Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Joel Silverstone

Joel Silverstone

Joel brings 25 years of global experience, supporting Fortune 500 companies and thousands of participants. He specializes in empowering leaders and teams with effective communication skills, fostering more impactful collaboration and motivation. His expertise lies in enabling individuals to authentically influence others towards deeper business relationships, fostering trust and enhancing engagement.

Joel thrives to lead engaging and interactive sessions based on 'Learn, Laugh, and Do!'

When you communicate effectively, people feel heard, seen, and understood- mutual respect is created, and you start connecting and unlocking the motivators for you and the other.

Drawing from his background as a former professional actor and improviser- Joel brings unique tips and activities for everyone to practice and implement.

You can listen to or watch Joel as the host of "The Great Canadian Leadership" and "This Feels Right" Podcasts and YouTube – interviewing leaders and experts on influencing and communications skills."

Joel brings 25 years of global experience, supporting Fortune 500 companies and thousands of participants. He specializes in empowering leaders and teams with effective communication skills, fostering more impactful collaboration and motivation. His ... Show more

Jennifer Abernathy-Felix

Jennifer Abernathy-Felix

Jennifer Abernathy-Felix is a creative problem-solver and curious visionary with broad and diverse professional and personal experiences. With degrees in Industrial Design, Interior Design, and Business Administration, Jennifer’s career is "less ladder, more Swiss Army knife."

Inspired by moving across 3 countries and 6 U.S. states, plus pursuing 3 degrees and over 15 certificates, she brings a global and inquisitive lens to every interaction. In her career, She has led human-centered transformation across industries and design specializations, proving that a design mindset is the ultimate tool to influencing change. In her personal life, she’s spent over a decade working to accept the long-term mental health issues brought on after a traumatizing car accident.

Jennifer’s path has been shaped by a deep commitment to understanding human behavior, organizational dynamics, and the transformative power of psychological safety. She believes that the strongest outcomes are born at the intersection of Design, Business, and People. Her mission is to help build healthy workplace cultures where curiosity leads to breakthrough innovation and execution is built on a foundation of clarity, empathy, and range.

Jennifer Abernathy-Felix is a creative problem-solver and curious visionary with broad and diverse professional and personal experiences. With degrees in Industrial Design, Interior Design, and Business Administration, Jennifer’s career is "less ladd... Show more

Seun Faluyi

Seun Faluyi

With over a decade of experience in product management and software engineering, I contribute to innovation in AI-powered advertising at Smartly. My role emphasizes programmatic solutions, DSP integrations, and creative strategies, enabling impactful ad campaigns across diverse platforms.

Previously, at Remerge, I collaborated on DSP advancements that optimized programmatic advertising. Known for my analytical approach and dedication, I am motivated to elevate the ad tech ecosystem through collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking strategies.

With over a decade of experience in product management and software engineering, I contribute to innovation in AI-powered advertising at Smartly. My role emphasizes programmatic solutions, DSP integrations, and creative strategies, enabling impactful... Show more

Simon Keller

Simon Keller

Fort de mon expérience en accompagnement de projets et d’équipes, j’ai décidé de m’engager dans le coaching et la formation, métiers tournés vers l’individu, le collectif, et le vivre ensemble.

J’agis pour une vie plus simple, plus humaine, plus respectueuse. Je suis profondément convaincu par le potentiel de chacun et que nous avons tous en nous la force de réaliser nos projets.

Fort de mon expérience en accompagnement de projets et d’équipes, j’ai décidé de m’engager dans le coaching et la formation, métiers tournés vers l’individu, le collectif, et le vivre ensemble. J’agis pour une vie plus simple, plus humaine, plus r... Show more

Jimmy Sjølander

Jimmy Sjølander

Jimmy Sjølander is the Founder & CEO of Ahead XR, a Norwegian company pioneering the future of Active Gaming through immersive XR technology. With a background in UX design and extended reality development, he has built innovative experiences that combine physical movement, gaming, and social interaction.

Jimmy is the driving force behind Ahead XR Arena, a concept designed to transform traditional gaming into engaging, physical, and inclusive experiences. His work focuses on lowering the barrier to activity for young people while creating new opportunities for learning, health, and community building through technology.

