Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Yousif Abdelrahim

Yousif Abdelrahim

Dr Yousif Abdelrahim is an Assistant Professor at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University and a researcher specialising in culture, social values, organisational behaviour, and management in emerging economies. His work examines how informal institutions, social norms, trust, and cultural values influence individual and organisational outcomes. He has published research on education, management, workplace behaviour, and socio-cultural dynamics, with a particular interest in the Middle East and developing countries. Dr Abdelrahim's research seeks to bridge local insights and global theory while providing practical implications for educators, leaders, and policymakers. He regularly presents research at international conferences and is committed to advancing culturally informed approaches to education and organisational development.

Dr Yousif Abdelrahim is an Assistant Professor at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University and a researcher specialising in culture, social values, organisational behaviour, and management in emerging economies. His work examines how informal institutions... Show more

Caro Sabatini

Caro Sabatini

Hi! I'm Caro 🧠✨
I've spent the las 10 years in HR & Leadership, with a background in communications & design and a loud curiosity abput how the uniiverse works. So, for the past two years I have been researching the brain, decision-making, and our connections in remote environments from a DEIB and neuroaffirmative standpoint. I have led tech teams, where I discovered that each brain processes and collaborates from different parameters. My passion lies in designing inclusive environments—not by correcting people, but by configuring teams to learn better together

As a gifted AuDHD girly 💅🏼 I bring a unique perspective that bridges neuroscience, communication, and technology. My talks inspire audiences to rethink collaboration, embrace neurodiversity, and foster truly inclusive cultures in both remote and in-person settings. I am committed to sharing actionable insights that help organizations unlock the full potential of their teams by understanding how our brains work and how we can design environments where everyone thrives. And have fun. Fun is key, neuroscience says.

Hi! I'm Caro 🧠✨ I've spent the las 10 years in HR & Leadership, with a background in communications & design and a loud curiosity abput how the uniiverse works. So, for the past two years I have been researching the brain, decision-making, and our... Show more

Svetlana Malkarova

Svetlana Malkarova

Dr.Svetlana Malkarova, PH.D ( Sociology), Fulbright Program Alumna
Director for the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Dubai.
Dr.Svetlana's professional interests include research in the field of comparative analysis of students' value orientations "Comparative Analysis of Value Orientations of Students in the Northeast of Russia and the North of the USA" and in the field of developing a knowledge society as the head of the UNESCO Chair "Societal, Legal, and Ethical Frameworking of a Knowledge Society".

Dr.Svetlana Malkarova, PH.D ( Sociology), Fulbright Program Alumna Director for the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Dubai. Dr.Svetlana's professional interests include research in the field of comparative analysis of students' valu... Show more

Kashif Khan

Kashif Khan

Kashif Khan is a co-chair of CNCF TAG Infrastructure and maintainer of the CNCF project Metal3.io for 6 years. He works as an open source Architect for Ericsson Software Technology, Finland. He holds a PhD in Computer Science. Kashif is a research and open source enthusiast and his current area of interest is kubernetes deployments on baremetal systems in distributed cloud scenarios.

Kashif Khan is a co-chair of CNCF TAG Infrastructure and maintainer of the CNCF project Metal3.io for 6 years. He works as an open source Architect for Ericsson Software Technology, Finland. He holds a PhD in Computer Science. Kashif is a research an... Show more

Paulina Kowalke

Paulina Kowalke

I am a programme leader, coach, and community builder with 10+ years of experience across talent, leadership development, social innovation, and organisational transformation. Throughout my career, I've supported founders, professionals, and leaders to navigate career transitions, make values-aligned decisions, and build meaningful careers. My expertise is grounded in the On Purpose Leadership Programme, IDEO.org human-centred design certification, Equality Impact Investing practitioner training, and ongoing work in systems change.

I am a programme leader, coach, and community builder with 10+ years of experience across talent, leadership development, social innovation, and organisational transformation. Throughout my career, I've supported founders, professionals, and leaders ... Show more

Nalin Theodore

Nalin Theodore

Nalin Theodore is a recent graduate of Christopher Newport University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in Leadership Studies. During his time at CNU, Nalin was actively involved in the Presidential Leadership Program, Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society, Residence Life, and the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team. Nalin’s interest in sustainability grew through his involvement in student-led environmental initiatives and his work as a Reuzzi Student Ambassador. In this role, he used his strengths in communication, storytelling, and video production to create engaging promotional content that raised awareness of Reuzzi’s sustainable solutions and encouraged more environmentally conscious choices among college students. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management at George Mason University while working as a Sales Consultant at Safford Subaru Manassas. Nalin is passionate about using communication, leadership, and creative media to strengthen communities and make sustainability more accessible and engaging. Outside of his professional and academic work, he enjoys volunteering in his community, creating videos, staying active, exploring the outdoors, and playing ultimate frisbee.

