Andy Vargo is a professional speaker, author, life-change coach, podcast host and comedian known for his engaging and humorous approach to personal development. He empowers individuals and organizations to embrace their unique traits through his "Own Your Awkward" concept. Andy has authored several books, including Own Your Awkward Life Changes and Own Your Awkward Thoughts. He also hosts the "Own Your Awkward Talks Speaking Course," coaching individuals to present confidently. With a diverse skill set in public speaking, content creation, and personal branding, Andy is a sought-after speaker and coach who brings laughter and insight into life's challenges.

Andy Vargo is a professional speaker, author, life-change coach, podcast host and comedian known for his engaging and humorous approach to personal development. He empowers individuals and organizations to embrace their unique traits through his "Own... Show more

I am passionate about market research, focusing on SME market segments and business ecosystems. My work revolves around need-based innovation, particularly within social entrepreneurship spaces, where I explore sustainable solutions that drive long-term impact.

With a keen eye for emerging trends, I specialize in identifying opportunities for social sustainability ventures. I bridge gaps between market needs and transformative innovations, and I thrive on fostering collaborations that create business models with lasting social value.

I am passionate about market research, focusing on SME market segments and business ecosystems. My work revolves around need-based innovation, particularly within social entrepreneurship spaces, where I explore sustainable solutions that drive long-t... Show more

Dr. Theodore S. Gonzalves is a scholar of comparative cultural studies and a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. A Fulbright scholar and former interim director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, he has taught in the United States, Spain, and the Philippines since 1991. His acclaimed book Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects (2023) earned the Smithsonian Secretary’s Research Prize. An accomplished musician and past president of the Association for Asian American Studies, Dr. Gonzalves was appointed to the Organization of American Historians’ Distinguished Lectureship Program and currently serves on the board of the American Council of Learned Societies.

Dr. Theodore S. Gonzalves is a scholar of comparative cultural studies and a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. A Fulbright scholar and former interim director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, he has ta... Show more

Chris is an experienced nonprofit professional who has spent the last 15 years as a dedicated educator, network builder, and advocate for non-profit organizations. Chris is currently the Head of Programs at the Interledger Foundation. He oversees all aspects of the programatic activity of the foundation.

Chris is an experienced nonprofit professional who has spent the last 15 years as a dedicated educator, network builder, and advocate for non-profit organizations. Chris is currently the Head of Programs at the Interledger Foundation. He oversees all... Show more

Chris is the Founder and Data Scientist at Surface Owl, where he focuses on machine learning and data science to develop a transformative decision support platform and implement digital transformation programs for clients. As an active contributor to the Bay Area's technical communities and Conference Chair of PyBay, Chris helps support the development of tech skills and our local Python and ML community.

Chris is the Founder and Data Scientist at Surface Owl, where he focuses on machine learning and data science to develop a transformative decision support platform and implement digital transformation programs for clients. As an active contributor to... Show more

Noreen Naseem Rodríguez is an Associate Professor of Elementary Education and Educational Justice in the Department of Teacher Education and core faculty in the Asian Pacific American Studies and Muslim Studies Programs at Michigan State University. Her current research, funded by the Spencer Foundation, examines the implementation of Asian American Studies in K-12 classrooms across the U.S. She has published over fifty peer-reviewed book chapters and articles in scholarly and practitioner journals such as Harvard Educational Review, Curriculum Inquiry, and Journal of Children's Literature, and is co-author of Social Studies for a Better World: An Anti-Oppressive Approach for Elementary Educators with Katy Swalwell and Teaching Asian America in Elementary Classrooms with Sohyun An and Esther Kim. Before becoming an award-winning researcher and teacher educator, Noreen was a bilingual elementary teacher in Austin, Texas for nine years.

Noreen Naseem Rodríguez is an Associate Professor of Elementary Education and Educational Justice in the Department of Teacher Education and core faculty in the Asian Pacific American Studies and Muslim Studies Programs at Michigan State University. ... Show more

Morten is a developer, designer, educator, and philosopher specializing in web standards, interaction design, and technology ethics. He has made hundreds of courses for Lynda.com and LinkedIn Learning covering design, web standards, bleeding edge technologies, and ethics, and is a popular speaker at major conferences around the globe. You may have learned WordPress, or JavaScript, or CSS grid from him, or seen him talking about surveillance capitalism and AI on TikTok. In his spare time he builds Lego space ships with his 6 year old son and dances ballroom with his wife.