He has presented Ahead XR on major stages, including Digithon 2025, where he showcased the vision for the next generation of gaming. As a finalist at Digithon and a nominee for the VRINN Awards, Jimmy is recognized as an emerging voice in the intersection of gaming, health, and immersive technology.

Through his talks, Jimmy challenges the traditional e-sports model and inspires audiences to rethink how gaming can create movement, connection, and real-world impact.

Jimmy Sjølander is the Founder & CEO of Ahead XR, a Norwegian company pioneering the future of Active Gaming through immersive XR technology. With a background in UX design and extended reality development, he has built innovative experiences that co... Show more

Benoît Darroux

Benoît Darroux

As enthusiastic Agilist, I spent a long time in the world of Agility applied to large industries and I gradually understood why this model was withering away year after year without us accepting the real causes. First as a project player, then as a trainer and finally as a coach, I'm working to ensure that modern Agile models are used less strictly and more respectfully of people.

You can find my work in my book: https://tinyurl.com/darroux

As enthusiastic Agilist, I spent a long time in the world of Agility applied to large industries and I gradually understood why this model was withering away year after year without us accepting the real causes. First as a project player, then as a t... Show more

Gabriel Vaz

Gabriel Vaz

Husband, Father, Speaker, Coach, Co-author.
Luana's husband for 18 years, the most beautiful woman on earth.
Father of 6 (yes, I have a Squad indoors).
Corporate speaker on Productivity, Career, Agile Methods. (on Agile Trends since 2018)

I have already worked in an Agile Transformation directly developing 26 agilists + 14 leaders and indirectly 160 leaders.

There are more than 9,000 students on Udemy, and many more on Hotmart, Sympla.
Co-author in the Collaborative Journey of the books Product, Remote Work, Career Transition, Lean and others.
He is co-founder of Cocrie.org, agile courses for those who can't afford it.

Apply Scrum / Kanban / Values / Agile Principles since 2010 in all my circles: Shalom Catholic Community, Spread, CAIXA, Homeschooling, Claro, INCRA, Ministry of Education, UNESCO, etc.

ITIL certified in 2010, PSM I in 2014, PMP 2018, PSM II in 2019, PACC Expert, KMP (KSD and KSI), KCP (KMM), OKR (2023).

Husband, Father, Speaker, Coach, Co-author. Luana's husband for 18 years, the most beautiful woman on earth. Father of 6 (yes, I have a Squad indoors). Corporate speaker on Productivity, Career, Agile Methods. (on Agile Trends since 2018) I hav... Show more

Mehdi Mohseni

Mehdi Mohseni

Mehdi is a senior software developer and system architect who has been designing and building production systems since 2000. Across that time he has delivered solutions in office automation, CRM, healthcare management, and industrial and logistics automation, working primarily on the .NET platform and with a strong commitment to clean, object-oriented design.

Since 2016 his work has centered on cloud computing and cloud-native architecture. More recently his main focus has become AI engineering: integrating large language models into real .NET applications through function calling and tool use, building retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, and combining vector search with graph databases such as ArangoDB and NebulaGraph for semantic discovery and reasoning. He also applies these techniques to production problems such as AI-driven root-cause analysis in observability systems.

He writes and speaks about .NET, Azure, practical LLM integration, function calling, vector and semantic search, and graph databases, sharing much of this hands-on work at dotnet-talk.com.

Mehdi is a senior software developer and system architect who has been designing and building production systems since 2000. Across that time he has delivered solutions in office automation, CRM, healthcare management, and industrial and logistics au... Show more

Alex Radu

Alex Radu

Alex is a VP Education and Community Manager for Engineering Practices, at JPMorganChase in Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the land of the unicorns 🦄. She is an international speaker, product community manager, former product and marketing manager for public cloud, software engineer and conversational developer, among other roles.

In her work as a creative technologist, she combines content, community and engineering, to help people and products grow. Her role acts as a navigator between product, design, engineering and customers, underpinned by data and feedback.

In her personal life, she loves languages, speaking 4, whilst learning her 5th, Korean, with a 1800+ day streak on Duolingo. Alex adores living in Scotland with her family, 6-year old husky, Kai, and 2-year old Maine Coon kitten, Marvin!

