Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Jasmine Bibb

Jasmine Bibb

Jasmine Bibb is a customer experience executive, workplace advisor, writer, and Motherhood Studies Practitioner with more than 15 years of experience across customer success, service operations, client experience, and leadership.

Throughout her career, Jasmine has built and led national customer-facing functions, developed teams, and supported enterprise relationships with organizations including Abercrombie & Fitch, State Farm, and Scripps Networks. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Customer Success.

At the center of Jasmine’s work is a simple question: What happens when a person changes, but everything around them keeps expecting them to remain the same? Her work focuses on the friction created when people evolve faster than the systems, workplaces, structures, and expectations around them and on helping individuals and organizations recognize those transitions so they can respond more intentionally.

Through The OAM Collective, Jasmine explores that idea across work, motherhood, identity, leadership, and transition. Her organizational work, The Overlooked Retention Risk: Motherhood, Management and the Cost of Workplace Friction (Spring 2027), examines what happens when women change through motherhood but workplaces continue responding to the employee who existed before that transition. She is also the creator of Room for What’s Next, which helps accomplished professionals navigate moments when the life or career that still works on paper no longer quite fits the person they have become.

Across her writing, speaking, research, and advisory work, Jasmine helps make transitions visible, understandable, and actionable, so people and organizations can respond differently rather than simply expecting the previous version of an individual to return.

Jasmine Bibb is a customer experience executive, workplace advisor, writer, and Motherhood Studies Practitioner with more than 15 years of experience across customer success, service operations, client experience, and leadership. Throughout her ca... Show more

Stefan Böhringer

Stefan Böhringer

Having worked in web development, automotive and the energy sector for many years, Stefan moved to the Chair of Educational Data Science at the University of Regensburg a few years ago. He works as a software architect, backend developer, ai engineer and data analyst, building large scale systems for the German/Bavarian state ministry of education

Having worked in web development, automotive and the energy sector for many years, Stefan moved to the Chair of Educational Data Science at the University of Regensburg a few years ago. He works as a software architect, backend developer, ai engineer... Show more

LaShawnda Rodgers

LaShawnda Rodgers

LaShawnda Rodgers, MBA, PMP, CSM, is a global speaker, workplace transformation strategist, technology leader, entrepreneur mentor, and founder of Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium. With over 20 years of experience across technology, project management, operations, leadership development, organizational strategy, workforce development, and innovation, she helps organizations and professionals prepare for the future of work with clarity, confidence, and practical execution.

LaShawnda’s work sits at the intersection of technology, people, leadership, operations, and transformation. She equips organizations to navigate AI adoption, cybersecurity awareness, digital skills development, workplace culture, leadership effectiveness, and business growth. Her approach bridges the technical and human sides of change, helping leaders understand not only what technology can do, but how people, processes, and culture must evolve to use it responsibly and effectively. She is passionate about helping businesses understand the human side of technology including how AI, automation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation impact employees, leaders, customers, and long-term business success.

As the founder of Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium, LaShawnda provides consulting, workshops, leadership programs, technical training, and strategic advisory services that support organizational growth, employee development, customer experience, and workforce readiness. Her experience includes leading global initiatives, supporting technical teams, managing complex projects, improving business processes, and helping organizations align strategy with execution.

LaShawnda is also deeply committed to expanding access and opportunity in technology and entrepreneurship. She mentors women pursuing careers in tech, serves on IT and technology advisory boards for institutions such as Wake Tech Community College and Durham Tech Community College, and advises entrepreneurs and small business owners through platforms and ecosystems including Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. Her work helps professionals identify their value, build confidence, strengthen their career strategy, and position themselves for success in emerging industries.

A recognized speaker and thought leader, LaShawnda brings a unique blend of technical insight, leadership wisdom, operational strategy, creativity, and people-centered transformation. Whether speaking to executives, entrepreneurs, students, cyber professionals, workforce leaders, or emerging tech talent, she delivers practical, engaging, and empowering sessions that help audiences take action.

Her speaking topics include AI transformation, cybersecurity awareness, leadership in the digital age, workforce readiness, organizational growth, entrepreneurship, personal branding, career advancement, emotional intelligence, innovation, and future-ready workplace strategy.

