Brandie Allen is an author, speaker, and Therapist dedicated to helping women stop settling and reclaim the lives they truly want. She is the author of The Power of Self-Mastery: Changing Your Life Through Discovery, Exploration, and Transformation, and her work focuses on guiding women to step into their worth, elevate their mindset, and redesign their lives with purpose and confidence.

Brandie Allen is an author, speaker, and Therapist dedicated to helping women stop settling and reclaim the lives they truly want. She is the author of The Power of Self-Mastery: Changing Your Life Through Discovery, Exploration, and Transformation, ... Show more

Unnati is working as a R&D Engineer Software 2 at VMware by Broadcom, India. Currently working with the Release Engg team of the Tanzu Kubernetes Grid. She has been active in Open Source community since 2019 and has also participated in many Hackathons, bagging prizes in few of them. She enjoys giving talks at local conferences. When not working, she enjoys dancing and making Tech YouTube videos.

Unnati is working as a R&D Engineer Software 2 at VMware by Broadcom, India. Currently working with the Release Engg team of the Tanzu Kubernetes Grid. She has been active in Open Source community since 2019 and has also participated in many Hackatho... Show more

Dr. Vivek Kumar is currently a Research Scientist at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Prior to this, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the chair of Open-Source Intelligence at the University of the Bundeswehr, Germany, where he coordinated STELAR, an EU Horizon 2020 program targeting the agri-food sector. Dr. Kumar received a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship in 2019 for the EU's Horizon 2020 program, PhilHumans, where he worked with Philips Research, Netherlands, & the University of Cagliari, Italy, to receive a doctorate in 2023. His current research focuses on NLP, LLMs, Mental Health, AI Bias, Knowledge Graphs & Domain Adaptation.

Dr. Vivek Kumar is currently a Research Scientist at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Prior to this, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the chair of Open-Source Intelligence at the University of the Bundeswehr, Germany, where he coordinated STELAR, ... Show more

Karan B. Patel is a Software Engineer III at Google, where he leads the development of high-traffic systems for Google Kids accounts, focusing on account creation, sign-in services, and secure communication features. With over 11 years of software development experience, Karan has contributed to platforms at Google, Cisco Systems, and healthcare technology companies.
He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Dallas and specializes in full-stack development using TypeScript, JavaScript, Java, Kotlin, and Angular. Karan's expertise spans web applications, mobile platforms, machine learning, and enterprise systems, with a proven track record of improving system performance, reducing technical debt, and delivering scalable solutions.
Currently based in Mountain View, California, Karan combines strong technical leadership with hands-on development experience, having successfully migrated legacy systems, redesigned critical user flows, and mentored development teams throughout his career.

Karan B. Patel is a Software Engineer III at Google, where he leads the development of high-traffic systems for Google Kids accounts, focusing on account creation, sign-in services, and secure communication features. With over 11 years of software de... Show more

Erika Mackinnon has built a strong foundation in medical sales over the past five years, developing expertise in business development, strategic planning, revenue maximization, market research, sales forecasting, product presentations, account management, and client relationship support. Since 2020, she has worked in medical device sales, focusing on Spine. As a Spine Specialist and Sales Associate, she is involved in the operating room daily, offering technical guidance and product support to healthcare providers during surgical procedures.

Her journey into the field began with completing a rigorous 440-hour postgraduate program at Medical Sales College in Sarasota, Florida, where Erika earned her Spine, Orthopedic Reconstruction, and Trauma certification. Through this program, she built key competencies in regenerative medicine, orthopedic trauma devices, dynamic consultative selling, and strategic territory development. These skills equipped her to contribute to business growth and support the evolving needs of clinical partners.

Mackinnon developed a deep understanding of spine, biologics, orthopedic reconstruction, trauma, and sports medicine products. Her education also included an in-depth study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, biomechanics, ortho biologics, and medical terminology. In addition, she became familiar with operating room standards and hospital call points, preparing her to respond to provider needs and articulate product benefits in a clinical setting.

While pursuing her certification, Mackinnon began her career as a sales associate at SS Fusion Medica in Tampa, Florida. There, she assisted with account coverage in specific territories, coordinated appointments with medical teams, and developed lasting relationships with clinical and administrative staff.

After one year, Erika joined Globus Medical in Memphis, Tennessee, where she has grown professionally for four years. Her role involves working closely with providers, increasing market share, and offering in-depth support during surgical procedures, including ACDF, PCF, TLIF, PLIF, ALIF, lateral lumbar interbody fusion, and spinal deformity cases.

Mackinnon earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Florida State University in 2016. Her early career began in the Florida Senate as a Chief Legislative Intern, where she drafted documents, monitored legislation, and met with constituents, nonprofit representatives, and lobbyists. She later worked as a junior lobbyist and political fundraiser.

Erika continued her professional development as a Business Development Analyst at GSSP in Stamford, Connecticut, where she handled policy analysis and strategic evaluations and managed logistics for real estate and tax equity transactions. She then served as Deputy Finance Director at The O’Rourke Group, where she built donor relationships, coordinated outreach, and supported fundraising efforts.

