Humanities & Social Sciences

Esteemed speakers contributing their insights into human culture, behavior, and societal development

Diana López Luna

Diana López Luna

Diana López Luna is an accomplished and experienced data professional as well as a first-generation college graduate and queer Mexican daughter of immigrants. In 2021, she made a bold career transition from a low-paying role in academia and broke into the data & analytics field. Through strategic career upskilling, networking, and relentless determination, Diana now has a proven track record in data modeling, business intelligence/dashboard reporting, data quality assurance, mentorship, and team leadership. Diana is also highly proficient in SQL, Looker/LookML, Snowflake, and various other data tools/skills.

Diana has firsthand knowledge of what it takes to break into the data industry without a traditional tech background and is passionate about accelerating the path to a fulfilling career in data and/or tech, particularly for Latinos, first and second-generation immigrants, and women of color. This has led Diana to establish Casa Luna Career & Wealth, which provides career, business, and financial education/coaching services. Diana is also the Founder of the Latinas in Data & Analytics organization, which provides a community space for Latinas in the data industry to connect, inspire, and elevate one another.

Diana López Luna is an accomplished and experienced data professional as well as a first-generation college graduate and queer Mexican daughter of immigrants. In 2021, she made a bold career transition from a low-paying role in academia and broke int... Show more

Mala Mahadevan

Mala Mahadevan

Mala Mahadevan is a senior database professional with over 20 years of experience working with data, primarily in SQL Server and related technologies. She has been volunteering with SQL Server community for the past 15 years and is also a recipient of the PASSion award for being an outstanding volunteer. She is a featured blogger on sqlservercentral.com and also blogs infrequently at curiousaboutdata.com.

Mala Mahadevan is a senior database professional with over 20 years of experience working with data, primarily in SQL Server and related technologies. She has been volunteering with SQL Server community for the past 15 years and is also a recipient o... Show more

Michael Vukelic

Michael Vukelic


Michael – Professional Bio:

Michael Vukelic is a professional speaker bringing a rare blend of corporate experience, deep personal transformation, and cutting edge inner work to high achieving professionals. Through his proprietary Generational Freedom Protocol he supports leaders and teams break free from inherited limits, reactive patterns, and emotional barriers that quietly erode performance, culture, and pipeline. Drawing on certifications and coaching, advanced studies in metaphysical philosophy and more than a decade in professional Hypnosis and mindset re-patterning, Michael delivers practical, neuroscience aligned strategies that create calm under pressure, and more cohesive, resilient teams. His keynotes combine real world stories, actionable tools, and grounded inspiration to engage the heart and mind.

Michael Vukelic
Outrageous Success LLC
2112 Broadway St NE
Minneapolis, MN. 55413
773.899.1881

Michael – Professional Bio: Michael Vukelic is a professional speaker bringing a rare blend of corporate experience, deep personal transformation, and cutting edge inner work to high achieving professionals. Through his proprietary Generational ... Show more

Beth McDonough

Beth McDonough

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

Abdul Ahad

Abdul Ahad

With over seven years of experience across multiple industries and countries, Ahad is a seasoned data practitioner specializing in building data infrastructures from scratch for Small Medium Organisations. Recognizing the importance of the human element in technology, Ahad emphasizes on bringing the attention back to the human instead of another tool.

In November 2024, Ahad will deliver a TEDx Talk at TEDxEindhoven 2024 on "Karma Democracy," discussing how incentivising humans could be the key to a better democracy and leveraging technology to scale this idea.

With over seven years of experience across multiple industries and countries, Ahad is a seasoned data practitioner specializing in building data infrastructures from scratch for Small Medium Organisations. Recognizing the importance of the human elem... Show more

Andrew Ecker

Andrew Ecker

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

Khrystyna Kurganska

Khrystyna Kurganska

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

Steve Pereira

Steve Pereira

Steve Pereira has spent over two decades improving the flow of work across organizations. He’s worked through tech support, IT management, build and release engineering, and as a founding CTO for enterprise SaaS. After shifting to consulting large enterprises on value stream performance improvement, he created Flow Engineering to make value stream mapping simple, quick, and actionable. He serves as lead consultant for Visible Flow Consulting, as a board advisor to the Value Stream Management Consortium, Chair of the OASIS Value Stream Management Interoperability technical committee, and co-founder of the Flow Collective to bring flow-focused professionals together.

