Michael W. Allison works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, education, and organizational performance. He is the Founder and CEO of the Adversity Leadership Institute, an AI product builder, leadership strategist, educator, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and U.S. Marine Corps Purple Heart recipient.

His technology work includes creating AI-enabled SaaS platforms, intelligent agents, and conversational bots, with a focus on how people actually use, trust, and make decisions with emerging technology. He helps leaders move beyond the excitement surrounding AI and confront the harder questions: What problem are we solving? Who owns the decision? Where must human judgment remain? How will people adopt the technology, and how will results be measured?

Michael brings more than two decades of experience across combat leadership, government, higher education, entrepreneurship, business, and organizational development. He has led Marines in Iraq, managed multimillion-dollar government initiatives, directed higher education programs, and scaled an INC 5000 franchise through a successful exit. He holds a BA and MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Through Adversity Leadership® and his Decision, Direction, and Destination framework, Michael brings technology strategy and human leadership together. His work helps organizations adopt innovation without losing clarity, accountability, sound judgment, or the people responsible for making it work.

Michael W. Allison works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, education, and organizational performance. He is the Founder and CEO of the Adversity Leadership Institute, an AI product builder, leadership strategist, educator, b... Show more

I'm a comic artist from Toronto who draws a lot of gay positive comics, and self publish my work! I'm also the suiter of MarshmallowMaw!

I'm a comic artist from Toronto who draws a lot of gay positive comics, and self publish my work! I'm also the suiter of MarshmallowMaw! Show more

Wiebke Apitzsch is a German expert in artificial intelligence (AI), data-driven transformation, and strategic change in business and industry. She has extensive experience in designing and implementing AI initiatives at the intersection of business, technology, and organizational development, with deep experience in AI Ethics. As co-founder and CTO of the consulting firm AI.IMPACT, she supports organizations across industries in strategically embedding AI solutions and making them operationally effective.

Previously, she held leadership roles at Boston Consulting Group, TTE Strategy, and StatSoft, with a focus on data-driven decision-making models, change management, and translating analytical potential into sustainable business value. Wiebke Apitzsch is a certified Executive Coach (INSEAD), an MBA student in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at LMU Munich, and a sought-after speaker at conferences and podcasts. She is also committed to promoting diversity in the tech sector and advocates for greater visibility of women in technology-driven industries.

Wiebke Apitzsch is a German expert in artificial intelligence (AI), data-driven transformation, and strategic change in business and industry. She has extensive experience in designing and implementing AI initiatives at the intersection of business, ... Show more

Heather McDaniel is a speaker, writer, and organizational consultant based in Spain. She writes and speaks about how people work, lead, decide, learn, and create together.

Her perspective draws on a 28-year career spanning communication, operations, consulting, learning, and facilitation, including work with international and distributed teams across Europe and North America.

She works with leadership teams on organizational readiness, leadership alignment, decision-making, and how people work together through change. Her current work also includes using training and communication expertise to improve AI models for a leading AI lab, and she is Microsoft Certified as an AI Transformation Leader.

Heather also works in adult learning and Erasmus+ partnerships across Europe, designing and facilitating learning experiences for international and cross-cultural groups.

She writes Letters From the Joyful Rebellion, a personal column about the things she notices, the questions she keeps coming back to, and what they show us about the way we live.

Her speaking brings together practical organizational experience, systems thinking, curiosity, and a longstanding interest in power, language, culture, technology, and how people make sense of change.

She is based in Cullera, Valencia, Spain, and is available for talks, workshops, panels, and facilitated learning across Europe and North America, in person or virtually.

Heather McDaniel is a speaker, writer, and organizational consultant based in Spain. She writes and speaks about how people work, lead, decide, learn, and create together. Her perspective draws on a 28-year career spanning communication, operation... Show more

Susan Payment is an adjunct faculty member in the Zucker Family School of Education at The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina. An honorary member of ACUI, she spent fourteen years in a number of roles within the division of Student Affairs at the University of San Diego and thirteen years at the College of Charleston, retiring as the Director of Student Life in April of 2017. Her volunteer involvement with ACUI has included serving as an at-large member of the Board of Trustees, conference program team chair for the 2017 annual conference and regional director for Region 15 (now Region I). Susan enjoys remaining engaged with the Association while exploring new ways to create community on our campuses and providing support to colleagues and emerging professionals.

Susan Payment is an adjunct faculty member in the Zucker Family School of Education at The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina. An honorary member of ACUI, she spent fourteen years in a number of roles within the division of Student Affairs at th... Show more

Alex is a VP Education and Community Manager for Engineering Practices, at JPMorganChase in Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the land of the unicorns 🦄. She is an international speaker, product community manager, former product and marketing manager for public cloud, software engineer and conversational developer, among other roles.