Nalin Theodore is a recent graduate of Christopher Newport University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in Leadership Studies. During his time at CNU, Nalin was actively involved in the Presidential Leadership ... Show more

Andrei Nutas

Andrei Nutas

Dr. Andrei Nutas is a seasoned Test Architect and QA Team Lead with over 12 years of professional experience in which he designed, implemented, and supervised the development of automation solutions and transformed the quality process of various clients. In addition, he is an experienced speaker for both academic and business conferences.

He holds a PhD in AI Ethics and is currently completing an Executive Master in Digital Transformation at ESSEC Business School.

Dr. Andrei Nutas is a seasoned Test Architect and QA Team Lead with over 12 years of professional experience in which he designed, implemented, and supervised the development of automation solutions and transformed the quality process of various clie... Show more

Antonio Bugni

Antonio Bugni

Sono un papà bis, da decenni nel mondo del software con una passione per la mente e per questo mi sono laureato in Psicologia. Negli ultimi anni, parallelamente al mio lavoro tra architetture software e engineering management in scaleup e realtà internazionali, mi sono dedicato alla ricerca e alla divulgazione all'intersezione tra scienze cognitive e ingegneria del software, con The Mental Stack su Medium. Sono convinto che le persone restino il motore reale di qualsiasi organizzazione che voglia costruire prodotti che durano e che capire come funziona la mente sia oggi più urgente che mai, in un settore che sta cambiando più velocemente della nostra capacità di adattarci.

Sono un papà bis, da decenni nel mondo del software con una passione per la mente e per questo mi sono laureato in Psicologia. Negli ultimi anni, parallelamente al mio lavoro tra architetture software e engineering management in scaleup e realtà inte... Show more

Mariana Sathya Llull

Mariana Sathya Llull

I fell in love with tech trying to understand the minds working behind the code. I studied a master's in cognitive sciences applied to computational thinking, I also hold a master's in HR and currently, I am studying behavioral sciences through primatology (yes! monkeys).
The scientific approach has greatly benefited my partnering with tech leads, allowing me to collaborate with them in understanding their team's behavior from the roots of our humanity, avoiding clichés and abstract theories.

I fell in love with tech trying to understand the minds working behind the code. I studied a master's in cognitive sciences applied to computational thinking, I also hold a master's in HR and currently, I am studying behavioral sciences through prima... Show more

Rob Jackson

Rob Jackson

I'm Robert Azeem Jackson III, an Afrofuturist cultural strategist and data scientist, and founder of Cypher, a data sovereignty studio. I help founders and community entrepreneurs, and the municipal leaders who back them, build portable memory systems: systems that travel from one city to the next and stay owned by the people who built them. My clients learn to own the data their communities already hold, govern it on their own terms, and turn it into funding, infrastructure, and wealth that no platform can hold hostage. They walk in sitting on a story they can't prove and an asset that keeps getting overlooked in the rooms where money moves. They walk out owning it. In Moorestown, one elder's story became more than $350,000 in municipal and state funding for a neighborhood park. Since 2021, Cypher has helped partners raise over $1.5M and save more than $400K on compliance. The pain I help them avoid is the quiet one, watching their memory get extracted, digitized, and sold by someone else while they inherit nothing. The goal is sovereignty: a community that owns its story, carries it wherever it goes, and gets paid to keep it.

I'm Robert Azeem Jackson III, an Afrofuturist cultural strategist and data scientist, and founder of Cypher, a data sovereignty studio. I help founders and community entrepreneurs, and the municipal leaders who back them, build portable memory system... Show more

Aycee Brown

Aycee Brown

Aycee Brown is a psychic medium, astrologer, spiritual guide, and teacher, and the host of the podcast Is My Aura On Straight? Known as the “Voice of Truth,” she helps people break free from inherited identities, unchosen wounds, and survival patterns so they can live their most unapologetic, magical lives. Her work has been featured in Essence, HuffPost, Ebony, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Bustle, Brides, Elite Daily, and Who, What, Wear.

