Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Stéphane Clavier

Stéphane Clavier

J'ai toujours cultivé une certaine polyvalence dont les différentes facettes s'enrichissent mutuellement.
Coach professionnel et agiliste, j'écoute et je questionne individus et organisations pour les aider à clarifier leurs problématiques et à construire leurs propres solutions.

J'ai toujours cultivé une certaine polyvalence dont les différentes facettes s'enrichissent mutuellement. Coach professionnel et agiliste, j'écoute et je questionne individus et organisations pour les aider à clarifier leurs problématiques et à cons... Show more

Matt Treadwell

Matt Treadwell

I started off my career as an academic librarian many moons ago and information has been the golden thread that has connected all my subsequent roles.

I have worked in a range of customer focused information governance, representation, and cybersecurity roles building up a portfolio of skills that can help any business soar. My approach is people centred and tailored to your specific needs, so any engagement will always start with a conversation focussed on understanding the challenges you face. Any package of services delivered will then be driven by your unique requirements and based on a detailed risk assessment and analysis of your business needs.

I am a lifelong humanist and support a range of charities focused upon on ethical, rights and equalities issues.

I started off my career as an academic librarian many moons ago and information has been the golden thread that has connected all my subsequent roles. I have worked in a range of customer focused information governance, representation, and cyberse... Show more

Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju

Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju

Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju
Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju is a dynamic Technical Consultant, Public Speaker, and Author, affiliated with Covenant Technologies, a Microsoft Certified Partner based in Lagos, Nigeria. With over 25 years of professional experience, he is recognized as a leader in the IT industry, specializing in Microsoft infrastructure, data, and artificial intelligence solutions.

Oluwaseyi is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), a Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Office Services & Apps, and the MCT Regional Lead for Nigeria. He also serves as the Manager of Data & AI at Wragby Solutions & Technologies Limited, where he drives cutting-edge innovations in AI, data analytics, and cloud technologies. As a Fellow of the Institute of Information Management Africa (FIIM Africa), he holds one of the highest honors for excellence in data and information management.

At Covenant Technologies, Oluwaseyi plays a pivotal role as a senior consulting partner, helping organizations maximize the value of their Microsoft technologies, including Azure, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and AI-powered solutions. His expertise extends beyond technical implementations, focusing on empowering businesses to leverage IT for strategic growth.

Prior to joining Covenant Technologies, Oluwaseyi was a Senior Technical Consultant and Support Manager at 1st Intellit Solution, where he led outsourcing teams and spearheaded the development of innovative client systems.

Driven by his passion for IT evolution in Africa, Oluwaseyi is a prominent advocate for cloud technologies and modern workplace solutions across West, East, and Central Africa (WECA). His campaigns for adopting tools like SharePoint, Yammer, Office 365, Azure, and Microsoft Teams have significantly influenced medium and large organizations. The growing response from the Nigerian market and beyond highlights the transformative impact of his efforts in fostering a modern IT ecosystem across Africa.

Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju is a dynamic Technical Consultant, Public Speaker, and Author, affiliated with Covenant Technologies, a Microsoft Certified Partner based in Lagos, Nigeria. With over 25 years of professional experience, h... Show more

Charles-Louis de Maere

Charles-Louis de Maere

Bringing people together is something that lives on through my workshops and training. Whether they take place online or on-premise, I facilitate workshops and learning experiences that focus on high participation, on learning by doing and verifying that the concepts are integrated. I use Live Online Learning Activities to ensure people get a chance to practice their understanding of the new concepts.

What better way is there to give meaning to what we say than to draw to make our thoughts explicit? When we add visual information to what we’re saying, suddenly our intention becomes much more precise, and we can begin to work on shared understanding. This is why I love bringing people in contact with the power of Visual Thinking, of getting back to our roots and using pen and paper to bring people closer together.

Stories are another option for bringing sensitive topics to the surface, which I recently started to explore through my self-development practice, as well as during numerous Around the world in (less than) 80 days workshops throughout the past years!

Bringing people together is something that lives on through my workshops and training. Whether they take place online or on-premise, I facilitate workshops and learning experiences that focus on high participation, on learning by doing and verifying ... Show more

Arin Patterson

Arin Patterson

Leadership strategist with 10+ years in education and nonprofit sectors. TEDx speaker and podcast host focused on culture, learning, and development.