As a fervent advocate of diversity in tech, Alex supports various communities, such as codebar, AWS Community Builders, Aspiring Women Speakers, #IamRemarkable, GitHub Campus Experts, Women Techmakers and more!

Alex is a VP Education and Community Manager for Engineering Practices, at JPMorganChase in Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the land of the unicorns 🦄. She is an international speaker, product community manager, former product and marketing manager for publi... Show more

Trond Hjorteland

Trond Hjorteland

Trond is an IT architect and sociotechnical systems practitioner at Capra Consulting, where he helps organisations design themselves for a turbulent world. Drawing on decades of research in open systems theory, he bridges domain-driven design, event-driven architecture, and human-centred organisation design. His mantra: great solutions emerge from collaborative sensemaking and design.

Trond is an IT architect and sociotechnical systems practitioner at Capra Consulting, where he helps organisations design themselves for a turbulent world. Drawing on decades of research in open systems theory, he bridges domain-driven design, event-... Show more

Thomas Chopin

Thomas Chopin

J’aide les équipes et les organisations, en France et particulièrement dans la région nantaise, à adopter l’agilité. Spécialisé dans l’accompagnement des dirigeants et des managers, je les aide à naviguer dans la complexité, à renforcer leur leadership et à structurer leur gouvernance en s’appuyant sur des outils agiles concrets et une prise de décision éclairée.
Je place l’humain au cœur des transformations, convaincu que l’amélioration continue est une opportunité pour chacun. J’encourage un apprentissage permanent et le développement de l’esprit critique, indispensables pour naviguer dans un monde en constante évolution. Mon rôle est d’ouvrir des perspectives, de challenger les certitudes et de créer des environnements propices à l’expérimentation et à l’adaptabilité.

J’aide les équipes et les organisations, en France et particulièrement dans la région nantaise, à adopter l’agilité. Spécialisé dans l’accompagnement des dirigeants et des managers, je les aide à naviguer dans la complexité, à renforcer leur leadersh... Show more

Joanne Gouaillier

Joanne Gouaillier

Je suis tombée dans l'agilité il y a déjà pas mal d'années, sans en connaître le nom. Ce mindset, ainsi que ses valeurs et principes, sont pour moi cruciaux pour toute organisation, toute démarche, tout projet. Non pas que les méthodes liées à l'agilité soient toujours les + adaptées, mais ce mindset fondé sur l'humain, l'écoute, la co-construction, l'adaptation et la création de valeur est transposable à toutes les échelles. Je suis aujourd'hui coach pour les équipes agiles, et j'accompagne aussi l'individu et les organisations à se transformer.

Je suis tombée dans l'agilité il y a déjà pas mal d'années, sans en connaître le nom. Ce mindset, ainsi que ses valeurs et principes, sont pour moi cruciaux pour toute organisation, toute démarche, tout projet. Non pas que les méthodes liées à l'agil... Show more

Neha Lagoo Ratnakar

Neha Lagoo Ratnakar

Neha Lagoo Ratnakar is a tiny speaker with a big name and an even bigger message. Her talks are part wakeup call and part kick in the behind.

Neha’s bestselling book, Back on Your Feet (Goodreads 4.5, Amazon 4.7) has helped hundreds of women start their career comeback journey and she’s spent hours directly coaching them.

But throughout her career spanning 8 countries, and her work as the Head of Education at a non-profit in Europe, she was shocked to hear that it was difficult for leaders to bridge the gender numbers despite their best intentions.

So Neha made it her mission to help organisations bridge this gap and support women on their journey.

What she has to say may offend you, could provoke you, but will definitely make you think. If you’re looking for a keynote speaker who can talk from authentic global experiences infused with actionable insights, then Neha is your choice.

Neha Lagoo Ratnakar is a tiny speaker with a big name and an even bigger message. Her talks are part wakeup call and part kick in the behind. Neha’s bestselling book, Back on Your Feet (Goodreads 4.5, Amazon 4.7) has helped hundreds of women star... Show more

Barbara Slopko Bekavac

Barbara Slopko Bekavac

I'm a UX researcher and designer specializing in e-commerce optimization and neuroscience-driven user experience. As the founder of Intuera, I combine UX, CRO, and behavioral science to uncover how people actually think, decide, and trust online.
My work explores how design decisions shape user behavior, influence purchase confidence, and reduce friction across the customer journey. By optimizing cognitive load, clarity, and interaction patterns, I help brands increase conversions while building long-term trust.

