Practical speaker who uses professional and life experience to motivate and prepare others to take the next steps in their careers and vocations.

Practical speaker who uses professional and life experience to motivate and prepare others to take the next steps in their careers and vocations. Show more

In addition to her role as a Program Manager and Contracting Officer Representative at a federal agency, Sharron Tendai is the founder of Get Her to the B.A.G. and Her Big Bag Consulting, where she empowers women of color entrepreneurs to secure the funding necessary to realize their business dreams. With over 20 years of experience combined as a grant writer, reviewer (at the federal level) and consultant, Sharron is deeply committed to advancing the economic success of Black women, offering expertise in both grant writing and securing funding for nonprofit and for-profit entities. She has also shared her knowledge by teaching grant writing and conducting workshops, including her 'BAG Big Grants' workshop presented at local, national and global conferences.

Sharron’s work with Get Her to the B.A.G., a community-driven initiative that curates wealth-building and wellness experiences for women and youth in Washington, DC. With nearly $50,000 in grant funding secured from the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the nonprofit Let's Choose Love, the project has successfully implemented five transformative events—four in-person and one virtual—benefiting over 100 participants from Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Partnering with the *Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center* (CHACC), a nonprofit focused on exposing and educating local communities on arts and cultural opportunities in Wards 7 and 8, Sharron has used these events to uplift marginalized communities. Get Her to the B.A.G. has been acknowledged by the Mayor of Washington, DC, Hon. Mayor Bowser via a letter of Ceremonial Greetings. Sharron Tendai also received an award from Beautiful I Am, a nonprofit organization committed to empowering and inspiring women and girls, for her extensive community contributions and good works.

As the CEO and Principal Consultant of Her Big Bag Consulting, LLC, Sharron brings her expertise in business strategy, grant writing, and digital resources to women of color entrepreneurs, creators, and social impact leaders. Her consulting firm provides tailored solutions designed to meet the specific needs of her clients, addressing the unique challenges faced by Black women in the business world. Under her leadership, Her Big Bag has become a vital partner for women-owned businesses, providing the tools necessary for long-term success.

In addition to her role as a Program Manager and Contracting Officer Representative at a federal agency, Sharron Tendai is the founder of Get Her to the B.A.G. and Her Big Bag Consulting, where she empowers women of color entrepreneurs to secure the ... Show more

Alekhya Koppineni is a Data Scientist at Red Hat working at the intersection of machine learning, generative AI, and open-source platforms. Focuses on building and evaluating practical ML systems, with hands-on experience in PyTorch-based workflows and real-world model experimentation. Passionate about making complex ML concepts accessible and sharing lessons learned from applied AI projects.

Alekhya Koppineni is a Data Scientist at Red Hat working at the intersection of machine learning, generative AI, and open-source platforms. Focuses on building and evaluating practical ML systems, with hands-on experience in PyTorch-based workflows a... Show more

Tuyen Nguyen is a leadership speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Nguyen Impact whose life story embodies resilience, reinvention, and purpose-driven leadership.

A first-generation immigrant and former refugee from Vietnam, Tuyen arrived in the United States with her family after fleeing war. She went on to build a successful corporate career, holding Top Secret security clearance as an investigator with USIS before serving in executive human resources leadership roles, including Director of HR and Diversity Engagement Leader.

Today, Tuyen uses her story and leadership experience to help individuals and teams transform adversity into momentum. Through powerful storytelling and practical strategies, she speaks on resilience, leadership, and navigating identity in professional spaces.

Trusted by organizations including Girls Inc., United Way, and business communities across Central Massachusetts, her high-energy keynotes and immersive workshops inspire audiences to own their story, unlock their strength, and rise into their next chapter.

Tuyen Nguyen is a leadership speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Nguyen Impact whose life story embodies resilience, reinvention, and purpose-driven leadership. A first-generation immigrant and former refugee from Vietnam, Tuyen arrived in the U... Show more

Adejoke (JK) has spent the last decade working at the intersection of technology, talent, and organisational change across African and global markets.
In 2018, she founded The African Tech Woman, a platform amplifying visibility for women in tech through storytelling, mentorship, and direct hiring support. The platform built a community for overlooked technical talent across the African continent and helped accelerate their careers globally.
At Abby, she works hands-on with organisations to design and deploy AI-enabled solutions that deliver real-world outcomes.
Through Function(), her AI community, she brings together builders, operators, and leaders for more grounded conversations about AI. JK is an aerialist and enjoys exploring hiking trails.