Morten is a developer, designer, educator, and philosopher specializing in web standards, interaction design, and technology ethics. He has made hundreds of courses for Lynda.com and LinkedIn Learning covering design, web standards, bleeding edge te... Show more

Shebati Sengupta (they/she) is a PhD Candidate in American Studies at the University of New Mexico, with certificates in Graduate Teaching and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Their research focuses on Asian American embodiment and speculation during COVID-19. Broadly speaking, she is interested in the fictions of the nation-state, and the realities in the stories we tell each other. Shebati has taught Introduction to Politics in Popular Culture and Intro to WGSS. They also designed and taught the first Intro to Asian American Studies course ever taught at UNM. She is also involved with creative writing, and has attended retreats at VONA and Roots, Wounds, Words. She is interested in storytelling as craft, as theory, and as methodology.

Shebati Sengupta (they/she) is a PhD Candidate in American Studies at the University of New Mexico, with certificates in Graduate Teaching and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Their research focuses on Asian American embodiment and speculation d... Show more

Michèle a mené des transformations Lean et Agiles d’organisations. Au fil de ses expériences, elle a constaté l’importance du facteur humain au-delà des processus, des méthodes et des outils. Elle étudie les difficultés relationnelles et les facteurs qui les entretiennent. Son travail s’appuie sur l’approche systémique, les techniques de médiation et la communication non violente.

Michèle a mené des transformations Lean et Agiles d’organisations. Au fil de ses expériences, elle a constaté l’importance du facteur humain au-delà des processus, des méthodes et des outils. Elle étudie les difficultés relationnelles et les facteurs... Show more

Jake is an innovation-minded leader, teacher, and visual thinker whose passion is to make humans more human. He is a regular speaker at colleges, meetups and conferences. Jake has led Experience Design initiatives for more than 60 businesses across a variety of industries, including everything from fortune 500 companies to startups. Jake has built human-centered design practices for multiple prominent agencies and is currently Co-Founder of his own Human-Centered Design consultancy.

Jake is an innovation-minded leader, teacher, and visual thinker whose passion is to make humans more human. He is a regular speaker at colleges, meetups and conferences. Jake has led Experience Design initiatives for more than 60 businesses across a... Show more

Hi, you can call me Gatan. A DevOps Engineer passionate about automation, scalability, and system reliability. I specialize in CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and monitoring, with hands-on experience in Docker, Ansible, Prometheus, and Grafana. My focus is on streamlining deployments, optimizing performance, and ensuring seamless collaboration between development and operations. Always exploring new tools and best practices to push DevOps efficiency to the next level. Let’s connect and build something great!

Hi, you can call me Gatan. A DevOps Engineer passionate about automation, scalability, and system reliability. I specialize in CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and monitoring, with hands-on experience in Docker, Ansible, Prometheus, and Grafana. My foc... Show more

I'm a passionate professional about business, entrepreneurship, technology, continue improving of human and technical skills to me and teams that I worked.
I'm acquired experience and knowledge in differents roles and practices that I like share and still learning from others. I was fortunate to work in the largest companies in our region and the globe. Argentine Telecom, Globant, Mercadolibre, Amazon Web Services
My mainly skill topics are SaaS, Platform engineering, SRE, Dev(Sec)Ops, Agile, Lean and Cloud Architecture.
I'm a football fan, animal lover, MMA practitioner and father of two beautiful childs.

I'm a passionate professional about business, entrepreneurship, technology, continue improving of human and technical skills to me and teams that I worked. I'm acquired experience and knowledge in differents roles and practices that I like share and... Show more

A native New Orleanian of Filipino descent, Randy Gonzales is a poet, writer, and community historian who researches and shares the stories of Filipino Louisiana. He is an associate professor of English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he holds the Dr. James Wilson/BORSF Eminent Scholar Endowed Professorship in Southern Studies. His book Settling St. Malo (UL Press, 2023) is a history of Filipino Louisiana in verse. You can find out more about Filipinos in Louisiana at www.filipinola.com and more about Randy at www.randygonzales.com.

