Many of us are exhausted when our nervous systems carry more than they were ever designed to hold, while the world still expects peak performance. Farhan Zahid steps into that gap and turns all of that pressure into a doorway for sustainable power, clearer thinking, and real breakthroughs in personal and professional wellness.

Farhan is the founder and CEO of KNKO, a concierge wellness company for high-performing leaders, teams, and member communities based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Before KNKO, he spent years as a Chartered Accountant, Big 4 Internal Auditor and Head of Risk at a global investment firm. That experience means his keynotes and workshops connect wellbeing directly to performance, outcomes, and impact, helping individuals and organizations create tangible, measurable shifts instead of simply “feeling better.”

Alongside his corporate career, Farhan has trained as a clinical hypnotherapist, Master NLP practitioner, yoga teacher, massage therapist, and has worked as an auxiliary nurse in both clinical and psychiatric settings. He combines body-mind science, behavioral change, and practical tools into sessions that help people immediately regulate stress, deepen rest, and cultivate their energy in real-world conditions.

With 20+ years on stage, Farhan has spoken at organizational and industry conferences, board meetings, executive off-sites, company all-hands and private members clubs. Whether he is working with a leadership team, a full organization, or an individual, his aim is simple: to help people who carry a lot on their shoulders move through the world with more clarity, calm, sustainable power...and the capacity to perform at their best when it truly counts.

Many of us are exhausted when our nervous systems carry more than they were ever designed to hold, while the world still expects peak performance. Farhan Zahid steps into that gap and turns all of that pressure into a doorway for sustainable power, c... Show more

Jazmin Rivera is a CPR and emergency preparedness educator, instructor, and advocate dedicated to training everyday people to act decisively in life-threatening situations. With hands-on experience teaching individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and community organizations, Jazmin equips her audiences with the critical skills and confidence needed to save lives when every second counts.

Her mission is simple but vital: to ensure that no one hesitates during a cardiac emergency. Through engaging presentations, real-world scenarios, and practical demonstrations, Jazmin shows that prepared hands and quick action can mean the difference between life and death.

Jazmin’s work has empowered countless participants to become first responders in their own communities, bridging the gap between bystander uncertainty and life-saving action. Whether delivering keynotes, workshops, or interactive demonstrations, her presentations leave audiences alert, equipped, and ready to act.

Jazmin Rivera is a CPR and emergency preparedness educator, instructor, and advocate dedicated to training everyday people to act decisively in life-threatening situations. With hands-on experience teaching individuals, families, schools, workplaces,... Show more

French in Norway, I’m a software architect at Laerdal Medical specializing in cross-platform .NET development. I work on Bluetooth, UI, image processing, and all things between humans and devices. I care about clean architecture, great developer experience, and making complex tech feel simple — with a touch of fun.

French in Norway, I’m a software architect at Laerdal Medical specializing in cross-platform .NET development. I work on Bluetooth, UI, image processing, and all things between humans and devices. I care about clean architecture, great developer expe... Show more

Miranda Grant is a Lead Analytics Engineer at Community Health Network, where she leverages her expertise to drive data-informed decision-making and improve healthcare outcomes. She has worked in analytics since 2018, following over a decade of experience as an Infection Preventionist and healthcare professional. Miranda holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and is certified in Power BI. Her passion lies in helping others harness the full potential of their data to create meaningful, positive impact.

Outside of her professional life, Miranda is a proud mom of two daughters. She’s an avid reader and a strong advocate for physical health and wellness.

Miranda Grant is a Lead Analytics Engineer at Community Health Network, where she leverages her expertise to drive data-informed decision-making and improve healthcare outcomes. She has worked in analytics since 2018, following over a decade of exper... Show more

Stuart Mann is a reformed waterfall guy who became a passionate Agile Coach. He is a father (two girls), husband (one wife) and a trainee feminist. In his spare time, Stuart is a compulsive marathon runner having run over 270 marathons and ultra marathons. He writes a popular blog, monthly column in South Africa’s largest running publication (Modern Athlete) and is a regular contributor of articles to various publications. Stuart’s lifetime ambition is to secure a beer sponsor.