Learn more about his work at https://visible.is

Steve Pereira has spent over two decades improving the flow of work across organizations. He’s worked through tech support, IT management, build and release engineering, and as a founding CTO for enterprise SaaS. After shifting to consulting large en... Show more

Seconde Nimenya

Seconde Nimenya

Renowned for her ability to captivate audiences globally, Seconde Nimenya draws on her rich life experiences and multicultural heritage to inspire and empower individuals. With a compelling repertoire of life-changing insights, she offers invaluable perspectives on navigating adversities and achieving personal growth.

Nimenya is an author with five published books, including her latest, "Unlocking Diversity: Your Guide to Becoming an Inclusive Leader Beyond Surface Level," a book that delves into the timely and thought-provoking topic of inclusive leadership. Her TEDx talk, "We Are Not All That Different," is an exploration of race and other identity constructs that has garnered widespread acclaim and continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for embracing diversity across the globe.

Recognized for her leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, Nimenya has been instrumental in forging connections across varied multicultural communities.
Her academic credentials include a master's degree in business administration and a graduate certificate in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging leadership from Harvard University.

For further details about Seconde Nimenya's work, visit: https://www.bechangegroup.com/home

Renowned for her ability to captivate audiences globally, Seconde Nimenya draws on her rich life experiences and multicultural heritage to inspire and empower individuals. With a compelling repertoire of life-changing insights, she offers invaluable ... Show more

Angela Legh

Angela Legh

Angela Legh is a bestselling middle-grade author, speaker, and recipient of the 2024 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions supporting emotional resilience, literacy, and family connection. She is the creator of The Bella Santini Chronicles and the author of the upcoming book The Emotional Landscape of the Tween Years: Understanding the Feelings That Drive Your Child’s Behavior.

Angela works with schools, educators, and families to help adults better understand the emotional world of children and the hidden experiences that often drive behavior. Her work combines storytelling, emotional resilience education, and practical strategies designed to strengthen connection, emotional safety, and healthy communication within schools and families.

Angela Legh is a bestselling middle-grade author, speaker, and recipient of the 2024 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions supporting emotional resilience, literacy, and family connection. She is the creator of The Bella Santin... Show more

Clément Schrepfer

Clément Schrepfer

15 ans d'expérience dans le Product Management, auteur d'une méthode d'escrime et préparateur mental, Clément Schrepfer mêle désormais ces 3 univers dans son coaching appliqué en entreprise, au service de l'Humain et des meilleures pratiques Produit.

15 ans d'expérience dans le Product Management, auteur d'une méthode d'escrime et préparateur mental, Clément Schrepfer mêle désormais ces 3 univers dans son coaching appliqué en entreprise, au service de l'Humain et des meilleures pratiques Produit. Show more

Anshu Kumari

Anshu Kumari

Founder, BlockchainKids (2019-Present) | Building worldwide community eliminating child trafficking through technology
Published Researcher | International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research | "Emojis for Sale: The Privatization of Human Emotion in AI Markets" | AI Governance & Technology Law
Keynote Speaker | Microsoft Summit | Scottish Summit | Youth Tech Education & Responsible Innovation
Professional Trainer | Blockchain Technology | Entrepreneurship Mindset | Design Thinking | Ages 3 to College Level
Panel Speaker | C# Corner | Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking Expert
Guest of Honour | Chandigarh University
Blockchain & Entrepreneurship Mentor | 100+ Kids, Techies & College Students | Entrepreneurial Mindsets | Blockchain Literacy
Legal & Technology Professional | Legal Intern, Multicloud4u Private Limited | Data Protection & Privacy Law (DPDP Act 2023, GDPR) | AI Governance | Contract Review
BBA LLB (Hons.) | National Forensic Sciences University Delhi
NFAT Exam | All India Rank 17
Published Author
State Level Basketball Player

Founder, BlockchainKids (2019-Present) | Building worldwide community eliminating child trafficking through technology Published Researcher | International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research | "Emojis for Sale: The Privatization of Human Emotion... Show more

Chris Hetzler

Chris Hetzler

Hello! I'm a Solution Architect at Eide Bailly LLP, a top-notch accounting and business advisory firm, and a proud Featured Fabric Partner. I love working with clients and teams to craft and deliver innovative solutions to business challenges using Microsoft technologies and platforms.