I'm a UX researcher and designer specializing in e-commerce optimization and neuroscience-driven user experience. As the founder of Intuera, I combine UX, CRO, and behavioral science to uncover how people actually think, decide, and trust online. M... Show more

Jason Wodicka

Jason Wodicka

Jason has spent almost twenty years in the tech industry. In that time, they've been a teacher, a test engineer, a development manager, a software engineer, and performed one ill-advised attempt at program management. Today they're working in engineering advocacy, helping people find new ways to think about our industry. They live with their husband in the drizzly paradise of Seattle. Ask them about board games, community-building, puzzle design, queer theory, or anything you're deeply excited by.

Jason has spent almost twenty years in the tech industry. In that time, they've been a teacher, a test engineer, a development manager, a software engineer, and performed one ill-advised attempt at program management. Today they're working in enginee... Show more

Chad Gerber

Chad Gerber

Chad Gerber is a 10x platinum and gold-selling artist, founder, patented inventor, and communication systems builder focused on the future of AI, infrastructure, and human connection.

Before moving into advanced communications and AI systems, Gerber built his career in music, production, and creative development, working on projects that reached platinum and gold status. That background in sound, latency, signal flow, and human interaction eventually evolved into a deeper focus on how communication itself functions under pressure.

He is now the founder of ShadowGen, an AI-native communication platform designed for unreliable and bandwidth-constrained environments, and Meloscene, an immersive collaboration platform exploring the future of remote presence and digital interaction.

Gerber’s work sits between culture and infrastructure. His talks explore AI, communication breakdown, future systems, creativity, defense, immersive media, and how emerging infrastructure will reshape the way humans connect, collaborate, and operate.

He has spoken on AI and future communication systems in Washington D.C. and internationally, with appearances including the BBC. His perspective combines real-world creative experience, startup building, communication infrastructure, and future-focused thinking in a way that is both accessible and highly relevant to modern audiences.

Chad Gerber is a 10x platinum and gold-selling artist, founder, patented inventor, and communication systems builder focused on the future of AI, infrastructure, and human connection. Before moving into advanced communications and AI systems, Gerb... Show more

LaShawnda Rodgers

LaShawnda Rodgers

LaShawnda Rodgers, MBA, PMP, CSM, is a global speaker, workplace transformation strategist, technology leader, entrepreneur mentor, and founder of Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium. With over 20 years of experience across technology, project management, operations, leadership development, organizational strategy, workforce development, and innovation, she helps organizations and professionals prepare for the future of work with clarity, confidence, and practical execution.

LaShawnda’s work sits at the intersection of technology, people, leadership, operations, and transformation. She equips organizations to navigate AI adoption, cybersecurity awareness, digital skills development, workplace culture, leadership effectiveness, and business growth. Her approach bridges the technical and human sides of change, helping leaders understand not only what technology can do, but how people, processes, and culture must evolve to use it responsibly and effectively. She is passionate about helping businesses understand the human side of technology including how AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation impact employees, leaders, customers, and long-term business success.

As the founder of Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium, LaShawnda provides consulting, workshops, leadership programs, technical training, and strategic advisory services that support organizational growth, employee development, customer experience, and workforce readiness. Her experience includes leading global initiatives, supporting technical teams, managing complex projects, improving business processes, and helping organizations align strategy with execution.

LaShawnda is also deeply committed to expanding access and opportunity in technology and entrepreneurship. She mentors women pursuing careers in tech, serves on IT and technology advisory boards for institutions such as Wake Tech Community College and Durham Tech Community College, and advises entrepreneurs and small business owners through platforms and ecosystems including Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. Her work helps professionals identify their value, build confidence, strengthen their career strategy, and position themselves for success in emerging industries.

A recognized speaker and thought leader, LaShawnda brings a unique blend of technical insight, leadership wisdom, operational strategy, creativity, and people-centered transformation. Whether speaking to executives, entrepreneurs, students, cyber professionals, workforce leaders, or emerging tech talent, she delivers practical, engaging, and empowering sessions that help audiences take action.