Leadership strategist with 10+ years in education and nonprofit sectors. TEDx speaker and podcast host focused on culture, learning, and development. Show more

Marina Hrvacanin

Marina Hrvacanin

I spent fifteen years mastering how people actually consume content. I build stories that sell to the distracted, from scroll-stopping social lines to large-scale e-commerce campaigns.

I study what catches the eye, what keeps it, and how language can make brands feel current without chasing trends.

I speak about writing for new audiences and new media, where attention is short, expectations are high, and authenticity alone isn’t enough.
My topics explore how to translate human behavior into clear, relatable communication that cuts through noise and earns response.

I spent fifteen years mastering how people actually consume content. I build stories that sell to the distracted, from scroll-stopping social lines to large-scale e-commerce campaigns. I study what catches the eye, what keeps it, and how language... Show more

Alexis Roig

Alexis Roig

Alexis Roig is the CEO of SciTech DiploHub, the world-leading think-and-do tank working at the intersection of science, technology, and foreign affairs, where he leads an international team of over 20 members committed to empowering science and technology to face global challenges.

He also serves in the pioneering role of Barcelona’s Chief Science and Tech Envoy, bringing the voice of evidence-based urban policies and innovations before the UN’s ECOSOC, UNESCO, UNFCCC, the United Nations Sustainable Solutions Network, the International Science Council, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the European Committee of the Regions, among other international organizations. He has over 15 years of experience as a Senior Advisor on Science Diplomacy and City Diplomacy for ministries of Foreign Affairs, Science, Research, and Education across Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

His academic roles include being a Professor at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST), Associate Researcher at the Barcelona Centre for International Relations (CIDOB), Associate Professor at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), and the Barcelona Institute for International Studies (IBEI) and Associate Research Fellow at United Nations University (UNU-CRIS), where he works as part of the Regions and Cities Governance Lab in the fields of Science and Technology Diplomacy. Professor Roig is a founder and board member of numerous non-profits and think tanks on Public Diplomacy, Science Advice, and Innovation Policy.

Among other roles, he has served as an advisor to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation of the Government of Spain, and to the European Commission and the United States’ Department of State on their respective Science, Technology, and City Diplomacy strategies, and as Commissioner for International Affairs of the Barcelona Metropolitan Region strategic plan.

Alexis Roig has developed numerous policy reports, strategic plans, and training programs in Science Diplomacy for regional and national governments of the United States, Mexico, Chile, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, China, Korea, and Japan. He has taught in institutions such as Harvard University, Georgetown University, Sciences Po, CEIBS, Fudan University, Tsinghua University, and Johns Hopkins University, and in the last decade trained over 1,000 government officials from over 50 different nationalities.

He holds a master’s degree in Computer Science from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, an MBA from EM Normandie Business School, a Postgraduate degree in Diplomacy from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, an Executive Diploma in Nonprofit Foundation Management, and has completed Executive Education programs in Leadership and Public Administration at ESADE and IESE. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Catalan, and is continuously improving his proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.

Alexis Roig is the CEO of SciTech DiploHub, the world-leading think-and-do tank working at the intersection of science, technology, and foreign affairs, where he leads an international team of over 20 members committed to empowering science and techn... Show more

Deborah A. Carroll, Ph.D.

Deborah A. Carroll, Ph.D.

Deborah A. Carroll is Director of the Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research focuses on local government fiscal policy, specifically taxation, revenue diversification, and water pricing and affordability. Dr. Carroll has produced 75 scholarly publications and 25 white papers and technical reports reflecting more than $2.75 million in research funding. She has been invited to share her expertise with academic and practitioner audiences across the U.S. and in several other countries. Dr. Carroll began her career in public service as a budget and policy analyst for the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With a passion for applied research intended to inform public policy and improve public sector management, Dr. Carroll pursued her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, which she completed in 2004 along with a Graduate Certificate in State and Local Taxation from the UWM Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business.

Deborah A. Carroll is Director of the Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research focuses on local government fiscal policy, specifically taxation, revenue diversification, and water pricing and affordabilit... Show more

Gopal Balakrishnan

Gopal Balakrishnan

Balakrishnan's work consistently displays an interdisciplinary erudition spanning the fields of history, political theory, philosophy, and economics. This breadth of interests formed the basis of his doctoral research, which evolved into his groundbreaking first book, "The Enemy: An Intellectual Portrait of Carl Schmitt." This work provided a meticulous analysis of Schmitt’s political thought conceived as a series of responses to the crises of the German and European state systems from 1919 to 1945. 

