Humanities & Social Sciences

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

Steve Pereira

Steve Pereira

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

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

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

Angela Legh

Angela Legh

Angela Legh is a bestselling middle-grade author, speaker, and recipient of the 2024 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions supporting emotional resilience, literacy, and family connection. She is the creator of The Bella Santini Chronicles and the author of the upcoming book The Emotional Landscape of the Tween Years: Understanding the Feelings That Drive Your Child’s Behavior.

Angela works with schools, educators, and families to help adults better understand the emotional world of children and the hidden experiences that often drive behavior. Her work combines storytelling, emotional resilience education, and practical strategies designed to strengthen connection, emotional safety, and healthy communication within schools and families.

Angela Legh is a bestselling middle-grade author, speaker, and recipient of the 2024 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions supporting emotional resilience, literacy, and family connection. She is the creator of The Bella Santin... Show more

Clément Schrepfer

Clément Schrepfer

15 ans d'expérience dans le Product Management, auteur d'une méthode d'escrime et préparateur mental, Clément Schrepfer mêle désormais ces 3 univers dans son coaching appliqué en entreprise, au service de l'Humain et des meilleures pratiques Produit.

15 ans d'expérience dans le Product Management, auteur d'une méthode d'escrime et préparateur mental, Clément Schrepfer mêle désormais ces 3 univers dans son coaching appliqué en entreprise, au service de l'Humain et des meilleures pratiques Produit. Show more

Anshu Kumari

Anshu Kumari

Founder, BlockchainKids (2019-Present) | Building worldwide community eliminating child trafficking through technology
Published Researcher | International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research | "Emojis for Sale: The Privatization of Human Emotion in AI Markets" | AI Governance & Technology Law
Keynote Speaker | Microsoft Summit | Scottish Summit | Youth Tech Education & Responsible Innovation
Professional Trainer | Blockchain Technology | Entrepreneurship Mindset | Design Thinking | Ages 3 to College Level
Panel Speaker | C# Corner | Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking Expert
Guest of Honour | Chandigarh University
Blockchain & Entrepreneurship Mentor | 100+ Kids, Techies & College Students | Entrepreneurial Mindsets | Blockchain Literacy
Legal & Technology Professional | Legal Intern, Multicloud4u Private Limited | Data Protection & Privacy Law (DPDP Act 2023, GDPR) | AI Governance | Contract Review
BBA LLB (Hons.) | National Forensic Sciences University Delhi
NFAT Exam | All India Rank 17
Published Author
State Level Basketball Player

Founder, BlockchainKids (2019-Present) | Building worldwide community eliminating child trafficking through technology Published Researcher | International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research | "Emojis for Sale: The Privatization of Human Emotion... Show more

Caroline Benefield

Caroline Benefield

Caroline Benefield Weeks is a wife, stepmom, avid collector of hobbies, and freelance digital marketing consultant living in Atlanta. After a long career in nonprofit and higher education communications, Caroline pivoted to a career as a romance author before opening her boutique marketing agency, Southern Grit Digital. When she's not nerding out over audience segmentation and storytelling, she can be found hiking and trail running across the Southeast, learning ever more fiber arts, and planning her next national park visit.

Caroline Benefield Weeks is a wife, stepmom, avid collector of hobbies, and freelance digital marketing consultant living in Atlanta. After a long career in nonprofit and higher education communications, Caroline pivoted to a career as a romance auth... Show more

Tina Mirro

Tina Mirro

Tina Mirro is a seasoned Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform expert with deep experience designing, architecting, and delivering enterprise CRM solutions. A Microsoft‑certified Solution Architect and Data Analyst, she has built her career around transforming complex business challenges into scalable, human‑centered digital systems. Her work spans consulting, solution strategy, and hands‑on platform innovation, including contributions to community‑driven tools that expand Dynamics 365 capabilities.

