I teach humans and organizations how to use AI. And I teach AIs how to teach humans.

As founder of Mindmakers, I build adaptive learning technology that adjusts to each learner in real time. Whether you're upskilling 10 employees or teaching 1,000 students, no more one size fits all.

My background combines Psychology and Computer Science, which means I think about how people actually learn, not just how to ship features. I've been teaching AI and data science for a decade with thousands of learners.

I teach humans and organizations how to use AI. And I teach AIs how to teach humans. As founder of Mindmakers, I build adaptive learning technology that adjusts to each learner in real time. Whether you're upskilling 10 employees or teaching 1,000... Show more

Dr. Darrin “Boomer” Williams is an international professional basketball champion, entrepreneur, Human Resources leader, bestselling author, and keynote speaker dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations through leadership, resilience, and personal development.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Williams built an international athletic career spanning 10 professional seasons across Europe, South America, and the United States. A two-time Italian League Champion and former Kosovo All-Star, he developed a unique understanding of high-performance environments, cross-cultural leadership, teamwork, and overcoming adversity.

Beyond professional athletics, Dr. Williams has established himself as an entrepreneur and organizational leader. As the founder of Ambassy International and Ambassy Cares Foundation, he has created initiatives supporting international athlete development, mentorship, education, and professional opportunities.

His experience in Human Resources leadership within the education sector further strengthens his expertise in talent development, employee engagement, organizational culture, and workforce effectiveness.

Dr. Williams holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from Loyola University Chicago and graduate qualifications in Business Administration and Human Resources. He is also pursuing doctoral studies in International Business.

As a professional speaker, he delivers engaging keynotes and interactive workshops addressing leadership development, business growth, workplace wellness, emotional resilience, personal branding, and high-performing teams.

Combining championship-level experience with practical business insights and inspirational storytelling, Dr. Williams equips audiences with actionable strategies to overcome challenges, strengthen relationships, and achieve sustainable success.

**His guiding message: True championship success begins with personal growth, disciplined action, and the commitment to add value to others.**

Dr. Darrin “Boomer” Williams is an international professional basketball champion, entrepreneur, Human Resources leader, bestselling author, and keynote speaker dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations through leadership, resilience, and... Show more

Long-time agile jiggler, eXtreme programmer and agile catalyst. Conference organizer and speaker. Amateur bon vivant. Passionate creator and consumer of hot sauces. Natural food crafter Bilingual EN/FR - fr_US

Long-time agile jiggler, eXtreme programmer and agile catalyst. Conference organizer and speaker. Amateur bon vivant. Passionate creator and consumer of hot sauces. Natural food crafter Bilingual EN/FR - fr_US Show more

Founder of Firm&Fair, international negotiation agency

Ugne Fink-Jensen is an international business negotiator, tech counsel, and speaker with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked across both SMEs and multibillion-dollar conglomerates, consistently operating at the intersection of technology, business, and law, including as Lead Negotiator on complex tech and digital transformation initiatives.

Today, she supports businesses in navigating strategic deals and strengthening their governance capabilities, with a focus on negotiation excellence, responsible AI, and the advantage of human skills in a technology-driven world. In addition, Ugne works closely across the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem, supporting partners and contributing to Microsoft-led initiatives such as BC Talent.

Founder of Firm&Fair, international negotiation agency Ugne Fink-Jensen is an international business negotiator, tech counsel, and speaker with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked across both SMEs and multibillion-dollar conglomerates... Show more

Joanne Lockwood is a renowned Keynote Speaker, Thought Leader, and authority on Inclusion & Belonging, with a unique journey from a successful career in IT/STEM to becoming a trusted expert in HR and People Consulting. Her approach combines deep professional expertise with personal lived experience, offering insights that are not only engaging but transformative for organisations looking to create truly inclusive cultures.
In addition to delivering powerful keynotes, Joanne writes for leading publications such as HRZone, The HRD, Training Zone, and Worklife PA. She also hosts the highly regarded “Inclusion Bites” podcast, where she explores vital conversations about improving the world and workplace for all.
Joanne’s credibility stems not only from her extensive knowledge but also from her life journey as a transgender woman. She embodies the principles of inclusivity and equity that she champions, making her a dynamic speaker who brings both empathy and authority to the stage. Joanne’s lived experience, combined with her professional insights, makes her a living testament to the power of embracing diversity and fostering cultures where people can thrive—not just survive—in the world of work.
Guided by her mantra of Smile | Engage | Educate, Joanne is dedicated to promoting #PositivePeopleExperiences, helping organisations move past performative engagement to develop actionable, inclusive strategies that drive real change

