Humanities & Social Sciences

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

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

Yen Kha

Yen Kha

I am the Founder of GammaLex AI Inc. and Co-Founder of Justice for All (J4All.org), both launched at Stanford Law School. At GammaLex, I develop vertical AI solutions for high-stakes domains, where AI can meaningfully influence human outcomes, community systems, and long-term sustainability across health, legal technology, and AI infrastructure. Through Justice for All, we collaborate with Google Research to advance access to justice and deliver tangible humanitarian impact.

I am the Founder of GammaLex AI Inc. and Co-Founder of Justice for All (J4All.org), both launched at Stanford Law School. At GammaLex, I develop vertical AI solutions for high-stakes domains, where AI can meaningfully influence human outcomes, commun... Show more

Alekhya Koppineni

Alekhya Koppineni

Alekhya Koppineni is a Data Scientist at Red Hat working at the intersection of machine learning, generative AI, and open-source platforms. Focuses on building and evaluating practical ML systems, with hands-on experience in PyTorch-based workflows and real-world model experimentation. Passionate about making complex ML concepts accessible and sharing lessons learned from applied AI projects.

Alekhya Koppineni is a Data Scientist at Red Hat working at the intersection of machine learning, generative AI, and open-source platforms. Focuses on building and evaluating practical ML systems, with hands-on experience in PyTorch-based workflows a... 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

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

Manuela Raidl

Manuela Raidl

Manuela Raidl is a Change and Communication Manager who helps organizations navigate complexity and transformation with clarity, empathy, and purpose.

Her journey into change work began through agile. What started with becoming a Scrum Master evolved into a broader focus on how teams and organizations adapt, learn, and grow. Today, Manuela sees agility not just as a framework, but as a mindset that underpins successful change.

Over the past year, she has spoken at several conferences across Europe, sharing practical insights on topics such as cultural challenges and team development. Whether working with engineers or executives, Manuela builds bridges between strategy and people – turning change initiatives into real, lived progress.

Manuela Raidl is a Change and Communication Manager who helps organizations navigate complexity and transformation with clarity, empathy, and purpose. Her journey into change work began through agile. What started with becoming a Scrum Master evol... Show more

Alberto Castillo

Alberto Castillo

Alberto Castillo Aroca has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the global AI landscape, particularly in the niche of Humanitarian AI. As an Economist with a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, he sits at the unique intersection of complex data science, social impact, and technology policy.

​Currently, he serves as the Product Manager for ANTICIPA at the French NGO 3iS. Under his leadership, the platform was recently selected by Google.org as one of only 20 initiatives globally—out of over 3,000 proposals—to win the Generative AI Impact Challenge.

​Unlike many AI experts who focus solely on commercial software, Alberto leads engineering projects that are actively saving lives in Colombia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Amazon. His work utilizes advanced architectures involving Gemini, Mastra AI, and GraphRAG to help vulnerable communities manage environmental risks and disasters through accessible interfaces like WhatsApp.

​He is a recognized expert in bridging the gap between advanced Enterprise AI architectures and real-world deployment in low-connectivity environments. Beyond his technical work, Alberto is deeply involved in tech governance, having recently presented formal AI regulation proposals to the Senate of the Dominican Republic. He is currently one of the strongest voices advocating for the use of Agentic Systems to solve complex, systemic crises in the Global South.

Alberto Castillo Aroca has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the global AI landscape, particularly in the niche of Humanitarian AI. As an Economist with a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, he sits at the unique inters... Show more

Nareshkumar Kondur Nagabhushan

Nareshkumar Kondur Nagabhushan

Honest, pragmatic and laid back, Naresh delivers motivational messages with leadership, resilience, perseverance, and ˜It's possible' as his main themes. With his unique skill to use tales of his adventures to inspire, he speaks about his explorations in a way that will relate to corporate audiences due to his former career as a technology consultant. Stories from his outdoor adventures and what it takes to overcome extreme challenges are topics that are relevant to corporations. He has spoken for some of the Fortune 500 organizations, universities, schools, and NGO's all over the world. He strongly believes that "You don't get ahead by having the potential to do something, you get ahead by doing it."

Honest, pragmatic and laid back, Naresh delivers motivational messages with leadership, resilience, perseverance, and ˜It's possible' as his main themes. With his unique skill to use tales of his adventures to inspire, he speaks about his exploration... Show more

Charlene Holmes

Charlene Holmes

Charlene “Char” Holmes is a TEDx speaker, psychology-informed leadership strategist, and professional development coach who helps individuals and organizations move beyond stress-driven performance into sustainable growth.

Drawing from trauma-informed principles, psychology research, and lived experience, Char teaches leaders how the brain’s survival systems influence decision-making, leadership style, workplace culture, and long-term performance.

Her work focuses on helping professionals recognize when they are operating from “survival mode” and equipping them with practical strategies to shift into what she calls SurThrival Mode — a leadership framework centered on awareness, resilience, emotional regulation, and sustainable impact.

Char’s work has resonated across leadership, wellness, and transformation spaces, where she speaks on topics including trauma-informed leadership, mindset transformation, resilience under pressure, and creating psychologically safe environments that allow people and organizations to thrive.

Through her speaking, coaching, and media platform, Char continues to lead transformative conversations that reshape leadership from the inside out.

Charlene “Char” Holmes is a TEDx speaker, psychology-informed leadership strategist, and professional development coach who helps individuals and organizations move beyond stress-driven performance into sustainable growth. Drawing from trauma-info... Show more

Sam Jenkins

Sam Jenkins

Sam Jenkins is a community strategist, facilitator, and inclusive event design expert with over a decade of experience leading large-scale public programs, workforce initiatives, and cultural events. She currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator in local government while also running Empowering Communities, a consulting practice focused on helping organizations move beyond performative efforts and into practical, people-centered action.

