Margaret Juhae Lee is the author of the award-winning Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History (Melville House), which was named a best book of 2024 by the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets. A former literary editor at The Nation, she received a Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies Fellowship from Harvard University and a Korean Studies Fellowship from the Korea Foundation. Her articles have been published in The Nation, Newsday, Elle, ARTnews, Writer's Digest and The Rumpus. A seasoned public speaker, she has lectured and taught workshops at universities, libraries and community organizations on searching for family history and how to talked to loved ones about the past, She lives in Oakland, California, with her family.

Margaret Juhae Lee is the author of the award-winning Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History (Melville House), which was named a best book of 2024 by the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets. A former literary editor at The Nation, she received ... Show more

Tim Tamashiro is a keynote speaker and bestselling author who helps people rediscover purpose, clarity, and joy through the Japanese concept of Ikigai.

He is the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller How To Ikigai and a former national CBC radio host, where he spent a decade connecting with audiences across the country. Today, his work helps individuals and organizations move beyond burnout and busyness toward meaningful direction and contribution.

After a successful career in broadcasting and music, Tim found himself asking a deeper question many people quietly carry: What actually makes life feel meaningful? That question led him to the study of Ikigai, wellbeing, and the mechanics of the mind.

Blending storytelling, humour, and practical insight, Tim delivers keynote experiences that re-energize audiences, sharpen focus, and leave people feeling clear, inspired, and ready to engage with what matters most.

Tim Tamashiro is a keynote speaker and bestselling author who helps people rediscover purpose, clarity, and joy through the Japanese concept of Ikigai. He is the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller How To Ikigai and a former national CBC radio host... Show more

Liene Freija Lund is a leadership and communication consultant with over 15 years of experience in international organisations, including senior roles within the United Nations system.

She works with leaders and teams to improve how they think, communicate and make decisions in complex and high-pressure environments. Her work focuses on attentive communication, emotional intelligence and decision-making as practical leadership tools — not abstract concepts.

Liene is the co-founder of Pathfinder Duo, SIA, a consultancy combining leadership development with cybersecurity and organisational resilience. She designs and delivers executive trainings, workshops and coaching programmes for organisations across Europe.

Alongside her professional work, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Communication, Behaviour and Credibility Analysis, where her research explores how emotional intelligence and communication directly impact team performance.

Her speaking style combines clarity, depth and real-world experience, offering audiences practical insights they can apply immediately in their leadership and professional roles.

Liene Freija Lund is a leadership and communication consultant with over 15 years of experience in international organisations, including senior roles within the United Nations system. She works with leaders and teams to improve how they think, co... Show more

Florencia Gabriele, PhD, is an economics professor, instructional designer, and speaker specializing in artificial intelligence in education, inclusive teaching, authentic assessment, and faculty development. She teaches economics and personal finance and works with educators across disciplines to design more engaging, accessible, and student-centered learning experiences.

Her work focuses on helping faculty and institutions use AI in practical, thoughtful ways to improve teaching, support diverse learners, and strengthen course design. She is especially interested in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility, and the role of AI in creating more flexible and equitable educational environments.

Florencia has presented on topics including AI-powered teaching, assessment in the age of AI, economics and personal finance education, and AI-supported inclusive course design. She works with educators, schools, and organizations in both English- and Spanish-speaking contexts, bringing an international and interdisciplinary perspective to her sessions.

Her presentations are known for being practical, engaging, and immediately useful, with strategies participants can apply right away in their own classrooms and programs.

Florencia Gabriele, PhD, is an economics professor, instructional designer, and speaker specializing in artificial intelligence in education, inclusive teaching, authentic assessment, and faculty development. She teaches economics and personal financ... Show more

Dr. Sonya Andrew is a public administration scholar, researcher, and speaker whose work sits at a critical and largely unexplored intersection: how media shapes and distorts the delivery of public policy, particularly for Black and marginalized communities.

