Associate Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies, UCR.
Sino-Burmese immigrant: born in Burma, raised in California.

Associate Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies, UCR. Sino-Burmese immigrant: born in Burma, raised in California. Show more

Andrea Civile is an L2 Italian researcher and language instructor whose work focuses on the development of pragmatic competence in adult learners, with attention to pragmalinguistic–sociopragmatic alignment, cultural shock, and intercultural adaptation in academic settings. His research—rooted in his doctoral project at the University for Foreigners of Perugia—adopts interlinguistic, intercultural, and cross-cultural perspectives and draws on data from Brazil, Japan, and Italy through a mixed-methods design. He is a member of the Pragmática (inter)linguística, cross-cultural e intercultural group at the University of São Paulo and contributes to research on online language teaching. Alongside his research, he has extensive teaching experience in Italy and abroad.

Andrea Civile is an L2 Italian researcher and language instructor whose work focuses on the development of pragmatic competence in adult learners, with attention to pragmalinguistic–sociopragmatic alignment, cultural shock, and intercultural adaptati... Show more

Dawn A. Grimes, DDS is a Michigan dentist, practice owner, speaker, and advanced meditation teacher. After experiencing professional burnout, she developed a dedicated mindfulness practice and went on to complete 520 hours of accredited meditation-teacher training. She also holds Cornell certifications in Wellness Counseling and Psychology of Leadership and has completed Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence Training Program. Her work focuses on mindfulness, emotional intelligence, stress management, and greater awareness in professional life.

Dawn A. Grimes, DDS is a Michigan dentist, practice owner, speaker, and advanced meditation teacher. After experiencing professional burnout, she developed a dedicated mindfulness practice and went on to complete 520 hours of accredited meditation-te... Show more

Passionate about Technology, Sociology and Philosophy

Passionate about Technology, Sociology and Philosophy Show more

I am Doleh Khan, a development professional with experience in programme management, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL), gender research, and youth empowerment. I currently serve as a Program Officer at The Lord Sarfraz Foundation, where I coordinate an Equine Therapy Programme supporting children with autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome.

Previously, I worked with organizations including FAO, Research and Development Foundation (RDF), HANDS Pakistan, and Community World Service Asia. My work has focused on vocational skills development, humanitarian response, gender equality, research, and community engagement. I have contributed to programmes that supported more than 1,300 young people and women with skills training, livelihoods, and employment opportunities across Sindh.

I represented Pakistan at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (UNCC Bangkok) and have participated in international leadership initiatives, advocating for youth empowerment, inclusive development, and evidence-based policymaking. As a Vice Chancellor's Gold Medalist in Gender Studies, I am passionate about creating opportunities for underserved communities and advancing sustainable development through research, innovation, and collaboration.

I am Doleh Khan, a development professional with experience in programme management, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL), gender research, and youth empowerment. I currently serve as a Program Officer at The Lord Sarfraz Founda... Show more

After an atypical career in law, the arts and video games, I chose to retrain in development. My desire to promote continuous improvement and communication led me to become a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Systemic Professional Coach and Responsible Digital Lead. As a professional facilitator for the Fresque du Climat et du Numérique, I am constantly learning about the ecological transition, responsible digital technologies and sociology. Involved in Time For The Planet and supporting women in the digital world. As a theater practitioner, I find it a way of creatively exploring and communicating. What drives me: helping companies and individuals to integrate climate and social issues into their practices.

After an atypical career in law, the arts and video games, I chose to retrain in development. My desire to promote continuous improvement and communication led me to become a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Systemic Professional Coach and Responsible Digi... Show more

22 ans d’expérience professionnelle, dont 13 dans l’Agilité, principalement auprès de grands comptes engagés dans des transformations complexes.

Mon parcours combine audit organisationnel, management de projet, conduite du changement, coaching Agile et coaching professionnel.

Mes domaines d’expertise couvrent le coaching et la formation Agile / SAFe, l’accompagnement des équipes et des managers, le coaching individuel, le développement des hauts potentiels ainsi que l’utilisation d’outils d’analyse comportementale (DISC, Selfie…).
Je suis également coach certifiée CliftonStrengths (Gallup, coaching de talents).

Passionnée par les dynamiques humaines et l’expression créative, je pratique le patinage artistique, le théâtre et l’improvisation, et je m’intéresse également à l’écriture et à la traduction.

