Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Jan Pospíšil

Jan Pospíšil

Technology companies rarely struggle because they lack tools, processes, or talented people. They struggle because software delivery has become too complex, important decisions are disconnected from business goals, and transformation initiatives produce activity instead of measurable results.

I help organizations identify and remove the real constraints that slow down engineering: unclear priorities, fragile architecture, ineffective delivery practices, legacy systems, organizational friction, and poorly adopted tools.

My work sits at the intersection of software engineering, product development, technology strategy, and organizational change. I combine more than 20 years of hands-on and leadership experience, including senior roles at Microsoft, to turn complex problems into clear decisions and executable plans.

I work primarily with C-suite executives and senior technology leaders on the restructuring, optimization, and transformation of product, engineering, and broader R&D organizations. This includes clarifying responsibilities, redesigning operating models, improving collaboration between product and engineering, removing organizational bottlenecks, and ensuring that teams are structured around business outcomes rather than internal activity.

Today, I focus particularly on AI-assisted software development, engineering productivity, software modernization, and pragmatic technology transformation. I help leaders and engineering teams decide where AI and modern tools create genuine leverage and where they merely add cost, risk, and complexity.

I challenge assumptions, simplify complicated environments, and focus on changes that improve delivery speed, software quality, organizational effectiveness, and business outcomes.

Technology companies rarely struggle because they lack tools, processes, or talented people. They struggle because software delivery has become too complex, important decisions are disconnected from business goals, and transformation initiatives prod... Show more

Himanshu Bharadwaj

Himanshu Bharadwaj

Himanshu is a digital nerd with the mind of a Himalayan yogi. His experience spans Product design, branding, and marketing to make people laugh, cry, and reach for their wallets. It's hard to tell when Himanshu is talking about life and when he's talking about design. He decodes human behavior by blending cognitive and brain sciences and distilling ancient wisdom and philosophy to change how you think about thinking. This is probably why his designs resonate so powerfully deep within to create calm and joy.

Himanshu has created a unique process for designers to become creative, enhance their quality of life, and infuse joy in creations by connecting feelings with features. He uses it to inspire teams to create scalable, compassionate products for startups and large enterprises in the US.

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Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/in/himanb
Website https://www.joyful.design

Himanshu is a digital nerd with the mind of a Himalayan yogi. His experience spans Product design, branding, and marketing to make people laugh, cry, and reach for their wallets. It's hard to tell when Himanshu is talking about life and when he's tal... Show more

Meredith Barges

Meredith Barges

I'm a bird conservationist specialized in bird-friendly building policy development, research, and advocacy. I help governments appreciate the complex lives of birds and how our decisions about buildings and nighttime lighting affect avian populations. In 2023, I co-led a statewide campaign to pass Public Act No. 23-143, Connecticut's “Lights Out bill,” which requires CT state agencies to turn off unnecessary lights by 11pm for birds. As a policy researcher at the Yale Bird-friendly Building Initiative, I co-authored 'Building Safer Cities for Birds: How Cities Are Leading the Way on Bird-Friendly Building Policy." I routinely testify and submit public comments on municipal and institutional lighting plans. I hold an MA in cultural history from the University of Chicago and an MDiv in religion & ecology from Yale University.

I'm a bird conservationist specialized in bird-friendly building policy development, research, and advocacy. I help governments appreciate the complex lives of birds and how our decisions about buildings and nighttime lighting affect avian population... Show more

Jody Cronk

Jody Cronk

A seasoned ERP Analyst with extensive experience in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and AX. With a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from The Ohio State University, Jody brings a unique blend of analytical thinking and creative problem-solving to every project.
Over the course of two decades, Jody has supported and led ERP implementations, system optimizations, and process improvements across diverse industries—including government and multiple manufacturing specialties, including fire apparatus and recreational vehicles. Her expertise spans financial systems analysis, supply chain management, change management, and user training for organizations ranging from 120 to 600+ users.
As a dedicated leader in the Dynamics community, Jody serves as a co-lead for the Ohio D365F&O-AX User Group and Dynamic Minds, and is a frequent speaker at DynamicsCon Live and other industry events. Passionate about leveraging technology to streamline operations, Jody thrives on transforming complex challenges into efficient, user-friendly solutions.

A seasoned ERP Analyst with extensive experience in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and AX. With a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from The Ohio State University, Jody brings a unique blend of analytical thinking and creative problem-solvi... Show more

Eraina Ferguson

Eraina Ferguson

Eraina Ferguson is a special needs advocate, journalist, and TEDx event curator, and TEDx speaker. Her company, My Good Life, enables families of children with special needs to live their best life despite their circumstances. Her recent monologue, Listen to Her, was read by actress Marla Gibbs and featured at the WACO Theatre’s 50in50 event. Her writing has been featured on NBC Universal, Red Tricycle, LA Parents Magazine, and the LA Times. Eraina lives in California with her husband and children.

Eraina Ferguson is a special needs advocate, journalist, and TEDx event curator, and TEDx speaker. Her company, My Good Life, enables families of children with special needs to live their best life despite their circumstances. Her recent monologue, L... Show more

Dr. Jennifer Elemen

Dr. Jennifer Elemen

Dr. Jennifer Elemen is an award-winning education leader, writer and speaker who designs and facilitates professional learning.

Dr. Jennifer Elemen is an award-winning education leader, writer and speaker who designs and facilitates professional learning. Show more

Dr. Nea K-Williams

Dr. Nea K-Williams

Dr. Nea K-Williams is a keynote speaker, innovation management consultant, and founder of inno.c.t. and ENNEA AI.
She works at the intersection of innovation, leadership, change management, AI, and the future of work, with a particular focus on the human conditions that allow people and organizations to stay creative, courageous, and capable of transformation.