Adejoke (JK) has spent the last decade working at the intersection of technology, talent, and organisational change across African and global markets. In 2018, she founded The African Tech Woman, a platform amplifying visibility for women in tech th... Show more

Bowen Gillings writes to keep fiction fun. Known for his thrillers and fantasy fiction laced with snark, wit, and characters you could share a beer with, Bowen’s quirky, offbeat style “boggles the genre mind.” He loves giving back to fellow writers through media engagement and by leading workshops on the craft, business, and lifestyle of writing. He holds a Master of Education, five martial arts black belt certifications, and is an Army veteran. Travel enthusiast, lover of the outdoors, and habitual volunteer, Bowen’s secret joys include quiet moments by the fireplace and cooking big meals for family and friends.

Bowen Gillings writes to keep fiction fun. Known for his thrillers and fantasy fiction laced with snark, wit, and characters you could share a beer with, Bowen’s quirky, offbeat style “boggles the genre mind.” He loves giving back to fellow writers t... Show more

I'm a developer passionate about making large language models work on small budgets. From full-stack apps to containerised AI workloads, I love building things that are clever, efficient, and production-ready—even without enterprise-level resources. Currently exploring how far Kubernetes can stretch when you're resource-conscious but ambition-heavy.

I'm a developer passionate about making large language models work on small budgets. From full-stack apps to containerised AI workloads, I love building things that are clever, efficient, and production-ready—even without enterprise-level resources. ... Show more

Erin Sydney Welsh is an associate attorney practicing matrimonial and family law at Brian R. Welsh, PLLC, in Williamsville, New York, just outside Buffalo. Her practice includes representation in divorce, custody, child support, prenuptial agreements, post-divorce enforcement matters, and family offenses. She handles both trial and appellate matters and has developed particular experience in parental alienation cases. After completing law school in 2024, she passed the New York bar exam and was admitted to practice by the Appellate Division: Fourth Department, in January 2025.

In her daily work, Erin represents individuals and families facing legal disputes that often carry emotional and financial impact. Matrimonial and family law requires careful preparation, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of both statutory and case law. Her involvement in trial proceedings allows her to present evidence and arguments before the court, while her appellate experience focuses on reviewing legal errors and drafting persuasive briefs. Through this combination, she works to ensure that her clients’ positions are clearly and effectively presented at every stage of litigation.

Attorney Erin Welsh, Buffalo, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Middle East Studies from Syracuse University. She attended on a full-tuition merit scholarship through the Coronat Scholar Program, which supports students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to serving others. During her undergraduate years, she was also selected as a Remembrance Scholar, one of the institution’s highest honors recognizing academic excellence and community involvement. In addition, she completed the Renee Crown University Honors Program, which emphasizes interdisciplinary study, communication, and civic engagement.

After graduating from Syracuse University, she continued her academic work at Trinity College Dublin, earning a Master of Philosophy in Sociology with first-class honors. While pursuing her graduate degree, she authored and published a peer-reviewed article titled “Assessing Microfinance as a Means of Socioeconomic Empowerment for Vulnerable Women in Jordan.” Her research examined how financial programs can influence economic stability and opportunity for women in underserved communities. This work reflected her broader interest in how legal and social structures affect access to resources and individual advancement.

Erin then attended the University at Buffalo School of Law to complete her legal education. During law school, she served on the Buffalo Law Review, contributing to the editing and publication of scholarly legal articles. She received the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award in recognition of her courtroom performance and practical advocacy skills. She was also named a James Kent Scholar and served as a Property Fellow, assisting with academic instruction in foundational legal subjects.

Her practical training included internships at the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and in the Attorneys for Children Unit at the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo. These experiences provided exposure to both prosecution work and child advocacy within the legal system. Erin Welsh also participated as a New York State Bar Association Family Law Section Fellow, further strengthening her focus on family law practice.

Outside her professional responsibilities, Erin Sydney Welsh, Buffalo, volunteers as a judge for mock trials and moot court competitions. Born and raised in Western New York, she resides in Williamsville with her spouse. In addition to her work as an Attorney, she is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who continues to write and perform music.