Her speaking topics include AI transformation, cybersecurity awareness, leadership in the digital age, workforce readiness, organizational growth, entrepreneurship, personal branding, career advancement, emotional intelligence, innovation, and future-ready workplace strategy.

LaShawnda Rodgers, MBA, PMP, CSM, is a global speaker, workplace transformation strategist, technology leader, entrepreneur mentor, and founder of Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium. With over 20 years of experience across technology, project manag... Show more

Nimish Sharma

Nimish Sharma

Results - driven Cybersecurity Engineer with diverse experience across Healthcare, Banking, Public, and Telecom sectors, cross-functional project guidance and stakeholder support, security architecture strategy, application/ agentic AI security, predictive analytics, and enterprise risk management. Adept at designing and implementing scalable solutions, driving automation, and delivering quantifiable value and innovation.

Results - driven Cybersecurity Engineer with diverse experience across Healthcare, Banking, Public, and Telecom sectors, cross-functional project guidance and stakeholder support, security architecture strategy, application/ agentic AI security, pred... Show more

Phil Ledgerwood

Phil Ledgerwood

Phil Ledgerwood’s resumé looks like seven other people’s resumés stitched together. He has baked bagels, guarded Clint Black’s town home, cooked for a gourmet food shop, freed stuck college students from elevators, managed printing plates for packaging, and served as a linguist in the Air Force. He taught himself HTML when the Netscape browser was still a thing, and the rest is history.

Phil is a twenty-year veteran of the software development industry in the Kansas City area. If you’re in the Kansas City area, he is two degrees of separation away from any programmer you know and has probably worked for, at, or with your company.

When the agile movement hit town, Phil knew a good thing when he saw it and became an early adopter of first wave agile practices. He has used these practices to ideate, build, and complete software projects ranging from loan forecasting to routing irrigation trucks to managing pharmacies to predictive lead generation to selling teddy bears. When people ask what vertical his company serves, he says, “Yours.”

Phil has incorporated Lean methodologies into software development just like his father used to do in manufacturing. When he partnered with Travis Dietz to start Integrity Inspired Solutions in 2012, they laid the foundation in Lean to make the custom software development enterprise more humane, predictable, and focused on the success of everyone involved.

A regular speaker at developer, Lean, and Agile conferences, Phil has a passion for taking his company’s ways to other companies whether they create software or not. He loves to see them transform from a collection of interactions riddled with disappointments and broken promises to team-oriented relational companies enjoying newfound trust, joy, efficiency, and success. Several companies from all over the world in all different industries contract Phil to help coach them through their own journeys. He also hosts the successful "Agile Bites" podcast.

When he’s not helping project managers learn predictive metrics or helping developers write customer-focused features, he’s enjoying a wide array of highly geeky hobbies including fantasy and sci-fi novels, gaming, and teaching Filipino stick fighting. His main hobby is making the world a better place for everyone who has to share the planet with him, and the engine for that is love.

Phil Ledgerwood’s resumé looks like seven other people’s resumés stitched together. He has baked bagels, guarded Clint Black’s town home, cooked for a gourmet food shop, freed stuck college students from elevators, managed printing plates for packagi... Show more

Enid-Mai Jones

Enid-Mai Jones

Enid-Mai Jones does not talk about transformation in the abstract. She has lived it — in boardrooms, budget cycles, and staff meetings where real organizational change happens.
As the founder and CEO of EMJ Consulting LLC and its AI consulting division, InsightfulAI Strategies, Enid-Mai equips association and nonprofit leaders to build learning portfolios that drive revenue, adopt artificial intelligence with intention and ethics, and lead with the kind of clarity that moves organizations forward when the stakes are high.

Her proof is specific. At LifeSpan Network, Maryland's premier senior care association, she scaled educational programming from 35 to more than 100 annual events, grew conference attendance by 106 percent, and increased non-dues revenue by 160 percent — from $350,000 to $1.5 million. She has managed budgets up to $3 million, led teams across 17 state chapters, and built certification programs with a 90 percent first-year pass rate.

Enid-Mai holds dual master's degrees from the University of Kansas and credentials including the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Certified Association AI Professional (AAiP), and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE). She is an ASAE DELP alumna and has spoken at United Way Worldwide, the National Leadership Alliance, and the American Society of Association Executives.

