Humanities & Social Sciences

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

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

Selam Moges

Selam Moges

I'm Selam and I'm currently a software engineer at Apella. I've always been fascinated by technology and its potential to make our lives better and more equitable. As an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), I'm committed to making tech a come inclusive place for everyone.

I'm passionate about computer ethics and ensuring that technology is developed and used in ethical and responsible ways. I believe that technology can be a powerful force for good, but only if we approach it with a thoughtful and ethical mindset.

When I'm not working, you can usually find me reading, out for a run, or at a museum. I also love to connect with other tech professionals who share my passion for DEI, accessibility, and computer ethics.

I'm Selam and I'm currently a software engineer at Apella. I've always been fascinated by technology and its potential to make our lives better and more equitable. As an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), I'm committed to making tec... Show more

Sami Diaf

Sami Diaf

Sami is an experienced, polyvalent data scientist with a strong background in statistics, computer science and economics. He has held various positions at the intersection of industry and academia. He worked as a research associate on an interdisciplinary project at the University of Hamburg. His expertise ranges from applied statistics to advanced AI applications. He holds several degrees and has published in top journals.

Sami is an experienced, polyvalent data scientist with a strong background in statistics, computer science and economics. He has held various positions at the intersection of industry and academia. He worked as a research associate on an interdiscipl... Show more

Kim Escobedo

Kim Escobedo

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

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

Frank Köhne

Frank Köhne

Frank Köhne is co-head of viadee's Data Science division. He has a research background and has spent the last 15 years coordinating the company's collaborations with universities in the region, but he has also spent a lot of time on software development and architecture, often in insurance or logistics.
He is currently leading a BMBF-funded consortium with the goal of leveraging process workarounds in the context of Industry 4.0 for process innovation.

Frank Köhne is co-head of viadee's Data Science division. He has a research background and has spent the last 15 years coordinating the company's collaborations with universities in the region, but he has also spent a lot of time on software developm... Show more

Arthit Suriyawongkul

Arthit Suriyawongkul

I'm a PhD candidate in topic of AI governance at Trinity College Dublin, funded by Research Ireland Centre for Research Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality (d-real). I also volunteer for Thai Netizen Network, a digital civil rights group based in Bangkok, and help maintain SPDX system bill of materials projects.

My interest is in software engineering standards and how it can facilitate interactions between the technical layer and the legal layer for an accountable AI. Part of my PhD work is around system trustworthiness and accountability vocabulary.

I'm a PhD candidate in topic of AI governance at Trinity College Dublin, funded by Research Ireland Centre for Research Training in Digitally-Enhanced Reality (d-real). I also volunteer for Thai Netizen Network, a digital civil rights group based in ... Show more

Massimiliano Luca

Massimiliano Luca

I am a Senior Researcher at Bruno Kessler Foundation and Chief Scientific Officer at Pulse.io. I obtained my PhD in November 2023 from the Faculty of Computer Science at the Free University of Bolzano. During my PhD, I was a Visitor Researcher at MIT Connection Science and a Visiting Ph.D. Student at CSIC-IFISC. I am currently working on socially aware foundation models, human-intelligent agents cooperation and spatially-aware deep learning for urban, transportation and mobility.

I am a Senior Researcher at Bruno Kessler Foundation and Chief Scientific Officer at Pulse.io. I obtained my PhD in November 2023 from the Faculty of Computer Science at the Free University of Bolzano. During my PhD, I was a Visitor Researcher at MI... Show more

Oliver Larsson

Oliver Larsson

My PhD journey in the cold of northern Sweden has led me down a path to much of the latest cloud-native tech. Between that and my somewhat alarmingly high interest in homelabbing, I really live in the cloud-native ecosystem. But those are just side-hustles, cat-dad is my main occupation.