With a background in radio and television, communication, and the professional stage, Nea brings a rare combination of academic depth, practical experience, and engaging stage presence. She translates complex research and technological shifts into clear, lively, and entertaining impulses that help organizations understand what innovation really requires beyond buzzwords, tools, and transformation theater.

In her doctoral research, she explored the inner motives that drive people toward innovative work behavior and the organizational climate factors that either enable or block innovation. Today, she connects this research with current questions around AI, change, leadership, and the often overlooked role of women in innovation, past, present, and future.

In her talks, Nea shows how leaders can create environments in which teams think boldly, experiment with new ideas, and remain effective in working worlds shaped by AI and constant change. Her keynotes combine research based insights with real world anecdotes, interactive moments, sharp observations, and humorous video impulses, making complex topics not only understandable, but memorable.

Dr. Nea K-Williams is a keynote speaker, innovation management consultant, and founder of inno.c.t. and ENNEA AI. She works at the intersection of innovation, leadership, change management, AI, and the future of work, with a particular focus on the... Show more

Jen Callou

Jen Callou

Jen Callou is an AI Adoption Advisor, Developer, and Lecturer with over 15 years of experience across software engineering, data, banking, and education.

She has taught artificial intelligence, data science, software development, and big data to more than 2,000 learners across universities, bootcamps, and professional programs in Europe, always bringing real experience into the room.

Alongside her work in tech, she is researching how memory science can be translated into practical learning software, a thread that runs through everything she builds and teaches.

Her talks sit at the intersection of engineering and brain science, challenging developers to think critically about how AI tools shape, or can perhaps quietly weaken, their own thinking and technical skills.

Jen Callou is an AI Adoption Advisor, Developer, and Lecturer with over 15 years of experience across software engineering, data, banking, and education. She has taught artificial intelligence, data science, software development, and big data to m... Show more

Trillion Small, PhD, MBA

Trillion Small, PhD, MBA

Dr. Trillion Small is a behavioral scientist, licensed mental health clinician, brain health leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Trillion Institute. She holds a PhD in Clinical Counseling and a Global Executive MBA from Duke University. Her work bridges mental health, emotional intelligence, student development, leadership, wellbeing, and future-of-work readiness.

Dr. Small has delivered keynotes and trainings for organizations including TEDxSMUWomen, Xerox, Dutchie, BKD Advisors, Dallas Jackals (Rugby), New Majority Capital, and the University of Texas-Dallas. She has worked with students, educators, professionals, entrepreneurs, athletes, executives, and teams to strengthen resilience, communication, emotional regulation, confidence, and leadership capacity.

Through her Human Hardware™ framework, Dr. Small helps people understand the internal systems that shape focus, identity, self-awareness, decision-making, trust, and performance. Her approach combines behavioral science, brain health, and practical leadership strategy to support healthier learning cultures and more emotionally intelligent schools, teams, and organizations.

Her work is aligned with educators and school leaders preparing students and staff to thrive emotionally, socially, and professionally in a rapidly changing world.

Dr. Trillion Small is a behavioral scientist, licensed mental health clinician, brain health leadership coach, speaker, and founder of Trillion Institute. She holds a PhD in Clinical Counseling and a Global Executive MBA from Duke University. Her wor... Show more

Rafael Tizzani

Rafael Tizzani

En sus inicios lideró la guerra de las colas de los 90, reposicionando en el liderazgo a la hasta entonces desaparecida Pepsi. Este logro fue resultado de aplicar creatividad y esfuerzos comerciales que revolucionaron las técnicas de promoción y venta en nuestro país.

Luego impulsó los cambios en Bieckert, tomando más de 20 puntos de participación del líder del mercado. En esta ocasión la segmentación y los cambios en la distribución fueron las claves para lograr el éxito.

Cerrando el ciclo de bebidas recaló en IVESS dónde la necesidad era “un cambio total”, pasar de una cultura de reparto y monoproducto a una de venta profesional multiproducto, logrando vencer las barreras del cambio que colocan las personas cuando están en un negocio rentable con una marca líder.

El siguiente paso fue desarrollar planes comerciales innovadores en Arcor directamente desde el área de RRHH comercial, la función era desarrollar la máxima potencialidad a través de planes de seguimiento que involucraban la capacitación y mejora continua...

El punto en común de esta primera etapa era enseñar a las compañías de consumo masivo a brindar servicio y potenciar los procesos de calidad. En la segunda la misión fue despertar a las empresas de servicios hacia la necesidad del consumo masivo, adaptación al cambio y creatividad.

Así fueron Hartford Life, Liberty, BNL, Lloyds Bank, Banco Galicia, AFJP Prorenta y Citibank, los primeros beneficiados a través de los servicios de consultoría y capacitación.

Han pasado más de veinte años y con servicios de excelencia acompañó importantes emprendimientos de capacitación a empresas como: Sancor Seguros, Neoris, Automóvil Club, AGFA, Telecom, Calsa, AUDI, Carrefour, VW, Philis Morris, DHL, YPF, Exxon Mobil, Du Pont Pionner, John Deere, Manpower, Fibertel, Toyota, Peugeot, Novartis, Unilever, Accenture, ACARA, Energía San Juan, Shell, San Cristóbal y muchas más.

También trabaja con empresas en el exterior y acreditó experiencia como profesor de la UBA y USAL en Negociación, Ventas, Liderazgo, Coaching y Creatividad.

En sus inicios lideró la guerra de las colas de los 90, reposicionando en el liderazgo a la hasta entonces desaparecida Pepsi. Este logro fue resultado de aplicar creatividad y esfuerzos comerciales que revolucionaron las técnicas de promoción y vent... Show more

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