Her sessions are built to move people — not just inform them. Attendees leave with a framework they can use the next morning.

Enid-Mai Jones does not talk about transformation in the abstract. She has lived it — in boardrooms, budget cycles, and staff meetings where real organizational change happens. As the founder and CEO of EMJ Consulting LLC and its AI consulting divis... Show more

Kim B Miller

Kim B Miller

Kim B Miller is a TEDx speaker, Poet Laureate Emerita, and former corporate executive redefining leadership through bold storytelling, spoken word, and real-world experience.

She challenges audiences to rethink accountability, recognition, and workplace culture while drawing on her extensive experience in parenting and family facilitation to provide insights into communication, coaching, and guiding individuals through complex challenges.

Kim delivered keynotes at the Women’s Leadership Summit at Rochester Institute of Technology, the S.E.A.L. Awards at Northern Virginia Community College, and the YMS B.O.L.D. Moves™ Conference 2026. She has also performed internationally in Paris, France, and on stages such as The Atlas Performing Arts Center (DC) and La Peña Cultural Center (CA).

A dynamic facilitator, Kim leads interactive workshops on leadership, communication, storytelling, culture, and personal growth equipping audiences with practical strategies and unforgettable experiences that drive lasting impact.

Kim B Miller is a TEDx speaker, Poet Laureate Emerita, and former corporate executive redefining leadership through bold storytelling, spoken word, and real-world experience. She challenges audiences to rethink accountability, recognition, and wor... Show more

Caroline Benefield

Caroline Benefield

Caroline Benefield Weeks is a wife, stepmom, avid collector of hobbies, and freelance digital marketing consultant living in Atlanta. After a long career in nonprofit and higher education communications, Caroline pivoted to a career as a romance author before opening her boutique marketing agency, Southern Grit Digital. When she's not nerding out over audience segmentation and storytelling, she can be found hiking and trail running across the Southeast, learning ever more fiber arts, and planning her next national park visit.

Caroline Benefield Weeks is a wife, stepmom, avid collector of hobbies, and freelance digital marketing consultant living in Atlanta. After a long career in nonprofit and higher education communications, Caroline pivoted to a career as a romance auth... Show more

Tina Mirro

Tina Mirro

Tina Mirro is a seasoned Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform expert with deep experience designing, architecting, and delivering enterprise CRM solutions. A Microsoft‑certified Solution Architect and Data Analyst, she has built her career around transforming complex business challenges into scalable, human‑centered digital systems. Her work spans consulting, solution strategy, and hands‑on platform innovation, including contributions to community‑driven tools that expand Dynamics 365 capabilities.

A long‑time advocate for women in technology and a proud member of the Microsoft Federal Government ecosystem, Tina brings a blend of technical mastery, empathy, and real‑world implementation insight to every stage of digital transformation. Her background includes leadership in anti‑trafficking advocacy and accessibility‑focused volunteer work, reflecting her commitment to technology that empowers people.

Recognized for her passion, clarity, and ability to demystify complex systems, Tina is a dynamic speaker who inspires audiences to embrace modern business applications, rethink customer engagement, and unlock the full potential of the Power Platform.

Tina Mirro is a seasoned Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform expert with deep experience designing, architecting, and delivering enterprise CRM solutions. A Microsoft‑certified Solution Architect and Data Analyst, she has built her career aroun... Show more

Brian Madden

Brian Madden

Brian Madden is a renowned workplace AI strategist, future of work expert, and dynamic speaker with over 30 years of experience in digital transformation. As a Technology Officer and Futurist at Citrix, he's at the forefront of helping organizations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in the workplace.