Sam’s work sits at the intersection of leadership, culture, and lived experience. She specializes in supporting front-line staff, building psychologically safe teams, and designing events and initiatives that actually reflect the communities they serve. Her background in parks and recreation, combined with her systems-level DEI work, gives her a rare perspective that resonates with both leadership and on-the-ground staff.

Known for her engaging, honest, and highly interactive style, Sam blends real-world scenarios, storytelling, and actionable tools participants can use immediately. She does not shy away from hard conversations, but she always grounds them in compassion, clarity, and practicality.

Sam has facilitated workshops, panels, and trainings for government agencies, nonprofits, and professional associations, and she consistently receives feedback for creating spaces that feel both challenging and supportive. Her sessions are especially impactful for audiences navigating burnout, change fatigue, and the pressure to “get it right” without enough guidance or support.

Sam Jenkins is a community strategist, facilitator, and inclusive event design expert with over a decade of experience leading large-scale public programs, workforce initiatives, and cultural events. She currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and I... Show more

Erin Sydney Welsh

Erin Sydney Welsh

Erin Sydney Welsh is an associate attorney practicing matrimonial and family law at Brian R. Welsh, PLLC, in Williamsville, New York, just outside Buffalo. Her practice includes representation in divorce, custody, child support, prenuptial agreements, post-divorce enforcement matters, and family offenses. She handles both trial and appellate matters and has developed particular experience in parental alienation cases. After completing law school in 2024, she passed the New York bar exam and was admitted to practice by the Appellate Division: Fourth Department, in January 2025.

In her daily work, Erin represents individuals and families facing legal disputes that often carry emotional and financial impact. Matrimonial and family law requires careful preparation, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of both statutory and case law. Her involvement in trial proceedings allows her to present evidence and arguments before the court, while her appellate experience focuses on reviewing legal errors and drafting persuasive briefs. Through this combination, she works to ensure that her clients’ positions are clearly and effectively presented at every stage of litigation.

Attorney Erin Welsh, Buffalo, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Middle East Studies from Syracuse University. She attended on a full-tuition merit scholarship through the Coronat Scholar Program, which supports students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to serving others. During her undergraduate years, she was also selected as a Remembrance Scholar, one of the institution’s highest honors recognizing academic excellence and community involvement. In addition, she completed the Renee Crown University Honors Program, which emphasizes interdisciplinary study, communication, and civic engagement.

After graduating from Syracuse University, she continued her academic work at Trinity College Dublin, earning a Master of Philosophy in Sociology with first-class honors. While pursuing her graduate degree, she authored and published a peer-reviewed article titled “Assessing Microfinance as a Means of Socioeconomic Empowerment for Vulnerable Women in Jordan.” Her research examined how financial programs can influence economic stability and opportunity for women in underserved communities. This work reflected her broader interest in how legal and social structures affect access to resources and individual advancement.

Erin then attended the University at Buffalo School of Law to complete her legal education. During law school, she served on the Buffalo Law Review, contributing to the editing and publication of scholarly legal articles. She received the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award in recognition of her courtroom performance and practical advocacy skills. She was also named a James Kent Scholar and served as a Property Fellow, assisting with academic instruction in foundational legal subjects.

Her practical training included internships at the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and in the Attorneys for Children Unit at the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo. These experiences provided exposure to both prosecution work and child advocacy within the legal system. Erin Welsh also participated as a New York State Bar Association Family Law Section Fellow, further strengthening her focus on family law practice.

Outside her professional responsibilities, Erin Sydney Welsh, Buffalo, volunteers as a judge for mock trials and moot court competitions. Born and raised in Western New York, she resides in Williamsville with her spouse. In addition to her work as an Attorney, she is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who continues to write and perform music.

Erin Sydney Welsh is an associate attorney practicing matrimonial and family law at Brian R. Welsh, PLLC, in Williamsville, New York, just outside Buffalo. Her practice includes representation in divorce, custody, child support, prenuptial agreements... Show more

Yi Zhang, Ed.D.

Yi Zhang, Ed.D.

Dr. Yi Zhang is a global learning strategist, TEDx speaker, SXSW London speaker (incoming), and founder who stands at the intersection of human development and technology shifts. With a 15-year career partnering with C-suite and senior leaders, Yi has spearheaded workforce capability initiatives that have positively impacted over 120,000 people at Fortune 100 giants, including Microsoft, Walmart, and United Airlines.

With a doctorate from Vanderbilt University, Yi helps people-centric organizations break through the AI overwhelm and rediscover their humanity and what they’re called to build. Whether addressing large conferences or leadership circles, Yi is known for making an emotional connection with the audience and bringing bold truths about AI and human behaviors that ignites change.

I offer two (2) signature talks:

1. Humanity & Well-Being: The AI Age Survival Guide

As AI reshapes the workplace, organizations face a hidden crisis of burnout and culture drift. This talk blends the nature of AI, human development, and change to help corporate leaders and teams navigate the overwhelm of AI acceleration without losing their humanity.

2. AI & the Human Debt: How HR & People Teams Win the AI Race

Is your HR/people team a passive observer or a strategic architect of the AI revolution? This talk unpacks the failed AI initiatives and provides proprietary guidance for CHROs and people leaders. It reclaims their seat at the table by bridging the gap between technological acceleration and human capability.

