Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Erin Renzas

Erin Renzas

Erin is a former tech executive and the founder of Fight Co.Lab, an innovative leadership platform exploring how ambitious leaders can redefine success, identity, and impact in the modern world of work.

She is the author of a forthcoming memoir with Simon & Schuster (slated for early 2027) about her career inside high-growth technology companies and the personal journey of redefining success on her own terms.

Prior to founding Fight Co.Lab, Erin held executive roles at some of the world’s fastest-growing technology companies, including Square (now Block) and Prosus/Naspers, one of the largest global technology investment firms. Her perspectives on leadership, career reinvention, and modern work culture have been featured by CNBC, Business Insider, and Newsweek.

Through Fight Co.Lab’s leadership programs and facilitation work, Erin convenes senior women leaders and executive teams from organizations including Reddit, The Washington Post, Mozilla, and The Honest Company to explore more intentional and human-centered approaches to leadership and success.

Erin is a former tech executive and the founder of Fight Co.Lab, an innovative leadership platform exploring how ambitious leaders can redefine success, identity, and impact in the modern world of work. She is the author of a forthcoming memoir wi... 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

Diego Coy

Diego Coy

Developer Advocate and Software Engineer with over a decade of experience in technology, specializing in AI/ML and Developer Experience.

I work at the intersection of Developer Relations, product, and UX, creating accessible workflows and clear paths to success for developers.

I’ve delivered talks, training sessions, and workshops at conferences across the Americas and Europe, sharing insights on Web Development, AI, Developer Experience, Neurodiversity, and inclusion in tech. Beyond the stage, I write code, content, and support open source and community initiatives. When not working, I'm co-organize GDG Lisbon and learning Rustlang.

My goal has always been to lower the barriers of entry into the tech world for “the rest of us.”

Developer Advocate and Software Engineer with over a decade of experience in technology, specializing in AI/ML and Developer Experience. I work at the intersection of Developer Relations, product, and UX, creating accessible workflows and clear pa... Show more

Rashmi Nagpal

Rashmi Nagpal

Rashmi is a AI Research Scientist at Poseidon and a researcher at MIT CSAIL, working in the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. She has six years of industrial experience, having brought ideas to life at pre-seed startups and contributed to impactful redesigns and features at established industry giants. Beyond coding, Rashmi finds inspiration in capturing the wonders of the cosmos through her telescope and engaging in board games with friends.

Rashmi is a AI Research Scientist at Poseidon and a researcher at MIT CSAIL, working in the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. She has six years of industrial experience, having brought ideas to life at pre-seed startups and c... Show more

Bruno Sbille

Bruno Sbille

I am from Belgium, the country of chocolate and beers.
I am one of the pioneers of Agile in Belgium, I carried out my first Scrum project back in 2008.
I am also a Certified Scrum Trainer from the Scrum Alliance.

In addition to my Agile hat, I also have one foot in the world of Psychology. I am a life coach, therapist and author of the book “Discovering soul families” https://www.amazon.fr/dp/236188299X which has sold more than 7,000 copies. My book talks about a model that helps us understand ourselves and others. All based on our greatest strengths, often underexploited, instinct, intuition, connection to others and the quest for meaning.

I am from Belgium, the country of chocolate and beers. I am one of the pioneers of Agile in Belgium, I carried out my first Scrum project back in 2008. I am also a Certified Scrum Trainer from the Scrum Alliance. In addition to my Agile hat, I a... Show more

Aanvi Dogra

Aanvi Dogra

Aanvi Dogra is a senior at Dublin Jerome High School who is also attending Columbus State Community College to earn her Computer Science Cybersecurity Major AAS. She is passionate about technology and learning about new technological advancements. She takes pride in uplifting her community, especially young students and she does this by volunteer organizations and clubs. In her free time, she enjoys working with kids and fostering a passion for STEM within children, as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Aanvi Dogra is a senior at Dublin Jerome High School who is also attending Columbus State Community College to earn her Computer Science Cybersecurity Major AAS. She is passionate about technology and learning about new technological advancements. Sh... Show more

Maxime Sciare

Maxime Sciare

Enchanté, moi c’est Maxime !

À 18 ans, j’étais en quête de sens (= paumé).
Puis pendant 5 ans, j’ai exploré le développement personnel… et j’en ai finalement fait mon métier.
Aujourd’hui, je suis coach professionnel et conférencier, et j’aide les gens à oser passer à l’action avec un cap clair et motivant.