Aycee Brown is a psychic medium, astrologer, spiritual guide, and teacher, and the host of the podcast Is My Aura On Straight? Known as the “Voice of Truth,” she helps people break free from inherited identities, unchosen wounds, and survival pattern... Show more

Giovanni Valli

Giovanni Valli

Giovanni is Head of Agile Transformation at Entain Italy. He spent the last 6 years as an Agile Coach consultant, after leading for 7 years digital products development in a multinational company. His focus is on building autonomy, aligning culture and execution, and enabling sustainable change.

Giovanni is Head of Agile Transformation at Entain Italy. He spent the last 6 years as an Agile Coach consultant, after leading for 7 years digital products development in a multinational company. His focus is on building autonomy, aligning culture a... Show more

Arya Atul Gohad

Arya Atul Gohad

Arya Atul Gohad is a recent graduate in Interaction Design from Srishti Manipal Institute, with an exchange semester at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Switzerland. She works at the intersection of AI, digital identity, and human experience, with a particular focus on the gap between lived identity and system-readable identification. Her current research examines how migrant workers in India navigate digital infrastructure, and what breaks when systems built for legibility meet lives defined by precarity.

Arya approaches design through research, speculative thinking, and storytelling. She is drawn to edge cases, contradictions, and the messy middle that polished frameworks tend to erase. She is building her perspective in public, asking what it means to move design beyond usability toward dignity, legibility, and more humane futures.

Arya Atul Gohad is a recent graduate in Interaction Design from Srishti Manipal Institute, with an exchange semester at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Switzerland. She works at the intersection of AI, digital identity, and human experience... Show more

Mahwish J. Khan

Mahwish J. Khan

Dr. Mahwish is a marketing academic, researcher, and industry advisor with almost two decades of experience spanning higher education, technology, and business. She holds a PhD in Marketing, with an MBA in Marketing and Finance, and a BS in Computer Science from Wichita State University, USA.

Mahwish has taught at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels in Pakistan and now the UAE, as well as supervised research in areas including sustainability, digital marketing and consumer behavior. Her research has been published in internationally recognized journals and is currently interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and consumer insights.

Before entering academia, Dr. Khan worked as a Senior Software Engineer, bringing a unique blend of technological and marketing expertise to her teaching and research.

She is passionate about innovation in education and helping organizations, educators, and students navigate an increasingly AI-enabled world.

Dr. Mahwish is a marketing academic, researcher, and industry advisor with almost two decades of experience spanning higher education, technology, and business. She holds a PhD in Marketing, with an MBA in Marketing and Finance, and a BS in Computer ... Show more

Victoria Charra

Victoria Charra

Victoria lleva casi +16 años formando parte del ecosistema de start-ups en Argentina, donde ha sido una pionera en la construcción de equipos de alto rendimiento en ingeniería y desarrollo de producto. Además de ser anfitriona y ponente habitual en conferencias tecnológicas, también ha sido profesora invitada en programas de MBA, compartiendo su experiencia en talento y estrategia.

Sus especialidades incluyen el desarrollo de estrategias de contratación, mentoring, networking y asesoramiento a start-ups en crecimiento. A través de Talent Wind, su empresa, conecta a profesionales excepcionales con proyectos que marcan la diferencia, ayudando a personas y organizaciones a alcanzar sus objetivos de carrera y crecimiento.

Victoria lleva casi +16 años formando parte del ecosistema de start-ups en Argentina, donde ha sido una pionera en la construcción de equipos de alto rendimiento en ingeniería y desarrollo de producto. Además de ser anfitriona y ponente habitual en c... Show more

Joris Quarshie (Ext, OHF)

Joris Quarshie (Ext, OHF)

Joris Quarshie is an Events and Programs Officer at Open Knowledge Impact Foundation, where he leads the planning and execution of impactful programs that promote open knowledge, community engagement, and digital inclusion. He works closely with diverse stakeholders to design initiatives that empower contributors, strengthen collaborative networks, and advance access to free and open information across communities.