A collection of his essays, "Antagonistics: Capitalism and Power in an Age of War," came out subsequently offering reflections on the history of the interstate system and the future of warfare, the significance of Machiavelli as a theorist of the founding of new orders, of De Tocqueville as a conservative critic of democracy, and on the European origins of identity politics. 

As an editor, Balakrishnan has contributed significantly as an editor, assembling highly influential collections on nationalism, and the forms of empire in a supposedly post-national age in "Mapping the Nation" and "Debating Empire", respectively.
 
More recently, Balakrishnan has been working on a reconstruction of Karl Marx's economic thought that identifies its concealed conceptual structure, making its historical and logical assumptions more apparent and thus opening up new questions regarding its adequacy as an account of the structure and history of capitalism. 

His forthcoming association with the journal SS African Mercury is the beginning of a new chapter in Balakrishnan’s intellectual career. This journal sets a new standard for political and cultural criticism, and his contributions to it can be expected to further highlight its distinctiveness in the contemporary intellectual scene. He foresees writing pieces for this journal that continue the practice of criticism through careful reconstruction that characterized his earlier work but with a more trenchant style influenced by his study of the genre of polemics.   

Balakrishnan currently participates in a number of study groups and private seminars on topics as varied as classical political economy, Marxist writing on the Graeco-Roman world, and the Bible in its historical context. Here he seeks to inspire others with the spirit of pure intellectual inquiry, free from current fashion and ideological pieties.

Currently, he is working on a reconstruction of Marx’s Capital that uncovers its conceptual organization as a system and raises new questions regarding its adequacy as an account of the nature and history of capitalism.

Balakrishnan's work consistently displays an interdisciplinary erudition spanning the fields of history, political theory, philosophy, and economics. This breadth of interests formed the basis of his doctoral research, which evolved into his groundbr... Show more

Prashanthi Matam

Prashanthi Matam

Hi everyone, I’m Prashanthi Matam. I have 7 years of experience as a senior software engineer having worked at companies like Discover, Goldman Sachs, Capgemini, and Enel X, where I leveraged cutting-edge technologies such as AWS, JavaScript, and Python. My background in Computer Science, combined with hands-on expertise in building ML model tracking systems, dynamic logging frameworks, and automated credential management, has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of AI-enhanced testing frameworks. Additionally, as the former Vice-Chairman of ACM, Mentor for Mozilla Firefox, Redhat.I developed strong leadership skills that I bring to every project. Today, I'll be discussing how AI-driven testing frameworks can revolutionize real-time data analysis and ML model deployment, monitoring.

Hi everyone, I’m Prashanthi Matam. I have 7 years of experience as a senior software engineer having worked at companies like Discover, Goldman Sachs, Capgemini, and Enel X, where I leveraged cutting-edge technologies such as AWS, JavaScript, and Pyt... Show more

Stephen Morris

Stephen Morris

Stephen is an author, speaker and accomplished and award-winning leader with over twenty years of experience in complex, uncertain and high-scale technical organisations.

Across diverse sectors, including information technology, healthcare, banking, insurance, manufacturing, and government, Stephen has a track record of driving real success, backed by hands-on achievements and industry recognition.

Leadership highlights
• C-Suite leader during a period of extraordinary growth, achieving 400% YoY
• Leadership coach for a 300-million-dollar international software rollout
• Mentor and consultant for an international leadership team managing over 750 professionals through an organisational transformation
• Strategist for the successful launch of 50+ commercial cloud-based products and services, shaping the future of business technology

Awards
• Most Influential Business Leader, 2016 Agile Awards
• Most Improved Agile Team, 2016 Agile Awards
• Best Leadership and Agile Coaching Provider, 2020 UK Enterprise Awards

Stephen is an author, speaker and accomplished and award-winning leader with over twenty years of experience in complex, uncertain and high-scale technical organisations. Across diverse sectors, including information technology, healthcare, banki... Show more