My PhD journey in the cold of northern Sweden has led me down a path to much of the latest cloud-native tech. Between that and my somewhat alarmingly high interest in homelabbing, I really live in the cloud-native ecosystem. But those are just side-h... Show more

James Donahue

James Donahue

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

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

Andrea Civile

Andrea Civile

Andrea Civile is a Ph.D. candidate in Linguistics and Language Teaching at the University for Foreigners of Perugia. His research focuses on pragmatic competence and cultural shock in the teaching of Italian as a foreign language, with a cross-cultural approach involving data collection in Brazil and Japan. He is a member of the Grupo de Pesquisa "Pragmática (inter)linguística, cross-cultural e intercultural" at the University of São Paulo and participates in the Online Courses in Italian Language and Culture research group at the University for Foreigners of Perugia. Andrea has extensive experience in Italian language education, having taught at institutions such as the Italian Cultural Institute of Tokyo and the University of Tokyo. He currently serves as a Language Expert at the University for Foreigners of Perugia.

Andrea Civile is a Ph.D. candidate in Linguistics and Language Teaching at the University for Foreigners of Perugia. His research focuses on pragmatic competence and cultural shock in the teaching of Italian as a foreign language, with a cross-cultur... Show more

Alex Wolf

Alex Wolf

Alex is a Systemic Engineer from Cologne, Germany in their 30s.

They have extensive experience designing complex distributed systems, complex team topologies, and care deeply about the human component in tech. They are always looking for ways to create a more inclusive, psychological safe, and productive work environment, all to enable engineers to become the best versions of themselves. In the past decade they successfully worked as a colleague to, manager of, and mentor for many engineers and stakeholders.

Alex is a Systemic Engineer from Cologne, Germany in their 30s. They have extensive experience designing complex distributed systems, complex team topologies, and care deeply about the human component in tech. They are always looking for ways to c... Show more

Cyril Clergeau

Cyril Clergeau

Depuis plus de 15 ans, je valorise les forces humaines pour transformer les défis en leviers d’innovation. Expert certifié en coaching d’entreprise (ICP-ENT), facilitation (ICP-ATF) et Approche Appréciative (IFAI), j'accompagne les organisations vers des dynamiques agiles, collaboratives et résilientes.

Grâce à une approche centrée sur l’humain et l’intelligence collective, je conçois des solutions sur mesure qui libèrent le potentiel des organisations, des équipes et favorisent un impact durable. Visionnaire et inspirant, j'aide les entreprises à bâtir un avenir aligné sur leurs histoires, leurs valeurs et leurs ambitions.

Je suis certifié Facilitateur, Coach d'Organisation et d'Entreprise par ICAgile et Praticien en Appreciative Inquiry par l'IFAI, berceau de la démarche AI en France.

Depuis plus de 15 ans, je valorise les forces humaines pour transformer les défis en leviers d’innovation. Expert certifié en coaching d’entreprise (ICP-ENT), facilitation (ICP-ATF) et Approche Appréciative (IFAI), j'accompagne les organisations vers... Show more

Dr. Amanda Fernandez

Dr. Amanda Fernandez

Dr. Amanda Fernandez is a seasoned education leader with a dynamic career spanning traditional district and county office roles, charter schools, and higher education. She brings extensive experience in designing and leading programs that elevate student achievement, educator development, and organizational effectiveness.

Dr. Fernandez has successfully led cross-functional departments, developed teacher mentoring programs, and collaborated with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) as part of a multi-industry task force to design innovative credentialing pathways. Her work reflects a deep commitment to building sustainable systems that support both teaching and leadership pipelines.

Currently serving as Chief Fiscal Officer for a network of charter schools, Dr. Fernandez oversees financial operations, strategic budgeting, and alignment of fiscal resources with educational priorities. She also leads the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) process and facilitates the Parent Advisory Committee, ensuring inclusive engagement and data-driven decision-making.

A Board Certified Coach (BCC) and ACSA Leadership Coach, Dr. Fernandez is passionate about empowering education leaders to create cultures of trust, learning, and impact, where feedback is valued, teams are developed, and every dollar advances student success.

Dr. Amanda Fernandez is a seasoned education leader with a dynamic career spanning traditional district and county office roles, charter schools, and higher education. She brings extensive experience in designing and leading programs that elevate stu... Show more

Simon Juma

Simon Juma

I'm an renowned author in biology mainly specializing in botany. Additionally I'm also a cyber security authentic mainly specializing in penetration testing and nertwork security.