With over 20 years of experience in software engineering, I hold master's degrees in both software engineering and data science. I'm also certified in over 20 industry areas, including Microsoft Solution Architect certifications for Azure, Power Platform, and Dynamics.

My expertise spans across Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Fabric, Power Platform, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Development frameworks, tools, and DevOps, as well as major open-source development platforms. I specialize in designing and implementing no-code, low-code, and custom solutions, and I thrive on leading and collaborating with both on-shore and off-shore development teams to drive innovation and deliver customer value.

I'm known for my exceptional communication skills, which allow me to connect with both technical and non-technical audiences at all levels. I've had the pleasure of presenting at several industry conferences, including the Fabric Community Conference, Microsoft Ready, Microsoft Convergence, and StarWest / East.

In my spare time, I enjoy indulging in my interests in U.S.A. Swimming, space exploration, science, engineering, and Lego. I'm passionate about creating software that solves real problems and makes a positive impact.

Hello! I'm a Solution Architect at Eide Bailly LLP, a top-notch accounting and business advisory firm, and a proud Featured Fabric Partner. I love working with clients and teams to craft and deliver innovative solutions to business challenges using M... Show more

Shanne Sowards

Shanne Sowards

Shanne Sowards is the founder and Executive Director of Squires Empowering Young Dads (SEYD), a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping, mentoring, and empowering teen and young fathers. With a deep passion for breaking cycles of fatherlessness, Shanne has built Squires into a trusted community resource where young dads can gain confidence, leadership skills, and a vision for healthy fatherhood.

Drawing from his own experiences as a young father, Shanne understands the unique challenges young dads face and has committed his life to ensuring they are not left behind. Under his leadership, Squires has developed innovative programs like The Knight Project, which combines personal growth with leadership development, giving young fathers opportunities to step into their roles as leaders in their families and communities.

Shanne is widely recognized as a passionate advocate, speaker, and mentor who believes that supporting young fathers strengthens families and transforms communities. His work has given countless young men the tools not only to graduate and achieve stability, but also to build lasting legacies as engaged, intentional dads.

Shanne Sowards is the founder and Executive Director of Squires Empowering Young Dads (SEYD), a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping, mentoring, and empowering teen and young fathers. With a deep passion for breaking cycles of fatherlessness... Show more

Cade Bradford Knudson

Cade Bradford Knudson

Cade Bradford Knudson is a financial professional with tremendous experience managing multi-million dollar portfolios for various clients across the broader financial industry. While working for hedge funds, he has learned various skills, including quantitative analysis, relative valuations, and macroeconomic analysis. He spends a significant amount of time analyzing financial trends, valuing different companies, and looking for investment opportunities on behalf of his clients. He also keeps his eyes open, learning from some of the top professionals in the industry, and applying everything he knows to his own career. This steady approach helps him focus on process, risk control, and clear communication.

Cade Knudson of Denver set his sights on the business world early. He noticed how people around him made decisions and looked for small ways to practice those habits. He graduated toward the top of his class in high school and went on to one of the top colleges in the country. In college, he took numerous business courses, held part-time jobs that taught accountability, and followed through on internships he used to network. Because the business world is incredibly competitive, particularly for those who want to work in equities, he aimed to build simple routines he could repeat—read carefully, test assumptions, and explain conclusions plainly.

After he finished college, he spent several years working. He wanted to apply what he learned, refine judgment, and earn trust with results. The hours were long, but the lessons were practical. By learning how to take lessons from the school and apply them in real life, he built many essential skills that he continues to use. He also got to work with various business clients, continuously generating positive returns on their behalf. That record helped him gain admission to one of the top graduate programs in the country and confirmed the value of preparation and steady execution.

He decided to go back to graduate school and attend DU. There, he distinguished himself from a lot of his peers, graduating magna cum laude from the program. The recognition opened doors, but the habits behind it mattered more: careful research, clear writing, and attention to risk. He immediately garnered the attention of some of the top firms in the industry, which allowed him to land an exceptional job. In his current role, he moves projects from planning to delivery, aiming for straightforward memos and measured position sizing.

