Mollie Adler is the creator and host of the podcast Back From The Borderline, a podcast exploring psychology, philosophy, culture, and the evolving landscape of human consciousness.

Through long-form audio essays and investigations, her work examines the intersection of mental health systems, depth psychology, spirituality, artificial intelligence, and the search for meaning in the digital age.

Her independent platform has grown into one of the most engaged creator-supported communities in podcasting, with:

• 5k+ Patreon members
• a global podcast ranking in the top 0.5% (Listen Notes)
• hundreds of long-form episodes exploring the psychology of modern life

Rather than presenting definitive answers, Adler documents an ongoing intellectual journey — investigating how individuals make meaning in a world shaped by collapsing institutions, emerging technologies, and shifting psychological frameworks.

Her work blends:

• depth psychology
• philosophy
• cultural criticism
• mysticism and symbolic systems
• technological analysis

Adler is also the founder of MOODS, a new category of reflective software designed as a symbolic interface for the psyche. The platform allows users to explore their inner world through structured dialogue with archetypal intelligences, transforming AI from an answer machine into a meaning engine.

She has spoken at South by Southwest (SXSW) on the intersection of artificial intelligence and consciousness, and her work has been featured in outlets including Novara Media.

Adler frequently speaks about:

• Artificial intelligence and consciousness
• The psychological impact of emerging technologies
• The failures of the biomedical model of mental health
• Depth psychology and archetypal systems
• Cultural power structures and institutional narratives

Adler welcomes invitations for podcast interviews, conference talks, panels, and media collaborations.
Inquiries can be submitted through the contact form at backfromtheborderline.com.

Mollie Adler is the creator and host of the podcast Back From The Borderline, a podcast exploring psychology, philosophy, culture, and the evolving landscape of human consciousness. Through long-form audio essays and investigations, her work exami... Show more

Bennett D. Bennett (he/him) is currently Cultural Strategy Director, US at GUT. In this role, Bennett oversees inclusion strategy and trend curation, ensuring GUT’s clients and teams meet the moment in multicultural, lifestyle, and entertainment projects. Bringing a multi-disciplined background, his past lives as a creative director, journalist, talent advocate, and content strategist combine to help future-forward brands create intentional, non-traditional campaigns and content.

A career-long advocate of talent equity for media professionals from marginalized groups, he’s a founder of the nonprofit 600 & Rising, and the inclusion summit Allyship and Action.
Bennett’s decade-plus in marketing and media have has included stints at Interbrand, BBDO New York, The Drum, Saatchi & Saatchi, and 22Squared. A 2013 MAIP Alum, Bennett’s been honored as a 2017 ADWEEK Young Influential and one of the 4As 100 People Who Make Advertising Great.

Bennett D. Bennett (he/him) is currently Cultural Strategy Director, US at GUT. In this role, Bennett oversees inclusion strategy and trend curation, ensuring GUT’s clients and teams meet the moment in multicultural, lifestyle, and entertainment proj... Show more

Dawn Pfeifer Reitz is a communication strategist, leadership educator, and higher education leader who helps people transform expertise into influence. With more than three decades of experience in teaching, training, and organizational leadership, her work focuses on the power skills that drive professional success: communication, leadership presence, collaboration, and strategic thinking.

Dawn serves as an Associate Teaching Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences and First Year Seminar Coordinator at Penn State Berks, where she leads curriculum innovation, faculty collaboration, and student success initiatives across programs.

Dawn is also the founder of DSPR Consulting, where she advises organizations and leaders on communication strategy, leadership development, and learning systems.

Known for translating research into practical tools, Dawn's sessions combine storytelling, frameworks, and real world application. She regularly speaks on communication for career readiness, leadership development, mentoring, and the role of communication in professional mobility.

Her work sits at the intersection of education, leadership, and workforce development, helping students, professionals, and organizations communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Dawn Pfeifer Reitz is a communication strategist, leadership educator, and higher education leader who helps people transform expertise into influence. With more than three decades of experience in teaching, training, and organizational leadership, h... Show more

Chester Santos – “The International Man of Memory” has left an impression on all corners of the earth. With his unique ability to not only demonstrate extraordinary feats of the mind, but also educate others to do the same, this U.S. Memory Champion is widely regarded to be the world’s leading memory skills expert. Through his entertaining & educational television and movie appearances, professional seminars, and best-selling books, Chester has helped millions of people around the world to realize the benefits of an improved memory and sharper mind.