22 ans d’expérience professionnelle, dont 13 dans l’Agilité, principalement auprès de grands comptes engagés dans des transformations complexes. Mon parcours combine audit organisationnel, management de projet, conduite du changement, coaching Agi... Show more

With a background in "Data Analytics for Business and Finance" and currently pursuing a Master's degree in "Finance", I explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making and society.

My main speaking focus is AI and Justice, a topic through which I examine the ethical, social and legal challenges raised by increasingly intelligent technologies. I'm particularly interested in how AI shapes decisions, affects people and challenges our understanding of fairness, accountability and responsibility.

Beyond the technology itself, I believe in the importance of making complex topics accessible, encouraging critical thinking and creating meaningful conversations between different perspectives. Through public speaking and my involvement in STEM and AI education, I aim to connect technical innovation with its real-world implications.

With a background in "Data Analytics for Business and Finance" and currently pursuing a Master's degree in "Finance", I explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making and society. My main speaking focus is AI and ... Show more

Dr. Kenisha Coon-Santiago is a nationally recognized leadership strategist, keynote speaker, systems change consultant, and author with over 15 years of experience advancing equity-centered transformation across child welfare, government, nonprofit, and organizational leadership spaces. Known for her dynamic storytelling, powerful stage presence, and ability to connect lived experience with actionable leadership strategies, she has become a sought-after voice on resilience, workplace culture, transformational leadership, and sustainable systems change.

Dr. Coon-Santiago specializes in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), leadership development, organizational culture transformation, and evidence-based coaching. She partners with organizations nationwide to help leaders move beyond performative change and build human-centered systems rooted in accountability, belonging, and measurable impact.

As the founder of Kenisha Coon Consulting, she has facilitated leadership trainings, keynote presentations, and systems transformation initiatives for national conferences, executive leadership teams, universities, nonprofit organizations, and public sector agencies. Her work focuses heavily on racial equity, leadership accountability, lived expertise, workforce culture, and advancing equitable outcomes for historically marginalized communities.

Dr. Coon-Santiago recently completed her PhD focused on evidence-based coaching, decision-making, and cultural responsiveness within child welfare systems. Her research explored how coaching and transformational leadership influence equitable decision-making and organizational change.

She is also the author of the memoir And Then She Persisted, a deeply personal and empowering reflection on trauma, resilience, identity, advocacy, and breaking generational cycles. Through both her writing and speaking, Dr. Coon-Santiago challenges audiences to rethink leadership, embrace authenticity, and lead with courage in complex systems.

Her signature presentations explore topics including:
• Equity-Centered Leadership and Organizational Transformation
• Women in Leadership and Breaking Systemic Barriers
• Resilience, Burnout, and Sustainable Leadership
• The Power of Lived Expertise in Systems Change
• Antiracist Leadership in Action
• Human-Centered Workplace Culture and Belonging
• Transformational Leadership Through Storytelling and Vulnerability

Whether speaking to executives, frontline professionals, emerging leaders, or national audiences, Dr. Coon-Santiago delivers experiences that are inspiring, practical, emotionally impactful, and rooted in real-world systems transformation.

Dr. Kenisha Coon-Santiago is a nationally recognized leadership strategist, keynote speaker, systems change consultant, and author with over 15 years of experience advancing equity-centered transformation across child welfare, government, nonprofit, ... Show more

David Handlos is a software engineer, technologist, educator, and conference speaker with over two decades of experience building enterprise software, automation frameworks, and integration solutions within the financial services industry. He specializes in applying AI, software engineering, and automation to solve complex business and technical challenges.

In addition to his industry work, David serves as an adjunct instructor at Southern New Hampshire University, where he teaches software engineering, software testing, and automation. He also works as an independent genealogist, using technology, historical records, and AI-assisted research to solve complex family history problems, locate ancestral records, and document lineage for citizenship-by-descent and other genealogy projects.

David enjoys speaking about AI, automation, software engineering, and the creative ways technology can be applied to solve problems beyond traditional software development.