Mackinnon also holds several healthcare compliance and safety certifications, including the AdvaMed Code of Ethics, HIPAA, Aseptic Technique and Infection Control, Bloodborne Pathogens, Electrical Safety, Fire Safety, National Patient Safety, and Protocol Certification.

Beyond her professional work, Erika has a passion for interior design. After purchasing her home, she redesigned the space using a blend of vintage, modern, and traditional elements. She enjoys sourcing antiques and giving older pieces a refreshed look. Though it remains a personal interest, she has considered exploring it further.

As a mother of two, Mackinnon enjoys cooking and prepares thoughtful, flavorful, and visually appealing meals. Cooking allows her to express creativity and bring joy to those around her.

She supports charitable causes close to her heart, including the Salvation Army and the Humane Society, contributing to efforts that aid people and animals in need.

Erika Mackinnon continues to grow professionally while balancing her family life, personal interests, and commitment to giving back.

Erika Mackinnon has built a strong foundation in medical sales over the past five years, developing expertise in business development, strategic planning, revenue maximization, market research, sales forecasting, product presentations, account manage... Show more

Eric Hart is a globally recognized cybersecurity leader with over 35 years of experience driving innovation, security, and resilience across technology, insurance, healthcare, and financial services industries. As a seasoned expert in cloud security and secure software development, Eric has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including directing global application security programs and implementing enterprise-wide security automation. His leadership has fortified digital ecosystems, ensuring robust protection and operational resilience in high-stakes environments.

A dynamic and sought-after speaker, Eric has captivated audiences at corporate conferences, local security events, and industry summits, sharing insights on cloud security, threat modeling, and building robust security programs. As the founder of the Triangle Chapter of the Cloud Security Alliance in Raleigh, North Carolina, he has cultivated a vibrant community dedicated to advancing security awareness, professional growth, and networking. His leadership extends to his nonprofit, 4Philip.org, established in memory of his son, Philip, to fund research into Addison’s disease and improve diagnostic protocols, including a groundbreaking update to North Carolina’s EMT triage for adrenal shock.

Holding a SANS GIAC GSEC certification and Masters Studies in Cybersecurity from the SANS Institute, a Bachelors in Business Communications and degree in Music Theory and Composition, Eric brings a unique blend of technical precision and creative problem-solving to his work. His career, which began programming on IBM 8086 PCs in 1989, spans the full technology stack, from hardware to cloud architectures. Offstage, Eric is an amateur blues guitarist, a dedicated mentor to his daughter in music, and a lifelong learner passionate about staying at the forefront of cybersecurity trends.

Eric’s talks inspire audiences to embrace resilience, innovate fearlessly, and build secure, connected communities—drawing from his decades of expertise, personal journey, and commitment to making a lasting impact.

Eric Hart is a globally recognized cybersecurity leader with over 35 years of experience driving innovation, security, and resilience across technology, insurance, healthcare, and financial services industries. As a seasoned expert in cloud security ... Show more

Dave is a seasoned software delivery leader who helps companies leverage modern software development practices to produce exceptional teams. He has experience in numerous sectors, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology, finance and insurance. He still occasionally dusts off his coding gloves but generally prefers to support others to become better.

Dave is a seasoned software delivery leader who helps companies leverage modern software development practices to produce exceptional teams. He has experience in numerous sectors, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology, finance and insurance. He ... Show more

Born in Kindu in 1999, Gilbert Bemwiz discovered computing at age 14 through mobile video games. Despite having an aptitude for mathematics, he chose the Computer Commerce program out of pure passion for technology.

At 16, his interest in tech led him to experiment - sometimes to the point of "crashing" phones! Graduating in 2017, he joined the first cohort at MAPON University where, finding the curriculum too general, he embarked on intensive self-directed learning in the computer lab.

In 2019, he co-created "Busoga," a local social network. In 2021, his "intelligent virtual ophthalmologist" project won an innovation award. Confronted with the lack of medical data adapted to the Congolese context, this field experience led him to develop "Tradition Learning."

Currently serving as the Professional Practice Officer at ISTA-Kindu, a freelance consultant, and a Data & ML Engineer Intern at Neotex.ai DRC, he applies his expertise to innovative projects while sharing his passion for developing artificial intelligence tailored to African realities.

Born in Kindu in 1999, Gilbert Bemwiz discovered computing at age 14 through mobile video games. Despite having an aptitude for mathematics, he chose the Computer Commerce program out of pure passion for technology. At 16, his interest in tech led... Show more

Richard Pestell earned his M.B., B.S. at the University of Western Australia, graduating at the top of his class. His medical training continued as a physician in training at the Royal Perth Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. During these early years, he gained broad experience in Internal Medicine and residency, including oncology, endocrinology, hematology, cardiology, and transplant medicine.

He pursued his interest in cancer biology through advanced research and completed a Ph.D. at the University of Melbourne's Howard Florey Institute, specializing in oncogene regulation of gene transcription. National scholarships and multiple competitive fellowships, including a Winthrop Fellowship and an NHMRC postgraduate award, supported his academic achievements. These efforts led him to Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he trained further as a clinical and research fellow.