Joanne Lockwood is a renowned Keynote Speaker, Thought Leader, and authority on Inclusion & Belonging, with a unique journey from a successful career in IT/STEM to becoming a trusted expert in HR and People Consulting. Her approach combines deep prof... Show more

Burcu Taşpınar is a mechatronics engineer and data scientist working at the intersection of engineering, data and digitalization. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechatronics Engineering from Johannes Kepler University Linz and has experience in engineering simulation, industrial analytics and data-driven product management.

Having grown up internationally across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, she has developed a strong interest in how people experience places, technology and information differently across cultures. Her interests span machine learning, digital twins and human-centered AI. She is also exploring Local Perspectives, a concept investigating how data, AI and local knowledge can be combined to create more personalized ways of experiencing cities, and is active internationally as a technology and hackathon mentor.

Burcu Taşpınar is a mechatronics engineer and data scientist working at the intersection of engineering, data and digitalization. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechatronics Engineering from Johannes Kepler University Linz and has exper... Show more

Richard Essangabasi is a Speaker, Entrepreneur and Business Developer from Nigeria. With years of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, media & entertainment, business development & sales, he builds businesses that solve real problems and helps other entrepreneurs do the same.

He has worked with global brands like Google, Ethereum, Base, Cowrywise, and more. He is the Co-Founder/CEO of Shard Network, a satellite-powered campus ISP with notable products like Soko, a campus marketplace for students to buy, sell & connect globally without boundaries, he is also the Founder of Campus Pitch Africa, Africa's biggest campus pitch show, and Convener of International Christian Leaders & Entrepreneurs Conference (iCLEC). Beyond these, he is building a conglomerate of ventures across fashion, media, finance, real estate and hospitality.

Beyond building, he runs webinars, mentors founders 1-on-1, and consults for African SMEs. His work is driven by one purpose, to build the next generation of wealthmakers for the kingdom of God. Therefore ensuring that all men become Apostles in the Marketplace, building, growing and financing the kingdom.

Richard Essangabasi is a Speaker, Entrepreneur and Business Developer from Nigeria. With years of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, media & entertainment, business development & sales, he builds businesses that solve real problems and helps ... Show more

Software engineer with 10+ years under his belt. At Chattermill, he turns AI research into real-world products. A fan of diving deep into black boxes, he has unusual hobby of writing regular expressions by hand and arguing about their speed. When he’s not coding, he shares knowledge as a university instructor, speaker, and meetup organiser.

Bookworm, hiker, history nerd - ask him about Napoleon!

Software engineer with 10+ years under his belt. At Chattermill, he turns AI research into real-world products. A fan of diving deep into black boxes, he has unusual hobby of writing regular expressions by hand and arguing about their speed. When he’... Show more

Steve Pereira has spent over two decades improving the flow of work across organizations. He’s worked through tech support, IT management, build and release engineering, and as a founding CTO for enterprise SaaS. After shifting to consulting large enterprises on value stream performance improvement, he created Flow Engineering to make value stream mapping simple, quick, and actionable. He serves as lead consultant for Visible Flow Consulting, as a board advisor to the Value Stream Management Consortium, Chair of the OASIS Value Stream Management Interoperability technical committee, and co-founder of the Flow Collective to bring flow-focused professionals together.

Learn more about his work at https://visible.is

Steve Pereira has spent over two decades improving the flow of work across organizations. He’s worked through tech support, IT management, build and release engineering, and as a founding CTO for enterprise SaaS. After shifting to consulting large en... Show more

Futurist | Founder | Educator | Speaker | Author

Jeremy Treadwell is a visionary entrepreneur and futurist from Chicago, IL, living in Maryland, minutes from our national capital, Washington, D.C. With a passion for guiding individuals and businesses toward their desired futures, Jeremy has earned the moniker “Vision Capitalist.”