Erin Sydney Welsh is an associate attorney practicing matrimonial and family law at Brian R. Welsh, PLLC, in Williamsville, New York, just outside Buffalo. Her practice includes representation in divorce, custody, child support, prenuptial agreements... Show more

Nick Nisi is an elite software engineer who is a veteran of open source web development, a lover of karaoke, an advocate for diversity in tech, a conference organizer extraordinaire, a lover of new experiences, and a beacon of expertise, kindness and hope for his development team.

Nick Nisi is an elite software engineer who is a veteran of open source web development, a lover of karaoke, an advocate for diversity in tech, a conference organizer extraordinaire, a lover of new experiences, and a beacon of expertise, kindness and... Show more

Carmen Graciela Díaz is a Puerto Rican journalist and author with more than 15 years of experience in writing and publishing in Spanish and English. With a decade of teaching experience, she is the Distinguished Lecturer/Director for the Bilingual Journalism Program at CUNY’s Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.

She is the author of “Huele a Bomba: la paradójica esencia del periodismo de Avance,” a book on groundbreaking Puerto Rican publication, Avance. Her storytelling centers on arts, culture, education, and Puerto Rican and Latino issues. Carmen Graciela has worked with Univision News Digital, El Nuevo Día, and Primera Hora and her writing has appeared in Hyperallergic, El País, Centro Journal, The Miami Herald, The Common, and Reasons to be Cheerful, among other publications. Her freelance work includes research for the biopic Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It and being a contributing writer of a book documenting the work and the story of ArtPlace America. She holds master’s degrees from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism (New York) in Arts and Culture Reporting and Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (San Juan) in Cultural Studies. Her teaching and journalism have been recognized by the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and the Overseas Press Club (Puerto Rico chapter). From 2024 to 2025 she was a member of the Center for Cooperative Media's Racial Equity Advisory Board.

Carmen Graciela is currently working on her second book centered on Puerto Ricans in New York to be published in 2026 by Periodística Editorial.

Carmen Graciela Díaz is a Puerto Rican journalist and author with more than 15 years of experience in writing and publishing in Spanish and English. With a decade of teaching experience, she is the Distinguished Lecturer/Director for the Bilingual Jo... Show more

Daisy Omondi is an business data science specialist with a healthcare background who works on real-world AI systems where data quality, assumptions, and design choices directly affect human outcomes.

Ms. Omondi speaks about building and evaluating AI systems in high-stakes contexts, translating responsible AI principles into concrete design decisions, and bridging the gap between data science theory and real-world deployment. Her sessions are aimed at data scientists, engineers, and technical decision-makers working on applied AI systems.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Omondi worked in healthcare as a nurse, an experience that shaped her perspective on ethics, accountability, and the real-world consequences of decisions made under uncertainty. Having lived and worked across different systems in Africa and Europe, she brings a global lens to how data-driven technologies include or exclude different communities.

Ms. Omondi has presented academic work at international forums and regularly writes about technology, data, and social impact. Her work focuses on how data quality, assumptions, and system design choices shape outcomes in real-world AI deployments, with a particular interest in transparency, accountability, and trust.

Daisy Omondi is an business data science specialist with a healthcare background who works on real-world AI systems where data quality, assumptions, and design choices directly affect human outcomes. Ms. Omondi speaks about building and evaluating... Show more

Carole GUINAND, j’ai 44 ans, je suis Coach professionnelle certifiée, formatrice, consultante en évolution professionnelle et Assitante Sociale libérale. Je suis passionnée de jeux et de théâtre.
J’ai été plus de 20 ans fonctionnaire et un mardi matin en réunion d’équipe, une collègue Assistante Sociale a claqué la porte du service, suite à un conflit dans le collectif. Depuis ce jour, je n’ai cessé de me former, pour comprendre ce qui abîme la vocation dans les organisations professionnelles. J’ai co-créé Burni dans l’intention de faire comprendre les mécanismes du Burn-out de façon ludique. C’est un pari réussi car les prises de conscience dans les collectifs de travail grâce à Burni, sont au delà de mes attentes ! Au plaisir de vous faire rencontrer Burni!

Carole GUINAND, j’ai 44 ans, je suis Coach professionnelle certifiée, formatrice, consultante en évolution professionnelle et Assitante Sociale libérale. Je suis passionnée de jeux et de théâtre. J’ai été plus de 20 ans fonctionnaire et un mardi mat... Show more

Chung Park is an artist and educator with an MFA in Art from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. He is currently a PhD student at the Institute of Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. His artwork and research explore the performance of food rituals and diasporic culinary practices as spaces of creativity, worldmaking, and memory within the Asian diaspora.