Stuart Mann is a reformed waterfall guy who became a passionate Agile Coach. He is a father (two girls), husband (one wife) and a trainee feminist. In his spare time, Stuart is a compulsive marathon runner having run over 270 marathons and ultra mara... Show more

Dr. Jennifer Uhlenbrock is a nurse-turned-cybersecurity consultant and co-founder of Provisio Insights. With 20 years in healthcare experience, she speaks nationally on healthcare cybersecurity, medical devices, human risk, and AI safety. Recent talks include WiCyS and DEF CON’s Biohacking Village.

Dr. Jennifer Uhlenbrock is a nurse-turned-cybersecurity consultant and co-founder of Provisio Insights. With 20 years in healthcare experience, she speaks nationally on healthcare cybersecurity, medical devices, human risk, and AI safety. Recent talk... Show more

Developer specializing in building human-centered solutions in the healthcare industry. My experience spans from leading design direction for large medical sites serving over 40,000+ daily patients to creating full-stack applications that directly impact thousands of practitioners across the nation. Creating content around the intersection of technology and healthcare.

Developer specializing in building human-centered solutions in the healthcare industry. My experience spans from leading design direction for large medical sites serving over 40,000+ daily patients to creating full-stack applications that directly im... Show more

Mary McGrath is a generalist with a specialty in the field of Education. She has taught foundational courses in Communication, Leadership Development, and Emotional Intelligence, as well as directed Residential Learning Communities for undergraduates, all at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC). At UIUC she also earned an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Aesthetics. Currently, Mary is working in academic medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, creating programs for faculty that facilitate their professional, personal, and creative development.

Mary McGrath is a generalist with a specialty in the field of Education. She has taught foundational courses in Communication, Leadership Development, and Emotional Intelligence, as well as directed Residential Learning Communities for undergraduates... Show more

Dami Junaid is a Senior Business Analyst and Product professional with 9+ years of experience leading digital transformation initiatives across startups, mid-size organisations, and Fortune 500 companies. She has worked across Healthcare, Life Sciences, Retail (E-commerce), Automotive, Transportation, and Finance, supporting both B2C and B2B organisations through complex product and delivery challenges.

She specialises in product discovery, business analysis, and strategy under ambiguity. Her work focuses on helping teams clarify problems before solutions are built, surface delivery risks early, and translate user and business needs into actionable outcomes. Her approach is iterative, user-centred, and grounded in critical thinking.

Having lived and worked across three continents (North America, Africa, and Europe), Dami brings something many teams don’t often have in the room: a global perspective shaped by lived experience, not just frameworks. She is particularly passionate about helping organisations navigate complexity, bridge communication gaps and build practical solutions.

Outside of work, Dami enjoys solo travel, exploring new cultures, singing, and swimming — experiences that continue to shape her curiosity, adaptability, and people-centred approach to problem-solving.

Dami Junaid is a Senior Business Analyst and Product professional with 9+ years of experience leading digital transformation initiatives across startups, mid-size organisations, and Fortune 500 companies. She has worked across Healthcare, Life Scienc... Show more

Aakanksha is a med student with a strong interest in the intersection of tech and medicine and its potential to drive innovation in healthcare. She is a co-founder of Curaximo, where she explores tech-driven approaches to medicine. She has volunteered with multiple medical organizations and has been actively involved in organizing academic conferences. She enjoys applying her writing and analytical skills to research, especially in areas related to neuroscience, data science, and health tech.

Aakanksha is a med student with a strong interest in the intersection of tech and medicine and its potential to drive innovation in healthcare. She is a co-founder of Curaximo, where she explores tech-driven approaches to medicine. She has volunteere... Show more