As the founder and owner of Treadwell Agency, a highly respected consulting firm, Jeremy has been instrumental in helping countless individuals and businesses define their visions, gain clarity, and pave the way toward success. Jeremy has empowered clients to reach their full potential and navigate the complexities of the ever-evolving business landscape through innovative strategies and keen Foresight.

Beyond his consulting endeavors, Jeremy shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise as an esteemed adjunct professor at Bradley University, where he imparts his wisdom in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and User Experience Strategy. His dedication to education and commitment to nurturing the next generation of visionaries showcase his leadership inside and outside the classroom.

A true believer in the power of Foresight, Jeremy has earned recognition as a certified Futurist through the esteemed Institute of the Future. As a sought-after speaker, he captivates audiences with engaging talks on Cybersecurity, Strategic Futures, and User Behavior, leaving a lasting impact on individuals and organizations alike.

Constantly embracing new challenges, Jeremy is working on his upcoming book, delving deep into the realm of Foresight. With his unique insights and innovative thinking, he aims to inspire others to harness the power of Foresight to achieve greatness.

In addition to his professional achievements, Jeremy is known for his strong sense of community and commitment to helping others. His philanthropic endeavors have left an indelible mark on those fortunate to cross paths with him.

As a visionary thought leader, Jeremy’s relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering dedication to empowering others sets him apart as a true trailblazer in the business world. Jeremy continues to shape a brighter future for individuals, businesses, and society through his visionary approach and compassionate spirit.

Futurist | Founder | Educator | Speaker | Author Jeremy Treadwell is a visionary entrepreneur and futurist from Chicago, IL, living in Maryland, minutes from our national capital, Washington, D.C. With a passion for guiding individuals and busines... Show more

Two generations of law students at the University of Kansas knew Suzanne Valdez as the professor who taught them Professional Responsibility and Prosecutorial Ethics. Kansas lawyers know her as a special prosecutor, a judge pro tem, and the district attorney who led Douglas County from 2021 to 2025. The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, one of four federally recognized tribes in the state, knows her as its Attorney General. Nearly three decades of public service, legal education, and courtroom practice have produced all of those descriptions, and a single conviction sits beneath them: the legal system works best when it accounts for the people inside it.

Her academic career began in 1999, when she joined the University of Kansas School of Law, and lasted through 2021, more than twenty years as a Clinical Professor of Law. Her teaching load included State Court Practice along with the ethics courses, and she ran workshops in deposition skills and expert witness examination. Administratively she directed the Criminal Prosecution Field Placement Program, the Externship Clinic, and the LL.M. program in Elder Law, while students at the Douglas County Legal Aid Society practiced under her supervision. Recognition followed: the Connell Teaching Professorship in 2019, two Immel Awards for Teaching Excellence, and the presidency of the KU University Senate in 2019 and 2020.

The scholarship matched the syllabus. Suzanne Valdez and Professor R. Michael Cassidy co-authored the third edition of Prosecutorial Ethics, published by West Publishing in the American Casebook Series. University of California Press published Fighting Mad: Resisting the End of Roe v. Wade in 2024 with a chapter of hers in it. Her law review and bar journal writing includes a policy paper on low-level, non-violent female drug offenders in Kansas, and she compiled Practice in Kansas, a course text that covers civil procedure, landlord-tenant law, consumer protection, and family law. Roughly 100 professional presentations sit alongside the publications, and a new book drawn from her years in prosecution is in progress.

One faculty role pointed toward everything that came later. From 2015 until her departure in 2021, Valdez was the law school's ombudsperson, mediating conflict among faculty, students, and staff. The assignment convinced her that alternatives to litigation deserve a larger place in the justice system, particularly in how that system responds to non-violent crime.

Practice never stopped during the academic years. She had started at Kansas Legal Services in 1996, representing low-income clients in Kansas City, Kansas, across civil and criminal matters and in federal disability and housing litigation. She served twice as a special prosecutor in the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office, from 2005 to 2008 and from 2017 to 2020, handling high-level felony conflict of interest cases. In 2008 she took the bench as a pro tem district judge in Douglas County, presiding over the juvenile offender, post-decree family law, and criminal first appearance dockets. Her Of Counsel position at Smith Legal, LLC, ran from 2009 through 2021 and involved civil matters in Kansas state court for private and pro bono clients.