He is highly sought-after by the media for his exceptional skills and expertise. CNN, ABC, PBS, NBC, CBS, BBC, and the Science Channel have all featured Chester and his memory building tips for viewers. When newspapers and magazines need memory improvement tips for their readers, they also seek out Chester Santos. He has been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, and most recently, TIME Magazine featured his advice for remembering numbers in a December 2018 Special Edition entitled, “The Science of Memory”. The 2020 documentary film, "David vs. Goliath" features Chester Santos and his memory skills training.

Chester is also a best-selling author. His first book, “Instant Memory Training for Success”, was published by leading academic publisher John Wiley & Sons (Wiley) in 2016. It quickly became a bestseller in WHSmith stores across the UK and also on the Amazon UK website in multiple categories. Chester’s second book, “Mastering Memory: Techniques to Turn Your Brain from a Sieve to a Sponge”, was published by leading nonfiction publisher Sterling Publishing (Sterling) in 2018. It is currently (as of 2019) still featured in the Psychology section of almost every Barnes & Noble store across the USA. Chester’s books have been acquired by 246 public libraries worldwide.

As the preeminent thought leader on memory skills and their effect on one’s professional, personal, and academic success, Chester has been booked to give presentations in over 30 countries. He has entertained and educated people of varying backgrounds, including executives for CEO Clubs International and YPO, investment professionals for NASDAQ and Credit Suisse, students for organizations at Berkeley, Stanford, and Harvard, and even actors for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) Foundation.

His keynote speaking credits include TEDx with some of the nation’s most highly regarded professors and scientists, the prestigious Talks at Google program featuring “the world’s most influential thinkers, creators, makers and doers”, and the International Festival of Brilliant Minds in Puebla that had him speaking to an audience of 5000 people along with Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, and other luminaries.

Chester Santos is also the personal memory and mind coach to some notable celebrities, politicians, professional athletes, and high-powered executives.

Chester Santos – “The International Man of Memory” has left an impression on all corners of the earth. With his unique ability to not only demonstrate extraordinary feats of the mind, but also educate others to do the same, this U.S. Memory Champion ... Show more

Masaki Iwabuchi is a New York-based Design Strategist and Futurist specialized in navigating "Wicked Problems" through the intersection of Strategic Foresight and Systemic Design. He proposes his unique 'Strategic Transgression through Design' framework—reclaiming radical imagination for non-designers in complex socio-technical systems.

With over 20 years of experience, Masaki currently leads future scenario development at JPMorgan Chase, where he translates complex socio-technical shifts into actionable strategic visions for the financial sector. His unique methodology combines rigorous engineering logic with the provocative power of Speculative Design, enabling organizations to move beyond incremental improvements toward transformative 2050 visions.

Key Expertise & Global Impact:

Strategic Leadership: Bridging the gap between long-term foresight and near-term product strategy within global-scale regulated industries.

Academic Authority: Serving as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Tohoku University, shaping the next generation of strategic design curricula and contributing to peer-reviewed research on future-making.

Thought Leadership: Author of Social Dreaming through Design (2021). Masaki’s work has been recognized by the Core77 Design Awards and he serves as a global jury member for prestigious awards including Good Living 2050 (Canada) and Indigo Design Awards (Netherlands).

Multidisciplinary Education: Holding dual Master’s degrees from Parsons School of Design (MFA) and The University of Tokyo (MA), he seamlessly integrates design, technology, and social science.

Masaki is committed to challenging entrenched Cartesian belief systems and provoking new worldviews that inspire resilient, alternative futures. He is a frequent speaker and advisor for organizations seeking to navigate the uncertainties of the 21st century.

Masaki Iwabuchi is a New York-based Design Strategist and Futurist specialized in navigating "Wicked Problems" through the intersection of Strategic Foresight and Systemic Design. He proposes his unique 'Strategic Transgression through Design' framew... Show more

Danielle Connolly is a disability advocate, content creator, speaker, and business and marketing professional. Born with a rare, still-undiagnosed muscle disease, Danielle has navigated unique life experiences that have shaped her passions and purpose. She shares her perspective through Daniellevates - a platform dedicated to elevating conversations about disability, rare disease, and chronic illness with a mix of humor, storytelling, education, and real-life adventures.