A native New Orleanian of Filipino descent, Randy Gonzales is a poet, writer, and community historian who researches and shares the stories of Filipino Louisiana. He is an associate professor of English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, wh... Show more

Joanne's journey, shaped by her mother's and grandmother's wisdom, exemplifies the transformative power of art. As an internationally acclaimed multimedia artist, she embodies resilience, authenticity, and personal growth. Her emotionally charged work resonates with global audiences, while her trailblazing multimedia creations captivate through digital art, AI, and photography. Joanne has two #1 internationally best-selling books, "The Creative Lifebook: Reflections On The Art Of Living A Fully Expressed Life" and “Radical Self Love: How To Ignite Your Light Through Creativity”. Showcasing her narrative talent and promoting community building and collaboration among artists, authors, and other creatives. Besides being an artist, photographer, and all-around nerd, she is a high-level Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance Director and accountant, who always looks for solutions to issues that create risks of derailing projects, movements, and cultures. Being of the viewpoint to consider, communicate, and collaborate but most importantly take action, Joanne is a doer. Her business savvy, combined with her artistic prowess, positions her as a driving force for change and inspiration. From her modest beginnings to her worldwide success, Joanne's life and creativity are testaments to growth, resilience, and authenticity.

Joanne's journey, shaped by her mother's and grandmother's wisdom, exemplifies the transformative power of art. As an internationally acclaimed multimedia artist, she embodies resilience, authenticity, and personal growth. Her emotionally charged wor... Show more

Detective in IT world.

Detective in IT world. Show more

A systemic design thinker working for a better world.

A systemic design thinker working for a better world. Show more

I’m an Agile Coach and Professional Coach (ICF-trained) working through my company, Mindful Solutions. I help IT organizations cultivate agility and collaboration through coaching, facilitation, and Scrum Mastery. In addition to organizational consulting, I lead trainings in coaching skills based on the International Coaching Federation (ICF) framework.

I’m an Agile Coach and Professional Coach (ICF-trained) working through my company, Mindful Solutions. I help IT organizations cultivate agility and collaboration through coaching, facilitation, and Scrum Mastery. In addition to organizational consul... Show more

IT professional since 2001. Passionate about tech and people. Founded and supported PHPSP for 12 years. Moved to Agile and management for the past years. From Brazil to Portugal, loving to write about identity and psychology.

IT professional since 2001. Passionate about tech and people. Founded and supported PHPSP for 12 years. Moved to Agile and management for the past years. From Brazil to Portugal, loving to write about identity and psychology. Show more

Eric Wamba is a speaker, coach, and author who integrates neuroscience and quantum physics to inspire personal and organizational transformation.
A former aerospace engineering graduate and science teacher, he now dedicates his work to exploring human potential.
Through his Neuro-Quantum 3A Method®, he blends predictive brain science, neuroplasticity, emotionally charged visualization, and principles from epigenetics and psychoneuroimmunology to show how thoughts, emotions, and the body shape tangible results.
He helps professionals, teams, and students break free from past loops and act within the 3–7 second window, when courage outpaces hesitation.
He believes that “emotion is the brain’s save button” and that failure is the greatest teacher of all.

Eric Wamba is a speaker, coach, and author who integrates neuroscience and quantum physics to inspire personal and organizational transformation. A former aerospace engineering graduate and science teacher, he now dedicates his work to exploring hu... Show more

Bonita Pannell brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare and currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach at UPMC Women’s Magee Hospital. In this role, she acts as a liaison between the hospital and the community, working to enhance access to care, broaden care options, and foster meaningful partnerships. A passionate advocate for the BIPOC community, Pannell develops and leads initiatives aimed at raising awareness and promoting self-empowerment. Her initiatives include organizing Community Health Fairs featuring on-site health screenings, hosting Maternal Health educational baby showers, and providing ongoing mentoring and support groups.
Pannell is an active member of several UPMC councils, including the Diversity Council, the Family Advisory Council, and the Community Doula & Birth Worker Advisory Board, where she advocates for policy changes that strengthen trust and collaboration between healthcare providers and the community. Additionally, she serves as the Director of the UPMC Affiliate Council of Girls on the Run, a national nonprofit organization focused on empowering girls in grades 3 through 8 by strengthening their social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills. The program operates at 64 school sites and serves over 1,500 girls annually.
Before joining UPMC, Bonita was part of the Gateway Health Plan case management team, where she managed insurance authorizations and cases for individuals with special needs. She also served as the General Manager for Hospice Care of Pittsburgh and Viator Hospice, overseeing care for terminally ill patients for 16 years and Director of Lutheran Senior Life Home Care.
Bonita holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Waynesburg University, a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Slippery Rock University. She is also a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and earned a certificate in Project Management from Villanova University.
A devoted mother, Bonita has two children—Aaron Burden and Tyler-Nicole Pannell—as well as two bonus children, Teona Williams and Brandon Pannell. She is an active member of Triumph Church, where she serves as a Deacon and the Coordinator of the Usher Ministry. Bonita is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter.