She gave the state a great deal of unpaid time as well. Suzanne Valdez chaired the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board for eight years, overseeing a compensation fund that averaged roughly $3 million annually for survivors of violent crime. Two Kansas Attorneys General nominated her to the chairmanship, and three times the Kansas Senate confirmed her unanimously. She chaired the Kansas Continuing Legal Education Commission, sat on the Kansas Judicial Council's Family Law Advisory Committee and the Kansas Supreme Court's Access to Justice Committee, and served on American Bar Association law school accreditation teams.

Then came the elected office. As District Attorney for Douglas County, Kansas, from 2021 to 2025, she was the chief law enforcement officer for roughly 125,000 residents, with an office of about 50 employees and a budget of approximately $2 million. She directed those limited resources toward violent crime, including sexual assault of children and adults, intimate partner violence, and gun offenses. With fentanyl deaths climbing across Kansas, she prosecuted those who distributed it, a priority shaped by loss. A fentanyl poisoning death in 2019 had taken her brother, Christopher Valdez, a U.S. Army veteran. She helped secure $1 million in funding to establish a Veterans Treatment Court in Douglas County, working alongside retired Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss, and she supported alternatives to incarceration, community outreach and crime prevention, and services for victims of crime.

Restorative justice became her full-time work next. From May 2025 to May 2026 she was a restorative justice mediator, facilitator, and trainer at the Center for Conflict Resolution in Kansas City, Missouri. The role had her mediating interpersonal conflict, facilitating community accountability boards and victim offender dialogues, and co-leading the organization's conflict resolution trainings. She served as its People and Culture Administrator too, handling internal staff matters through the same restorative lens. At the heart of the discipline is one observation, that harmed people harm people, and a method built on dignity, acknowledgment, and accountability as the route to restoring everyone involved in a conflict. Its roots lie in the practices of indigenous tribes before colonization, which links it directly to the Indian law work she does today.

As Attorney General, Suzanne Valdez represents the Kickapoo Tribe as a sovereign nation. The Tribe's economic development plan takes much of her current attention, and she keeps sovereignty and self-determination at the forefront of every agreement. She has also established Suzanne Valdez, LLC, Restorative Justice Law and Mediation, a Kansas practice she is building as she continues her commitment to Indian law.

Her community record is long. Her board service includes Douglas County CASA and the Douglas County Child Advocacy Center, which serves children who have been abused or neglected. She has volunteered with LINK, the Lawrence interdenominational nutrition kitchen, led a unit at Hidden Valley Girl Scout Camp, worked with Mentoring4Success in support of women returning to their communities after incarceration, and served as an admissions field representative for the United States Military Academy at West Point. Volunteering during her year in Kansas City included support for transgender women in the Missouri Department of Corrections and on probation and parole. March 2024 brought a Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Women's History Month from the Lawrence Army Recruiting Station, given after she directed her office to clear outstanding tickets and petty misdemeanors for Army recruits so they could report to basic training.

She earned her J.D. at the University of Kansas School of Law in 1996, serving on the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy and receiving the Walter Hiersteiner Outstanding Service Award. Her B.S. in business administration, awarded with Highest Distinction, is from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Kansas and Missouri both license her, and she is admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

She lives in Lawrence, Kansas, where family is the center of her life, from her parents to her grown children and the wider circle she has helped raise. Marathons are in the past, but she still runs. She reads historical fiction, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic, and she follows Jayhawk sports closely.

Two generations of law students at the University of Kansas knew Suzanne Valdez as the professor who taught them Professional Responsibility and Prosecutorial Ethics. Kansas lawyers know her as a special prosecutor, a judge pro tem, and the district ... Show more

Philip Chidera is a Product Designer and entrepreneur building fintech, SaaS, and Web3 products for clients and companies across Nigeria and internationally. He is also the Co-founder of Termwise, a school management platform built for Nigerian schools. He serves as Design Lead (UI/UX) for Port Harcourt Talent Tribe under ATC Africa, where he mentors and supports emerging tech talent. He combines product design with AI and no-code tools to build and ship production-ready interfaces. His work and speaking focus on product design, AI, emerging tools, and the evolving ways modern digital products are designed and built.