Ah oui, et je suis fan de randonnée, de fromage suisse et… de Taylor Swift ! 🎵🧀🥾

Enchanté, moi c’est Maxime ! À 18 ans, j’étais en quête de sens (= paumé). Puis pendant 5 ans, j’ai exploré le développement personnel… et j’en ai finalement fait mon métier. Aujourd’hui, je suis coach professionnel et conférencier, et j’aide... Show more

Luca Minudel

Luca Minudel

Luca Minudel (he/him) is an Agility/XP/Lean, Complexity-thinking, and modern Product/Engineering Management advisor, mentor, coach, change agent for hire. He is an organisational gardener, culture curator, collaboration orchestrator, and delivery facilitator with over 20 years of experience in professional software development. He is also an author and a speaker.

He contributed to the adoption of lean and agile practices by Ferrari's F1 racing team. For ThoughtWorks, he delivered training, coaching, assessments and organisational transformations in top-tier organisations in the UK, Europe and the United States. He worked as Agile Transformation Lead, Head of Agility, Interim Product Director, Lean/Agile Practice Lead, and as Lean/Agile Coach in companies such as Lloyds, BP, The AA, Japan Tobacco International, HSBC, LexisNexis, Marsh McLennan.

Luca is the founder and CEO at SmHarter.com, a company that helps organisations turn their way of working into their competitive advantage.

https://www.smharter.com/blog/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaminudel/
https://bsky.app/profile/lucaminudel.bsky.social/
https://mstdn.social/@lukadotnet/
https://twitter.com/lukadotnet (inactive)

Luca Minudel (he/him) is an Agility/XP/Lean, Complexity-thinking, and modern Product/Engineering Management advisor, mentor, coach, change agent for hire. He is an organisational gardener, culture curator, collaboration orchestrator, and delivery fa... Show more

Jaime Diego da Rosa

Jaime Diego da Rosa

Contador Sênior na Petrobras, pós graduado em Gamificação, Engajamento e Marketing Digital. Atuo com inovação, soluções digitais e Projetos de Gamificação com foco em motivação e engajamento dos funcionários.

Contador Sênior na Petrobras, pós graduado em Gamificação, Engajamento e Marketing Digital. Atuo com inovação, soluções digitais e Projetos de Gamificação com foco em motivação e engajamento dos funcionários. Show more

Oscar Cariceo

Oscar Cariceo

Ingeniero de Software con formación académica en antropología y ciencias sociales. Interesado en las posibilidades que ofrece la inteligencia artificial generativa y el desarrollo de aplicaciones orientadas mejorar la experiencia de los seres humanos con los sistemas computacionales. Actualmente se despeña como Manager de UX Research en Scotiabank.

Ingeniero de Software con formación académica en antropología y ciencias sociales. Interesado en las posibilidades que ofrece la inteligencia artificial generativa y el desarrollo de aplicaciones orientadas mejorar la experiencia de los seres humanos... Show more

Sam Cranford

Sam Cranford

Long-time agile jiggler, eXtreme programmer and agile catalyst, amateur bon vivant. Bilingual EN/FR - fr_US

Long-time agile jiggler, eXtreme programmer and agile catalyst, amateur bon vivant. Bilingual EN/FR - fr_US Show more

Ben Lippe

Ben Lippe

Dr. Ben Lippe is a licensed psychologist who is Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology.

He is an expert on topics related to health, wellness, fitness, and behavior change.

Award-winning instructor, psychologist, author, and consultant.

He is available for workshops and keynote addresses for:
Healthcare organizations
Professional associations
Clinical teams seeking insight, clarity, and practical inspiration
Support Group organizations (e.g., cancer, chronic pain, transplant)

He speaks candidly about the realities of modern medicine—burnout, leadership challenges, patient communication, healthy behaviors, system constraints—while offering practical strategies that audiences can immediately apply in their own settings.

Dr. Ben Lippe is a licensed psychologist who is Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is an expert on topics related to health, wellness, fitness, and behavior change. Award-... Show more

Paolo Ranzani

Paolo Ranzani

I am a professional with 5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and managing scalable cloud data architectures. As a technical consultant, I specialize in Data&AI solutions that span the entire stack of modern Cloud Data Platforms, mainly based on Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Hashicorp Terraform, Azure DevOps, and GitHub.
I have a solid university background (MSc in Mathematical Engineering at Politecnico of Milan), combined with a proven ability to communicate with different kind of audiences.
I complement my core skills by cultivating interests in the ethical, social, and environmental aspects of modern technologies. I'm interested in science outreach and actively involved in tech events, always looking for continuous learning.

