Dr. Shelley Jones-Holt is a leadership strategist, speaker, and educator who helps leaders build courageous, culturally responsive environments where people can lead, learn, and thrive. Her work focuses on belonging, cultural fluency, courageous communication, organizational culture, and equitable leadership.

Through Leadership Legacy Consulting, Dr. Shelley works with educators, executives, organizations, and communities to navigate differences, strengthen relationships, and develop leadership practices that create meaningful impact. She brings a practical, relationship-centered approach to complex conversations about identity, culture, equity, and leadership.

Her signature frameworks, including Balcony Conversations and the Courageous Leadership Shift, help leaders move from reacting and defending to becoming more curious, listening across differences, speaking courageously, and reconnecting with what matters.

Dr. Shelley believes leadership is not simply what people accomplish or leave on a résumé. It is what they leave in people. Her work equips leaders to create cultures where people feel seen, valued, supported, and empowered to contribute.

Dr. Shelley Jones-Holt is a leadership strategist, speaker, and educator who helps leaders build courageous, culturally responsive environments where people can lead, learn, and thrive. Her work focuses on belonging, cultural fluency, courageous comm... Show more

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

Kirstie Whitaker is the Executive Director of the Berkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS). At BIDS she supports the delivery of innovative open source software and infrastructure to benefit science and society, including through the Jupyter and Scientific Python communities. She is the founder of The Turing Way, a collaboratively created guide for reproducible, inclusive, collaborative, and ethical data science. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience (2012) and is a Fulbright Scholarship alumna.

Kirstie Whitaker is the Executive Director of the Berkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS). At BIDS she supports the delivery of innovative open source software and infrastructure to benefit science and society, including through the Jupyter and Sc... Show more

Philosopher and entreprenuer, involved with technology and communication since 1999. Co-founder of Agile Reloaded and Nobilita. Currently working with corporates teams in order to get their companies ready for the future, evolving the way they works and hacking their culture.

Philosopher and entreprenuer, involved with technology and communication since 1999. Co-founder of Agile Reloaded and Nobilita. Currently working with corporates teams in order to get their companies ready for the future, evolving the way they works ... Show more

Facilitateur graphique & coach agile, je combine pensée visuelle, intelligence collective et agilité pour accompagner les organisations dans leurs transformations.
Passionné par la transmission et la dynamique des groupes, j’anime des ateliers qui rendent les idées visibles et les échanges plus vivants.
Fondateur des Ateliers du Bosquet, j'explore des approches sur-mesure pour cultiver l’Humain et faire grandir le collectif.

Facilitateur graphique & coach agile, je combine pensée visuelle, intelligence collective et agilité pour accompagner les organisations dans leurs transformations. Passionné par la transmission et la dynamique des groupes, j’anime des ateliers qui r... Show more

Laura K. Spencer, Ed.D. leads AI adoption across a 2,500-person educational organization as Chief Academic Officer, where her portfolio covers curriculum, assessment, professional development, and IT. She has spent 26 years watching technology arrive in organizations, and most of that time watching what happens after the rollout ends. Her work focuses on the gap between deployment and actual impact, and on the diagnostic questions leaders skip before committing. She has delivered sessions at ISTE and Insight Jam, co-authored a course on legal and ethical boundaries in AI, and is a U.S. Army veteran.

Laura K. Spencer, Ed.D. leads AI adoption across a 2,500-person educational organization as Chief Academic Officer, where her portfolio covers curriculum, assessment, professional development, and IT. She has spent 26 years watching technology arrive... Show more

Seit 2025 Freiraum25-Projekt „SKiLLs“, Bergische Universität Wuppertal
2024 Promotion, Fachgebiet Arbeitswissenschaft, Bergische Universität Wuppertal
2020 M.Sc. Work, Health and Career, Maastricht University
2019 B.Sc. Therapie- und Gesundheitsmanagement (dual), Fachhochschule Münster

Seit 2025 Freiraum25-Projekt „SKiLLs“, Bergische Universität Wuppertal 2024 Promotion, Fachgebiet Arbeitswissenschaft, Bergische Universität Wuppertal 2020 M.Sc. Work, Health and Career, Maastricht University 2019 B.Sc. Therapie- und Gesundheitsma... Show more