Drawing on her doctoral dissertation at the University of Southern California, Dr. Andrew makes the case that public policy has a media problem — and the field has been slow to recognize it. Her research traces how media narratives have historically undermined equitable policy implementation, from Jim Crow-era rhetoric to present-day communications failures in government institutions.

Her presentations challenge practitioners, academics, and policymakers to confront two urgent realities: the field needs rigorous research into how media influence public policy outcomes, and public agencies must build their own independent, well-resourced media arms if they want their work to reach and serve the people who need it most.

Dr. Andrew has delivered paid presentations for institutions, including California State University, Long Beach. She brings a rare combination of scholarly rigor, lived perspective, and actionable insight, making her a compelling voice for conferences, academic programs, government agencies, and policy organizations.

Dr. Sonya Andrew is a public administration scholar, researcher, and speaker whose work sits at a critical and largely unexplored intersection: how media shapes and distorts the delivery of public policy, particularly for Black and marginalized commu... Show more

Revanth Reddy Airre is a Staff Engineer at Silicon Valley–based AI healthcare startup HippocraticAI, where he works on building safety-critical, large-scale AI platforms for healthcare. His work focuses on designing distributed AI infrastructure, including large-scale distributed systems, distributed scheduling, KV-cache–aware systems, and prefix-aware inference routing to support high-performance LLM serving in production environments.

Previously, Revanth was part of the Comcast Silicon Valley Innovation Center, where he helped build and scale a major data platform serving over 70 million users, tackling complex distributed systems and data infrastructure challenges. Earlier in his career, he worked at Paris-based startup CAST Software and with multiple Silicon Valley startups across AI and blockchain, gaining experience across both enterprise and startup ecosystems.

Revanth is also an active IEEE contributor, serving as Chair of the IEEE Silicon Valley Blockchain Chapter and as Global Student Coordinator for the IEEE Blockchain Technical Community. He has served on program committees for international blockchain research conferences. He is also the founder of FreeCodingSchool, a nonprofit initiative that provides accessible coding education through mentorship and open learning resources.

Revanth Reddy Airre is a Staff Engineer at Silicon Valley–based AI healthcare startup HippocraticAI, where he works on building safety-critical, large-scale AI platforms for healthcare. His work focuses on designing distributed AI infrastructure, inc... Show more

Melanie Suzanne Wilson is now available as a keynote speaker, emcee, or facilitator.

Melanie shares insights about personal branding, sustainable lifestyle, networking, diversity, inclusion, and confident public speaking.

Melanie Suzanne Wilson founded The Motivate Collective, a wellness discussion provider. Melanie hosted podcast recordings with acclaimed experts, storytellers, and advocates.

Melanie has been a speaker for more than a decade and a half. Melanie learned presentation techniques from her grandparents, Gary Wilson OAM and the late Elizabeth Wilson OAM.

She is available now in Sydney, regional NSW, further locations in Australia, and internationally.

Melanie Suzanne Wilson is now available as a keynote speaker, emcee, or facilitator. Melanie shares insights about personal branding, sustainable lifestyle, networking, diversity, inclusion, and confident public speaking. Melanie Suzanne Wilson... Show more

Cara Holt is a leadership and enablement speaker with a lifelong passion for helping people find their voice and perform at their best. She began public speaking at the age of eight, consistently winning speech competitions through high school and college, long before she realized it would become a defining part of her career.

In her third year as an educator, Cara transitioned from the classroom to training adults, quickly becoming a sought-after professional learning facilitator. She has presented at both state and national conferences and served as a national speaker for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s ECET2 initiative, supporting educators across the country in building confidence, instructional expertise, and sustainable systems for learning.

Over the course of her career, Cara has trained teachers and leaders nationwide and now applies that same learning science and human-centered approach to enablement, where she trains and coaches sales professionals daily. In 2025, she spoke at the Sales Enablement Collective, where a spontaneous conversation with an attendee’s leadership team led to a virtual speaking invitation and a defining moment: when asked how long she had been motivational speaking, her honest answer was “since 12 p.m. today.” That moment clarified what had been true all along—speaking is not new for her; claiming it publicly was.