Bhargavi Kalicheti is a technology leader with over 15 years of experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale solutions across artificial intelligence, machine learning, healthcare technology, and large-scale IT systems. She specializes in developing AI-powered conversational platforms, Generative AI solutions, and agentic AI architectures that enhance healthcare service delivery and support large-scale digital transformation initiatives.
Currently serving as a Lead AI/ML Engineer at UnitedHealth Group (Optum), Bhargavi leads the modernization of legacy telephony and IVR ecosystems into AI-enabled, cloud-native conversational platforms that support interactions among members, providers, and pharmacies. Her work focuses on building scalable AI systems using technologies such as large language models (LLMs), prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and autonomous AI agents. These solutions enable natural, context-aware interactions and help organizations improve operational efficiency while maintaining regulatory compliance in healthcare environments.
Bhargavi has played a key role in designing multi-agent AI systems that plan, reason, and execute complex workflows across healthcare platforms. These systems integrate enterprise APIs, knowledge bases, and decision engines to support tasks such as prescription status checks, benefits validation, and secure data retrieval. She has also implemented guardrails, monitoring frameworks, and human-in-the-loop controls to ensure safe and responsible deployment of AI technologies in regulated environments.
Throughout her career, Bhargavi has delivered several high-impact initiatives that improved operational efficiency and reduced costs. Her AI-driven conversational platforms have increased call containment, reduced contact center volumes, and improved provider and member experiences across healthcare systems. These solutions support thousands of user interactions and generate measurable operational savings by improving automation and self-service capabilities.
Before joining UnitedHealth Group, Bhargavi worked as a Technology Analyst at Infosys Technologies, where she contributed to the development of enterprise applications, modernized legacy systems, and built scalable microservices architectures that later enabled AI and digital platform expansion.
Bhargavi holds a Postgraduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology from SSN College of Engineering, Chennai. She also maintains professional certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, Google Cloud Digital Leader, Sun Certified Java Developer, and Certified SAFe DevOps Practitioner.

Bhargavi Kalicheti is a technology leader with over 15 years of experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale solutions across artificial intelligence, machine learning, healthcare technology, and large-scale IT systems. She specializes in dev... Show more

Charles Crosbie is a Senior Product Manager at the Terry Fox Research Institute, where he leads high-impact digital initiatives at the intersection of product strategy, advanced technology, and healthcare innovation. A seasoned speaker and thought leader, Charles excels at translating complex technical architectures, from AI frameworks to massive digital media and data infrastructure—into scalable, real-world solutions that drive meaningful organizational change.

With extensive experience addressing executive audiences and policy makers, Charles is a frequent voice at major industry events. His recent speaking engagements include executive roundtables and interviews at the Flower AI Summit in London, delivering keynotes on emerging technology trends, and serving as an expert panelist at a recent Innovation Summit on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Charles’s ability to bridge the gap between technical execution and high-level strategy has also made him a trusted presenter for government and diplomatic audiences, including past presentations for the Trade Commissioner Service Secretariat. He brings a pragmatic, forward-thinking perspective to every stage, empowering teams and stakeholders to successfully navigate the future of digital transformation.

Charles Crosbie is a Senior Product Manager at the Terry Fox Research Institute, where he leads high-impact digital initiatives at the intersection of product strategy, advanced technology, and healthcare innovation. A seasoned speaker and thought le... Show more

Maya Malamud is a Senior Data Scientist and Researcher with over 10 years of experience specializing in Machine Learning, NLP, and Healthcare AI. She has a strong background in leading teams, mentoring, and aligning AI solutions with business and industry goals, tracking project success with KPIs and evaluation methods.
As a career branding expert, Maya is passionate about guiding techies to build their brand on LinkedIn and refine their professional pitch.

Maya Malamud is a Senior Data Scientist and Researcher with over 10 years of experience specializing in Machine Learning, NLP, and Healthcare AI. She has a strong background in leading teams, mentoring, and aligning AI solutions with business and ind... Show more

Accomplished Senior Data Engineering Executive with expertise in building scalable healthcare,
retail, and automotive data platforms, delivering measurable enterprise impact including $5M+
annual healthcare cost savings, $2M–$5M+ revenue uplift, and improved engagement across
1M+ members through AI/ML-driven Medicaid and Medicare initiatives. Experienced in leading
large-scale cloud modernization and data platform migrations across AWS and GCP, reducing
processing latency by 40–60% and generating $1M+ in annual infrastructure and operational
savings through optimized architectures. Strong background in big data, IoT, and ML engineer-
ing, improving data quality by 30%+, enabling real-time predictive analytics, and driving 2–5%
margin improvements while reducing manual reporting effort by 50%+. Recognized researcher
with multiple international publications in AI, healthcare analytics, and cloud data engineering,
combining academic excellence with multi-million-dollar business impact and innovation leader-
ship.