He is a graduate fellow at the Centre for Asian Canadian Research & Engagement (ACRE) at the University of British Columbia and is a volunteer member of GYOPO, a coalition of diasporic Korean artists, curators, writers, cultural producers, and art professionals based in Los Angeles.

Chung Park is an artist and educator with an MFA in Art from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. He is currently a PhD student at the Institute of Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. His... Show more

Ingila is a Polyglot full stack developer from Pakistan for 11+ years. She has been working on frameworks like Angular, React, Next.js, and Astro for the Frontend and Django, Fast API, Node.js, MVC and Java for the Backend.

Ingila currently is very actively working on Angular and contributing to it as well. You can find Ingila''s articles related to Angular and many other topics on https://medium.com/@ingila185.

You can also find Ingila's open-source contributions here:

http://github.com/Ingila185

Apart from that, Ingila is a life-long learner who loves to learn and therefore has done certifications in Frontend, Backend, AWS and Devops. Ingila also loves to participate in hackathons especially Web3.0 and Gen AI. She is also a mom of three. You can learn more about Ingila here:

https://next-js-portfolio-two-ebon.vercel.app/en

Ingila is a Polyglot full stack developer from Pakistan for 11+ years. She has been working on frameworks like Angular, React, Next.js, and Astro for the Frontend and Django, Fast API, Node.js, MVC and Java for the Backend. Ingila currently is ve... Show more

Britney Hester is a certified confidence coach and the founder of Becoming Of H.E.R.®, an intentional community built to support women in evolving personally and professionally through connection, clarity, and elevated experience. Over the past several years, Britney has built and scaled women-centered communities through 40+ curated events and immersive workshops, bringing together collectively hundreds of women across intimate and large-scale settings.
Her work bridges personal development with professional execution and is grounded in three core pillars: establishing a strong internal foundation through mindset and emotional intelligence; launching the next idea, business, or career pivot; and cultivating the presence required to fully embody the woman one is becoming. Through community-driven experiences held in refined spaces, Britney demonstrates how intentional community becomes a catalyst for leadership, opportunity, and belonging, helping women move with confidence, intention, and standards as they expand into their next level.

Britney Hester is a certified confidence coach and the founder of Becoming Of H.E.R.®, an intentional community built to support women in evolving personally and professionally through connection, clarity, and elevated experience. Over the past sever... Show more

Doraly Mayorga es Conferencista, Coach Autora y Entrenadora de líderes en empresas de alto impacto. Es creadora de la metodología META: Mente, Emoción, Transformación y Acción, la cual ha impactado a cientos de personas y se ha convertido en referencia en desarrollo humano y liderazgo.

Es coach empresarial y personal y cuenta con certificaciones como Coach Ejecutivo, de Equipo y de Vida por la ICC. Además, es Maestra en Terapia Gestalt, Maestra en Desarrollo Humano, Maestra en Desarrollo Organizacional y Maestra en Recursos Humanos. Adicionalmente, cuenta con certificaciones internacionales en Programación Neurolingüística, Heal Your Life, Coaching Points of You y Liderando Mente y Emoción.

Doraly es conferencista certificada por la Red Mundial de Conferencistas (RMC), galardonada con reconocimientos como Líder de América a la Excelencia Profesional y Premio Júpiter como Conferencista Revelación en Desarrollo Humano. Ha participado como conferencista internacional en eventos como el IX Congreso Internacional de Dirección de Proyectos, el Congreso de Desarrollo Humano: Edición Interclusters, el I y II Congreso Mundial de Desarrollo Personal, el Congreso “5 Sentidos: La Experiencia”, México para el Mundo, el Congreso Internacional de la RMC y la Cumbre Empresarial, entre otros.

A la fecha ha contribuido con grandes empresas a alcanzar sus metas organizacionales mediante procesos de coaching y facilitación, apoyando la consolidación de equipos de trabajo, así como el desarrollo de competencias clave como liderazgo, comunicación y trabajo en equipo. Entre estas empresas destacan Lenovo, GNP, Oxxo Gas, DEACERO, Caintra NL, Christus Muguerza, Vimifos, Green Paper, Krista Films, Maraga, ProMujer, FM Global, Súper Gutiérrez, Ruhrpumpen y Hill-Rom, por mencionar algunas. En conjunto con la Secretaría de Economía de Nuevo León diseñó y facilitó el Programa de Emprendimiento Senior para la mujer.