I am a professional with 5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and managing scalable cloud data architectures. As a technical consultant, I specialize in Data&AI solutions that span the entire stack of modern Cloud Data Platforms, mainly ba... Show more

Aquayemi-Claude Akinsanya

Aquayemi-Claude Akinsanya

Aquayemi-Claude’s relentless drive for systemic reform has positioned him as a key figure across global platforms. He serves as a leader in youth empowerment, a mentor in educational equity, and a public speaker whose message resonates with diverse audiences. As a solopreneur and thought leader, his work bridges entrepreneurship, activism, and environmentalism, while his contributions to the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities highlight his commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for marginalized communities.

A compelling public speaker and storyteller, Aquayemi-Claude captivates audiences with inspiring narratives and thought-provoking insights. With a gift for communication and a dedication to amplifying marginalized voices, Aquayemi-Claude inspires action and fosters dialogue on issues of social significance.

Aquayemi-Claude is also an accomplished author, sharing perspectives and experiences that challenge conventional wisdom and inspire critical reflection. Through written works, Aquayemi-Claude invites readers on a journey of discovery and empowerment, encouraging introspection and growth.

Aquayemi-Claude’s relentless drive for systemic reform has positioned him as a key figure across global platforms. He serves as a leader in youth empowerment, a mentor in educational equity, and a public speaker whose message resonates with diverse a... Show more

Arne Mertz

Arne Mertz

Arne Mertz has been working with modern and not-so-modern C++ codebases for over 15 years in various kinds of embedded and enterprise contexts. He is a mentor and teacher for clean code and modern C++ for colleagues and customers at Zühlke Engineering. Since 2015 he has written more or less frequently about those topics on his blog "Simplify C++!"

Arne Mertz has been working with modern and not-so-modern C++ codebases for over 15 years in various kinds of embedded and enterprise contexts. He is a mentor and teacher for clean code and modern C++ for colleagues and customers at Zühlke Engineerin... Show more

Sarah Burne James

Sarah Burne James

I am a data scientist and AI architect with a specialism in speech processing and natural language processing. I have broad experience of incorporating AI into solutions, especially virtual assistants. In my current role, I help clients adopt watsonx Assistant for Z, enabling them to power up their mainframe operations with AI.

I am particularly interested in ethical and inclusive technology. Technology plays an ever increasing role in our world, and it will take collaboration and thoughtful design from across all sectors to make sure it works for everyone. I have led work on Coercive Control Resistant Design as part of IBM’s Academy of Technology, which was featured on BBC News.

I am a data scientist and AI architect with a specialism in speech processing and natural language processing. I have broad experience of incorporating AI into solutions, especially virtual assistants. In my current role, I help clients adopt watson... Show more

Carolina Greno

Carolina Greno

For the last 10 years, Carolina has worked as a clinical psychologist decoding the human mind; now, she’s using that expertise to revolutionize public speaking training.

Mixing her talent development knowledge, mindfulness, and her background in theatre, she creates transformational experiences that take individuals from shy and uncertain to confident and impactful speakers.

Her unique 4-personality framework has helped hundreds of professionals find their speaking zone of genius—whether they’re natural storytellers or data-driven thinkers. She has worked with global companies like Upwork and P&G, and specializes in training teams to communicate with clarity, confidence, and influence.

For the last 10 years, Carolina has worked as a clinical psychologist decoding the human mind; now, she’s using that expertise to revolutionize public speaking training. Mixing her talent development knowledge, mindfulness, and her background in ... Show more

Geoffrey Klein

Geoffrey Klein

Geoffrey Klein works with organizations to communicate more effectively. He is a dynamic keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, MIT AI-certified consultant, and best-selling author of THE CONTENT BEAST.

He teaches at the Wharton School of Business and Temple University, as well as produces visual content.

Geoffrey specializes in simplifying and demystifying AI for business and showcases how it can enhance communication through easy-to-understand concepts and practical tactics.

Geoffrey Klein works with organizations to communicate more effectively. He is a dynamic keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, MIT AI-certified consultant, and best-selling author of THE CONTENT BEAST. He teaches at the Wharton School of Business and... Show more

Stephanie Lee Hayes

Stephanie Lee Hayes

Stephanie Lee Hayes is a somatic educator and writer specializing in nervous system education and the biological foundations of emotional safety, learning, and human behavior. Her work focuses on helping people understand how the nervous system shapes attention, perception, and emotional responses, and why physiological safety is the foundation for learning and meaningful change.

