transformational speaker, educator, and author dedicated to helping women heal, grow, and live life on purpose. With over a decade of experience as a professional school counselor and community therapist, Sandi blends clinical insight, faith, and real-world wisdom to empower others to rewrite their narratives and reclaim their peace.

Her passion for helping others is deeply rooted in her own journey of resilience. After facing seasons of personal loss, emotional struggle, and identity shifts, Sandi chose healing over hiding. She now uses her story as a testament that wholeness is possible—and that it’s never too late to begin again.

As a speaker, Sandi is known for her warmth, authenticity, and ability to create safe spaces for real conversations. She speaks on topics such as compassion fatigue, burnout, emotional resilience, solution-focused counseling, and the power of building authentic friendships in a disconnected world. Whether in a conference setting or an intimate retreat, she invites her audience into deeper connection—with themselves and with others.

Through her retreats, books, and speaking engagements, Sandi continues to inspire others to move from surviving to thriving with intention and purpose.

Sandi Johnson is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, transformational speaker, educator, and author dedicated to helping women heal, grow, and live life on purpose. With over a decade of experience as a professional school counselor and comm... Show more

As educational visionary and digital strategist Bettina designs curricula in Higher Education in Australia. Engagements at Swinburne University of Technology, the University of Melbourne and Macquarie University in Sydney were steppingstones in Bettina's career over the last 10 years. Combing her Executive TV Producer knowledge with the experience as educator in the Higher Education landscape Bettina also founded the Digital Dolphins, teaching digital storytelling for emerging leaders online with the digitaldolphins.com.au .Her research area is how to overcome #Technophabia in Academia, supporting lifelong learning for academics.

As educational visionary and digital strategist Bettina designs curricula in Higher Education in Australia. Engagements at Swinburne University of Technology, the University of Melbourne and Macquarie University in Sydney were steppingstones in Bett... Show more

The most impactful thing a speaker can do, is to facilitate an experience, and help participants to draw a correlation between the experience, what they learned and how they will apply it in their life. Because of this, each talk involves both interaction with the audience and personal reflection time.

In her interactive workshops and keynote addresses, Caitlin quickly quells the, “I could never do improv!” fear and makes accessible, the principles professional actors use, to be better communicators, teammates, and leaders.
Disarming and energetic, Caitlin opens up the most skeptical attendees, allowing them to learn through applying the Improv Approach, and even crack a smile along the way.

Caitlin Drago’s mission is to create cultures of empathy, creativity, and trust, beginning with how people communicate and connect.

She is an LA-based actor turned upstate NY-based certified leadership coach, trainer, facilitator, and author of Approaching Improv – Communication and Connection in Business and Beyond. Acting taught her to be present, self-aware, empathetic and to prioritize connection with others. Improv taught her to listen, trust her gut and deal with the unexpected in a positive and creative way. She currently works with leaders and teams to help them to listen to one another, communicate and connect, using improvisation as a platform for interactive learning.

Caitlin spent ten years studying improv at places like the nationally accredited Upright Citizen’s Brigade and has spent the last nine years working with leaders and their teams across industries, including, but not limited to higher education, hospitality, tech, marketing, healthcare and real estate. She’s been featured in Medium’s Authority Magazine, Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle, a variety of podcasts and has spoken at various conferences, including the Talent Development Think Tank, the International TWA Conference, CNY SHRM, and DisruptHR Rochester.

Past clients include:
Gartner
Rochester Regional Health System
Starbucks
Fee Brothers

Testimonials:

“Caitlin's energy, enthusiasm, and sprinkling of humor eased the tensions in our group and the entire experience was packed with valuable team collaboration insights. We found ourselves using this technique the very same day we learned it.”

S.M. Digitronik Labs

“We focused on communication in a completely different way. Not a seminar-feel, but a fun, engaging way to demonstrate the importance of being open and positive. I stepped
outside my comfort zone. As an introvert, the idea of improv was horrifying. But it was fun!”

J.G., VWR

"Caitlin did an excellent job facilitating a workshop for my team. From the time we first met to preparation and the actual workshop, she was helpful and engaging and was highly focused on ensuring my workshop went the way I had envisioned. My team had excellent feedback afterwards and I can say it had an immediate positive impact on how my team interacted and felt about communication."