LaShawnda Rodgers, MBA, PMP, CSM, is a global speaker, workplace transformation strategist, technology leader, entrepreneur mentor, and founder of Rodgers Global Leadership Consortium. With over 20 years of experience across technology, project manag... Show more

Cecilia Geraldo

Cecilia Geraldo

Mobile Engineering Manager focused on building scalable platforms and AI-enabled engineering systems.
At Thoughtworks, she leads mobile teams operating across 15+ engineering teams in high-scale environments, applying modular architecture, server-driven UI, and platform-as-product thinking to enable sustainable growth and team autonomy.
Her work integrates AI agents and Model Context Protocol (MCP) into developer workflows, documentation systems, and internal tooling, bridging mobile engineering with next-generation engineering practices.
As a Latina engineering leader working in global tech ecosystems, she champions technical excellence, inclusive leadership, and knowledge-sharing as pillars for long-term impact.

Mobile Engineering Manager focused on building scalable platforms and AI-enabled engineering systems. At Thoughtworks, she leads mobile teams operating across 15+ engineering teams in high-scale environments, applying modular architecture, server-dr... Show more

Anam Tareen

Anam Tareen

Anam Tareen is an executive and leadership coach at AdwiseHer who helps ambitious women lead with confidence, communicate their value, and grow on their own terms.

Her speaking topics include executive presence, authentic leadership, negotiation, personal branding, and navigating career transitions. Anam encourages women to recognize their strengths, speak up in important conversations, and take practical steps toward the opportunities they want.

She holds Certified Professional Life Coach and Master Certified Life Coach certifications from the Certified Life Coach Institute and has been speaking since 2024. Her work is especially relevant to women’s professional networks, emerging leaders, and organizations supporting women’s career development.

Her guiding belief is simple: Become who you want to be without compromising who you are.

Anam Tareen is an executive and leadership coach at AdwiseHer who helps ambitious women lead with confidence, communicate their value, and grow on their own terms. Her speaking topics include executive presence, authentic leadership, negotiation, ... Show more

Marian Villa

Marian Villa

Partnership Lead LATAM at Interledger Foundation. Google Developer Expert in Web Technologies, speaker & community builder. I build bridges between engineering, product, DX, community & go-to-market, driving open technologies and connecting people across LATAM.

Partnership Lead LATAM at Interledger Foundation. Google Developer Expert in Web Technologies, speaker & community builder. I build bridges between engineering, product, DX, community & go-to-market, driving open technologies and connecting people ac... Show more

Susan Payment

Susan Payment

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 Radu

Alex Radu

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

Jason Wodicka

Jason Wodicka

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

Alberto Daniel Hill 🇺🇾🏴‍🏴‍☠️

Alberto Daniel Hill 🇺🇾🏴‍🏴‍☠️

Cybersecurity researcher, digital dissident, and founder of Cybermidnight Club. First person wrongfully imprisoned in Uruguay for a computer crime (2017). His case was documented in episode 25 of Darknet Diaries. Specialist in forensic analysis, quantification of investigative failures, and defense of radical transparency against narratives fabricated by state and corporate actors. Creator of the Forensic Risk Indicator (FRI).

Cybersecurity researcher, digital dissident, and founder of Cybermidnight Club. First person wrongfully imprisoned in Uruguay for a computer crime (2017). His case was documented in episode 25 of Darknet Diaries. Specialist in forensic analysis, quan... Show more

Lani Gonzales

Lani Gonzales

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

Atharv Tiwari

Atharv Tiwari

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

Alina Astapovich

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

William Guevara

William Guevara

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 Casey

Ashley René Casey

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

Chris Lindenthaler

Chris Lindenthaler

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

Seun Faluyi

Seun Faluyi

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

Gabriel Vaz

Gabriel Vaz

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

Barbara Slopko Bekavac

Barbara Slopko Bekavac

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

Adi Stein

Adi Stein

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

Enid-Mai Jones

Enid-Mai Jones

Enid-Mai Jones does not talk about transformation in the abstract. She has lived it — in boardrooms, budget cycles, and staff meetings where real organizational change happens.
As the founder and CEO of EMJ Consulting LLC and its AI consulting division, InsightfulAI Strategies, Enid-Mai equips association and nonprofit leaders to build learning portfolios that drive revenue, adopt artificial intelligence with intention and ethics, and lead with the kind of clarity that moves organizations forward when the stakes are high.

Her proof is specific. At LifeSpan Network, Maryland's premier senior care association, she scaled educational programming from 35 to more than 100 annual events, grew conference attendance by 106 percent, and increased non-dues revenue by 160 percent — from $350,000 to $1.5 million. She has managed budgets up to $3 million, led teams across 17 state chapters, and built certification programs with a 90 percent first-year pass rate.