David Handlos is a software engineer, technologist, educator, and conference speaker with over two decades of experience building enterprise software, automation frameworks, and integration solutions within the financial services industry. He special... Show more

Lena Chen (she/her) is an artist and Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Her scholarship examines the figure of the Asian America woman as (Tiger) Mother and Whore. Her work appears in the edited volumes Curating as Feminist Organizing (Routledge, 2022), Sex Work Now (NYU Press, forthcoming), and To Be Named (Routledge, forthcoming). She has taught classes on feminist theory, performance art, and socially engaged art. As an artist, she has exhibited, performed, and screened her work internationally. She has been awarded grants and residencies from Mozilla Foundation, Sundance Institute, Millay Colony for the Arts, Center for Cultural Power, Burning Man Global Arts Fund, Office of Public Art, and others. Currently, she is hosting community workshops on AAPI sexuality to devise a collective performance as part of her practice-based research.

She is a co-founder of JADED, the largest AAPI arts and cultural platform in Western Pennsylvania, and a founding member of MATERNAL FANTASIES, an interdisciplinary collective of mothers/artists and their children. She coordinates the Performing Asian American and Diasporic Sexualities working group at UC Berkeley’s Center for Race & Gender.

Lena Chen (she/her) is an artist and Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. Her scholarship examines the figure of the Asian America woman as (Tiger) Mother and Whore. Her... Show more

Morten Rand-Hendriksen is a technology educator, keynote speaker, and developer specializing in AI, bleeding edge web standards, tech- and design ethics, and the intersections between technology and humanity.

When Morten talks about technology, people listen (as evidenced by his 90,000 followers on LinkedIn and 150,000 followers on TikTok).

For more than 15 years, Morten has helped millions of people around the world empower themselves by helping them understand and use emerging technologies. If you work on or with the web, there's a good chance you've seen one of his online courses or viral videos, read his articles and tutorials, or attended one of his live presentations. In his work he uses his neurodivergent understanding of the world to translate complex technical concepts into practical knowledge people can apply in their work and lives.

Morten uses his background in philosophy, politics, and design to explore how technology shapes human experience, communication, communities, and power structures. He centres his work around helping people build a healthy disrespect for the sanctity of technology so they can develop the functionings and capabilities to do and be what they have reason to value, and the agency and autonomy to build their own futures in a rapidly changing technological landscape

Every keynote, conference talk, panel discussion, and workshop Morten delivers is filled to the brim with relatable stories, deep technical insight, and practical takeaways, giving audiences the tools they need to engage with technology on their own terms.

Morten Rand-Hendriksen is a technology educator, keynote speaker, and developer specializing in AI, bleeding edge web standards, tech- and design ethics, and the intersections between technology and humanity. When Morten talks about technology, pe... Show more

Dr. Jonathan A. McRoy, DBA, LSSBB, is an executive leader, organizational development strategist, and keynote speaker who helps organizations and individuals lead with purpose, navigate change, and build cultures where people perform at their best.

His career spans more than two decades across the military, government, nonprofit, private, and higher education sectors. A retired U.S. Air Force Senior Leader, he has led transformative efforts that align people strategies with business needs, including leadership development programs, change management initiatives, diversity and inclusion efforts, and organizational redesigns. He currently serves as a Vice President of Administration, an adjunct Professor of Practice, and the founder of Elevate Strategies, LLC, a veteran-owned consulting firm.

Dr. McRoy speaks on leadership, management, change, inclusive culture, career transition, and service. He delivers conference keynotes, workshops, commencement addresses, and Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration, completed the Executive Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford, and is a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.

Audiences leave his talks with clear, actionable strategies delivered with the credibility of a leader who has served in uniform and in the boardroom.

Dr. Jonathan A. McRoy, DBA, LSSBB, is an executive leader, organizational development strategist, and keynote speaker who helps organizations and individuals lead with purpose, navigate change, and build cultures where people perform at their best. ... Show more

Catherine Okonkwo is a Nigerian writer, researcher, speaker and media creator, and the founder of Still Becoming™. Her work explores youth development, identity, personal growth, education and social impact. She is an active committee member of the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Research (ICAIR) since 2024, where she has contributed to academic research review and served as a Keynote Chair/Track Chair.

Catherine is also the author of five books: Still Becoming, Unrushed: The Art of Growing at Your Own Pace, Seven Days Emotional Guide to Step into Your Becoming, The Anatomy of a Changemaker, and Paradox. She has published 15+ articles and has experience in public speaking, research, writing, podcasting and youth-focused media. Through her work, she creates conversations that encourage young people to develop self-awareness, think critically, discover purpose and participate meaningfully in society.