A long‑time advocate for women in technology and a proud member of the Microsoft Federal Government ecosystem, Tina brings a blend of technical mastery, empathy, and real‑world implementation insight to every stage of digital transformation. Her background includes leadership in anti‑trafficking advocacy and accessibility‑focused volunteer work, reflecting her commitment to technology that empowers people.

Recognized for her passion, clarity, and ability to demystify complex systems, Tina is a dynamic speaker who inspires audiences to embrace modern business applications, rethink customer engagement, and unlock the full potential of the Power Platform.

Tina Mirro is a seasoned Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform expert with deep experience designing, architecting, and delivering enterprise CRM solutions. A Microsoft‑certified Solution Architect and Data Analyst, she has built her career aroun... Show more

Brian Madden

Brian Madden

Brian Madden is a renowned workplace AI strategist, future of work expert, and dynamic speaker with over 30 years of experience in digital transformation. As a Technology Officer and Futurist at Citrix, he's at the forefront of helping organizations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in the workplace.

Expertise & Current Focus
• Workplace AI strategy and implementation
• Future of work and digital workplace transformation
• AI's impact on employee productivity and HR practices
• Ethical considerations of AI in the workplace
• Bridging the gap between technology and human resources

Career Highlights
• Currently a VP, Technology Officer & Futurist, Citrix
• Creator of the Workplace AI Strategy Guide project, a comprehensive, continuously-updated resource for organizations adapting to AI
• Author of 6 books and over 2,000 articles on technology and workplace transformation
• Founder of BriForum, the largest vendor-neutral End-User Computing conference (2005-2016)
• Former Distinguished Technologist at VMware, focusing on the Future of Work
• Creator and leader of multiple influential tech community programs (Citrix CTP, VMware EUC vExperts)

Speaking and Thought Leadership
• Delivered 1000+ talks worldwide on technology's impact on work and productivity
• Ranked #1 speaker at major tech conferences multiple times
• Regular contributor to discussions on AI ethics, productivity, and workplace dynamics
• Passionate about democratizing knowledge and fostering inclusive tech communities

Brian's unique blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and engaging presentation style makes him an ideal speaker for conferences exploring the intersection of AI, HR, and the future of work. He excels at breaking down complex technological concepts in humorous and relatable ways for diverse audiences, from C-suite executives to HR professionals and IT teams.

Brian Madden is a renowned workplace AI strategist, future of work expert, and dynamic speaker with over 30 years of experience in digital transformation. As a Technology Officer and Futurist at Citrix, he's at the forefront of helping organizations ... Show more

Dor Amram

Dor Amram

Dor Amram is a Technical Leader with over a decade of experience in software engineering, delivering high-quality and scalable systems. He has expertise in several programming languages and is adept at mentoring junior developers. Dor is passionate about staying current with the latest industry technologies and loves spending time finding simple solutions to complex problems.

Dor Amram is a Technical Leader with over a decade of experience in software engineering, delivering high-quality and scalable systems. He has expertise in several programming languages and is adept at mentoring junior developers. Dor is passionate a... Show more

Aanvi Dogra

Aanvi Dogra

Aanvi Dogra is a senior at Dublin Jerome High School who is also attending Columbus State Community College to earn her Computer Science Cybersecurity Major AAS. She is passionate about technology and learning about new technological advancements. She takes pride in uplifting her community, especially young students and she does this by volunteer organizations and clubs. In her free time, she enjoys working with kids and fostering a passion for STEM within children, as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Aanvi Dogra is a senior at Dublin Jerome High School who is also attending Columbus State Community College to earn her Computer Science Cybersecurity Major AAS. She is passionate about technology and learning about new technological advancements. Sh... Show more

Martin Merino Eiró

Martin Merino Eiró

Martín Merino is a partner at BeUpFlow, a team of consultants who develop senior talent to help companies transform and boost their growth. As an Agile Professional, he develops interdisciplinary transformation projects promoting intrapreneurship and applying Agile methodologies. He is a trainer, mentor, coach and content creator.