Danielle Connolly is a disability advocate, content creator, speaker, and business and marketing professional. Born with a rare, still-undiagnosed muscle disease, Danielle has navigated unique life experiences that have shaped her passions and purpos... Show more

With nearly two decades of strategic planning and advisory experience, Marco has supported executive decision makers and leaders at all levels with their most challenging problems. His professional experience stretches from a wide range of industries to include aerospace defense, national security, CPG, retail, energy, healthcare, and fintech among others.

Marco's professional background is in organizational strategy and business transformation. Marco speaks on topics like AI Governance, adoption emerging technologies, the future of work, and the impacts that AI has on the workforce. Marco is a nerd at heart with a deep passion for strategy table top games like Magic the Gathering and could give a guest lecture on Frank Herbert's Dune series.

With nearly two decades of strategic planning and advisory experience, Marco has supported executive decision makers and leaders at all levels with their most challenging problems. His professional experience stretches from a wide range of industries... Show more

Dr. Ben Lippe is a licensed psychologist who is Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology.

He is an expert on topics related to health, wellness, fitness, and behavior change.

Award-winning instructor, psychologist, author, and consultant.

He is available for workshops and keynote addresses for:
Healthcare organizations
Professional associations
Clinical teams seeking insight, clarity, and practical inspiration
Support Group organizations (e.g., cancer, chronic pain, transplant)

He speaks candidly about the realities of modern medicine—burnout, leadership challenges, patient communication, healthy behaviors, system constraints—while offering practical strategies that audiences can immediately apply in their own settings.

Dr. Ben Lippe is a licensed psychologist who is Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is an expert on topics related to health, wellness, fitness, and behavior change. Award-... Show more

UI/UX designer and entrepreneur building SaaS, fintech, and Web3 products that turn complex ideas into simple, usable experiences.

UI/UX designer and entrepreneur building SaaS, fintech, and Web3 products that turn complex ideas into simple, usable experiences. Show more

Kurtis’ book, “Cyber Recon: My Life in Cyber Espionage and Ransomware Negotiation” (Wiley, 2025), is an exposé of the private cyber espionage industry and the economic impact of cyberattacks on the US economy.

Kurtis Minder is the founder of GroupSense, a leading provider of digital risk solutions. He built a robust cyber reconnaissance operation that protects some of the world’s largest enterprises and government organizations. Having exited GroupSense in 2025, he now consults for cybersecurity technology companies and serves as a cyber board advisor.

Kurtis is a recognized expert in ransomware response, having served as the lead negotiator in some of the largest ransomware, breach, and data extortion cases globally. His experiences and insights are captured in his book, Cyber Recon, which explores the high-stakes world of cyber threat actor engagement and ransomware response.

He holds a FEMA certification in Critical Infrastructure Protection and actively contributes to public good projects. He is the program lead for RAPIDS, a regional initiative based in Grand Junction, Colorado, focused on measuring and managing the health of the Colorado River through innovative technology and data collaboration.

Kurtis is consistently tapped to lead discussions and keynotes for enterprises and organizations like Wired, the New York Independent Bankers Association, The International Bar Association. Trellix, The State of California, The State of Pennsylvania, RSA Conference, DEFCON, and many others.

Kurtis’s work has been featured in major media outlets, including The New Yorker, Fortune, VICE, WIRED, CNN, and Good Morning America, among others.

Kurtis’ book, “Cyber Recon: My Life in Cyber Espionage and Ransomware Negotiation” (Wiley, 2025), is an exposé of the private cyber espionage industry and the economic impact of cyberattacks on the US economy. Kurtis Minder is the founder of Group... Show more

Je porte la conviction que l’être humain est naturellement enclin au travail bien fait, à la coopération et à la croissance — à condition d’évoluer dans un environnement qui nourrit son propre écosystème autant que celui qui l’entoure, qu’il soit social ou environnemental.
Je défends l’idée que l’humain ne doit jamais être une variable d’ajustement dans nos organisations, mais un véritable moteur de développement. Chaque collaborateur mérite d’être considéré comme un être en devenir, et non comme un simple rouage productif.

Docteur en cristallographie, j’ai construit mon parcours au sein de grands groupes pharmaceutiques, où j’ai contribué au développement scientifique et organisationnel en tant que manager d’équipe puis Transformation Leader.
J’ai accompagné de nombreuses équipes dans leur transition vers des pratiques managériales plus inclusives, délégatives et vertueuses.