“Yi speaks from a place of extraordinary experience and genuine passion. What makes her remarkable on stage is her ability to take complex, forward-looking topics like AI, technology shifts, and workforce transformation and make them accessible, relatable, and deeply personal. That sets her apart as a speaker and as a thought leader.” — Berthine Crèvecoeur West, CEO, Westbridge Solutions"

Visit my speaker kit here for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EfIzdWtvkTL8h5FgjOeNQqdZFKgj99O4/view?usp=sharing

Dr. Yi Zhang is a global learning strategist, TEDx speaker, SXSW London speaker (incoming), and founder who stands at the intersection of human development and technology shifts. With a 15-year career partnering with C-suite and senior leaders, Yi ha... Show more

Francesco Esposito

Francesco Esposito

Author of "Programming LLMs with Azure Open AI" (Microsoft Press, 2024), Francesco is currently Chief Technology Officer at Crionet, a primary sport-tech firm, where he started writing software and algorithms at the venerable age of 12. He coordinates a team of 30 developers and data scientists doing applications primarily on the .NET stack. As an entrepreneur, he founded Youbiquitous, a data analysis and software factory working primarily on the Python stack for major public Italian companies and universities, and KBMS Data Force, a startup in Digital Therapy and intelligent healthcare, where he serves as CTO.

Author of "Programming LLMs with Azure Open AI" (Microsoft Press, 2024), Francesco is currently Chief Technology Officer at Crionet, a primary sport-tech firm, where he started writing software and algorithms at the venerable age of 12. He coordinate... Show more

Emma Ruck

Emma Ruck

Et si la pédagogie ludique rendait notre monde plus habitable ... ✨

Designer pluridisciplaire de formation, je me suis progressivement formée à l’animation d’atelier d’intelligence collective via la facilitation ainsi qu’à la création de serious game, d’atelier ludique et la gamification.
J’associe mes compétences dans l’univers jeu, de la facilitation & du design pour les mettre au service des enjeux des organismes que j’accompagne. J’aime être challengé et nourrir ma curiosité en découvrant sans cesse de nouveaux terrains d'explorations, avec une appétence pour les thématiques autour de l’éducation, la jeunesse, l'alimentation, l’innovation & l’écologie.

Mon crédo aujourd'hui :
Imaginer • Concevoir • Transmettre

🌱Imaginer des expériences ludiques et apprenantes pour tous publics.

🍀Concevoir et réaliser des supports intuitifs & impactant.

🍃Transmettre et animer ces expériences grâce à l'intelligence collective.

Et si la pédagogie ludique rendait notre monde plus habitable ... ✨ Designer pluridisciplaire de formation, je me suis progressivement formée à l’animation d’atelier d’intelligence collective via la facilitation ainsi qu’à la création de serious g... Show more

Jessica Katz

Jessica Katz

Jessica Katz is passionate about the development of consent-filled environments, accelerating organizational growth, and enhancing effective leadership. She leverages her deep expertise in navigating complex, non-traditional relationships to revolutionize the world of work and champion diversity of thought. Specializing in establishing clear boundaries and effective communication, she provides strategic guidance to leaders tackling challenging workplace dynamics, ensuring mutual respect and maximizing productivity within their teams.

Jessica Katz is passionate about the development of consent-filled environments, accelerating organizational growth, and enhancing effective leadership. She leverages her deep expertise in navigating complex, non-traditional relationships to revoluti... Show more

Cass Cooper

Cass Cooper

Cass Cooper is a leadership strategist and keynote speaker specializing in executive sensemaking during restructures, rapid growth, AI integration, and operating model shifts—where clarity, trust, and execution all matter.

With more than two decades of experience across sales, organizational development, and leadership advisory work, Cass is known for translating complexity into decision-ready insight. Her work sits at the intersection of people systems, communication, and organizational performance, helping leaders move beyond symptoms to address the underlying dynamics that stall execution and erode trust.

Through insight-driven keynotes and leadership intensives, Cass challenges the idea of “soft skills” as secondary, reframing emotional intelligence, judgment, and accountability as core business capabilities. Her approach focuses on strengthening what already works, closing execution gaps, and building people-centered systems that scale without adding drag.

Cass holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies from DePaul University and a Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Known as The Chaos Whisperer, she brings a grounded, pragmatic perspective to global stages—equipping leaders to make better decisions under pressure in complex, fast-changing, and AI-driven environments.

Watch Cass’s keynote sizzle reel: https://youtu.be/v4qc7uooWmk

Cass Cooper is a leadership strategist and keynote speaker specializing in executive sensemaking during restructures, rapid growth, AI integration, and operating model shifts—where clarity, trust, and execution all matter. With more than two decad... Show more

Daniel Connor

Daniel Connor

Daniel Connor is the founder of AI R&D company Autopoetic and the creator of Minary, a primitive for subjective computing. https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.04501

Autopoetic is focused on building alternative models to Transformers based on the thesis that subjective computation is both fundamentally more efficient and also more aligned with how living organisms adapt to their environments.

Daniel's work focuses on two fronts: foundational qualia-based language models (LSMs) and subjective belief mixture-of-perspectives (MoPs). Both are under active development.

Daniel Connor is the founder of AI R&D company Autopoetic and the creator of Minary, a primitive for subjective computing. https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.04501 Autopoetic is focused on building alternative models to Transformers based on the thesis th... Show more

Amy Baldwin

Amy Baldwin

Amy Baldwin is a communication strategist, professional actor, and founder of The Presence Lab, where she helps executives and teams engage with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. With over 15 years of experience blending performance training and marketing expertise, she gives professionals to thrive as themselves—whether in high-stakes boardrooms, keynote stages, or media appearances. Amy has delivered executive intensives, team workshops, and speaker-prep sessions for business leaders, community leaders, university audiences and product teams, equipping them with practical skills to build their presence and storytelling prowess.