Bonita Pannell brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare and currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach at UPMC Women’s Magee Hospital. In this role, she acts as a liaison between the hospital and the community, working to enhance ... Show more

Dr. Ellen-Rae Cachola is the Librarian and Digital Archivist of the Center for Labor Education and Research at University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu.

Dr. Ellen-Rae Cachola is the Librarian and Digital Archivist of the Center for Labor Education and Research at University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu. Show more

Mariya Giy is a Software Engineer, AI Innovator, and Founder of Hackico.AI, a research-driven technology organization advancing open-source tools for education, data ethics, and human-centered innovation. Her engineering work powers communication and data infrastructure used by millions of families and educators across the United States.

With a rare combination of technical expertise and sociological insight, Mariya co-created the Early Insight & Engagement System (EIES) in collaboration with a professor at California State University, Northridge - a pioneering AI platform designed to help schools and communities identify early signs of disengagement and support adolescent well-being through proactive, compassionate interventions.

She speaks internationally about ethical AI, educational technology, and human-centered system design, inspiring engineers and innovators to build technology that empowers (not replace) human connection.

Mariya Giy is a Software Engineer, AI Innovator, and Founder of Hackico.AI, a research-driven technology organization advancing open-source tools for education, data ethics, and human-centered innovation. Her engineering work powers communication and... Show more

Mercy is an accomplished technical writer with over a year of professional experience in the field. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with various companies, specializing in enhancing and revitalizing their blogs and technical documentation. By focusing on clarity and user engagement, she transforms complex information into easily understandable content, ensuring that readers can effectively grasp the subject matter. Mercy's meticulous attention to detail and her ability to organize information logically make her a valuable asset to any team seeking to improve their communication materials.

Mercy is an accomplished technical writer with over a year of professional experience in the field. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with various companies, specializing in enhancing and revitalizing their blogs and technical documentation... Show more

Kris Manche (Dr BC) is a seasoned BC expert with 25 years of continuous experience. Starting in tech support at Navision HQ, Kris became a leading authority in recovering failed implementations at AU’s largest partners. He later founded, grew, and sold a top-performing VAR to a leading European distributor.

Kris has re-engineered hundreds of organizations and has developed & implemented many addons for many industries. Kris has deep technical and functional knowledge of complex business processes, ERP delivery and organizational transformation. Kris founded DIY-ERP to build the ultimate Business Central Implementation Toolkit for partners and customers. The toolkit distils 300+ implementations worth of expertise into configuration templates, quoting tools, data migration processes, scope controls, client training assets, and assisted go-live automation — all designed to remove risk, increase outcomes and value, and make implementations a repeatable, scalable, and value added service for partners.

Our approach empowers partners to focus on value-added outcomes instead of rework, and clients to take ownership of their ERP journey. The result? Better adoption, stronger Microsoft stack utilization (Teams, Power Platform, Power BI, Shopify), and increased partner services in Modern Work and beyond.

Kris Focus is to enable new partners and customers to be instantly successful with Business Central, drastically transforming outcomes and Time to Value, filling the disconnect between vendor and partner support. DIY-ERP aim is to help Microsoft, Partners and Customers globally to change the way BC is implemented for the better. It's time for Change from ERP Implementations designed in the 70's

Kris Manche (Dr BC) is a seasoned BC expert with 25 years of continuous experience. Starting in tech support at Navision HQ, Kris became a leading authority in recovering failed implementations at AU’s largest partners. He later founded, grew, and so... Show more

Rebecca Bragdon is a dynamic speaker who weaves together storytelling, strategy, and authenticity to inspire audiences to see leadership, growth, and creativity in new ways. Known for her ability to make complex ideas feel personal and practical, Rebecca challenges listeners to lean into the future with curiosity and courage, rather than fear.
Her talks blend lived experience with sharp insight, offering audiences both inspiration and tangible takeaways. Whether she’s speaking about leadership, innovation, or the power of authenticity, Rebecca brings warmth, wit, and a bold perspective that leaves people thinking differently about what’s possible.
She believes the future belongs to those who choose connection over competition, hope over fear, and authenticity over perfection — and her mission is to help others step into that future with confidence.