Chez Sanofi, j’ai animé pendant plusieurs années le Management Lab, un espace d’exploration et d’apprentissage dédié aux pratiques managériales innovantes, notamment au travers d’ateliers immersifs. J’y ai également fondé la ludothèque interne, aujourd’hui riche de plus de 400 jeux d’édition.

Pour approfondir ma compréhension de l’humain et des dynamiques collectives, j’ai suivi une formation exigeante de 18 mois (JBS Lyon – Coach&Team) en coaching individuel, d’équipe et d’organisation, intégrant la sociologie, la psychologie humaniste et l’analyse transactionnelle. Je suis par ailleurs accrédité aux outils psychométriques MBTI et Process Com.

Co‑créateur du jeu professionnel Les Aventuriers de la Draille®, Facilitateur Chaos Fertile® et Ambassadeur Burni Bornes®, je conçois également des jeux d’édition sur mon temps personnel.

Enfin, je pratique l’Aïkido depuis l’âge de 6 ans et la méditation de pleine conscience depuis dix ans, deux disciplines qui nourrissent profondément ma vision du leadership, du jeu et de la relation à soi et à l’autre.

Je porte la conviction que l’être humain est naturellement enclin au travail bien fait, à la coopération et à la croissance — à condition d’évoluer dans un environnement qui nourrit son propre écosystème autant que celui qui l’entoure, qu’il soit soc... Show more

Nat Hawley is the founder of Divergent Thinking, a UK-based neuroinclusion and neurodiversity consultancy. He delivers keynotes and practical training that help leaders and teams build accessible, high-performing workplaces. His work focuses on the systems that shape performance—communication, meetings, onboarding, workload design and reasonable adjustments—turning good intent into manager-ready tools (scripts, checklists and standards). Nat holds an MSc in Applied Neuroscience and is known for clear, evidence-informed talks that translate neurodiversity into practical action. Learn more: https://www.divergentthinking.uk/

Nat Hawley is the founder of Divergent Thinking, a UK-based neuroinclusion and neurodiversity consultancy. He delivers keynotes and practical training that help leaders and teams build accessible, high-performing workplaces. His work focuses on the s... Show more

Tehseen Raza is a technology entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Tehseen & Co, a digital solutions company specializing in data intelligence, verification infrastructure, and scalable online platforms. He is recognized for building practical, technology-driven systems that enable efficient access to structured data and automated verification services.
Operating with an execution-focused approach, Tehseen has developed multiple digital initiatives aimed at modernizing information access and simplifying complex data processes. His work centers on building reliable digital infrastructure, expanding databases, and deploying automation to improve service efficiency and accuracy.
Beyond his core enterprise, Tehseen is also the founder behind emerging technology brands including Tehseen Authority Tehseen &Co . These initiatives focus on artificial intelligence integration, digital branding, and next-generation automation frameworks designed to support modern digital ecosystems.
Through strategic development and continuous innovation, Tehseen Raza is actively building a technology ecosystem focused on data accessibility, scalable digital services, and AI-assisted solutions, positioning his ventures for long-term growth in the evolving global digital economy.

Tehseen Raza is a technology entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Tehseen & Co, a digital solutions company specializing in data intelligence, verification infrastructure, and scalable online platforms. He is recognized for building practical, techn... Show more

FOMU -the fear of messing up- leads to missed opportunities, disconnection and stagnation in individuals, teams and organizations. Through
powerful stories and real-world scenarios, Brittany equips high-achieving professionals with practical strategies that build psychological safety and create cultures where people feel safe to speak up, take risks and innovate.

A car accident that killed her brother and left her father a quadriplegic ignited Brittany’s passion to rethink human connection, assumptions and our reaction to fear. A former non-profit founder and employee at Airbnb, Brittany's transformed the perspectives of thousands of professionals around the world. She's spoken at venues like SXSW, NBC Universal, and Deutsche Bank and her work has been featured in NPR, Forbes and USA Today.

FOMU -the fear of messing up- leads to missed opportunities, disconnection and stagnation in individuals, teams and organizations. Through powerful stories and real-world scenarios, Brittany equips high-achieving professionals with practical strateg... Show more

Phil Ledgerwood’s resumé looks like seven other people’s resumés stitched together. He has baked bagels, guarded Clint Black’s town home, cooked for a gourmet food shop, freed stuck college students from elevators, managed printing plates for packaging, and served as a linguist in the Air Force. He taught himself HTML when the Netscape browser was still a thing, and the rest is history.