I.G., Gartner

The most impactful thing a speaker can do, is to facilitate an experience, and help participants to draw a correlation between the experience, what they learned and how they will apply it in their life. Because of this, each talk involves both intera... Show more

Pai da Cecília e do Inácio, esposo da Ana Lúcia, membro da Comunidade de Vida Cristã (CVX), curitibano e sofredor do Coritiba. Desde a pandemia, optou por morar na zona rural de Piraquara (Região Metropolitana da capital paranaense), onde cria galinhas, joga bola com os filhos, colhe amoras, figos e Physalis e está cavando (bem aos poucos!) um pequeno lago para os futuros gansos da família. Jornalista e economista, sempre trabalhou em organizações com forte impacto social. Atualmente, é responsável por ajudar o Grupo Marista, uma instituição de mais de 7 mil colaboradores e com uma história bicentenária, em sua estratégia ESG, articulando iniciativas transversais e proprietárias das Frentes de Missão (unidades de negócio) PUCPR, Saúde, FTD Educação e Centro Marista de Defesa da Infância; e monitorando indicadores e avaliando a evolução da maturidade - sempre procurando nutrir uma mentalidade ágil, com foco nas pessoas, na entrega de valor e na melhoria contínua.

Pai da Cecília e do Inácio, esposo da Ana Lúcia, membro da Comunidade de Vida Cristã (CVX), curitibano e sofredor do Coritiba. Desde a pandemia, optou por morar na zona rural de Piraquara (Região Metropolitana da capital paranaense), onde cria galinh... Show more

Corporate Career
I had an amazing 30-year career as a corporate trainer and speaker. Through my company, IEC Enterprises, I trained over 10,000 public and private sector employees on topics including communication skills, conflict management, team building, problem-solving, and leadership.

Connecting The Dots
One day, it dawned on me that I was applying many of the tips and tools from my training to raising my children—and they worked extremely well. These techniques helped me develop a unique and successful parenting style. I realized that there were valuable lessons here that I wanted to share with others.

Adulting and Parenting Work
In 2019, I expanded my training focus to the adulting and parenting arena with the publication of my book, “Growing Into Your Parenting Role” (Mountain Arbor Press). Since then, I’ve blogged extensively on these topics, been featured as a guest on various adulting and parenting podcasts, conducted engaging webinars, and developed skills-based training programs based on the concepts, tips, and tools in my book.

In 2021, I founded the Adulting and Parenting Academy (AP Academy) with a mission to help young adults build strong, fulfilling relationships that last. The Academy now houses all my adulting, parenting, and personal growth consulting.

Corporate Career I had an amazing 30-year career as a corporate trainer and speaker. Through my company, IEC Enterprises, I trained over 10,000 public and private sector employees on topics including communication skills, conflict management, team b... Show more

As a dynamic Product Designer and Product Owner, I’ve led the end-to-end design and strategy of transformative digital products across Africa, US and in the UK. I previously served as a Product Designer at Torus Mara, where I crafted inclusive fintech and crypto payment experiences that power economic freedom. I also lead product at Lovebox Africa, a tech for good platform reimagining community giving. From scaling early concepts into polished, user-centered platforms to overseeing agile product teams, my work reflects a deep commitment to intentional design, cultural relevance, and high-performance product systems. I’m passionate about creating scalable solutions that solve real-world problems while enabling underserved users to thrive.

I’m also an open-source contributor with Women Coding Community, where I volunteer and collaborate on inclusive tech solutions, and a design mentor at Veet, empowering aspiring designers and product owners across the globe. My prior speaking engagements span product strategy, design systems, tech-for-good, and community-led innovation. I bring fresh, global insight into building cross-cultural, impact-driven digital products, and I’m driven to share this knowledge to inspire the next generation of product leaders. Whether on stage or in workshops, I deliver talks that prompt, equip, and empower audiences to build boldly and build products that solve real life problems.

As a dynamic Product Designer and Product Owner, I’ve led the end-to-end design and strategy of transformative digital products across Africa, US and in the UK. I previously served as a Product Designer at Torus Mara, where I crafted inclusive fintec... Show more

Dr. Tyrone W. A. Grandison is a technologist, entrepreneur, and social advocate with many years of experience . As a Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft and Founder of The Data-Driven Institute, he drives innovation and empowers communities through data. A White House Presidential Innovation Fellow and co-creator of groundbreaking initiatives.

Dr. Tyrone W. A. Grandison is a technologist, entrepreneur, and social advocate with many years of experience . As a Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft and Founder of The Data-Driven Institute, he drives innovation and empowers communities through... Show more