Rebecca Bragdon is a dynamic speaker who weaves together storytelling, strategy, and authenticity to inspire audiences to see leadership, growth, and creativity in new ways. Known for her ability to make complex ideas feel personal and practical, Reb... Show more

Zahra Sadat Roozafzai holds a Ph.D. in English Applied Linguistics (TEFL) and Post-Doc in Intercultural Studies. As a scholar and assistant professor, she conducts interdisciplinary research in the Humanities, primarily across various regions in Europe. Her research explores language dynamics, digital humanities, communication, and applied linguistics. She bridges theoretical frameworks with practical teaching insights, emphasizing the transformative role of language in education and communication. Her academic contributions reflect a commitment to advancing linguistic scholarship and pedagogy.

“Where AI Worlds and Human Words Shape One Another” :
Where meaning becomes machine and machines learn to mean,
exploring the dance of language and intelligence where each gives life, thought, and meaning to the worlds they shape together.

Zahra Sadat Roozafzai holds a Ph.D. in English Applied Linguistics (TEFL) and Post-Doc in Intercultural Studies. As a scholar and assistant professor, she conducts interdisciplinary research in the Humanities, primarily across various regions in Euro... Show more

Communications expert, event organizer, community gatherer. OSS contributor, sailing the K8s ocean since 2019. Marketing Director @Mia-Platform.
Strong believer that better software engineering brings to better development for the planet.

Communications expert, event organizer, community gatherer. OSS contributor, sailing the K8s ocean since 2019. Marketing Director @Mia-Platform. Strong believer that better software engineering brings to better development for the planet. Show more

Ana Sarmiento is a Growth Product Manager and AI evangelist with over a decade of experience bridging technical innovation and human-centered design. She has led projects in personalization, data strategy, and automation, helping cross-functional teams translate data into decisions. Ana is also the founder of Cabana Media, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting AI literacy in underserved communities, where she creates programs that empower seniors, immigrants, neurodivergent and BIPOC individuals to engage with AI as creators, not just consumers. Her mission is to build technology that tells stories, drives equity, and inspires the next generation of builders.

Ana Sarmiento is a Growth Product Manager and AI evangelist with over a decade of experience bridging technical innovation and human-centered design. She has led projects in personalization, data strategy, and automation, helping cross-functional tea... Show more

Dane Maddams, named one of Amplitude’s Product 50 leaders, is a Director of Product at Culture Amp specialising in HR tech. He operates at the intersection of product strategy and organisational psychology, leveraging 1.5 billion data points on workplace engagement to design systems where performance and people thrive together. Known for cutting through jargon and telling it like it is, Dane leaves audiences with practical frameworks, sharper thinking, and the confidence to lead with both ambition and empathy.

Dane Maddams, named one of Amplitude’s Product 50 leaders, is a Director of Product at Culture Amp specialising in HR tech. He operates at the intersection of product strategy and organisational psychology, leveraging 1.5 billion data points on workp... Show more

Harness the Power of Your Voice to Build Trust, Inspire Action, and Lead with Confidence

Elias Mokole is a keynote speaker, voice coach, and former opera singer with over 800 performances worldwide. With two decades of experience spanning vocal performance, communication strategy, and leadership training, Elias helps professionals develop a powerful, authentic presence that resonates—onstage, on-screen, or in the boardroom.

He works with leaders, analysts, educators, and teams to elevate how they speak, listen, and connect. Whether facilitating high-stakes conversations or leading global workshops, Elias brings together technical voice training and emotional intelligence to help clients communicate with clarity, credibility, and calm.

At the 2025 BA & Beyond Conference in Denmark and the Netherlands, Elias delivered sessions on vocal resilience and presence in change-driven environments, receiving praise for his engaging exercises, real-world voice tools, and memorable delivery.

Elias holds an MFA in Voice & Performance and blends artistic discipline with practical leadership insights. Through interactive keynotes, voice-based coaching, and applied storytelling, he helps people use their voice not just to be heard—but to move others.

Harness the Power of Your Voice to Build Trust, Inspire Action, and Lead with Confidence Elias Mokole is a keynote speaker, voice coach, and former opera singer with over 800 performances worldwide. With two decades of experience spanning vocal pe... Show more