Expertise & Current Focus
• Workplace AI strategy and implementation
• Future of work and digital workplace transformation
• AI's impact on employee productivity and HR practices
• Ethical considerations of AI in the workplace
• Bridging the gap between technology and human resources

Career Highlights
• Currently a VP, Technology Officer & Futurist, Citrix
• Creator of the Workplace AI Strategy Guide project, a comprehensive, continuously-updated resource for organizations adapting to AI
• Author of 6 books and over 2,000 articles on technology and workplace transformation
• Founder of BriForum, the largest vendor-neutral End-User Computing conference (2005-2016)
• Former Distinguished Technologist at VMware, focusing on the Future of Work
• Creator and leader of multiple influential tech community programs (Citrix CTP, VMware EUC vExperts)

Speaking and Thought Leadership
• Delivered 1000+ talks worldwide on technology's impact on work and productivity
• Ranked #1 speaker at major tech conferences multiple times
• Regular contributor to discussions on AI ethics, productivity, and workplace dynamics
• Passionate about democratizing knowledge and fostering inclusive tech communities

Brian's unique blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and engaging presentation style makes him an ideal speaker for conferences exploring the intersection of AI, HR, and the future of work. He excels at breaking down complex technological concepts in humorous and relatable ways for diverse audiences, from C-suite executives to HR professionals and IT teams.

Brian Madden is a renowned workplace AI strategist, future of work expert, and dynamic speaker with over 30 years of experience in digital transformation. As a Technology Officer and Futurist at Citrix, he's at the forefront of helping organizations ... Show more

Crux Conception, M. Psych

Crux Conception, M. Psych

CRUX IS AN EXPERT ANALYST ON CBS, THE REAL CSI: MIAMI.
Click The Link To See Crux in The Real CSI: MIAMI

https://youtu.be/UsVswWyyFZg?si=L9lca4H98xypbGRz&t=49

Crux resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has over 20 years of law enforcement experience (Now retired), criminal profiling, and teaching experience (adjunct professor). Crux has now taken his years of experience, education research, and training; to incorporate novel methods of teaching/learning. Crux has utilized his background in Psychology, Team Building, and Behavioral Profiling to implement said methods to take out the law-enforcement aspect and make these skills people/civilian practical.

#Cybersecurity, #CriminalProfile, #Ninja, #Keynote, #Speaker, #TeamBuilding #TeamDynamics #TechPsychology, #Security, #DevopSec
Law Enforcement experience:

•Homicide Detective
•Criminal Profiler
•Gang Unit Specialist Detective
•Hostage Negotiator
•Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer
•School Resources Officer (SRO)
•Five years as a Special Agent with the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND (DHS)

Now retired, Crux worked as a Homicide Detective, Criminal Profiler, and Hostage Negotiator with the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Police Dept.

Teaching experience:
Currently, Crux is an Adjunct Professor:

•Psychology
•Business Psychology
•Social Media Psychology
•Criminal Profiling
•Criminal Behavior
•Computer Psychology
•Sociology (Group Dynamics)

Education:

•Bachelor of Science degree; Criminology (Ball State University, 1994).

•Master’s degree; Forensic Psychology (Walden University, 2012).

•Currently, a Ph.D. Candidate (Forensic Psychology) at Walden University

CRUX IS AN EXPERT ANALYST ON CBS, THE REAL CSI: MIAMI. Click The Link To See Crux in The Real CSI: MIAMI https://youtu.be/UsVswWyyFZg?si=L9lca4H98xypbGRz&t=49 Crux resides in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has over 20 years of law enforcement experi... Show more

Rob Litjens

Rob Litjens

I am a DBA since 1997 and have worked with SQL6, 6,5 and upwards. My interest are merely platform based, but also interested in performance and monitoring. With the requirements changing I am working in DevSEcOps for SQL for my employer. Security is getting more focus. That means I am trying to setup builds that are secure by designed and securely designed. Tools help with that.

I am a DBA since 1997 and have worked with SQL6, 6,5 and upwards. My interest are merely platform based, but also interested in performance and monitoring. With the requirements changing I am working in DevSEcOps for SQL for my employer. Security is ... Show more

Nyah Macklin

Nyah Macklin

Nyah Macklin is a seasoned researcher and speaker on topics around AI, ML, Ethics, Governance, and Responsibility. Nyah serves as a Senior Developer Advocate for Artificial Intelligence at Neo4j, specializing in context engineering, knowledge graphs, and AI-driven developer tooling where Nyah has built high-impact technical communities and led initiatives that advance a critical understanding of AI and its use cases. They are also the Founder & CTO of Afros in AI, a technical community dedicated to showcasing the multifaceted nature of artificial intelligence. Beyond Nyah's technical expertise, Nyah has a background in government leadership and technology policy, having served as Chief of Staff in the U.S. state government, where they helped shape tech-driven legislative initiatives and equity-driven legislation. When not immersed in their work, Nyah cares about empowering, teaching, and tutoring engineers, live-streaming technical deep dives, and building open-source tools that make software more accessible, explainable, and community-driven.