Accomplished Senior Data Engineering Executive with expertise in building scalable healthcare, retail, and automotive data platforms, delivering measurable enterprise impact including $5M+ annual healthcare cost savings, $2M–$5M+ revenue uplift, an... Show more

Dr. Stephanie Nash, PhD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, intuitive practitioner, and the founder of Paradigm Expansions, where she helps high-achieving empaths, women, and especially those who have spent a lifetime over-functioning for others find their way back to themselves. Her work sits at a rare intersection: clinical neuroscience and rehabilitation science meet chakra-based and intuitive frameworks, giving the analytical mind permission to step aside so the soul can be heard.
Dr. Steph speaks on the science and spirituality of intuition, what it really means to choose yourself without being selfish, and why we need an expanded paradigm of who we are as both spiritual and human beings. Drawing on her own journey from self-abandonment to self-reclamation, chronicled in her forthcoming book The D Word, she brings audiences a rare combination of clinical credibility and lived experience.
Her talks leave audiences with both a framework and a felt sense of permission, whether she's speaking to a room of women rebuilding after loss, empaths learning to set boundaries, or teenagers beginning to ask who they are beneath who they were told to be.

Dr. Stephanie Nash, PhD, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, intuitive practitioner, and the founder of Paradigm Expansions, where she helps high-achieving empaths, women, and especially those who have spent a lifetime over-functioning for others fi... Show more

Sepha Soul was created by Jeanette and Frode Josepha‑Hveding - partners in life, in vision, and in the belief that the future of wellbeing begins with reconnecting to ourselves. Jeanette brings the intuitive, soulful dimension of the project, while Frode brings the technical imagination and engineering mindset. Together, they form the heart and structure of Sepha Soul.

Sepha Soul was created by Jeanette and Frode Josepha‑Hveding - partners in life, in vision, and in the belief that the future of wellbeing begins with reconnecting to ourselves. Jeanette brings the intuitive, soulful dimension of the project, while F... Show more

Subash Lekshmi Velayudhan is a Software Development Director with over 22 years of experience in Information Technology, currently pursuing a PG Program in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. As a recognized thought leader in healthcare technology transformation, Subash specializes in implementing AI-driven solutions that optimize payor operations across claims processing, fraud detection, and member engagement.
At NTT DATA, Subash has successfully led multiple high-impact implementations of healthcare payor systems, including HealthRules Payor and Amisys Advance, resulting in significant operational efficiencies for regional health plans. He has established innovative approaches to Test Data Management and Data Governance with a strong focus on compliance and privacy in healthcare systems.
A certified ScrumMaster® since 2014, Subash has driven organizational transformation from traditional waterfall methodologies to agile and DevOps models across multiple healthcare enterprises. His expertise spans the full spectrum of healthcare payer operations including enrollment, premium billing, claims processing, provider management, and EDI transactions across Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and Exchange lines of business.
Subash excels at establishing Testing Excellence Centers (TEC) that map testing processes to application dataflow and end-to-end business functions, dramatically improving quality while reducing implementation timelines. His technical expertise encompasses healthcare insurance products, SDLC tools, automation frameworks, and cloud technologies including ADLS, ADF, Snowflake, and Delphix Compliance Engines.
As an early adopter of AI in healthcare operations, Subash brings a unique perspective on the practical implementation challenges and strategic opportunities for healthcare organizations seeking to leverage artificial intelligence for competitive advantage.

Subash Lekshmi Velayudhan is a Software Development Director with over 22 years of experience in Information Technology, currently pursuing a PG Program in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning at The McCombs School of Business at The University... Show more

Tiara Jamison is the Founder and CEO of AnnieGuard, a causal intelligence company focused on understanding the hidden systems that drive biological threats, disease, environmental risk, and complex human outcomes.

Her work centers on a simple but powerful idea: events do not happen randomly. Whether the outcome is a disease diagnosis, a public health crisis, an environmental disaster, or a system failure, there are underlying causes that can be reconstructed from the data that already exists.

Drawing on experience across Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, Tiara combines systems thinking, threat detection principles, artificial intelligence, and biological research to help organizations move beyond prediction and toward understanding why events happen.

After losing her mother, Annie, to sarcoma, Tiara founded AnnieGuard to challenge conventional approaches to disease detection and risk assessment. Today, her work explores how causal intelligence can be applied across healthcare, biological security, environmental systems, public safety, and critical infrastructure.