Catherine Okonkwo is a Nigerian writer, researcher, speaker and media creator, and the founder of Still Becoming™. Her work explores youth development, identity, personal growth, education and social impact. She is an active committee member of the I... Show more

Non sono un'esperta di AI. Sono esperta dell'impatto dei cambiamenti sulle persone — incluso quello tecnologico. Ho lavorato con aziende in trasformazione per quattro decenni: ho visto cosa blocca davvero il cambiamento, e cosa può aiutare a sbloccarlo. Ed oggi metto questa esperienza anche al servizio di aziende, team e persone che stanno affrontando l'adozione AI.

Non sono un'esperta di AI. Sono esperta dell'impatto dei cambiamenti sulle persone — incluso quello tecnologico. Ho lavorato con aziende in trasformazione per quattro decenni: ho visto cosa blocca davvero il cambiamento, e cosa può aiutare a sbloccar... Show more

Elijah Dale is a U.S. Army veteran, author, and host of With All Due Respect, a podcast focused on politics, civic participation, and the challenges facing a rising generation of Americans.

After serving in the Army and overseas, Elijah returned to school to study political science at Arizona State University. His work now centers on bringing ordinary people back into civic conversations—particularly young Americans who feel disconnected from politics and institutions.

Through writing, podcasting, public speaking, and conversations across political and generational lines, Elijah explores questions about economic opportunity, public service, political division, and what Americans owe one another as citizens.

His central message is simple: decisions are made by the people who show up.

Elijah Dale is a U.S. Army veteran, author, and host of With All Due Respect, a podcast focused on politics, civic participation, and the challenges facing a rising generation of Americans. After serving in the Army and overseas, Elijah returned t... Show more

Adya Mishra is the Founder & CEO of Qualia and the originator of Recipient Intelligence, an emerging field dedicated to enabling AI systems to understand and adapt to the people they communicate with.

Her work draws upon artificial intelligence, communication theory, and cognitive science to examine how machines can become more perceptive participants in human communication.

Previously, Adya was a nationally ranked Speech and Debate champion and graduated in three years from the University of California, San Diego.

Adya Mishra is the Founder & CEO of Qualia and the originator of Recipient Intelligence, an emerging field dedicated to enabling AI systems to understand and adapt to the people they communicate with. Her work draws upon artificial intelligence, ... Show more

Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva is a Bulgarian psychologist, researcher and educator. She is Full Professor (Profesor Titular B) of Psychology and Education at Universidad Azteca and Professor of Practice in Business Psychology at Dunster Business School, Switzerland. She is the founder of Happy Life Academy® and the Happy Life Institute for Direct Change Science, and President of IAPTC®. She created the Internal Autobiographical Map (IAM) framework and the Direct Change Solution® (DCS®) applied system. She is the author of more than twenty books and two scholarly monographs, and has trained over 100,000 students across more than 50 countries.

Prof. Dr. Stoyana Natseva is a Bulgarian psychologist, researcher and educator. She is Full Professor (Profesor Titular B) of Psychology and Education at Universidad Azteca and Professor of Practice in Business Psychology at Dunster Business School, ... Show more

Rebecca Farabaugh is an award-winning marketing, customer insights and experience, and organizational strategy leader, speaker and facilitator with 20+ years of experience helping organizations understand people, navigate change and turn complexity into action.

As a certified Human-Centered Design practitioner and founder of HumanISE, Rebecca challenges leaders to keep humans at the center of work, especially in an increasingly AI-driven world where the uniquely human capabilities of curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, sensemaking, storytelling and trust-building are becoming increasingly valuable.

Rebecca brings together data, research, storytelling, strategy and human-centered design to help audiences think differently about the human advantage in business, AI and tech enablement, operational efficiency, customer and employee experience, data storytelling, brand and marketing, organizational change and the future of work.

Her sessions are practical, interactive, thought-provoking and fun. They are designed to challenge assumptions and leave people with ideas they can actually use.

Rebecca has spoken and facilitated sessions for organizations including the American Marketing Association, AdWeek, Insights Association, Quirks Media, GetWIT, 24/7 Compliance, Highmark Health, Koppers, University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne Light Company. Her recent talks include Stop Designing for Customers. Start Designing for Humans, Designing for Data Excellence, and Beyond the Numbers: Tell a Story with Your Data.

Rebecca holds an M.S. in Marketing Science from the University of Pittsburgh and is a LUMA Institute Certified Practitioner of Human-Centered Design.

She helps people see what they couldn't see before—and gives them the tools to do something about it.