Nyah Macklin is a seasoned researcher and speaker on topics around AI, ML, Ethics, Governance, and Responsibility. Nyah serves as a Senior Developer Advocate for Artificial Intelligence at Neo4j, specializing in context engineering, knowledge graphs,... Show more

Nicolas Guillot

Nicolas Guillot

Hi! I’m Nicolas, a developer with over 25 years of experience, now working as a freelance mobile app developer.

My journey has taken me from programming MS-DOS games to building electronic test systems for the oil industry, before transitioning to mobile development in 2017.

Everything changed during an eco-volunteering mission in French Polynesia, where I monitored sea turtles. This experience inspired *“We Spot Turtles!”*, a side project that has since become one of my main activities as a freelancer.

In 2022, an unexpected encounter with an Australian helped propel the project onto the international stage, eventually leading to it being featured by Google in a global campaign.

Today, I build this solution using Flutter, co-organize the Flutter Nantes meetup, and aim to expand the impact of this application dedicated to sea turtle conservation worldwide.

Hi! I’m Nicolas, a developer with over 25 years of experience, now working as a freelance mobile app developer. My journey has taken me from programming MS-DOS games to building electronic test systems for the oil industry, before transitioning to... Show more

Brian Alementi

Brian Alementi

Brian Alementi is an acclaimed Inspirational Keynote Speaker, award-winning leader, and certified Master Trainer renowned for engaging presentations that combine inspiration with practical, actionable insights. With a rich background in guiding and elevating teams, Brian brings his experience as a previous leader within a Fortune 500 company’s Hall of Fame learning and development division, where his dedication to growth and excellence shaped high-performing teams across the organization. His impact reaches far and wide, with numerous features on major television networks and invitations to speak on prominent stages, including TEDx. Brian’s influence continues to expand as he empowers audiences to unlock their full potential and achieve remarkable results.

His sessions blend dynamic energy, expertise, and actionable takeaways, making them impactful and memorable. His MVP Performance Model aligns individual drive with team goals, creating a foundation for extraordinary achievement. With his PG3 Leadership Model, Brian cultivates a culture of resilience, collaboration, and growth within organizations. In addition, his inspirational talk focuses on the importance of unleashing the magic within individuals and teams to elevate a positive growth mindset for success. These frameworks enable companies to positively shape their culture to boost productivity, morale, and performance.

With over three decades of public speaking experience, he has empowered audiences by delivering transformative sessions that provide clear, practical strategies for enhancing productivity and connection. Known for his infectious energy and authentic delivery, Brian resonates across industries, making his sessions both unforgettable and actionable.

A testament to his commitment, Brian’s personal life reflects the drive and resilience he talks to. With the accomplishment of completing several marathons, a strong marriage of over twenty years, and the joy of raising two remarkable children, Brian brings a genuine authenticity to every talk, inspiring audiences to pursue their goals with passion and purpose

Brian Alementi is an acclaimed Inspirational Keynote Speaker, award-winning leader, and certified Master Trainer renowned for engaging presentations that combine inspiration with practical, actionable insights. With a rich background in guiding and e... Show more

Osama Okunbo

Osama Okunbo

Osama Okunbo is a Security and Software Engineer who consults with startups and scaleups on cloud-native security, Kubernetes, and compliance. Before working in tech he competed as a professional Judoka and studied Sports Science, eventually transitioning into software engineering through game development before finding his way into cloud security and DevSecOps. He leads security engineering at Immibuddy, a Canadian immigration SaaS platform, and holds consulting clients in fintech and retail. He is the author of Hello Fraud: Why You Feel Like an Impostor in Tech and How to Fix It and holds an MSc in Cybersecurity from the University of Suffolk. He spoke at Manchester Tech Festival 2025 on agentic AI in cybersecurity.

Osama Okunbo is a Security and Software Engineer who consults with startups and scaleups on cloud-native security, Kubernetes, and compliance. Before working in tech he competed as a professional Judoka and studied Sports Science, eventually transit... Show more

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