Amy Baldwin is a communication strategist, professional actor, and founder of The Presence Lab, where she helps executives and teams engage with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. With over 15 years of experience blending performance training and... Show more

Noemi Castaldo

Noemi Castaldo

I am a pharmaceutical leader and neurodiversity coach working at the intersection of science, leadership, and lived experience.

For over a decade, I have worked in global biotech and CDMO environments, leading Quality Control and manufacturing support functions, delivering large transformation programmes, and driving operational excellence within complex, highly regulated systems. I understand performance, accountability, and what it takes to lead in high-pressure environments.

Alongside my corporate career, I founded NeuroSpacious, a coaching practice dedicated to supporting neurodivergent professionals in the workplace. I bring several years of coaching experience in high demanding settings. My work focuses on helping individuals build sustainable systems that work with their brains rather than against them.

As someone with ADHD, I know the invisible load of masking, burnout cycles, hyperfocus, and executive function challenges. I also know the strengths that come with a different cognitive profile. My coaching model, NeuroSpacious, is rooted in neuroscience, behavioural science, and workplace psychology. It guides individuals to regulate, clarify, act, and recover so they can rediscover who they are beneath years of adaptation and pressure.

My mission is to help neurodivergent individuals thrive at work, by understanding their nervous system, their patterns, and their strengths. When people reconnect with how their brain actually works, performance becomes sustainable and identity becomes clearer.

I speak about neurodiversity, inclusive leadership, sustainable productivity, and psychological safety, translating research into practical strategies leaders and teams can apply immediately.

I am a pharmaceutical leader and neurodiversity coach working at the intersection of science, leadership, and lived experience. For over a decade, I have worked in global biotech and CDMO environments, leading Quality Control and manufacturing sup... Show more

Jamie L

Jamie L

Jamie is a Senior Product Manager, strategist, consultant, and veteran operating at the intersection of product, policy, process, customer experience, and technology. Her work centers on modernizing complex systems in regulated, high-impact environments where accountability, transparency, and operational discipline are essential.

A graduate with a degree in Business and Management and holder of multiple industry certifications, she has built her career across government, military, customer experience, telecom, technology, and sales. This cross-sector foundation gives her a unique ability to connect strategy with execution and translate complex systems into measurable outcomes.

She supports organizations in strengthening product strategy, leading process modernization, and facilitating leadership alignment across technical and business teams. Her experience spans large-scale system transformation, AI integration, governance design, and cross-functional execution in environments where decisions carry meaningful operational and human consequences.

Jamie built her career through customer experience leadership and enterprise product delivery, bringing systems thinking and structured execution into every initiative she leads. She has influenced multi-million dollar modernization efforts, earned multiple performance and special act awards, and driven measurable improvements in efficiency, delivery accountability, and user-centered design.

She has presented at national technology conferences including Techsgiving, contributed to conversations with the Tech Talent Project, participated in panels on technology hiring and modernization, and served as a multi-year brand ambassador for RenderATL.

Jamie believes technology should work for people, not the other way around. She brings disciplined leadership, responsible influence, and clarity of execution to every organization she supports.

Jamie is a Senior Product Manager, strategist, consultant, and veteran operating at the intersection of product, policy, process, customer experience, and technology. Her work centers on modernizing complex systems in regulated, high-impact environme... Show more

Annalisa Nash Fernandez

Annalisa Nash Fernandez

Annalisa Nash Fernandez is a specialist in world cultures, focusing on cultural elements in technology and business strategy. An experienced corporate strategic planning director who worked globally as an expatriate executive based in emerging markets, she bridges her dual background as a sociolinguist to navigate cross-cultural communication in marketing, leadership, and the digital economy. Her expert quotes are featured widely, including by CIO magazine and the BBC, and her articles are published in trade journals and in leading media. Annalisa held various roles at Philip Morris International and Kraft Foods, based in São Paulo, Brazil, and investment banks, including Bankers Trust, based in New York City and Santiago, Chile. Annalisa holds an M.A. in language and translation from the University of Wisconsin, and a B.S. in international finance from Georgetown University.

Annalisa Nash Fernandez is a specialist in world cultures, focusing on cultural elements in technology and business strategy. An experienced corporate strategic planning director who worked globally as an expatriate executive based in emerging market... Show more

Ellyne Phneah

Ellyne Phneah

Ellyne Phneah is a recognized PostgreSQL Ecosystem Strategist and the author of Decode PostgreSQL. She specializes in bridging the communication gap between deep technical innovation and the strategic frameworks required for sustainable open-source growth. Ellyne has over 14 years of experience as a communications professional, focusing on areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and emerging technologies.

Ellyne drives strategic clarity, particularly in her role in Marketing at DBtune. Her unique methodology from Decode PostgreSQL, which she calls the "Grandpa Test" , is dedicated to building Technical Empathy and translating complex database concepts (like pgvector and scaling) into clear, actionable business strategy.

A passionate advocate for inclusion and knowledge sharing, Ellyne's dedication to the community is extensive: one of the organizers of the Malmö PostgreSQL User Group (M-PUG) and the PostgreSQL & AI Summit at PGConf EU 2025. Her contributions to the ecosystem were recognized when she was named PostgreSQL Woman of the Month in October 2025 (based on your input).

Ellyne holds a Master's in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and a background in technology journalism. Originally from Singapore, she is a leading and recognized voice in the European PostgreSQL community.

Ellyne Phneah is a recognized PostgreSQL Ecosystem Strategist and the author of Decode PostgreSQL. She specializes in bridging the communication gap between deep technical innovation and the strategic frameworks required for sustainable open-source g... Show more

Florian Brunner

Florian Brunner

Florian Brunner is a PhD candidate in International Relations at the University of Oxford and co-head of Project Access Germany. Together with his co-speaker Jael Fechler, he coordinates a student-led volunteer team that widens access to top universities through one-to-one mentoring, practical resources, and public and policy outreach. As a first-generation student raised by a single parent in rural Bavaria, Florian experienced first-hand how social and cultural capital shape educational trajectories. Today he focuses on building partnerships and translating mentoring insights into scalable recommendations for universities and scholarship funders.