Doraly es coautora de los bestsellers Liderazgo Consciente y Acción Transformadora e Inquebrantables: Líderes con Propósito, y autora del libro Muero de miedo: una guía práctica para vivir desde la confianza, donde ofrece herramientas prácticas para la transformación profesional y personal.

Doraly Mayorga es una mujer comprometida, sensible y energética, a quien le encantan las conversaciones profundas y los pequeños detalles. Es madre de dos hijas, Victoria y Fernanda, se considera en continuo proceso de reinvención personal y es feliz de vivir su misión de vida al poner la sabiduría del corazón al servicio del otro.

Doraly Mayorga es Conferencista, Coach Autora y Entrenadora de líderes en empresas de alto impacto. Es creadora de la metodología META: Mente, Emoción, Transformación y Acción, la cual ha impactado a cientos de personas y se ha convertido en referen... Show more

Studium der Umweltingenieurwissenschaften an der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (bis 2008). Promotion zur Optimierung von Biogasanlagen mit Fokus auf Erfahrungswissen. Stationen in Angewandter Bauforschung und Universitätsentwicklung (Mediendidaktik). Seit 08/2023 Professorin für Technikkommunikation an der TH Nürnberg. Entwickelt und erforscht erfahrungsbasierte Lehrkonzepte wie „Move–Build–Reflect“ und arbeitet als Coach und Mentorin an der Schnittstelle von Wissenschaft, Selbstführung und Karrieregestaltung.

Studium der Umweltingenieurwissenschaften an der Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (bis 2008). Promotion zur Optimierung von Biogasanlagen mit Fokus auf Erfahrungswissen. Stationen in Angewandter Bauforschung und Universitätsentwicklung (Mediendidaktik). Se... Show more

Anand Tiwary is Director of Engineering, UI at Harness, where he leads global teams building application security experiences across a $200M+ ARR platform. A founding engineer at Traceable AI (from seed to acquisition), he specialises in UI architecture, design systems, and GenAI-powered UX, with published patents in data privacy and bot detection, open-source contributions, and active mentoring of emerging engineers.

Anand Tiwary is Director of Engineering, UI at Harness, where he leads global teams building application security experiences across a $200M+ ARR platform. A founding engineer at Traceable AI (from seed to acquisition), he specialises in UI architect... Show more

Brittany Cox, MA, RDH, is a sustainable systems strategist and emerging policy architect, guiding healthcare into a planet-first future. With a Master’s in Oral Health Promotion and a postgraduate certification in leadership and coaching, Brittany bridges clinical expertise with environmental innovation. She consults with dental practices, manufacturers, and institutions to design sustainable systems that enhance patient care, reduce waste, and improve operational efficiency.

Currently pursuing a legal education focused on environmental and health law, Brittany is expanding her mission to influence policy and reimagine the frameworks that govern healthcare. Known for her ability to translate complex challenges into practical strategies, she blends evidence-based insight with deeply ethical leadership. Through speaking, content creation, and consulting, Brittany equips industry leaders and organizations to align their operations with sustainability, without sacrificing excellence. Her work empowers practices and systems to do better by their people, their patients, and the planet.

Brittany Cox, MA, RDH, is a sustainable systems strategist and emerging policy architect, guiding healthcare into a planet-first future. With a Master’s in Oral Health Promotion and a postgraduate certification in leadership and coaching, Brittany br... Show more

I describe myself as a talent matchmaker, a recruiting futurist, or a bridge‑builder between people and technology.

My motto: “Hire with heart, decide with data.” sums up my approach perfectly.

For over a decade, I’ve been shaping recruiting and talent strategy in (IT) environments—across regions, teams, and stakeholder groups, and almost always with a tangible impact on the organization. My focus is not the tool stack for its own sake. Instead, I’m devoted to the processes and the people behind the processes.

My aim is to build and empower hiring communities, think digital transformation from a people‑first perspective, and I love exploring one essential question: How do we want to live and work in the future—and what must recruiting contribute so that technology and AI create real value?