Enid-Mai holds dual master's degrees from the University of Kansas and credentials including the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Certified Association AI Professional (AAiP), and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE). She is an ASAE DELP alumna and has spoken at United Way Worldwide, the National Leadership Alliance, and the American Society of Association Executives.

Her sessions are built to move people — not just inform them. Attendees leave with a framework they can use the next morning.

Enid-Mai Jones does not talk about transformation in the abstract. She has lived it — in boardrooms, budget cycles, and staff meetings where real organizational change happens. As the founder and CEO of EMJ Consulting LLC and its AI consulting divis... Show more

Amanda Hoffmann

Amanda Hoffmann

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

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

Her work introduces a different approach:

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

How high-performing leaders operate in misalignment without realizing it

What happens when teams confuse alignment with agreement

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

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

She is the creator of:

The Core Alignment Model (CAM)

The Clarity System (clarity → agency → results)

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

Her sessions are known for being:

Provocative without being performative

Intellectually rigorous, but accessible

Practical without relying on generic “best practices”

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

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

Jodie Burchell

Jodie Burchell

Dr. Jodie Burchell is the Developer Advocate in Data Science at JetBrains, and was previously a Lead Data Scientist at Verve Group Europe. She completed a PhD in clinical psychology and a postdoc in biostatistics, before leaving academia for a data science career. She has worked for 9 years as a data scientist in both Australia and Germany, developing a range of products including recommendation systems, analysis platforms, search engine improvements and audience profiling. She has held a broad range of responsibilities in her career, doing everything from data analytics to maintaining machine learning solutions in production. She is a long time content creator in data science, across conference and user group presentations, books, webinars, and posts on both her own and JetBrain's blogs.

Dr. Jodie Burchell is the Developer Advocate in Data Science at JetBrains, and was previously a Lead Data Scientist at Verve Group Europe. She completed a PhD in clinical psychology and a postdoc in biostatistics, before leaving academia for a data s... Show more

Pav Lertjitbanjong

Pav Lertjitbanjong

Pav Lertjitbanjong is a decision scientist, TEDx speaker, and founder of PAVNESS, a decision science company. Her work is about human judgment in the age of AI: when a machine can generate the answer, who makes the decision, and who answers for what happens next? Her thesis: AI can make the call. It can’t take the fall.

She spent more than 20 years inside Fortune 500 and global organizations, most recently as Head of Strategic Analytics for Adobe’s Corporate segment, advising senior leaders on the data and go-to-market strategy behind high-stakes decisions. She is the creator of the PAVNESS THINK Protocol, a method for using AI without outsourcing the reasoning you have to defend.

Pav holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a BBA in Decision Science from the University of Kentucky. In 2026 she spoke at TEDxKhonKaenU in Thailand, “AI Didn’t Make You a Bad Decision Maker. (you already were),” led a two-hour workshop for corporate professionals at AI Rising Conference in Columbus, among others.

She is based in Minnesota and regularly travels to Bangkok, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Pav Lertjitbanjong is a decision scientist, TEDx speaker, and founder of PAVNESS, a decision science company. Her work is about human judgment in the age of AI: when a machine can generate the answer, who makes the decision, and who answers for what ... Show more

Osama Okunbo

Osama Okunbo

Osama Okunbo is a Security and Software Engineer who consults with startups and scaleups on cloud-native security, Kubernetes, and compliance. Before working in tech he competed as a professional Judoka and studied Sports Science, eventually transitioning into software engineering through game development before finding his way into cloud security and DevSecOps. He leads security engineering at Immibuddy, a Canadian immigration SaaS platform, and holds consulting clients in fintech and retail. He is the author of Hello Fraud: Why You Feel Like an Impostor in Tech and How to Fix It and holds an MSc in Cybersecurity from the University of Suffolk. He spoke at Manchester Tech Festival 2025 on agentic AI in cybersecurity.

Osama Okunbo is a Security and Software Engineer who consults with startups and scaleups on cloud-native security, Kubernetes, and compliance. Before working in tech he competed as a professional Judoka and studied Sports Science, eventually transit... Show more

Win McCormack

Win McCormack

Win McCormack is an American editor, publisher, author, and political activist who has spent more than forty years contributing to literature, journalism, and public affairs. As the founder and editor-in-chief of Tin House and the owner of The New Republic, he has played an important role in supporting long-form journalism, literary publishing, and political commentary. His career reflects a continuing commitment to editorial independence and the preservation of influential media institutions.