Philip Chidera is a Product Designer and entrepreneur building fintech, SaaS, and Web3 products for clients and companies across Nigeria and internationally. He is also the Co-founder of Termwise, a school management platform built for Nigerian schoo... Show more

Hey, I’m Tejas. I’m technically a “computer engineer,” but I think of myself as a designer. Most of what I make lies somewhere between music, visuals and play. I've built systems where a MIDI keyboard can turn into a live visual performance. I use tech to make art (not AI art) that lets people express themselves in ways they normally wouldn’t. I love it when art & music make put people in their feels. Some of my projects include, creatively directing a music album & staying in the forest for 8 days to use my skills to help the environment :D

Hey, I’m Tejas. I’m technically a “computer engineer,” but I think of myself as a designer. Most of what I make lies somewhere between music, visuals and play. I've built systems where a MIDI keyboard can turn into a live visual performance. I use te... Show more

Dan Gentry is a TEDx speaker, podcast host, and founder of Third Power Performance. His signature keynote, Humanity Amplified, challenges the dominant AI narrative — that we should use technology to work faster — and replaces it with a radical question: what if AI is here to make us more human? Dan teaches the distinction between Machine Work (what AI should handle) and Meaning Work (what humans must protect), giving leaders a clear framework to reclaim 10-40 hours per week and invest them in family, health, creativity, and purpose. He's not anti-AI. He's anti-drift.

Dan Gentry is a TEDx speaker, podcast host, and founder of Third Power Performance. His signature keynote, Humanity Amplified, challenges the dominant AI narrative — that we should use technology to work faster — and replaces it with a radical questi... Show more

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rabbi Ranon Teller is a dedicated spiritual leader whose passion for Jewish music, education, and community engagement has shaped his approach to congregational leadership. With a background in television writing and music, he brings creativity and personal connection to worship services, educational programs, and synagogue activities. As senior rabbi of Congregation Brith Shalom in Houston, he has introduced engaging prayer experiences, strengthened congregational participation, and developed meaningful relationships within the broader Jewish community. His leadership combines traditional Jewish teachings with contemporary musical expression, encouraging members to connect with their faith through learning, worship, and shared experiences.

Raised in suburban Detroit, Ranon Teller was the second of three children in a household deeply connected to Orthodox Judaism. He began his education at Orthodox Day School before attending Skokie Yeshiva High School outside Chicago. Following high school, he moved to Israel to pursue advanced religious studies at an Orthodox yeshiva. There, he studied the Talmud, Jewish philosophy, theology, and sacred texts, developing a strong foundation in Jewish scholarship and religious practice. As his studies progressed, however, he began questioning aspects of the Orthodox environment. These experiences encouraged him to examine different perspectives on Judaism and reconsider the direction of his spiritual journey.

In 1996, Teller returned to Israel to explore alternative approaches to Jewish spirituality beyond the Orthodox traditions of his upbringing. He became particularly interested in contemporary Chasidic music and the teachings of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. During this period, he audited classes at a Conservative rabbinical school in Jerusalem and participated in an intensive experiential Jewish education program. Exposure to different forms of Jewish learning helped him recognize his calling to religious education and spiritual leadership. In 1998, he returned to the United States to pursue formal rabbinic studies and prepare to serve the Jewish community.

After returning to the United States, Rabbi Teller enrolled at the University of Judaism, now known as American Jewish University, in Los Angeles. He pursued Jewish education and rabbinic studies, strengthening his knowledge of religious texts, teaching, and spiritual leadership. In 2000, he earned a master's degree in education from the Fingerhut School of Education and received the Fingerhut School of Education Award for Outstanding Achievement. In 2002, he completed his rabbinic studies and was ordained as Rabbi Ranon Teller. The Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence and the Ziegler School Award for Excellence in Talmudic Studies recognized his academic accomplishments. In May 2022, he received an Honorary Doctorate from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.

Rabbi Ranon Teller began his rabbinic career at Congregation B'nai Amoona in St. Louis, where he served as associate rabbi from 2002 to 2005. During his tenure, the congregation experienced changes in senior leadership, creating a need for stability and direction. Rabbi Teller helped provide continuity while strengthening relationships among congregants. He focused on engaging young families and introducing contemporary, interactive prayer services that encouraged greater participation. His work in St. Louis helped develop his approach to congregational leadership, emphasizing Jewish education, creative worship, and meaningful personal connections.