I also actively champion Women in Tech—spotlighting role models, mentoring emerging talent, and creating visibility for women’s contributions so that more diverse voices shape the future of our industry.

Today, I also work as a coach, mentor, and sparring partner—sharing practical playbooks on Talent Intelligence, modern employer branding, and candidate‑centric hiring. And I aim to show—by doing—that a clear stance and a good dose of courage are necessary to break with outdated hiring myths and ways of thinking.

I describe myself as a talent matchmaker, a recruiting futurist, or a bridge‑builder between people and technology. My motto: “Hire with heart, decide with data.” sums up my approach perfectly. For over a decade, I’ve been shaping recruiting a... Show more

Blessing Agbor is an API Security Engineer with 2 years of experience in application security, specializing in the emerging threat landscape where artificial intelligence meets traditional API vulnerabilities. Operating at the intersection of OWASP API Security Top 10 and OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications, she addresses the critical security gaps that most organizations miss when deploying AI agents and LLM-powered systems. Her research focuses on cross-framework vulnerability analysis, demonstrating how attackers chain traditional API flaws (BOLA, broken authentication, excessive data exposure) with LLM-specific vulnerabilities (prompt injection, insecure plugins, excessive agency) to achieve complete system compromise. This work emerged from conducting real-world security assessments of AI agent deployments in fintech, e-commerce, and SaaS platforms across multiple continents.

Throughout her career, Blessing has conducted security assessments for organizations and identified 5+ critical vulnerabilities. She holds CompTIA Certs as well as APISEC and actively contributes to the security community through technical blog posts and local security meetups. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Blessing Agbor is committed to elevating cybersecurity expertise across emerging markets. She believes that advanced security knowledge should be accessible to all practitioners, regardless of geography or organizational size. When not breaking AI agents, she enjoys vlogging, reading books, and documenting her memories.

She has served in technical and leadership roles for major community-led events, including Google Developers Group's Build with AI, DevFest, TechSafe, and STEMCON Tour, and regularly speaks on how security, ethics, and human behavior intersect in tech development. Currently, she’s working on API security projects—deepening her expertise in securing APIs, understanding real-world attack surfaces, implementing threat modeling, and integrating security seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines. Her focus is on building resilient, developer-friendly security workflows that align with modern DevSecOps practices.

Blessing Agbor is an API Security Engineer with 2 years of experience in application security, specializing in the emerging threat landscape where artificial intelligence meets traditional API vulnerabilities. Operating at the intersection of OWASP... Show more

Dr. Derek Porter works with educators, teams, and institutions who care deeply about their work—but are carrying too much of it alone. His work supports people navigating burnout, complexity, and constant demand by helping them slow down, think more clearly, and reconnect daily work to their purpose. Through coaching, consulting, and facilitation, he helps individuals move from overwhelm to steadiness by reducing cognitive overload, reframing unhelpful narratives, and creating space for reflection, alignment, and intentional choice. A graduate of Yale University and the College of William & Mary, Derek is known for creating spaces where difficult conversations feel safer, trust deepens, and sustainable growth becomes possible.

Derek is known for translating big ideas into practical, humane frameworks that restore energy and strengthen workplace culture without asking people to do more. His approach honors both excellence and humanity, helping organizations protect conditions where people can contribute fully without sacrificing well-being. Whether working with individuals or entire systems, his focus is the same: creating clarity, shared responsibility, and sustainable ways of working so difference and belonging can sustain excellence.

Dr. Derek Porter works with educators, teams, and institutions who care deeply about their work—but are carrying too much of it alone. His work supports people navigating burnout, complexity, and constant demand by helping them slow down, think more ... Show more

Lee A. Tonouchi stay one Okinawan American writer known as "Da Pidgin Guerrilla" for his activism in campaigning for Pidgin a.k.a. Hawai‘i Creole for be accepted as one legitimate language. He wuz da 2023 recipient of da American Association for Applied Linguistics Distinguished Public Service Award for his work in raising public awareness of important language-related issues and promoting linguistic social justice.