Tiara speaks on causal intelligence, biological and environmental threats, systems failure, healthcare innovation, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, resilience, and the future of decision-making in complex environments.

Tiara Jamison is the Founder and CEO of AnnieGuard, a causal intelligence company focused on understanding the hidden systems that drive biological threats, disease, environmental risk, and complex human outcomes. Her work centers on a simple but ... Show more

Everything with Data Analytics in Healthcare & CPG domain. With specialization in marketing & consumer behaviour analytics

Everything with Data Analytics in Healthcare & CPG domain. With specialization in marketing & consumer behaviour analytics Show more

Soujanya Vummannagari is an accomplished Senior Product/Delivery Manager with over 20 years of experience driving digital transformation across healthcare, retail, finance, and insurance industries. Currently serving as Senior Development Consultant at Evernorth/Express Scripts through Endava Solutions, she leads a comprehensive product portfolio encompassing 50+ Spring Boot services and 400+ DataPower/Mainframe services while managing a 30+ member global team.
Her expertise spans the full technology spectrum, from legacy mainframe systems (PLI, CICS, COBOL) to modern cloud-native architectures using Java, Spring Boot,Openshift and AWS. Soujanya has demonstrated exceptional leadership in large-scale system modernization, successfully migrating monolithic systems to microservices architectures, achieving 1300+ MIPS savings and delivering $2.5M in license cost reductions through strategic technology transitions.
Notable achievements include developing innovative certification frameworks that contributed to $1.75M in cost savings, building analytics platforms that drove incremental revenue growth, and leading FHIR API migrations that enhanced healthcare data interoperability across multiple organizations. Her technical proficiency extends to DevOps practices, utilizing tools like Jenkins, Git, and Pivotal Cloud Foundry, while maintaining robust monitoring and security standards through Grafana, Splunk, newrelic , and Dynatrace.
Prior to her current role, Soujanya held key positions at Clopay Doors, PNC Healthcare, State Farm Insurance, and Citigroup, where she consistently delivered scalable solutions and led cross-functional teams to achieve strategic business objectives. Her experience includes extensive work with HIPAA compliance, EDI transaction processing, and claims management systems.
Soujanya holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and maintains Project Management Professional (PMP) certification alongside OBIEE Foundation Suite 11G certification, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development and excellence in technology leadership.

Soujanya Vummannagari is an accomplished Senior Product/Delivery Manager with over 20 years of experience driving digital transformation across healthcare, retail, finance, and insurance industries. Currently serving as Senior Development Consultant ... Show more

Dr. Calynn Lawrence is a Chicago-based CEO, Founder, Social Scientist, and Trauma Specialist who advances equitable change by integrating trauma-informed, holistic wellness principles with corporate and civic leadership strategy. Across organizations and community systems, she helps leaders move from reactive culture to proactive, human-centered practices that support resilience, belonging, and long-term wellbeing.

In her work, Dr. Lawrence translates social science insight into actionable, values-driven leadership frameworks that strengthen decision-making, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness. She partners with executives, public sector leaders, and mission-driven teams to design programs and policies that reduce harm, improve relational trust, and create measurable pathways toward a more progressive, equitable world.

Dr. Calynn Lawrence is a Chicago-based CEO, Founder, Social Scientist, and Trauma Specialist who advances equitable change by integrating trauma-informed, holistic wellness principles with corporate and civic leadership strategy. Across organizations... Show more

Ing. en sistemas, Co-fundador de CSN y Proticket.io, Co-Lider del Java User Group y Lider del AWS User Group Guatemala, especializado en crear soluciones seguras y escalables sobre la nube de AWS. He liderado proyectos en sectores de salud, educación, BPO's, eventos masivos y plataformas digitales, combinando inteligencia artificial, servicios serverless y visión de negocio. Actualmente impulso iniciativas tecnológicas que optimizan procesos y mejoran la experiencia.