In 2005, Ranon moved to Houston to become senior rabbi of Congregation Brith Shalom. His personable, soulful, and diplomatic leadership approach contributed to congregational growth and stronger community relationships. Over the next two decades, he introduced musical prayer services that welcomed congregants and community members from diverse backgrounds and interests. His work extended beyond worship and religious education to important synagogue development initiatives. Rabbi Teller played a key role in securing a $1.5 million endowment and a $5 million gift toward a building renovation campaign. These contributions supported the congregation's financial needs and ongoing development while helping maintain opportunities for Jewish learning and spiritual participation.

Rabbi Teller's commitment to community service extends beyond his responsibilities at Congregation Brith Shalom. He actively participates in initiatives throughout Houston, collaborating with organizations that help individuals and families in need. He works with the Houston Food Bank, SEARCH Homeless Services, and the Food and Faith Collaborative. He also supports community efforts through the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and Alexander Jewish Family Service. These activities reflect his dedication to tikkun olam, the Jewish principle of repairing the world, through compassion, service, and practical assistance. His continued involvement shows how important he is to connecting Jewish values with meaningful community support.

Outside his rabbinic responsibilities, Rabbi Ranon Teller enjoys a range of creative and recreational interests. He continues to play blues and folk guitar and remains passionate about song-leading. An enthusiastic reader, he particularly enjoys nonfiction, including biographies and books exploring human nature. His interests also include juggling, performing magic, hiking, and backpacking, activities that provide opportunities for creativity and spiritual reflection. He finds a meaningful connection to spirituality through spending time in nature. He has also contributed articles to Kolot magazine, the Jewish Herald-Voice, and the Jewish Journal. He co-authored the book Peaceful Bones, reflecting his continued interest in writing and sharing ideas with a wider audience.

Rabbi Ranon Teller is a dedicated spiritual leader whose passion for Jewish music, education, and community engagement has shaped his approach to congregational leadership. With a background in television writing and music, he brings creativity and p... Show more

Driven by courage, curiosity, and compassion, Becca "Bex" Hiller knows valued people deliver value. She also knows ideas supply focus and fuel, while ACTION drives goals forward toward success.

Bex helps humans reach agility potential, and her own agility shines through sharpened improv skills, a mighty pen, a hungry brain, and a passion for teaching and coaching. She has spent over two decades in product, project, and people growth spaces helping folks articulate their mission, then take mission-critical action to DELIVER. She puts growth and connection at the helm and enables, engages, and expands forward momentum, stoking peak performance (without sacrificing values, vision, or voice).

Her mission: Uncover your purpose. Pivot when life happens. Dare to deliver.
Her top interests: connection, community building, purposeful creativity, and potatoes.

Bex is currently based in Rochester, NY.

Driven by courage, curiosity, and compassion, Becca "Bex" Hiller knows valued people deliver value. She also knows ideas supply focus and fuel, while ACTION drives goals forward toward success. Bex helps humans reach agility potential, and her own... Show more

John Kwarsick is a cybersecurity and AI governance researcher focused on the human governance layer of increasingly autonomous systems. His 14-paper research program examines AI adoption failure, agentic governance, decision infrastructure, supervisory capacity, human-AI collaboration, and preservation of professional judgment. He created THE WHEEL Framework™ and WHEEL OS™ to evaluate whether organizations can adopt, supervise, and govern AI under operational pressure. John previously served as Director of Digital Sales for Security at Microsoft and led IoT security sales for Check Point. He speaks nationally and internationally on AI governance, human oversight, and enterprise readiness.