Florian Brunner is a PhD candidate in International Relations at the University of Oxford and co-head of Project Access Germany. Together with his co-speaker Jael Fechler, he coordinates a student-led volunteer team that widens access to top universi... Show more

Björn Klein

Björn Klein

Higher education expert specializing in AI integration, digital learning design, and ethics. At universities across Germany and Switzerland, I connect hands-on teaching development with critical analysis of power, ideology, and technology in education.

Higher education expert specializing in AI integration, digital learning design, and ethics. At universities across Germany and Switzerland, I connect hands-on teaching development with critical analysis of power, ideology, and technology in educatio... Show more

Raven Major

Raven Major

I am Dr. Raven C. Major, Founder and owner of The Folding Chair Collective, LLC. Paying home to Shirley Chisholm’s call, “to bring a folding chair”, The Folding Chair Collective partners with organizations to create environments where belonging is intentional and every individual is seen as human first and an asset next, not just labor.

We are dedicated to transforming workplaces, campuses, and communities through leadership development, strategic equity auditing, and people-centered culture building to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table and a folding chair of their own.

Through the use of practical strategies such as;
* Leadership Development
* Professional & Organizational Development
* Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Strategy
* Panel Facilitation, Conferences, & Speaking Engagements, and more

We hope to provide you and your organizations with personalized solutions to address your pain points.

Let’s connect: drravencmajor@thefoldingchairco.com

www.thefoldingchairco.com
The Folding Chair Collective, LLC

I am Dr. Raven C. Major, Founder and owner of The Folding Chair Collective, LLC. Paying home to Shirley Chisholm’s call, “to bring a folding chair”, The Folding Chair Collective partners with organizations to create environments where belonging is in... Show more

Kari Langkamp

Kari Langkamp

Kari Langkamp is a Master Certified Coach who helps people stop waiting and start living as their Future Selves now. Her work is grounded, practical, and deeply human, supporting clients who feel a quiet pull toward their next chapter and want to move forward in a way that actually feels like them.

Kari Langkamp is a Master Certified Coach who helps people stop waiting and start living as their Future Selves now. Her work is grounded, practical, and deeply human, supporting clients who feel a quiet pull toward their next chapter and want to mov... Show more

Dmitry Sorokin

Dmitry Sorokin

Dmitry Sorokin, [08.11.2025 0:46]
sessionize.com/sorydima

REChain® Network Solutions is an international ecosystem uniting decentralization, AI, education, and future technologies.
Founder: Dmitry Sorokin — engineer, decentralized systems architect, venture producer, and researcher in AI and blockchain.

Operating in the CIS:

REChain Network Solutions, LLC | REChain RF
REChain® is a registered trademark.

All rights reserved.
Partners: Softline Group | Skolkovo Foundation | SKOLTECH | USPTO Trademark #97404591
TIN: 7704409660 | OGRN: 1217700514120

Operating in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand:

tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=97404591&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch

Operating in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America:
Activities are carried out through local subsidiaries, as well as through distributed REChain® DAO nodes and partner programs.
Support for international initiatives on digital equality, internet access, and education.

On my own behalf -

1. Venture Studio - 75+ projects. All projects are related to open source software.

R&D areas:
Decentralized cloud computing (RECloud, REChain.Space).
Artificial intelligence and cognitive systems (Katya® AI, Tanya® Core).
Quantum networks and post-quantum cryptography.
Eco-friendly blockchains and neural networks (NeuroChain).
Interaction of AI with IoT and robotics.

2. Support for domestic NGOs, NPOs, budgetary and commercial organizations.

REChain®️ actively develops collaboration with Russian non-profit (NPOs), research institutions (NPOs), and budgetary institutions, helping them implement modern digital solutions based on domestic technologies and open standards.

Key areas:
🤝 Joint public-private initiatives: digitalization of social, educational, and scientific infrastructure.
💼 Solutions for commercial entities: creation of corporate platforms, secure document management systems, CRM/ERP, financial and analytical solutions.
🧩 Projects for government organizations: implementation of domestic IT products, support for import substitution, development of AI in public administration.
🌍 REChain®️'s proprietary commercial ecosystem: a suite of products and services for governance, communications, security, and infrastructure.

REChain®️ creates a unified technological space for NGOs, businesses, and governments—with a focus on sovereignty, security, and open source.

Major partners and alliances:
Softline Group.
Skolkovo Foundation.
Skoltech.
REChain VC Group Lab.
Katya AI Systems LLC.
Marina Moda Music Production.
Tanechca Foundation.
0Byte, Polkadot, OpenAI Community Builders.

🤝 We invite venture studios, research centers, and companies in the fields of decentralization, AI, and security to partner with us.

3. Government and strategic projects. Space, aviation, and AI in the infrastructure of the future.

REChain® actively participates in the development and support of government and defense industry initiatives related to the implementation of advanced technologies at the city, regional, and national infrastructure levels.

Key areas:
🛰 Space: decentralized communications, telemetry, and data analysis systems for space programs.
✈️ Aviation: intelligent control, predictive maintenance, and security systems based on AI and big data.
🏙 Smart Cities: building autonomous city networks, digital twins, and platforms for managing transportation, energy, infrastructure, and security.
🧠 AI and government infrastructure: developing neural network systems for decision-making, process automation, and ensuring technological sovereignty.

REChain® develops technologies that help countries and cities become smarter, safer, and more independent.