Phil is a twenty-year veteran of the software development industry in the Kansas City area. If you’re in the Kansas City area, he is two degrees of separation away from any programmer you know and has probably worked for, at, or with your company.

When the agile movement hit town, Phil knew a good thing when he saw it and became an early adopter of first wave agile practices. He has used these practices to ideate, build, and complete software projects ranging from loan forecasting to routing irrigation trucks to managing pharmacies to predictive lead generation to selling teddy bears. When people ask what vertical his company serves, he says, “Yours.”

Phil has incorporated Lean methodologies into software development just like his father used to do in manufacturing. When he partnered with Travis Dietz to start Integrity Inspired Solutions in 2012, they laid the foundation in Lean to make the custom software development enterprise more humane, predictable, and focused on the success of everyone involved.

A regular speaker at developer, Lean, and Agile conferences, Phil has a passion for taking his company’s ways to other companies whether they create software or not. He loves to see them transform from a collection of interactions riddled with disappointments and broken promises to team-oriented relational companies enjoying newfound trust, joy, efficiency, and success. Several companies from all over the world in all different industries contract Phil to help coach them through their own journeys. He also hosts the successful "Agile Bites" podcast.

When he’s not helping project managers learn predictive metrics or helping developers write customer-focused features, he’s enjoying a wide array of highly geeky hobbies including fantasy and sci-fi novels, gaming, and teaching Filipino stick fighting. His main hobby is making the world a better place for everyone who has to share the planet with him, and the engine for that is love.

Phil Ledgerwood’s resumé looks like seven other people’s resumés stitched together. He has baked bagels, guarded Clint Black’s town home, cooked for a gourmet food shop, freed stuck college students from elevators, managed printing plates for packagi... Show more

Alberto Castillo Aroca has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the global AI landscape, particularly in the niche of Humanitarian AI. As an Economist with a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, he sits at the unique intersection of complex data science, social impact, and technology policy.

​Currently, he serves as the Product Manager for ANTICIPA at the French NGO 3iS. Under his leadership, the platform was recently selected by Google.org as one of only 20 initiatives globally—out of over 3,000 proposals—to win the Generative AI Impact Challenge.

​Unlike many AI experts who focus solely on commercial software, Alberto leads engineering projects that are actively saving lives in Colombia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Amazon. His work utilizes advanced architectures involving Gemini, Mastra AI, and GraphRAG to help vulnerable communities manage environmental risks and disasters through accessible interfaces like WhatsApp.

​He is a recognized expert in bridging the gap between advanced Enterprise AI architectures and real-world deployment in low-connectivity environments. Beyond his technical work, Alberto is deeply involved in tech governance, having recently presented formal AI regulation proposals to the Senate of the Dominican Republic. He is currently one of the strongest voices advocating for the use of Agentic Systems to solve complex, systemic crises in the Global South.

Alberto Castillo Aroca has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the global AI landscape, particularly in the niche of Humanitarian AI. As an Economist with a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, he sits at the unique inters... Show more

Honest, pragmatic and laid back, Naresh delivers motivational messages with leadership, resilience, perseverance, and ˜It's possible' as his main themes. With his unique skill to use tales of his adventures to inspire, he speaks about his explorations in a way that will relate to corporate audiences due to his former career as a technology consultant. Stories from his outdoor adventures and what it takes to overcome extreme challenges are topics that are relevant to corporations. He has spoken for some of the Fortune 500 organizations, universities, schools, and NGO's all over the world. He strongly believes that "You don't get ahead by having the potential to do something, you get ahead by doing it."

Honest, pragmatic and laid back, Naresh delivers motivational messages with leadership, resilience, perseverance, and ˜It's possible' as his main themes. With his unique skill to use tales of his adventures to inspire, he speaks about his exploration... Show more

Charlene “Char” Holmes is a TEDx speaker, psychology-informed leadership strategist, and professional development coach who helps individuals and organizations move beyond stress-driven performance into sustainable growth.

Drawing from trauma-informed principles, psychology research, and lived experience, Char teaches leaders how the brain’s survival systems influence decision-making, leadership style, workplace culture, and long-term performance.