Christopher Nocera Walg

Christopher Nocera Walg

Christopher ist maßgeblich am Aufbau sowie an der Entwicklung der ONE Business & Technology GmbH beteiligt und verantwortet dort die methodischen Beratungsschwerpunkte. ONE ist eine innovative Beratung, die in außergewöhnlichem Maße von seiner Begeisterung für moderne Organisationsformen und agile Führungsstile profitiert. Agilität begleitet Christopher schon seit mehr als 10 Jahren, vom Startup bis zum Großkonzern. Als Berater und Organisationsentwickler begegnet er heute unterschiedlichen Organisationsmodellen und ist somit von Haus aus dem ständigen Perspektivwechsel ausgesetzt. Mit Leidenschaft begleitet er Transformationen hin zu Agilität und Selbstorganisation, gestaltet digitale Produktorganisationen und berät Führungskräfte im strategischen Management.

Christopher ist maßgeblich am Aufbau sowie an der Entwicklung der ONE Business & Technology GmbH beteiligt und verantwortet dort die methodischen Beratungsschwerpunkte. ONE ist eine innovative Beratung, die in außergewöhnlichem Maße von seiner Begeis... Show more

Kim Escobedo

Kim Escobedo

Kim es una ingeniera con una visión holística del liderazgo. Su enfoque se centra en el desarrollo integral de las personas, combinando habilidades técnicas con habilidades blandas como la comunicación efectiva, la resolución de conflictos y la inteligencia emocional. Con más de 17 años de experiencia en la industria IT y certificaciones en la metodología Agile y una maestría en Neuroliderazgo y Coaching Cognitivo, Kim ha demostrado su capacidad para transformar equipos y organizaciones.

Kim es una ingeniera con una visión holística del liderazgo. Su enfoque se centra en el desarrollo integral de las personas, combinando habilidades técnicas con habilidades blandas como la comunicación efectiva, la resolución de conflictos y la intel... Show more

Karl Wester-Ebbinghaus

Karl Wester-Ebbinghaus

Currently being most passionate about Azure Local and Azure Arc. Coming down a long way with Microsoft tech only, since the 90s

Currently being most passionate about Azure Local and Azure Arc. Coming down a long way with Microsoft tech only, since the 90s Show more

Stephan Swart

Stephan Swart

Stephan is a consultant, advisor, and Fractional CTO. He has held a range of titles including: developer, architect, agile coach, and CTO. He is passionate to help organisations and their leaders to get the best out of their dev teams. He is passionate about creating work-environments where software teams and individuals can flourish. He has seen the insides of small, medium, and large organisations. In all teams he has been part of, he has grown a reputation of bringing clarity, trust, and courage.

Stephan is a consultant, advisor, and Fractional CTO. He has held a range of titles including: developer, architect, agile coach, and CTO. He is passionate to help organisations and their leaders to get the best out of their dev teams. He is passiona... Show more

James Donahue

James Donahue

Raise in Nashville, Tennessee, settled in Hamburg, Germany, with a few other continents in between. My academic background is macroeconomics, with a focus on Bayesian methods and labor market dynamics. I am currently working with AWS Cloud applications, trying to find a good compost system, and still drinking too much coffee.

Raise in Nashville, Tennessee, settled in Hamburg, Germany, with a few other continents in between. My academic background is macroeconomics, with a focus on Bayesian methods and labor market dynamics. I am currently working with AWS Cloud applicatio... Show more

Kamal Rawat

Kamal Rawat

With expertise spanning SEO, content marketing, PPC, and social media, I help brands elevate their visibility, skyrocket organic traffic, and drive measurable engagement. Whether it’s optimizing site structure, crafting high-impact content, or building performance-driven campaigns, I believe in strategies rooted in data and designed for results.

With expertise spanning SEO, content marketing, PPC, and social media, I help brands elevate their visibility, skyrocket organic traffic, and drive measurable engagement. Whether it’s optimizing site structure, crafting high-impact content, or buildi... Show more

Vijeta Pai

Vijeta Pai

I'm a Program Manager and Technical Evangelist with experience implementing strategies and trainings globally to provide competitive edge to organizations in diverse, evolving customer environments. Championing a personal brand of empathy, trust and reliability, I've managed cross-functional teams in India and the US to deliver operational excellence on mission-critical programs and drive innovation using adaptive communications. Currently I'm working on my passion to demystify Cloud technologies using web comics, animated videos; harnessing the power of storytelling and analogies. A storyteller and technical enthusiast by heart, I want to use my experience to grow, give back to the profession and make technology accessible, fast, scalable and reliable.