As a busy mom of four, Cara brings a grounded, real-world perspective to the stage. She speaks on leadership, enablement, spirituality, gentle parenting, and raising self-aware, resilient kids, meeting audiences where they are and helping them grow with intention. Her talks blend credibility, authenticity, and actionable insight, leaving people both inspired and equipped.

Cara Holt is a leadership and enablement speaker with a lifelong passion for helping people find their voice and perform at their best. She began public speaking at the age of eight, consistently winning speech competitions through high school and co... Show more

Pierre E. Neis is a French‑German organizational transformation consultant, agile coach, and executive coach who has supported more than 200 organizations worldwide in their agile journeys across finance, industry, IT, the public sector, and hospitality. He is the creator of the AO (Agile Organizations) Method, a systems‑based approach that treats “Agile” as a dynamic of the organization rather than a team‑level process, and helps leaders answer the question: “What kind of Agile is your Agile?”

Author of The New Normal: AO Concepts and Patterns of 21st‑Century Agile Organizations and Swarming X4, Pierre designs adaptive, people‑centric operating models that increase coherence, cohesion, and responsiveness without burning people out. Over the last decade, he has created several practice‑oriented frameworks and serious‑game formats, including the AO transformation patterns, Swarming practices, and the Agile Animal Farm and PLöRK leadership‑through‑games workshops, which have been used by Swiss SMEs to global players.

Pierre speaks regularly at conferences such as Agile Tour, CAS (Conferencia Agile Spain), PMI Switzerland events, and other European communities, where he focuses on agile systems dynamics, AO transformation journeys, and practical patterns for moving from “doing Agile” to designing truly agile organizations. He works today as Agile Org Coach & Supervisor at Menschgeist GmbH in Switzerland, helping leadership teams, HR, and coaches design viable structures, clarify roles, and build transformations that are measurable through five experience‑based AO metrics.

Pierre E. Neis is a French‑German organizational transformation consultant, agile coach, and executive coach who has supported more than 200 organizations worldwide in their agile journeys across finance, industry, IT, the public sector, and hospital... Show more

Hi! I'm Smile :D!

I'm a curious and driven problem solver who enjoys building smart, efficient solutions that improve how things work behind the scenes.💡 I find real satisfaction in digging into complex issues, streamlining processes, and writing clean, reliable code that makes a difference.

I enjoy working with others and believe some of the best ideas come from collaboration 💙 but I’m just as comfortable rolling up my sleeves and tackling things on my own. I thrive in environments where I’m challenged, surrounded by great people, and always learning something new.📚

For me, it’s all about learning, growing, and making things better together. ✨🚀

Hi! I'm Smile :D! I'm a curious and driven problem solver who enjoys building smart, efficient solutions that improve how things work behind the scenes.💡 I find real satisfaction in digging into complex issues, streamlining processes, and writin... Show more

John Mead is a youth development speaker and entrepreneur dedicated to helping young people recognize their potential and change the trajectory of their lives. For 15 years, John worked inside a juvenile detention center, where he witnessed firsthand how environment, mindset, and opportunity shape the choices young people make.

Those experiences transformed his perspective and inspired him to build a mission focused on empowering youth through empathy, accountability, and growth mindset. Today, John is the founder of MVA Wellness, where he delivers workshops and talks that help students develop self-awareness, resilience, and self-efficacy.

Through powerful storytelling and real-life lessons from working with justice-involved youth, John helps students challenge limiting beliefs and recognize the power they have to rewrite their future. His work focuses on leadership, personal responsibility, and helping young people believe in what is truly possible for their lives.

John Mead is a youth development speaker and entrepreneur dedicated to helping young people recognize their potential and change the trajectory of their lives. For 15 years, John worked inside a juvenile detention center, where he witnessed firsthand... Show more

Librarian.
Head of Open Science Lab @ TIB - Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology

Librarian. Head of Open Science Lab @ TIB - Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology Show more

Bethany Parnell is the Senior Product Manager at the American College of Surgeons and the founder of Resilient Product Leadership. With over a decade of experience driving digital transformation across the insurance, hospitality, and healthcare industries, Bethany specializes in building systems that bend, not break. From AI integration to headless CMS migrations, her work bridges the gap between technical scalability and human resilience. She is a passionate advocate for psychological safety and teaches frameworks that help cross-functional teams navigate high-stakes, regulated environments without burning out.