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

Swapna Chimanchodkar is an accomplished transformation leader with nearly two decades of experience enabling sustainable business impact for global organizations through process excellence, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation. She has successfully led strategic initiatives spanning process and IT transformation, enterprise data strategy, and automation integrating technologies such as AI/ML, RPA, Gen AI, and advanced analytics to solve complex business challenges.
In her current role as Director at UBS Financial Services, Swapna drives large-scale transformation and integration programs across various areas of the bank. She oversees strategic integration, data modernization, and digital and process improvement initiatives, collaborating closely with senior leadership and cross-functional global teams.
A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Swapna brings a unique combination of analytical rigor, strategic insight, and change management expertise to every engagement. She has been instrumental in designing target operating models, and implementing automation frameworks that deliver measurable efficiencies.
As a thought leader, Swapna regularly contributes to industry dialogue. She served as a keynote speaker and panelist at the NexGen Banking Summit USA 2024, discussing AI-driven business innovation and data-led digital transformation in the banking sector.

Swapna Chimanchodkar is an accomplished transformation leader with nearly two decades of experience enabling sustainable business impact for global organizations through process excellence, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation. She... Show more

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

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

Jodie Levy was a founding member of the UK AI Security Institute and is a Visiting Fellow at Constellation. She works at the intersection of frontier AI security, misuse and technical governance, with research spanning multi-step misuse, agentic risk and enforceable safety controls. She has advised and engaged governments and international stakeholders on frontier AI risk, security and governance.

Jodie Levy was a founding member of the UK AI Security Institute and is a Visiting Fellow at Constellation. She works at the intersection of frontier AI security, misuse and technical governance, with research spanning multi-step misuse, agentic risk... Show more

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

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

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

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

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

Jovan is a multidisciplinary researcher and management professional working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, business strategy, technology, and ethics. His research examines the organizational and socioeconomic implications of AI automation, with particular focus on algorithmic bias, privacy, governance, sustainable innovation, and the human consequences of technological transformation.

He collaborates with the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and its Mathematical Institute, contributing to discussions that connect theoretical and quantitative approaches to AI with practical business applications. His academic background also includes research in green chemistry, microwave chemistry, analytical methods, and process optimization.

His work combines quantitative analysis, mathematical reasoning, management research, and technological perspectives to examine how organizations can adopt emerging technologies while addressing questions of fairness, accountability, sustainability, and strategic value.

As a speaker and researcher, he focuses on making complex technological and managerial issues accessible while encouraging critical discussion about how organizations should approach the next generation of AI-driven transformation.

Jovan is a multidisciplinary researcher and management professional working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, business strategy, technology, and ethics. His research examines the organizational and socioeconomic implications of AI autom... Show more

Armen Shaomian, DMA, is a Professor in the David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina, where he also serves as Faculty Director of Preston Residential College for Leadership. In this role, he collaborates with student affairs professionals to foster a residential learning community centered on leadership development, student engagement, academic success, and holistic student growth.

Dr. Shaomian brings an interdisciplinary background spanning higher education, leadership, performing arts, and organizational development. His work focuses on creating meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom through intentional residential programming, faculty engagement, and collaborative partnerships between academic and student affairs.

In addition to his academic work, he maintains an active career as a collaborative pianist and concert artist specializing in contemporary classical music, premiering works by leading contemporary composers. His artistic scholarship includes a book on Swedish National-Romantic music, and his recordings of composer Hugo Alfvén appear on Vax Records' Vaxholm: Ett Dubbelnöje.

Armen Shaomian, DMA, is a Professor in the David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina, where he also serves as Faculty Director of Preston Residential College for Leadership. In this r... Show more

Tom Ridge is a father of 4, an engineer, and long time remote worker and leader.

When he does find a scrap of time, he's known to run a D&D game or three.

Tom Ridge is a father of 4, an engineer, and long time remote worker and leader. When he does find a scrap of time, he's known to run a D&D game or three. Show more

Ceri is an interactions specialist, chaologist and trainee neuroscientist, adept at helping people at all levels work together more effectively. With a background in teaching, she's poised to make evidence-based research accessible and useful to leaders who care about a more effective approach.

As a qualified coach, and a team dynamics & systemic interventions consultant with more than a decade of hands-on experience working with senior leadership teams in government, large multinational private and public organisations and fledgling start-ups, Ceri is at her best when she's helping you and your people find some calm in the chaos.