In her work as a creative technologist, she combines content, community and engineering, to help people and products grow. Her role acts as a navigator between product, design, engineering and customers, underpinned by data and feedback.

In her personal life, she loves languages, speaking 4, whilst learning her 5th, Korean, with a 1800+ day streak on Duolingo. Alex adores living in Scotland with her family, 6-year old husky, Kai, and 2-year old Maine Coon kitten, Marvin!

As a fervent advocate of diversity in tech, Alex supports various communities, such as codebar, AWS Community Builders, Aspiring Women Speakers, #IamRemarkable, GitHub Campus Experts, Women Techmakers and more!

Alex is a VP Education and Community Manager for Engineering Practices, at JPMorganChase in Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 the land of the unicorns 🦄. She is an international speaker, product community manager, former product and marketing manager for publi... Show more

Cade Bradford Knudson is a financial professional with tremendous experience managing multi-million dollar portfolios for various clients across the broader financial industry. While working for hedge funds, he has learned various skills, including quantitative analysis, relative valuations, and macroeconomic analysis. He spends a significant amount of time analyzing financial trends, valuing different companies, and looking for investment opportunities on behalf of his clients. He also keeps his eyes open, learning from some of the top professionals in the industry, and applying everything he knows to his own career. This steady approach helps him focus on process, risk control, and clear communication.

Cade Knudson of Denver set his sights on the business world early. He noticed how people around him made decisions and looked for small ways to practice those habits. He graduated toward the top of his class in high school and went on to one of the top colleges in the country. In college, he took numerous business courses, held part-time jobs that taught accountability, and followed through on internships he used to network. Because the business world is incredibly competitive, particularly for those who want to work in equities, he aimed to build simple routines he could repeat—read carefully, test assumptions, and explain conclusions plainly.

After he finished college, he spent several years working. He wanted to apply what he learned, refine judgment, and earn trust with results. The hours were long, but the lessons were practical. By learning how to take lessons from the school and apply them in real life, he built many essential skills that he continues to use. He also got to work with various business clients, continuously generating positive returns on their behalf. That record helped him gain admission to one of the top graduate programs in the country and confirmed the value of preparation and steady execution.

He decided to go back to graduate school and attend DU. There, he distinguished himself from a lot of his peers, graduating magna cum laude from the program. The recognition opened doors, but the habits behind it mattered more: careful research, clear writing, and attention to risk. He immediately garnered the attention of some of the top firms in the industry, which allowed him to land an exceptional job. In his current role, he moves projects from planning to delivery, aiming for straightforward memos and measured position sizing.

Working with different teams has been an essential part of his development. He has shown an ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, which helps him consistently meet deadlines and requirements for client deliverables. He tries to listen first, ask specific questions, and keep meetings centered on next steps. When results arrive, he reviews what worked, notes what did not, and adjusts his process.

Service is part of his week. Cade Knudson of Denver regularly donates to a safe house for domestic violence victims in Denver. He also supports a food bank in the Rocky Mountains. Many people in the area do not have access to a steady supply of fresh food, and he helps the organization maintain resources so neighbors can count on a nutritious meal. These efforts are practical and local, focused on steady help rather than headlines.

Outside of work, he spends time outdoors. Denver offers easy access to mountains, and he takes advantage of that. During the winter, he often skis at nearby resorts. As seasons change, he turns to fishing and fly fishing for quiet and patience. He also spends time with family and friends exploring some of the Rocky Mountains’ most beautiful hiking and biking trails.

Even though his job is demanding, he tries to gather with loved ones during the holidays and check in during the year. He enjoys mentoring people interested in finance, sharing simple practices that helped him start. The goal is consistent: do the work carefully, keep learning, and humbly serve clients and the community. This path continues to guide Cade Bradford Knudson in the financial sector.

Cade Bradford Knudson is a financial professional with tremendous experience managing multi-million dollar portfolios for various clients across the broader financial industry. While working for hedge funds, he has learned various skills, including q... Show more

Marina Sukhomlinova is the Founder & President of Womafreesm, a U.S. 501(c)(3) Public Charity and a global infrastructure for women’s influence. She designs systems that turn women’s lived experiences into data and evidence that can shape new rules, laws, standards, technologies and institutional decisions.

She leads the development of the Women’s Life-Cycle Economy Index, a global research programme examining where economies, healthcare, labour markets, law and AI rely on incomplete models of human life that overlook women’s real life cycles. This work provides the research foundation for the Equal Consideration Standard, a practical framework for assessing whether policies, technologies, medical protocols and workplace systems account for women’s lives.