Ing. en sistemas, Co-fundador de CSN y Proticket.io, Co-Lider del Java User Group y Lider del AWS User Group Guatemala, especializado en crear soluciones seguras y escalables sobre la nube de AWS. He liderado proyectos en sectores de salud, educación... Show more

Pankaj Bakshi is an Enterprise AI Strategist, AI Commercialization Leader, and Agentic AI Leader with 25+ years of experience driving large‑scale digital and AI transformation across global, regulated enterprises. He specializes in AI commercialization, GTM strategy, enterprise AI adoption, and value realization frameworks that convert AI prototypes into scalable, revenue‑impacting products.

Pankaj has launched enterprise‑grade AI platforms, including a GenAI‑powered mobile app adopted by global users, a regulatory‑compliant ML Model Foundry, and AI‑native integration frameworks across SAP, Oracle, Workday, and Azure ecosystems. His work spans clinical research, healthcare, BFSI, ERP modernization, and intelligent automation.

He has held leadership roles at IBM, Deloitte, Capgemini, and most recently Fortrea, where he led enterprise AI strategy, commercialization, and global AI adoption. Pankaj is known for designing federated AI operating models, establishing AI Centers of Excellence, and building enterprise AI literacy programs for executives and frontline teams.
Agentic AI, Clinical AI, Enterprise AI, AI Governance, AI Ethics, AI Commercialization, Digital Transformation, Healthcare AI, Responsible AI, AI Leadership, AI Strategy, GenAI, LLMOps, RAG, AI in Clinical Trials, AI for CROs, Dharma & AI, Ethical Tech, Future of Work

Pankaj Bakshi is an Enterprise AI Strategist, AI Commercialization Leader, and Agentic AI Leader with 25+ years of experience driving large‑scale digital and AI transformation across global, regulated enterprises. He specializes in AI commercializati... Show more

Beth McDonough is an author, keynote speaker, recovery advocate and reconstruction of life strategist.

She guides people through their lowest moments to rebuild what stands next after public collapse, when visibility is high, consequences are real, and the path forward is unclear.

Beth is a living case study in recovery, resilience and reconstruction. She occupies the space between catastrophe and comeback.

An investigative journalist for 30 years, Beth covered disasters until she became one. Two highly publicized DUIs. Fired twice. First by the newsroom, then by society. Her work speaks to people whose mistakes live online permanently.

Beth understands what it takes to recreate a life while the world watches, because she did the work on herself first. She is the case study. Alcohol took her down once, an invisible illness tried to again. The breakdown became her blueprint for showing others how to re-emerge structurally stronger than before, from the inside out, when willpower isn’t enough.

Beth shares an original message for audiences hungry for something stronger than motivation and more compassionate than discipline.

Beth developed the STILL STANDING™ method, a five-step framework that treats recovery & resilience like reconstruction projects for life AFTER impact. The approach is evidence-based, trauma-aware, shame-informed and pressure tested.

Before her collapse, Beth documented some of the most defining breaking news events of our time:
• 9/11 terrorist attacks
• Oklahoma City bombing
• I-35W Minneapolis bridge collapse
• Prince’s sudden death
• Escape of kidnapped teen Jayme Closs
• Civil unrest following George Floyd’s death in police custody: Beth was wounded by gunfire while reporting

Her work has appeared on CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX News along with countless podcasts, newspapers, magazines and talk shows.

She’s earned multiple Emmy Awards, a national Edward R. Murrow Award, the prestigious duPont- Columbia Journalism Award for coverage of George Floyd’s death and the racial reckoning that followed.

Beth authored two memoirs, STANDBY and STILL STANDING, one book opens the wound. The second shows the rebuild. She's also been featured in a Lifetime documentary with survivor advocate Elizabeth Smart called, “Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case.”

Beyond the newsroom, Beth channeled her love for animals into owning a dog daycare before returning to journalism with renewed perspective.

Today, she lives in southern Utah desert surrounded by red rock mountains. Sharing life with her rescue weiner dog, she continues to tell stories about resilience, redemption, reinvention and reconstructing a life after a career spent in the fast lane.

Beth McDonough is an author, keynote speaker, recovery advocate and reconstruction of life strategist. She guides people through their lowest moments to rebuild what stands next after public collapse, when visibility is high, consequences are real... Show more

Andrew Ecker is an author, certified peer support specialist, White Bison recovery coach, and nationally recognized speaker specializing in mental health, recovery, community wellness, and the transformative power of rhythm and sound. As the co-founder of Drumming Sounds, Andrew has helped facilitate more than 5,000 wellness-based events for healthcare organizations, tribal communities, treatment centers, schools, corporations, and conferences across the United States.