Lee has always been one leader. When he wuz just starting out back in 2000, he wuz one of twelve selected participants nationwide for attend da Emerging Asian Pacific American Leaders in the Arts Convening in New York, one summit sponsored by da Ford Foundation. Lee wen organize and edit Da Kine Dictionary, da first eva community Pidgin dictionary project that came out from Bess Press. He wen write da first eva essay in Pidgin about Pidgin that wuz publish inside College English, das da Journal of Composition and Rhetoric from da National Council of Teachers of English. He wen create da first eva college course devoted soley to Pidgin Literature and for doing so he got recognitions on top da front page of The Wall Street Journal in 2005.

Lee stay one very prolific Pidgin author and playwright. He get one award-winning Pidgin short story collection called Da Word from Bamboo Ridge Press and one collection of Pidgin essays called Living Pidgin: Contemplations on Pidgin Culture from Tinfish Press. He wen also edit da anthology Buss Laugh: Stand Up Poetry from Hawai‘i. Lee had several of his plays produce before by Kumu Kahua Theatre, da Hawai‘i Conservatory of Performing Arts, da Honolulu Theatre for Youth, and East West Players in LA. His Pidgin play Three Year Swim Club wuz even one Los Angeles Times Critic's Choice Selection.

He one multiple time winning Honolulu magazine fiction contest Grand Prize Winner. He get several Kumu Kahua Playwriting Contest prizes. Lee won da Cades Award for Literature and da Tony Quagliano Poetry Prize. His Pidgin pieces wuz publish in numerous literary magazine in Hawai‘i, on top da continent, and internationally. An'den Lee stay kinda da only Pidgin journalist. For decades he been writing Pidgin reviews, articles, and interviews for various publications. He currently get one Pidgin column called Much Mahalos that he does for Discover Nikkei, das da online magazine for The Japanese American National Museum.

In his more recent works, Lee stay exploring more of his Uchinaanchu identity. His Pidgin poetry collection Significant Moments in da Life of Oriental Faddah and Son: One Hawai'i Okinawan Journal won da Association for Asian American Studies Book Award. His children's picture book Okinawan Princess: Da Legend of Hajichi Tattoos got one Skipping Stones Honor Award. His latest book wuz da anthology, Chiburu: Anthology of Hawai'i Okinawan Literature. Currently he stay working with Playbuilders Hawai‘i and The Hawai‘i United Okinawa Association for write one community-based play inspired by da stories he stay gathering from Hawai‘i's Local Okinawan community.

Lee A. Tonouchi stay one Okinawan American writer known as "Da Pidgin Guerrilla" for his activism in campaigning for Pidgin a.k.a. Hawai‘i Creole for be accepted as one legitimate language. He wuz da 2023 recipient of da American Association for Appl... Show more

Quinn Grace is a Data Scientist who:
* Is very Autistic, but pretends not to be for survival
* Loves anime and gaming
* Made the SA National debating team twice and the Western Cape provincial debating team four times

Quinn Grace is a Data Scientist who: * Is very Autistic, but pretends not to be for survival * Loves anime and gaming * Made the SA National debating team twice and the Western Cape provincial debating team four times Show more

Antonieta Herrera es la fundadora de ZEAZE, un ecosistema de impacto social y Venture Builder de nueva generación enfocado en construir resiliencia económica y digital para Latinoamérica.

Lidera iniciativas internas pro-bono de Impulso para el acompañamiento estratégico a ONGs dedicadas a derechos humanos y sostenibilidad. Además, crea el currículum para laboratorios de incubación donde los participantes aprenden a construir soluciones (MVPs) para problemas reales de la región. Es también CEO y Arquitecta de Producto de Enhacy, un asistente de marketing inteligente para democratizar la creación de autoridad orgánica para emprendedores.

Como creadora y anfitriona, expande el ecosistema a través de sus dos podcasts: Reimagina Latam, un espacio para visibilizar a los héroes que construyen activamente el futuro de nuestra región; y Reimagina Blueprints, una serie enfocada en analizar y documentar los frameworks de innovación de líderes globales. Su participación activa en comunidades como Voice of Women in Innovation contribuye a fortalecer un ecosistema tecnológico más inclusivo y diverso.

Su misión: es fomentar una cultura de adopción tecnológica que sea ética y consciente para nuestra Región.