Her current work also examines age and gender bias in AI, recruitment and marketing, with a focus on women aged 45-64. Marina speaks about women’s institutional influence, women’s life-cycle economics, AI bias, evidence-led policy and the design of systems that reflect women’s lived reality.

Marina Sukhomlinova is the Founder & President of Womafreesm, a U.S. 501(c)(3) Public Charity and a global infrastructure for women’s influence. She designs systems that turn women’s lived experiences into data and evidence that can shape new rules, ... 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

Jason has spent almost twenty years in the tech industry. In that time, they've been a teacher, a test engineer, a development manager, a software engineer, and performed one ill-advised attempt at program management. Today they're working in engineering advocacy, helping people find new ways to think about our industry. They live with their husband in the drizzly paradise of Seattle. Ask them about board games, community-building, puzzle design, queer theory, or anything you're deeply excited by.

Jason has spent almost twenty years in the tech industry. In that time, they've been a teacher, a test engineer, a development manager, a software engineer, and performed one ill-advised attempt at program management. Today they're working in enginee... Show more

AI PM na Amazon. PhD Candidate em IA na USP. Mestre em Engenharia e Gestão da Inovação pela UFABC. Formado pela PUC-SP em Comunicação em Multimeios, pós-graduado em Gestão Estratégica em TI, MBA em Gestão de Projetos e mestrando em Inovação na UFABC. Certificado PMP, Scrum, Green Belt Six Sigma, ITIL e Microsoft Project.

Especialista em gestão de projetos, escritório de projetos, metodologias ágeis nos segmentos de varejo, TI, e-commerce, indústria, bancos, startups, educação e terceiro setor.

AI PM na Amazon. PhD Candidate em IA na USP. Mestre em Engenharia e Gestão da Inovação pela UFABC. Formado pela PUC-SP em Comunicação em Multimeios, pós-graduado em Gestão Estratégica em TI, MBA em Gestão de Projetos e mestrando em Inovação na UFABC.... Show more

Simen Svenkerud is a Senior consultant at Webstep with extensive experience in data engineering , Data science and platform architecture. His career spans significant roles in major Nordic organizations, with particular expertise in regulated industries and complex data environments.
At Norwegian Air Shuttle, he is leading their data platform modernization initiative, implementing a group-wide data sharing solution and modernizing their data warehouse architecture.

Simen specializes in designing and implementing modern data platforms with a focus on security, scalability, and regulatory compliance.
His approach combines deep technical knowledge with practical business understanding, enabling him to deliver solutions that balance security requirements with operational efficiency. He works in transforming legacy systems and establishing robust data governance frameworks in enterprise environments. Simens started as Research methodologist and statistician. Moving though the roles working with data and moving down the stack. Having interacted with data and technology from multiple angles, provides him with several perspectives to draw upon in his talks.

Simen Svenkerud is a Senior consultant at Webstep with extensive experience in data engineering , Data science and platform architecture. His career spans significant roles in major Nordic organizations, with particular expertise in regulated industr... Show more

Lani Gonzales helps successful women and high achievers who look accomplished on the outside—but feel exhausted, disconnected, or unfulfilled on the inside—create success without burnout and power without losing their soul.

Many of the women Lani works with have done everything “right.” They’ve built impressive careers, achieved financial independence, and earned respect—yet inside, they feel stuck, overextended, or quietly empty. The constant pressure to perform, produce, and prove has pulled them further from their intuition, their body, and their deeper sense of purpose.

After becoming a law firm partner at 23, Lani lived that same story. From the outside, she had it all. On the inside, she was driven by subconscious survival patterns and a nervous system locked in overdrive. Her own awakening led her to leave the legal profession and devote her life to studying the subconscious mind, human behavior, and the wisdom traditions that have guided healing and leadership for thousands of years.

Today, Lani blends neuroscience-based hypnotherapy, performance psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions to help high-achieving women:
- Rewire burnout and overdrive at the root
- Break free from subconscious self-sabotage
- Reconnect to clarity, intuition, and inner authority
- Build success that feels aligned, sustainable, and alive

Her talks are known for being raw, strategic, and deeply activating—combining modern science with timeless wisdom to create real, lasting transformation. Audiences leave with tools they can use immediately to change how they lead, live, and work.

Lani Gonzales helps successful women and high achievers who look accomplished on the outside—but feel exhausted, disconnected, or unfulfilled on the inside—create success without burnout and power without losing their soul. Many of the women Lani ... Show more

As enthusiastic Agilist, I spent a long time in the world of Agility applied to large industries and I gradually understood why this model was withering away year after year without us accepting the real causes. First as a project player, then as a trainer and finally as a coach, I'm working to ensure that modern Agile models are used less strictly and more respectfully of people.