John Kwarsick is a cybersecurity and AI governance researcher focused on the human governance layer of increasingly autonomous systems. His 14-paper research program examines AI adoption failure, agentic governance, decision infrastructure, superviso... Show more

Education: artificial intelligence computer engineering CMKL University (Carnegie Mellon Kingmongkut Ladkrabang)

Mission: help improve level of self awareness, resourcefulness and emotional Intelligence for humans and ai

Education: artificial intelligence computer engineering CMKL University (Carnegie Mellon Kingmongkut Ladkrabang) Mission: help improve level of self awareness, resourcefulness and emotional Intelligence for humans and ai Show more

Mala Mahadevan is a senior database professional with over 20 years of experience working with data, primarily in SQL Server and related technologies. She has been volunteering with SQL Server community for the past 15 years and is also a recipient of the PASSion award for being an outstanding volunteer. She is a featured blogger on sqlservercentral.com and also blogs infrequently at curiousaboutdata.com.

Mala Mahadevan is a senior database professional with over 20 years of experience working with data, primarily in SQL Server and related technologies. She has been volunteering with SQL Server community for the past 15 years and is also a recipient o... Show more

Hi, I'm C. Sarath Babu. I work as a cybersecurity specialist , I’ve been diving deep into the world of quantum AI research as well. Over the years, I’ve authored four books, and I’ve also had the opportunity to contribute to national-level cybercrime investigations and work on AI-driven security innovations.

I enjoy speaking at tech forums and conferences, especially where I can explore how AI, cybersecurity, and even philosophy intersect it’s a space I’m really passionate about. I’m also a big supporter of open-source security projects and spend a lot of time building secure, AI-powered systems that help shape the future of digital ecosystems.

Hi, I'm C. Sarath Babu. I work as a cybersecurity specialist , I’ve been diving deep into the world of quantum AI research as well. Over the years, I’ve authored four books, and I’ve also had the opportunity to contribute to national-level cybercrime... Show more

With 30+ years in the IT trenches for both Fortune 500 and federal projects, Chris is no stranger to high-pressure environments, technical complexity, or change resistance. As a former nuclear engineer, a software solutions architect, and standup comedian, he’s pretty much been there, done that, got the t-shirts.

What sets him apart is his ability to bring that proven, strategic, problem-solving brain to human challenges; helping teams reframe what’s possible and rediscover what matters.

Whether your people are burned out, tuned out, or ready to level up, Chris gives them permission to get honest and get going. No hype. No fluff. Just stories, strategies, and smart laughs that land.

Audiences leave clearer, lighter, and ready to act with zero eye-rolls and 100% retention. Well, ok, maybe 93%.

With 30+ years in the IT trenches for both Fortune 500 and federal projects, Chris is no stranger to high-pressure environments, technical complexity, or change resistance. As a former nuclear engineer, a software solutions architect, and standup com... Show more

Nick Woodley is an ISO 42001 Lead Auditor with over 25 years of enterprise technology experience, uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between AI innovation and governance requirements. As a Microsoft Certified Trainer and Cybersecurity Architect Expert, Nick combines deep Microsoft platform knowledge with practical AI governance implementation experience.
Relevant Credentials:

ISO 42001 Lead Auditor (AI Management Systems)
Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert
Azure Solutions Architect Expert
CISSP & CCSP (ISC2)
Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) Associate Member

Current AI Governance Experience:
As Cyber Security and Power Platform Principal at Ascent, Nick has developed AI compliance offerings incorporating DORA and NIST frameworks for European financial institutions. His recent work includes conducting AI risk assessments for global engineering companies and implementing AI governance frameworks that strike a balance between innovation and regulatory compliance.
Practical Audit Insight:
Nick's experience as an active ISO 42001 Lead Auditor provides unique insights into what actually works during audits, as opposed to theoretical compliance. His background spanning regulated industries (banking, government, insurance) gives him a practical understanding of how AI governance requirements vary across different regulatory environments and organisational contexts.
As an ISC2 East Midlands Chapter Officer, Nick actively contributes to the cybersecurity community's understanding of emerging AI security and governance challenges, making him well-positioned to share practical, implementable strategies with conference attendees.

Nick Woodley is an ISO 42001 Lead Auditor with over 25 years of enterprise technology experience, uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between AI innovation and governance requirements. As a Microsoft Certified Trainer and Cybersecurity Architect Ex... Show more

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

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

Jovan is a multidisciplinary researcher and management professional working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, business strategy, technology, and ethics. His research examines the organizational and socioeconomic implications of AI automation, with particular focus on algorithmic bias, privacy, governance, sustainable innovation, and the human consequences of technological transformation.