Author of the book "Lean Blitz: Mejora tu proceso de negocio radicalmente" (https://amzn.eu/d/aFwId7R)

With a degree in Physical Sciences, he has studied Business Innovation Management and Management and specialized in various agile methodologies such as Design Thinking, Lean Startup, Scrum, Kanban, etc. He has been trained as an Agile Coach by the Telefónica Agile Academy and is certified as a Scrum Master Professional, Lean Change agent, Team Kanban Practitioner or SAFe agilist, among others.

With more than 9 years of experience as a strategic and transformation consultant in companies in the telco sector, he has worked on innovation and efficiency projects in operations and network areas, putting models such as Lean Management and Agile into practice.

He is a collaborating professor in the University Expert Program in agile methodologies at the International University of La Rioja (UNIR) in Spain and is part of its mentoring program for university students.

In accordance with his commitment to sustainability and rural and natural development, he lives in a small town far from Madrid surrounded by mountains, forests and enjoying his animals.

Martín Merino is a partner at BeUpFlow, a team of consultants who develop senior talent to help companies transform and boost their growth. As an Agile Professional, he develops interdisciplinary transformation projects promoting intrapreneurship and... Show more

Maxime Sciare

Maxime Sciare

Enchanté, moi c’est Maxime !

À 18 ans, j’étais en quête de sens (= paumé).
Puis pendant 5 ans, j’ai exploré le développement personnel… et j’en ai finalement fait mon métier.
Aujourd’hui, je suis coach professionnel et conférencier, et j’aide les gens à oser passer à l’action avec un cap clair et motivant.

Ah oui, et je suis fan de randonnée, de fromage suisse et… de Taylor Swift ! 🎵🧀🥾

Enchanté, moi c’est Maxime ! À 18 ans, j’étais en quête de sens (= paumé). Puis pendant 5 ans, j’ai exploré le développement personnel… et j’en ai finalement fait mon métier. Aujourd’hui, je suis coach professionnel et conférencier, et j’aide... Show more

Guido X Jansen

Guido X Jansen

Guido X Jansen is a Community Strategist who builds technical ecosystems that drive business growth. He has built community functions from zero multiple times: Dutchento/Meet Magento (600+ annual attendees), CRO.CAFE (200+ podcast episodes), and Spryker's enterprise community (130+ clients).

His cognitive psychology background helps him understand why technical users behave the way they do, designing communities that create real business value rather than just activity metrics. He has spoken at 200+ conferences across 26 countries.

Guido advocates for open source, privacy-first technology, and building resilient systems. Based in the Netherlands, working remotely.

Guido X Jansen is a Community Strategist who builds technical ecosystems that drive business growth. He has built community functions from zero multiple times: Dutchento/Meet Magento (600+ annual attendees), CRO.CAFE (200+ podcast episodes), and Spry... Show more

Luca Minudel

Luca Minudel

Luca Minudel (he/him) is an Agility/XP/Lean, Complexity-thinking, and modern Product/Engineering Management advisor, mentor, coach, change agent for hire. He is an organisational gardener, culture curator, collaboration orchestrator, and delivery facilitator with over 20 years of experience in professional software development. He is also an author and a speaker.

He contributed to the adoption of lean and agile practices by Ferrari's F1 racing team. For ThoughtWorks, he delivered training, coaching, assessments and organisational transformations in top-tier organisations in the UK, Europe and the United States. He worked as Agile Transformation Lead, Head of Agility, Interim Product Director, Lean/Agile Practice Lead, and as Lean/Agile Coach in companies such as Lloyds, BP, The AA, Japan Tobacco International, HSBC, LexisNexis, Marsh McLennan.