Bethany Parnell is the Senior Product Manager at the American College of Surgeons and the founder of Resilient Product Leadership. With over a decade of experience driving digital transformation across the insurance, hospitality, and healthcare indus... Show more

From engineering floors to global boardrooms, Srishti has built trust across languages and time zones.
Surrounded by gears and doubts, she learned that impact creates space for belonging.

Lessons have followed her through four continents—designing EV parts in the U.S., leading cross-cultural teams in Europe, and managing a $120M manufacturing project at Northvolt.

There, in a melting pot of languages, cultures and metric systems, she saw the real challenge: it wasn’t strategy, budget or deadlines.

It was trust.

So she flipped her leadership style: informal tech huddles replaced rigid meetings, rituals replaced policies, and engineers started celebrating together instead of competing in silence.

The result? Engagement soared. Silos cracked. Delays dropped.

Today, Srishti brings those same tools to stages and boardrooms, helping leaders everywhere build teams that don’t just work together, but thrive together.

Her talks blend engineering clarity with cultural empathy, packed with real-world strategies you can use next week, not next quarter.

From engineering floors to global boardrooms, Srishti has built trust across languages and time zones. Surrounded by gears and doubts, she learned that impact creates space for belonging. Lessons have followed her through four continents—designin... Show more

Erin is a former tech executive and the founder of Fight Co.Lab, an innovative leadership platform exploring how ambitious leaders can redefine success, identity, and impact in the modern world of work.

She is the author of a forthcoming memoir with Simon & Schuster (slated for early 2027) about her career inside high-growth technology companies and the personal journey of redefining success on her own terms.

Prior to founding Fight Co.Lab, Erin held executive roles at some of the world’s fastest-growing technology companies, including Square (now Block) and Prosus/Naspers, one of the largest global technology investment firms. Her perspectives on leadership, career reinvention, and modern work culture have been featured by CNBC, Business Insider, and Newsweek.

Through Fight Co.Lab’s leadership programs and facilitation work, Erin convenes senior women leaders and executive teams from organizations including Reddit, The Washington Post, Mozilla, and The Honest Company to explore more intentional and human-centered approaches to leadership and success.

Erin is a former tech executive and the founder of Fight Co.Lab, an innovative leadership platform exploring how ambitious leaders can redefine success, identity, and impact in the modern world of work. She is the author of a forthcoming memoir wi... Show more

Bennett D. Bennett (he/him) is currently Cultural Strategy Director, US at GUT. In this role, Bennett oversees inclusion strategy and trend curation, ensuring GUT’s clients and teams meet the moment in multicultural, lifestyle, and entertainment projects. Bringing a multi-disciplined background, his past lives as a creative director, journalist, talent advocate, and content strategist combine to help future-forward brands create intentional, non-traditional campaigns and content.

A career-long advocate of talent equity for media professionals from marginalized groups, he’s a founder of the nonprofit 600 & Rising, and the inclusion summit Allyship and Action.
Bennett’s decade-plus in marketing and media have has included stints at Interbrand, BBDO New York, The Drum, Saatchi & Saatchi, and 22Squared. A 2013 MAIP Alum, Bennett’s been honored as a 2017 ADWEEK Young Influential and one of the 4As 100 People Who Make Advertising Great.

Bennett D. Bennett (he/him) is currently Cultural Strategy Director, US at GUT. In this role, Bennett oversees inclusion strategy and trend curation, ensuring GUT’s clients and teams meet the moment in multicultural, lifestyle, and entertainment proj... Show more

Chester Santos – “The International Man of Memory” has left an impression on all corners of the earth. With his unique ability to not only demonstrate extraordinary feats of the mind, but also educate others to do the same, this U.S. Memory Champion is widely regarded to be the world’s leading memory skills expert. Through his entertaining & educational television and movie appearances, professional seminars, and best-selling books, Chester has helped millions of people around the world to realize the benefits of an improved memory and sharper mind.