I'm an renowned author in biology mainly specializing in botany. Additionally I'm also a cyber security authentic mainly specializing in penetration testing and nertwork security. Show more

Matthew Oluwaniyi

Matthew Oluwaniyi

Matthew is passionate about helping individual and organizational talent unlock their full potential and embrace the transformative power of digital innovation. With over a decade of experience in cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, he specializes in the design and implementation of digital ecosystems driven by efficiency, security, and data-driven decision-making.
Matthew is an experienced consultant and trainer dedicated to capacity development, helping organizations and teams succeed in today's fast-changing digital environment with the necessary tools and strategies. With postgraduate degrees in Project Management and Manpower Training and Development, his holistic approach assures the achievement of sustainable progress and a competitive advantage, whether leading cloud migrations, improving cybersecurity frameworks, or driving the adoption of artificial intelligence. He is dedicated to transforming digital landscapes and helping organizations stay ahead of the curve.

Matthew is passionate about helping individual and organizational talent unlock their full potential and embrace the transformative power of digital innovation. With over a decade of experience in cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and artificial int... Show more

Brian Alementi

Brian Alementi

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

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

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

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

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

Oscar Cariceo

Oscar Cariceo

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

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

Gwénaëlle Hirrien

Gwénaëlle Hirrien

After an atypical career in law, the arts and video games, I chose to retrain in development. My desire to promote continuous improvement and communication led me to become a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Systemic Professional Coach and Responsible Digital Lead. As a professional facilitator for the Fresque du Climat et du Numérique, I am constantly learning about the ecological transition, responsible digital technologies and sociology. Involved in Time For The Planet and supporting women in the digital world. As a theater practitioner, I find it a way of creatively exploring and communicating. What drives me: helping companies and individuals to integrate climate and social issues into their practices.

After an atypical career in law, the arts and video games, I chose to retrain in development. My desire to promote continuous improvement and communication led me to become a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Systemic Professional Coach and Responsible Digi... Show more

Lazetta Braxton

Lazetta Braxton

Lazetta Rainey Braxton, MBA, CFP® is a high-impact, solution-oriented founder with a proven track record of building successful entrepreneurial ventures, driving innovation, and navigating the complexity of cultural competency in the financial services industry.

As Founder and Principal of The Real Wealth Coterie, a financial planning and wealth management firm, and Lazetta & Associates, a speaking and business consulting firm, Lazetta equips individuals and leaders to align their finances with their vision and values and achieve sustainable wealth. She is passionate about amplifying culture, talent, life, and money, and extends her expertise through public speaking, writing, consulting, and coaching.

Lazetta was named one of Crain's New York Business Notable Black Leaders and Executives and one of the top 10 of Investopedia’s 100 Top Financial Advisors for three consecutive years. Lazetta's national media presence includes TV appearances on NBC, CNBC, and CheddarNews and mentions in the WSJ, NY Times, LA Times, and Black Enterprise.

Lazetta Rainey Braxton, MBA, CFP® is a high-impact, solution-oriented founder with a proven track record of building successful entrepreneurial ventures, driving innovation, and navigating the complexity of cultural competency in the financial servic... Show more

Caleb Roose

Caleb Roose

Caleb Roose (MDiv) is the founder and coach of Good Enough Dads (goodenoughdads.com), where he provides holistic life, career, and parenting coaching for fathers. In addition to his coaching and speaking on fatherhood, he also manages research and training at the Fuller Youth Institute and coauthors resources. Caleb lives with his wife and three young children near Pasadena, CA.

Caleb Roose (MDiv) is the founder and coach of Good Enough Dads (goodenoughdads.com), where he provides holistic life, career, and parenting coaching for fathers. In addition to his coaching and speaking on fatherhood, he also manages research and tr... Show more

Andrea Portuese

Andrea Portuese

15 years working on several HR roles in both international enterprises and italian companies. 3 years of experience in Spain. In ConTe.it I felt i love for Agile and currently involved into agilization projects and DevOps transition in IT.
Release Train Leader/Field Manager since March 2021

15 years working on several HR roles in both international enterprises and italian companies. 3 years of experience in Spain. In ConTe.it I felt i love for Agile and currently involved into agilization projects and DevOps transition in IT. Release T... Show more