You can find my work in my book: https://tinyurl.com/darroux

As enthusiastic Agilist, I spent a long time in the world of Agility applied to large industries and I gradually understood why this model was withering away year after year without us accepting the real causes. First as a project player, then as a t... Show more

Akshat Sharma is a Open Source Advocate and Mentor and currently serves as Developer Advocate at Deskree, dedicated to building meaningful connections between technology and community.
In 2024, he was selected as one of 1,220 contributors from over thousands of applicants in Google Summer of Code. In 2025,2026 he returned as a mentor guiding contributors in Google Summer of Code 2025, Mifos Summer of Code, and Code for GovTech. His research journey has taken him to the University of California and IIT Indore, and he has authored ten research papers in recent advancements and technology. He has presented his work at prestigious conferences including ICACIS 2023, ICNSBT 2024, C3IT 2024, Interledger Summit 2024,Grpconf 2025, OpenSearchCon Japan 2025, Google Tokyo GSOC Meetup 2025, Fossasia 2026 and so on. Additionally, he regularly attended key industry-leading gatherings such as Open SSF, Open Source Summit India, and KubeCon + CloudNativeCon India, Pycon India.

Akshat Sharma is a Open Source Advocate and Mentor and currently serves as Developer Advocate at Deskree, dedicated to building meaningful connections between technology and community. In 2024, he was selected as one of 1,220 contributors from over... Show more

A cybersecurity expert, criminology researcher, and entrepreneur, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Nevis Infosystems and the Co-Founder & Director of NCORE Foundation. At Nevis, he drives product development, secure technology solutions, and innovative GenAI-based services, while at NCORE he empowers law enforcement agencies and professionals through advanced cyber investigation and security training.

He has solved 150+ real-world cybercrime cases and trained 10,000+ students, 200+ teachers, and 300+ law enforcement officers on digital safety, cybercrime investigation, and cloud security. As an entrepreneur, he is building products like Neviscater — bridging design, security, and usability — to create safer and smarter digital ecosystems.

With past experience at the Ministry of Defence (DRDO) and as a Graduate Project Manager at Kounsel, he has led security-focused software projects and helped startups build safe, user-friendly products.

Known for simplifying complex cybersecurity concepts, he regularly speaks at global and national conferences, mentors young professionals, and supports law enforcement with modern investigation techniques. His mission is clear — to make technology safer, accessible, and impactful for everyone.

A cybersecurity expert, criminology researcher, and entrepreneur, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Nevis Infosystems and the Co-Founder & Director of NCORE Foundation. At Nevis, he drives product development, secure technology solu... Show more

Alina Astapovich is a Platform Engineer at Storytel, where she works on building and running AI agentic systems. She has spent the past couple of years working with AI agents, and holds a master's degree in Neurotechnologies and Software Engineering along with a Solutions Architect certification. Alina has a natural fascination with the parallels between the human brain and the systems we build. She is also an active conference speaker, regularly sharing her work on AI agents and platform engineering with the wider tech community.

Alina Astapovich is a Platform Engineer at Storytel, where she works on building and running AI agentic systems. She has spent the past couple of years working with AI agents, and holds a master's degree in Neurotechnologies and Software Engineering ... Show more

Trabajo con líderes y organizaciones que transitan complejidades cuando lo que solía funcionar ya no sirve... y lo nuevo aún no ha emergido.

Como 𝘌𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳, cultivo condiciones para el cambio real desde dentro del sistema. No impongo soluciones ni métodos cerrados: acompaño a descubrir tensiones, patrones invisibles y posibilidades emergentes. Ayudo a crecer lo que ya está listo para evolucionar.

Mi enfoque integra conciencia profunda y sistemas reales, combinando pensamiento complejo, desarrollo adulto y cultura organizacional viva. Facilito procesos desde marcos como Immunity to Change, Human Systems Dynamics, ORSC y The Leadership Circle.

Estoy certificado como PCC (ICF), ICE-EC (ICAgile), KCP (Kanban University), SPC6 (SAFe), HSDP (HSD Institute), LCP/CLA (The Leadership Circle) y ORSC (CRR Global), además de contar con un Executive Certificate en Estrategia e Innovación del MIT. Estas credenciales no definen mi enfoque, pero lo respaldan con solidez cuando es necesario.

Acompaño procesos de transformación cultural, liderazgo consciente y cambio adaptativo en organizaciones complejas. Comparto aprendizajes y reflexiones en mi newsletter mensual 𝘌𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘮.

No lidero el cambio. Acompaño lo que está listo para emerger.