Drawing from over two decades of recovery and lived experience overcoming generational substance use disorder, incarceration, trauma, and mental health challenges, Andrew brings a unique blend of evidence-based practices, Indigenous-informed perspectives, and practical wisdom to his presentations. His work explores the intersections of neuroscience, recovery, identity, community connection, and experiential wellness.

Andrew is the creator of the Drumming Sounds Protocol, an evidence-based group drumming intervention designed to support mental health, stress reduction, team cohesion, and social connection. He has presented for healthcare systems, behavioral health organizations, universities, tribal nations, government agencies, and national conferences, and has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and nationally syndicated television.

Born from the Apache and born to the Irish, Andrew's work is deeply influenced by his exploration of Indigenous identity, ceremonial introduction, and community-centered healing. He is the author of The Sacred Seven, a contemporary framework for self-identity, belonging, and personal transformation.

Whether speaking to clinicians, educators, leaders, recovery professionals, or community members, Andrew combines compelling storytelling, research-informed insights, humor, and experiential learning to create presentations that inspire meaningful personal and organizational change.

Andrew Ecker is an author, certified peer support specialist, White Bison recovery coach, and nationally recognized speaker specializing in mental health, recovery, community wellness, and the transformative power of rhythm and sound. As the co-found... Show more

Raj Devarajan grew up in India with a steady sense of purpose and an early commitment to medicine. At fifteen, he entered Madras Medical College, beginning medical school while many students were still deciding what to study. That early step reflected the focus that would guide his long professional path.

After completing medical school, Raj moved to the US for advanced training. He completed residencies in adult psychiatry at Yale University, child psychiatry at Harvard University, and internal medicine and gastroenterology at Tufts University. By the time his fellowship ended in 1994, he had developed a broad clinical background that enabled him to understand patients' needs across both physical and behavioral health.

In 1994, Raj founded Middlesex Gastroenterology, PC. Over the next 29 years, he helped grow one of the busiest gastroenterology practices in Massachusetts. Before retiring from clinical medicine in 2023, he performed more than sixty thousand endoscopic procedures. He also founded the ERCP program at Emerson Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center, supporting treatment for problems involving the bile ducts and pancreas.

Raj Devarajan, MD, worked closely with Emerson Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and Yale New Haven Medical Center. In 2005, he established ASC Middlesex Endoscopy Center, LLC, to help provide patient care more efficiently outside the hospital setting. He served as the facility's President until 2023.

Raj's leadership included serving as President of the Medical Staff at Emerson Hospital from 2015 to 2017 and as a Board member from 2015 to 2019. He also served as Past President of the Massachusetts Gastroenterology Association and the American Association of Gastroenterologists of Indian Origin. Beyond healthcare, he founded several companies in other sectors.

Raj served as a speaker for Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Forest Pharmaceuticals, and AstraZeneca. He also worked as a consultant for Boston Scientific and Pentax Corporation and served on the Medical Advisory Board of Cristcot Corporation and Allurion Corporation. He appeared in television interviews to explain common gastrointestinal diseases in clear language. He also holds a share of a patent for an HCA drug formulation tested worldwide and currently awaiting FDA approval.

Outside work, he enjoys golf, tennis, chess, bridge, and skiing. He is a father of two adult children and values charitable service, including supporting a school in India and volunteering at the Acton Food Pantry.

Today, Raj Devarajan serves as Global Medical Monitor at Cristcot, leveraging his clinical and regulatory experience to support drug development programs and advance medicine more broadly.

Raj Devarajan grew up in India with a steady sense of purpose and an early commitment to medicine. At fifteen, he entered Madras Medical College, beginning medical school while many students were still deciding what to study. That early step reflecte... Show more

Khrystyna Kurganska is an entrepreneur, founder, and mental health advocate working at the intersection of business, social impact, psychology, sensory experience, and human recovery.
For more than 15 years, she has built businesses in perfumery, aroma marketing, and multisensory brand experience. Her professional background explores how scent, memory, environment, and emotion shape the way people feel, behave, connect, and recover.
Since 2022, she has led DOLADU, an NGO supporting psychological rehabilitation, psychosocial recovery, and reintegration for military personnel, veterans, their families, and people affected by war in Ukraine.