Rebecca Farabaugh is an award-winning marketing, customer insights and experience, and organizational strategy leader, speaker and facilitator with 20+ years of experience helping organizations understand people, navigate change and turn complexity i... Show more

Audrey Franklin is the Founder of HyperStriver and a Career and Leadership Development Coach who helps people find their path, live with purpose, and lead with power. Her journey began with her first paying job as a Front Desk Agent at a small hotel in New Mexico. Over the next decade, she worked her way through college while building a successful career in hospitality. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Lodging and Resort Management from the University of Nevada and held several roles at MGM Grand, including Agent, Night Auditor, and Concierge. Although she was proud of what she was accomplishing, she could not ignore the feeling that something important was missing.

Audrey knew she enjoyed helping people, solving problems, creating positive experiences, and supporting others. At the same time, she felt called to do something more meaningful, something that would allow her to help people grow, lead, and create a lasting impact. That feeling led her back to school, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology and began exploring the connection between human behavior, personal development, leadership, and meaningful work. Although her career transition did not happen exactly as planned, she continued growing professionally in the hospitality and technology industries, eventually moving into project management and leading complex initiatives and teams.

Even as Audrey built a successful career, the same questions remained: What was she truly meant to do? What kind of impact did she want to make? How could she create a life and career that felt both successful and meaningful? She searched for answers through books, podcasts, research, and the work of psychologists, coaches, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. Over time, the answer became clear. Her purpose was not simply to build projects, it was to help people build lives and careers they love, create work that reflects their values, and become leaders who make a positive difference.

That purpose inspired Audrey to create HyperStriver. Through coaching, workshops, training, and leadership development experiences, she helps early-career professionals, emerging leaders, and purpose-driven individuals gain clarity, build confidence, and take meaningful action. Her work brings together career clarity, leadership growth, personal development, and positive impact. She believes people are rarely stuck because they are lazy or incapable. More often, they are disconnected from who they are, what matters most to them, and the impact they are capable of making. HyperStriver helps people reconnect those pieces and move from confusion to clarity, from misalignment to purpose, and from dreaming about change to intentionally creating it.

Today, Audrey is also pursuing a PhD in Business Psychology, with academic interests in meaningful work, leadership development, prosocial behavior, and positive organizational impact. She is a Project Management Professional, wife, mother, entrepreneur, lifelong learner, and outdoor enthusiast who believes some of life’s best conversations happen on a trail, around a campfire, on the lake, or while exploring somewhere new. To Audrey, being a HyperStriver means intentionally pursuing growth, embracing meaningful challenges, and using your strengths, purpose, and opportunities to create something meaningful. She believes people are capable of more than they realize and that life and work become more fulfilling when we stop drifting and start moving with intention.

Audrey Franklin is the Founder of HyperStriver and a Career and Leadership Development Coach who helps people find their path, live with purpose, and lead with power. Her journey began with her first paying job as a Front Desk Agent at a small hotel ... Show more

Lawyer & Psychologist | AI Ethics & Cognitive Sovereignty | Co-founder, EIA LATAM Committee | Lecturer (UBA & UTN FRBA)

Verónica Recchia is a lawyer, psychologist, university lecturer and independent researcher specializing in AI ethics, cognitive sovereignty and hybrid intelligence. She lectures at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and UTN FRBA and is co-founder of the EIA LATAM Committee, an interdisciplinary initiative advancing ethical AI governance from a Latin American perspective.

She is co-author of the EIA LATAM Manifesto – AI Ethics in Latin America: A Female Perspective in Defense of Human Dignity and the Future of Human Decision-Making (Zenodo: https://zenodo.org/records/21212138), author of Agilidad y Talento. Egoísmo y Altruismo del Poder (Despite the MENTE CLICK Mindset) (Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNXD3GJQ), and is currently writing MENTECLICK.IA: The Continuity of the Species (ISBN 978-631-01-1706-5).

Her research focuses on AI ethics, cognitive sovereignty, algorithmic governance, hybrid intelligence and the future of human decision-making.