Joris Quarshie is an Events and Programs Officer at Open Knowledge Impact Foundation, where he leads the planning and execution of impactful programs that promote open knowledge, community engagement, and digital inclusion. He works closely with dive... Show more

Fernanda Ochoa O - Mi Vida con Ella Podcast

Fernanda Ochoa O - Mi Vida con Ella Podcast

I'm Fer Ochoa — a digital strategist, content creator, creative director, and audiovisual producer from Mexico, based in Utah, United States. Through my agency 91 Studio, I work with Latino entrepreneurs and business owners to take their brands to the next level — because I understand from the inside what it means to build something of your own in a country that isn't yours.
My story starts with a moment of deep clarity: recognizing my own talents and understanding that no one else was going to come build my dreams for me. Since then, I've dedicated my work to creating paths — for myself and for others.
I'm passionate about finding formulas, tools, and inspiration to help us become our best selves. That search led me to found Mi Vida con Ella ("My Life with Her"), a Spanish-language podcast built around deep conversations with women who have made hard decisions, built businesses, and reinvented themselves. A space created especially for Hispanic women who sometimes feel they don't belong or that their dreams aren't possible — and who need to hear that they are.
Beyond my digital work, I've spoken at local events in Utah, connecting closely with the needs of the Hispanic community and bringing messages of information, motivation, and possibility to those who need it most. For me, the greatest achievement isn't a number — it's the real connection with my community.

I'm Fer Ochoa — a digital strategist, content creator, creative director, and audiovisual producer from Mexico, based in Utah, United States. Through my agency 91 Studio, I work with Latino entrepreneurs and business owners to take their brands to th... Show more

Gabrielle Birchak

Gabrielle Birchak

Gabrielle Birchak is what happens when a mathematician walks into a comedy club and never fully leaves.

A science communicator, podcast host, and author, Birchak helps students and educators see “science” not as an intimidating subject but as something everyone already does every day without realizing it.

In her keynote, “You Already Think Like a Mathematician (You Just Don’t Know It Yet),” Birchak draws on history’s overlooked scientific figures to show audiences that curiosity, reasoning, and problem-solving aren’t special skills reserved for “science people;” they are tools everyone already has. The talk blends storytelling, history, and humor to make scientific thinking feel accessible, human, and immediately usable, whether in a classroom, a research lab, or everyday life.

As host of Math! Science! History!®, a podcast with over 200 research-based episodes reaching a worldwide audience, Birchak has spent years researching and telling the stories of the people history forgot to credit. Her work draws on her early experience in media relations at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, her background in mathematics and journalism, and her contributions to the Mathematical Association of America.

Birchak is currently bringing this keynote to stages for the first time, and is especially drawn to educational audiences, students, educators, and institutions looking to make science feel less like a subject and more like a mindset.

Gabrielle Birchak is what happens when a mathematician walks into a comedy club and never fully leaves. A science communicator, podcast host, and author, Birchak helps students and educators see “science” not as an intimidating subject but as some... 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

Salma AlKetbi

Salma AlKetbi

Salma Mohammed Salem Al Ketbi is an Emirati educator and researcher specializing in Arabic language curricula. She serves as a Vice Principal and is recognized as one of the leading education professionals in the UAE.

She is the recipient of the Mohammed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher, named Best Teacher in the Arab World, and is the first Emirati teacher to enter the Guinness World Records for a world-first innovation in creative writing.

She has led several impactful educational initiatives, including the “International Teachers Knowledge Fund Platform” and the Tokkatsu Project, both focused on teacher development and student character building. She has also contributed to national programs supporting reading, writing, and student assessment preparation.

Salma has participated in various research projects and conferences locally and internationally, contributing to curriculum development and educational innovation.

She believes education is a key driver for shaping the future and is committed to empowering teachers and students to become lifelong learners and active contributors to society.

Salma Mohammed Salem Al Ketbi is an Emirati educator and researcher specializing in Arabic language curricula. She serves as a Vice Principal and is recognized as one of the leading education professionals in the UAE. She is the recipient of the M... Show more

Emily Wright

Emily Wright

Speaker, writer, and specialist in the psychology of bias and discrimination, Emily Wright is a Certified Life Coach who has aided in the establishment and growth of multiple small businesses, and figureheads their own business: It’ll be alwright®.

Emily offers customizable workshops and seminars, and individual and group coaching. Their signature sessions focus on mitigating bias and cultivating digital wellness, honing in on how algorithms and content impact our perspectives and emotions. Mental and emotional wellbeing is a key theme to all of Emily’s services as they recognise that we can combat negative repercussions of bias by improving clarity of headspace and thus decision-making. These levels of self-reflection are also key to the internal decolonization process, and It’ll be alwright® offers programs that facilitate the deconstruction of limiting beliefs and negative self-talk.

Emily has written multiple books, including 'Mind Bites', which presents simple techniques to reprogram the mind, and 'The 100 Days of Colour: Celebrating Frequetic Beauty', which explores the relationship between subconscious and algorithmic bias. The research behind ‘The 100 Days of Colour’ is crucial to the conversation of ethics, psychology, and technology. In this experiment Emily monitored the Spotify program to see how recommendations changed with input, and consequently discovered many layers to the interaction between algorithms and psychology which impact our everyday lives.