Her work focuses on helping professionals recognize when they are operating from “survival mode” and equipping them with practical strategies to shift into what she calls SurThrival Mode — a leadership framework centered on awareness, resilience, emotional regulation, and sustainable impact.

Char’s work has resonated across leadership, wellness, and transformation spaces, where she speaks on topics including trauma-informed leadership, mindset transformation, resilience under pressure, and creating psychologically safe environments that allow people and organizations to thrive.

Through her speaking, coaching, and media platform, Char continues to lead transformative conversations that reshape leadership from the inside out.

Charlene “Char” Holmes is a TEDx speaker, psychology-informed leadership strategist, and professional development coach who helps individuals and organizations move beyond stress-driven performance into sustainable growth. Drawing from trauma-info... Show more

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

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

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

Sam Jenkins is a community strategist, facilitator, and inclusive event design expert with over a decade of experience leading large-scale public programs, workforce initiatives, and cultural events. She currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator in local government while also running Empowering Communities, a consulting practice focused on helping organizations move beyond performative efforts and into practical, people-centered action.

Sam’s work sits at the intersection of leadership, culture, and lived experience. She specializes in supporting front-line staff, building psychologically safe teams, and designing events and initiatives that actually reflect the communities they serve. Her background in parks and recreation, combined with her systems-level DEI work, gives her a rare perspective that resonates with both leadership and on-the-ground staff.

Known for her engaging, honest, and highly interactive style, Sam blends real-world scenarios, storytelling, and actionable tools participants can use immediately. She does not shy away from hard conversations, but she always grounds them in compassion, clarity, and practicality.

Sam has facilitated workshops, panels, and trainings for government agencies, nonprofits, and professional associations, and she consistently receives feedback for creating spaces that feel both challenging and supportive. Her sessions are especially impactful for audiences navigating burnout, change fatigue, and the pressure to “get it right” without enough guidance or support.

Sam Jenkins is a community strategist, facilitator, and inclusive event design expert with over a decade of experience leading large-scale public programs, workforce initiatives, and cultural events. She currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and I... Show more

Dr. Yi Zhang is a global learning strategist, TEDx speaker, SXSW London speaker (incoming), and founder who stands at the intersection of human development and technology shifts. With a 15-year career partnering with C-suite and senior leaders, Yi has spearheaded workforce capability initiatives that have positively impacted over 120,000 people at Fortune 100 giants, including Microsoft, Walmart, and United Airlines.

With a doctorate from Vanderbilt University, Yi helps people-centric organizations break through the AI overwhelm and rediscover their humanity and what they’re called to build. Whether addressing large conferences or leadership circles, Yi is known for making an emotional connection with the audience and bringing bold truths about AI and human behaviors that ignites change.

I offer two (2) signature talks:

1. Humanity & Well-Being: The AI Age Survival Guide

As AI reshapes the workplace, organizations face a hidden crisis of burnout and culture drift. This talk blends the nature of AI, human development, and change to help corporate leaders and teams navigate the overwhelm of AI acceleration without losing their humanity.

2. AI & the Human Debt: How HR & People Teams Win the AI Race

Is your HR/people team a passive observer or a strategic architect of the AI revolution? This talk unpacks the failed AI initiatives and provides proprietary guidance for CHROs and people leaders. It reclaims their seat at the table by bridging the gap between technological acceleration and human capability.

“Yi speaks from a place of extraordinary experience and genuine passion. What makes her remarkable on stage is her ability to take complex, forward-looking topics like AI, technology shifts, and workforce transformation and make them accessible, relatable, and deeply personal. That sets her apart as a speaker and as a thought leader.” — Berthine Crèvecoeur West, CEO, Westbridge Solutions"

Visit my speaker kit here for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EfIzdWtvkTL8h5FgjOeNQqdZFKgj99O4/view?usp=sharing

Dr. Yi Zhang is a global learning strategist, TEDx speaker, SXSW London speaker (incoming), and founder who stands at the intersection of human development and technology shifts. With a 15-year career partnering with C-suite and senior leaders, Yi ha... Show more

Et si la pédagogie ludique rendait notre monde plus habitable ... ✨

Designer pluridisciplaire de formation, je me suis progressivement formée à l’animation d’atelier d’intelligence collective via la facilitation ainsi qu’à la création de serious game, d’atelier ludique et la gamification.
J’associe mes compétences dans l’univers jeu, de la facilitation & du design pour les mettre au service des enjeux des organismes que j’accompagne. J’aime être challengé et nourrir ma curiosité en découvrant sans cesse de nouveaux terrains d'explorations, avec une appétence pour les thématiques autour de l’éducation, la jeunesse, l'alimentation, l’innovation & l’écologie.