He is highly sought-after by the media for his exceptional skills and expertise. CNN, ABC, PBS, NBC, CBS, BBC, and the Science Channel have all featured Chester and his memory building tips for viewers. When newspapers and magazines need memory improvement tips for their readers, they also seek out Chester Santos. He has been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, and most recently, TIME Magazine featured his advice for remembering numbers in a December 2018 Special Edition entitled, “The Science of Memory”. The 2020 documentary film, "David vs. Goliath" features Chester Santos and his memory skills training.

Chester is also a best-selling author. His first book, “Instant Memory Training for Success”, was published by leading academic publisher John Wiley & Sons (Wiley) in 2016. It quickly became a bestseller in WHSmith stores across the UK and also on the Amazon UK website in multiple categories. Chester’s second book, “Mastering Memory: Techniques to Turn Your Brain from a Sieve to a Sponge”, was published by leading nonfiction publisher Sterling Publishing (Sterling) in 2018. It is currently (as of 2019) still featured in the Psychology section of almost every Barnes & Noble store across the USA. Chester’s books have been acquired by 246 public libraries worldwide.

As the preeminent thought leader on memory skills and their effect on one’s professional, personal, and academic success, Chester has been booked to give presentations in over 30 countries. He has entertained and educated people of varying backgrounds, including executives for CEO Clubs International and YPO, investment professionals for NASDAQ and Credit Suisse, students for organizations at Berkeley, Stanford, and Harvard, and even actors for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) Foundation.

His keynote speaking credits include TEDx with some of the nation’s most highly regarded professors and scientists, the prestigious Talks at Google program featuring “the world’s most influential thinkers, creators, makers and doers”, and the International Festival of Brilliant Minds in Puebla that had him speaking to an audience of 5000 people along with Nobel Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners, and other luminaries.

Chester Santos is also the personal memory and mind coach to some notable celebrities, politicians, professional athletes, and high-powered executives.

Chester Santos – “The International Man of Memory” has left an impression on all corners of the earth. With his unique ability to not only demonstrate extraordinary feats of the mind, but also educate others to do the same, this U.S. Memory Champion ... Show more

Masaki Iwabuchi is a New York-based Design Strategist and Futurist specialized in navigating "Wicked Problems" through the intersection of Strategic Foresight and Systemic Design. He proposes his unique 'Strategic Transgression through Design' framework—reclaiming radical imagination for non-designers in complex socio-technical systems.

With over 20 years of experience, Masaki currently leads future scenario development at JPMorgan Chase, where he translates complex socio-technical shifts into actionable strategic visions for the financial sector. His unique methodology combines rigorous engineering logic with the provocative power of Speculative Design, enabling organizations to move beyond incremental improvements toward transformative 2050 visions.

Key Expertise & Global Impact:

Strategic Leadership: Bridging the gap between long-term foresight and near-term product strategy within global-scale regulated industries.

Academic Authority: Serving as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Tohoku University, shaping the next generation of strategic design curricula and contributing to peer-reviewed research on future-making.

Thought Leadership: Author of Social Dreaming through Design (2021). Masaki’s work has been recognized by the Core77 Design Awards and he serves as a global jury member for prestigious awards including Good Living 2050 (Canada) and Indigo Design Awards (Netherlands).

Multidisciplinary Education: Holding dual Master’s degrees from Parsons School of Design (MFA) and The University of Tokyo (MA), he seamlessly integrates design, technology, and social science.

Masaki is committed to challenging entrenched Cartesian belief systems and provoking new worldviews that inspire resilient, alternative futures. He is a frequent speaker and advisor for organizations seeking to navigate the uncertainties of the 21st century.