Trabajo con líderes y organizaciones que transitan complejidades cuando lo que solía funcionar ya no sirve... y lo nuevo aún no ha emergido. Como 𝘌𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳, cultivo condiciones para el cambio real desde dentro del sistema. ... Show more

Ashley René is the founder of Presence Over Pixels® and a keynote speaker who helps organizations solve their biggest workplace challenge: keeping humans engaged and productive in an AI-driven world. A former senior leader at Amazon and BNSF Railway, Ashley delivers actionable strategies for digital wellness, human-first leadership, and sustainable high performance.

With her signature "Future of Work Is Human" approach, Ashley transforms how teams think about technology, burnout, and authentic connection. Her talks blend corporate credibility with practical tools that audiences can implement immediately — from Fortune 500 executives to school administrators to conference attendees seeking work-life integration.

Ashley's presentations address today's most pressing workplace issues: Gen Z leadership dynamics, AI adoption without human displacement, cognitive overload management, and building resilient organizational cultures. Her engaging style combines business insights with neuroscience research, delivered without tech-shaming or unrealistic solutions.

Event planners consistently praise Ashley's ability to make complex topics accessible while driving real behavior change. Her content scales from intimate leadership retreats to 5,000-person conferences, always leaving audiences with concrete next steps rather than just inspiration.

When not on stage, Ashley performs as lead singer of rock band Bourbon Jury and champions St. Louis's vibrant arts community.

Ashley René is the founder of Presence Over Pixels® and a keynote speaker who helps organizations solve their biggest workplace challenge: keeping humans engaged and productive in an AI-driven world. A former senior leader at Amazon and BNSF Railway,... Show more

I am an expert in brand psychology and the founder of NOBUS - an exclusive agency specializing in brand psychology and perception.

I studied business psychology, with a focus on advertising psychology and market behavior.
Afterward, I spent ten years in international marketing - in Austria, the Netherlands, South Africa, and most recently in Boston, USA. I’ve led teams of over 25 people, managed annual advertising budgets exceeding $40 million, and worked with over 60 brands. Internal training sessions, client workshops, and presentations - sharing knowledge during that time wasn’t a byproduct, but an integral part of the job.

At some point, I became more interested in the level beneath the execution than in the execution itself: Why do people choose one company over another - usually before they even compare them? NOBUS was born out of this question.

Today, next to running my own business, I teach as a lecturer at the Digital World Academy in Vienna and give talks, workshops, and seminars.
My talks aren’t lectures: I start with a decision that the audience makes themselves - and let the room realize that the answer had nothing to do with personal preference.

When I’m not thinking about perception, I’m on a mountain (alpine climbing), underwater (scuba diving), or in free fall (skydiving).

I am an expert in brand psychology and the founder of NOBUS - an exclusive agency specializing in brand psychology and perception. I studied business psychology, with a focus on advertising psychology and market behavior. Afterward, I spent ten y... Show more

With over a decade of experience in product management and software engineering, I contribute to innovation in AI-powered advertising at Smartly. My role emphasizes programmatic solutions, DSP integrations, and creative strategies, enabling impactful ad campaigns across diverse platforms.

Previously, at Remerge, I collaborated on DSP advancements that optimized programmatic advertising. Known for my analytical approach and dedication, I am motivated to elevate the ad tech ecosystem through collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking strategies.

With over a decade of experience in product management and software engineering, I contribute to innovation in AI-powered advertising at Smartly. My role emphasizes programmatic solutions, DSP integrations, and creative strategies, enabling impactful... Show more

Husband, Father, Speaker, Coach, Co-author.
Luana's husband for 18 years, the most beautiful woman on earth.
Father of 6 (yes, I have a Squad indoors).
Corporate speaker on Productivity, Career, Agile Methods. (on Agile Trends since 2018)

I have already worked in an Agile Transformation directly developing 26 agilists + 14 leaders and indirectly 160 leaders.

There are more than 9,000 students on Udemy, and many more on Hotmart, Sympla.
Co-author in the Collaborative Journey of the books Product, Remote Work, Career Transition, Lean and others.
He is co-founder of Cocrie.org, agile courses for those who can't afford it.

Apply Scrum / Kanban / Values / Agile Principles since 2010 in all my circles: Shalom Catholic Community, Spread, CAIXA, Homeschooling, Claro, INCRA, Ministry of Education, UNESCO, etc.

ITIL certified in 2010, PSM I in 2014, PMP 2018, PSM II in 2019, PACC Expert, KMP (KSD and KSI), KCP (KMM), OKR (2023).