Luca is the founder and CEO at SmHarter.com, a company that helps organisations turn their way of working into their competitive advantage.

https://www.smharter.com/blog/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaminudel/
https://bsky.app/profile/lucaminudel.bsky.social/
https://mstdn.social/@lukadotnet/
https://twitter.com/lukadotnet (inactive)

Luca Minudel (he/him) is an Agility/XP/Lean, Complexity-thinking, and modern Product/Engineering Management advisor, mentor, coach, change agent for hire. He is an organisational gardener, culture curator, collaboration orchestrator, and delivery fa... Show more

Michael Bower

Michael Bower

Michael Bower is a 30+ year broadcasting and podcast veteran who has hosted national shows on Sirius Satellite Radio, delivered daily reports as a National Correspondent for NBC News Radio, and produced more than 1,000 podcasts across genres. As a former VP of Programming for Ingstad Minnesota Radio Network, he led talent development, coached on-air hosts, and even tested early AI “on-air personalities” — discovering why authenticity always beats automation.

Today, Michael brings that experience to the stage with talks that blend broadcast discipline, podcast innovation, and humor from his years in stand-up comedy. His signature sessions — Craft Over Clout, Process Over Perfection, and The AI DJ Problem — help creators cut through the noise, build loyal audiences, and reclaim quality in an algorithm-driven era.

Michael’s approach is simple but powerful: respect your listener’s time, earn their trust, and give them something they’ll come back for.

Michael Bower is a 30+ year broadcasting and podcast veteran who has hosted national shows on Sirius Satellite Radio, delivered daily reports as a National Correspondent for NBC News Radio, and produced more than 1,000 podcasts across genres. As a fo... Show more

Stephanie Weis

Stephanie Weis

Stephanie Weis, M.Ed. is a Product Manager at Carnegie Mellon University and an ADHD coach. She holds a Master of Education from Duquesne University and completed ICF-accredited coach training through the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA). Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, she draws on lived experience alongside her work at CMU's Central Computing Services, where she leads product strategy and continuous improvement for a 23-service IT portfolio across a decentralized, multi-campus organization, and was selected as 1 of 9 leaders from 300+ applicants for CMU's MOR Leaders program. She has taken the stage at NERCOMP (EDUCAUSE), the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and Pennwriters, and was an adjunct faculty member teaching writing at the Community College of Allegheny County. Through her coaching practice, she works with individuals to move beyond one-size-fits-all strategies and find what actually works for the ADHD brain.

Stephanie Weis, M.Ed. is a Product Manager at Carnegie Mellon University and an ADHD coach. She holds a Master of Education from Duquesne University and completed ICF-accredited coach training through the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA). Diagnosed with ADH... Show more

Aquayemi-Claude Akinsanya

Aquayemi-Claude Akinsanya

Aquayemi-Claude’s relentless drive for systemic reform has positioned him as a key figure across global platforms. He serves as a leader in youth empowerment, a mentor in educational equity, and a public speaker whose message resonates with diverse audiences. As a solopreneur and thought leader, his work bridges entrepreneurship, activism, and environmentalism, while his contributions to the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities highlight his commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for marginalized communities.

A compelling public speaker and storyteller, Aquayemi-Claude captivates audiences with inspiring narratives and thought-provoking insights. With a gift for communication and a dedication to amplifying marginalized voices, Aquayemi-Claude inspires action and fosters dialogue on issues of social significance.

Aquayemi-Claude is also an accomplished author, sharing perspectives and experiences that challenge conventional wisdom and inspire critical reflection. Through written works, Aquayemi-Claude invites readers on a journey of discovery and empowerment, encouraging introspection and growth.

Aquayemi-Claude’s relentless drive for systemic reform has positioned him as a key figure across global platforms. He serves as a leader in youth empowerment, a mentor in educational equity, and a public speaker whose message resonates with diverse a... Show more

Chander Gupta

Chander Gupta

With a vivid experience of more than 21 years in the corporate and education sector. Holding a master’s in commerce and law and specializing in taxation, he has been working closely on accounting law ethics and their legal aspects. His interest in accounting and frauds lead him to learn more about Financial Crimes and as a result, is this book. He has presented and published his work in several conferences at national and international level, in Scopus. The author has four copyrights in his name and is currently working on Forensic Accounting and Financial Crimes, in his free time he is capturing nature or writing.
But one thing which keep me alive is I love to learn.