2025–2027 Strategic Focus:
Launch of REChain® DAO 2.0—distributed ecosystem governance.
Scaling REChain® VC Group Lab to global markets.
Deployment of Eseniia University in 12 countries.
Support for Web6 and quantum AI models.
Release of Katya® OS (mobile & desktop) in Q1 2026.

4. Open Source

Dmitry Sorokin, [08.11.2025 0:46]
REChain® actively develops and supports the open source software ecosystem.
We believe that openness is the foundation of trust, security, and technological progress.

🧩 Our Open Source Focus:
Development of the REChain® OS core and open source blockchain frameworks.
Publishing SDKs, APIs, and tools for integrating decentralized solutions. Creating open protocols and standards for Web6, distributed networks, and AI infrastructure.
Participation and collaboration with global open-source initiatives: Linux Foundation, OpenAI Community, Polkadot Builders, 0Byte Labs.
Development of open-source educational programs and laboratories (through Eseniia University and Katya® AI Systems).

🧠 Open Source REChain® Mission:
To create free, secure, and transparent technologies that serve all of humanity, not just individual corporations.

5. REChain®️ VC Group Lab Venture Builder, Incubator, and Startup Studio 🎙 are now launching globally! 😌 REChain®️ VC Group Lab is a next-generation ecosystem combining venture project creation, incubation, a startup studio, and a syndicate model. We provide startups with blockchain-based solutions, individual mentoring, financing, and accelerators – 150+ projects.

🎙 REChain®️ VC Group Lab is a next-generation global venture ecosystem that combines:
Venture Studio (turnkey startup creation and launch),
Incubator (mentoring, acceleration, mentoring, access to resources),
Startup Studio (MVP, PoC, architecture development, scaling),
Investor Syndicate (collective project financing through the DAO model).

💎 Focus Areas:
Artificial Intelligence, Generative and Cognitive Models.
Web6 and Decentralized Networks.
Quantum Computing and Security.
Educational and Social Technologies.
Fintech, GovTech, MedTech, and SpaceTech.
Creative Economy and Metaverses.

🚀 What We Offer Startups:
Funding (pre-seed → Series B).
Mentoring and expert support.
Access to the REChain® infrastructure (blockchain, API, AI, devtools).
Support for entering international markets.
White Label/Franchise/DAO model for local launches.
Full technological support (DevOps, Security, Product, Marketing).

🌍 Scale:
150+ launched and supported projects.
75+ in-house projects.
40+ partners in the CIS, Europe, Asia, and the US.
Support from international funds, accelerators, and incubators.

Legal integrity and compliance:
All projects comply with GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and local jurisdiction requirements.
Within the Russian Federation, we operate within the framework of Russian legislation and the experimental legal regime.
Internationally, we operate in compliance with SEC, FinCEN, FCA, and ASIC regulations.

REChain® VC Group Lab Investment Tracks:
Pre-seed / Seed / Series A / Series B.
Investments in our own ecosystems and external projects.
"AI for Humanity" program for projects in education and accessible internet.
Individual and institutional syndicates.

Telegram: t.me/+aNI7CzqG3OAxZDdi

dApp: rechainvc.codemagic.app

🧬 REChain® VC Group Lab Mission:
We are creating a global venture capital system where every talent, idea, and team has a chance to become part of a new technological world—open, sustainable, and ethical.

6. The REChain® Open Internet Alliance

🌐 The REChain® Open Internet Alliance is an international initiative aimed at creating a new digital order where the internet remains open, secure, fair, and independent of centralized monopolies, censorship, and totalitarian control.

🕊 Alliance Mission:
To create a new paradigm of digital freedom, where technology serves people, not systems. We unite developers, researchers, companies, and organizations around the world to build a clean, sustainable, and transparent internet of the future.

🔐 Core Principles of the Alliance:

Openness and Interoperability.
Use of open protocols, APIs, and licenses to ensure the independence and interconnectivity of ecosystems.

Dmitry Sorokin, [08.11.2025 0:46]
Privacy by default.
Every solution uses secure cryptography, zero-knowledge, and data anonymization.

Security and Trust.
Code verification, distributed nodes, and consensus without single points of failure.

Environmental friendliness and energy efficiency.
New distributed computing models that utilize energy without harming the environment.

Decentralization and digital equality.
Participation of all regions, including Africa, South America, and Asia, without access restrictions.

Ethical Artificial Intelligence.
Elimination of mass surveillance systems and algorithmic discrimination.

🚀 Technological Focus Areas of the Alliance:
Development of Web6—a next-generation distributed architecture. REChain.Space — a decentralized anonymous search engine
dChange Network — private communications and data exchange
RECloud — a distributed computing space
SynapseSDK — an open platform for AI and blockchain interoperability
AI Quantum Layer — a post-quantum security and neural network integration layer

🤝 Alliance Partners and Members:
REChain Network Solutions, LLC.
Katya® AI Systems LLC.
Eseniia University.
REChain VC Group Lab.
Marina Moda® Music Production.
0Byte, Polkadot, OpenAI Community Builders, GitHub Open Source Programs.
Independent developers and research labs worldwide.

🌍 Geographic Presence:
The Alliance operates on all continents, including the CIS, Europe, the USA, the Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia.
Supports digital inclusion initiatives, including free internet access and technology in third-world countries.

🧩 Participation formats:
Partnership programs and licensing of REChain® technologies.
Joint research projects.
Contribution to open-source and DAO initiatives.
Deployment of regional REChain® OpenNet nodes.

Our mission:
To create technologies thatThey make the digital world safe, open, and fair.

Our principles:
Transparency and decentralization.
Ethical artificial intelligence.
Privacy as a right, not a privilege.
Free access to knowledge.
Collaboration without borders.