Tea in hand, Ceri works globally and is continually delighted to speak with audiences worldwide, mostly about the beautiful intermingling of behavioural science and hopeful future-focused transformation.

She also loves researching and talking about brains - because once a nerd, always a nerd...

Ceri is an interactions specialist, chaologist and trainee neuroscientist, adept at helping people at all levels work together more effectively. With a background in teaching, she's poised to make evidence-based research accessible and useful to lead... Show more

Chad Shomura is Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado, Denver. His research interests include political thought, affect, biopolitics, new materialism, and ecology. His recent publications are in Catalyst: Feminism, Theory, Technoscience, Capacities To: Affect Up Against Fascism, Theory & Event, American Quarterly, and Oxford Encyclopedia of Asian American Literature and Culture. Chad's current book project, A Life Otherwise, examines minor assemblies of life that upset the good life. His latest zine, New Model Minorities, is a series of aphorisms about people who destroy community in the name of community. His website is chadshomura.com

Chad Shomura is Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado, Denver. His research interests include political thought, affect, biopolitics, new materialism, and ecology. His recent publications are in Catalyst: Feminism, Theor... Show more

Dr. Rolando Masís-Obando is a filmmaker, author, entrepreneur, and computational neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University. Rolando uses VR/AR, EEG, fMRI, AI, machine learning, and brain-computer-interface type methods to study how contexts shape the way we think and remember our day-to-day experiences. His academic journey spans from his Bachelor’s in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at Yale University to his PhD in Computational Neuroscience at Princeton. During his undergraduate studies, he co-founded Shuflix, the largest activity search engine (at the time), to help people interact with their environment in a playful way while helping small businesses get more exposure. Beyond academia, he channels his creativity through his YouTube channel where he shares programming tutorials on generative AI, AR/VR development, and CGI for sci-fi films. Additionally, he directs mini-documentaries exploring the ever-evolving landscape of technology. Recently, he co-founded one of the first, if not the first, hybrid academic/industry conference on the future of reality (Neuroethics & the Future of Reality; https://futurerealities.org/NFR2023/). Rolando and his brothers have an upcoming book titled “DIY AI” slated for release in 2025 with the practical know-how for coding and running your own AI models from home. Rolando also provides consulting for small businesses and start-ups in neuroscience, AI and XR.

Dr. Rolando Masís-Obando is a filmmaker, author, entrepreneur, and computational neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University. Rolando uses VR/AR, EEG, fMRI, AI, machine learning, and brain-computer-interface type methods to study how contexts shape th... Show more

Manuela Raidl is a Change and Communication Manager who helps organizations navigate complexity and transformation with clarity, empathy, and purpose.

Her journey into change work began through agile. What started with becoming a Scrum Master evolved into a broader focus on how teams and organizations adapt, learn, and grow. Today, Manuela sees agility not just as a framework, but as a mindset that underpins successful change.

Over the past year, she has spoken at several conferences across Europe, sharing practical insights on topics such as cultural challenges and team development. Whether working with engineers or executives, Manuela builds bridges between strategy and people – turning change initiatives into real, lived progress.

Manuela Raidl is a Change and Communication Manager who helps organizations navigate complexity and transformation with clarity, empathy, and purpose. Her journey into change work began through agile. What started with becoming a Scrum Master evol... Show more

Aleksander Slominski is a Research Staff Member in the Hybrid Cloud Programming Models and Systems department at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. He works on bringing serverless experience to running HPC and AI workloads in Kubernetes, particpate in open source serverless computing Knative project and presented about building Knative eventing applications during KnativeCon in Kubecon NA 2022. He organizes International Workshops on Serverless Computing (WoSC) to bring together researchers and industry practitioners to discuss their experiences and thoughts on future directions, talk slides are linked from: https://www.serverlesscomputing.org/workshops/

Aleksander Slominski is a Research Staff Member in the Hybrid Cloud Programming Models and Systems department at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. He works on bringing serverless experience to running HPC and AI workloads in Kubernetes, particpat... Show more

Social Engineering Trainer & Consultant - Cyber Risk GmbH

Christina Lekati is a psychologist and a social engineer.
Christina has participated in penetration tests, law enforcement & corporate training, high-value target & corporate vulnerability assessments, and more.
She is working with Cyber Risk GmbH as a lead intelligence analyst & social engineer. In addition to her social engineering work, she is conducting Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) assessments to help organizations and high-value individuals identify and manage risks.