Khrystyna Kurganska is an entrepreneur, founder, and mental health advocate working at the intersection of business, social impact, psychology, sensory experience, and human recovery. For more than 15 years, she has built businesses in perfumery, ar... Show more

Jasper is a curious, creative and versatile data & visualization expert who loves to tackle data challenges.
He strongly believes in the power and the value of data and will only be satisfied when stories can be told based on the gained insights.
Initially started as a SAS developer but evolved to a seasoned all-round BI profile with proven experience (15y+) on different Business Intelligence platforms. He worked for various financial institutions in Belgium but loves exploring other sectors as well: telecom, public services, retail and healthcare...

Jasper is a curious, creative and versatile data & visualization expert who loves to tackle data challenges. He strongly believes in the power and the value of data and will only be satisfied when stories can be told based on the gained insights. ... Show more

Psychische Belastung ist kein individuelles Problem – sie ist ein Systemthema. Ich sorge dafür, dass mentale Gesundheit im Arbeitsschutz nicht nur besprochen, sondern gelebt wird. Als Expertin für Mentale Gesundheit am Arbeitsplatz helfe ich Unternehmen, gesunde und produktive Arbeitsumgebungen zu etablieren, die nicht nur gesetzliche Vorschriften einhalten, sondern auch das Wohlbefinden der Mitarbeitenden steigern und deren Potentiale entfalten.
Darüber hinaus bilde ich Mentale Ersthelfer:innen aus.

Als Psychologin mit über 15 Jahren Erfahrung im Arbeitsschutz berate, coache und trainiere ich unterschiedliche Zielgruppen, vor allem Führungskräfte aller Ebenen und Sicherheitsfachkräfte.

Mit meiner langjährigen Erfahrung in der Analyse und Bewertung psychischer Belastungen am Arbeitsplatz (Stichwort Gefährdungsbeurteilung psychischer Belastung) unterstütze ich Unternehmen dabei, gesunde und produktive Arbeitsumgebungen zu schaffen. Meine individuell angepassten Ansätze helfen nicht nur bei der Einhaltung gesetzlicher Vorschriften, sondern steigern auch das Wohlbefinden und die Leistungsfähigkeit der Mitarbeiter. Und wie mache ich das?

✅Ich führe umfassende Gefährdungsbeurteilungen durch, um Stressoren und psychische Belastungen zu identifizieren.
✅Ich entwickle maßgeschneiderte Präventionsstrategien und Trainings zur Förderung deiner mentalen Gesundheit.
✅Ich berate dich bei der Umsetzung nachhaltiger Veränderungen am Arbeitsplatz, um die mentale Gesundheit am Arbeitsplatz optimal zu unterstützen.
✅Ich coache Führungskräfte und Mitarbeitende in beruflichen und persönlichen Themen. Von Konflikten über Entscheidungen bis hin zur persönlichen Weiterentwicklung.

Mir liegen Gesundheit und gute Zusammenarbeit sehr am Herzen – deswegen stehen diese Themen bei meiner Arbeit im Zentrum.

Psychische Belastung ist kein individuelles Problem – sie ist ein Systemthema. Ich sorge dafür, dass mentale Gesundheit im Arbeitsschutz nicht nur besprochen, sondern gelebt wird. Als Expertin für Mentale Gesundheit am Arbeitsplatz helfe ich Unterneh... Show more

I'm a relationship marketing consultant partially informed by my experience as a sex and relationship therapist.

With fifteen years working across some of the world's major brands, including Tesco, Formula 1, PayPal and Coca-Cola, through agencies including BBH and Ogilvy, I now consult independently and teach on the Advertising Master's programme at University of the Arts London.

I am also in the final months of a COSRT-accredited diploma in psychosexual and relationship therapy.

My two disciplines have no business being this similar, yet each keeps making the other better: humanity and insight from therapy, creativity and rigour from brands. I write about the crossover between these worlds at Vulgar Thoughts on Substack.

I'm a relationship marketing consultant partially informed by my experience as a sex and relationship therapist. With fifteen years working across some of the world's major brands, including Tesco, Formula 1, PayPal and Coca-Cola, through agencies... Show more