7. Computer Vision, Big Data, and Machine Learning Laboratory (REChain® AI & Vision Lab)

REChain® AI & Vision Lab is a research unit specializing in machine vision, big data analysis, translation, and multimodal neural models.

🧠 Key areas of work:
Real-time image and video processing (object, face, and gesture recognition).
Neural models for automatic translation, transcription, and speech synthesis.
Generative models (GANs, Diffusion Models, Multimodal AI).
Cognitive and learning systems for industry, medicine, and education.
Big data analytics, building ML pipelines, processing data streams.
Integration with REChain® AI Quantum Layer – a post-quantum neural network computing module.

🧩 Applications:
Smart cities and transportation.
Surveillance and security systems.
Educational technologies (Eseniia University).
Media and content industry (Marina Moda®, Katya® AI).

🔬 Demo: magicai.projecthub.ai

📦 Source code and SDK are available in a private GitHub branch for REChain® partners.

8. Eseniia University

Eseniia University is the world's first decentralized university of technology and innovation, uniting education, science, and open source.

🎓 University Mission:
To make education globally accessible, equitable, and modern.
Everyone should have the opportunity to learn, explore, and create without barriers.

📘 Key areas of activity:

Combining technology and education.
Creating modern educational software and AI platforms for students and teachers.

Fostering collaboration.
Forming international academic and technological collaborations.

Accessibility.
Open online programs, course translations, integration with third-world countries.

Open Research.
Publishing open-source research, algorithms, solutions, and educational materials.

Laboratories.
AI & ML Lab.
Blockchain & Web6 Lab.
Cognitive Systems Lab.
CyberSec Lab.

📂 Open community on GitHub:

github.com/Eseniia-University

Dmitry Sorokin, [08.11.2025 0:46]
💫 The University is implementing the "Knowledge Without Borders" program, aimed at developing technological education in developing countries.

9. Internet of the Future and Digital Inclusion

🌍 REChain® Global Connectivity Initiative is a program to develop and support internet access in low-income countries, regions with low digitalization, and regions with limited access.

📡 Key objectives:
Connecting regions of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America to decentralized REChain® nodes.
Deployment of satellite and mesh networks with open protocols.
Providing free access to educational and research resources (Eseniia University, REChain OpenNet).
Providing technological assistance and training to local communities.

🤝 We work with organizations, NGOs, and foundations to make the internet truly universal.

10. Blockchain Development, Implementation, and Support

REChain® Blockchain Lab is an engineering division dedicated to the design, development, and integration of next-generation blockchain protocols.

⚙️ Areas of Work:
Designing custom blockchains based on REChain® Core and SynapseSDK.
Interaction with international networks – 0Byte, Polkadot, BNB Chain, Avalanche, REChain.Finance.
Development of tokenomics, DeFi instruments, NFT protocols, DAOs, and identification systems.
Research of quantum-resistant consensus algorithms.
Audit and verification of smart contracts.

📈 Goal: Building a reliable and transparent infrastructure for the economy of the future.

11. Open Source and Technology Projects

🧩 The REChain® Open Technology Program is a global initiative aimed at developing open source technologies and socially significant IT projects.

🌐 Focus:
Development and publication of open source solutions.
Cooperation with government agencies and international NGOs.
Using technology to stabilize and improve the geopolitical situation.
Supporting projects in the areas of human rights, ecology, and digital independence.

🕊 We believe that technological openness is a tool for peace, cooperation, and trust.

12. CyberSec, Compliance & Audit

🛡 The REChain® CyberSec Division combines cybersecurity, audit, compliance, and data infrastructure protection.

🔐 Core competencies:
Security of hosts, clouds, data centers, and software.
Development of Zero Trust architecture and “Privacy by Design” encryption.
Analysis and audit of code, smart contracts, and decentralized systems.
Development of threat monitoring and response systems (SOC/SIEM/IDS).
Compliance with GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC 2, GOST R, and local regulatory requirements.

🧠 Separate focus area — AI Security:
Development of data protection methods andProtected against attacks, substitutions, and leaks.

📊 The REChain® compliance platform integrates with venture and corporate clients, providing a full cycle of control and certification.

13. Katya® 👽 OS — A Next-Generation Mobile and Desktop Operating System.

Katya® 👽 is a decentralized, secure, and completely independent operating system, available in two versions:
Katya Mobile 📱 — a secure mobile environment built on the principles of autonomy, privacy, and user freedom.
Katya Desktop 💻 — a desktop ecosystem supporting REChain® applications, compatible services, and neural interfaces.

Katya® 👽 OS is focused on moving away from dependence on centralized ecosystems (Apple, Google, Microsoft) in favor of an open and sovereign digital space.
The system is based on Web6 technologies, REChain Mesh, quantum models, and artificial intelligence.

Katya® 👽 is more than just an OS.
It is an intelligent assistant, messenger, workspace, network node, and interface to the decentralized REChain® Universe.

The project is also global. Separate branches are available for different countries!

14. REChain® Cloud ☁️ — decentralized Web6 cloud infrastructure.

REChain® Cloud is the core of the new internet era.
A fully decentralized cloud ecosystem that unites computing power, data storage, and intelligent services based on blockchain and artificial intelligence.

Dmitry Sorokin, [08.11.2025 0:46]
Key areas:
🧠 AI + Mesh Infrastructure: intelligent clusters distributed across nodes worldwide.
🔗 Web6 Interconnect: A new connectivity paradigm where every network, device, and application becomes part of a global mesh network with no single point of failure.
🛰 Quantum Network Layer: Support for quantum computing, cryptography, and secure data transfer.
🧩 Edge & Fog Computing: Localized computing and user-level caching for instant response and autonomy.
🌍 Interplanetary Sync: Synchronize data across devices, planets, and networks via REChain GCL (Global Chain Log).