Lawyer & Psychologist | AI Ethics & Cognitive Sovereignty | Co-founder, EIA LATAM Committee | Lecturer (UBA & UTN FRBA) Verónica Recchia is a lawyer, psychologist, university lecturer and independent researcher specializing in AI ethics, cognitive... Show more

DeAngelo Burse is a behavioral scientist, TEDx speaker, and author of Yours To Design: Constructing a Life That Is Meaningful. He developed the NIMBLE framework to help people navigate hereditary and environmental influences to become their ideal selves. As a PhD candidate in psychology at the University of Birmingham in England, his research explores self-regulation, character education, and applied behavioral science. He earned a Master of Science in Psychology, specializing in social psychology, and is certified in Choice Theory® and Reality Therapy.

DeAngelo teaches social psychology and abnormal psychology as a university professor. He is also CEO of Breakroom Huddle, where he works as a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and coaching psychologist, delivering evidence-based programs for Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, and government agencies. His work has been featured on ABC, CBS, and NBC-affiliated channels.

Additionally, DeAngelo is the creator of 90-Second Psychologist, a video series that transforms complex psychological concepts into immediately applicable insights in just 90 seconds. He also hosts the Social Curiosity Podcast and speaks globally on the Science of Becoming—exploring character development, personal transformation, and human flourishing. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, DeAngelo enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, outdoor activities, grilling, and watching NFL football.

DeAngelo Burse is a behavioral scientist, TEDx speaker, and author of Yours To Design: Constructing a Life That Is Meaningful. He developed the NIMBLE framework to help people navigate hereditary and environmental influences to become their ideal sel... Show more

Ich bin Kulturwissenschaftlerin und betreibe die Online-Coworking-Community THE WRITING ACADEMIC, einen Zusammenschluss von Wissenschaftler*innen, die ihr Schreiben priorisieren und das Format der Focus-Session für einen produktiven Schreiballtag einsetzen. Ich veranstalte Schreib-Retreats für Wissenschaftler*innen (Schreibaschram) und bin als Coach und Trainerin in der wissenschaftlichen Weiterbildung aktiv.

Ich bin Kulturwissenschaftlerin und betreibe die Online-Coworking-Community THE WRITING ACADEMIC, einen Zusammenschluss von Wissenschaftler*innen, die ihr Schreiben priorisieren und das Format der Focus-Session für einen produktiven Schreiballtag ein... Show more

Crystal T. Ash is a dynamic speaker, host, moderator, life strategist, and author whose passion is rooted in empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. An esteemed 2006 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and 2013 graduate of Liberty University, where she earned a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. With over 15 years of speaking experience, Ash brings a wealth of knowledge and authenticity to her engagements. Her insightful presentations on personal and professional development captivate audiences, as she skillfully breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for success. Her signature talk is No More Orange Popsicles: Empowering thru Core Values, which examines how operating through core values can serve as a compass for making aligned decisions and positively impacting others.

In 2021, Ash published her debut book, Lessons from My Grandma's Table, further exemplifying her commitment to inspiring others through storytelling and authentic engagement. She is renowned for infusing her speaking engagements with vibrant energy, warmth, and a genuine desire to uplift her community. Whether addressing young or mature audiences, Ash’s core message encourages self-discovery, personal growth, and meaningful transformation, inspiring all to live out their true purpose.

Crystal T. Ash is a dynamic speaker, host, moderator, life strategist, and author whose passion is rooted in empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. An esteemed 2006 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor's... Show more

Deepak John Reji is an experienced NLP practitioner and researcher who specializes in developing and designing solutions for data science products. He is passionate about domain-centric data science development and advocates for responsible and ethical AI development. Deepak enjoys working with social science and environmental data and creates videos showcasing various prototypes and AI tutorials. Additionally, he hosts the D4 Data Channel podcast, where he interviews industry experts and academicians in the fields of Data Science and Sustainability.

Deepak strongly believes in the power of open source and the democratization of AI. He actively contributes to open-source projects and shares his models and packages in Huggingface and PyPI repositories. His recent research focuses on Immigration and Integration Research, as well as studying human and community interactions in third places using AI and data.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepak-john-reji/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@deepakjohnreji
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=4azuuXAAAAAJ&hl=en

Deepak John Reji is an experienced NLP practitioner and researcher who specializes in developing and designing solutions for data science products. He is passionate about domain-centric data science development and advocates for responsible and ethic... Show more

Blessing Platinum-Williams is an entrepreneur, self-taught full-stack developer, creative strategist and founder of Tonely, an AI-powered communication awareness company.

With over a decade of experience spanning creative strategy, marketing, technology and business development, Blessing brings an unusual combination of technical expertise, creativity and an understanding of how people think, communicate and interact.