She is the founder of Roots & Rituals Somatic Education, where she develops educational guides and resources that translate nervous system science into clear, practical frameworks. Her teaching helps individuals recognize protective nervous system patterns and understand how safety supports engagement, clarity, and connection.

Her work is informed by both scientific research and her own lived and embodied experience navigating nervous system dysregulation, which deepens her ability to translate complex concepts into practical, accessible education.

Stephanie Lee Hayes is a somatic educator and writer specializing in nervous system education and the biological foundations of emotional safety, learning, and human behavior. Her work focuses on helping people understand how the nervous system shape... Show more

Scott Burgholzer

Scott Burgholzer

Cloud Engineer with over 8 years of experience leading migrations from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud. As an AWS Community Builder, he is dedicated to advancing cloud practices and sharing insights with the broader tech community. Scott is currently pursuing a Doctor of Technology at Purdue University Online, focusing his research on the intersection of artificial intelligence and ethics.
He is passionate about staying at the forefront of AWS developments and enjoys mentoring others in cloud technologies. Outside of work, Scott can often be found storm chasing, reading, painting, playing video games, or simply relaxing.

Cloud Engineer with over 8 years of experience leading migrations from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud. As an AWS Community Builder, he is dedicated to advancing cloud practices and sharing insights with the broader tech community. Scott is c... Show more

D.J. Moore

D.J. Moore

D.J. Moore is a creative marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience in education. His career has been dedicated to advancing institutional goals through strategic marketing, brand development, and cross-sector collaboration.

Across leadership roles at Suffolk University, Worcester Academy, and Wentworth Institute of Technology, D.J. has led integrated enrollment marketing initiatives, guided institutional brand evolution, built and scaled social media strategies, and developed high-impact partnerships that expand visibility, strengthen engagement, and drive measurable growth. His work has included comprehensive publication redesigns, award-winning rebranding efforts, and partnerships that connect institutions more deeply to their communities.

D.J. is also a dedicated educator. He has served as adjunct faculty at Simmons University and Wentworth, where he developed and taught courses focused on film studies. His teaching explores the intersection of entertainment and marketing, examining film as a reflection of—and response to—broader cultural forces. He is a frequent guest speaker at high schools, colleges, and conferences across New England, presenting on marketing, film studies, career pathways, and strategic partnership development.

D.J. Moore is a creative marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience in education. His career has been dedicated to advancing institutional goals through strategic marketing, brand development, and cross-sector collabora... Show more

Anna Kovalova

Anna Kovalova

Anna Kovalova is a fantasy writer and a content writer from Kyiv. Her debut novel of the fantasy comedy book series “Smartcharms” was published in 2024. Her fantasy YA novel “Dark seas” will be published next year. Anna has three children. Speaks 5 languages. She currently lives in Zadar due to the war.

Anna Kovalova is a fantasy writer and a content writer from Kyiv. Her debut novel of the fantasy comedy book series “Smartcharms” was published in 2024. Her fantasy YA novel “Dark seas” will be published next year. Anna has three children. Speaks 5 l... Show more

Stephane Vandenbussche

Stephane Vandenbussche

Facilitateur graphique & coach agile, je combine pensée visuelle, intelligence collective et agilité pour accompagner les organisations dans leurs transformations.
Passionné par la transmission et la dynamique des groupes, j’anime des ateliers qui rendent les idées visibles et les échanges plus vivants.
Fondateur des Ateliers du Bosquet, j'explore des approches sur-mesure pour cultiver l’Humain et faire grandir le collectif.

Facilitateur graphique & coach agile, je combine pensée visuelle, intelligence collective et agilité pour accompagner les organisations dans leurs transformations. Passionné par la transmission et la dynamique des groupes, j’anime des ateliers qui r... Show more

Sana Talwar

Sana Talwar

Sana Talwar is a Product Security Engineer at ServiceNow. She works in application security and AI risk, and has experience in offensive security and penetration testing. She focuses on improving how teams build secure software at scale. Sana also teaches and mentors new talent through talks, workshops, and community work. She supports students, early career engineers, and security teams working toward stronger and more inclusive practices.

Sana Talwar is a Product Security Engineer at ServiceNow. She works in application security and AI risk, and has experience in offensive security and penetration testing. She focuses on improving how teams build secure software at scale. Sana also te... Show more

Jeremy Darling

Jeremy Darling

Jeremy Darling is a Principal Consultant at Centroid, where he partners with organizations to design and deliver resilient, secure, and scalable technology platforms in complex and regulated environments. With decades of experience across distributed systems, cloud and edge architectures, and Kubernetes-based platforms, Jeremy specializes in translating ambitious technical goals into operational reality.