Working with different teams has been an essential part of his development. He has shown an ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, which helps him consistently meet deadlines and requirements for client deliverables. He tries to listen first, ask specific questions, and keep meetings centered on next steps. When results arrive, he reviews what worked, notes what did not, and adjusts his process.

Service is part of his week. Cade Knudson of Denver regularly donates to a safe house for domestic violence victims in Denver. He also supports a food bank in the Rocky Mountains. Many people in the area do not have access to a steady supply of fresh food, and he helps the organization maintain resources so neighbors can count on a nutritious meal. These efforts are practical and local, focused on steady help rather than headlines.

Outside of work, he spends time outdoors. Denver offers easy access to mountains, and he takes advantage of that. During the winter, he often skis at nearby resorts. As seasons change, he turns to fishing and fly fishing for quiet and patience. He also spends time with family and friends exploring some of the Rocky Mountains’ most beautiful hiking and biking trails.

Even though his job is demanding, he tries to gather with loved ones during the holidays and check in during the year. He enjoys mentoring people interested in finance, sharing simple practices that helped him start. The goal is consistent: do the work carefully, keep learning, and humbly serve clients and the community. This path continues to guide Cade Bradford Knudson in the financial sector.

Cade Bradford Knudson is a financial professional with tremendous experience managing multi-million dollar portfolios for various clients across the broader financial industry. While working for hedge funds, he has learned various skills, including q... Show more

Marshmallow / Tyler

Marshmallow / Tyler

I'm a comic artist from Toronto who draws a lot of gay positive comics, and self publish my work! I'm also the suiter of MarshmallowMaw!

I'm a comic artist from Toronto who draws a lot of gay positive comics, and self publish my work! I'm also the suiter of MarshmallowMaw! Show more

Annalisa Nash Fernandez

Annalisa Nash Fernandez

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

Christian Lenz

Christian Lenz

With over 25 years of expertise in the Business Central domain, Christian has led transformative projects, optimizing processes and driving growth. His mission is to create value-driven work environments that empower teams. He has also created and hosted numerous events and learning environments for internal and external developers, helping them update and expand their skills.

As an accomplished speaker, Christian has shared insights at international conferences, including Directions EMEA and BCTechDays. His sessions or workshops provoke viewpoint shifts, offering strategic frameworks to keep organizations competitive in a dynamic landscape.

Beyond technical skills, Christian’s education in Design Thinking, Theory U, and Future Leadership equips him as a certified Organizational Designer. His holistic approach blends creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking to drive impactful change, even in complex situations where no prior knowledge exists.

Connect with Christian to explore innovative solutions and elevate your organization’s potential. 🎙️🚀

With over 25 years of expertise in the Business Central domain, Christian has led transformative projects, optimizing processes and driving growth. His mission is to create value-driven work environments that empower teams. He has also created and ho... Show more

Tori Brenneison

Tori Brenneison

Tori Brenneison is a senior software developer and former art historian whose mission in life is to serve as a warning to others. With her background in enterprise software development and technical education, Tori has built a reputation for modernizing solutions, developing impactful web applications, and mentoring the next generation of developers. Beyond her technical skills, she is deeply committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and servant leadership in the tech community.

Tori’s wide-ranging experience and dynamic teaching style make her a compelling conference speaker and workshop facilitator. When she's not at her keyboard, you might find her hiking, petting strange cats she found on the street, or admiring her collection of midcentury bakeware. Best to approach her in the wild with a sacrificial cup of coffee, and be forewarned: she's a hugger.

Tori Brenneison is a senior software developer and former art historian whose mission in life is to serve as a warning to others. With her background in enterprise software development and technical education, Tori has built a reputation for moderniz... Show more

Emanuele Moscato

Emanuele Moscato

I spent several years working in large companies in different areas (business development, marketing, sourcing, organization, digital innovation) measuring myself in different fields, from software simulation and validation, to strategic sourcing and finally to organizational methodologies. In these experiences I was able to put into practice what I learned in my studies and learn new things using my ability to see and my propensity to think out of the box. Now is the time to help companies improve themselves by providing them with an external, competent and sometimes visionary, point of view. That's why I decided to take care of companies, and even before the people who make them live, from outside as a consultant.