Antonieta Herrera es la fundadora de ZEAZE, un ecosistema de impacto social y Venture Builder de nueva generación enfocado en construir resiliencia económica y digital para Latinoamérica. Lidera iniciativas internas pro-bono de Impulso para el aco... Show more

Ayobami Atolagbe
Founder & Executive Director, BitKwa | Co-Founder & CEO, Demohub

Ayobami Atolagbe is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and growth marketing executive on a mission to empower 10 million Africans through Bitcoin, education, and technology. He is the Founder and Executive Director of BitKwa, a nonprofit organization driving Bitcoin education, adoption, and circular economy initiatives across Africa. Through BitKwa, Ayobami has educated over 10,000 individuals and empowered grassroots movements via merchant onboarding programs, community workshops, and strategic partnerships that advance financial inclusion.

He is also the Founder and CEO of Demohub, an AI-powered EdTech platform making globally relevant digital skills accessible to African youth. Ayobami’s leadership bridges education, innovation, and economic empowerment at the grassroots level.

Ayobami previously served as Head of Growth at Paycrest (San Francisco), helping build fintech products for the Global South, and held key roles at Paxful and NoOnes, where he expanded Bitcoin’s reach across Africa through ambassador programs, market expansion strategies, and community-driven campaigns. He also volunteered with Built With Bitcoin to support the construction of a school in Kaduna, Nigeria, demonstrating Bitcoin’s real-world impact on education and community development.

Personal Philosophy: Always Thrive Towards Greatness

Ayobami Atolagbe Founder & Executive Director, BitKwa | Co-Founder & CEO, Demohub Ayobami Atolagbe is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and growth marketing executive on a mission to empower 10 million Africans through Bitcoin, education, and t... Show more

Thomas Gebert is an adjunct lecturer at CUNY CityTech, a PhD student at the University of York, and a software engineer whose career has included companies such as Jet.com, Apple, Walmart Global Tech, and Reddit.

In addition to a bunch of technical tomfoolery, Thomas also enjoys watching cartoons, playing with professional audio equipment, and trying out various recipes for pizza.

Thomas Gebert is an adjunct lecturer at CUNY CityTech, a PhD student at the University of York, and a software engineer whose career has included companies such as Jet.com, Apple, Walmart Global Tech, and Reddit. In addition to a bunch of technic... Show more

With a PhD in History (to understand where we come from) and an HR MBA from Dauphine (to know where we’re headed), I eventually traded academic theories for the boots-on-the-ground reality of SMEs.

La DistilleRHie: This is my lab. I support business leaders on HR topics and, more broadly, on the art of "working well together." I distill HR into the right doses—no silver bullets, no indigestible jargon. Just practical, concrete solutions, built on conviviality and co-creation.

CoQuest: My "cards on the table" project. Literally. Because recruitment is increasingly becoming a standoff between recruiter and candidate, I decided to change the rules of the game. I created a gamified method to put the human connection back at the heart of hiring.

My Philosophy:
I’m neither a traditional consultant nor a coach. I’ve carved out my own path at the intersection of HR, collective intelligence facilitation, and game design. My goal? To transform HR processes into real experiences, blending business efficiency with genuine pleasure at work.

My mantra? Less talk, more results, and always one move ahead.

With a PhD in History (to understand where we come from) and an HR MBA from Dauphine (to know where we’re headed), I eventually traded academic theories for the boots-on-the-ground reality of SMEs. La DistilleRHie: This is my lab. I support busine... Show more

Tom Ridge is a father of 4, an engineer, and long time remote worker and leader.

When he does find a scrap of time, he's known to run a D&D game or three.

Tom Ridge is a father of 4, an engineer, and long time remote worker and leader. When he does find a scrap of time, he's known to run a D&D game or three. Show more

I am a Deaf leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo, working at the intersection of ethical finance, disability inclusion, sustainable development, and climate justice.
As a Senior Financial Analyst and Junior Accountant, I support schools, organizations, and businesses in strengthening financial transparency and accountability.
As the Executive Director of EAI, I lead inclusive programs that amplify the voices and talents of Deaf and disabled people, centering sign language access and intersectional inclusion in leadership.
I also serve as National Coordinator of Rise for Impact (DRC), empowering youth leadership and civic engagement across Central and East Africa.
A former Youth4Climate participant, I advocate for integrating accessibility and resilience into climate action.
Certified in DEI and Leadership, I’m passionate about digital accessibility and building technology that is equitable and inclusive for all.

I am a Deaf leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo, working at the intersection of ethical finance, disability inclusion, sustainable development, and climate justice. As a Senior Financial Analyst and Junior Accountant, I support schools, org... Show more