Emily offers unique insight on the intersection of Humanity and Technology, Psychology and Ethics, and how it relates to our evolution as a conscious species.

Speaker, writer, and specialist in the psychology of bias and discrimination, Emily Wright is a Certified Life Coach who has aided in the establishment and growth of multiple small businesses, and figureheads their own business: It’ll be alwright®. ... Show more

生宇 赵

生宇 赵

Founder & CEO, OpenShare
Ph.D. in Computer Science and Technology, Tongji University. His research centers on open-source ecosystem data and quantitative contribution evaluation via algorithms like OpenRank. Previously served as Community Manager at the Alibaba Open Source Program Office, with deep industry experience governing large-scale open-source communities.

Founder & CEO, OpenShare Ph.D. in Computer Science and Technology, Tongji University. His research centers on open-source ecosystem data and quantitative contribution evaluation via algorithms like OpenRank. Previously served as Community Manager at... Show more

Benjamin Philip

Benjamin Philip

Benjamin is an Elixir and Functional Programming enthusiast, and the maintainer of Erlang's Apache Arrow implementation. Though not a core contributor, he also frequently contributes to the Nx and Livebook projects with the occasional contributions to Hexpm and Hex. Being a 16 year old high schooler, he does not have any professional programming experience but he tries to contribute to Opensource whenever time permits.

In his free time he likes to read Non Fiction and Fantasy, listen to 70s and 80s music (and additionally grumble about how nobody at school shares his taste in music) and crack terrible jokes. Beware. He's bit of a Linux and Emacs zealot.

Benjamin is an Elixir and Functional Programming enthusiast, and the maintainer of Erlang's Apache Arrow implementation. Though not a core contributor, he also frequently contributes to the Nx and Livebook projects with the occasional contributions t... Show more

Nataya Flores

Nataya Flores

Data and Bioinformatics Engineer | Science and Technology Communicator

Data and Bioinformatics Engineer | Science and Technology Communicator Show more

Amr Assad

Amr Assad

Dr. Amr Assad is a distinguished Academic Leader and Assistant Professor of Mass Communication at the Higher Colleges of Technology. Holding a PhD in Broadcasting from Cairo University, he has dedicated over two decades to excellence in teaching, research, and curriculum development within the field of mass media.

As a seasoned educator, Dr. Assad specializes in media literacy, digital storytelling, social media dynamics, and communication theory. He integrates advanced teaching methods and educational technologies to create engaging and inclusive learning environments to support diverse student populations in achieving academic excellence.

Throughout his career, Dr. Assad’s research has been published in reputable peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. His work explores valuable insights into social media usage, media ethics, and the impact of digital tools on communication practices. These contributions have significantly influenced academic discourse and the development of media curricula across multiple institutions.

Dr. Assad also actively participates in various scholarly and administrative committees, serving on the Program Academic Committee (PAC), Divisional Promotion Committee, and the Applied Media Industry Advisory Committee, among others, where he continues to integrate industry best practices and drive academic innovation.

Dr. Assad is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of communication professionals, providing personalized guidance, and nurturing an environment conducive to academic and professional success. He is open to connecting with fellow academics, industry professionals, and collaborators who share a passion for shaping the future of mass communication.

Dr. Amr Assad is a distinguished Academic Leader and Assistant Professor of Mass Communication at the Higher Colleges of Technology. Holding a PhD in Broadcasting from Cairo University, he has dedicated over two decades to excellence in teaching, res... Show more

Vladislav Guzey

Vladislav Guzey

Developer & PhD Researcher in AI, focused on generative AI and agent-based systems. I have 18+ years of experience in tech, spanning web development, data, and growth.

Today, I help developers work smarter by using AI-powered tools, agents, and practical workflows that improve productivity and real-world outcomes. I share what I learn through hands-on tutorials, tool reviews, and experiments, bridging research with everyday development work.

Developer & PhD Researcher in AI, focused on generative AI and agent-based systems. I have 18+ years of experience in tech, spanning web development, data, and growth. Today, I help developers work smarter by using AI-powered tools, agents, and p... Show more

Pascal Ogil

Pascal Ogil

De développeur à Architecte à Coach Agile à Coach Pro, je suis passionné par la découverte de ce qui peut permettre d'amener des relations plus sereines dans une transformation.
J'ai découvert la CNV il y a 6 ans, à laquelle je me suis formé, j'ai coeur à rendre le monde meilleur en partageant ce merveilleux outil.