Ewa Antczak

Ewa Antczak

Dr. Ewa Antczak is an internationally recognized Behavioral Scientist, psychologist, and AI innovator dedicated to creating safer and more empathetic digital environments. With over two decades of professional experience, she has guided more than 15,000 individuals through her clinical and educational work, with expertise in emotional intelligence, gifted behavior, and youth mental health.
A published author of several books and peer-reviewed papers on behavior and attitude change, she completed her doctorate at the age of 24 while serving as a researcher and lecturer at the Polish Academy of Sciences and University of Social Sciences and Humanities, specializing in personality and the role of narrative mode in behavior change.
She is the founder of Felixa, a pioneering AI-powered platform that proactively detects and transforms harmful behavior in online communities, strengthening trust, collaboration, and inclusion. Her work uniquely bridges behavioral science with advanced technology, setting new standards for how societies can address digital safety and human well-being.
Dr. Antczak also created IdealMe, a personal development system that builds emotional intelligence and resilience in individuals and teams, and Talk2Alex, an app that has supported thousands of young people in regulating emotions and behaviors, particularly during the pandemic. She also serves on the Boards of Resilient Children Canada and the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO).
A frequent speaker at global conferences, Dr. Antczak continues to influence leaders, innovators, and policymakers at the intersection of psychology, technology, and human progress.

Dr. Ewa Antczak is an internationally recognized Behavioral Scientist, psychologist, and AI innovator dedicated to creating safer and more empathetic digital environments. With over two decades of professional experience, she has guided more than 15,... Show more

John Geraghty

John Geraghty

John Geraghty is an Optimal Performance Coach, Speaker, and the author of The Prism of Perspective as well as the host of its accompanying podcast.

But before becoming the leader people turn to for growth, he faced life-threatening challenges that forced him to rethink everything. His journey led him to rebuild his health, reshape his mindset, and redefine success—learning hard-won lessons in business, relationships, and personal mastery that aren’t typically discussed online.

Now, John helps seasoned business leaders align their decisions, relationships, and well-being with a long-term vision of fulfillment and impact. He challenges limiting beliefs about aging, proving that peak performance isn’t just for the young—it’s a lifelong pursuit. As the creator of Fitness Presence, he’s also redefining how we approach exercise, making it more effective, efficient, and injury-free.

Through his coaching, speaking, and The Prism of Perspective podcast, John inspires others to tap into their full potential, cultivate deeper connections, and step into a life of purpose, joy, and impact.

John Geraghty is an Optimal Performance Coach, Speaker, and the author of The Prism of Perspective as well as the host of its accompanying podcast. But before becoming the leader people turn to for growth, he faced life-threatening challenges that... Show more

Ayobami ⚡

Ayobami ⚡

Ayobami Atolagbe
Founder & Executive Director, BitKwa | Co-Founder & CEO, Demohub

Ayobami Atolagbe is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and growth marketing executive on a mission to empower 10 million Africans through Bitcoin, education, and technology. He is the Founder and Executive Director of BitKwa, a nonprofit organization driving Bitcoin education, adoption, and circular economy initiatives across Africa. Through BitKwa, Ayobami has educated over 10,000 individuals and empowered grassroots movements via merchant onboarding programs, community workshops, and strategic partnerships that advance financial inclusion.

He is also the Founder and CEO of Demohub, an AI-powered EdTech platform making globally relevant digital skills accessible to African youth. Ayobami’s leadership bridges education, innovation, and economic empowerment at the grassroots level.

Ayobami previously served as Head of Growth at Paycrest (San Francisco), helping build fintech products for the Global South, and held key roles at Paxful and NoOnes, where he expanded Bitcoin’s reach across Africa through ambassador programs, market expansion strategies, and community-driven campaigns. He also volunteered with Built With Bitcoin to support the construction of a school in Kaduna, Nigeria, demonstrating Bitcoin’s real-world impact on education and community development.