Mon crédo aujourd'hui :
Imaginer • Concevoir • Transmettre

🌱Imaginer des expériences ludiques et apprenantes pour tous publics.

🍀Concevoir et réaliser des supports intuitifs & impactant.

🍃Transmettre et animer ces expériences grâce à l'intelligence collective.

Et si la pédagogie ludique rendait notre monde plus habitable ... ✨ Designer pluridisciplaire de formation, je me suis progressivement formée à l’animation d’atelier d’intelligence collective via la facilitation ainsi qu’à la création de serious g... Show more

Jessica Katz is passionate about the development of consent-filled environments, accelerating organizational growth, and enhancing effective leadership. She leverages her deep expertise in navigating complex, non-traditional relationships to revolutionize the world of work and champion diversity of thought. Specializing in establishing clear boundaries and effective communication, she provides strategic guidance to leaders tackling challenging workplace dynamics, ensuring mutual respect and maximizing productivity within their teams.

Jessica Katz is passionate about the development of consent-filled environments, accelerating organizational growth, and enhancing effective leadership. She leverages her deep expertise in navigating complex, non-traditional relationships to revoluti... Show more

Cass Cooper is a leadership strategist and keynote speaker specializing in executive sensemaking during restructures, rapid growth, AI integration, and operating model shifts—where clarity, trust, and execution all matter.

With more than two decades of experience across sales, organizational development, and leadership advisory work, Cass is known for translating complexity into decision-ready insight. Her work sits at the intersection of people systems, communication, and organizational performance, helping leaders move beyond symptoms to address the underlying dynamics that stall execution and erode trust.

Through insight-driven keynotes and leadership intensives, Cass challenges the idea of “soft skills” as secondary, reframing emotional intelligence, judgment, and accountability as core business capabilities. Her approach focuses on strengthening what already works, closing execution gaps, and building people-centered systems that scale without adding drag.

Cass holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies from DePaul University and a Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Known as The Chaos Whisperer, she brings a grounded, pragmatic perspective to global stages—equipping leaders to make better decisions under pressure in complex, fast-changing, and AI-driven environments.

Watch Cass’s keynote sizzle reel: https://youtu.be/v4qc7uooWmk

Cass Cooper is a leadership strategist and keynote speaker specializing in executive sensemaking during restructures, rapid growth, AI integration, and operating model shifts—where clarity, trust, and execution all matter. With more than two decad... Show more

Daniel Connor is the founder of AI R&D company Autopoetic and the creator of Minary, a primitive for subjective computing. https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.04501

Autopoetic is focused on building alternative models to Transformers based on the thesis that subjective computation is both fundamentally more efficient and also more aligned with how living organisms adapt to their environments.

Daniel's work focuses on two fronts: foundational qualia-based language models (LSMs) and subjective belief mixture-of-perspectives (MoPs). Both are under active development.

Daniel Connor is the founder of AI R&D company Autopoetic and the creator of Minary, a primitive for subjective computing. https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.04501 Autopoetic is focused on building alternative models to Transformers based on the thesis th... Show more

Amy Baldwin is a communication strategist, professional actor, and founder of The Presence Lab, where she helps executives and teams engage with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. With over 15 years of experience blending performance training and marketing expertise, she gives professionals to thrive as themselves—whether in high-stakes boardrooms, keynote stages, or media appearances. Amy has delivered executive intensives, team workshops, and speaker-prep sessions for business leaders, community leaders, university audiences and product teams, equipping them with practical skills to build their presence and storytelling prowess.

Amy Baldwin is a communication strategist, professional actor, and founder of The Presence Lab, where she helps executives and teams engage with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. With over 15 years of experience blending performance training and... Show more

I am a pharmaceutical leader and neurodiversity coach working at the intersection of science, leadership, and lived experience.

For over a decade, I have worked in global biotech and CDMO environments, leading Quality Control and manufacturing support functions, delivering large transformation programmes, and driving operational excellence within complex, highly regulated systems. I understand performance, accountability, and what it takes to lead in high-pressure environments.