I'm a Program Manager and Technical Evangelist with experience implementing strategies and trainings globally to provide competitive edge to organizations in diverse, evolving customer environments. Championing a personal brand of empathy, trust and ... Show more

Michaela Gyasi-Agyei

Michaela Gyasi-Agyei

Michaela Gyasi-Agyei is a lawyer and policy professional who is interested in the intersection between technology, policy and digital rights. She holds a Bachelors of Economics/Laws (Honours) from the University of Queensland, and graduated as Valedictorian of my cohort. Michaela has worked in government agencies and private organisations advising on privacy, data governance, and corporate responsibility. She is currently participating in the She Codes Plus and Cyber5050 programs. In 2024, Michaela was selected to join the inaugural cohort of the Asia Pacific Internet Governance Academy (APIGA) Australia.

Michaela Gyasi-Agyei is a lawyer and policy professional who is interested in the intersection between technology, policy and digital rights. She holds a Bachelors of Economics/Laws (Honours) from the University of Queensland, and graduated as Valedi... Show more

Vered Robinzon

Vered Robinzon

Agile Organiziational leader and manager, Certified board facilitator with TAB (The Alternative Board) and a graduate of the StratPro leadership and strategy program, bringing over 20 years of experience in establishing and leading corporate training and education centers. Skilled in managing cross-cultural educational initiatives across Eastern Europe and North America, with a strong background in organizational development and leadership.

Currently serves as Deputy Head of the pioneering Education Authority and Director of Business Development at Sheba Medical Center, consistently ranked among the world’s Top 10 hospitals. Leads innovation processes, organizational learning and strategic growth initiatives and played a central role in establishing the Education Authority as a trailblazing organizational unit within the medical center.

Dedicated sports enthusiast with a particular passion for the English Premier League and an Executive Board Member of The Association of Independent Sport Organizations,
contributing energy, curiosity and a people-centered approach to every professional role.

Agile Organiziational leader and manager, Certified board facilitator with TAB (The Alternative Board) and a graduate of the StratPro leadership and strategy program, bringing over 20 years of experience in establishing and leading corporate training... Show more

Mable Amuron

Mable Amuron

Mable Barbara Amuron is a researcher examining the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital culture, and society, with a focus on misinformation and disinformation. Drawing on her editorial and literary background, she investigates how AI systems shape the creation and perception of information online. Her work explores the risks of AI-driven mis/disinformation, such as deepfakes, automated content, and
algorithmic amplification, and their effects on public trust and democracy. Through interdisciplinary research, Mable analyses the ethical, social, and technical dimensions of emerging technologies while advocating for transparency, accountability, and equitable access to information. Her expertise spans
misinformation studies, election analyses, AI and society, and research communication, combining critical analysis with ethical storytelling to promote informed and resilient communities.

Mable Barbara Amuron is a researcher examining the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital culture, and society, with a focus on misinformation and disinformation. Drawing on her editorial and literary background, she investigates how AI sys... Show more

Elsa Iguedjtal

Elsa Iguedjtal

Convinced Agilist, motivated by small daily victories, amazed by life, and inhabited by the values ​​of the Agile Manifesto centered on people, respect, kindness and continuous improvement. I put my skills and experience at the service of those who share my daily life, but above all I try to make them reveal their own potential, sometimes nuggets that they are unaware of themselves...

Mother of 3 children, neuroatypical, feminist and climate fresco artist.

Convinced Agilist, motivated by small daily victories, amazed by life, and inhabited by the values ​​of the Agile Manifesto centered on people, respect, kindness and continuous improvement. I put my skills and experience at the service of those who s... Show more

Luis Herrera

Luis Herrera

Luis Herrera is a highly skilled and accomplished human resources leader with a deep background in developing and implementing global HR strategies. Luis has demonstrated his ability to align HR initiatives with business goals throughout his career, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within organizations. His leadership style focuses on creating positive, engaged workforces while driving operational success, and he is known for his strategic approach to managing human resources in diverse and challenging environments.

Luis has accumulated extensive international experience, working in China, Brazil, Mexico, the UK, Canada, South Korea, and Germany. His exposure to different business cultures and regulatory environments has shaped his ability to craft HR solutions that work across regions while supporting the broader objectives of global organizations. His expertise in tailoring HR practices to meet the needs of diverse markets has been a key factor in his success as an HR leader.