I spent several years working in large companies in different areas (business development, marketing, sourcing, organization, digital innovation) measuring myself in different fields, from software simulation and validation, to strategic sourcing and... Show more

Paul-Louis Nech

Paul-Louis Nech

Paul-Louis Nech is a Machine Learning engineer with 10 years of experience crafting software for a global audience.
Throughout his career, he has leveraged advanced algorithms to empower developers and users alike.
From SwiftKey to Algolia, Paul-Louis has built tools that bridge the gap between state-of-the-art algorithms (which work in the lab) and end products (which succeed in the wild).
This requires not only great technology, but more importantly great user-experience, to make sure you build something people want!

Paul-Louis Nech is a Machine Learning engineer with 10 years of experience crafting software for a global audience. Throughout his career, he has leveraged advanced algorithms to empower developers and users alike. From SwiftKey to Algolia, Paul-L... Show more

Aanvi Dogra

Aanvi Dogra

Aanvi Dogra is a senior at Dublin Jerome High School who is also attending Columbus State Community College to earn her Computer Science Cybersecurity Major AAS. She is passionate about technology and learning about new technological advancements. She takes pride in uplifting her community, especially young students and she does this by volunteer organizations and clubs. In her free time, she enjoys working with kids and fostering a passion for STEM within children, as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Aanvi Dogra is a senior at Dublin Jerome High School who is also attending Columbus State Community College to earn her Computer Science Cybersecurity Major AAS. She is passionate about technology and learning about new technological advancements. Sh... Show more

Martin Merino Eiró

Martin Merino Eiró

Martín Merino is a partner at BeUpFlow, a team of consultants who develop senior talent to help companies transform and boost their growth. As an Agile Professional, he develops interdisciplinary transformation projects promoting intrapreneurship and applying Agile methodologies. He is a trainer, mentor, coach and content creator.

Author of the book "Lean Blitz: Mejora tu proceso de negocio radicalmente" (https://amzn.eu/d/aFwId7R)

With a degree in Physical Sciences, he has studied Business Innovation Management and Management and specialized in various agile methodologies such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Scrum, Kanban, etc. He has been trained as an Agile Coach by the Telefónica Agile Academy and is certified as a Scrum Master Professional, Lean Change agent, Team Kanban Practitioner or SAFe agilist, among others.

With more than 9 years of experience as a strategic and transformation consultant in companies in the telco sector, he has worked on innovation and efficiency projects in operations and network areas, putting models such as Lean Management and Agile into practice.

He is a collaborating professor in the University Expert Program in agile methodologies at the International University of La Rioja (UNIR) in Spain and is part of its mentoring program for university students.

In accordance with his commitment to sustainability and rural and natural development, he lives in a small town far from Madrid surrounded by mountains, forests and enjoying his animals.

Martín Merino is a partner at BeUpFlow, a team of consultants who develop senior talent to help companies transform and boost their growth. As an Agile Professional, he develops interdisciplinary transformation projects promoting intrapreneurship and... Show more

Maxime Sciare

Maxime Sciare

Enchanté, moi c’est Maxime !

À 18 ans, j’étais en quête de sens (= paumé).
Puis pendant 5 ans, j’ai exploré le développement personnel… et j’en ai finalement fait mon métier.
Aujourd’hui, je suis coach professionnel et conférencier, et j’aide les gens à oser passer à l’action avec un cap clair et motivant.

Ah oui, et je suis fan de randonnée, de fromage suisse et… de Taylor Swift ! 🎵🧀🥾

Enchanté, moi c’est Maxime ! À 18 ans, j’étais en quête de sens (= paumé). Puis pendant 5 ans, j’ai exploré le développement personnel… et j’en ai finalement fait mon métier. Aujourd’hui, je suis coach professionnel et conférencier, et j’aide... Show more

Guido X Jansen

Guido X Jansen

Guido X Jansen is a Community Strategist who builds technical ecosystems that drive business growth. He has built community functions from zero multiple times: Dutchento/Meet Magento (600+ annual attendees), CRO.CAFE (200+ podcast episodes), and Spryker's enterprise community (130+ clients).