Personal Philosophy: Always Thrive Towards Greatness

Ayobami Atolagbe Founder & Executive Director, BitKwa | Co-Founder & CEO, Demohub Ayobami Atolagbe is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and growth marketing executive on a mission to empower 10 million Africans through Bitcoin, education, and t... Show more

Jihan Johnston-McGlotten

Jihan Johnston-McGlotten

Jihan Johnston-McGlotten is a visionary Cultural Technologist, Entrepreneur, and Senior Ph.D. Researcher specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). As the founder of BeatBotics, she leads research-driven, human-centered technology initiatives that integrate emerging tech, AI, and digital media to create experiences that are both innovative and empathetic. Passionate about making technology more humane, Jihan explores how culture, media, and research can inform design that truly serves people. A mother, mentor, and thought leader, she also lends her expertise to initiatives across the tech ecosystem, helping expand access, opportunity, and human-focused innovation.

Jihan Johnston-McGlotten is a visionary Cultural Technologist, Entrepreneur, and Senior Ph.D. Researcher specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). As the founder of BeatBotics, she leads research-driven, human-centered technology initiatives ... Show more

Laura Maguire

Laura Maguire

Dr. Laura Maguire is an expert on the cognitive work of software developers and work system design to handle the socio-technical complexity of large-scale distributed software systems.

As a Cognitive Systems Engineer & Researcher who studies complex, high-value work, she supports better human-machine teams by providing evidence-based designs for tooling, processes, and work systems. Her work is both theoretical and practical and offers insights into both individual strategies and organizational design that can optimize performance in software engineering.

She holds a Master's degree in Human Factors & Systems Safety from Lund University and a Ph.D. in Integrated Systems Engineering from Ohio State University.

Dr. Laura Maguire is an expert on the cognitive work of software developers and work system design to handle the socio-technical complexity of large-scale distributed software systems. As a Cognitive Systems Engineer & Researcher who studies comp... Show more

Imani Sankofa

Imani Sankofa

Imani Sankofa is a clarity coach, author, and creator of Spiritual Frequency Hopping™, a transformative method that helps women align their energy, elevate their vibration, and lead from inner sovereignty. Through her talks, Imani blends science, spirituality, and practical wisdom to guide audiences into conscious creation, emotional mastery, and authentic leadership. Her work inspires women to remember who they are and rise into the highest expression of their purpose and power.

Imani Sankofa is a clarity coach, author, and creator of Spiritual Frequency Hopping™, a transformative method that helps women align their energy, elevate their vibration, and lead from inner sovereignty. Through her talks, Imani blends science, spi... Show more

Nacera Tazi

Nacera Tazi

L'expertise de Nacera s'étend au-delà des aspects techniques et purement IT de la démarche DevSecOps. Elle prend en compte le facteur humain et la gouvernance comme élément essentiel de la réussite de tout projet de transformation.

L'expertise de Nacera s'étend au-delà des aspects techniques et purement IT de la démarche DevSecOps. Elle prend en compte le facteur humain et la gouvernance comme élément essentiel de la réussite de tout projet de transformation. Show more

Adeola Adesoba

Adeola Adesoba

Adeola is a Cyber AI Solutions Architect in a leading technology company. She has over 5years of experience across various domains having worked on social computation and Network Analysis, accelerated Data Science, Conversational AI, Speech to Text services and Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), she is now focused on developing and deploying Cybersecurity AI solutions at scale.

Adeola is a Cyber AI Solutions Architect in a leading technology company. She has over 5years of experience across various domains having worked on social computation and Network Analysis, accelerated Data Science, Conversational AI, Speech to Text s... Show more

Laurent Sarrazin

Laurent Sarrazin

100% agile DNA, boosted with Solution-Focus brief coaching, narrative practices, MGT3.0, Host-Leadership, Heart of Agile, I'm currently on the road to my new life, 100% focused on my NGO Agility With No Borders (www.awnb.org). Our mission is to help people achieve financial, social and professional autonomy, using the best practices of agile culture, enhanced by our dialogic signature. On our agenda: employability, social & eco-responsabile agile micro-entrepreneurship, development of essential 21st century skills (critical thinking, innovative problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, leadership, resilience... and AI). www.awnb.org.

100% agile DNA, boosted with Solution-Focus brief coaching, narrative practices, MGT3.0, Host-Leadership, Heart of Agile, I'm currently on the road to my new life, 100% focused on my NGO Agility With No Borders (www.awnb.org). Our mission is to help ... Show more

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