Husband, Father, Speaker, Coach, Co-author. Luana's husband for 18 years, the most beautiful woman on earth. Father of 6 (yes, I have a Squad indoors). Corporate speaker on Productivity, Career, Agile Methods. (on Agile Trends since 2018) I hav... Show more

I'm a UX researcher and designer specializing in e-commerce optimization and neuroscience-driven user experience. As the founder of Intuera, I combine UX, CRO, and behavioral science to uncover how people actually think, decide, and trust online.
My work explores how design decisions shape user behavior, influence purchase confidence, and reduce friction across the customer journey. By optimizing cognitive load, clarity, and interaction patterns, I help brands increase conversions while building long-term trust.

I'm a UX researcher and designer specializing in e-commerce optimization and neuroscience-driven user experience. As the founder of Intuera, I combine UX, CRO, and behavioral science to uncover how people actually think, decide, and trust online. M... Show more

Meet Adi! Adi is a multi-disciplinary master: She manages the App & AI and cloud services across Southeast Europe, holds a degree in software engineering, launched startups, managing startups competitions, won global competitions and is a passionate innovator. This diversity gives her the unique ability to communicate complex technologies in a compelling way to tech and non-tech audiences alike and makes her a sought-after public speaker.

Adi is also a global speaker on AI technologies, developers productivity and entrepreneurship. She empowers companies and startups to innovate with generative AI for building cutting-edge applications at scale.

Adi has a wealth of experience in the tech industry, from corporate to startups, having held various roles in product management, software engineer, CEO, innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI domain. She previously worked as an innovation manager at Microsoft R&D CTO office, where she led market research and developed business models for new tech ventures. She also worked at Over.ai, which was acquired by Vonage, and as a product manager for AI products.

Adi is startups founder. Growing two ventures in the brain computer interface for gaming and wellness domain, ignited her mission to encourage more women to start their own ventures. Adi launched and managed Ben-Gurion University innovation hub for entrepreneurs, and in the last 7 years, she manages Merage alumni network (an Israeli network of 1000 startup CEOs selected to the prestigious Merage program) and the Merage startup competition (Granting $100K to entrepreneurs above the age 45 or women at any age), and volunteer in various women empowerment initiatives.

Adi is a dynamic and engaging speaker who is always willing to share her experiences and insights with others.

Meet Adi! Adi is a multi-disciplinary master: She manages the App & AI and cloud services across Southeast Europe, holds a degree in software engineering, launched startups, managing startups competitions, won global competitions and is a passionate ... Show more

Abdifatah Hassan Roble is Somali technologist, writer, and advocate from the Bay region of Somalia. Abdifatah brings incredible experience, perseverance, and expertise as an online platform builder, writer, and activist for the education of Somali youth and greater Somali community through technological empowerment. Abdifatah was born in Sanca, Yemen while his family was internally displaced from the civil war in Somalia. He hails from Mogadishu. Abdifatah embodies Somali values and is committed to lifting the Somali community as a whole.

Abdifatah graduated from Salaam University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (2025), focusing on Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Artificial Intelligence. Abdifatah is the first university graduate in his family. He is studying for his Master’s and PhD in Cybersecurity and AI, with the intention of contributing to global research and policy making.

Abdifatah Hassan Roble founded Somali Tech Digest in 2025, aiming to educate Somali speaking populations and a global audience on technology policies, digital security, and the innovation shaping the region. Abdifatah critically examines laws and policies pertaining to cybersecurity in countries which matter most to Somali tech stakeholders, and writes original content in both English and Somali for his readers. By drawing parallels to similar trends in the West, Abdifatah consistently delivers smart, accessible coverage of rapid digital transformation for Somali Tech Digest readers.

Professionally, Abdifatah is a Sales Representative at Premier Bank as well as Shaakir Furniture where he gained key skills such as business communication and building customer trust while utilizing technology to effectively engage in promotional activities. Abdifatah combines expertise in this field while emphasizing the importance of effective communication that links to the technical knowledge that the customer is seeking.

Abdifatah is dedicated to serving the Somali population and the global community at large. He is deeply involved in the local community and is an avid promoter of youth empowerment and growth. Abdifatah is an avid reader and publisher of law review articles, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity law. In his free time, Abdifatah enjoys learning about cultural differences and exploring the lives of rural Europeans. Abdifatah is a persistent, motivated, and hopeful individual that thrives in the face of adversity. Most importantly, Abdifatah is driven by a desire to leave a lasting legacy. As such, he strives to achieve the maximum potential of every endeavor that he pursues.