His cognitive psychology background helps him understand why technical users behave the way they do, designing communities that create real business value rather than just activity metrics. He has spoken at 200+ conferences across 26 countries.

Guido advocates for open source, privacy-first technology, and building resilient systems. Based in the Netherlands, working remotely.

Guido X Jansen is a Community Strategist who builds technical ecosystems that drive business growth. He has built community functions from zero multiple times: Dutchento/Meet Magento (600+ annual attendees), CRO.CAFE (200+ podcast episodes), and Spry... Show more

Lani Gonzales

Lani Gonzales

Lani Gonzales helps successful women and high achievers who look accomplished on the outside—but feel exhausted, disconnected, or unfulfilled on the inside—create success without burnout and power without losing their soul.

Many of the women Lani works with have done everything “right.” They’ve built impressive careers, achieved financial independence, and earned respect—yet inside, they feel stuck, overextended, or quietly empty. The constant pressure to perform, produce, and prove has pulled them further from their intuition, their body, and their deeper sense of purpose.

After becoming a law firm partner at 23, Lani lived that same story. From the outside, she had it all. On the inside, she was driven by subconscious survival patterns and a nervous system locked in overdrive. Her own awakening led her to leave the legal profession and devote her life to studying the subconscious mind, human behavior, and the wisdom traditions that have guided healing and leadership for thousands of years.

Today, Lani blends neuroscience-based hypnotherapy, performance psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions to help high-achieving women:
- Rewire burnout and overdrive at the root
- Break free from subconscious self-sabotage
- Reconnect to clarity, intuition, and inner authority
- Build success that feels aligned, sustainable, and alive

Her talks are known for being raw, strategic, and deeply activating—combining modern science with timeless wisdom to create real, lasting transformation. Audiences leave with tools they can use immediately to change how they lead, live, and work.

Lani Gonzales helps successful women and high achievers who look accomplished on the outside—but feel exhausted, disconnected, or unfulfilled on the inside—create success without burnout and power without losing their soul. Many of the women Lani ... Show more

Luca Minudel

Luca Minudel

Luca Minudel (he/him) is an Agility/XP/Lean, Complexity-thinking, and modern Product/Engineering Management advisor, mentor, coach, change agent for hire. He is an organisational gardener, culture curator, collaboration orchestrator, and delivery facilitator with over 20 years of experience in professional software development. He is also an author and a speaker.

He contributed to the adoption of lean and agile practices by Ferrari's F1 racing team. For ThoughtWorks, he delivered training, coaching, assessments and organisational transformations in top-tier organisations in the UK, Europe and the United States. He worked as Agile Transformation Lead, Head of Agility, Interim Product Director, Lean/Agile Practice Lead, and as Lean/Agile Coach in companies such as Lloyds, BP, The AA, Japan Tobacco International, HSBC, LexisNexis, Marsh McLennan.

Luca is the founder and CEO at SmHarter.com, a company that helps organisations turn their way of working into their competitive advantage.

https://www.smharter.com/blog/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaminudel/
https://bsky.app/profile/lucaminudel.bsky.social/
https://mstdn.social/@lukadotnet/
https://twitter.com/lukadotnet (inactive)

Luca Minudel (he/him) is an Agility/XP/Lean, Complexity-thinking, and modern Product/Engineering Management advisor, mentor, coach, change agent for hire. He is an organisational gardener, culture curator, collaboration orchestrator, and delivery fa... Show more

Michael Bower

Michael Bower

Michael Bower is a 30+ year broadcasting and podcast veteran who has hosted national shows on Sirius Satellite Radio, delivered daily reports as a National Correspondent for NBC News Radio, and produced more than 1,000 podcasts across genres. As a former VP of Programming for Ingstad Minnesota Radio Network, he led talent development, coached on-air hosts, and even tested early AI “on-air personalities” — discovering why authenticity always beats automation.

Today, Michael brings that experience to the stage with talks that blend broadcast discipline, podcast innovation, and humor from his years in stand-up comedy. His signature sessions — Craft Over Clout, Process Over Perfection, and The AI DJ Problem — help creators cut through the noise, build loyal audiences, and reclaim quality in an algorithm-driven era.