Masaki Iwabuchi is a New York-based Design Strategist and Futurist specialized in navigating "Wicked Problems" through the intersection of Strategic Foresight and Systemic Design. He proposes his unique 'Strategic Transgression through Design' framew... Show more

Danielle Connolly is a disability advocate, content creator, speaker, and business and marketing professional. Born with a rare, still-undiagnosed muscle disease, Danielle has navigated unique life experiences that have shaped her passions and purpose. She shares her perspective through Daniellevates - a platform dedicated to elevating conversations about disability, rare disease, and chronic illness with a mix of humor, storytelling, education, and real-life adventures.

Danielle Connolly is a disability advocate, content creator, speaker, and business and marketing professional. Born with a rare, still-undiagnosed muscle disease, Danielle has navigated unique life experiences that have shaped her passions and purpos... Show more

UI/UX designer and entrepreneur building SaaS, fintech, and Web3 products that turn complex ideas into simple, usable experiences.

UI/UX designer and entrepreneur building SaaS, fintech, and Web3 products that turn complex ideas into simple, usable experiences. Show more

Nat Hawley is the founder of Divergent Thinking, a UK-based neuroinclusion and neurodiversity consultancy. He delivers keynotes and practical training that help leaders and teams build accessible, high-performing workplaces. His work focuses on the systems that shape performance—communication, meetings, onboarding, workload design and reasonable adjustments—turning good intent into manager-ready tools (scripts, checklists and standards). Nat holds an MSc in Applied Neuroscience and is known for clear, evidence-informed talks that translate neurodiversity into practical action. Learn more: https://www.divergentthinking.uk/

Nat Hawley is the founder of Divergent Thinking, a UK-based neuroinclusion and neurodiversity consultancy. He delivers keynotes and practical training that help leaders and teams build accessible, high-performing workplaces. His work focuses on the s... Show more

I am the Founder of GammaLex AI Inc. and Co-Founder of Justice for All (J4All.org), both launched at Stanford Law School. At GammaLex, I develop vertical AI solutions for high-stakes domains, where AI can meaningfully influence human outcomes, community systems, and long-term sustainability across health, legal technology, and AI infrastructure. Through Justice for All, we collaborate with Google Research to advance access to justice and deliver tangible humanitarian impact.

I am the Founder of GammaLex AI Inc. and Co-Founder of Justice for All (J4All.org), both launched at Stanford Law School. At GammaLex, I develop vertical AI solutions for high-stakes domains, where AI can meaningfully influence human outcomes, commun... Show more

Tehseen Raza is a technology entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Tehseen & Co, a digital solutions company specializing in data intelligence, verification infrastructure, and scalable online platforms. He is recognized for building practical, technology-driven systems that enable efficient access to structured data and automated verification services.
Operating with an execution-focused approach, Tehseen has developed multiple digital initiatives aimed at modernizing information access and simplifying complex data processes. His work centers on building reliable digital infrastructure, expanding databases, and deploying automation to improve service efficiency and accuracy.
Beyond his core enterprise, Tehseen is also the founder behind emerging technology brands including Tehseen Authority Tehseen &Co . These initiatives focus on artificial intelligence integration, digital branding, and next-generation automation frameworks designed to support modern digital ecosystems.
Through strategic development and continuous innovation, Tehseen Raza is actively building a technology ecosystem focused on data accessibility, scalable digital services, and AI-assisted solutions, positioning his ventures for long-term growth in the evolving global digital economy.

Tehseen Raza is a technology entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Tehseen & Co, a digital solutions company specializing in data intelligence, verification infrastructure, and scalable online platforms. He is recognized for building practical, techn... Show more

FOMU -the fear of messing up- leads to missed opportunities, disconnection and stagnation in individuals, teams and organizations. Through
powerful stories and real-world scenarios, Brittany equips high-achieving professionals with practical strategies that build psychological safety and create cultures where people feel safe to speak up, take risks and innovate.

A car accident that killed her brother and left her father a quadriplegic ignited Brittany’s passion to rethink human connection, assumptions and our reaction to fear. A former non-profit founder and employee at Airbnb, Brittany's transformed the perspectives of thousands of professionals around the world. She's spoken at venues like SXSW, NBC Universal, and Deutsche Bank and her work has been featured in NPR, Forbes and USA Today.