Born as Winthrop Laflin McCormack, he grew up in a family associated with public service, law, and finance. His father served in military intelligence during World War II and later held a senior position at the State Department. His mother's family was connected to the founding of a major financial institution in Chicago. He attended Phillips Academy before studying government at Harvard College. During his educational years, he participated in an American Field Service exchange program in Indonesia, an experience that broadened his perspective. After graduation, he worked in teaching and social services before earning an MFA in creative writing at the University of Oregon.

McCormack's path into publishing began during graduate school. After taking part in a congressional campaign, he invested in Oregon Times magazine and later transformed it into Oregon Magazine. From 1976 to 1988, he served as editor, helping the publication gain recognition for investigative reporting and detailed feature journalism. He also became co-owner and treasurer of MediAmerica, Inc., which published several regional magazines. His early publishing activities included helping launch Mother Jones magazine and contributing to several specialized publications.

In the late 1990s, Win established Tin House, a literary magazine that became known for publishing both emerging and established writers. The creation of Tin House Books in 2005 expanded its presence in the publishing industry. The Tin House Summer Workshop, launched in 2003, offered writers a place to study and collaborate. Although the magazine ceased its quarterly print edition in 2019, the broader organization remains active through books, workshops, and related programs.

In 2016, McCormack acquired The New Republic and became its editor-in-chief. He worked to reinforce the publication's focus on political and cultural analysis while guiding it through a period of transition. He also directed an extensive investigation into the Rajneesh movement in Oregon, which later became the basis for The Rajneesh Chronicles. His published works also include You Don't Know Me: A Citizen's Guide to Republican Family Values.

Beyond publishing, he has remained involved in philanthropy and progressive political causes, including co-founding the Liberty Hill Foundation and serving on the boards of organizations focused on education, public policy, and the humanities. Today, Win McCormack continues to influence publishing and public life through the institutions, projects, and initiatives he has helped shape.

Win McCormack is an American editor, publisher, author, and political activist who has spent more than forty years contributing to literature, journalism, and public affairs. As the founder and editor-in-chief of Tin House and the owner of The New Re... Show more

Festus Cobena Ainoo

Festus Cobena Ainoo

Festus Cobena Ainoo is a Ph.D. student and Instructor at the University of Maryland whose work centers on high-impact practices (HIPs), religion and spirituality in higher education, student success and retention, international education, leadership development, and educational access.

Festus Cobena Ainoo is a Ph.D. student and Instructor at the University of Maryland whose work centers on high-impact practices (HIPs), religion and spirituality in higher education, student success and retention, international education, leadership ... Show more

Ingo Kleiber

Ingo Kleiber

Ingo Kleiber studied English, political science, and economics at Heidelberg University, pursuing a teaching degree. After working at the Heidelberg School of Education, he is now a Senior Expert for Digital Education and Educational Technology at the Vice-Rectorate for Teaching and Studies of the University of Cologne.

Ingo Kleiber studied English, political science, and economics at Heidelberg University, pursuing a teaching degree. After working at the Heidelberg School of Education, he is now a Senior Expert for Digital Education and Educational Technology at th... Show more

Stefano Maranzana

Stefano Maranzana

Stefano Maranzana is an Associate Teaching Professor of Italian at Emory since 2023, teaching Italian language courses and a course on the Italian American experience. His research focuses on technology for Italian and French language pedagogy and Italian immigration in the USA. More recently, his work has expanded to include the application of Artificial Intelligence in language teaching, particularly on listening comprehension.

Stefano Maranzana is an Associate Teaching Professor of Italian at Emory since 2023, teaching Italian language courses and a course on the Italian American experience. His research focuses on technology for Italian and French language pedagogy and It... Show more

Chaim Apsan

Chaim Apsan

Chaim Apsan is an executive adviser and the creator of SEAM (Strategic Executive Alignment & Mastery), a private engagement for founders, business owners and senior executives. It brings together One Brain, traditional Chinese medicine and Kabbalistic thought to explore the patterns shaping how leaders work and live.

Chaim Apsan is an executive adviser and the creator of SEAM (Strategic Executive Alignment & Mastery), a private engagement for founders, business owners and senior executives. It brings together One Brain, traditional Chinese medicine and Kabbalisti... Show more

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