Areas of Expertise

Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence

Digital Strategy & Business Agility

Editorial Leadership & Community Engagement

Stakeholder Analysis & Communication

Comparative Cybersecurity Law

Sessions

1. Database-Last Design in Somali Context
For decades, software started from the database out, with the database at the core and the rest of the application circling around it. In modern application design, we start from the user tasks and work our way out, trying to be as flexible as possible. In this talk, I will highlight to Somali developers and organizations how “database-last” design can be used to build sustainable, scalable, and user-centric software systems.
You’ll learn:
The transition from database-centric to user-centric design

Architecture of CQRS, microservices, NoSQL (practice)

How agile, cross-functional teams succeed with loosely coupled components

Life After Story Points: Somali Agile Planning

Story points are often the focus of much consternation during sprint planning. This talk presents alternative planning techniques that actually use real numbers and has been validated with Somali developers with strict, fixed capacity limits.
You’ll learn:
Put some real numbers behind your decision making

Ways to structure your time so that you get the most out of it

Agile Requirements: Building What Somalia Needs
Requirements gathering is a hard problem

too rigid in traditional approaches and too fuzzy in early agile adoption. In this talk, a balanced approach will be presented for capturing requirements to improve productivity in Somali organizations.
You’ll learn:

Writing clear, simple user stories

Using acceptance criteria to capture details

Balancing analysis with responsiveness

The value of documenting conversations and decisions

Great Retrospectives that Drive Change
This interactive session explores how to keep the ritual fresh and go home with real improvements!
You’ll learn:

Setting goals and benefits for retrospective session

Feedback Best Practices for Improved Outcomes

Formats that generate actionable outcomes

Methods to measure success beyond intuition

Scrum vs. Kanban: Lessons for Somali Teams
Scrum vs Kanban? Both methods have been used successfully in many environments and contexts. In this meeting we will go through the strengths and weaknesses of Scrum and Kanban so Somali teams can decide which method suits them better.
You’ll learn:

Misconceptions about both methodologies

Visibility of work and planning timelines

Handling work in progress and shifting priorities

Mixing and blending traditional and modern methods

Hunting Down the Elusive MVP
One of the biggest challenges when creating a new product or service is defining a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This interactive session gives Somali startups and innovators tools to identify and deliver a relevant MVP.
You’ll learn:

Visioning, personas, and user journeys

Story mapping and risk evaluation

Creating a realistic release plan

Building a canvas that ties everything together

When traditional sizing is not useless

Abdifatah Hassan Roble is Somali technologist, writer, and advocate from the Bay region of Somalia. Abdifatah brings incredible experience, perseverance, and expertise as an online platform builder, writer, and activist for the education of Somali yo... Show more

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

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

Her work introduces a different approach:

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

How high-performing leaders operate in misalignment without realizing it

What happens when teams confuse alignment with agreement

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

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

She is the creator of:

The Core Alignment Model (CAM)

The Clarity System (clarity → agency → results)

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

Her sessions are known for being:

Provocative without being performative

Intellectually rigorous, but accessible

Practical without relying on generic “best practices”

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

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

Ramsey Elkholy is a guitarist, producer, songwriter, and anthropologist who founded the indietronica collective Monotronic in 2016. He conceived the project as a communal platform where instruments interweave into a single expressive force. Rather than spotlighting individual virtuosity, he emphasizes shared intention and group chemistry, encouraging collaborators to shape each track with their own textures, instincts, and creative voice.

Elkholy’s parallel career in anthropology informs that philosophy. He earned a PhD and authored Being and Becoming: Embodiment and Experience Among the Orang Rimba of Sumatra, a study of rainforest foragers in Indonesia. His research explored how identity, environment, and daily practice intertwine. That perspective carries into his music, where rhythm and atmosphere reflect lived experience and collective awareness.

Travel has also played a defining role in his artistic development. After spending three years backpacking across Asia and beyond, studying Indian music in Calcutta, and completing two years of fieldwork in Sumatra, Ramsey Elkholy Monotronic developed a deep sensitivity to polyrhythm and texture. He has described the rainforest at night as a vast, layered symphony. Raised in New York and now based in Los Angeles, he works from a home garage studio.

Monotronic’s 2026 album Waiting for You represents a significant chapter in the collective’s growth. The record features acclaimed bassist Mohini Dey on Close Enough and legendary drummer Omar Hakim throughout the project. Several accompanying videos, including Looking Away and Everything Moves, premiered at number one on VEVO, expanding the band’s reach and visual identity.

The album blends indie rock, pop, and electronic elements into a cohesive, cinematic sound marked by reflective lyrics and polished production. Everything Moves unfolds in a high-energy escape room setting, while Kettle Song pairs dynamic choreography with striking imagery. Many of the songs were written during time spent in Tulum, where coastal landscapes shaped the album’s contemplative mood.