FOMU -the fear of messing up- leads to missed opportunities, disconnection and stagnation in individuals, teams and organizations. Through powerful stories and real-world scenarios, Brittany equips high-achieving professionals with practical strateg... Show more

Alberto Castillo Aroca has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the global AI landscape, particularly in the niche of Humanitarian AI. As an Economist with a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, he sits at the unique intersection of complex data science, social impact, and technology policy.

​Currently, he serves as the Product Manager for ANTICIPA at the French NGO 3iS. Under his leadership, the platform was recently selected by Google.org as one of only 20 initiatives globally—out of over 3,000 proposals—to win the Generative AI Impact Challenge.

​Unlike many AI experts who focus solely on commercial software, Alberto leads engineering projects that are actively saving lives in Colombia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Amazon. His work utilizes advanced architectures involving Gemini, Mastra AI, and GraphRAG to help vulnerable communities manage environmental risks and disasters through accessible interfaces like WhatsApp.

​He is a recognized expert in bridging the gap between advanced Enterprise AI architectures and real-world deployment in low-connectivity environments. Beyond his technical work, Alberto is deeply involved in tech governance, having recently presented formal AI regulation proposals to the Senate of the Dominican Republic. He is currently one of the strongest voices advocating for the use of Agentic Systems to solve complex, systemic crises in the Global South.

Alberto Castillo Aroca has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the global AI landscape, particularly in the niche of Humanitarian AI. As an Economist with a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, he sits at the unique inters... Show more

Honest, pragmatic and laid back, Naresh delivers motivational messages with leadership, resilience, perseverance, and ˜It's possible' as his main themes. With his unique skill to use tales of his adventures to inspire, he speaks about his explorations in a way that will relate to corporate audiences due to his former career as a technology consultant. Stories from his outdoor adventures and what it takes to overcome extreme challenges are topics that are relevant to corporations. He has spoken for some of the Fortune 500 organizations, universities, schools, and NGO's all over the world. He strongly believes that "You don't get ahead by having the potential to do something, you get ahead by doing it."

Honest, pragmatic and laid back, Naresh delivers motivational messages with leadership, resilience, perseverance, and ˜It's possible' as his main themes. With his unique skill to use tales of his adventures to inspire, he speaks about his exploration... Show more

Charlene “Char” Holmes is a TEDx speaker, psychology-informed leadership strategist, and professional development coach who helps individuals and organizations move beyond stress-driven performance into sustainable growth.

Drawing from trauma-informed principles, psychology research, and lived experience, Char teaches leaders how the brain’s survival systems influence decision-making, leadership style, workplace culture, and long-term performance.

Her work focuses on helping professionals recognize when they are operating from “survival mode” and equipping them with practical strategies to shift into what she calls SurThrival Mode — a leadership framework centered on awareness, resilience, emotional regulation, and sustainable impact.

Char’s work has resonated across leadership, wellness, and transformation spaces, where she speaks on topics including trauma-informed leadership, mindset transformation, resilience under pressure, and creating psychologically safe environments that allow people and organizations to thrive.

Through her speaking, coaching, and media platform, Char continues to lead transformative conversations that reshape leadership from the inside out.

Charlene “Char” Holmes is a TEDx speaker, psychology-informed leadership strategist, and professional development coach who helps individuals and organizations move beyond stress-driven performance into sustainable growth. Drawing from trauma-info... Show more

Sam Jenkins is a community strategist, facilitator, and inclusive event design expert with over a decade of experience leading large-scale public programs, workforce initiatives, and cultural events. She currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator in local government while also running Empowering Communities, a consulting practice focused on helping organizations move beyond performative efforts and into practical, people-centered action.

Sam’s work sits at the intersection of leadership, culture, and lived experience. She specializes in supporting front-line staff, building psychologically safe teams, and designing events and initiatives that actually reflect the communities they serve. Her background in parks and recreation, combined with her systems-level DEI work, gives her a rare perspective that resonates with both leadership and on-the-ground staff.