Over the years, Luis Herrera of Racine has built expertise in various industries, including high-tech manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, supply chain, and food production. His background spans B2B distribution, transportation, and foundry operations, giving him a well-rounded understanding of how HR can impact different sectors. Luis has also specialized in mergers and acquisitions, employee relations, talent management, and organizational development, helping companies improve their HR functions and drive significant growth and transformation.

Luis earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Southern Illinois University and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. These academic credentials have helped him hone his leadership and strategic management skills, providing a strong foundation for his successful HR career.

Before transitioning to human resources, Luis served in the United States Marine Corps, where he developed discipline, leadership, and adaptability—traits integral to his approach to HR leadership. His time in the military shaped his values, instilling a sense of duty, responsibility, and resilience that guided his career.

Luis’s professional journey began at Motorola, Inc., where he worked as an HR Business Partner and Manager. At Motorola, he gained valuable experience aligning HR strategies with business objectives, laying the groundwork for his future roles. He then moved to Kellogg Company, where he served as Senior HR Business Partner and Senior Employee Relations Consultant. Luis worked with Kellogg’s global workforce in this capacity, helping the company adapt its HR strategies as it grew internationally.

In 2005, Luis joined Grainger Industrial Supply as Senior HR Manager, overseeing HR operations at 13 distribution centers across the U.S. and Mexico. He was instrumental in developing strategies to improve employee engagement, streamline operations, and drive performance. Luis led the company’s shift toward a “pay for performance” culture, which impacted the organization’s HR practices and employee performance.

Luis's next career milestone came at Navistar, a global manufacturer of trucks and defense vehicles, where he served as HR lead for the Components Division. While at Navistar, he was selected for a six-month assignment in China to oversee the launch of a joint venture with Janghui Automotive Corporation. This role allowed Luis to develop HR strategies for the new venture, manage expatriate infrastructure, and handle HR due diligence for several acquisitions.

In 2015, Luis joined Brunswick, a leading manufacturer in the marine industry, as HR Director. There, he managed HR for a division with $750 million in revenue across six locations in the U.S. and Canada. Luis led efforts to improve employee engagement, reduce turnover, and enhance productivity. His leadership contributed to Brunswick’s recognition as an “Employer of Choice” at three locations, reflecting the company’s commitment to creating a positive workplace environment.

Luis later worked at Wheels, Inc., a fleet management company, as HR Manager and Strategic HR Business Partner. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was critical in ensuring a smooth transition to remote work and implementing employee health and safety measures. He also led the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, helping create a more inclusive work culture that supported employee well-being.

At Hendrickson International, a global leader in commercial vehicle trailer and suspension manufacturing, Luis served as HR Director. He managed HR for eight U.S., Canada, and Mexico locations, focusing on leadership development, talent acquisition, and employee engagement. His efforts to enhance the company’s HR function helped Hendrickson maintain a competitive edge in a dynamic labor market.

Luis’s most recent role was Senior HR Director at Reynolds Consumer Products, where he led HR for the Hefty Waste & Storage and Hefty Tableware business units. He worked to drive employee engagement and retention while ensuring alignment with the company’s core values. His strategic leadership in this role helped maintain a positive and productive workplace culture.

Outside of his professional career, Luis is deeply involved in volunteer work. Since 2016, he has volunteered with the "By the Hand" organization, supporting at-risk youth in Chicago through educational programs and mentorship. Luis also participates in volunteer projects in northern Michigan, where he helps maintain Boy Scout facilities, ensuring these spaces remain functional and accessible.

Luis enjoys various activities that help him relax and recharge in his time. He has a passion for welding, home brewing, and gardening, which allow him to explore his creativity and unwind. He also enjoys outdoor activities such as scuba diving, cycling, and kayaking, which help him maintain a healthy work-life balance and energize him for personal and professional challenges.