De développeur à Architecte à Coach Agile à Coach Pro, je suis passionné par la découverte de ce qui peut permettre d'amener des relations plus sereines dans une transformation. J'ai découvert la CNV il y a 6 ans, à laquelle je me suis formé, j'ai c... Show more

Scott Burgholzer

Scott Burgholzer

Cloud Engineer with over 8 years of experience leading migrations from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud. As an AWS Community Builder, he is dedicated to advancing cloud practices and sharing insights with the broader tech community. Scott is currently pursuing a Doctor of Technology at Purdue University Online, focusing his research on the intersection of artificial intelligence and ethics.
He is passionate about staying at the forefront of AWS developments and enjoys mentoring others in cloud technologies. Outside of work, Scott can often be found storm chasing, reading, painting, playing video games, or simply relaxing.

Cloud Engineer with over 8 years of experience leading migrations from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud. As an AWS Community Builder, he is dedicated to advancing cloud practices and sharing insights with the broader tech community. Scott is c... Show more

Carmela Maxell

Carmela Maxell

Dr. Carmela Maxell is a licensed mental health professional, professor, author, podcast host, proud mother of three, and woman of color dedicated to making psychology practical, accessible, and deeply human. She is the creator and host of the *Rooted & Rising* podcast, where she translates evidence-based mental health concepts into engaging conversations that help listeners navigate resilience, grief, relationships, leadership, identity, and personal growth.

Drawing on years of experience in behavioral health, higher education, and leadership, Carmela is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical knowledge and everyday life. Her work is grounded in the belief that meaningful conversations can change lives, and she strives to create spaces where people feel seen, challenged, and empowered to grow.

In addition to podcasting, Carmela is the author of *Bereavement*, a dystopian novel exploring grief, memory, and what it means to remain human in a society that regulates emotion. Whether speaking to students, podcast creators, professionals, or community audiences, she brings warmth, authenticity, humor, and practical insight to every conversation.

As a woman of color, educator, clinician, author, and single mother balancing multiple careers, Carmela brings a unique perspective on resilience, sustainable creativity, and building meaningful connections through storytelling. Her mission is simple: to help people—and the creators who reach them—build trust, foster authentic connection, and create lasting impact, one conversation at a time.

Dr. Carmela Maxell is a licensed mental health professional, professor, author, podcast host, proud mother of three, and woman of color dedicated to making psychology practical, accessible, and deeply human. She is the creator and host of the *Rooted... Show more

Kevin Paczkowski

Kevin Paczkowski

I solve the $2M problems that happen when brilliant technology meets confused humans.

Over the past decade, I've built AI platforms that generate $5M ARR, transformed failing products into 340% growth stories, and led 50,000+ user migrations with zero downtime. But here's what I've really learned: the biggest technology challenges aren't technical at all. They're psychological.

With my Master's in Social Data Science from Oxford, I've spent my career at the intersection where human behavior meets enterprise technology. I've worked across healthcare, finance, and global consulting at Accenture, consistently discovering that the same patterns emerge everywhere: smart people make predictable, irrational decisions about technology adoption.
I'm the product leader who gets called in when expensive AI implementations sit unused, when teams resist change despite obvious benefits, or when leadership needs someone who can translate between C-suite vision and developer reality. My "human first AI" framework is now adopted by 3 Fortune 500 companies because it works with human psychology rather than against it.
My superpower is turning complex technological chaos into revenue generating clarity. I've reduced patient wait times from 48 hours to 4 hours, cut compliance review time by 87%, and helped teams embrace AI tools they initially feared. I understand both the technical possibilities (Python, TensorFlow, cloud architecture) and the human realities (cognitive bias, change resistance, team dynamics) of making technology actually work.

Whether I'm speaking about AI manipulation psychology, the neuroscience of developer attention, or why brilliant teams make terrible technology decisions, I bring data driven insights combined with real world war stories from the trenches of enterprise transformation.
I
believe the future belongs to leaders who understand that every technology problem is fundamentally a people problem. And people problems are endlessly fascinating to solve.

I solve the $2M problems that happen when brilliant technology meets confused humans. Over the past decade, I've built AI platforms that generate $5M ARR, transformed failing products into 340% growth stories, and led 50,000+ user migrations with ... Show more

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