His work spans data-driven systems in healthcare, public sector, and higher education, including large-scale analytics initiatives and mission-critical platforms operating under strict security and compliance constraints. Known for navigating high-stakes technical challenges, Jeremy brings a pragmatic, systems-thinking approach to architecture, delivery, and long-term sustainability.

Beyond the technology, Jeremy is deeply committed to the human side of engineering. As a leadership speaker and mental health advocate, he focuses on empathy, resilience, and communication during moments of stress, loss, and organizational change. He believes strong systems are built by healthy teams—and that leadership matters most when things don’t go as planned.

Outside of client work and speaking engagements, Jeremy practices yoga and continues exploring the intersection of mental health, leadership, and sustainable engineering culture.

Jeremy Darling is a Principal Consultant at Centroid, where he partners with organizations to design and deliver resilient, secure, and scalable technology platforms in complex and regulated environments. With decades of experience across distributed... Show more

Benoît Pilorget

Benoît Pilorget

With 11 years' experience managing complex collaborative projects, including 5 as PO, I know that any project can turn into a Tower of Babel...
I also know that I don't know anything, even though I can forget this fact from time to time :)

So let's hear each other out, let's communicate and together we just might end up creating a cool product!

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
"Has he ever given any talk?"

One at the Agile tour in Lyon in 2024, and another at the Agile tour Bordeaux in 2025 + several others by videoconference.

With 11 years' experience managing complex collaborative projects, including 5 as PO, I know that any project can turn into a Tower of Babel... I also know that I don't know anything, even though I can forget this fact from time to time :) So le... Show more

Harrison Crawford, LPC, LIAC

Harrison Crawford, LPC, LIAC

Harrison Crawford, LPC LIAC - Harrison has worked in the field of mental health for 15 years and is a Licensed Professional Counselor with additional licensure focused on addictive disorders. Harrison has a passion for working with fathers through direct services and helping systems implement gender-responsive and trauma-informed programming. Harrison completed his graduate work at Argosy University in Phoenix, earning Master’s degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Sport-Exercise Psychology. Harrison lives in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife, Jenna, and two children, Grayson and Kinsley.

Harrison Crawford, LPC LIAC - Harrison has worked in the field of mental health for 15 years and is a Licensed Professional Counselor with additional licensure focused on addictive disorders. Harrison has a passion for working with fathers through di... Show more

Cécile Especel

Cécile Especel

Yanyi .

Yanyi .

Yanyi is the author of Dream of the Divided Field (One World 2022), The Year of Blue Water (Yale 2019), and the writing advice column The Reading (2020– ). He teaches poetry in the MFA Program at Warren Wilson College and at large. In 2023, he founded the Asian American Literary Archive.

Yanyi is the author of Dream of the Divided Field (One World 2022), The Year of Blue Water (Yale 2019), and the writing advice column The Reading (2020– ). He teaches poetry in the MFA Program at Warren Wilson College and at large. In 2023, he founde... Show more

Amanda Hoffmann

Amanda Hoffmann

Speaker | Clarity & Decision-Making | Leadership & Organizational Dynamics

Amanda Hoffmann works at the intersection of decision-making, identity, and group dynamics—helping leaders and organizations see where certainty, assumptions, and “best practices” quietly distort how they think.

Her work introduces a different approach:

Why clarity—not confidence—is the foundation of good decisions

How high-performing leaders operate in misalignment without realizing it

What happens when teams confuse alignment with agreement

Why many goals are inherited, not chosen—and how that impacts performance

With 20+ years advising leaders across industries, Amanda blends systems thinking, behavioral insight, and real-world leadership experience to make complex ideas immediately usable.

She is the creator of:

The Core Alignment Model (CAM)

The Clarity System (clarity → agency → results)

And concepts such as the Borrowed Self Epidemic, and Judgment Jurisdiction

Her sessions are known for being:

Provocative without being performative

Intellectually rigorous, but accessible

Practical without relying on generic “best practices”

Audiences leave with something rare:
Not just answers—but better questions, clearer thinking, and the ability to make decisions with real intention.

Speaker | Clarity & Decision-Making | Leadership & Organizational Dynamics Amanda Hoffmann works at the intersection of decision-making, identity, and group dynamics—helping leaders and organizations see where certainty, assumptions, and “best pra... Show more

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