REChain® Cloud is a cloud without a central authority.
It is not owned by corporations—it is owned by users.

15. Introducing Aurora Dev Lab, a research and development unit within the REChain Network Solutions, LLC ecosystem—a participant and partner of the Skolkovo, Softline, and Skoltech programs.
The laboratory's activities are focused on the development, testing, and integration of domestic solutions in the areas of operating systems, cybersecurity, infrastructure platforms, and artificial intelligence.

We are currently implementing a comprehensive project aimed at integrating three key domestic operating systems—Astra Linux, Aurora, and Katya OS (REChain)—into a single multi-platform ecosystem.
The project's objective is to create a universal secure environment that ensures application compatibility, support for corporate and government scenarios, and unification of management, monitoring, and security tools.

As part of this project, we conduct multi-level testing and comparative studies, including:
assessing the compatibility and resilience of systems when operating in distributed infrastructures;
analysis of performance and energy efficiency on various hardware configurations;
testing mandatory and discretionary access control tools, as well as data protection models;
Compatibility testing with domestic hardware platforms, including ICL, Aquarius, IRU, and others.

The project is open, scientific, applied, and integrative in nature, aimed at strengthening domestic technological independence and developing ecosystems of compatible domestic solutions.

Selective Open Source:

github.com/sorydima?tab=repositories

github.com/Eseniia-University

github.com/Katya-Incorporated

github.com/Katya-Solutions-LLC

github.com/MarinaModaMusicProd

github.com/Nastasia-Food

github.com/REChain-Developers-Office-Foundation

github.com/REChain-Network-Solutions

github.com/Katya-AI-Systems-LLC

github.com/Katya-Aviation-Stack-Inc

github.com/Resilient-Systems-Engineering-Group-Inc

And all accounts that these GitHub accounts follow.

16. From Open Source to a System-Based Aviation Platform

Katya Aviation Stack, Inc. was founded by a team of engineers with years of hands-on experience working with leading open-source aviation and robotics platforms, including:

ArduPilot
PX4 Autopilot
MAVLink / MAVSDK
QGroundControl
ROS / rosflight
AirSim
Betaflight / iNav
OpenDroneMap

This experience has informed their understanding of the key problem facing the modern aviation industry:

the lack of a cohesive, distributed, on-board software layer for autonomous and cooperative aviation.

Katya Aviation Stack is being created as a response to this systemic gap.

17. Resilient Systems Engineering Group, Inc.

Resilient Systems Engineering Group, Inc. (RSEG) is an international research and engineering organization specializing inI specialize in the design, testing, and operation of autonomous, fault-tolerant, and recoverable systems operating in adverse, degraded, or disconnected environments.

We work at the intersection of:

fault tolerance of complex socio-technical systems

autonomous life support systems and critical infrastructure

fault-tolerant digital and cyber-physical platforms

aviation, unmanned, and robotic systems.

Calendly: calendly.com/preseed4/30min

Sincerely,
Dmitry Olegovich Sorokin
Telegram +79264472885
WhatsApp +79939038965

Dmitry Sorokin, [08.11.2025 0:46] sessionize.com/sorydima REChain® Network Solutions is an international ecosystem uniting decentralization, AI, education, and future technologies. Founder: Dmitry Sorokin — engineer, decentralized systems archit... Show more

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Francisco Júnior é mestrando em Transformação Digital, graduado em Ciência da Computação e possui um MBA em Governança de TI. Com mais de 20 anos de experiência, é especialista em gestão de pessoas, transformação digital e inovação.

Detém certificações como ITIL Expert, ISO 20k Consultant Manager, Agile People Coach e Agile People Business Agility. Desde 2014, atua como Gerente de Atendimento na Rede Nacional de Ensino e Pesquisa (RNP).

Foi reconhecido como Melhor Gerente de PMO de 2024 pelo PMI, Profissional do Ano em 2023, e liderou a equipe premiada como a melhor em atendimento do Brasil em 2022, além de ser responsável pela equipe que desenvolveu o ChatBot em 2023, ambos reconhecidos pelo HDI.

Francisco Júnior é mestrando em Transformação Digital, graduado em Ciência da Computação e possui um MBA em Governança de TI. Com mais de 20 anos de experiência, é especialista em gestão de pessoas, transformação digital e inovação. Detém certific... Show more

Tanisha Roy

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i am an enthusaisat of publicly speaking in front of an audience, on any topic. i find joy in speaking to the audience and making sure that they are taking in everything that i have to say, standing up there on stage or if it's an online event.. Show more

Silvia Triboni

Silvia Triboni

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She is a lecturer, consultant and journalist focusing on the theme of active longevity and intergenerational harmony in companies, in Brazil and Portugal, and has lectured in several countries. She is columnist and international correspondent for companies linked to the interests of people 50+, working in Brazil and Portugal.

An activist against ageism, she is director of the StopIdadism Association in Portugal.

A writer, she has launched the book Employability 50+ in Portugal and Brazil, which presents useful information and strategies for a successful career in maturity, and Intentional Longevity®, with a foreword by Dr Alexandre Kalache, a book aimed at encouraging the conscious construction of a life with purpose, healthy habits and choices.

In his Centenarian Expedition project, he has explored the Blue Zones® and other regions where their inhabitants are exceptionally healthy and long-lived, in order to publicise good practices to his audience.

Silvia Triboni is a lawyer with an MBA in Public Management from the Getúlio Vargas Foundation. She has a degree in Sustainability and Human Responsibility from the University of Lisbon and in Coaching and Mentoring from the Getúlio Vargas Foundation... Show more

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