Richard continued his academic career at Northwestern University and then at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He became a Professor, Chair of the Division of Endocrine-Dependent Tumor Biology, and Co-Director of major cancer research programs. He also held positions at multiple hospitals in New York, helping him remain engaged in patient care and medical education while supporting research programs focused on cancer biology and therapeutics.

Richard Pestell’s research contributed to the knowledge base supporting cancer therapeutics. His research on cyclin D1 was cited in the seminal publications underpinning CDK inhibitor clinical trials and their adoption as a standard therapy for breast cancer globally. His work on CCR5 provided the scientific framework for current oncology clinical trials with CCR5 inhibitors. His scholarly record includes over 700 publications, more than 110,000 citations, an h-index of 162, and extensive invitations to give invited lectures around the world.

In 2002, he became the Director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University. He also served as Chair of the Department of Oncology and Associate Vice President at Georgetown University Medical Center. In this capacity, he was responsible for research, clinical operations, and faculty development, and he participated in institutional restructuring and growth. He built community partnerships, enhanced research programs, and expanded clinical services across Georgetown and MedStar systems.

Richard took on additional leadership roles in 2005 as the Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Chair of the Department of Cancer Biology, and head of the Oncology Service Line at Thomas Jefferson University. He later became the Executive Vice President, charged with enterprise-wide strategic decisions across a system of 30,000 employees. At Jefferson, he directed an overall cancer enterprise with an annual budget of> $350 m and led efforts in clinical care, research infrastructure, regional expansion, and team building. During his tenure, the cancer center rose from 64th to 17th.

Richard Pestell held leadership roles in academia outside of the US and contributed to research, education, and outreach initiatives. He was a founding Director of the Delaware Valley Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, helped develop new education pathways for historically black colleges, and led global cancer outreach at the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research. He also served on faculty or advisory boards with the University of Melbourne, the University of Western Australia, Nanyang Technological University, Xavier University School of Medicine, Kazan Federal University, and several European institutions.

He has served with prominent scientific bodies, including the Academia Europaea, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Royal Society of Biology, among others. His awards included the RD Wright Medallion, the Eric Susman Prize in Medicine, and his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019. He is also the founder of six biotechnology companies: LightSeed, ProstaGene (acquired in 2018), EcoGenome, StromaGenesis, ioROC, and Shenandoah Pharmaceuticals. Along with these ventures, he has raised nearly 50 million dollars from investors, plus more than 80 million dollars as a principal investigator on NIH research grants.

Richard Pestell has remained committed to philanthropy, community service, and cultural engagement. At Georgetown and at Jefferson, he led philanthropic efforts that produced transformational gifts and created new ways to sustain ongoing fundraising in support of cancer care, wellness centers, and community outreach initiatives. He has served on boards including the National Museum of American Jewish History, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the Historic St. Peter’s Church Preservation Corporation, the American Cancer Society committees, and several university societies. He supported the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Center through a fundraising trek on The Great Wall. He now serves as President of the Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Center, as the Blumberg Distinguished Professor of Translational Medical Research at the Baruch Blumberg Institute, and as a member of the Wistar Institute Cancer Center, continuing to support global cancer programs, mentor scientific leaders, and develop technologies for improved diagnostics and treatment.

Richard Pestell earned his M.B., B.S. at the University of Western Australia, graduating at the top of his class. His medical training continued as a physician in training at the Royal Perth Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. During these ea... Show more

Akash Chandra Sadhu is a young, dynamic entrepreneur, educator, and business strategist who has built multiple ventures from the ground up through sheer dedication, innovation, and self-belief. He is the Founder of Codifyx Tech Solutions, an IT service company, and the visionary behind Samaura Academy, an emerging skill-development institution offering 60+ diploma and advanced diploma programs with strong placement support.

Born with a passion for learning and creating, Akash quickly transformed his interests in web design, graphics, and technology into a full-time entrepreneurial journey. As a BCA student and a fast learner, he mastered diverse domains IT services, education, business development, placement operations, and brand building at a young age.

In 2024, he established Samaura Academy, carrying the mission “Empowering Skills, Enabling Careers.” Under his leadership, Samaura Academy has built 5500+ placement tie-ups including MNCs, startups, and MSMEs, enabling students to secure real career opportunities. He is currently expanding the academy into multiple cities including Kolkata and Haldia through franchise and strategic collaborations.

Alongside his ventures, Akash is the author of the upcoming 500-page eBook “Zero Investment: Building Success From Nothing,” which reflects his personal philosophy of creating opportunities without relying on resources.

Known for his resilience, work ethic, and clarity of vision, Akash continues to build new businesses including an upcoming health-focused energy drink brand while empowering thousands of students and professionals to grow in their careers. His journey inspires young entrepreneurs to believe that success truly begins with the courage to start.

Akash Chandra Sadhu is a young, dynamic entrepreneur, educator, and business strategist who has built multiple ventures from the ground up through sheer dedication, innovation, and self-belief. He is the Founder of Codifyx Tech Solutions, an IT servi... Show more