Known for her engaging, honest, and highly interactive style, Sam blends real-world scenarios, storytelling, and actionable tools participants can use immediately. She does not shy away from hard conversations, but she always grounds them in compassion, clarity, and practicality.

Sam has facilitated workshops, panels, and trainings for government agencies, nonprofits, and professional associations, and she consistently receives feedback for creating spaces that feel both challenging and supportive. Her sessions are especially impactful for audiences navigating burnout, change fatigue, and the pressure to “get it right” without enough guidance or support.

Sam Jenkins is a community strategist, facilitator, and inclusive event design expert with over a decade of experience leading large-scale public programs, workforce initiatives, and cultural events. She currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and I... Show more

Dr. Yi Zhang is a global learning strategist, TEDx speaker, SXSW London speaker (incoming), and founder who stands at the intersection of human development and technology shifts. With a 15-year career partnering with C-suite and senior leaders, Yi has spearheaded workforce capability initiatives that have positively impacted over 120,000 people at Fortune 100 giants, including Microsoft, Walmart, and United Airlines.

With a doctorate from Vanderbilt University, Yi helps people-centric organizations break through the AI overwhelm and rediscover their humanity and what they’re called to build. Whether addressing large conferences or leadership circles, Yi is known for making an emotional connection with the audience and bringing bold truths about AI and human behaviors that ignites change.

I offer two (2) signature talks:

1. Humanity & Well-Being: The AI Age Survival Guide

As AI reshapes the workplace, organizations face a hidden crisis of burnout and culture drift. This talk blends the nature of AI, human development, and change to help corporate leaders and teams navigate the overwhelm of AI acceleration without losing their humanity.

2. AI & the Human Debt: How HR & People Teams Win the AI Race

Is your HR/people team a passive observer or a strategic architect of the AI revolution? This talk unpacks the failed AI initiatives and provides proprietary guidance for CHROs and people leaders. It reclaims their seat at the table by bridging the gap between technological acceleration and human capability.

“Yi speaks from a place of extraordinary experience and genuine passion. What makes her remarkable on stage is her ability to take complex, forward-looking topics like AI, technology shifts, and workforce transformation and make them accessible, relatable, and deeply personal. That sets her apart as a speaker and as a thought leader.” — Berthine Crèvecoeur West, CEO, Westbridge Solutions"

Visit my speaker kit here for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EfIzdWtvkTL8h5FgjOeNQqdZFKgj99O4/view?usp=sharing

Dr. Yi Zhang is a global learning strategist, TEDx speaker, SXSW London speaker (incoming), and founder who stands at the intersection of human development and technology shifts. With a 15-year career partnering with C-suite and senior leaders, Yi ha... Show more

Cass Cooper is a leadership strategist and keynote speaker specializing in executive sensemaking during restructures, rapid growth, AI integration, and operating model shifts—where clarity, trust, and execution all matter.

With more than two decades of experience across sales, organizational development, and leadership advisory work, Cass is known for translating complexity into decision-ready insight. Her work sits at the intersection of people systems, communication, and organizational performance, helping leaders move beyond symptoms to address the underlying dynamics that stall execution and erode trust.

Through insight-driven keynotes and leadership intensives, Cass challenges the idea of “soft skills” as secondary, reframing emotional intelligence, judgment, and accountability as core business capabilities. Her approach focuses on strengthening what already works, closing execution gaps, and building people-centered systems that scale without adding drag.

Cass holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies from DePaul University and a Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Known as The Chaos Whisperer, she brings a grounded, pragmatic perspective to global stages—equipping leaders to make better decisions under pressure in complex, fast-changing, and AI-driven environments.

Watch Cass’s keynote sizzle reel: https://youtu.be/v4qc7uooWmk

Cass Cooper is a leadership strategist and keynote speaker specializing in executive sensemaking during restructures, rapid growth, AI integration, and operating model shifts—where clarity, trust, and execution all matter. With more than two decad... Show more