Luis Herrera is a highly skilled and accomplished human resources leader with a deep background in developing and implementing global HR strategies. Luis has demonstrated his ability to align HR initiatives with business goals throughout his career, ... Show more

Nick Nisi

Nick Nisi

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

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

Michael Allison

Michael Allison

Michael Allison, is a U.S. Marine Purple Heart Veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and international keynote speaker. A globally recognized expert in identity-driven leadership and organizational resilience, Michael transforms adversity into strategic advantage. Over two decades, he has led Marines in combat, managed multi-million-dollar government projects, directed higher-ed programs, and scaled an INC 5000 franchise to successful exit. Michael equips leaders and teams to break internal limitations, guard energy, and thrive under pressure. His signature frameworks—Break The Bottle and Protect The House—blend combat-tested leadership, trauma-informed coaching, and enterprise execution discipline. Michael has delivered transformational keynotes, workshops, and consulting for world-class organizations globally. He empowers professionals to align technical brilliance with human resilience and lead with clarity, creativity, and conviction.

Michael Allison, is a U.S. Marine Purple Heart Veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and international keynote speaker. A globally recognized expert in identity-driven leadership and organizational resilience, Michael transforms a... Show more

Ken Chase

Ken Chase

Ken Chase has over 25 years of experience working with Microsoft technologies related to infrastructure and end user computing. He has worked with and led teams that have spanned multiple geographic areas and whose team members have spanned generational, geographical, and social differences. Ken is married and with his wife shares the joy of raising four daughters. Ken takes joy in being active in his community by supporting the local schools and politics.

Ken Chase has over 25 years of experience working with Microsoft technologies related to infrastructure and end user computing. He has worked with and led teams that have spanned multiple geographic areas and whose team members have spanned generatio... Show more

Kevin Wilkie

Kevin Wilkie

Kevin has been wrangling data and dodging dirty reads for over 15 years — back when SQL Server 6.5 was considered "modern" and query tuning meant praying to the optimizer gods.

His journey began as an "Accidental DBA" — one misfired report and suddenly he was deep in sys.objects, pretending sp_who2 was an actual plan. Since then, he's played nearly every role in the SQL Server ecosystem: SQL Developer, BI Associate, Production DBA, and now a Data Architect with a mission.

These days, Kevin spends his time normalizing chaos, denormalizing silos, and preaching the gospel of clean, well-modeled data. He’s been known to pivot on the fly, avoid Cartesian relationships, and bring deadlocks back to life — all while gently reminding teams that SELECT * is a cry for help.

If it involves data, Kevin's in — tuning queries, architecting solutions, or just nerding out about why surrogate keys are misunderstood. He’s not just passionate about data — he’s got a clustered index on it.

Kevin has been wrangling data and dodging dirty reads for over 15 years — back when SQL Server 6.5 was considered "modern" and query tuning meant praying to the optimizer gods. His journey began as an "Accidental DBA" — one misfired report and sud... Show more

Ashley Stallings

Ashley Stallings

Hey there—I’m Ashley, the voice behind Audibly Ashley. I’ve spent over a decade in the nonprofit world, building things from scratch, standing up for kids and families, and cheering on the helpers who make it all happen.

In addition to founding and running Upper Valley Child Advocacy Center, I speak, consult, and create space for people to rediscover their why—especially when the work gets heavy. I’m all about heart-led leadership, honest conversations, and reminding folks they don’t have to lose themselves to make a difference.

If you’re into purpose-driven work and real talk—let’s connect.

Hey there—I’m Ashley, the voice behind Audibly Ashley. I’ve spent over a decade in the nonprofit world, building things from scratch, standing up for kids and families, and cheering on the helpers who make it all happen. In addition to founding an... Show more

Anastasiya Zhu

Anastasiya Zhu

Synergy creator | Initiator Generalist | All-rounder | With people. For people.
I am an Employer Branding Specialist & your personal HR Business Partner. I stand for diversity, equity & inclusion. Passionate about exploring future trends, digitalization & technologies, and their innovational potential for business developments and society.

Synergy creator | Initiator Generalist | All-rounder | With people. For people. I am an Employer Branding Specialist & your personal HR Business Partner. I stand for diversity, equity & inclusion. Passionate about exploring future trends, digitaliza... Show more

Tamas Piros

Tamas Piros

Tamas is a Google Developer Expert in Web Technologies and a seasoned Developer Evangelist. He is a passionate advocate for modern web technologies, helping people understand and unlock the latest & greatest features of web development.

Tamas is a Google Developer Expert in Web Technologies and a seasoned Developer Evangelist. He is a passionate advocate for modern web technologies, helping people understand and unlock the latest & greatest features of web development. Show more

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