With a vivid experience of more than 21 years in the corporate and education sector. Holding a master’s in commerce and law and specializing in taxation, he has been working closely on accounting law ethics and their legal aspects. His interest in ac... Show more

Tatiana Sorroche

Tatiana Sorroche

Tatiana Sorroche es Software Engineer y fundadora de PensarCoding, una comunidad dedicada al crecimiento profesional en tecnología.

Tras varios años trabajando en desarrollo de software y acompañando a decenas de profesionales en procesos de mentoría, identificó un patrón recurrente: el salto de seniority no involucraba más tecnologías, sino un cambio en cuanto al criterio técnico, pensamiento sistémico y capacidad de tomar decisiones del profesional.

Hoy combina su experiencia técnica con mentorías, formación y creación de contenido para ayudar a otros profesionales a desarrollar pensamiento sistémico, criterio técnico y una carrera sostenible en tecnología.

Tatiana Sorroche es Software Engineer y fundadora de PensarCoding, una comunidad dedicada al crecimiento profesional en tecnología. Tras varios años trabajando en desarrollo de software y acompañando a decenas de profesionales en procesos de mento... Show more

Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju

Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju

Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju
Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju is a dynamic Technical Consultant, Public Speaker, and Author, affiliated with Covenant Technologies, a Microsoft Certified Partner based in Lagos, Nigeria. With over 25 years of professional experience, he is recognized as a leader in the IT industry, specializing in Microsoft infrastructure, data, and artificial intelligence solutions.

Oluwaseyi is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), a Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Office Services & Apps, and the MCT Regional Lead for Nigeria. He also serves as the Manager of Data & AI at Wragby Solutions & Technologies Limited, where he drives cutting-edge innovations in AI, data analytics, and cloud technologies. As a Fellow of the Institute of Information Management Africa (FIIM Africa), he holds one of the highest honors for excellence in data and information management.

At Covenant Technologies, Oluwaseyi plays a pivotal role as a senior consulting partner, helping organizations maximize the value of their Microsoft technologies, including Azure, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and AI-powered solutions. His expertise extends beyond technical implementations, focusing on empowering businesses to leverage IT for strategic growth.

Prior to joining Covenant Technologies, Oluwaseyi was a Senior Technical Consultant and Support Manager at 1st Intellit Solution, where he led outsourcing teams and spearheaded the development of innovative client systems.

Driven by his passion for IT evolution in Africa, Oluwaseyi is a prominent advocate for cloud technologies and modern workplace solutions across West, East, and Central Africa (WECA). His campaigns for adopting tools like SharePoint, Yammer, Office 365, Azure, and Microsoft Teams have significantly influenced medium and large organizations. The growing response from the Nigerian market and beyond highlights the transformative impact of his efforts in fostering a modern IT ecosystem across Africa.

Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju Oluwaseyi Oluwawumiju is a dynamic Technical Consultant, Public Speaker, and Author, affiliated with Covenant Technologies, a Microsoft Certified Partner based in Lagos, Nigeria. With over 25 years of professional experience, h... Show more

Oscar Cariceo

Oscar Cariceo

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

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

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

Sahap Gizlen

Sahap Gizlen

Sahap Gizlen helps leaders decide where AI belongs in the business—and where it does not. Through Gizlen Global, he works at the intersection of AI adoption, operating design, communication, and execution.

His approach starts with the work itself: bottlenecks, unclear ownership, decision points, and the places where human judgment still matters. Rather than treating AI as a collection of tools, prompt tricks, or technology for its own sake, he focuses on practical ways to make work clearer, faster, and less dependent on constant intervention.

His background spans business operations, organizational leadership, education, communication, product development, and AI-enabled workflow design. This gives him a cross-functional perspective on how people, technology, and organizations actually work together.

His talks explore practical AI adoption, leadership, communication, the future of work, and the question organizations increasingly need to answer: Are we using AI to improve the way we work—or simply adding AI to a system that was already broken?