Her work in communication awareness explores how our experiences, expectations, emotions and biases shape the way we interpret one another, particularly in digital environments where misunderstandings can have lasting consequences. Through Tonely and her research into communication awareness, she advocates for greater awareness of our communication blind spots before they cause harm.

Beyond technology, Blessing is passionate about encouraging people to recognise their potential beyond the limitations and expectations placed upon them. Having experienced what it means to be underestimated, she went on to teach herself software development and build her own technology company.

Her speaking covers communication awareness, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, leadership, personal transformation, resilience and overcoming limiting beliefs.

Whether addressing business leaders, technology professionals, students or wider audiences, Blessing combines personal experiences with practical perspectives that encourage people to question assumptions, communicate more thoughtfully and recognise what they are capable of achieving.

Her central belief is simple: You are more than what people say you are.

Blessing Platinum-Williams is an entrepreneur, self-taught full-stack developer, creative strategist and founder of Tonely, an AI-powered communication awareness company. With over a decade of experience spanning creative strategy, marketing, tech... Show more

TODO Group ambassador，LFAPAC open source evangelist .
kuosi(适兕）is an independent researcher, social hacker, and the lead author and manager of "The Way of Open Source" (开源之道). Focusing on the intersection of institutional economics and software collaboration, he applies the theories of Coase, North, and Williamson to decode the complex governance structures of open-source communities and tech ecosystems. As an objective observer of technological evolution, his current research explores the paradigm shift from traditional open source to "Open Skill" and Agentic AI models.

TODO Group ambassador，LFAPAC open source evangelist . kuosi(适兕）is an independent researcher, social hacker, and the lead author and manager of "The Way of Open Source" (开源之道). Focusing on the intersection of institutional economics and software col... Show more

Giovanna "Gio" Paolinelli is a psychologist, human-centered AI strategist, and innovation consultant who helps organizations understand the people behind technology adoption.

Her career spans the evolution of modern knowledge work, from supporting customers during Evernote's rise as one of Silicon Valley's early unicorns to leading AI-enabled transformation initiatives across government, nonprofit, education, and commercial sectors. Drawing on expertise in psychology, design, facilitation, and emerging technology, Gio helps teams navigate change, improve decision-making, and build more human-centered approaches to innovation.

She speaks on AI adoption, digital transformation, behavioral science, knowledge work, and the future of human-AI collaboration.

Giovanna "Gio" Paolinelli is a psychologist, human-centered AI strategist, and innovation consultant who helps organizations understand the people behind technology adoption. Her career spans the evolution of modern knowledge work, from supporting... Show more

Jenny Xu ist Soziologin und Research Associate im Projekt „Digitaler Diversitätsdialog (D3)“ an der Universität Passau. Sie forscht an der Schnittstelle von Hochschullehre, Diversität und Künstlicher Intelligenz. Ein weiterer Forschungsschwerpunkt liegt in den Gender Studies.

E-Mail: jenny.xu@uni-passau.de
Projektseite: https://www.uni-passau.de/universitaet/einrichtungen/stabsstelle-kompetenzentwicklung-in-studium-und-lehre-ksl/digitaler-diversitaetsdialog

Jenny Xu ist Soziologin und Research Associate im Projekt „Digitaler Diversitätsdialog (D3)“ an der Universität Passau. Sie forscht an der Schnittstelle von Hochschullehre, Diversität und Künstlicher Intelligenz. Ein weiterer Forschungsschwerpunkt li... Show more

Dheepa Sundaram (she/her) teaches at the University of Denver, which sits on the stolen tribal lands of the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations. Her scholarship examines social media hate politics, religious nationalism, and the formation of Hindu religious publics through online platforms and emerging technologies. Her current monograph project, Globalizing Dharma: The Making of a Global Hindu Brand, examines how commercial ritual websites fashion a new, digital canon for Hindu religious praxis, effectively branding religious identities and marketing caste-privileged religious norms as a default, cosmopolitan Hinduism that anchors the Hindu nationalist political project. She is also an occasional contributor for Religion News Service on Hindu perspectives and a founding member of the South Asia Scholar Activist Collective (SASAC).

Dheepa Sundaram (she/her) teaches at the University of Denver, which sits on the stolen tribal lands of the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations. Her scholarship examines social media hate politics, religious nationalism, and the formation of Hindu religious... Show more