Alongside my corporate career, I founded NeuroSpacious, a coaching practice dedicated to supporting neurodivergent professionals in the workplace. I bring several years of coaching experience in high demanding settings. My work focuses on helping individuals build sustainable systems that work with their brains rather than against them.

As someone with ADHD, I know the invisible load of masking, burnout cycles, hyperfocus, and executive function challenges. I also know the strengths that come with a different cognitive profile. My coaching model, NeuroSpacious, is rooted in neuroscience, behavioural science, and workplace psychology. It guides individuals to regulate, clarify, act, and recover so they can rediscover who they are beneath years of adaptation and pressure.

My mission is to help neurodivergent individuals thrive at work, by understanding their nervous system, their patterns, and their strengths. When people reconnect with how their brain actually works, performance becomes sustainable and identity becomes clearer.

I speak about neurodiversity, inclusive leadership, sustainable productivity, and psychological safety, translating research into practical strategies leaders and teams can apply immediately.

I am a pharmaceutical leader and neurodiversity coach working at the intersection of science, leadership, and lived experience. For over a decade, I have worked in global biotech and CDMO environments, leading Quality Control and manufacturing sup... Show more

Jamie is a Senior Product Manager, strategist, consultant, and veteran operating at the intersection of product, policy, process, customer experience, and technology. Her work centers on modernizing complex systems in regulated, high-impact environments where accountability, transparency, and operational discipline are essential.

A graduate with a degree in Business and Management and holder of multiple industry certifications, she has built her career across government, military, customer experience, telecom, technology, and sales. This cross-sector foundation gives her a unique ability to connect strategy with execution and translate complex systems into measurable outcomes.

She supports organizations in strengthening product strategy, leading process modernization, and facilitating leadership alignment across technical and business teams. Her experience spans large-scale system transformation, AI integration, governance design, and cross-functional execution in environments where decisions carry meaningful operational and human consequences.

Jamie built her career through customer experience leadership and enterprise product delivery, bringing systems thinking and structured execution into every initiative she leads. She has influenced multi-million dollar modernization efforts, earned multiple performance and special act awards, and driven measurable improvements in efficiency, delivery accountability, and user-centered design.

She has presented at national technology conferences including Techsgiving, contributed to conversations with the Tech Talent Project, participated in panels on technology hiring and modernization, and served as a multi-year brand ambassador for RenderATL.

Jamie believes technology should work for people, not the other way around. She brings disciplined leadership, responsible influence, and clarity of execution to every organization she supports.

Jamie is a Senior Product Manager, strategist, consultant, and veteran operating at the intersection of product, policy, process, customer experience, and technology. Her work centers on modernizing complex systems in regulated, high-impact environme... Show more

Annalisa Nash Fernandez is a specialist in world cultures, focusing on cultural elements in technology and business strategy. An experienced corporate strategic planning director who worked globally as an expatriate executive based in emerging markets, she bridges her dual background as a sociolinguist to navigate cross-cultural communication in marketing, leadership, and the digital economy. Her expert quotes are featured widely, including by CIO magazine and the BBC, and her articles are published in trade journals and in leading media. Annalisa held various roles at Philip Morris International and Kraft Foods, based in São Paulo, Brazil, and investment banks, including Bankers Trust, based in New York City and Santiago, Chile. Annalisa holds an M.A. in language and translation from the University of Wisconsin, and a B.S. in international finance from Georgetown University.

Annalisa Nash Fernandez is a specialist in world cultures, focusing on cultural elements in technology and business strategy. An experienced corporate strategic planning director who worked globally as an expatriate executive based in emerging market... Show more

Florian Brunner is a PhD candidate in International Relations at the University of Oxford and co-head of Project Access Germany. Together with his co-speaker Jael Fechler, he coordinates a student-led volunteer team that widens access to top universities through one-to-one mentoring, practical resources, and public and policy outreach. As a first-generation student raised by a single parent in rural Bavaria, Florian experienced first-hand how social and cultural capital shape educational trajectories. Today he focuses on building partnerships and translating mentoring insights into scalable recommendations for universities and scholarship funders.

Florian Brunner is a PhD candidate in International Relations at the University of Oxford and co-head of Project Access Germany. Together with his co-speaker Jael Fechler, he coordinates a student-led volunteer team that widens access to top universi... Show more