Since releasing their self-titled debut in 2019, Monotronic has earned praise from outlets such as Rolling Stone and Relix. A rotating roster of accomplished musicians has contributed to the project, many of whom have ties to major artists across genres. Singles including Kids of Summer and In Between have drawn a strong critical response, reinforcing Elkholy’s reputation for genre-fluid songwriting and immersive sound design.

Ramsey Elkholy is a guitarist, producer, songwriter, and anthropologist who founded the indietronica collective Monotronic in 2016. He conceived the project as a communal platform where instruments interweave into a single expressive force. Rather th... Show more

Israel Olatunji Tijani is a Data Scientist, ICT4D specialist, and Head of AI Policy and Research at ChatVE, a civic-technology think tank operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence, internet governance, emerging technologies, and climate change. As a data scientist and AI audit specialist with five years of experience building and deploying custom AI solutions, he works at the intersection of applied AI, public interest technology, research, and African socio-cultural contexts. Tijani bridges high-level ethical frameworks with practical, human-rights-centered technical infrastructure across the Global South. His contribution towards the advancement of transformational AI development in Africa earned him a nomination in the AI for Social Good category during the Ghana AI Summit and Awards in 2025

A 2022 fellow of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Tijani's scholarly contributions are internationally recognized. He presented his landmark research paper, "Who Governs Peace? The Algorithm that Feeds or the Hand that Scrolls," at the Silicon Valley Peace Conference 2026 in California, examining AI’s role in peace tech through proactive conflict de-escalation and social listening. He has also authored IEEE-published work, “Ethics-by-Design for AI: Navigating the Double-Edged Scalpel”, a paper from the International Conference on Data Mining in Washington, D.C., in 2025. Furthermore, his commitment to advancing global information integrity earned him official recognition from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs in January 2025 for co-creating transparent, responsible research tools.

Tijani holds professional credentials spanning Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and EC-Council. He further expanded his command over frontier technologies by earning the BlueDot Impact Future of AI Professional Certification in October 2026, which examines paths toward AGI and their societal implications. Through technical execution, empirical research, and multi-stakeholder policy advocacy, Tijani continues to shape global dialogues on responsible AI deployment, digital sovereignty, climate action, and peacebuilding.

Tijani is an alumnus of Lagos Business School, EDC, Pan-Atlantic University, and the West Africa School on Internet Governance (WASIG).

Israel Olatunji Tijani is a Data Scientist, ICT4D specialist, and Head of AI Policy and Research at ChatVE, a civic-technology think tank operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence, internet governance, emerging technologies, and climat... Show more

Njord is a developer who loves software design, test-driven design (TDD) and continuous integration and development (CI/CD). He is also a bit of a language nerd and regularly shares his thoughts on language, programming and everything in between these two subjects at kodespraket.no. Before Njord started working as a developer he worked on digitization in the educational sector and he has held more than a hundred presentations and workshops on the subjects of digitalization, prototyping and programming. He has a master's degree in Cognitive Semiotics and two bachelor's degrees, one in Computer Engineering and one in Arts and Culture Studies.

Njord is a developer who loves software design, test-driven design (TDD) and continuous integration and development (CI/CD). He is also a bit of a language nerd and regularly shares his thoughts on language, programming and everything in between thes... Show more

Dr. Todd Walls, DM, MBA (Human Resource Management & Healthcare Management), MSW, is a Human Resource (HR), learning and development (L&D), privacy, governance, and workforce systems consultant. A former federal Privacy Officer, he holds the Certified Information Privacy Professional - U.S. Government (CIPP/G) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) and brings cross-functional experience spanning HR, L&D, organizational development, privacy, compliance training, employee engagement, accessibility, disability inclusion, workforce data, regulated environments, and prior Air Force information systems/security duties, including service as a Terminal Area Security Officer, Computer Workgroup Manager, and Client Server Administrator.

Todd is a frequent conference and workshop speaker whose experience includes regional HR conferences, national and regional disability inclusion programs, national privacy law compliance training, and invitations to speak internationally on privacy law compliance and information security. He has developed and delivered privacy, compliance, accessibility, reasonable accommodation, and organizational learning content for diverse adult audiences, including large federal training audiences.

He is the President-Elect of the National Rehabilitation Association and a former SHRM chapter leader, national keynote presenter, former IAPP CIPP/G Certification Advisory Board member, and published thought leader in HR Executive, HR.com, Training Industry, and International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), including articles on employee data trust, employee voice, workforce systems, privacy law compliance, incident response, and NoSQL database vulnerabilities.

Dr. Todd Walls, DM, MBA (Human Resource Management & Healthcare Management), MSW, is a Human Resource (HR), learning and development (L&D), privacy, governance, and workforce systems consultant. A former federal Privacy Officer, he holds the Certifie... Show more