Michael’s approach is simple but powerful: respect your listener’s time, earn their trust, and give them something they’ll come back for.

Michael Bower is a 30+ year broadcasting and podcast veteran who has hosted national shows on Sirius Satellite Radio, delivered daily reports as a National Correspondent for NBC News Radio, and produced more than 1,000 podcasts across genres. As a fo... Show more

Cindy Gross

Cindy Gross

Cindy Gross is a leadership clarity coach who helps women and non-binary leaders in tech lead with courage, clarity, and confidence. A former Microsoft data and cloud architect with 25+ years in enterprise tech, she knows firsthand what it means to thrive in high-pressure, male-dominated environments—while carrying the emotional labor of being “the only one.”

Now, as the founder of Befriending Dragons, Cindy supports underestimated leaders who are ready to stop shape-shifting to survive and start leading from their full selves. She blends systems thinking, equity-centered coaching, and lived experience to help clients navigate burnout, bias, and big decisions with grounded insight and practical strategy. Her work invites leaders to reclaim their voice, set powerful boundaries, and lead in ways that are both effective and deeply aligned.

Cindy’s keynotes and workshops have sparked reflection and change in tech teams, leadership cohorts, coaching communities, and public sector organizations. She speaks with sharp insight, mythic perspective, and deep compassion for what it really takes to lead when the system wasn’t built for you. Her message is simple and powerful: you’re not broken. You get to lead as your full self—and when you do, you change everything.

Cindy Gross is a leadership clarity coach who helps women and non-binary leaders in tech lead with courage, clarity, and confidence. A former Microsoft data and cloud architect with 25+ years in enterprise tech, she knows firsthand what it means to t... Show more

Win McCormack

Win McCormack

Win McCormack is an American editor, publisher, author, and political activist who has spent more than forty years contributing to literature, journalism, and public affairs. As the founder and editor-in-chief of Tin House and the owner of The New Republic, he has played an important role in supporting long-form journalism, literary publishing, and political commentary. His career reflects a continuing commitment to editorial independence and the preservation of influential media institutions.

Born as Winthrop Laflin McCormack, he grew up in a family associated with public service, law, and finance. His father served in military intelligence during World War II and later held a senior position at the State Department. His mother's family was connected to the founding of a major financial institution in Chicago. He attended Phillips Academy before studying government at Harvard College. During his educational years, he participated in an American Field Service exchange program in Indonesia, an experience that broadened his perspective. After graduation, he worked in teaching and social services before earning an MFA in creative writing at the University of Oregon.

McCormack's path into publishing began during graduate school. After taking part in a congressional campaign, he invested in Oregon Times magazine and later transformed it into Oregon Magazine. From 1976 to 1988, he served as editor, helping the publication gain recognition for investigative reporting and detailed feature journalism. He also became co-owner and treasurer of MediAmerica, Inc., which published several regional magazines. His early publishing activities included helping launch Mother Jones magazine and contributing to several specialized publications.

In the late 1990s, Win established Tin House, a literary magazine that became known for publishing both emerging and established writers. The creation of Tin House Books in 2005 expanded its presence in the publishing industry. The Tin House Summer Workshop, launched in 2003, offered writers a place to study and collaborate. Although the magazine ceased its quarterly print edition in 2019, the broader organization remains active through books, workshops, and related programs.

In 2016, McCormack acquired The New Republic and became its editor-in-chief. He worked to reinforce the publication's focus on political and cultural analysis while guiding it through a period of transition. He also directed an extensive investigation into the Rajneesh movement in Oregon, which later became the basis for The Rajneesh Chronicles. His published works also include You Don't Know Me: A Citizen's Guide to Republican Family Values.

Beyond publishing, he has remained involved in philanthropy and progressive political causes, including co-founding the Liberty Hill Foundation and serving on the boards of organizations focused on education, public policy, and the humanities. Today, Win McCormack continues to influence publishing and public life through the institutions, projects, and initiatives he has helped shape.

Win McCormack is an American editor, publisher, author, and political activist who has spent more than forty years contributing to literature, journalism, and public affairs. As the founder and editor-in-chief of Tin House and the owner of The New Re... Show more

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