He collaborates with the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and its Mathematical Institute, contributing to discussions that connect theoretical and quantitative approaches to AI with practical business applications. His academic background also includes research in green chemistry, microwave chemistry, analytical methods, and process optimization.

His work combines quantitative analysis, mathematical reasoning, management research, and technological perspectives to examine how organizations can adopt emerging technologies while addressing questions of fairness, accountability, sustainability, and strategic value.

As a speaker and researcher, he focuses on making complex technological and managerial issues accessible while encouraging critical discussion about how organizations should approach the next generation of AI-driven transformation.

Jovan is a multidisciplinary researcher and management professional working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, business strategy, technology, and ethics. His research examines the organizational and socioeconomic implications of AI autom... Show more

Leading the company's infrastructure, backend, frontend and data domains, designing and implementing complex architectures, bringing observability and performance to the top level. Driving the company's AI transformation, reshaping the structure and atmosphere of R&D to make AI a native part of how the team works. Certified AWS Solution Architect & AWS Community Builder with more than 15 years of experience in various software development positions, from team lead to Architect, and today as a CTO. International speaker, blogger, holds Philosophy B.A & M.A degrees, plays the piano and the guitar for relaxation, married and father of two.

Leading the company's infrastructure, backend, frontend and data domains, designing and implementing complex architectures, bringing observability and performance to the top level. Driving the company's AI transformation, reshaping the structure and ... Show more

Candice Van Dertholen is a Global Speaker, Retreat Facilitator, and Private Advisor to high-performing professionals, executives, and founders navigating growth, pressure, and visibility. She is the founder of The Warrior Within Healing, bringing over two decades of experience across leadership, business development, and wellness.

Her work focuses on identifying and shifting root-level patterns that directly impact decision-making, communication, and performance under pressure. She partners with leaders operating at a high level to strengthen internal clarity, stabilize momentum, and expand their capacity to lead with consistency and precision.

Candice’s approach integrates embodiment, nervous system regulation, and pattern recognition to address what traditional strategies often miss. The result is sustained performance, stronger presence, and the ability to navigate complexity without losing traction.

Candice has spoken for internal teams like McCormick & Company, Inc. and international conferences like Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading Conference in Birmingham, United Kingdom. She also volunteers as a speaker for NAMI Charlotte, bringing mental wellness support to the community.

In addition to her work, Candice is an event founder Warrior Defined, a men's mental health event in Charlotte, NC.

Candice Van Dertholen is a Global Speaker, Retreat Facilitator, and Private Advisor to high-performing professionals, executives, and founders navigating growth, pressure, and visibility. She is the founder of The Warrior Within Healing, bringing ove... Show more

Joseph D'Antoni is a Principal Cloud Architect, and a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and VMware vExpert with over 20 years of experience working in both Fortune 500 and smaller firms. He is a frequent speaker at major tech events like Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit and Enterprise Data World. He blogs about all topics technology at joeydantoni.com. He believes that no single platform is the answer to all technology problems. He lives in Malvern, PA and holds a BS in Computer Information Systems from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from North Carolina State University, and is the co-author of the Microsoft book "Introducing SQL Server 2016"

Joseph D'Antoni is a Principal Cloud Architect, and a Microsoft Data Platform MVP and VMware vExpert with over 20 years of experience working in both Fortune 500 and smaller firms. He is a frequent speaker at major tech events like Microsoft Ignite, ... Show more

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

Siyanbola Ajiboye is a strategy focused professional in digital transformation, business process, change management, root-cause analysis and AI, with a focus on strengthening operational systems, mitigating revenue leakage and delivering measurable organisational outcomes.

His approach combines governance, technology, and transformation assurance, informed by close to two decades of experience across high-risk and regulated maritime environments. He developed the proposed digital-twin-enabled security framework for the Gulf of Guinea.

His professional and advisory services includes transformation readiness, process and solution design, systems integration, cybersecurity risk, benefits realisation, revenue leakage plugging, development of custom practical frameworks and solutions for organisations and technology programme failure analysis.

Siyanbola Ajiboye is a strategy focused professional in digital transformation, business process, change management, root-cause analysis and AI, with a focus on strengthening operational systems, mitigating revenue leakage and delivering measurable o... Show more