Social Engineering Trainer & Consultant - Cyber Risk GmbH Christina Lekati is a psychologist and a social engineer. Christina has participated in penetration tests, law enforcement & corporate training, high-value target & corporate vulnerability... Show more

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

Stefano is the founder of Smile Solution LLC, a company dedicated to enhancing workplace creativity, bonding, and well-being through humor-driven experiential training. With over 20 years of international experience in comedy and facilitation, Stefano collaborates with tech companies, startups, and HR leaders to design innovative workshops and presentations, including his signature program, *The Power of Laughter*. He is an advocate for the transformative impact of humor in professional settings and has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences and corporate events worldwide.

Stefano is also a proud member of the applied improvisation and creativity community, bringing a unique perspective to organizations seeking fresh and dynamic approaches to employee engagement and stress reduction.

Stefano is the founder of Smile Solution LLC, a company dedicated to enhancing workplace creativity, bonding, and well-being through humor-driven experiential training. With over 20 years of international experience in comedy and facilitation, Stefan... Show more

Pavani Kuppili is a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Utah, advised by Prof. Robert Ricci. Her primary research interests are broadly in the areas of Programmable Networks, Data Center Networking, and Network Measurements. She is actively working on programming Tofino switches and FPGA-SmartNICs using P4. She collaborates with Prof. Michael Zink at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Prof. Miriam Leeser at Northeastern University.

Pavani Kuppili is a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Utah, advised by Prof. Robert Ricci. Her primary research interests are broadly in the areas of Programmable Networks, Data Center Networking, and Network Measurements. She is actively ... Show more

Hello!

My name is Jonas Hulthén and I'm a software engineer at Nordnet who loves to learn, collaborate and spread positivity!

Hello! My name is Jonas Hulthén and I'm a software engineer at Nordnet who loves to learn, collaborate and spread positivity! Show more

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

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

Theophilus Emmanuella is a Content and Personal Branding Strategist and the founder of WordBuilt, where she helps founders and professionals communicate their ideas clearly and build a stronger presence around their work.

Her work sits at the intersection of content, storytelling and professional visibility. Over the past few years, she has worked on personal brands, ghostwritten for founders, and built her own presence online while learning what makes people pay attention to good work.

She is particularly interested in the gap between having something valuable to offer and being able to communicate that value in a way people understand.

Through her work, she helps professionals move beyond simply “creating content” to thinking more intentionally about what they want to be known for, how they communicate their expertise and how their professional reputation grows over time.

She is also a law graduate with an interest in technology and cybersecurity, and enjoys exploring the intersection between technology, communication and the way people build careers in a digital world.

Theophilus Emmanuella is a Content and Personal Branding Strategist and the founder of WordBuilt, where she helps founders and professionals communicate their ideas clearly and build a stronger presence around their work. Her work sits at the inte... Show more

Don Barden, Ph.D. is a behavioral economist, international speaker, and business consultant who has worked with organizations including the U.S. Army, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and OneAmerica Financial Partners. He is the author of The Perfect Plan and Here Come the Girls, and teaches C-suite teams and business owners how to install the decision-making instincts that grow revenue, reduce turnover, and prepare organizations for the next era of leadership.

Don Barden, Ph.D. is a behavioral economist, international speaker, and business consultant who has worked with organizations including the U.S. Army, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and OneAmerica Financial Partners. He is the author of The Perfect Plan and H... Show more

Amber Vanderburg is a multi-award winning businessperson, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the international learning development company, The Pathwayz Group, which has led 800,000+ learners in more than 75 countries in action-focused learning journeys. Amber's history in talent development includes authoring top-reviewed online learning courses for platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, Lecturio, and PluralSight, acting as Director of a national education leadership company, and coaching with professional sports team academies in Asia. In 2022, she published her first business adventure book "Uniquely Better" about building higher team performance.

Speaking engagements:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMNcx7Jwk9Sp6WxuvrfOOBqdP9440SKl0

Amber Vanderburg is a multi-award winning businessperson, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the international learning development company, The Pathwayz Group, which has led 800,000+ learners in more than 75 countries in action-focused learning... Show more