Sahap Gizlen helps leaders decide where AI belongs in the business—and where it does not. Through Gizlen Global, he works at the intersection of AI adoption, operating design, communication, and execution. His approach starts with the work itself:... 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

Suzanne Valdez

Suzanne Valdez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Siyanbola Ajiboye

Siyanbola Ajiboye

Siyanbola Ajiboye is a strategy focused professional in digital transformation, business process, change management, root-cause analysis and AI, with a focus on strengthening operational systems, mitigating revenue leakage and delivering measurable organisational outcomes.
His approach combines governance, technology, and transformation assurance, informed by close to two decades of experience across high-risk and regulated maritime environments. He developed the proposed digital-twin-enabled security framework for the Gulf of Guinea.
His professional and advisory services includes transformation readiness, process and solution design, systems integration, cybersecurity risk, benefits realisation, revenue leakage plugging, development of custom practical frameworks and solutions for organisations and technology programme failure analysis.

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

Andrea Palumbo

Andrea Palumbo

Andrea Palumbo è avvocato e si occupa di privacy, cybersecuirty e diritto delle penale dell'informatica e dell'impresa, materie nelle quali svolge anche attività di consulenza e formazione presso imprese e pubbliche amministrazioni. E’ spesso relatore a convegni e conferenze specialistici sui temi legati al mondo ICT.

Andrea Palumbo è avvocato e si occupa di privacy, cybersecuirty e diritto delle penale dell'informatica e dell'impresa, materie nelle quali svolge anche attività di consulenza e formazione presso imprese e pubbliche amministrazioni. E’ spesso relator... Show more

Anna Abesadze

Anna Abesadze

Anna Abesadze is an internationally recognized professional whose work has earned her multiple prestigious honors. As a co-author of internationally published books, gifted at the Academy Awards, including a #1 Amazon bestseller, she has reached global audiences.
With experience studying and working in five countries, she brings a global perspective to her roles as Adviser to the Rector and lecturer at Grigol Robakidze University and as Global Governance Coordinator at World Vision International.
She is a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award presented by Barack Obama and has been named Woman Changemaker 2024, Leader of the Year 2024 and Global Impact Award 2025. Anna was a US Department of State and EU Commission scholar and a Presidential Scholar for academic excellence. Anna Abesadze was also named among MSN Magazine’s Top 10 Inspiring Women Leaders of 2026.
A mother of two, she supports other women, participates in charity initiatives and serves as a board member and judge for women’s awards. Anna continues to inspire through impact and leadership.

Anna Abesadze is an internationally recognized professional whose work has earned her multiple prestigious honors. As a co-author of internationally published books, gifted at the Academy Awards, including a #1 Amazon bestseller, she has reached glob... Show more

Horacio Lewis

Horacio Lewis

Contador Publico y Asesor de BI, especialista en power Bi
Docente de Power Bi,Certificado IBCS analyst Experto en aplicacion de IBCS
Manager de Biresults

Contador Publico y Asesor de BI, especialista en power Bi Docente de Power Bi,Certificado IBCS analyst Experto en aplicacion de IBCS Manager de Biresults Show more

Kathrin Andree

Kathrin Andree

Kathrin Andree hat Romanistik (Kulturkontakte und Kommunikation) in Düsseldorf studiert. Nach ihrer Tätigkeit als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Institut für Romanistik an der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf war sie seit 2022 als Referentin für die Bildung der Zukunft am Prorektorat für Lehre und Studium an der Universität zu Köln tätig und gestaltet dort seit September 2026 als Senior-Expertin für Bildungsinnovation die neu gegründete Plattform für Lehren und Lernen mit.

Kathrin Andree hat Romanistik (Kulturkontakte und Kommunikation) in Düsseldorf studiert. Nach ihrer Tätigkeit als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Institut für Romanistik an der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf war sie seit 2022 als Referentin... Show more

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